Game day in Green Bay starts long before the opening kickoff, and for a lot of locals it starts in a booth with a doorbell on the wall. Yes, a doorbell.
You press it when you are ready to order, and someone shows up to take care of you. That small ritual has been part of a Green Bay burger tradition that dates back to 1945, back when Wisconsin was still building the habits it now treats as sacred.
The burgers here are thin, buttery, and wrapped like a little gift. The rooms look like a time machine forgot to leave.
In this guide you will learn where to go, which door to use, when the place is open, what it costs, and why so many families keep coming back season after season.
A Main Street Address With Deep Roots
Some places earn a spot on the pregame schedule by sheer staying power. Kroll’s East, at 1658 Main St, Green Bay, WI 54302, in the United States, is one of those places.
The restaurant sits on the east side of Green Bay, Wisconsin, along a busy stretch of Main Street. It describes itself as a landmark, old-school burger joint, and the label fits.
At heart, it is a casual family restaurant. The menu leans into Wisconsin comfort cooking, with burgers, veggie burgers, fried fish, and hearty bowls built for cold Sunday mornings.
Locals treat it as a neighborhood institution. Many of the people who eat here grew up eating here, and some even worked here as teenagers before coming back with kids of their own.
The building is not trying to look new. That is part of the point.
For football fans, the timing works out nicely, since the doors open at 10:30 am on Sundays. That leaves room for a relaxed meal before heading out to cheer on the green and gold.
So the address is set, the doors are open, and the next question is simple: how did a burger stand become a Green Bay fixture?
Burgers Since 1945
The year 1945 matters here. That is when this restaurant started serving the food that still fills its menu today.
Eight decades is a long run for any business. For a burger joint, it is practically a dynasty.
The concept has stayed refreshingly simple over the years. Make thin burgers, serve them fast, keep the prices friendly, and let families feel at home.
Local lore ties the place to the early glory years of Packers football, with stories of coaches and players dropping by after practice. Whether every tale is perfectly accurate or not, the stories say a lot about how Green Bay feels about this spot.
Generations of families have passed down the habit. Grandparents brought parents, parents brought kids, and now those kids bring their own crews on game day.
Plenty of longtime fans describe it as a place that has changed very little since they first came through the door. In a world where restaurants come and go quickly, that steadiness is a feature, not a bug.
History is fun, but there is one small naming detail that trips up newcomers all the time.
East Is Not West
Here is a quick trivia question for out-of-towners. Is Kroll’s East just the eastern branch of Kroll’s West?
The answer surprises people. The two restaurants are not affiliated, even though the names sound like matching bookends.
That matters if you are meeting friends. Telling your group to meet at Kroll’s might send half of them across town to the wrong building.
So be specific. Say East, say Main Street, and drop a pin if you need to.
The East location has its own identity. It has its own rooms, its own service style, and its own loyal following that will happily remind you which one they prefer.
Green Bay folks take their burger allegiances almost as seriously as their football ones. Picking a side is part of the fun.
For this guide, the focus stays squarely on the Main Street spot. It is the one with the booth buttons, the drive-up lane, and the long history of pregame meals.
Once the right address is settled, the next surprise comes the moment you sit down and look around the room.
A Dining Room Frozen In Time
Calling this place a time capsule is not much of a stretch. Much of the interior is original, and it shows in the best way.
The booths and throwback design elements are the stars of the show. Many guests say it feels like walking into the late 1960s.
There are multiple dining spaces, so seating is rarely a puzzle. Larger groups can usually find room, which helps a lot on busy weekends.
One section has a semi deco style that stands out from the rest of the building. It adds a bit of flair to an otherwise no-frills setting.
The place is kept clean, even if a few corners could use some freshening up. Most fans would not want a full makeover anyway, since the vintage character is a big part of the appeal.
Even the restrooms have a following. Some folks say they are a fun spot for a quick mirror selfie, which is not something you hear about most burger joints.
The decor sets the mood, but the real conversation starter is mounted right on the wall beside your table.
