Sunday hot ham and rolls is a long-held tradition for many Milwaukeeans. But, like many other things – including bubblers and Friday fish fry – it’s something that often flummoxes visitors or those new to the area.
The concept is deceptively simple. After church on Sundays, people make a beeline to the nearest bakery or deli and order a pound or two of hot ham. In Milwaukee, most Sunday ham comes with free rolls. Usually "hard rolls" – a special sort of roll that’s soft and tender on the inside yet hard and crispy on the outside.
How the ham sandwiches were made once people got home varied. Some would spread the bread simply with butter, add ham, and eat. Others swear by a smear of mustard or relish or the addition of cheese. In some households, the "hot ham and rolls" tradition also included a dozen doughnuts.
Any way you slice it, the tradition is alive and well. And here are over a dozen spots where you can get your fix.
1. Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop
7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288
aggiesbakery.com
At Aggie's you can get a pound of ham with six free rolls on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. The Bake Sale
6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Bake Sale offers smoked pulled ham and rolls every Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. If they have them, grab a housemade cinnamon roll while you're there!
3. Butcher Block Meat Market
9340 S. Chicago Rd., Oak Creek
(414) 764-2910
ocbutcherblock.net
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Butcher Block offers hot Badger ham, along with rolls for purchase. Cash or check only.
4. Glorioso’s Italian Market
1011 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-0540
gloriosos.com
Open Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free half-dozen rolls with ham purchase on Sundays only.
5. Grebe's Bakery
5132 W. Lincoln Ave.
(414) 543-7000
grebesbakery.com
Open Sunday from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Head to Grebe's on Sundays to get your classic fix. Note: Many people recommend the "better butter" rolls.
6. Lakeside Bakery
1100 E. Oklahoma Ave.
(414) 486-7747
canforabakeryinc.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Buy one pound of ham and get six hard rolls free on Sundays (until sold out).
7. Layton Fruit Market
1838 E. Layton Ave., St Francis
(414) 481-3008
laytonfruitmarket.com
Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You know the drill. Hop over to the Layton Fruit Market on either Saturday or Sunday and purchase a pound of ham; they'll give you the rolls for free.
8. National Bakery
3200 S. 16th St., (414) 672-1620
13820 W. Greenfield Ave., (262) 827-4097
5637 Broad St., (414) 423-4620
nationalbakery.com
Open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Interestingly, National Bakery is closed on Sundays, but it's one of the few places in town where you can get your fix every other day of the week (get six free hard rolls with the purchase of one pound of ham).
9. NotJoeAverage Bakehouse/Deli
2601 S. Sunny Slope Rd,, New Berlin, (262) 794-3426
notjoeaverage.com
Available on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Purchase a pound of hot, thinly sliced Boar's Head ham and get four giant hard rolls free (additional rolls available for purchase). Half-pound orders with two rolls are also available.
10. Peter Sciortino's Bakery
1101 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-4623
petersciortinosbakery.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get six free rolls with the purchase of a pound of ham.
11. Ray’s Butcher Shoppe
4640 W. Loomis Rd.
(414) 423-1322
raysbutchershoppe.com
Open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Purchase a pound of ham and get six free rolls; available every day.
12. Rupena’s Fine Foods
7641 W. Beloit Rd., West Allis
(414) 543-7447
rupenas.com
Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Rupena's the purchase of a pound of ham earns you six accompanying rolls for free.
13. South Milwaukee Sausage & Meats
1200 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee
(414) 301-4191
facebook.com/South-Milwaukee-Sausage-and-Meats
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get a pound of Boar's Head ham, plus six Wild Flour rolls every Sunday (while they last) at this South Milwaukee butcher shop.
14. Torres Bakery
4759 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, (414) 988-0110
facebook.com/theetorresbakery
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pick up hot ham and freshly baked rolls every Sunday at Torres Bakery in Cudahy.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
