Fernweh, An Ache for Distant Places

Appleton is a fairly small but vibrant town in eastern Central Wisconsin with less than 25 square miles. It is located 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and around 100 miles north of both Milwaukee and Madison, respectively.

Like all of Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland, Appleton is stacked with cheese and other fresh dairy products. Not your boring old Kraft blocks either, this stuff is epicurean.

My conversation with TSA on the way back home went as follows:

Appleton history is filled to the brim with innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. It is home of one of the nation’s leading Liberal Arts colleges and has been a leader in paper production and hydroelectricity since the 1800s. Read all about that in my Appleton Innovation blog.

This blog will be a purely hedonistic one about where to eat and drink in downtown Appleton, limited only by my inability to stay longer and further investigate.

First I want to talk about the Wisconsin Old Fashioned. The classic Old Fashioned is one of my favourite drinks, but people in Wisconsin do it much differently.

The classic Old Fashioned recipe includes bourbon, bitters, simple syrup or a sugar cube, and an orange slice, sometimes with a charred peel.

The Wisconsin version includes brandy, bitters, citrus soda, and comes with a variety of pickled garnishes like mushrooms, olives, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, pearl onions, or what have you.

It was so strange and sour at first, but the more I sipped on it, the more I felt myself transform into a local.

SMOOTHIES
Before you go out getting buzzed or dehydrated on coffee and cocktails, carb-loading, and pursuing the endless goal to #treatyoself, I recommend a healthy shot at Bona Fide.

Bona Fide is a juicery and smoothie bar that we visited on more than one occasion. They hand-craft healthy shots in different flavours that include wheatgrass, turmeric, ginger, beets, and whatever else might cure what ails you.

Bona Fide is famous for its smoothie bowls that are made with locally-sourced and organic products, without the use of excess sugar or fillers. I, of course, went for the S’mores bowl, because it seemed to be most decadent of offerings.

Despite the sweet appearance, it was made with almond milk, fruit, and bitter dark chocolate, and it was packed full of antioxidants, not sugar!

My friends chose a variety of smoothies and smoothie bowls, and everything was beautiful.

Blueberries, bananas, greens, almond butter, and lots of other deliciousness in this one.

Pink Velvet is one of the most popular items on the menu.

COFFEE
I am proud to say that I am now well-acquainted with the coffee shops and Counter-Culture of downtown Appleton and have even created my own superlatives.

ACOCA is the furthest west of the five coffee shops on College Avenue, and has the most extensive food menu. I had my usual plain hot latte with no sugar and sat admiring the view of Appleton in its quiet, still, sleepy state, much like myself.

I nominate ACOCA for:
* Best view
* Best barista
* Best art

VOYAGEURS BAKEHOUSE is classy AF inside and they are known for their absolute perfection of a sourdough loaf. They also offer a program where patrons can purchase loaves and the funds are used to support and stabilize houseless individuals in the area.

I nominate Voyageurs for:
* Best community engagement
* Best breakfast sammie (OMG)

Below is the Gochujang Asparagus AALT (Asparagus, Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato). This divine creature has roasted asparagus, avocado mash, cherry tomato relish, spicy gochujang sauce, nori, and lettuce on toasted sourdough. I have to recreate this on my own because I can not stop thinking about it.

I did not actually eat this blood orange coffee cake, but isn’t it gorgeous?

BREWED AWAKENINGS has some pretty imaginative drinks on the menu, and their peanut butter brownie was enough to cave my willpower.

If it is nice out, be sure to sit on the patio out back.

I nominate Brewed Awakenings for:
*Best brownie
*Best outdoor space
*Best pun name

COPPER ROCK COFFEE has a very large, airy space with cozy lighting. I had an iced strawberry green tea in attempt to cool down, and we were enthusiastic about the state of air conditioning inside.

I nominate Copper Rock for:
*Best A/C
* Best space for large groups

They also have a cute little open patio outside, right on College Avenue.

ALL TIED UP FLORAL CAFE is a coffee shop, café, gift and décor shop, and florist all in one.

To be fair I have only had their tea. I ran inside in desperate need of something cold, and the barista looked at me and said “I got you” and handed me an iced tea in the largest cup they have.

I loved the environment and that they are a proud member of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Their offerings are the most Instagram worthy, and I would love to return and devour the menu.

I nominate All Tied Up for:
*Best inclusive space
*Best mind-reading skills

LAWLSS is the furthest east of the five coffee shops, right near Lawrence University. I enjoyed the décor and coffee but it had the least personality of the places I visited, if that is important to you.

I nominate LAWLSS for:
* Best wallpaper (looks like mine)
*Best portal to another dimension (Commodore Club next door)

COCKTAIL LOUNGES & SALOONS
Speaking of the Commodore Club, look at this place!

Lawlss is adjoining to the casually elegant Commodore Club which opens in the late afternoon, but patrons of Lawlss can sit inside Commodore in the meantime.

This is especially nice when you want to enjoy the lovely space without the noise and nonsense of the evening or late night bar crowd. It is swank without sacrificing any coziness.

