SBS: Dairyland | Milwaukee, WI

Originally posted to the OG Rise & Chai WordPress on July 4, 2021.

Y’AAAAAALL.

This is somewhere I’ve been looking forward to trying for a loooooong time and it did not disappoint. I know you’ve already read the title, but in case you missed it: I’m talking about Dairyland, quite possibly my new favourite Milwaukee take out.

I’ve followed them on their social media since I started food blogging, and I’ve seen others rave about them. I’ve been so excited to try them -- from their yummy looking food to their down to earth honesty across their online presence, Dairyland ain’t like the rest of ‘em. Here’s a peek into their vibe and their mission statement:

“...We promise to serve you the very best we can, as pure and good as you deserve… We care about the animals that we use, how they are raised, and the families who raise them… Our goals are simple: To take good care of everything and everyone, every time.”

Something so beautiful and integral about the honesty packed in there. As a side note, they’re also a local business supporting other small businesses -- the credits at the bottom of their website name Crafty Caravan as their site builder. Very cool.

Their menu boasts everything that makes you think of a classic burger joint, taken up a notch. Hand breaded cheese curds, feel-good burgers and sandwiches, even weekend brunch! With two locations right in the city, they’re accessible and delicious.

Dairyland is currently operating out of Common Cookhouse in Oak Creek and Zócalo Food Park right downtown on 6th Street. I ordered from their Oak Creek location on a whim when I map searched “food near me” and realized how close they were! I was basically passing them and had no idea. I was a little confused by the layout because the only downside is that there’s no sign outside -- if you don’t know that they’re operating out of Common Cookhouse, you’d miss them entirely. That being said, it’s all explained right on the front page of their mobile site. Had I looked there first, I would have known!

In no time, my car was filled with the most mouth watering smells -- fried food. Not like fair food or your typical fast food smell, either, but the smell of genuine and delicious yumminess, battered and cooked to perfection. I couldn’t help myself… I snuck a fry. Then another, and another, because holy COW were they good!

Once I was home and the camera ate, I was finally able to dig in. The cheese curds… *chef’s kiss* absolute perfection. The Wisconsin Cheese Queen has always had good things to say about this place, and their cheese curds absolutely lived up to the hype! The breading was soft and perfectly golden. That being said… I only ordered fries and curds so I could really get a feel for Dairyland food by trying them both. I thought the curds were pricey until I saw it was a meal sized carton of curds! You’re definitely going to want to share (or just have leftovers, like me) if you order both.

I went against everything I’ve been told and I didn’t order a burger (gasp!) but the deluxe chicken sandwich was absolutely incredible. Move aside, Chick-Fil-A. It’s Pride Month now, but if you’re looking for a kick ass chicky sammy, hit up Dairyland instead of chain restaurants any time of year! The chicken was thick and cooked to juicy, crispy perfection, and the flavors were big and bold. The bun never got soggy, even when I couldn’t finish it all and heated up half the sandwich again later!

Lastly and arguably most importantly… The sauce. Or maybe it qualifies as a dip? I felt like every supporting cast member in Goodburger asking myself “Ed, what do you put in that sauce!?” They served it in a dish, bagged up right with everything else. From their site, I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be the ranch or the flyover sauce. It was almost like sour cream + onion dip, and it was so. freaking. good! I dipped everything in that sauce -- sandwich, curds, and fries alike.

I’ve always seen how stunning and carefully crafted Dairyland’s food looks, but now I can finally say I’ve devoured it myself. Everyone I communicated with was friendly and helpful, the food was fantastic, and overall it’s a kitchen with a mission that I can get behind.

If you haven’t had it yet, make sure Dairyland is on your list of foodie faves to hit up before the end of summer!

PS: I know today's Sunday. Happy 4th, everyone! I wrote this on June 26th, in case anyone cares that today isn't technically a Saturday. Lol.