Best pasties around Milwaukee: The ultimate guide

If you grew up visiting Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you know the joy of biting into a warm, flaky pasty stuffed with seasoned beef, potatoes, and root vegetables.

The good news for southeastern Wisconsin families: you don't have to drive six hours north to satisfy that craving. While the Milwaukee area isn't exactly pasty paradise, a handful of dedicated spots serve them fresh, dozens of grocery stores stock frozen versions from award-winning makers, and several beloved UP pasty shops will ship directly to your door. This guide covers every option we could find across Milwaukee and the surrounding counties so your family can enjoy this hearty comfort food without crossing the Mackinac Bridge.

Quick context for the uninitiated: a pasty (pronounced "PASS-tee," rhymes with "nasty") is a savory hand pie filled with meat, potatoes, onions, and root vegetables tucked inside a flaky pastry crust. Cornish miners brought the tradition to southwestern Wisconsin in the 1830s, and when the lead mines dried up, those same families carried the recipe north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where it became iconic. Wisconsin is actually where America's pasty story begins.

Where to eat pasties in the Milwaukee area

Finding a freshly made pasty in southeastern Wisconsin takes a little more effort than finding a Friday fish fry, but these spots deliver. Here is every restaurant, bakery, and shop in the metro area currently serving or selling pasties.

Mr. Dye's Pies — Downtown Milwaukee (3rd Street Market Hall) This is the most exciting pasty development in Milwaukee in years. Johnathan Dye, whose bakery was named "Best Pie Shop in Wisconsin" by USA Today, launched a savory pasty line in March 2025 alongside his beloved sweet pies. Located inside the 3rd Street Market Hall at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203, Mr. Dye's offers three handcrafted varieties: a classic Ground Beef Pasty with potatoes, celery, carrots, and a secret spice blend; a Three-Mushroom Pasty featuring white, portabella, and shiitake mushrooms (fully vegan); and a creative Maxwell Street Polish & Sweet Onion Pasty inspired by Chicago street food, stuffed with smoky beef Polish sausage, sweet onions, bell peppers, and golden potatoes. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Delivery may be available through the market hall. The food hall setting is family-friendly with plenty of seating and other vendor options for picky eaters. Find them at mrdyespies.net or on Facebook at facebook.com/dyespies. Phone: (414) 759-4992.

Honeypie Café — Bay View, Milwaukee This beloved Bay View brunch-and-dinner spot at 2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207 serves what they call a "Bakeshop Handpie" — a rotating savory pasty with seasonal fillings wrapped in a house-made, flaky, buttery pastry crust, served with soup or a side salad for $16.50. The Shepherd Express has specifically described the item as a "Cornish pasty" with seasonal fillings, and past specials have included a vegan chorizo pasty, showing how creative the kitchen gets with this format. Fillings rotate, so you may find a different filling each visit, which makes it a fun repeat destination. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (brunch until 3 p.m., dinner from 3 p.m.). Phone: (414) 489-7437. Website: honeypiecafe.com. Note: Honeypie's sister spot, SmallPie (2504 E. Oklahoma Ave. in Bay View), previously offered savory hand pies in varieties like Wisconsin Cheeseburger, Cuban Pork, and Curry Vegetable — check whether they're still operating before visiting.

Ray's Butcher Shoppe — Greenfield This community-favorite butcher shop at 4640 W. Loomis Rd., Greenfield, WI 53220 has been serving the south side since 1977 and makes homemade beef pasties and chicken pasties on-site. Available both hot and frozen to take home, these are substantial, golden-crusted hand pies. The shop is known for premium-quality meats and house-made sausages, and the pasties reflect that same standard. Hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (414) 423-1322. Website: raysbutchershoppe.com. Great for grabbing a few frozen pasties to stock the freezer alongside your weekly meat order.

Three Lions Pub — Shorewood Located at 4515 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, WI 53211, this authentic British pub opened in 2011 by two British expats serves a pasty plated with creamy mashed potatoes and house gravy — more in the British pub tradition than a UP-style grab-and-go hand pie. Reviews mention a pork filling specifically. Expect to pay in the $12–$16 range. It's a fun atmosphere for families during daytime hours, especially on weekends with Premier League soccer on the screens. Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to midnight. Phone: (414) 763-6992. Website: threelionspub.com.