Cleo’s Brown Beam World Famous Cocktail Lounge, or simply “Cleo’s,” is an authentic experience. Christmas decorations dazzle year-round with over the top ornaments, tinsel, and Santa imagery.

It is festive for sure, and many of their cocktails are named with winter or Christmas-related themes.

Full disclosure, I did not go inside Deja Vu Martini Lounge (below) but I love the building and signs, and I just had to mention it.

The Fox River House is, as you can see, Appleton’s Oldest Saloon and craft beer bar.

It first opened in 1870 and at some point housed a couple other businesses, but the building was reclaimed and reopened to serve libations under the original name.

They have an Adler Brau mural on the side of the building  and a chill patio out back that frequently hosts live music.

BREWERIES & PUBLIC HOUSES
Aside from cheese, Wisconsin is known for its beer. The types of beer, quality of beer, number of breweries, and centuries of beer history and culture have all brought much notoriety to this great state.

Milwaukee may be the beer capital in our country, but Appleton’s close proximity has reaped the same benefits.

McFleshman’s Brewing Company has my vote for best brewery/environment on the main drag. It has a laid back vibe, friendly patrons, and a lot more energy than the average stuffy barstool types. I can see this being one of my go-to bars if I lived in Appleton.

I gleefully spotted several murals on the exterior and in the beer garden, particularly this one of #RBG!

The beer garden at McFleshman’s  is fun and lively with plentiful seating under canopies and an outdoor stage.

I adore the mural on the outside of Ambassador, but I was not able to make it during open hours.

Hop Yard Ale Works on W. Northland Avenue is an awesome place to hang out by yourself or in a group.

My friends told me that the owners previously operated an auto body shop out of the building, but when COVID hit, they took up the opportunity to pursue their other passion- beer.

They were able to make their own brews and sell it in a socially distant manner, and things just took off from there.

Take your pick of the patio, stools at the bar, booth and table seating in the taproom, a small cozy area, or head upstairs.

Have a glance at this Corn Maiz pizza with chicken, chorizo, onion, roasted sweet corn, corn puree, cilantro, and paprika.

You may not like the sound of this one, but hear me out. The pizza below is called the Not Your Mama’s PB&J and it comes with pepperoni, jalapeño, peanut butter, mozzarella, and habanero grape jelly.

My favourite brewery/restaurant combo is the Mill City Public House.

Everything from the Jackalope logo, the dramatic black and white exterior, low lights, the vintage yellow plush booth seating in contrast to mixed woodwork and funky faux-taxidermy, it was a real vibe. A good one.

We started with some Elote-style totchos, and they were divine.

Next we tried a variety of entrees including Gochujang fried chicken, smoked brisket with a sundried tomato compote, and a Wagyu burger. Everything was perfect.

Honestly I could have taken better quality photos but I was too excited to commence the meal.

I am not really big on red meat and it always tastes sandy to me, but Wagyu is different. The burgers here just melt in your mouth, and it has me reconsidering my stance on beef.

SUPPER CLUBS
Supper Clubs are popular in the Midwest, and Appleton does not disappoint. My friends took me to Mark’s East Side, a long-standing neighbourhood favourite that specializes in authentic German dishes, a weekly fish fry, and craft cocktails.

Mark’s is where I had my first Wisconsin Old Fashioned and savoured the differences in comparison to a classic mix. It also has my vote for best overall experience in Appleton.

I love the combination of Old World European and vintage Americana in the food and the environment.

The bar has an aquarium inside it, and guests can enjoy a cocktail or aperitif at the high-tops before being seated in the dining room.

We ordered Bavarian-style Scotch eggs, sauerkraut balls, and clam chowder to start.

I had the Schweinenschnitzel, a fried pork cutlet served with sauerkraut, spaetzle noodles, and a bacon-onion sauce.

My friends had the fried seafood platter and a steak with grilled veggies. We were all very happy with everything and took home half our food.

Traditionally at a supper club, you have an ice cream drink after the main course, but I was only able to sample one small bite due to being so full. Gut gemacht, Mark’s!

DINERS
Breakfast diners are hard to come by on College Avenue, but I was impressed with Garden View Restaurant.

This diner is especially unique because it is a Mexican restaurant first and foremost, but they have mastered the art of Southern style ‘”stick to your ribs” breakfasts, burgers, barbeque, wings, wraps, salads, Jewish style blintzes, French crepes, Italian staples, Mediterranean gyros, and other international delicacies.

The menu also has an extensive selection of Mexican favourites and you can request just about anything you can dream up.

I appreciate the versatility, that they open so early, and I really enjoyed talking to the funny man that waited on me. On my last day in Appleton, I stopped in at Garden View for an Eggs Benny and some hash browns before making my trek to the airport.

Next time I am in town I plan to visit OB’s Brau Haus, Tempest Coffee Collective, Pullman’s at Trolley Square, and the Stone Arch Brew Pub. What did I miss?

In the area for a while? Follow me to the best historical, cultural, and artistic attractions in Appleton or spend some time out in nature over in Kaukauna!

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