Questionable Wisconsin Sandwich Named One of the Best in America

Let’s talk sandwiches. The handheld heroes that have gotten us through lunch breaks, long road trips, rough mornings, and breakups since… well, forever.

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There are the go-to comfort classics like the BLT, the Club, and a good ol’ grilled cheese. Then you've got the regional rockstars like the Philly’s cheesesteak, a Muffuletta down in New Orleans, or a dipped Italian beef from Chicago. These sandwiches are all delicious monuments to American creativity... and cholesterol.

So when a list like LoveFood’s “America’s Greatest Sandwiches” comes out, you might expect to see all those usual suspects, but what you probably don’t expect…

A pile of raw ground beef, slapped on a slice of rye, topped with chopped onions, and served cold at Christmas.

Welcome to Wisconsin.

Yep, Wisconsin’s Cannibal Sandwich (that’s really what it’s called) has been named one of the greatest sandwiches in the country. And while the name alone might send shivers down your spine, traditional Wisconsinites are here nodding in approval.

What Is Wisconsin’s Cannibal Sandwich?

If you’ve never heard of this weird Wisconsin tradition, buckle up. Here’s how LoveFood describes it:

“A historic Milwaukee, Wisconsin staple that’s traditionally enjoyed at Christmas... Also known as tiger meat or wildcat, it consists of super-fresh, raw ground beef, thickly spread on slices of rye bread and topped with nothing more than chopped onion, salt, and pepper.”

That’s right. No grill. No heat. Just raw beef. On rye (sometimes crackers). With onions. Served up with a heart-to-heart about food safety from the out-of-town relatives.

Before you recoil in horror (or book a flight to Milwaukee, depending on your vibe), let’s get one thing straight: this is not your average backyard beef tartare. This is a tradition. A Midwestern delicacy. A Christmas party rite of passage for generations of brave, raw beef-loving Wisconsinites.

To their credit, Wisconsinites aren’t just scooping ground chuck out of a styrofoam tray from the gas station and calling it a day. The meat is typically high-quality sirloin or other steak, purchased the same day from trusted butchers, ground fresh, and gobbled up fast. There's a whole ritual around it. It’s practically sacred… and a tiny bit terrifying.

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This controversial concoction was likely created by early European settlers using ingredients they had on hand, according to Quick Country 96.5. LoveFood backs that up, saying it's been a treat in Wisconsin German communities since the 1800s. "Many of the Germans who emigrated to Milwaukee in the 19th century worked in agriculture and dairy farming, so had access to the kind of extremely fresh meat needed to make the dish," the food experts say.

Health officials, by the way, have frequently warned against eating raw ground beef. But has that ever stopped a determined Cheese Head? Absolutely not.

So, congratulations, Cannibal Sandwich. You’ve officially made the big time. And to everyone outside the Midwest scratching their heads right now, don’t knock it till you’ve nervously chewed through your first slice. I’m still working my way up to that.