Red Lion Pub — Downtown Milwaukee Same ownership group as Three Lions, located at 1850 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 on the Lower East Side. When the pub opened, its menu featured "house-made pies and pasties," and management has specifically promoted their pasties in online responses. However, the current online menu doesn't always list them explicitly, so call ahead to confirm availability — they may rotate as specials. Hours: Monday through Wednesday 4 p.m. to midnight, Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to midnight. Website: redlionpubmke.com.

Reynold's Pasty Shop — Sherman Park, Milwaukee (temporarily closed) Milwaukee's legendary pasty institution at 3525 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee, WI 53210 has been turning out authentic Northern pasties since 1956 using an original Cornish immigrant recipe. The filling is straightforward and perfect: seasoned beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots in a hand-rolled crust, available hot, par-baked, or frozen by the dozen. Toppings included gravy, hot cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and more. Sadly, Yelp listed Reynold's as closed in late 2024/2025, reportedly due to personal issues for owner Yinka Adedokun. Online comments suggest a possible future reopening. If they do reopen, this is the must-visit pasty destination in Milwaukee — nearly 70 years of history, incredibly affordable at around $6–$8 per pasty, and a true community anchor. Their frozen pasties were also distributed statewide at Pick 'n Save, Festival Foods, Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, and Sentry stores, though availability is uncertain during the closure. Phone: (414) 444-4490. Website: reynoldspasties.com (still active).

Frozen pasties at grocery stores across southeastern Wisconsin

Even without a dedicated pasty shop on every corner, families across the greater Milwaukee area have remarkably easy access to frozen pasties at local grocery stores. Sheboygan Pasty Co. is the dominant brand, stocked at more than 40 retail locations across the six surrounding counties alone.

Sheboygan Pasty Co. was founded in January 2021 by brothers Tony and John Ranieri, whose grandparents came from the UP. They won the 2021 Culinary Star of the Year from the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce and now distribute to hundreds of stores across the Midwest. Their Traditional Beef Pasty features the classic filling of beef, potato, onion, carrot, and rutabaga. They also offer Italian Sausage, Sheboygan Bratwurst, Breakfast, and Blueberry Peach Dessert varieties. Expect to pay around $8–$10 per pasty at retail. Visit sheboyganpasty.com/wisconsin-stores for the complete store list.

Here is where to find Sheboygan Pasty Co. products county by county:

In Milwaukee County, check Sendik's locations (multiple), Metcalfe's Market in Wauwatosa, and Festival Foods in Hales Corners. In Waukesha County, look at Sendik's in Brookfield, Elm Grove, Hartland, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, and Waukesha; Piggly Wiggly stores in Hartland, Sussex, and Muskego; Albrecht's Sentry in Delafield; Woodman's in Waukesha; and Pop's Pantry in Muskego. In Ozaukee County, check Sendik's in Mequon and Grafton; Piggly Wiggly stores in Cedarburg, Mequon, Port Washington, and Saukville; Blau's Saukville Meats; and Cedar Valley Cheese Store in Belgium. In Washington County, find them at Sendik's in West Bend and Germantown; Piggly Wiggly stores in Hartford, Jackson, West Bend, Hubertus, Slinger, and Kewaskum; and Festival Foods in Hartford. In Racine County, check Festival Foods in Mount Pleasant and Piggly Wiggly locations in Racine, Mount Pleasant, and Union Grove. In Kenosha County, look at Festival Foods in Kenosha, Piggly Wiggly stores in Kenosha (north and south), and Woodman's in Kenosha. Walworth County families can find them at Piggly Wiggly in Lake Geneva and Delavan, and Daniel's Foods (Sentry) in Walworth.

Other frozen brands to look for: Reynold's Authentic Northern Pasties (12 oz. boxes, historically at Pick 'n Save statewide — check availability given their shop's closure). The Pasty Oven from Quinnesec, Michigan offers a wide variety including traditional with or without rutabaga, chicken, buffalo chicken, pizza, veggie, and spinach and cheese, available at select Walmart and Meijer locations. Woodman's stores in Waukesha and Kenosha are particularly well-stocked, carrying multiple frozen pasty brands and fillings — a one-stop shop for pasty lovers.

