More than 130 pounds of Wisconsin creamery butter goes through this place every week. And no, it’s not for the toast.
Most of it ends up right on top of hot sirloin patties. That’s a serious amount of butter for one burger counter.
The beef is 100 percent sirloin, delivered fresh daily and never frozen. Stewed onions cook slowly in butter on the flat-top until they’re soft and golden.
Add another generous pat of butter, and you can probably guess where this burger gets its reputation.
The setup is just as memorable. You’re sitting on a swivel stool at a wraparound counter inside what looks like an ordinary two-story house.
The cooks are right in front of you, close enough to chat while they work.
This Wisconsin counter has been buttering burgers since 1936. And if there’s one thing you should know before ordering, it’s that the butter isn’t just a topping here. It’s practically part of the recipe.
The Butter Goes On The Patty, And That Changes Everything
Plenty of burger spots butter the bun and call it a day. Solly’s Grille goes much further by placing real Wisconsin butter right on top of the hot patty.
That bold move is why the restaurant is widely known as the birthplace of the Wisconsin butter burger. The butter melts down into the meat and keeps sliding toward the bun below.
The beef itself is 100 percent sirloin. It arrives fresh every day and never sees a freezer.
Next comes the bun, toasted until it can handle a serious amount of richness. Every bite brings together beef, butter, and soft bread in one messy, happy package.
Here’s a helpful tip for first-timers. Grab extra napkins before you even start, because this burger doesn’t stay tidy for long.
Some guests like asking for lighter butter if they want a gentler introduction. That’s a smart option if you’re new to the whole butter burger idea.
Still, the full version is the classic for a reason. Nearly ninety years of history started with this exact idea, and it remains the star of the show today.
Stewed Onions Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Onions rarely get top billing on a burger. At this counter, though, they come close to stealing the spotlight from the beef.
Solly’s famous stewed onions cook slowly in butter on the flat-top grill. Time and heat turn them soft, sweet, and deeply caramelized.
They usually land right on top of the butter burger. That pairing feels almost like a tradition handed down through generations of hungry Wisconsin diners.
Why does it work so well? The sweetness of the onions balances the savory sirloin and the rich butter.
Think of them as the friendly middle ground between crunchy raw onions and nothing at all. They melt into the burger instead of fighting for attention.
If you usually skip onions, this might be the place to make an exception. These aren’t sharp or harsh like the sliced kind you find at a fast food stop.
Add a slice of cheese if you like a little extra melt. Then you’ll have a burger stacked with layers of flavor that all seem to know each other well.
Not bad for a humble onion, right?
Pick Your Burger Like A Seasoned Pro
Choosing just one burger here takes some real thought. The menu offers several versions, each with its own personality.
Start with Solly’s Original Butterburger if this is your first visit. It’s the burger that built the legend, so it makes a great baseline.
Feeling extra hungry? The Double Solly Butter Burger stacks up more sirloin and more of that famous butter.
Then there’s Solly’s Big Boy, a name that pretty much explains itself. The Sassy Burger and the Glendale Burger round out a lineup with plenty of fun choices.
A smart plan for groups is to order a few different burgers and compare. Friends who share tend to discover their new favorite faster.
You can also add cheese to many options. It turns an already rich burger into a gooey, melty treat that drips in all the right ways.
Don’t overthink it too much, though. Solly’s signature butter burgers feature fresh sirloin and real Wisconsin butter at their core.
That means you’re getting the heart of the tradition whenever you choose one of Solly’s signature butter burgers.
Breakfast Here Comes With Door County Cherries
Burgers grab the headlines, but mornings deserve some love too. Solly’s serves farm-style breakfast, and it isn’t just an afterthought.
Pancakes come with an option for Door County cherries. Those tart, ruby-red fruits are a proud Wisconsin specialty, and they make breakfast feel like a little celebration.
Other choices include French toast, oatmeal, and omelets. Buttery hash browns also show up, which makes total sense given the house love for butter.
Timing matters if you want the early bird experience. On Fridays and Saturdays, the doors open at 7 in the morning.
