Where to find the best German potato salad in greater Milwaukee
Great Grandma’s German Potato Salad recipe at Kegel’s Inn
The Milwaukee area's German heritage runs deep, and nowhere is that more delicious than in the warm, bacon-studded German potato salad served at restaurants and delis across the region.
From century-old family recipes to innovative new takes, the greater Milwaukee area offers families exceptional options for experiencing this quintessential German side dish. This guide takes you through the best spots to find authentic German potato salad—whether you want to dine out with the kids, grab some for your backyard cookout, or discover the stories behind the recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Milwaukee owes much of its culinary identity to the waves of German immigrants who settled here in the mid-1800s, transforming the city into the "German Athens of America."
Today, you can still taste that heritage in the tangy-sweet potato salads served at historic establishments along Old World Third Street, in cozy North Shore delis, and at family restaurants tucked into the western suburbs. Unlike the cold, mayonnaise-based American version most of us grew up with, traditional German potato salad is served warm, dressed in a bacon-and-vinegar sauce that soaks into tender potato slices. Finding the real thing is a treat—and we've done the research so your family knows exactly where to go.
Kegel's Inn: Milwaukee's most celebrated recipe
If there's one place that belongs at the top of every German potato salad pilgrimage, it's Kegel's Inn in West Allis. This beloved establishment is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, and their German potato salad recipe is nearly as old—a 98-year-old great-grandmother's family recipe that requires three full days to prepare.
The labor of love begins on day one with making the sauce and cooking the potatoes. Day two involves assembling all the ingredients. Day three allows the flavors to marry while the potatoes absorb the tangy-sweet sauce. The result is served warm and has earned the restaurant legendary status—including winning a national food competition on CBS's "The Talk" show in 2022 against competitors from Hawaii.
For families wanting to bring the experience home, Kegel's offers their German potato salad in one-pound takeout containers (serves 3-6) for $14, and they'll even ship it nationwide. You can pick up your order through their drive-thru lane on National Avenue—perfect for busy parents. The restaurant donates 50% of profits from pre-made potato salad sales to kitchen staff who help preserve these German culinary traditions.
Beyond the potato salad, Kegel's offers an immersive historic experience. The building features hand-painted murals, original leaded glass windows, and century-old wooden beams. During Prohibition, founder John Kegel operated a "soda pop parlor" as a front for his speakeasy—a bit of colorful history the kids might enjoy hearing about. The outdoor beer garden, Bootlegger's Alley, operates year-round with heated yurts in winter and live music most evenings.
Planning your visit: Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 4-9pm. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when the acclaimed fish fry draws crowds. The restaurant is women-owned and operated by fourth-generation family members Julian and Stephanie Kegel.
Address: 5901 W. National Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214 | Phone: (414) 257-9999 | Website: kegelsinn.com
Old World Third Street: Historic German district
Downtown Milwaukee's Old World Third Street remains the spiritual heart of the city's German heritage, and three establishments here offer families an authentic experience within walking distance of each other.
Mader's Restaurant
Operating continuously since March 1902, Mader's stands as Milwaukee's oldest restaurant and a true German culinary landmark. Presidents Kennedy, Ford, and Reagan have dined here, and the legendary Vince Lombardi made the pork shank his go-to dish. The restaurant's $3 million collection of medieval art—including suits of armor, ceramic beer steins, and antiques dating to the 14th century—transforms a family dinner into a museum visit.
Their warm German potato salad appears throughout the menu: alongside the Wisconsin Trout entrée, with the Frikadellen appetizer, and as part of the spectacular "Tour of Germany for Two" (featuring sauerbraten, Kassler Rippchen, pork shank, and wiener schnitzel with potato salad, spaetzle, and red cabbage). For families, the dedicated children's menu offers kid-friendly German options including Spaetzle "Mac & Cheese" and Usinger's bratwurst.
Address: 1041 N. Old World 3rd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Phone: (414) 271-3377 | Website: madersrestaurant.com
Old German Beer Hall
Directly across the street, the Old German Beer Hall captures the boisterous spirit of Munich's legendary Hofbräuhaus. Their warm German potato salad earns consistent raves from visitors and can be added to any entrée for just $2. The Hall imports its giant pretzels from an 80-year-old Milwaukee bakery using an authentic Bavarian recipe, and their bratwursts are custom-made by Usinger's with Hofbräu Dunkel beer and applewood-smoked bacon.