The Famous Booth Button
Ring, ring, burger time. Every booth at Kroll’s East comes with a button you press when you are ready to order.
Some people call it a doorbell, and that description is pretty accurate. You push it, and a server comes over shortly after.
First-timers often find it quirky and charming. Kids especially love being the one who gets to press it.
The system also gives you control over your pace. There is no need to wave someone down or wait for a server to swing by while you are still debating the menu.
It is a small detail, but it is one of the things people remember most. In a city full of sports bars, few places have a gimmick quite this unusual.
A quick tip for groups: decide who gets button duty before you sit down. It avoids a polite tug-of-war across the table.
The button handles the ordering part. Paying works a little differently too, and it is worth knowing before your food shows up.
Pay When The Food Lands
Not every restaurant hands you the bill at the same moment it hands you the food. Here, that is standard practice.
When your order arrives, you settle up right away. The server may wait nearby while you sign.
For people used to paying at the end of a meal, it can feel abrupt. Knowing about it in advance makes it feel much more normal.
Opinions on the service are honestly mixed. Some guests describe friendly, helpful, very Midwest staff who explain everything clearly, while others have found the crew brisk and not very chatty.
The pay-first setup means check-ins after delivery can be limited. If you want extra napkins or another drink, the button on the wall is your friend.
Going in with the right expectations helps a lot. Think of it as quick, old-fashioned counter service delivered to a booth rather than a long, lingering sit-down experience.
For a pregame meal, that speed can actually be a plus. You eat, you pay, and you head out with plenty of time before kickoff.
Now, about the main event wrapped up on your tray.
Butter Burgers Built Thin
The butter burger is the headliner, and it does not need a fancy stage. It shows up wrapped in paper, ready to go.
The patties are thin, old-timey quarter-pound burgers. Because they are so slim, they are all cooked to medium.
Butter is the signature move. It brings the bun and patty together into one tidy package that Wisconsin has loved for generations.
A fair warning for food photographers: the wrapping means these burgers are not exactly camera-ready. Many fans admit they finish the whole thing before remembering to snap a picture.
Cheeseburgers are popular too, and veggie burgers are on the menu for anyone skipping meat. That makes it easier to bring a mixed group without anyone feeling left out.
Consistency can vary from visit to visit, as with any busy kitchen. Most longtime fans, though, say the burgers taste the same as they did when they were kids.
Pair one with a warm bowl of soup on a chilly Sunday, and you have a very Green Bay way to start game day.
Speaking of soup, there is a local tradition worth knowing about.
Booyah And The Soup Bowl Tradition
Ask anyone from northeast Wisconsin about booyah, and you will probably get a story. It is a hearty chicken stew that shows up at church picnics, fundraisers, and fall gatherings around Green Bay.
Soup is a big deal at Kroll’s East too. The kitchen is known for its soups, and the chicken dumpling soup has a devoted fan base of its own.
Menus can change with the seasons, so it is smart to check the current lineup before you go. The restaurant website is the easiest place to look.
Either way, a warm bowl next to a butter burger is a classic cold-weather pairing. Late fall Packers games practically demand it.
Soup also travels well. Plenty of regulars grab extra to take home, which is handy when the game runs long.
For football fans, this combo is more than lunch. It is a small ritual that connects game day to decades of Green Bay tradition.
And when that tradition meets a full house of fans, the whole building changes its mood.
Game Day Energy On Main Street
On the right day, this quiet throwback turns into a party. Game day crowds bring a completely different vibe.
Fans describe the game day experience as unmatched, with everyone having a good time and staying friendly. Jerseys, cheering, and plenty of booth-to-booth chatter are all part of the scene.
The multiple dining rooms help on busy days. There is usually room for groups of friends and families gearing up for the game.
Arriving early is still a good idea. With the Sunday opening at 10:30 am, an early start gives you time to eat without rushing before kickoff.
Other big games bring people in too. Brewers and Badgers matchups get screen time, although crowds for those can be smaller than you might expect.
Packers Sundays are the main event, though. Few things feel more Green Bay than a butter burger and a room full of fans wearing green and gold.
