Are the State’s Best Cream Puffs Found at a Small-Town Gas Station?

Everyone knows Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs are elite. After all, they have both “iconic” and “original” in their name!

The problem, however, is that they’re only available 10 days a year. Luckily, we’ve found a small-town gas station serving cream puffs that rival the OG’s year-round.

It’s called The Pine Cone Travel Plaza in Johnson Creek, roughly halfway between Madison and Milwaukee where Interstate 94 meets Wisconsin Highway 26. While the plaza is a popular place for truckers to rest and refuel, it also caters to those of us who don’t drive big rigs.

The Pine Cone Plaza Restaurant and Bakery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (Check out its menu here.) It prides itself on making everything from scratch–from fresh pizza and fish fries to 10 types of pie, donuts, cookies, and (of course) cream puffs.

“As we left, we perused their pastry case, which was astounding,” one diner wrote on Yelp. “They have the biggest cream puffs, eclairs, and cinnamon rolls that I’ve ever seen.”

“The cream puffs should be called cloud puffs,” another added. “There is like 3 inches of cream between two huge, bodacious puff pastries. And they’re delicious!”

Craving an Original Cream Puff? Here’s the Wisconsin State Fair’s original recipe to try at home.

READY FOR OUR CLOSE UP – Did you know that it took more than a year and stops at 56 Wisconsin cities to bring Season 21 of Top Chef to Badgerland? The elimination-style cooking reality show has been shooting its upcoming season, set to air in early 2024, exclusively in Wisconsin. The CapTimes recently got a behind-the-scenes look at how that’s going, and how much money it’s already bringing in for our state. Read that story here.

COFFEE PASSPORT – Can’t live without your morning joe? The Wisconsin Coffee Shop Passport is the ultimate way for espresso fans to explore the state’s small towns and big cities, one sip at a time. For $26, the pass gets you a “buy one, get one free” coffee deal at 90 locally-owned coffee shops across the state until Dec. 31, 2024. Click here to learn more.

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FUN FOR ALL – Wisconsin is about to get a park that’s fully inclusive and universally accessible, designed specifically for people with disabilities. Wauwatosa broke ground on the first-of-its-kind park this month. Here’s what you need to know about the ambitious project.

Before Native American Heritage Month ends, consider taking or planning a trip to one of Wisconsin’s most welcoming tribal experiences: the pow-wow.

You’re probably familiar with the term, but what exactly is it? A pow-wow is a social gathering for Native American tribes all across North America, usually filled with drum performances, dances, and traditional songs. Most tribes host pow-wows annually (different tribes hold them at different times) to commemorate an event or to honor veterans of the armed forces.

What most non-Natives don’t know is that they’re not only welcome, but wanted. 

SEARCH: Enter Your Location & Date to Find a Pow-Wow Near You

“If you hear of a pow-wow, consider yourself invited,” the team at Travel Wisconsin shared. “Seating is often provided, but it may be wise to bring your own chair to outdoor pow-wows and remember to leave space closest to the arena for dancers and elders.”

Travel Wisconsin also passed along a few “Do’s and Don’ts”:

DO bring your camera. Photos and videos are allowed unless announced otherwise.

DO stand and remove your hat when asked. Many songs honor those who’ve died.

DO bring your wallet. Many pow-wows are accompanied by a marketplace, where vendors sell authentic Native American food, jewelry, and more.

DON’T refuse a gift or food offered to you. Accept it graciously.

DON’T turn down an invitation to dance! That can be viewed as rude.