Ancient Rome is a significant chapter in human civilization that continues to capture our imagination. It is renowned for its profound influence on law, politics, and culture. Although the empire has long since dissolved, its impact is felt worldwide, with towns across the United States adopting its name. Wisconsin is no exception, boasting not one, but two communities named Rome.
Ahead of January 4, 2025—a day dubbed “National Spaghetti Day” by the internet—I’m diving into a critical comparison: Rome in Jefferson County vs. Rome in Adams County. The goal? To find out which Wisconsin Rome serves the best spaghetti.
Rome, Wisconsin – Jefferson County
Rome, a small, rural community nestled in Jefferson County, is technically a “census-designated place” within the town of Sullivan. Known for its tranquil surroundings, this area is framed by sprawling farmlands, a history rooted in early industry along the Bark River, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation at the nearby Rome Pond Wildlife Area.
Before my day trip to Rome, my research uncovered no local taverns or restaurants specializing in spaghetti. However, I did stumble upon a charming country store called Picket’s.
If Rome, Italy is renowned for its vibrant piazzas and awe-inspiring architecture, Picket’s in Rome, Wisconsin is its serene contrast. Set in what appears to be an old red barn or mill, Picket’s exudes rustic charm with its wooden interior and walls adorned with mounted fish and deer. Inside, you’ll find a sandwich counter, a fishing bait shop, and shelves stocked with grocery basics.
My quest led me to the closest thing I could find to spaghetti: a solitary can of Chef Boyardee Mini ABC’s & 123’s pasta in tomato sauce. I took my purchase to the picnic table outside, cracked it open, and ate it cold. The sauce leaned more toward a ketchup-like sweetness and consistency, while the pasta—saturated from its confinement—had become a mush of indistinguishable letters and numbers. Did I try to spell out “Milwaukee Record” or “414”? Absolutely. Did I succeed? No.
The meatballs, as expected, were typical of canned pasta—a texture both unnerving and nostalgically comforting. Don’t get me wrong: I love a well-made pasta dish, but I also get a thrill from a can of SpaghettiOs now and then. Unfortunately, Chef Boyardee didn’t live up to SpaghettiOs’ nostalgic charm or quality.
Though the spaghetti experience was a letdown, I must give credit where it’s due. The freshly made Italian Beef sandwich from the counter was fantastic—an A+ creation that undoubtedly serves the community well. It’s hard to say when I’ll pass through the Jefferson County Rome again, but that sandwich deserves a shout-out. (That said, this isn’t a story about Italian Beef. It’s about spaghetti—or the lack thereof.)
Ancient Romans revolutionized plumbing with their aqueducts, so to celebrate that fact I headed to the bathrooms located just through the hallway of minnows and other fishing bait. Rome, Italy boasts Renaissance art, sculptures, and iconic figures like Michelangelo; the bathroom at Picket’s offers its own cultural centerpiece: a cardboard cutout of Bob Uecker.
With my day trip to Rome complete, it was time to plan the next day’s trip to Rome in Adams County. Two Romes in Wisconsin, roughly 140 miles apart from one another.
Rome, Wisconsin – Adams County
The Town of Rome in Adams County is a forested gem for outdoor enthusiasts. It has year-round trails for hiking, biking, and more all along the Tri-Lakes and Lake Petenwell—a.k.a. Wisconsin’s second-largest lake. Italy can keep its Sistine Chapel; Rome, Wisconsin has this fun mural greeting you on your way into town.
I was able to get some great restaurant recommendations from the local visitors guide, but a good chunk of those restaurants were closed at the time I arrived. Thankfully, Romano’s Pizza & Pub was open.
The ice fisherman stayed near the shoreline of Lake Petenwell, just in front of Romano’s Pizza & Pub, shuffling their tip-ups as they worked the lake. Snow fell, melted, and gave way to a dense, soupy fog that blanketed the Pizza Pub and its closed-for-the-season outdoor tiki bar.
At 10:45 a.m. on a Monday between Christmas and New Year’s, the bar was nearly empty—just me, two-three patrons, TVs showcasing high-end automobile auctions, and a bartender who greeted me with a rundown of the day’s breakfast specials. It was then that the absurdity of ordering spaghetti at this hour dawned on me. Hesitant but committed to my mission, I asked about the spaghetti. I do believe it caught him off guard, but thankfully, he replied with an enthusiastic, “No problem!”
After a brief chat with a fellow patron, my plate arrived. It contained a generous serving of spaghetti with meatballs, sausage, and garlic bread, all served dusted with parsley—and served to me at a bar just past 11 a.m. on a Monday. The pasta was cooked al dente, the marinara sauce was classic and comforting, and the sausage stole the show with its ability to soak up the flavors of the sauce. The meatballs, while decent, could have benefited from being simmered in the sauce, but I couldn’t fault them—I’m the jackass ordering spaghetti at breakfast to satisfy a writing hobby.
Between sips of a crisp Miller Lite, I took matters into my own hands: crafting a garlic bread-spaghetti sausage sandwich that somehow felt like the perfect way to finish the meal and story.
A big thank you to Romano’s Pizza & Pub for satisfying and indulging my odd request!
In the end, while Rome in Jefferson County offered a sad cold can of Chef Boyardee (and a hellishly tasty Italian beef sandwich), Rome in Adams County won with its superior spaghetti.
While I didn’t find the grandeur of ancient Rome, I did find a good meal—and that’s a win. So, when in Rome, Wisconsin… Adams County is the place for spaghetti.
P.S. While I couldn’t track down a Colosseum in either Rome, I did find a baseball field in Jefferson County’s Rome and a pleasant park gazebo in Adams County’s Rome. Both would be excellent places to LARP a gladiator fight.
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