Shawano’s Best Eats & Treats for Your Holiday Table

Know what Shawano is exceptional at?  Making and serving up some truly amazing holiday – and year-round – favorite dishes and cocktails.  Wisconsin, in general, is known for some of the best beer, meat, and cheese in the world and Shawano Country boasts our fair share of craft beers and smoky meats, plus a variety of shops and artisans that supply us with the fixings for a colossal locally made holiday spread.

Look over our handy list of hand-crafted foods, gift foods, and items perfect for serving during the holidays.  We’ve given our choice of three must-haves from each shop to help you get started.  Come to Shawano Country and visit your favorites… or try to see (and taste) them all!

Charlie’s County Market
126 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 524-9010
Besides having impressive meat and alcohol departments, Charlie’s knows their cheese.  As Wisconsinites, the cheese and dairy areas of our stores is critically important to us and Charlie, himself, knows this.  You’ll find Wisconsin-made cheeses from our state’s best-known cheesemakers.  Here’s what we recommend getting for your holiday charcuterie board:

  • Sartori Montamoré® Cheddar
  • Vern’s Smoked String Cheese
  • Port Wine Cold Pack Cheese (grab some crackers, too)

Fannita’s Bakery
128 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 526-6600
Just walk down Shawano’s main street in the morning and you’ll smell the warm, soft scent of fresh doughnuts on the wind.  Fannita’s is where you’ll go and once you’re in the door, you’ll get a dozen of some of the most perfectly tender doughnuts you’ve ever experienced… plus fresh bread, frosted cookies, and luscious cakes.  During the holidays, Fannita’s also creates Italian Christmas cookies – the owners are from Italy; these cookies are the real deal – and this year’s most popular winter treat: Hot Cocoa Bombs.  Get all three:

  • Hot Cocoa Bombs
  • Italian Christmas Cookies
  • The Best Doughnuts on Earth (we swear)

Five Star Lamb
W5729 County Rd. B, Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 304-9483
What began with as a 4H project in the 1990s is now a full-fledged farm breeding Suffolk and Hampshire sheep, know for their consistent quality and flavor.  You can order full and half lambs, of course, but if you’re looking for certain cuts, these are holiday and special occasion favorites:

  • Lamb Chops
  • Leg of Lamb
  • Lamb Shoulder Roast

John & Lorraine’s Hobby Honey Farm
W9790 Thurner Ln., Shawano, WI 54128
(920) 234-8565
With hives located around Northeastern Wisconsin, John and Lorraine have their hobby farm in Gresham, Wisconsin.  Stop out at their place and you’ll find all things honeybee.  Sweeten up your holidays with their raw honey – it goes perfectly with tea from The Stock Market in Shawano – the two paired together make a cozy, warming gift!  Get these natural sweets:

  • Creamed Honey (soooo good spread on pretty much anything)
  • Raw & Combed Honey
  • Beeswax Candles for your holiday table

Mike’s Country Meats
800 County Rd. M, Tigerton, WI 54486
(715) 535-4741
Wisconsin’s master of jerky, Mike himself, creates incredible snacks from high quality full-muscle beef that will get top ratings from the jerky lover in your life.  Mike’s jerky flavors range from a traditional jerky to some serious kick-in-the-mouth Carolina Reaper jerky.  You can order “Wisconsin’s #1 Jerky” (it really is!) online or check out our local, well-stocked Wagner Shell stations.  We haven’t tried all of the flavors… yet, but here are our three favorites, so far:

  • Regular Beef Jerky
  • Hot Jamaican Beef Jerky
  • Maple Brown Sugar Beef Jerky

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats
1390 E. Grand Ave., Wittenberg, WI 54166
(715) 253-4000
Shawano Country is proud to claim this famous family smokehouse as one of our own.  Known by chefs and food lovers across the nation for their signature sweet, mellow Applewood Smoked Bacon, the Nueske family has an unforgettable country store just off Wisconsin Highway 29 in Wittenberg.  Stop in a get traditional smoked meats like summer sausage, landjaeger, and liver sausage for that charcuterie board (fancy-schmancy meat board…including cheese because we’re in Wisconsin) you really should be creating for the holiday… and grab corned beef hash and bacon to make a hearty Christmas breakfast.  Don’t forget a hand-glazed ham for your holiday table, as well!

