Pardon the pun, but to find the New Diggings General Store, you have to do just a little digging. Head into Southwest Wisconsin, when you think you might be just about out of Wisconsin, and drive just a little further. Here’s you’ll find a little general store that feels like it’s frozen in time – pull up a stool and place your order: the food in this place is as great as the atmosphere. Here’s what’s waiting for you at the New Diggings General Store in Wisconsin:

The restaurant is located in the heart of what was once a thriving mining area. Miners were among the first Europeans to settle Wisconsin and New Diggings is a very old and tiny place. It was founded in 1844, four years before Wisconsin was a state, and it only has about 50 residents!

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The general store is not an imaginative recreation of an old building - it’s the real thing, an old school saloon that’s been around longer than any of its customer’s great grandparents.

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You’ll find a friendly, lively crowd at the New Diggings General Store. It’s a popular place with bikers and road trippers who are passing through the area – for a some travelers, this is the destination. Rooms are available for rent on site for those who want to plan a getaway.

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The restaurant’s owners do the cooking, which is a good thing – they are very good cooks. The menu has everything from burgers and sandwiches to fries and cheese curds, all served with a smile.

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But if you smell smoke when you arrive, you’ll definitely want to order the special. The chef is a master at producing delicious barbecue with the smoker.

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The offerings might change, but the food is always delicious – and the atmosphere always makes this place a must-stop!

Phyllis Blech/Google Local

Hours vary at the New Diggings General Store, depending on the day, the crowd and how tired the owners are! Learn more on the restaurant’s website. If you enjoy discovering old general stores, here are some spots that will make you feel nostalgic.

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Address: New Diggings General Store-Inn, 2944 Co Rd I, Benton, WI 53803, USA