Not every visit looks like this, however, and the calmer side of the restaurant has its own appeal.
Quiet Nights And Who They Suit
Here is a twist: some nights, the place is surprisingly calm. Even during televised games, guests have found plenty of open booths.
That makes it a solid pick for people who want a low-key meal. Couples, solo travelers, and families with young kids can usually settle in without a long wait.
Road trippers find it useful too. Folks heading back from Door County fall color trips have stopped here for a simple, filling meal on the way home.
Some guests find the quieter atmosphere a little too hushed for their taste. If you want noise and energy, aim for a Packers Sunday instead.
Families are a regular sight, and the casual setup suits kids well. Parents should know that service style varies, so having orders ready when you press the button keeps things smooth.
Fans of classic Wisconsin and Green Bay food will feel right at home. Anyone hunting for trendy dishes or fancy plating may want to look elsewhere.
Of course, not everyone wants to sit down at all, and the restaurant has a solution for that crowd.
Drive-Up Lane Or Back Door
First-time guests often make the same mistake. They head for the side with all the action and end up in the drive-up lane.
Kroll’s East runs a big drive-up business on one side of the building. It is a popular choice for people grabbing food to go.
To dine in, go around to the back entrance door. That is where you will find the booths, buttons, and vintage dining rooms.
Takeout is a favorite among regulars too. Some even say they prefer ordering food to go when they want a fast pregame bite.
Online ordering is available through delivery services as well. Keep in mind that food can travel differently than it eats at the table, and refunds through third-party apps can be tricky.
For the full experience, sitting down is the way to go. The booth button and the throwback rooms are a big part of what makes the visit memorable.
Once you know which door to use, the next thing to plan around is the clock.
Hours To Plan Around
Timing is everything, especially with a schedule like this one. Kroll’s East is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, which catches some people off guard.
The rest of the week is straightforward. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday hours run from 10:30 am to 9 pm.
Friday and Saturday stretch a bit longer, from 10:30 am to 11 pm. Those late hours work well for evening games or post-game meals.
For Packers fans, the Sunday opening is the key detail. Doors open at 10:30 am, so plan your arrival based on kickoff time and how busy you expect it to be.
Monday night games are a different story. Since the restaurant is closed on Mondays, you will need a backup plan for those matchups.
Hours can change around holidays or special events. A quick check of the restaurant website before heading out is always a smart move.
With the schedule sorted, there is one more practical question most people ask before they go.
Friendly Prices For Big Appetites
Good news for anyone feeding a crowd. Most meals here fall in the 10 to 20 dollar range per person.
Value is one of the biggest reasons people keep coming back. Many guests say the low prices bump the food from good to great in their minds.
That makes it easy on families and large groups. Feeding a whole tailgate crew does not have to wreck the budget.
Portions can be generous, and some sides come in larger sizes worth considering if you are sharing. Ask your server what makes sense for your group.
Big takeout orders are common, especially on game days. If you are ordering a lot, double-check that condiments and extras are in the bag before you leave.
Simple food at fair prices has been the formula since 1945. It is not complicated, and that is exactly why it has lasted.
So with the location, history, hours, and budget all covered, it is time to decide whether this belongs on your game day plan.
Worth A Spot On Your Pregame Plan
Some restaurants chase trends. Kroll’s East has spent decades doing the opposite, and Green Bay seems happy about it.
It is not perfect, and it does not pretend to be. Service can be hit or miss, and the building shows its age in spots.
What it offers instead is something harder to copy. You get booth buttons, thin butter burgers, warm soup, fair prices, and a dining room that feels like a page from the city’s scrapbook.
For locals, it is a habit passed down through families. For visitors, it is a fun way to taste a piece of Green Bay history before heading to the game.
Go in knowing the quirks. Use the back door to dine in, have your order ready before pressing the button, and expect to pay when the food arrives.
Plan around the Monday and Tuesday closures. Arrive early on Packers Sundays if you want a calmer start.
Do that, and you will understand why this spot has lasted since 1945. Order the soup, unwrap a butter burger, and let kickoff wait just a little longer.
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