Events
  • February 14, 2017

Martino’s Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Martino’s Celebrates 40th Anniversary

This Valentine’s Day marks 40 years of business for Martino’s. We’re celebrating by selling our Chicago Style Dogs for the same price as the day we opened: $0.69! Stop in, grab a hotdog and help us celebrate in true Martino’s fashion: tons of food, tons of friends and tons of fun!

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General News
  • June 22, 2016

Enjoy Our Dogs at Summerfest

Enjoy Our Dogs at Summerfest

Try some under-the-radar dining options

Two aspects of eating at Summerfest that need to be considered: the quality of what you’re eating, and how hard it is to eat while walking. Martino’s works in both categories: the Chicago-style hot dogs are delicious and made for walking (and the line never seems to be too long), and after you’ve been indulging in deep-fried snacks for days on end, a fruit bowl at Catalano Produce is a quick and easy choice that’s actually healthy — as well as delicious.

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General News
  • September 11, 2015

Vienna Beef Hot Dog Tour: Martino’s

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General News
  • July 1, 2012

On Wisconsin: Summerfest still the same, maybe better

MILWAUKEE — In a different life, far removed from responsibility, the end of June and the beginning of July was magical.

In my first two trips to Summerfest in the early 1980s, there were shows at the main stage by Chicago and the Beach Boys.

The Marcus Amphitheater didn’t exist and the best “seating” consisted of rows of flat bleachers that filled in quickly as we raced across the top to get close to the stage, its back to Lake Michigan.

This was when guys like Buddy Rich and B.B. King would play the Miller Jazz Oasis, beers were $1 and Barry’s Truckers would play cover tunes from the 1950s and ’60s on the Pabst Blue Ribbon stage multiple times during the Fest’s 11-day run.

So it was an odd feeling when I returned to the festival grounds last week during the start of its 45th annual run.

I don’t think I missed a Summerfest from 1981 to 1997. Many of those years the trip from Watertown, and later Madison, would occur four or five times each summer to catch acts like John Cougar Mellencamp, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Eddie Money, Peter Frampton, the BoDeans and dozens of other bands I can’t recall. We also ate our share of Saz’s barbecue and mozzarella marinara; Chicago-style hot dogs from Martino’s and tried, but never succeeded at getting a hole in one on a floating green.

My first visit since 1999 was short, I was by myself and had no intention of drinking a $5 beer or dancing on a picnic table. After all, it was noon when the gates opened Wednesday and I only had a few hours to take in the scene before heading home for my 11-year-old daughter’s softball game.

There’s also mortgage payments, a 14-year-old headed to college in four years, my wife, Mary, and a boat in the shop with a major repair bill on the way.

But for some, the party continues. Almost 1 million people flock to the festival grounds to hear 700 bands each year.

Wally Savard attended his first Summerfest in 1981 when he saw James Taylor. He’s now 59 and has only missed attending one or two years since. When I spoke with him just before the gates opened, he was wearing a 10-year-old Summerfest T-shirt.

“This is my favorite day of the year,” said Savard, who took the day off from his job as an actuary with Northwestern Mutual Insurance. “I’m going to retire this year, so it will be easier to come down next year.”

For the most part, Summerfest is still the same but with better and more restrooms, a cleaner look and feel and an audience that continues to ignore its age. However, it could stand to lose the Sensodyne Dental Health Spa and its team of hygienists, Wal-Mart auditioning people for a commercial and former Green Bay Packers great Paul Hornung, who was hawking his autographed book, “Lombardi and Me.” When I was there, few people approached. The 76-year-old Hall of Fame player charging $40 truly looked out of place.

But the Sky Glider still gives riders an aerial tour of the 75-acre grounds, Saz’s and Martino’s are still popular, the sun is still hot and even some of the bands are the same.

Chicago and the Beach Boys will both play Sunday — the Beach Boys in the 23,000-seat Marcus Amphitheater constructed in 1987 and Chicago on the new BMO Harris Pavilion stage along with Milwaukee favorite Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz.

Dave Sharp, 42, has been attending Summerfest for 23 years. But this year was the first time he was working the event. Unemployed but looking for a sales and marketing job, he poured taps of Leinenkugel beer at the Leinie Lodge but recalled some of his favorite shows.

“Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, Judas Priest, I can’t keep track,” Sharp said.

Summerfest is also about experiencing new music. And I stumbled upon a terrific act that just happens to be from Wisconsin.

Donoma is led by Stephanie Vogt whose powerful voice is backed by five other band mates not afraid to let it rip. The alternative rock band, based in the Kenosha, won a battle of the bands competition at McAuliffe’s Pub in Racine to get a spot on the U.S. Cellular stage. They play again Friday on the smaller Refugee Stage designed for newer artists.

