In a recent review, I mentioned that Lauren and I had recently journeyed into Wisconsin for a “Cheese Run”. I really like cheese – all varieties – and we travel to the Badger State several times a year just to acquire some of the excellent and fresh cheeses we have found there. On July 8th, we left Dubuque, Iowa and headed east on Route 11 to Monroe, Wisconsin. There we would have lunch at an especially favorite tavern, Baumgartner’s, an establishment that we have visited several times on previous occasions.
A Favorite Place
Monroe is just less than two hours from our current digs in Illinois and an easy sixty-mile drive from Dubuque, where we spent the night. We had already stopped in Shullsburg in the morning. And Monroe – only about forty minutes away from there – was our last stop on the weekend excursion.
A Tavern With Lots of Great Cheese
Monroe is a really great town with really friendly people. Opened in 1931, Baumgartner’s – on the southeast side of the town square – is Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store and features some of the finest cheese in the state. And in addition to the retail store in the front, there is a tavern in the rear of the store that serves some really good food and locally brewed beer (from the 4th oldest brewery in the country). Located a short walk from Baumgartner’s, the Huber Brewery produces some excellent beer!
A Word About That “Stinky German Cheese”
I especially like the aged cheddar (some is aged up to 13 years!) and Butterkäse there. The Domestic Danish Blue is also awesome, as is the Gruyere, Muenster and Swiss. And by the way, Baumgartner’s is where I tasted my first slice of Limburger cheese. Created by Belgian Trappist monks in the 1800s, Limburger has long been bad-rapped as being “that stinky German cheese” It’s really not that stinky… but it sure is tasty! And, well, like I said, I really like all varieties of cheese.
Lunch at a Streetside Table
That particular day in July was really, really nice in terms of the weather, and we decided to take full advantage of it by having lunch at one of Baumgartner’s street-side tables. Lauren ordered the good old American hot dog, and I got a pastrami sandwich – with cheese (Swiss) on it of course! We also were able to enjoy the music wafting from the Farmer’s Market that was taking place that morning. A glass of wine and a draught beer put the exclamation point on a great lunch and a great time in Monroe!
Only a Short Drive Away
There are a lot of good reasons to like Baumgartner’s. The food is great, the people who work there are as friendly as just about any place I have been, and the prices are very reasonable. If you live anywhere from northern Illinois to eastern Iowa, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern is only a short drive away. Do yourself a favor and make the short trip there. You’ll be glad you did. It’s a favorite place of ours, and I know that it will be only the first of many trips that you make to Monroe! Baumgartner’s is a great place to check out while you’re visiting Monroe – I give it 5 zins!
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern is located at 1023 16the Ave in Monroe, Wisconsin. They’re right on the town square across from the Green County courthouse.
Lauren’s Links
- Read more about Monroe and Green County at OntheLake.net
- Tavern League: Portraits of Wisconsin Bars by Carl Corey
