Rupena’s Fine Foods

Great meat and deli too bad customer service isn’t as good ! Really poor! Go to Rays butcher shop or Karl’s ! Everything is super there!

When it comes to Ribs — this Rupena’s just about as good as it gets.
We Rupena’s them cater to our office, Ribs and Chicken. I didn’t even know about this place. One of my managers had ordered the catering. Very pleasantly, I was surprised at how tasty the ribs were!
Chicken also was very good — but frankly, perhaps a bit, if any, better than the typical rotisserie chicken you get for almost free at the super markets.
The ribs and the sauce was superb. Until now, my favourite places for Ribs were the Alexanders at the Wisconsin Club, and Atlas ribs in Grafton. At one point, I did search for the best ribs in town and could not find any, better than these two.
Until today. The ribs from Rupena’s were as good. The sauce was excellent. Very thick and very delicious. I would never eat bottled sauces — Easily, I can taste the preservatives. The sauce at all of these three places: Atlas, The WI Club and at Rupena’s, is simply superb — each in it’s own way. Rupena’s’ sauce is a bit thicker than the other two and very delicious!
If you enjoy good ribs, I would encourage you to consider Rupena’s.

If by «old fashioned» they mean mediocre customer service and dangerous meat handling then yes, this place is truly «old fashioned.» I had originally visited maybe 10 minutes before closing time as I was a total newb and in a hurry to pick up a couple things, so customer service was understandably pretty bad (ie. Get outta here, we want to go home already). I think the guy sweeping up managed to sweep my shoes that night. At least he was gentle. Second visit, however, was much worse. Not only did I feel unwelcome yet again (during midday this time) but the butcher literally grabbed meats with his bare hands, never cleaning them in between. Now. I’m no rocket scientist but cross contamination is sort of a well-​known concern when handling raw meat. Or at least it should be. Even so… Gross.

Cant go wrong with Rupena’s, great sunday ham, stuffed chops, One of the best meat counters in the city.

Prices are higher than most staff if helpful when asked. I only stop if I am close by. But store is old and in need of updates.

Love Rupenas. Helpful butchers and enough of other stuff that you don’t typically have to make an extra trip. Everything from whole chickens (not jacked with steroids) to whole pigs to a nice steak and sausage selection.

This is is what I imagine a 1960s super market would have been like before all the big stores took over. I was told I have to try Milles Italian sausage because it’s pretty good. Rupenas was the only place I called that had it so I went over. While looking at the amazing meat case I noticed a pan of house made smoke buts and I was not leaving with out one. It was very good and lean compared to that red wrapped fatty piece of garbage thing I see it the store. Yes the Milles sausage was very good by the way. This is a great old school store and a gem. I will be back.

So nice to have this relic of a different time right in my ‘hood. A great prepared foods counter as well as that spectacular meat counter.
My one disappointment was the lack of sort of «grab and go» meat — I went in looking for something I could throw in the oven without the need for extra preparation (filled chicken breast, wrapped filets, something along that line) for those busy/​lazy dinner nights and I was a little let down in that area. The meat is always wonderful and reasonably priced, but this will not be the place I head for that particular want. Not a huge deal, but still something to note.

Great quality of meat, try the Italian sausage, very good, get 1lb every week. LOVE the potato salad, so good. employees here are so helpful and friendly, my 2 year old loves coming here. I enjoy supporting a smaller and local business. even if some things are a little more than pick n save, the quality and service is soooo much better, support your local businesses! GREAT PLACE

Old school baby!
When you walk in, it’s like stepping back in time. A few aisles of standard groceries, no self checkout lanes, a fabulous meat counter with a butcher, and Serbian specialities.
If you want specialty meats or too-​notch steaks and sausages, this is the place. The butcher can get an order ready for you and customize a meat order. They also have sour heads of cabbage fermenting in the back if you ask for them. Perfect for making a big batch of sarma!

The smell! Grew up a few blocks away and I’ll never forget the smell. Why is it that old corner groceries all have that smell?
I still crave the hot ham and Vienna rolls on Sundays. Now we try and stop in once in a while when we’re planning on having nice steaks or sausages. The Hungarian are my favorite, but the brats and others are top notch as well. The mambo combo is just a mix of the leftovers of the other sausages and can be kind of fun. Check out the frozen case in the dairy aisle near the meat. They have more unusual sausages and meats there that they don’t make regularly and have fresh.

The parents were coming over for dinner. Rupena’s was always the small grocery store that my parents went to for fancy meat, so yesterday I did the same and was not disappointed. The butcher guy was very knowledgable and friendly, possibly even excited about the filets I was getting (6 generously sized ones were under $ 40). Solid quality meats.
While I was there, I decided to pick up the rest of my grocery list items because I was just too lazy to stop somewhere else. They had everything I needed and the employees were so helpful. At one point, a gal walked me over to the french onions which I couldn’t find to save my life. She also ended up being the one at the register when I checked out. She helped bag my groceries and then another guy came to help too! I guess no one buys an overflowing cart full of goods at the small neighborhood grocery store.
Wish I lived closer!

This place would be okay for some ethnic specialty items, but the prices are much higher than competitors and it is not necessarily in a handy area. There was also very limited staff when I was here. Unless I need something that I can’t find anywhere else, I probably won’t be back.