Order pasties shipped straight to your door

Several beloved Upper Peninsula pasty makers ship frozen pasties directly to Wisconsin addresses, which is a game-changer for families who want the authentic UP experience at home.

Lehto's Pasties in St. Ignace, Michigan has been family-owned since 1941 and ships frozen pasties via ground to Wisconsin (among other Midwest states). They offer beef, chicken, and vegetarian varieties. Orders ship Monday through Wednesday to ensure freshness. Expect to pay around $10 per pasty plus shipping. Order at lehtospasties.com.

Dobber's Pasties in Escanaba and Iron Mountain, Michigan operates a USDA-certified facility and ships to all 50 states via FedEx Ground or Air. Their lineup includes traditional beef, pizza pasties, breakfast pasties, and mini chicken pasties — the breakfast and mini varieties are great for kids. Family recipe since the late 1960s. Order at dobberspasties.com or call (800) 786-4443.

Roy's Pasties & Bakery in Houghton, Michigan ships frozen pasties via ground to Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. Allow 48–72 hours for order processing. Order at royspasties.com.

The Pasty Oven in Quinnesec, Michigan ships fully cooked, flash-frozen pasties to all 50 states via FedEx. Their extensive variety — traditional, chicken, buffalo chicken, pizza, veggie, spinach and cheese — makes them one of the most versatile shipping options. They also supply the Cornish Society of Greater Milwaukee's annual luncheon, so the product is tried and tested locally. Order at pastys.com.

Joe's Pasty Shop in Rhinelander, Wisconsin (about three hours north of Milwaukee) offers more than a dozen creative varieties including Bacon Cheeseburger, Greek, Taco, Hatch Green Chili Chicken, Reuben, and Chicken Cordon Bleu alongside the traditional Cornish version — all at about $10 each. They ship via mail order during winter months. All pasties are frozen (following a 2017 fire that reshaped their operation) and made with locally sourced, organic ingredients with no preservatives. Website: ilovepasties.com.

Family-worthy day trips

If your crew is up for a road trip, some of Wisconsin's best pasty destinations are within easy driving distance of Milwaukee and make for a fantastic family outing.

Sheboygan Pasty Co. — Sheboygan (about 1 hour north) Visit the mothership inside Ranieri's Four of a Kind Bar & Grill at 811 Indiana Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53081. Open Wednesday through Sunday, you can eat hot fresh pasties on-site and grab frozen ones for the ride home. Pair the trip with a visit to the Sheboygan lakefront, Bookworm Gardens (a storybook garden kids love), or the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Phone: (920) 395-2132.

Teddywedgers — Madison (about 1.5 hours west) A Madison institution since 1976, located at 101 State St., Madison, WI 53703 — right at the tip of State Street facing the Wisconsin State Capitol. They offer more than a dozen varieties including Traditional, Spicy (with jalapeños and mozzarella), Big Cheesy (beef with marinara and mozzarella), Chicken Pot Pie, Veggie, Salmon, Sweet Potato Southwestern, and multiple Breakfast pasties. Available in whole and half sizes, making them perfect for kids who want to sample. Currently take-out and frozen sales. Hours: Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Combine with a walk up State Street, a visit to the Capitol building, or the nearby Children's Museum. Website: teddywedgers.com. Phone: (608) 230-5360.

Mineral Point — Wisconsin's Cornish Pasty Birthplace (about 3 hours west) For families who love history, Mineral Point is where the American pasty story truly begins. Cornish miners settled here in the 1830s, and the Red Rooster Café at 158 High St. serves authentic Cornish pasties alongside figgyhobbin (a traditional Cornish raisin pastry). The Walker House, a historic inn built in 1836, also offers pasties that the Food Network called "one of Wisconsin's best foods" in 2017. While you're there, tour Pendarvis State Historic Site, a beautifully preserved collection of Cornish miner cottages from the 1830s. The town itself is charming, packed with art galleries and antique shops along High Street.

