A Midwestern Gentleman is a carnivore. He indulges in fine meats, state fair favorites and wild game, sometimes in the same day. The mighty bovine is respected in the Heartland, a respect immortalized in Salem Sue. Standing a staggering 38 ft. tall and 50 ft. long the statue of the Holstein overlooks an area that at one point was going a very different direction. As settlers came they began tilling land for cropping, legend has it that two Sioux Indians gave advice to a farmer that rather than tearing up the sod for dirt, the grass was excellent for grazing. It was then that the dairy industry of North Dakota was born. The statue was built in 1974 to honor the heritage of the town. People come from miles around to lay eyes on the magnificent creature and on a clear day she can be seen from neighboring counties. The love for the cow goes much further than the dinner table in North Dakota and around the Midwest there are plenty of places to get your fill.
The mighty bovine is a staple of the pasture and often a table’s centerpiece in houses and farms across the Heartland. From the flank to the brisket, the skirt to the flat iron, there is much to love about our lumbering friend the cow. When appreciating our bovine companions their role on the dinner table hot from the oven is standard but between two slices of bread a cow’s contribution to the essentials of MWG’s kitchen is undeniable.
Though the preparation of the cow can take on many different forms, we understand the value of the beef brisket. The muscles that make up the brisket of a mobile cow support up to 60 percent of its total weight. This makes for a fantastic and elegantly fat rippled cut of Midwestern goodness. MWG strongly advocates embarking on a culinary adventure of your own and preparing your own brisket but as we all know, there are often times not enough hours and energy in the day to engage in such an undertaking. So, in lieu of homemade the following are three high quality sources for purveyors/producers of some of the finest beef brisket cuts the Midwest has to offer.
Located in the heart of Detroit since 1982 United Meat and Deli has been churning out, among other things, Sy Ginsberg brand corned beef. This corned beef has been gracing Michigan resident’s plates and onion rolls for over a generation.High praise comes from both the numerous delis who utilize this Midwestern manna and their always satisfied customers. Sy Ginsberg Corned Beef Brisket is earthy and briny but manages to stay tender, just like mom used to make it. In short, Sy Ginsberg is everything corned beef ought to be.
Chicago is hallowed ground for the Mid-Western beef lover. The home of the true OG slaughterhouses it is only fitting to include Windy City based deli meats producer Crown Corned Beef Inc. Since 1948 Crown has been serving up its garlic brined take on the Corned Beef. For this MWG always reaches for the Plochman’s and doffs its hat.
Suburban Cleveland Ohio’s Mister Brisket has been a beloved staple of Eastern Ohio for years and it is easy to understand why. Their onsite deli is a force of nature. With the homemade quality of their product and huge selection available both to the everyday consumer and businessman, people are always coming back for more. The brisket cuts are unapologetically fatty/traditional and MWG thanks them for it.
With so many options available to you (including every other corner in Milwaukee) MWG encourages you to make the time for a visit to a friendly merchant of one of the above fine Midwestern meat companies, we’ll bring the rye bread and Russian dressing.
Cheers…