Tuesday through Thursday, the restaurant opens a bit later at 10:30. Mondays and Sundays are closed, so plan your cravings around that schedule.
Breakfast items are served on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:30 a.m. That means arriving early on Friday or Saturday is your best bet if you’re craving pancakes.
A cherry-topped stack paired with a side of hash browns makes a cozy start to any weekend. It’s also a great way to bring along someone who isn’t in the mood for a burger.
Everybody leaves happy that way.
Save Room For A Shake Served In A Steel Can
Old-fashioned shakes and malts are a big deal at this counter. They arrive with the extra still sitting in the steel can, which feels like a bonus round.
The flavor list has some winners. Hot fudge shakes, chocolate banana malts, and Door County Cherry shakes all make an appearance.
That cherry shake is a fun way to taste a bit of Wisconsin in a glass. Door County cherries show up in more than one spot on this menu, and for good reason.
Malts bring a toasty, slightly nutty flavor that pairs nicely with a butter burger. Shakes keep things simple and creamy.
Here’s a practical idea for families. Order one shake and ask for extra straws, since the steel can gives you a generous refill.
Some folks treat the shake as dessert. Others sip it alongside their burger like a sweet, frosty sidekick.
Either approach works. Just don’t skip this part of the meal entirely, because a classic diner visit without a shake feels a little incomplete.
Your sweet tooth will thank you later, probably all the way home.
Sides And Pie That Hold Their Own
A great burger needs a trusty partner on the plate. French fries and onion rings both answer that call here.
They’re cooked in cholesterol-free frying oil. That’s a nice detail to know when the burger already brings plenty of richness.
Onion rings make a smart pick if you already love those stewed onions. Fries are the safe, classic choice that nobody ever regrets.
Other menu options include chili, salads, grilled chicken filets, and bratwurst. Bratwurst feels right at home in Wisconsin, after all.
Then there’s the homemade pie. Cherry pie is a standout option, keeping that Door County theme going strong.
Leaving without a slice would be a real missed opportunity. Pie is the kind of treat that turns a good lunch into a memorable one.
Not hungry enough for dessert right away? Ask about taking a slice to go for later.
It’s a sweet souvenir that beats any keychain. Plus, it gives you a reason to remember your visit long after the last fry disappears.
Everyone needs a little dessert backup plan, especially after a buttery feast.
Grab A Swivel Stool At The Horseshoe Counter
From the outside, the building looks like a regular two-story house. Inside, horseshoe-shaped counters with swivel stools wrap around the cooks and staff.
You can watch your burger come together right in front of you. It’s dinner and a show without any extra charge.
The counter-service setup gives the place an old-school diner feel. Some people even say it feels like stepping back to the 1970s.
Staff often build close relationships with their customers here. Friendly chats across the counter are part of the experience.
Seating is limited because the space is small. Patience helps during busy times, and arriving at off-peak hours can make things smoother.
Outdoor seating is also available when the weather cooperates. Free Wi-Fi is offered too, though the burger will probably distract you from your phone.
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating areas. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options.
Spin your stool once or twice for fun. Nobody’s keeping score, and it’s one of the simple joys of a true counter diner.
A James Beard Honor And Nearly 90 Years Of Family History
Back in 1936, Kenneth “Solly” Salmon opened Solly’s Coffee Shop. The family has owned the business ever since.
The restaurant moved to its current spot in 1971. It took the name Solly’s Grille in 1993.
You’ll find it at 4629 N Port Washington Rd, Glendale, WI 53212. That puts it just north of Milwaukee and close to major roads.
National attention has followed this little counter for years. In 2022, it received the James Beard America’s Classic Award, one of the most respected honors in the food world.
Thrillist and USA Today have ranked it among the top burger joints in the country. Anthony Bourdain visited and called his experience “extraordinary.”
It also appeared on the Travel Channel show “Burger Land.” Not bad for a spot that started as a humble coffee shop.
In October 2025, reports said the restaurant was up for sale. Even so, its legacy as the home of the Wisconsin butter burger feels secure.
A visit here means tasting a real piece of Wisconsin food history. Few burgers come with a story this rich, or this buttery.