By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Mar 09, 2024 at 9:16 AM

Sunday hot ham and rolls is a long-held tradition for many Milwaukeeans. But, like many other things – including bubblers and Friday fish fry – it’s something that often flummoxes visitors or those new to the area.

The concept is deceptively simple. After church on Sundays, people make a beeline to the nearest bakery or deli and order a pound or two of hot ham. In Milwaukee, most Sunday ham comes with free rolls. Usually "hard rolls" – a special sort of roll that’s soft and tender on the inside yet hard and crispy on the outside.

How the ham sandwiches were made once people got home varied. Some would spread the bread simply with butter, add ham, and eat. Others swear by a smear of mustard or relish or the addition of cheese. In some households, the "hot ham and rolls" tradition also included a dozen doughnuts.

Any way you slice it, the tradition is alive and well. And here are over a dozen spots where you can get your fix.

1. Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop

7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288
aggiesbakery.com

Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At Aggie's you can get a pound of Badger Honey Baked Ham with six free rolls (seeded from Peter Sciortino Bakery or unseeded from Norman's Hi-Lo Bakery in Sheboygan).

2. The Bake Sale

The Bake Sale ham and rolls

6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com

Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Bake Sale offers smoked pulled ham with housemade buttermilk biscuits or hard rolls every Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.  Be sure to grab a cinnamon roll while you are there! (Montly pre-orders are also accepted and can be made online).X

3. Butcher Block Meat Market

9340 S. Chicago Rd., Oak Creek
(414) 764-2910
ocbutcherblock.net

Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Butcher Block offers hot Badger ham, along with rolls for purchase. Cash or check only.

4. Glorioso’s Italian Market

1011 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-0540
gloriosos.com

Open Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free half-dozen rolls with ham purchase on Sundays only.

5. Grebe's Bakery

5132 W. Lincoln Ave.
(414) 543-7000
grebesbakery.com

Open Sunday from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Head to Grebe's on Sundays to get your fix of Grebe's "Secret" Recipe Baked Badger Ham special. Note: Many people recommend the "better butter" rolls.

6. Java Train

Java Train Ham & Rolls
Photo: Java Train
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4825 N. 132nd St., Butler
(262) 781-9555
javatrainbutler.com

Open Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Badger ham and rolls are available on Sundays, along with warm German potato salad and quarts of soup. Call your order in ahead for pick-up.

7. Layton Fruit Market

1838 E. Layton Ave., St Francis
(414) 481-3008
laytonfruitmarket.com

Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You know the drill. Hop over to the Layton Fruit Market on either Saturday or Sunday and purchase a pound of ham; they'll give you the rolls for free.

8. National Bakery

3200 S. 16th St., (414) 672-1620
13820 W. Greenfield Ave., (262) 827-4097
5637 Broad St., (414) 423-4620
nationalbakery.com

Open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Interestingly, National Bakery is closed on Sundays, but it's one of the few places in town where you can get your fix every other day of the week (get six free hard rolls with the purchase of one pound of ham). 

9. Old World Deli

7630 W Grange Ave, Greendale
(414) 855-0470

Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It's worth the trip to this Old World hidden gem for their remarkable selection of Polish delicacies. But don't sleep on their hot ham and rolls, available every Sunday!

10. Peter Sciortino's Bakery

Peter Sciortino ham on a roll
Photo: Peter Sciortino
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1101 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-4623
petersciortinosbakery.com

Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Get six free rolls with the purchase of a pound of ham.

11. Ray’s Butcher Shoppe 

4640 W. Loomis Rd.
(414) 423-1322
raysbutchershoppe.com

Open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Purchase a pound of ham and get six free rolls; available every day.

12. Scordato Bakery

5011 W. Howard Ave. 
(414) 327-8555
scordatobakery.com

Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Every Sunday Scordato's has your Badger Ham hot and ready along with their housemade breads and rolls. Get 'em while they're hot.

 

13. Rupena’s Fine Foods

Rupena's Ham
Photo: Rupena's
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7641 W. Beloit Rd., West Allis
(414) 543-7447
rupenas.com

Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Rupena's the purchase of a pound of ham earns you six accompanying rolls for free.

14. South Milwaukee Sausage & Meats

1200 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee
(414) 301-4191

facebook.com/South-Milwaukee-Sausage-and-Meats
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get a pound of Boar's Head ham, plus six Wild Flour rolls every Sunday (while they last) at this South Milwaukee butcher shop.

15. Torres Bakery

Torres Bakery rolls and ham
Photo: Torres Bakery
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4759 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, (414) 988-0110
facebook.com/theetorresbakery

Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pick up hot ham and freshly baked rolls every Sunday at Torres Bakery in Cudahy.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.