  • Applewood Smoked Bacon
  • Corned Beef Hash
  • Honey-Glazed Spiral-Sliced Ham

Old Glory Candy
 108 E. Division St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 526-3253
Take a step back in time as you cross the threshold of this charming, sugar-laden candy shop.  With bulk taffy and baskets of hard (and hard-to-find) candies lining the walls, the smell of toasting almonds in the air, and a selection of some of the most creative handmade fudge varieties you’ll find within at least a hundred-mile radius, don’t miss this new take on a vintage candy store.  They have Christmas treats galore!  Our picks:

  • Sea Salt Caramel Fudge
  • Handmade Candy Canes
  • Peanut Butter Meltaways

Pingel Processing
W9248 County Rd. A, Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 851-8281
Just west of Red River, you’ll find Dallas Pingel hard at work hand-trimming tender cuts of meat and crafting small-batch sausages – a multi-generational trade passed down through the Pingel family.  Let’s cut straight to the chase: there’s not much out there that’s finer than a perfectly prepared prime rib roast, and Pingel’s has both fresh and pre-cooked prime rib roasts ready to order at custom weights for the holidays.  Give them a call to reserve a truly special cut of meat for your family’s holiday… these cuts are awesome for New Years, too!  Our choices for the holiday table are:

  • Prime Rib (fresh or pre-cooked)
  • Whole Beef Tenderloin
  • Summer Sausage/Cheese & Sausage Tray

Stock Market
103 S. Main. St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 201-1111
Besides being one of Shawano Country’s premiere locations for gift-buying, The Stock Market has a colossal amount of made-for-holidays craft liqueurs – and liquors – that you’re going to want to bring home for extra tasty merry-making.  Looking for alcohol-free celebratory drinks?  The women of The Stock Market have bulk teas, herbal teas, and chai ready to steep and enjoy.  Grab a set of vinegar and oil while you’re there, too.  Our abbreviated shopping list looks like this:

  • Sugarlands Appalachian Sippin’ Cream
    (on ice or in coffee; either way you’ll love it)
  • Black Mission Fig Balsamic + Wild Mushroom & Sage Olive Oil
  • Winter White Chai

…try this recipe for Sparkling Holiday Punch from Chelsea Gilling of The Stock Market and we just know you’ll begin to feel the holiday cheer!  Stop in and ask Chelsea and Abby for more recipe ideas anytime; they’ve got terrific uses to recommend for the products they carry.

Stubborn Brothers Brewery
220 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 201-0859
A newer addition to Shawano’s Main Street, Stubborn Brothers Brewery is housed in a lovingly restored theater that has become a historic jewel of downtown.  What can you take home from a brewery for your holiday party, you ask?  Well, the brothers are ready to fill growlers with your favorite brew so you can enjoy some mighty fine craft beer around your own table.  We’ll list our favorites but know that the beer menu does change.  Trust us when we say that we’re sure you’ll find a brew to love at this impressive public house.  Beer recommendations, if available:

  • DC Cherry Tart (cherry wheat)
  • Shawano Club (pilsner)
  • Two Pistons (amber)

Sweet Timber Maple Co.
W16396 County Rd. M, Tigerton, WI 54486
(920) 213-5225
Wisconsin is known for top-notch maple syrup and Shawano Country is no slouch when it comes to producing this sweet, golden treat.  Sweet Timber has raised the bar in the maple syrup world by creating fanciful delights like Maple Cotton Candy and infused syrups.  Honestly, their Maple Cotton Candy is one of the most unique and most fun confections we’ve ever had.  If you’ve never tried it, you are missing something every food lover needs to experience.  You’ll need to grab some infused syrup for that big holiday breakfast, too.  Our Sweet Timber selections are:

  • Maple Cotton Candy
  • Vanilla Bean (or Bourbon!) Infused Maple Syrup
  • Maple Popcorn

Twig’s Beverage
920 S Franklin St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 526-5031
We’ll cut to the chase on this one.  If you aren’t from Shawano, we’ll let you in on a secret: Sundrop is a key part of Shawano culture and if you want to hang with us, you’ll have to go get a case of Sundrop in glass bottles to make us feel at home.  Can you give Sundrop, the original golden cola, as a Christmas gift?  Absolutely.  Will your holiday guests love grabbing a cold glass bottle of Sundrop from your fridge or cooler?  Yes, they will.  Will you find yourself drawn to this soda ever after?  Probably.  Drink it straight up or use it as wash in your holiday mixers… p.s., Twig’s makes an amazing, face-puckering sour, too, so pick up some for those Old Fashioneds you know you’ll be having.

