Best bratwurst in Iowa?

[BrunoMars420]

I need some help.

Ever since Kramers in La Porte City closed down I haven’t been able to find a good German style Brat like they had. Anyone have any suggestions around Iowa? I am looking to get a hog and if I can find a place that makes great Brats I would buy a whole Hog there.

FWIW, I think Tiefenthler Beats are avg.

 

[IANDFAN]

I need some help.

Ever since Kramers in La Porte City closed down I haven’t been able to find a good German style Brat like they had. Anyone have any suggestions around Iowa? I am looking to get a hog and if I can find a place that makes great Brats I would buy a whole Hog there.

FWIW, I think Tiefenthler Beats are avg.

Man I really like Tiefenthlers brats. Never tried Kramer and now I’m sad.

 

[McLovin32]

I give OP's mom a big ol bratwurst every night

 

[Tenacious E]

As much as in kill HyVee for their prices, their brats are delicious. Beer, jalapeño cheddar, and green onion all get my chef’s kiss

 

[sultanofsuede]

Jeff’s grocery in Durant, IA has the best brats in Iowa. He’s been making them the same way for decades.

 

[jellyfish10]

Man I really like Tiefenthlers brats. Never tried Kramer and now I’m sad.

Is that the joint in NW Iowa? Holstein maybe?

 

[ICWestfan]

I give OP's mom a big ol bratwurst every night

You got it from Fareway, correct? I mean she did tell me she enjoyed a little smokie the other night.

 

[BrunoMars420]

Is that the joint in NW Iowa? Holstein maybe?

Yup that’s the one. I’ve heard a couple of people give them props but it wasn’t my style of brat.

 

[millah_22]

I give OP's mom a big ol bratwurst every night

Ya but OP asked for the best. Not the saddest, limpest bratwurst in Iowa.

 

[BrunoMars420]

Looking at what I like it is more or less Bavarian brats, Thuringer brats, and weisswurst.

For all the whites with German heritage around Iowa it’s crazy I can’t find some good lockers that sell it.

 

[jasonrann]

Yup that’s the one. I’ve heard a couple of people give them props but it wasn’t my style of brat.

If I remember correctly, they're skinless up there. I much prefer them in the casing.

 

[millah_22]

If I remember correctly, they're skinless up there. I much prefer them in the casing.

They're pretty good, though.

 

[BrunoMars420]

If I remember correctly, they're skinless up there. I much prefer them in the casing.

Yup it’s like a big Kwik star roller cheeseburger bite

 

[Brown Dog]

Edgewood Locker makes good brats but IMO, Tiefenthalers are the best that I've tried. Unfortunately Anvil closed in CR or that'd be the best by far.

 

[Derekd3408]

Edgewood and Polashek are my 2 favorite. Polashek is just amazing overall. If I'm in the area I load up every time.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I prefer the Impossible brat over the Beyond brat.

 

[IANDFAN]

Edgewood and Polashek are my 2 favorite. Polashek is just amazing overall. If I'm in the area I load up every time.

Polashek! I’ve seen it but have never tried it. I’ll have to swing by when I go to Decorah to camp in a couple of weeks.

 

[Derekd3408]

Polashek! I’ve seen it but have never tried it. I’ll have to swing by when I go to Decorah to camp in a couple of weeks.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[jonesy5960]

I give OP's mom a big ol bratwurst every night

So don't hold out. Tell OP where you got it from.

 

[Bro D]

Hy vee green onion

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

Polashek! I’ve seen it but have never tried it. I’ll have to swing by when I go to Decorah to camp in a couple of weeks.

I’m just a couple miles north of Decorah. Hit me up if you need any recommendations on what to do.

 

[IANDFAN]

I’m just a couple miles north of Decorah. Hit me up if you need any recommendations on what to do.

I have been going up twice a year once in spring and once in the fall for a camping/trout fishing trip for 20 years. We fish at the bears. Something by sons and I look forward to every year.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I have been going up twice a year once in spring and once in The fall for a camping/trout fishing trip for 20 years. We fish at the bears. Something by sons and I look forward to every year.

Awesome! It’s a beautiful area and you’re obviously familiar with it. Enjoy!

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I need some help.

Ever since Kramers in La Porte City closed down I haven’t been able to find a good German style Brat like they had. Anyone have any suggestions around Iowa? I am looking to get a hog and if I can find a place that makes great Brats I would buy a whole Hog there.

