This Wisconsin Sausage Shop Is The Kind Of Place You Visit Hungry

One butcher shop here sells a brat called the Loaded Baked Potato. It also sells a Philly Cheesesteak brat, a Gyro brat, and a Chicken Cordon Bleu brat.

That’s just the start of a brat list with more than 30 flavors. Then come the snack sticks, with names like Cherry Chipotle and Bacon Cheeseburger. The jerky shelf brings its own crowd of flavors too.

I love the idea of a meat counter that refuses to play it safe. Wisconsin takes its sausage seriously, so a shop like this has to earn its spot. This one has award ribbons to show for it.

I’d probably arrive with a short shopping list and leave with enough brat flavors to keep dinner interesting for weeks. Between the creative sausages, snack sticks, and deli favorites, there’s plenty to tempt anyone with an appetite. Which flavor would you be brave enough to try first?

A Butcher Shop That Picked Up Where Another Left Off

Plenty of towns lose a beloved meat market and simply move on. West Bend Sausage Plus exists because someone decided not to let that happen.

The building used to house a longtime local meat market. That shop closed in February 2018, leaving a gap for anyone who liked a real meat counter. Just a few months later, on August 31, 2018, the new shop opened its doors.

Owner Ben Houle came in with experience from working in small meat shops. His goal was to bring back the heart of the old place. He also wanted to add his own special touches along the way.

I like that he didn’t start from scratch and pretend the past never happened. Keeping a familiar spirit alive feels respectful to the neighbors who shopped there for years. It also gives the place a sense of belonging from day one.

The shop calls itself a hometown meat market, and that label fits. It’s a full butcher shop, a sausage kitchen, and a deli rolled into one stop. Honestly, the word Plus in the name starts making a lot of sense once you see everything inside.

Good Luck Choosing Just One Brat Flavor

Traditional is on the list, sure. So are the Godfather, the Wisconsinite, the Bucky, the Packer, and the Brewer. That’s a very Wisconsin lineup before you even reach the wild ones.

Then things get creative. You’ll find Mango Habanero, Pineapple Teriyaki, Reuben, Gyro, and Mushroom Swiss brats. There’s even a Loaded Baked Potato brat, which sounds like a full dinner in one casing.

Cheese fans have options galore. Cheddar, Triple Cheese, Cheddar Jack Bacon, Jalapeno Cheddar, and Cheddar Honey Mustard all show up. Spice lovers can grab Cajun, Hot Italian, or Chorizo.

Chicken brats get their own fun corner too. Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Quesadilla, and Chicken Cordon Bleu are all part of the mix. Polish Kielbasa and Hungarian round out the classic side.

Here’s my practical advice for a first visit. Grab one familiar flavor and one that makes you raise an eyebrow. That way dinner has a safe bet and a fun surprise on the same grill.

Breakfast links are covered too, in Original and Maple. So yes, you can technically eat brats from morning to night.

Snack Sticks And Jerky With Trophies Behind Them

Awards in the meat world are a serious business in this state. In August 2021, West Bend Sausage Plus brought home a Grand Championship from the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors competition.

That top honor went to their steak strips in the cured specialty meat category. Their triple cheese snack sticks also earned Reserve Champion for flavored snack sausages. Not a bad summer for a shop that was barely three years old.

The snack stick menu is a road trip waiting to happen. Flavors include Mild, Garlic, Hot, Jalapeno Cheddar, Cherry Chipotle, Maple BBQ, and Mango Habanero. Bacon Cheeseburger and Inferno bring extra attitude, and Landjaeger keeps an old-world classic around.

Jerky gets plenty of variety too. Original, Sweet and Spicy, Mesquite BBQ, Maple BBQ, and Teriyaki are all on the list. The steak strips are the ones with the championship bragging rights.

The shop lists award winners across many other categories too. Summer sausage, breakfast links, smoked sausage, and smoked meats all appear there.

My tip? Buy an extra bag for the car. Snack sticks have a sneaky habit of disappearing before you even pull out of the parking lot.

The Meat Counter Is Where Dinner Plans Get Bigger

Steak night can escalate quickly here. The beef lineup includes filet mignon, whole beef tenderloin, prime grade boneless ribeye, and bone-in ribeye. There’s American Wagyu boneless ribeye too, for anyone feeling fancy.

Pork has some showstoppers of its own. Look for center-cut chops, smoked chops, stuffed chops, and pork tenderloin. The bacon-wrapped apple bleu cheese stuffed pork loin sounds like a holiday centerpiece that skipped the holiday.

Fresh beef, pork, chicken, and lamb are all part of the regular lineup. The shop also offers specialty and heritage breed meats.

Holiday roasts and special order cuts are available when you need something specific.

Custom cuts and portion sizing are a big reason to shop at a real butcher. Need thicker chops for the grill or a smaller roast for two? That’s exactly the kind of request a counter like this handles.

The staff can offer advice on meat quality and cuts. That’s handy if you can’t remember the difference between two steaks. Planning a cookout? Ask questions before you buy. A few minutes of chat at the counter can save you from guessing at the grill later.

