Grace Coffee x Mustard Museum

It’s the traditional back-to-school month, so let’s start with a pop quiz.

What should you never put on a hot dog?
a) Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
b) Black coffee
c) Elmer’s Glue
d) Bactine
e) Ketchup or Catsup
f) All of the above
g) None of the above

It’s true that you could answer correctly with choice (f), but that wouldn’t cut the mustard.

Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Grace Coffee Company and National Mustard Museum.

“The London Fog is Earl Grey tea, nice on a gray day, topped with milk froth and a touch of vanilla. The Berry French Toast is luxuriously thick and eggy with a generous dusting of brown sugar and cinnamon with syrup. My only regret is that I didn’t have any coffee—this time!”

Lisa and I got away for a quick vacation to Middleton and New Glarus in Wisconsin. This was the first leg of the trip. Middleton was settled primarily by English and German immigrants, who built the industrial bones of this small historic town situated near Madison, the capital of America’s Dairyland. What with so much German character, you would think that we could have carelessly kicked over a vintage mustard pot or something.

But first coffee. Or not coffee. First thing in the morning, Grace Coffee Company was what we needed. There was plenty of mojo to go in everything that we ordered besides coffee. Lisa sat down to her Berry Calypso Lemonade and Breakfast Sandwich: “I’m really enjoying my Breakfast Sandwich. The thick-cut bacon is smoky. And the brioche is so fluffy. The side dish is Cheesy Hashbrowns which are nice and crispy. The Calypso Berry Lemonade is spectacular. There’s fresh berry purée with lemonade for brightness. The vibe in here is cool and relaxed!” A new day called for something fresh like the London Fog and Berry French Toast: “The London Fog is Earl Grey tea, nice on a gray day, topped with milk froth and a touch of vanilla. The Berry French Toast is luxuriously thick and eggy with a generous dusting of brown sugar and cinnamon with syrup. My only regret is that I didn’t have any coffee—this time!”

Feeling impressed and satisfied, we took a walking tour of downtown historic Middleton. We checked out the old train station that also served as The Museum at the Depot. An astonishing amount of history was so well preserved and displayed coming from this little unassuming town. The historian took her time to answer our questions and lend us some background about Middleton and the station. The Middleton Visitor Center turned up to be an unexpected nice detour.

“I can’t pick a favorite. They’re all so good in different ways!”

The grand stop of our first day was the National Mustard Museum. Our friend Sue introduced us to this place even though she had never been. We had never even heard of it or thought that a place like this had reason to stand. A few from our inner circle were keenly interested in going after hearing about our planned visit to the Museum. We never knew that they were such mustard maniacs. Our friend Julie wanted to go but this was longer than a one-day road trip. We would end up bringing home a cache of mustards for everyone to taste.

Museum Founder & Curator Barry Levenson bought a dozen mustards in 1986 with the determination to curate the world’s largest mustard collection. Mr. Levenson proved his intense and relentless pursuit before the U.S. Supreme Court when he worked as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin. He stole a glance at an unused jar of mustard on an abandoned room service tray in his hotel hallway, and promptly kept it for his growing collection. Mr. Levenson: “I argued a case before the Supreme Court with a jar of mustard in my left pocket. We won!” That kind of passion and humor served as the foundation to cementing the idea of the National Mustard Museum.

This was Sue’s idea, Lisa was the driving force behind it, and I just liked mustard. Just. That was how I felt before I walked in. The myriad of mustards, the Ultimate Mustard Tasting Bar, the downstairs historic collection including the Great Wall of Mustard, and the Mustard Piece Theatre brought down the house. I was a big fan of mustard.

“Smoky Garlic Onion Mustard is my favorite. The flavor has a lot of depth with a nice smoky kick. I can put this on so many foods to elevate the flavors!”

We came home, collected our thoughts and shared mustard tastings with my mom and Julie. Mom: “I can’t pick a favorite. They’re all so good in different ways!” Julie: “Smoky Garlic Onion Mustard is my favorite. The flavor has a lot of depth with a nice smoky kick. I can put this on so many foods to elevate the flavors!” Lisa: “Visiting the National Mustard Museum is our friend Sue’s idea. The Museum is impressive. The staff really loves to be here. The Great Wall of Mustard is unbelievable. Museum Founder & Curator Barry Levenson has a great sense of humor. I’m a mustard over ketchup girl, and I’m having the best time. My favorite is Dill & Garlic Mustard. I can put it on everything and it reminds me of summer!” And me: “Before visiting the National Mustard Museum, I just liked mustard; but, I’m a big fan now. I’m experiencing more mustards than I ever thought existed. We’re shopping for almost everything that we’ve been tasting. Dijon Mustard with Truffle is my favorite. The savory note activates something in my lizard brain that says I need more!”

More mustards are what we need. Sure, you can’t go wrong with common yellow mustard, but once you’ve had champagne or truffle or root beer infusions, etc. you will graduate from a common sewer to a connoisseur. You know what not to put on a hot dog. And if you ever say the word at the National Mustard Museum, you had better say it disparagingly.

And next time I will remember to order coffee at the Grace. I’m beginning to need coffee so I can order my coffee. From coffee to mustard, and on to beer and Swiss dining. Stay tuned for the second leg of the trip.

---

To learn more and plan your visit to Grace Coffee Company, click Grace Coffee Company

To learn more and plan your visit to National Mustard Museum, click National Mustard Museum

---

To experience a dynamic presentation of Grace Coffee x Mustard Museum, click on the link to my Adobe Express photoblog at Adobe Express – The Simple Luxuries

If you are on Facebook, like my page at Facebook – The Simple Luxuries

To see more photos, follow my Instagram feed at Instagram – The Simple Luxuries

---

“My camera is my witness. My blog is my voice.” ©2023