  • Sundrop or Diet Sundrop
  • Twig’s Sour Soda
  • Twig’s Orange Soda (you know, for the kids… or yourself)

Yoder’s Bakery
N4995 Oakcrest Dr., Bonduel 54107
(715) 758-6111
A quaint Amish bakery located in the heart of Shawano Country’s Amish community, the Yoder family creates wonderfully fresh baked goods.  Think fruit-filled hand pies, bacon cheese bread, and potato doughnuts.  Yoder’s hearty Old World baking will leave you wanting to make another visit and you’re sure to appreciate a glimpse into a culture that locals treasure.

  • Potato Doughnuts
  • Hand Pies
  • Anything with Cream Cheese Frosting (seriously)

Our community has a great deal to offer in the food tourism department and we’re ready to serve up our very best for your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.  Come to Shawano Country and bring home a taste of Wisconsin’s finest craft foods!

Top 10 Stops for Deer Hunters

Shawano Country has a sizeable population of deer hunters and we can’t ignore that “the season” is upon us!

It’s that time of year when Wisconsin hunters plan life around heading out into the woods and bringing home a freezer full of venison.  For those not from this part of the country, let us tell you that deer hunting season has an almost holiday-like feel.  Days are taken off work, blaze orange gear is aired out from last year’s hunt, bags are packed, and a sizeable stockpile of beer and snacks are purchased and ready to bring along.

Charlie’s County Market
521 South Main Street, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 524-2523

Shawano’s grocery store of choice for the area’s best selection of beer and liquor, plus a nicely-curated selection of Wisconsin cheeses, a sugar-binge-worthy wall of candy, and a super-stocked meat department.  Run in and grab a case of Busch Light or a mix-your-sixer sixpack of microbrews – whatever’s your style, some bulk gummies, toilet paper, and you NEED those Doritos…now head to the cabin!

Stubborn Brothers Brewery
220 South Main Street, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 201-0859

Grab a growler, a few crowlers, or just stop in for a pint of one of Stubborn Brothers’ amazing brews.  Based on today’s offerings, we recommend Wild Child Honey Wheat, DC Cherry Tart, Shawano Club Pilsner, or Geisha IPA.  Frankly, they craft everything from porters to sours and fruity wheats; a lil’ something for every beer-drinking deer hunter.

The menu at Stubborn Brothers offers toasty-warm food that any woods-chilled hunter would crave: classic flatbread pizza with pepperoni and sausage, hearty beer cheese soup, big soft pub pretzels, steak nachos… you get the idea.

Twig’s Tattoos
528A South Main Street, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 201-0859

Been awhile since you got yourself some fresh ink?  Never gotten a tattoo before?  Why not get something to remember this season at Twig’s Tattoos in Shawano.  Our town is lucky to have such a professional, talented tattoo artist.  The work that comes out of Twig’s is simply outstanding, whether it’s a completely new design or a cover-up job.

Note: Generally, you’ll need to book ahead because appointments fill up fast – their work is THAT good!

Pingel Processing LLC
W9248 County Road A, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 851-8281

Pingel’s is located just outside of Red River and is a relatively new addition to the area meat market scene, but is really a re-introduction.  The Pingel family ran a beloved butcher shop in the city of Shawano for decades and now the next generation has taken on the business, with Dallas Pingel opening his own establishment and creating knock-out sausages (think Philly Cheesesteak Brats), gorgeous hand-trimmed steaks, and (we think you’ll appreciate this one) they handle wild game processing.

Wild game processing includes whole deer and whole bear, in season, and they also take scraps – plus, you are guaranteed to get your own meat back.  Pingel’s makes great sausage, so trust them to make you an awesome batch!