FWIW, I think Tiefenthler Beats are avg.

Tiefenthler are just avg, you are correct. Riceville locker brats are some of the best I’ve had. They are better than Edgewood imho.
They supply all the brats for stacyvilles best days, so they must be good. Lol
Seriously, I go to a lot of lockers and they’ve been the best.
Fareway has dogsh1t brats and have is a slight step up.
You can hit up the Elma locker on the way. Best beef sticks I’ve had and their sirloin burgers are fantastic.
Ne Iowa has some great lockers

 

[Bulldogs1974]

Polasheks dried beef is great.

 

[IANDFAN]

I’ve heard good things about Ciry Meat Market in New Albin, Iowa. Never had their brats though.

 

[BrunoMars420]

Tiefenthler are just avg, you are correct. Riceville locker brats are some of the best I’ve had. They are better than Edgewood imho.
They supply all the brats for stacyvilles best days, so they must be good. Lol
Seriously, I go to a lot of lockers and they’ve been the best.
Fareway has dogsh1t brats and have is a slight step up.
You can hit up the Elma locker on the way. Best beef sticks I’ve had and their sirloin burgers are fantastic.
Ne Iowa has some great lockers

My favorite beef sticks are Ulrich beef sticks out of pella. Those are amazing. Another contender are Nicks beef sticks at the big truck stop in Albert Lea in MN.

 

[jdw10224405]

Make the drive over the river to Meatheads in Milan, Illinois. They also have a stand at the Davenport farmer's market.

 

[stickman80]

I give OP's mom a big ol bratwurst every night

...and stick it right in her sauerkraut.

 

[jellyfish10]

Yup that’s the one. I’ve heard a couple of people give them props but it wasn’t my style of brat.

Oh man one of the few meat items I still crave…their cheesy jalapeño deer brats.

 

[beanerhawk]

Edgewood and Polashek are my top 2 but one that hasn't been listed is the Amana's. They are damn good, they aren't the cheapest but I really like them. Head down to Amana Octoberfest next fall if you can a lot of good food.

 

[McLovin32]

Ya but OP asked for the best. Not the saddest, limpest bratwurst in Iowa.

 

[sultanofsuede]

I’ve given hints to my family that this could be a good read (possibly perfect for father day?)

https://a.co/d/jd4rcnF

Rural Iowa Sausage: History & Tradition of Brats on the Back Roads (American Palate)

 

[Tenacious E]

I have been doing pretty well on a diet, but thanks to you assholes I will be grilling brats tonight taking advantage of the sunny 60-degree weather.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

What makes a good brat for me is the casing, it must be real and the grind (it can't be too fine).
Brats from the riceville locker have real casing that snaps when you bit into them. The plant based casings are just gross. No casing is just weird.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

My locker go to:
Daytons in Malcom: best hamburger. Don't know if they still make their frozen pies but those were awesome. I like any locker you walk into that's clean and as cold as a fridge.
Polasheks: dried beef is great. It's nice that fareway carries it in my area
Elma Locker: beef sticks. Both their hot/cheddar and pepperjack.
Riceville Locker: brats. The jalapenos cheddar and regular are great. They have several other flavors as well.
Osage locker: bacon and their breakfast links are pretty good too.
Edgewood: has good quality and variety, i just don't think their brats are as good as riceville.

Anyone else have some favorite lockers. I generally buy brats and breakfast sausage links when I go places. That's kind of how I judge them. A bit like ordering a tenderloin and ranch dressing at a new restaurant. Anyone serving ranch from a bottle will never get me back.

 

[Quarts]

@bulldoghave you had the Riceville breakfast brat? Heatd they are good.

 

[Tom Paris]

Make the drive over the river to Meatheads in Milan, Illinois. They also have a stand at the Davenport farmer's market.

This! I was disappointed when the Bettendorf store closed. Door County Cherry brats and the Bloody Mary brats for me.

 

[unIowa]

Polashek! I’ve seen it but have never tried it. I’ll have to swing by when I go to Decorah to camp in a couple of weeks.

Brats and a KingSue! Love me some nature in Decorah.

Another Edgewood guy here in terms of all the stuff they offer.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

@bulldoghave you had the Riceville breakfast brat? Heatd they are good.

I have. Very good too.