Summer Flavors

Juicy watermelon, dripping dreamsicles, sizzling hot dogs, and sweating spritzers; summer is home to some of our favorite flavors. There is no better time for outdoor cookouts, picnic bench lunches, and patio dinner dining; glasses of wine lingering from late afternoon to well past sunset. The anticipation for the summer season is not just for kids eagerly waiting for school to end, the flavors of summer are unique to this season of longer days and warmer temperatures. To inspire your kitchen recipes and dining plans for the season, here’s our list of favorite summer flavors and where in Sheboygan you can indulge in them.

Summer Cookouts

Brats, hot dogs, and hamburgers: we enjoy these foods year round, but something about a summer cookout with these grilled favorites hits different. Although we’re a fan of this timeless cookout trilogy, here in Sheboygan we are particularly passionate about the brats. We are the Brat Capital of the World, after all, going head to head with Bucyrus, Ohio in 1970 to claim the title. There are brat hubs scattered across the Sheboygan area for you to pick up the authentic thing to grill in the yard. Miesfeld’s and Johnsonville Brat Store are two local favorites, however, if you want to dine out and enjoy a Sheboygan brat, The Northwestern House and Four of a Kind are sit down restaurants that people come from far and wide for. Of course, we are talking about the Brat capitol of the world, so you can’t go wrong. Brats are all over Sheboygan!

Sweet Ice Cream

As the dairy state, Wisconsin takes ice cream and frozen custard very seriously. Who doesn’t love a dripping ice cream cone or a chilled sundae on a summer afternoon? An ice cream after hitting the beach especially hits differently and thankfully, South Pier Parlor, Shoreline Café, and Blast Soft Serve are all a short walk from the waves. The pinnacle of a summer sweet treat in Sheboygan, South Pier and Blast are open seasonally. Our mouths are watering just thinking about the cold, sweet, sugar rush. I grabbed the yummy birthday cake ice cream cone you see me holding in the blog photo from Shoreline Café. If you keep up with my blog you'll know I unfortunately cannot eat dairy or gluten, so I gave this cone to a coworker after I took my photo. The smell of the waffle cone and the sweet ice cream that greets me when I enter Shoreline says enough about how good this dessert tastes. 

Sippin’ on Summer

Tequila sunrises, Piña coladas, sangrias, and spritzers galore. We’re itching for endless summer sips under the sweltering sun. Thankfully, there is no shortage of bars and cocktail lists in Sheboygan, or places that have special offers. Parker John’s along Riverfront Drive serves some of the best BBQ around, and between their riverfront outdoor and indoor dining and their Sunday Funday $5 cocktail deals, there’s no way you’ll want to miss out on summer sips here! If you’re a beer fan, head to 3 Sheeps Brewery for chill beer and chill vibes. The brewery has a renovated warehouse feeling with open seating, garages opening into a picnic space, a stage for live music, and of course, an overwhelming amount of beer and seltzers to choose from. Did we mention it’s dog-friendly too?

Fruit Salad

Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like juicy, fresh fruit during the summertime. Hydrating, healthy, and sweet, we can’t get enough fruit while tanning on the beach or siting under the sun during bright mornings. Whether you like fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or smoothies, picking up the freshest fruit is essential. Stefano’s Slo Food Market in downtown Sheboygan carries exclusively fresh, well sourced food in their marketplace. There are so many fun summer sweets to get overwhelmed by during the season, why not shake things up by having a fruit based dessert like yogurt or chocolate covered berries. Dress up this healthy dessert alternative by tossing all your favorite fruits in a bowl, and finish it off with your favorite toppings.

 8^th Streatery

In Sheboygan, the summer holds plenty of food and beverage events, but 8^th Streatery is one of the best known. Taking place Tuesday evenings from 5pm-9pm June 6^th to August 15^th, 8^th Streatery is THE destination for good local eats, live music, and Sheboygan summer vibes. Make sure you mark your calendar and fit at least one of the 8^th Streatery dates into your busy summer schedule!

Lobster Boil- July 19th 4:30pm-8:30pm

The annual Lobster Boil Fundraiser held by the Sheboygan Rotary Club is HERE! This event takes place in Fountain Park located downtown. Although tickets for the lobster boil are sold out, brats, burgers, sandwiches, beer, wine, and more are available for purchase during the event. This is a local favorite, and well worth the hype since the proceeds benefit the future of Sheboygan County through education and the Rotary Club. This event happens rain or shine, and thankfully this year, in 2024, the weather is going to be warm and sunny. Perfect for a spent outside enjoying good food and supporting a great community.