Smoked Sausages That Stretch Well Beyond The Grill

Ring bologna is one of those Wisconsin foods that never needs an explanation. West Bend Sausage Plus carries it in regular and garlic versions. The smoked sausage case goes much further than that. Mild Polish, Hot Polish, and an Inferno Polish cover every heat level.

Andouille and Cheesy Andouille bring a bit of Louisiana flavor north.

Boudin shows up too, which is a fun surprise in a Wisconsin shop. So does Cheddarwurst, plus a Smoked Brat for anyone who wants a head start on cooking. Chorizo and a Chicken Quesadilla Sausage add even more range.

Hot dogs aren’t forgotten either. The list includes regular Hot Dogs, Cheddar Hot Dogs, and All Beef Franks. That makes this an easy stop before a kid-friendly cookout.

Since smoked sausages are already cooked, they’re great for busy nights. Slice some into pasta, beans, or fried potatoes. Toss a few on the grill just to warm them and add color.

I think this case might be the most useful one in the store. It covers snack plates, quick dinners, and tailgates without much effort. Smart shoppers grab a couple of rings for later.

Friday Fish And Sunday Ham Give The Week Its Rhythm

Wisconsin has a few weekly food traditions that people protect fiercely. This shop leans into two of them. Friday means fish fry, a ritual just about every Wisconsin kid grows up with. West Bend Sausage Plus serves its own version from the deli.

It’s a smart way to end a work week without turning on your own stove.

Sunday brings hot ham with rolls. That’s a classic for after church, family lunches, or a game day spread. The shop opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays, so you can grab it early.

Broasted chicken meals are another deli favorite. You can order different piece combinations, depending on how many people you’re feeding. It’s the kind of meal that turns a hectic evening into an easy one.

A quick heads-up on timing helps. Fridays are naturally busy with the fish fry and chicken orders. Calling ahead for a pickup order is a smart move.

I like that a butcher shop keeps these weekly traditions going. It makes the store feel tied to the calendar of the town. Few things say weekend quite like ham on a soft roll.

The Freezer Section Might Rescue Your Busiest Weeknight

Cooking every night is a lot. The Heat and Eat freezer section at West Bend Sausage Plus quietly solves that problem. Comfort food rules here. Baked mac n cheese, cheesy hashbrown casserole, loaded mashed potatoes, and twice baked potatoes all appear.

Meatloaf, beef lasagna, and chicken and beef pot pies are ready for cold nights.

Barbecue fans get options too. Brisket burnt ends, BBQ chopped brisket, pulled pork, and BBQ baby back ribs are on the list. Taco nights get easier with beef and chicken taco meats.

There’s even more variety for picky households. Beef stroganoff, beef tips with mushrooms, enchiladas, and sloppy joe meat round things out. Cocktail meatballs are an easy party shortcut.

Soups help on chilly Wisconsin days. Choices include chicken noodle, chicken dumpling, chicken wild rice, broccoli and cheddar, and baked potato. The deli case adds homemade salads, dips, and desserts to the mix. Together, they make a full meal possible without much work.

My suggestion is simple. Stock a few of these for the nights when energy runs out. Future you will be very grateful.

Local Cheese And Popcorn Make The Basket Feel Like Home

Shopping local gets easy when the shelves do the work for you. West Bend Sausage Plus stocks products made by nearby Wisconsin businesses. Locally made cheese is part of the lineup, including Gibbs milk cheese. Steinke’s Gourmet Popcorn comes from Mayville, not far away.

Meis Breading products from Barton are there too, which pairs nicely with any home fish fry.

Kewaskum Frozen Foods products also sit on the shelves. Some imported candies add a fun twist for anyone with a sweet tooth.

I love this part of the store. It turns a meat run into a little tour of the surrounding area. You can build a whole snack board from one stop.

Here’s an easy plan for guests or game day. Pair a ring bologna with local cheese and a few snack sticks. Add a bag of popcorn and you’re done. These items also make thoughtful gifts. Visitors heading home can bring a real taste of the region with them.

It sure beats a souvenir keychain that nobody eats.

Plan Your Stop Around Weekend Favorites And Big Events

Thursday is another good day to visit. West Bend Sausage Plus is open seven days a week, so planning a brat run is easy.

You’ll find the shop at 1435 W Washington St, West Bend, WI 53095. Weekday hours run 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday hours run 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., while Sunday runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday hours can change. A quick check before a special trip is always wise.

Big gatherings are where this place really shows its range. Catering covers corporate meetings, parties, wedding rehearsals, anniversaries, retirements, and backyard barbecues. There are party trays, pickup menus, and full-service options.

Weddings get their own full-service catering menu. Whole pig and chicken options are available for crowds that mean business. A pig roast is a very Wisconsin way to feed a hungry group. Holiday catering is on offer too. That can take a lot of pressure off a busy season.

My final tip is easy to follow. Show up with an appetite and a cooler. You’ll probably need both before you leave.