Ferry Xing Bar & Grill in Merrimac has mastered the art of the Wisconsin burger — thick, juicy, and piled high with cheese options that’ll make your taste buds sing.
When you’re searching for the best burger Wisconsin has to offer, sometimes you need to venture beyond the big cities and into small-town territory.
With just 500 residents calling Merrimac home, it’s the kind of place where regulars outnumber tourists, the bartender remembers your drink order, and the burgers have earned a reputation that travels far beyond county lines. 🚢
A Burger That Made History
Ferry Xing didn’t just randomly become a Wisconsin burger restaurant favorite — they earned their stripes the hard way.
In 2024, this little joint found itself competing against over 5,000 burger nominations across the entire state in Wisconsin’s Best Burger Contest. Out of thousands of contenders, Ferry Xing cracked the elite eight finalists, proving that their classic Wisconsin tavern burger could hang with the heavyweights. 🏆
The patties clock in at a hefty 1/3 pound, giving you serious bang for your buck. Each burger gets the attention it deserves, cooked fresh when you order, never frozen, and topped exactly how you want it.
What Makes This Juicy Cheeseburger WI So Special?
The beauty of a great burger lies in simplicity executed flawlessly.
Ferry Xing doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — they just make the wheel really, really well. You pick your protein (and yes, it’s 100% Wisconsin beef burger), select from four different cheese options, and decide on your toppings. The real star here is the quality of the ingredients and the care taken in preparation.
The cooking method matters.
Unlike chain restaurants pumping out assembly-line burgers, Ferry Xing uses a small flattop grill where each patty gets individual attention. This technique creates those crispy, caramelized edges while keeping the inside juicy and packed with flavor. Add a perfectly grilled bun that’s toasted just enough to hold everything together without falling apart, and you’ve got burger perfection. 🔥
The cheesy burger WI options range from classic American to Swiss, giving you the flexibility to customize your experience.
Want to go full Wisconsin? Load it up with cheese curds on the side. Prefer something with a bit more earthiness? The mushroom Swiss combination has earned rave reviews from customers who claim they couldn’t even finish the massive portions (but tried their hardest anyway).
The Ferry Xing Burger Menu Experience
Walking into Ferry Xing feels like stepping into authentic Wisconsin tavern culture.
Dollar bills paper the walls, pool tables beckon from the corner, and the dart board sees regular action from locals who’ve been coming here for years. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between cozy neighborhood bar and lively entertainment venue — you can come for a quiet lunch or roll in with friends for a night of fun. 🎯
Don’t let the small-town setting fool you.
This place knows how to serve food that competes with the big boys. Beyond their famous burgers, they dish out homemade soups that customers specifically seek out, especially the chicken taco and potato varieties. These aren’t your typical watery tavern soups — they’re loaded with generous portions of ingredients and made from scratch daily.
Beyond Burgers: Where To Eat Burgers In Wisconsin Meets Comfort Food Paradise
While the burgers steal the spotlight, Ferry Xing’s menu offers plenty of other crowd-pleasers.
Their famous house-made French onion chip dip has developed its own cult following. Pair it with a basket of crispy chips, and you’ve got yourself the perfect appetizer to share while deciding between burger options (spoiler alert: you’re getting a burger either way).
The tavern serves fish daily, making it a reliable stop for Friday fish fries or any day you’re craving something from the water.
They’ve also got chicken wings, cheese curds (this is Wisconsin, after all), and loaded tots that locals swear by. The menu reads like a greatest hits album of Midwestern comfort food, executed with the kind of care that makes people return week after week. 🧀
Speaking of sides, the onion rings have made believers out of skeptics.
Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned, they’re the kind of rings that make you question why you ever settled for frozen options at other establishments. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Five Alarm sauce — it adds a fiery kick that complements the richness of the beef beautifully.
The Top Rated Burgers Near Merrimac WI Location Advantage
Ferry Xing’s location right next to the Merrimac Ferry isn’t just convenient — it’s strategic genius.
This free ferry carries vehicles across Lake Wisconsin, and whether you’re waiting to board or just got off, Ferry Xing provides the perfect excuse to stop. Travelers heading to nearby Devil’s Lake State Park or exploring the area make this a natural waypoint.
The tavern benefits from both tourist traffic and fierce local loyalty.
Residents from Sauk Prairie, Sauk City, and Prairie du Sac consider this their go-to burger joint, while visitors from Madison, Milwaukee, and even Chicago make the pilgrimage for a taste of that local Wisconsin burger spot charm. 🗺️
Entertainment Meets Dining
Ferry Xing isn’t just about the food (though the food alone would be enough).
They’ve created a full entertainment experience with pool tables, darts, and even Miss Pac-Man for the nostalgic gaming crowd. Trivia nights pack the place with teams competing for glory, while the full-service bar keeps drinks flowing all evening long. 🎮
The Brandy Old Fashioned here deserves special mention — it’s Wisconsin’s unofficial state drink, and Ferry Xing makes them properly.
Made with care by bartenders who actually know what they’re doing, these cocktails have earned nearly as much praise as the burgers.
Food Highlights
- Mushroom Swiss Burger: This fan favorite tops a juicy 1/3-pound patty with sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese, creating an umami-rich combination that customers rave about. Even those with hearty appetites struggle to finish these massive burgers. 🍄
- Cheeseburger with Chips: The classic done right — your choice of four cheeses on that signature grilled bun, served with house-made chips and their famous French onion dip on the side. It’s simple perfection that showcases quality ingredients and careful preparation.
- Patty Melt: Grilled to golden perfection with Swiss and American cheese, sautéed onions, and bacon on toasted bread. Portions are generous enough that many customers can only eat half, saving the rest for later (if they have that kind of willpower). 🥓
- Five Alarm Burger: For heat seekers, this spicy creation combines the Five Alarm sauce with a perfectly cooked patty and crispy bun. The sauce adds serious kick without overwhelming the beef’s natural flavor, creating a balanced fire that keeps you coming back for more.
Atmosphere
The interior exudes classic Wisconsin tavern charm with dollar bills decorating every available surface.
Pool tables and dart boards provide entertainment between bites, while the cozy bar area serves up perfectly crafted cocktails.
It’s dimly lit in that comfortable way that makes you want to settle in for the evening, with a small-town friendliness that welcomes everyone who walks through the door.
This local burger spot sits right next to the Merrimac Ferry crossing, making it the perfect pit stop for anyone exploring the Lake Wisconsin area.
Bottom Line
Why visit Ferry Xing Bar & Grill?
Elite-eight burger finalist serving 1/3-pound fresh-pattied perfection; unique ferry-side location perfect for Lake Wisconsin explorers; famous house-made French onion chip dip; full entertainment venue with pool, darts, and trivia nights; authentic small-town Wisconsin tavern experience with big-city burger quality. 🎯🍔
Address: 306 Main St, Merrimac, WI 53561
📞 (608) 493-3033
🕐 Mon-Sat: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (closed Sun)