Rock the Ranch, Twin Lakes, WI
The Legendary Brat Stop
World Famous Brats, Entertainment, Restaurant, Cheese Mart & Banquet Facilities.
The Brat Stop opened in 1961, and is located just five minutes over the Wisconsin/Illinois border. I-94 & HWY 50, Exit 344. It has been fondly called 1 acre under a roof without a car for sale. Keeping pace with the times has been a big factor in the Brat Stop's success. After a fire in 1984 the Brat Stop has grown from 1,200 to 46,000 square feet. With the help of our staff we get to play ambassador to over 450,000 visitors per year at this unofficial gateway to Wisconsin.
What's the allure? Well, anyone who travels knows that sampling regional cuisine is half the adventure, and a visit to Wisconsin simply isn't complete without sampling a bratwurst. The beer and brat are inextricable parts of the German settlers that made roots here in the 19th century. The word Bratwurst is of German origin; brat means fry, wurst means sausage. A bona fide, Wisconsin cook-out or tailgate always offers lots of yummy, beer soaked brats.
Cheese is another regional specialty, and the varieties of cheese available in the Badger State makes visitors heads spin. The Brat Stop's Cheese Mart and gift shop lets visitors take home brats, cheese and light-hearted Wisconsin related memorabilia. Most visitors bring home a few "cheesy" souvenirs; a sausage shaped like a bottle of beer, a chunk of cheese shaped like the state of Wisconsin, a cheese head hat that looks like it was made from a wedge of cheese.
Since opening in 1961, many sports, political and entertainment personalities have eaten at The Brat Stop, whose mystique has been irresistible to Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Tony Kukoc, Al McGuire, Tom Arnold, Willard Scott, Bette Midler, Shelly Fairchild, Tommy Thompson, Russ Feingold, Steven Tyler..... The Best Damn Sports Show even fimed here once! Many of these stars undoubtedly stayed a little later than planned just so they could sample another Wisconsin institution- The Friday Night Fish Fry.
From our breakfast menu to pizza, deli, appetizers and a full dinner menu, there is something to satisfy everyone. On weekends specials feature prim rib and broasted chicken dinners.
In 1998 The Parkway Chateau was added. Kenosha's premiere banquet facility with meeting halls for private and corporate events. With seating for 6 to 600 it's a sight to behold, with uncomparable service to boot!
Since 1964, The Brat Stop has hosted live music- many of them were national acts. Stars gracing the stage have included The Charlie Daniels Band, Stix, B.T.O., Cheap Trick, Foghat, Guess Who, Nazareth, Molly Hatchet, Joan Jett, Holland, Bad Boy, Night Ranger, Loverboy, Jackyl, Eddie Money, 38 Special, Ratt, Warrant, Saxon, Tracy Byrd, Great White, Mark Wills, Jo Dee Messina, Neal McCoy, Wade Hayes, Trace Adkins, Chris Cagle and Sugar Land, just to mention a few.
The Brat Stop also supports a wide variety of local and charitable organizations, including MDA, St. Baldricks, Special Olympics, local churches and school festivals, and several sports leagues...
Anyway you cut it, Wisconsin is proud to call The Brat Stop its unofficial portal to the Badger State.
