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Bug Juice is one of the new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin State Fair.
Sweet, savory and downright unusual, the food at the fair is some of the most extravagant and imaginative.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Wisconsin State Fair will be adding 100 new food items to its lineup this summer, one for each century the fair has been in existence.
Notable additions include the refreshing Acai Cup (Leff’s Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill), fusion-inspired Asian Sweet & Sticky Tots (Knucklehead), and a spooky Bug Juice filled with “real edible” creatures like ants, grubs, scorpions and more.
Fair-goers can also expect updated versions of beer, cheese and soda dishes, insect-filled treats and innovative takes on old favorites like cream puff soda and buffalo chicken rangoons.
This year’s fair is set to debut 100 new foods and beverages, as well as 10 new vendors; menus and locations can be found online.
A full list of foods served and allergy information can be found online.
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The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair is scheduled to run from Aug. 1-11.
Oprah visits Milwaukee Public Market
Milwaukee Public Market had a light crowd last week, but made up for it with star power.
Oprah Winfrey visited Thursday to support her niece and nephew, Alisha and Ty Hayes, who run Pat’s Rib Place.
Winfrey, a television host and producer, is best known for her eponymous talk show, which aired for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011. She is also a notable philanthropist, having founded the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to efforts to improve access to education.
Pat’s Rib Place joined the public market as a vendor in 2021, but it’s been in business for much longer. The Hayes started their soul food business in 2009. The restaurant’s Waukesha location closed in 2023 after 14 years in business.
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Hamburger Mary’s to close, relocate
Hamburger Mary’s, which has been operating in the Walker’s Point neighborhood for about eight years, is preparing to expand its Burgers, Bloodies and Beauty to a new location.
The restaurant, known for its drag performances, will close its doors at 730 S. 5th St. after closing on Sunday, July 28.
Co-owners Ashley and Brandon Wright told Urban Milwaukee they plan to reopen in a new location, though at this point the brothers have not yet decided on an exact location.
“This is bittersweet,” Brandon said in a statement. “We are sad to announce that Hamburger Mary’s will be closing, but we are excited about the possibilities that the new location will bring.”
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Bars and Restaurants Experience Dramatically Different Results with Republican National Convention Traffic
On most weekday lunchtimes, Shah Ji’s linoleum tables are packed with office workers, and the line of diners stretches through the dining room, waiting for dishes like chicken masala, dal masoor and basmati rice.
On Wednesday it was dark and empty.
The Pakistani restaurant at 770 N. Jefferson St. decided to close from July 15 to 18 due to an expected drop in customer traffic during the Republican National Convention, with most of its office employees planning to work from home.
“Without our employees, we don’t have a business,” owner Azhar Shah told Urban Milwaukee.
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Burrito Bueno to close, new restaurant to open
Burrito Bueno has permanently closed its restaurant at 8238 W. Appleton Ave., bringing an end to more than 20 years in business.
A new tenant will take over the space and will continue to serve Mexican food, but it’s unlikely they’ll bring back the former restaurant’s extensive buffet.
The family-owned Burrito Bueno has been gradually winding down since owner Marco Arteaga put the restaurant up for sale last summer. At the time, Arteaga told Urban Milwaukee he planned to retire.
Burrito Bueno was previously run by Arteaga and his son, Marco Arteaga Jr., but Arteaga’s son left the restaurant in July 2023, according to social media posts.
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