“These guys are one of the most eclectic bands in Wisconsin,” said J.J. McAuliffe, who was on hand to see Wednesday’s 12:30 p.m. show. Playing at Summerfest is “just a huge step for them. A great thing to have on (their) resume.”

Vogt, 23, is multi-talented playing keyboards, guitar, tambourine and flute. Her father, Bob Vogt, is the band’s manager.

Stephanie Vogt said during a break between sets that their inaugural appearance at the Big Gig was just another step in the evolution of the 4-year-old band. She was also pumped about being on the same stage that Southern California punk band Social Distortion played a few years earlier.

“This is just exciting,” Vogt said. “We practice every day. We’re not in it as a hobby.”

I’m not sure when I’ll return to the Fest. It won’t be this year. We’ll be at a Brewers game on Wednesday using the portable grill my daughter bought me for Father’s Day. There’s her softball game on Thursday night and my son’s playoff game at West Madison Little League on Saturday.

Maybe next year.

Barry Adams covers regional news for the State Journal and misses attending Summerfest. 

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General News
  • June 13, 2012

Big dog: Summerfest to serve up one-pound, $25 hot dog

Big dog: Summerfest to serve up one-pound, $25 hot dog

By Jan Uebelherr of the Journal Sentinel

A new item on the Summerfest menu for 2012 is hard to ignore: a one-pound Chicago-style hot dog being unveiled by longtime vendor Martino’s.

The price tag: $25.

It may seem like a hefty price, but this puppy – measuring 22 inches long – is the equivalent of five regular hot dogs and will serve four or five people.

It’s served on a loaf of soft Italian bread and, like Chicago-style dogs, carries the trademark pickle placement. But this one has five pickles.

The monster dog will be served in a custom-made boat with handles. A name-that-dog contest is being held by Martino’s on Facebook. Among the suggestions posted so far: Dogzilla, Hercules, Zeus, and Hog Dog.

Summerfest food and beverage director Eric Heinritz says this wurst may get more lookers than takers, but that’s OK.

“It’s one of those things where you get the visual, you get the ‘where did you get that, and what is that?’ People will be talking about the big hot dog they saw down at Summerfest,” he says.

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Events
  • August 3, 2011

Martino’s on Man vs. Food

Martino’s on Man vs. Food

Adam visits Martino’s for the Italian Combo and an Italian sausage on mozzarella-covered French bread topped with Italian beef, fresh giardiniera, and homemade red sauce dipped in a parmesan au jus.

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Reviews
  • March 8, 2010

Hot Dog Chicago Style Review

We have often heard people describe a Martino’s Chicago Style dog as “Nirvana in a bun”. This place has been on our “must visit” list for a couple of years and we finally had the chance.

Martino’s is a family owned business that has been in the Milwaukee area since 1977. The place is on Layton Ave and is easy to spot with its distinct yellow awnings. For some reason, I had in my mind that Martino’s was going to be more like an Italian deli than a dog joint. Well, I was wrong. When I walked in, to my surprise it appeared to be similar to a typical dog place in Chicago. For a minute, I almost forgot I was in Milwaukee. It was a welcome surprise.

I ordered a Chicago Style dog and then waited patiently while seated on a Vienna branded stool at the shelf in the back of the restaurant. Martino’s also has a fair number of booths as well as some outdoor seating. When my dog arrived, it certainly looked the part. The Vienna dog was on a steamed poppy seed bun and I was happy to see neon green relish as well as the often overlooked celery salt. The pickle was excellent, the quantity of chopped onions was just right and the mustard was applied in the correct proportion. Two thinly sliced tomatoes and two sport peppers rounded out the dog. The sport peppers were a nice shade of green, but their intensity was “ultra-hot”.

Overall, my Martino’s Chicago Style dog was excellent and we definitely recommend it. No need to run to Chicago for a great Chicago dog.

Martino’s has an extensive menu which covers everything from starters to desserts. Besides their classic Chicago Style dog, their menu boasts about nine other dog choices, including some regional variations such as a southern and slaw dog. Every dog comes with fries and most of their dogs are available as Regular, Jumbo, Foot long and Fire (i.e. char dog). Martino’s strives to offer a great product, friendly quick service at a fair price. I think that they met their goal.

 

Ratings:

Dogs: 8.9/10

Overall: 5/5

 

Recommended: Definitely

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Reviews
  • February 11, 2010

The Daily Meal Review

The Daily Meal Review

The Italian Combo an Italian sausage on mozzarella-covered French bread topped with Italian beef, fresh giardiniera, and homemade red sauce dipped in a parmesan au jus. As seen on Man v Food Nation.

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