Ah, Wisconsin. McDonald's knows what you want.
That's why they're putting Johnsonville brats back on the menu at 125 restaurants throughout Southeast Wisconsin beginning Monday, April 25.
It's not the first time the popular bratwurst have been showcased as a menu item at the popular burger chain. In fact, Johnsonville Brats first appeared on McDonald's menus in southeastern Wisconsin in 1998 thanks to local McDonald's owner and operator Steve Kilian, who initiated the the promotion with Johnsonville’s foodservice business.
The initial launch caused a media frenzy. From Phoenix to New York City, more than 50 television stations nationwide covered the story of how the "old school" sausage, with its secret blend of spices, was being served up by a restaurant who made its name serving up "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun."
"We had quite a bit of fun explaining the product to people across the country who weren’t as familiar with bratwurst, much less how much we love them here," said Kilian.
This time around, the brats, which haven't made their way onto menu boards in Milwaukee since 2009, will be served up on hardy brat-style buns and dressed with ketchup and mustard. In fact, customers will be able to procure two Johnsonville Brats (or a brat and large fries) for $4.44 through May 22.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
