10 Wisconsin Cheese-Stuffed Burgers That Ooze Flavor
Wisconsin knows burgers the way a cow knows grass – naturally and completely. Across the Badger State, restaurants have mastered the art of sealing molten cheese inside beef patties, creating what locals call “Lucys” or stuffed burgers.
When you bite into one of these beauties, prepare for a cascade of melted cheese that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Hungry already? Let’s dive into some seriously delicious (and cheesy) stuff!
1. Dirtiest Swiss at Crafty Cow
Nothing says comfort food like a burger that practically requires a bib. This beast starts with a beef patty stuffed with Swiss cheese, then gets topped with even more Swiss plus sautéed mushrooms and onions.
The magic happens when the sealed Swiss inside melts into a lava-like core. Each bite releases streams of molten cheese that mix perfectly with the earthy mushrooms.
Crafty Cow operates this masterpiece across their Bay View, Wauwatosa, and Oconomowoc locations, running a full stuffed-burger program that’ll make cheese lovers weep tears of joy.
2. True Grit Double-Cheese Attack
Some burgers play it safe, but True Grit goes all-in with a cheddar-stuffed patty crowned with American and more cheddar on top. Add bacon and BBQ sauce, and you’ve got a flavor explosion.
The double-cheese approach creates layers of melty goodness – molten cheddar erupts from the center while the surface cheeses add creamy richness. I remember my first bite sent cheese cascading down my chin like a delicious waterfall.
Available at all Crafty Cow locations, this burger proves that sometimes more really is more, especially when it comes to Wisconsin’s finest dairy products.
3. Baldwin Street Grille’s Classic Juicy Lucy
Madison’s Baldwin Street Grille keeps things beautifully simple with their take on the classic Juicy Lucy. Their beef patty comes stuffed with both American and cheddar cheese, creating the perfect inside-out experience.
The genius lies in the classic double-cheese center that melts into creamy perfection as the burger cooks. Pro tip: ask for jalapeños if you want to add some heat to the mix.
Served with a side of fries, this burger represents everything great about Wisconsin’s approach to comfort food – honest ingredients prepared with skill and served with a smile.
4. Burkel’s Build-Your-Own Stuffed Masterpiece
Green Bay’s Burkel’s One Block Over puts the power in your hands with their house-stuffed burger. Choose your cheese weapon: American, Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, or whatever strikes your fancy.
The cheese core gets sealed right into the grind, then cooked until it melts completely through the patty. This customizable approach means every visit can bring a new cheesy adventure.
Whether you’re a mild American cheese traditionalist or a spicy pepper jack rebel, Burkel’s has you covered with their flexible stuffed-burger program that celebrates personal preference.
5. Crooked Pint’s No-Fuss Classic Lucy
Sometimes the best things come in simple packages. Crooked Pint Ale House in Onalaska serves up their Classic Lucy with USDA choice beef stuffed with straightforward American cheese.
The beauty lies in the simplicity – molten American cheese creates that perfect gooey center without any fancy additions. This burger lets the quality beef and perfectly melted cheese do all the talking.
The Onalaska location carries their full Lucy lineup, making it a destination for cheese-stuffed burger enthusiasts who appreciate both variety and classic execution done right.
6. California Lucy’s Spicy West Coast Vibe
Who says Wisconsin can’t do California style? This pepper jack-stuffed Lucy gets topped with bacon, avocado, romaine, cholula mayo, and tomato for a fresh twist on the classic.
The pepper jack center brings melty heat that perfectly complements the cool avocado and crisp lettuce. The combination creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting.
This burger proves that Wisconsin’s cheese-stuffing techniques work beautifully with flavors from across the country, creating fusion food that honors both traditions while blazing new trails.
7. Totcho Lucy’s Comfort Food Crown
Crooked Pint’s Totcho Lucy takes comfort food to ridiculous heights. Start with an American cheese-stuffed patty, then crown it with a giant tater tot, sour cream, bacon, green onions, and more cheese.
The gooey cheese core combines with creamy toppings to create something completely over-the-top. This burger requires both hands and possibly a forklift to consume properly.
Perfect for those days when you want to throw caution to the wind and embrace pure indulgence, this creation celebrates everything excessive and wonderful about American comfort food.
8. Joe Mama’s Weekly French Jalapeño Special
Colgate’s Joe Mama’s Bar & Grill keeps things interesting with rotating Wednesday specials. Their French Jalapeño Lucy stuffs a half-pound patty with spicy pepper jack cheese that’ll wake up your taste buds.
The pepper jack center provides a spicy kick that builds with each bite. Since variants change weekly, you never know what creative stuffed combination awaits your next visit.
Smart diners call ahead to ask what’s stuffed that day, turning each Wednesday into a delicious surprise. This rotating approach keeps the menu fresh and customers guessing.
9. Juicy Lucy’s Kitchen Customizable Creation
Racine’s Juicy Lucy’s Kitchen goes all-in on the concept with a dedicated stuffed burger section. Their basic Juicy Burger lets you pick your cheese for a personalized molten center experience.
The cheese gets sealed inside the patty and melts during cooking, creating that signature oozy core that defines great stuffed burgers. Choose your adventure from their cheese selection.
Having a whole restaurant dedicated to perfecting this style shows how seriously Wisconsin takes its cheese-stuffed burger game, offering consistency and variety under one roof.
10. Reunion Restaurant’s Family-Friendly Lucy
West Allis’s Reunion Restaurant proves stuffed burgers work perfectly in family settings. Their house Juicy Lucy burgers appear on the everyday menu alongside pizza and ribs in this arcade-equipped spot.
These cheese-filled patties are made to drip in the most satisfying way, creating kid-friendly excitement while delivering grown-up flavor. The family atmosphere makes messy eating not just acceptable but encouraged.
Combining great food with entertainment, Reunion shows how Wisconsin’s stuffed burger tradition fits perfectly into casual family dining, creating memories alongside melted cheese moments.