Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup from The Old Fashioned in Madison, Wisconsin
Happy National Bratwurst Day! I don’t think there could be a better day to release my last post on our visit to Madison, Wisconsin. After all, Wisconsin is the home of brats, beer and cheese, so I am sure there has been much merriment taking place in the great state of Wisconsin today.
We have been On the Road quite a bit for the last few weeks and this travel will continue for a few more months. I know you will enjoy some of the people, places, food and stories that are coming, so I look forward to sharing everything with you. Next week I will also have a few guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers and friends, so I hope you will enjoy learning a little more about them.
Now, here is a recap of our trip to Madison, Wisconsin and a recipe for a traditional Wisconsin favorite!
Tha campus at The University of Wisconsin is very attractive and quite large
Our first stop when we arrived in Madison was to grab lunch at the food carts by the University of Wisconsin. Madison has many International restaurants and some of these restaurants have food carts that represent those restaurants. We enjoyed specialties from East Africa, Indonesia and China and they were all very good. Street food is not a new concept in Madison. Apparently, these carts have been around for many years.
We took our lunch to Memorial Union Terrace. When you visit Madison, this is THE place to go to drink local beer, eat ice cream and watch the boats on Lake Mendota. We decided to sit by the water, have our lunch at The Terrace and take in the gorgeous weather. With such a short season for days like these, you need to go and enjoy The Terrace as much as you can.
You have to drink a pitcher of beer at The Terrace
We ordered a pitcher of Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewery. That was my favorite beer during our trip and trust me, I tried a few beers while we were there, so I should have a strong opinion about that. 🙂
The ice cream matches her outfit!
We had a great view of Lake Mendota on The Terrace
The next day we visited the Dane County Farmers’ Market which was incredible. That was followed by a visit to Eagle Heights Community Garden to gather some more homegrown veggies and herbs for dinner. I have never seen so much local food in one day!
Mushrooms at the Dane County Farmer’s Market
Eagle Heights Community Garden
Love this Post! The Old Fashioned is one of my favorite restaurants in Madison. Their cheese curds are to die for! So glad you got to enjoy the terrace!
Hi Taylor,
Yes, it was a great trip and we thoroughly enjoyed the beer at The Terrace! I can see why it’s such a popular spot to visit, especially on a beautiful day.
Gwen
Very nice reading your post. Made me travel for a while! Never been there, yet!
You should definitely go sometime! It’s a lovely part of the country.
Beer and Cheese Soup, my son would think he died and went to heaven! Have never been to Wisconsin Gwen, thanks for giving me a real feel for this beautiful place. Have fun, be safe 🙂
Thanks Kathy! Yes, that combination is pretty awesome. I need to make this soup and then run a marathon, but will definitely have to whip up a batch soon.
I think there may be a Friday night on the patio with bowls of beer cheese soup – looks like you ate and drank your way through another weekend ;=)
Hi Denise,
LOL! Yes, more beer than wine in Wisconsin. Not nearly as crazy as New Orleans…that’s for sure! I do think that would make a great Friday night patio supper. A Wisconsin theme night! 🙂
Gwen
What a great time and I am just LOVING that ice cream sign!
I love the Old Fashioned, in Madison and since my brother lives in Madison and we are only 1 1/2 hours away we often eat there…well more often drink there and nosh on their killer pickled eggs!!!
Hi Pete,
Yes, it would be a fun place to have a few beers. I really enjoyed their Dilly Beans. They were pretty awesome too.
Gwen
Two quarts of cream, and two and a half pounds of cheddar.
Oh, my.
Yes…that says it all! 🙂
I just don’t think I could keep up with you guys, good thing you had surgery, and your sense of humor is indeed one of the many reasons I come back, one I said, don’t take that too seriously – as always, love this travel-journey-diary-post, and much appreciation for bringing us along
Hi Drick,
I am glad you are enjoying our adventures. Sometimes I make myself exhausted just thinking about all of the travel! It’s better to keep moving than sit around…that much I know!
Gwen
Ah, Wisconsin. No wonder you asked about tipping cows. Despite that fact that Chicago and Green Bay have a huge rivalry, I adore northern Wisconsin especially. With all that rich dairy food, beer and brats, you’d think that the people there would all be obese, but they’re really not. I guess it’s all the work they do keeping the cows producing milk. Loving your road trip.
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment Cristiane. Yes, we noticed that the people there were thinner than they are in Atlanta! They have all the bike lanes and do a good bit of walking. Just goes to show you that all that rich food doesn’t have to make you fat! 🙂
Gwen
Gwen, thanks for the Props for Madtown! I’ve lived here for 27 years and this place is addicting!
New Glarus Spotted Cow is the most favored brew in Wisconsin and you can’t get it in any other state. Glad you all had a great time in our State, and our city of Madison!
Hi Craig,
You are welcome! We had so much fun during our visit and look forward to returning…in warm weather!! I know what you folks do…you keep all the good beer to yourselves and I can’t say that I blame you! 😉 I guess we will just have to come back to Wisconsin to drink some more Spotted Cow!
Gwen
I had a delicious beer cheese soup at a restaurant/brewery in rapid city a few months ago and have been craving it ever since. The weather started turning cold and I decided out was time to make many own. This recipe far looked the best compared to others I found online.
Tasted real good (used shiner bock and 2year agreed cheddar). Next time, I think I’m going to find a way to thicken it a little, maybe add potatoes, and some gorgonzola as added flavor.
Thanks for sharing your find!