This is a great neighborhood store. Love it for the great fresh meat dept. along with the great salads and breads. I will typically venture to Rupena’s when I want brats and burgers. They do a great job with flavors and spices. They have such a large variety of meats, this is a must go destination for any cookout.
Rupens’s is great if you are also looking for a nice variety of vegetarian foods, cheeses and canned goods.
The prices are fair and you will know you bought quality when you shop a Rupena’s.

Disclaimer: I am a vegetarian. Therefore, this store’s meat doesn’t factor in to this review. The overall review is based on other available products, store environment, and customer service.
Rupenas is a block away from my parent’s home, so once in a while we have to run here when we are out of a particular food item that is so small it does not warrant a drive to pick n scratch.
Most recently, we stopped here after a walk to pick up some mozzarella cheese for pizza.
Selection is very limited in all departments. We learned long ago to avoid the produce here (or, «fruit fly isle»). It is also impossible to find any natural products (maybe canned beans…). Everything has preservatives. They do carry a brand of soymilk, but that brand contains artificial flavors.
Customer service is hit or miss. This time was fine. My previous visit was a bad experience.
We also used to go here when I was little almost every Sunday to get ham and rolls. I recall them being delicious. However, when we learned more about healthy eating, we stopped buying bromated/​bleached breads and nitrate/​nitrite filled ham product.

This is my neighborhood store, so needless to say I love it! They have some of the best meats around! Had their filet minion last night, and again was not disappointed. The Rupena’s are great for our community. Some MUST try’s: any or all the steaks, sun dried tomato and feta chicken breasts, baby back ribs (ask for cooking directions) fall of the bone yummy! Ask to have meats seasoned, it’s the best! Enjoy!

My parents have been going to Rupena’s since before I was born and I’ve grown up on their meat. Now that I’m married and on my own I’m still willing to drive 20 minutes across town, passing 2 – 3 other butcher shops, just to get to Rupena’s. No other burgers even compare and their specialty burgers are fantastic.

First time I went to Rupena’s I had steamed vegetables to eat alongside oysters I enjoyed at St. Paul’s. They were so tasty that I ended up going back for seconds. I added a pint of outstanding olives to the mix.
[**Irrelevant side note…]
I remember a sweet moment when I was trying to decide between two variations of Italian green olives when a woman walked up to me and said, «Have you Ever Seen so many types of olives?» Uhmm… Yes, I reply. I ask, «Where are you From?!» She says, «Georgia.» I decided that I may not want to go to Georgia where they only have two kinds of olives.
[…End Irrelevant Side Note**]
Today, January 17^th 2011, My husband and I were again at the Rupena’s counter. What’s good today? We assumed everything but settled for the Filet Mignon sandwich. I assumed it would be dry beef, like an italian beef sandwich. It ended up being one of the most incredible sandwiches we’ve ever eaten.
The filet was so tender that it felt like we were slurping down pieces of a $ 40 cut at a fine steakhouse. It was fully browned and the slices were super-​thin, but it tasted as rare and tender as could be.
The bread, when toasted, was still crusty and somewhat messy. I had flakes of it all over my lips as I smiled and indulged while Brian frowned at my actually taking him up on the rhetorical «would you like half?» Yes, I would. Again and again.
What’s notable is that I typically DITCH bread because of my admirable carbohydrate discipline. I didn’t think twice about sucking this stuff down. And the cheese was so deliciously hugging the sides of the bun that I couldn’t risk ditching the bread and foregoing and cheese, mushroom, or onion! That would have been positively sinful.
The sandwich was accompanied by mushrooms that were marinated and still somewhat ‘al dente’ vs. just plain old smushy. There were onions and a white cheese on the panini/​bun that they grilled the sandwich on.
This was one of the most incredible sandwiches I’ve ever ever eaten, and I always assumed that nothing could compare to the French baguette with chevre or brie + prosciutto or ham sandwiches I enjoyed living in Montpellier.
Thank you Rupena’s for a wonderful lunch with my husband! We may now bring our oysters to Rupena’s as opposed to bringing our Rupena’s sides to St. Paul’s. If that doesn’t make sense, just know that I mean to say that you’ve earned a place of great honor in our Milwaukee food adventures!

People that shop at Rupena’s on a regular basis don’t know how lucky they are. The quality and flavor of meat from Rupena’s butcher section is amazing. I moved to Charlotte a year ago and have had to suffer with grocery store meat as we haven’t found a good butcher in our area. While on a recent trip back to Milwaukee, we purchased $ 65 worth of meat to bring back with us and I can’t believe how much we got — 8 burgers, 4 Italian Sausages, 2 filet mignons, 6 marinated chicken breasts, 3 pork chops and a beef roast!

Rupena’s is just a small grocery store with a terrific meat counter. Often times we stop in to pick up a whole stuffed chicken or stuffed pork chops for dinner. The stuffing is flavorful and they will season your selections with their rubs if you request it. They market fresh ground specialty burgers and sausages daily, but if your looking for a specialty cut of meat, it may be best to order it ahead of time by phone.

Rupena’s Fine Foods is one of those local grocery stores that everyone in the neighborhood shops at. They have great meats, lots of Italian items and a great deli. I drive half way across the state for their wood charcoal. It is the same charcoal they use at the Wisconsin State Fair food establishment. It is the best. They have some nice rubs too for chicken, beef and pork. They make their own and they are worth picking up some.