Families will appreciate the casual atmosphere with long communal tables that encourage socializing. Kids can watch (from a safe distance) the Hammerschlagen game in back—a traditional German nail-driving competition. Free lunch is offered Monday-Friday 11am-2pm with beer purchase, and Friday evenings feature live polka music and a free keg tapping at 6pm.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-midnight, Friday 11am-2am, Saturday 10am-2am, Sunday 10am-9pm, Monday closed. Address: 1009 N. Old World 3rd Street | Phone: (414) 226-2728 | Website: oldgermanbeerhall.com
Usinger's Famous Sausage
No German food tour is complete without stepping into Usinger's, the legendary sausage maker that has been producing old-world recipes since 1880. While primarily a sausage shop—with over 75 varieties—their deli counter serves German potato salad alongside their famous frankfurters and brats. The six-story Neoclassical building features charming murals of elves making sausage, delighting kids of all ages.
Pick up sausages here to pair with potato salad from any establishment for an authentic German meal at home. Usinger's supplies many of Milwaukee's German restaurants, so you're getting the real thing.
Hours: 9am-4pm Monday-Saturday | Address: 1030 N. Old World 3rd Street | Phone: (414) 276-9100 | Website: usinger.com
The North Shore delivers German dining
For families living in or visiting Milwaukee's North Shore communities, several excellent options eliminate the need for a downtown drive.
Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale
The Bavarian Bierhaus stands as the North Shore's premier destination for German cuisine, occupying a site with over 70 years of German heritage. Their cold German potato salad features a vinegar-based dressing with herbs, spices, onions, and bacon—made fresh daily in-house. It arrives alongside their signature dishes including schnitzel, bratwurst, and the slow-roasted Oktoberfest-style half chicken.
What makes this location exceptional for families is its sheer scale and activity. The 3.4-acre Old Heidelberg Park biergarten provides space for kids to roam while parents enjoy a beer. The main hall seats 400 in a convivial atmosphere with live polka music every Friday and Saturday evening (6-9pm). The on-site 15-barrel brewery follows the 1516 Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law), producing authentic pilsners, lagers, and hefeweizens.
Executive Chef Dennis Stukel earned 2023 Chef of the Year from the American Culinary Federation's Milwaukee chapter. The menu includes beef rouladen daily (a rarity), four-day sauerbraten, and excellent goulash with spätzle. The Friday fish fry runs year-round and daily during Lent.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4-9pm, Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 11am-7pm, Monday closed | Address: 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI 53217 | Phone: (414) 236-7000 | Website: thebavarianbierhaus.com
Kurt Schulz Deli in Brown Deer
Tucked into historic Brown Deer Village, Kurt Schulz Delicatessen and Pastry Shoppe offers what regulars describe as "very traditional Milwaukee-style German potato salad." Available by single serving or family-sized portions, their recipe represents the authentic tangy-sweet style that German immigrants brought to Wisconsin generations ago.
This family-owned establishment pairs perfectly with a morning outing—stop in for German-style Bienenstich (Bee Sting) coffee cake and pastries alongside your potato salad purchase. Summer visitors can enjoy the pet-friendly outdoor patio. The deli also carries Usinger's summer sausage and makes what many locals call "the best Reuben in town."
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 6:30am-3pm, Sunday-Monday closed | Address: 8752 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer, WI 53209 | Phone: (414) 354-1004 | Website: kurtschulzdeli.com
Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn
While not specifically featuring German potato salad on the current menu, Jack Pandl's deserves mention for families seeking German cuisine in the North Shore. This century-old establishment (founded 1915) offers genuine wiener schnitzel, beef rouladen stuffed with pickle, bacon, and onion, and their famous German pancake made from an old-world recipe with Grandpa's pure Wisconsin maple syrup.
The elegant white-tablecloth atmosphere with fresh flowers makes this ideal for special family occasions, while the beautiful outdoor patio welcomes casual visits. Side options include potato pancakes and potato dumplings.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-8:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm, Sunday 10:30am-8pm, Monday closed | Address: 1319 E. Henry Clay Street, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 | Phone: (414) 964-3800 | Website: jackpandls.com
South side and west suburbs hide excellent finds
Wegner's St. Martins Inn in Franklin
Reviewers describe the German potato salad at Wegner's St. Martins Inn as "smokey and sweet" and "outstanding"—it comes as a side option with their award-winning fish fry, alongside potato pancakes and boiled red potatoes. This family-owned establishment since 1997 offers a German Sampler platter featuring beef rouladen, Kassler Rippchen, and wiener schnitzel with spaetzles and braised red cabbage.
