There are lots of great reasons to visit Milwaukee Public Market. Beyond being an award-winning marketplace and tourist attraction situated in the heart of the Historic Third Ward, the Public Market is the home of one of the city’s favorite sandwiches (the lobster roll at St. Paul Fish Company), artisan cookies beloved by an NBA Championship-winning coach, quality confections, novelty T-shirts, flowers, specialty spices, coffee, barbecue, Middle Eastern cuisine, and so much more.
As Milwaukee Public Market celebrates its 20th anniversary with a limited edition Lakefront beer and various other happenings scattered throughout the calendar year, we wanted to take a moment to recognize one of the market’s more overlooked and underappreciated amenities. No, we’re not talking about its proximity to The Hop. We’re referring to a little offshoot of a far more visible vendor that’s serving up some of Milwaukee Public Market’s best eats.
Just around the corner from the high-visibility Foltz Family Market kiosk, you’ll happen upon a thin corridor that’s partially obscured by coolers, cold cases, and stacks of beer. That collection of eight stools set in front of a maybe 20-foot bar and a couple pub tables is The Wurst. The self-described sausage bar is owned by brothers Casey and Ryan Foltz, who started Foltz Family Market in 2017 and took over the so-called “tucked away tavern” connected their primary business at the same time.
Though the space specifically dedicated for The Wurst is small, it serves up a wide range of Foltz Family Market specialties that are made on-site mere feet away. As the name suggests, there’s an array of handmade sausages on the menu, including classics like bratwursts and an extensive, ever-changing arsenal of other encased specialties.
If you’ve ever eaten a sausage at Puddler’s Hall (which Casey co-owns), recently purchased any from G. Groppi Food Market (which the Foltz brothers took over this past January), or watched this dumb sausage race video we made during the pandemic, you’re already aware these sausages are no joke. You can order one to be prepared and plated for you at The Wurst. And if you want a wider sampling, The Wurst Platter—your choice of three specialty sausages served with a selection of cheeses, onions, and kraut—can be had for a scant $25.
Aside from the sausages on hand, The Wurst also offers an abundance of Foltz’s in-house wood fire specialty pizzas, calzones, homemade panini, oven roasted Amish chicken, and even a few pastas for good measure. We are already well-versed in Foltz Family pizzas from years of Puddler’s patronage and we’ve had their sausages many times (and even have a few Hot Italians in our fridge as we write this), so we decided to dip into the unfamiliar during a visit earlier this week.
Recalling a ringing endorsement from Milwaukee rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Klassik in a tent as we waited through a rain delay (and eventual rain out) during the 2023 Bay View Bash, we opted for one of The Wurst’s three burgers. The Bacon Pepper Jack Burger ($15, including fries) is a massive amalgam of quality ground sirloin that’s been expertly seasoned and topped with sauteed mushrooms, thick strips of bacon, two pieces of gooey pepper jack, sliced tomato, and fresh arugula lettuce encased in a toasted pretzel bun. It was grilled to a perfect medium, just as we had requested when asked our grilling preference.
While admittedly difficult to tackle such a big and decadent burger, it was worth the extra napkins and the uncomfortable post-meal waddle back to our car. It might be recency bias, but this burger could be a contender for a top 10-15 Milwaukee burger. At the very least, Klassik was right. It’s extremely good…especially when the garlic aioli—one of three french fry dipping sauces that come with the meal, along with ketchup and spicy mayo—was incorporated.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about the whole “Bar” part of the “Sausage Bar” distinction, you’ll probably be glad to learn there are 12 Wisconsin beers available on draft and a fully stocked bar with spirits galore. There’s also a picture of our pal Bert Lauderdale posted behind the bar, if you’re into that sort of thing. The Wurst also sells packaged beer too-go, as well as pints of ice cream from Purple Door and Scratch, buns, local soda, and more.
If you’ve been to Milwaukee Public Market, Foltz Family Market is no secret. Sure, you can absolutely stock up on their sausages, deli fare, pizzas and panini, and countless other goods to enjoy elsewhere. However, if you want to partake in their bounty at the market itself (maybe with a drink or two), grab one of the approximately 16 total spots in this tiny tavern/sausage bar that’s less than 20 steps from St. Paul Fish Company. Milwaukee Public Market has no shortage of excellent food vendors, but The Wurst is one of its best.