Please go check out this clean, new meat market and bring them that buck you bag!  Get yourself a fat ribeye for the grill while you’re there – you deserve it.

Pigeon River Brewing Company
1103 North Main Street #9182, Marion, WI 54950
Ph: (715) 256-7721

The little town of Marion has a hidden gem in the Pigeon River Brewing Company, so if you’re in that neck of the woods, stop in for a pint of “Buxom Lass” Scottish Ale or the self-explanatory “Hop Offer”, enjoyed in a jovial setting.

A full menu is offered and you can get yourself a meaty 1/3-pound Angus burger with that pint or select a prime rib sandwich, flatbread pizza, or choose from a variety of creative sandwiches, wraps, and appetizers.  Why not get another pint of that Buxom Lass before you go?

Mike’s Country Meats
800 County Road M, Tigerton, WI 54486
Ph: (715) 535-4741
The writer of this blog would like to stop right here and tell you something: as a self-proclaimed connoisseur of beef jerky, the jerky made at Mike’s is right on target.  None of that overly-squishy, greasy stuff comes from Mike’s; this jerky is firm, well-seasoned, and has just the right amount of chew.  Just as their website says, this may just be the #1 Jerky in Wisconsin.

Located in Tigerton but available at several local convenience stores (Arby’s 22 Shell in Shawano carries it), you can find bags of Mike’s mean Teriyaki, zesty Black Pepper, sweet and mellow Honey Barbeque, and screaming Carolina Reaper, to name a few.  This is a locally-made snack not to be missed.

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats
1390 East Grand Avenue, Wittenberg, WI 54499
Ph: (715) 253-4059

Famous for their Applewood Smoked Bacon clear across the fifty states, this 3rd generation family-owned smokehouse in the village of Wittenberg is the real deal.  Make sure to get enough bacon for breakfasts at the cabin all week or you may find yourself making a second trip.

Of course you’ll want that Applewood Smoked Bacon, but if you want to change up your meals while you’re in the woods with the guys, get yourself some of their corned beef hash, smoky ham steaks, pancake mix and maple syrup, beef sticks, cheese curds, and anything your smoked meat lovin’ heart desires.

Twig’s Beverage
920 South Franklin Street, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 526-5031

Listen, we all know you’ll be having some beers, but what’s “as refreshing as a cup of coffee” in the morning?  You got it: SUNDROP.  Shawanoites (Shawanoans?) drink this sparkling stuff like it’s a cure-all.  For all we know, it might be.

Whether you’re on Team Can (so crisp!) or Team Glass Bottle (you can see the pulp!), this caffeinated citrus soda was really this first of its kind, classified as a “golden cola” way back when.  Made right here in Shawano, Wisconsin, you shouldn’t think of going out to deer camp without a case of those good old returnable glass bottles filled with the locals’ drink of choice.  Or get those crisp, cold cans…you decide!

Brother’s Market
N5858 Lake Drive, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 201-0755

Located at the “gate to The Mooseyards”, this souped-up C-store has everything a local – or a guest – could need.  With a variety of wine and beer at the ready, plus locally-sourced Wisconsin staples like fresh squeaky cheese curds, creamy fudge, smoked fish, and golden maple syrup.  They’ll have what you’re looking for, plus a few new favorites, we’re willing to bet.  Oh, and while you’re there, check out Brother’s Pub just across the street.  They’ve got a huge menu and friendly staff just waiting to make you an Old Fashioned or a stiff Windsor and Coke.

Brother’s has everything you need for the cabin, too: firewood, LP, ice – all the Northwoods staples!

Qualhiem’s True Value
1345 East Green Bay Street, Shawano, WI  54166
Ph: (715) 526-6108

Real Talk: This place is part of the backbone of Shawano life.  Qualheim’s is an institution in this town.  Go there for pretty much anything.  You

know you’ll get to the cabin and find out you need to fix something.  Go there for buck calls and doe pee.  Go there for dog food.  Go there and rent pretty much anything, including a dunk tank (hey, it’s more fun than you think) or a live trap for the possum under your porch.  You get the idea.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HUNTING!

Other Shawano Country Seasonal Info for Hunters & Friends:

CASINOS
RESTAURANTS & BARS
TAVERNS
LODGING