The supper club atmosphere features cloth tablecloths and napkins with Wisconsin supper club charm. Chef-owner Dennis Wegner personally oversees the kitchen, ensuring consistency in dishes like their unique deep-fried potato pancakes with hash brown crunch.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4:30-10pm, Friday 11:30am-2pm and 4-9:30pm, Saturday 4:30-10pm | Address: 11318 W. St. Martin's Road, Franklin, WI 53132 | Phone: (414) 425-9971 | Website: stmartinsinn.com
Bo's Schnitzelbunker in Pewaukee
For families seeking something different, Bo's Schnitzelbunker offers a creative twist: their potato salad features red potatoes in a natural creamy dill dressing made with yogurt (no mayo) rather than the traditional warm vinegar-bacon style. Reviewers consistently praise it as "fantastic."
This innovative spot—Wisconsin's first German "walk-up window" restaurant—opened in January 2023 and is expanding to full-service dining in 2026. Third-generation German-American owner Matthew ("Bo") makes everything from scratch using family recipes. The schnitzel sandwiches come air-fried, and the currywurst features homemade Berlin-style curry ketchup.
Health-conscious families will appreciate that Bo's is Wisconsin's first verified seed oil-free restaurant, using only local grass-fed beef tallow instead of vegetable oils. Kids can order Schnitzel Fingers, and the casual counter-service format keeps visits quick and easy.
Hours: Monday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-7:30pm, Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday noon-7:30pm, Sunday 1-7pm, Tuesday-Wednesday closed | Address: 145 Park Ave., Pewaukee, WI 53072 | Phone: (262) 395-3741 | Website: schnitzelbunker.com
Where to buy German potato salad for home
Sometimes you want to bring authentic German potato salad to your own backyard cookout or family gathering. Several specialty shops make this easy.
Country Maid Retail Outlet
This Milwaukee-based manufacturer offers three varieties of German potato salad at their factory outlet store at remarkably low prices—most items under $3 per pound. Their traditional version features sliced potatoes in a carefully cooked sauce with real bacon, while the Gourmet version adds eggs and green onion with diced red potatoes. The "Old World" variety delivers a sharper bacon flavor with a more traditional creamy profile.
Address: 1919 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | Phone: (414) 383-3970 | Website: countrymaid.com
Bunzel's Old-Fashioned Meat Market
This four-generation butcher shop near Wauwatosa has operated since the 1940s and offers German potato salad in their grab-and-go deli section alongside over 50 varieties of homemade sausages. They're famous for their Old German-style tartare (processing over 1,000 pounds of raw beef at Christmastime for this traditional delicacy) and can cater events up to 10,000 people.
Hours: Monday and Wednesday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am-2pm, Saturday 8am-5pm | Address: 9015 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee, WI 53222 | Phone: (414) 873-7960 | Website: bunzels.com
Old World Deli in Greendale
This charming European grocery specializes in Polish and German foods, including homemade potato salad sold by the pound. Pick up German bratwurst, imported canned goods from Germany, and fresh European breads to complete your spread. The small, authentic shop offers a "slice of Europe" shopping experience.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 9am-2pm | Address: 7630 W. Grange Ave., Greendale, WI 53129 | Phone: (414) 855-0470
Grocery store options
Sendik's Food Market (17 locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin) offers both German and French potato salads at their acclaimed deli counters. Parthenon Foods in West Allis sells German potato salad at $5.99 per pound alongside imported foods from 40+ countries. Most Pick 'n Save and Festival Foods locations carry Country Maid brand German potato salad in their deli sections.
Planning your German potato salad adventure
For the most authentic experience: Make the trip to Kegel's Inn in West Allis. The 100-year-old setting, the three-day preparation process, and the ability to take some home makes this the complete package for families who appreciate food history.
For North Shore convenience: Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale delivers excellent quality with the bonus of live music, a sprawling biergarten, and an on-site brewery—ideal for family gatherings.
For quick weekday pickups: Kurt Schulz Deli opens at 6:30am, perfect for grabbing potato salad before a weekend gathering. Country Maid's outlet offers the best value for large quantities.
For historic immersion: Start at Usinger's on Old World Third Street, then lunch at Old German Beer Hall, and finish with dinner at Mader's. You'll taste three generations of German-American food culture in a single day.
Reservation tips: Kegel's Inn and Mader's require reservations on weekends, especially Fridays during fish fry season. Bavarian Bierhaus accepts reservations for larger groups. Most delis and markets can prepare larger quantities with advance notice.
Milwaukee's German food scene represents living culinary heritage—recipes handed down through families for a century, buildings that witnessed Prohibition, and traditions that connect us to the immigrants who shaped our city. Whether your kids are tasting German potato salad for the first time or you're introducing grandparents to a new favorite spot, these establishments offer genuine experiences that turn a simple side dish into a family memory.