Festivals and events where pasties take center stage

Mark your family calendar for these pasty-friendly events in and around southeastern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin State Fair — West Allis (August annually) Sheboygan Pasty Co. operates a booth in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion and is confirmed for the 2026 fair. Their fair menu includes Traditional Beef, Sheboygan Bratwurst, Italian Sausage, Breakfast, and Blueberry Peach Dessert pasties. OnMilwaukee's 2025 review praised the Bratwurst Pasty as "one of the better values at the Fair" at $8 — tender potatoes, onions, melty cheddar, and flavorful bratwurst in a light, flaky crust. A great way to introduce the kids to pasties in a festive setting.

Cornish Society of Greater Milwaukee — Annual Pasty Luncheon This annual gathering takes place at Christ United Methodist Church in Greenfield and features a full traditional Cornish meal: pasties from The Pasty Oven in Quinnesec, Michigan, served with proper Cornish chutney, beets, coleslaw, and chow-chow from the UP. The event is open to the public and includes cultural programming about Cornish mining heritage. The society has hosted more than 27 of these luncheons. Search for the Cornish Society of Greater Milwaukee online for upcoming dates.

Sheboygan Pasty Co. also hosts a Wisconsin Pasty Fest in Sheboygan featuring a Pasty Baking Contest and Pasty Eating Competition — held in recent years with plans to continue. About an hour's drive from Milwaukee. And Sheboygan Pasty Co. pasties are also on the menu at Landmark Credit Union Live, Milwaukee's concert venue on the former Bradley Center site, so you can grab one at a show.

For those willing to travel further, the Midwest Cornish Festival in Mineral Point takes place the last weekend of September each year (the 31st annual festival was September 2025) and features Pasty Suppers at the Walker House, Celtic music, guided tours, and Pub Night at Pendarvis. Mineral Point also celebrates St. Piran's Day (March 5, the patron saint of tin miners) with a community pasty lunch.

What families should know before their first pasty adventure

A few practical tips to make the most of your pasty quest. Start with the classics: for a first-timer, a traditional beef pasty with potatoes, onions, and carrots (with or without rutabaga) is the way to go. Ketchup, gravy, and butter are all traditional accompaniments — let the kids experiment. Stock the freezer: frozen pasties reheat beautifully in the oven (skip the microwave if you can — the crust stays much flakier) and make a quick weeknight dinner or packed lunch. A single Sheboygan Pasty Co. or Pasty Oven product from the grocery store is an easy, affordable trial run before committing to a mail order. Sizing note: a full-sized pasty is a substantial meal for an adult and can easily be split between two younger kids. Mr. Dye's and Honeypie both offer pasties in a single-serving format that works well for older children and teens.

The southeastern Wisconsin pasty scene is modest compared to the UP — no surprise there — but it's quietly growing. Mr. Dye's Pies launching a full pasty line in 2025 signals rising interest, and Sheboygan Pasty Co.'s rapid expansion into Milwaukee-area grocery stores means access has never been easier. Whether you grab a fresh mushroom pasty downtown, pick up a frozen half-dozen at Sendik's, or order a shipment from Lehto's in St. Ignace, the humble hand pie that fed Cornish miners nearly 200 years ago in Wisconsin's lead country is alive and well in the Milwaukee area — and well worth seeking out.

Conclusion

Milwaukee's pasty landscape stands at an interesting crossroads. The temporary closure of Reynold's Pasty Shop — a nearly 70-year institution — leaves a noticeable gap, but the emergence of Mr. Dye's Pies' creative pasty line and the aggressive grocery expansion of Sheboygan Pasty Co. across dozens of stores in every surrounding county point to a category that's growing rather than fading. The most reliable fresh options today are Mr. Dye's Pies downtown for creative takes, Honeypie Café in Bay View for seasonal rotating handpies, and Ray's Butcher Shoppe in Greenfield for a no-frills traditional version. For frozen convenience, Sheboygan Pasty Co. at your nearest Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, Festival Foods, or Woodman's is the easiest path to a weeknight pasty dinner. And for the authentic UP experience delivered to your porch, Lehto's, Dobber's, and The Pasty Oven all ship reliably to Wisconsin. Keep an eye on Reynold's — if they reopen, that alone reshapes the entire local scene.