503 N. Jackson Avenue, Jefferson, WI, 53549, United States
521 N. Villa Louis Road, Prairie du Chien, WI, 53821, United States
225 Edward Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729, United States
3000 Highway PV, West Bend, WI, 53095, United States
1901 S. Oneida Street, Green Bay, WI, 54304, United States
600 Bennett Road, Dodgeville, WI, 53533, United States
Racine, WI, 53403, United States
1 Oktoverfest Strasse, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
14015 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant, WI, 53177, United States
100 Monument Square, Racine, WI, 53403, United States
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue, Muscoda, WI, 53573, United States
200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
1 Barker Street, Racine, WI, 53402, United States
200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
411 East Court Street, Elkhorn, WI, 53121, United States
2305 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes, WI, 53181, United States
525 W. 20th Avenue, Oshkosh, WI, 54902, United States
411 Court Street, Elkhorn, WI, 53121, United States
1016 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI, 53566, United States
Pete’s Hamburger Stand, Prairie du Chien
Tags: Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin burgers
Ever had a poached burger? Pete’s, a legend in Prairie du Chien since 1909, has one of the most unusual burger cooking methods in America. And their burgers are so well loved, that’s the only thing on the menu. I mean sure, you can add chips and a soda, but that’s about it.
The origins of Pete’s date back to Pete Gokey, who would cook up hamburgers at local events. To help keep the burgers moist, he began pouring water on the flattop grill – and then flavoring that water with a pile of onions. Today, Pete’s Hamburger stand on Blackhawk Drive employs a flattop grill, onions, and water to cook smashed 4-oz balls of fresh beef in a narrow trailer along the street. They cook the burgers up 60-70 at a time, constantly smashing the patties and letting the burgers cook in the flavorful stew-like water on the grill. After about 12-15 minutes when they’re cooked – most end up well done – they dole them out to patient customers. And they come from miles around.
Pete’s burgers sizzling on the flattop, stewing in water and onions for a unique and delicious flavor.
There are two ways to order burgers here: “With” or “Without”, referring to onions (all the burgers have a bit of an onion flavor because of the onion-y water they cook in, but you can have them add more stewed onions on top.) Pete’s doesn’t offer cheese on its burgers; I mean really, how are you going to properly melt cheese on a burger cooking in water? You’re welcome to add your own if you want, though – and they have the other toppings and condiments you may prefer. But really, a Pete’s plain on that small locally-make bakery bun is about as pure and tasty of a hamburger as you can get!
See more about Pete’s from this Burger Land: Wisconsin segment on the Travel Channel. Moreover, State Trunk Tour founder Eric Paulsen manned the grill at Pete’s for the Discover Wisconsin show… that episode will be available in 2018!
You’ll find Pete’s on Blackhawk Drive in downtown Prairie du Chien, just north of Highway 27, a few blocks west of Highway 35, and two blocks north of U.S. 18 & Highway 60.
Pete’s Hours:
May through October (through October 22 in 2017)
Friday 11am – 9pm
Saturday 11am – 9pm
Sunday 11am – 7pm
Pete’s Hamburger Stand Address:
118 W. Blackhawk Avenue
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Website