Business picks up at local butcher shop as Wisconsin's quirky New Year's traditions live on

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- New Year's Eve is almost upon us. Staying up until the stroke of midnight, popping champagne and watching the ball drop at Times Square are all popular traditions in the US.

"A lot of seafood, a lot of lobster tails, crab legs to go along with the steak," said Scott Podd, co-owner of Ray's Butcher Shoppe. "They're celebrating so they want to get something a little nicer." 

The finest fish and prime cut steaks are said to bring a prosperous new year, but Wisconsinites like to celebrate the holiday with a few other rituals. Herring is one of the most popular items at Ray's Butcher Shoppe in late December.  

"Herring is an old Polish tradition. You're supposed to eat a piece of herring at midnight and it's supposed to bring you good luck into the future," said Podd. 

In addition to the silvery, pickled fish, the cannibal sandwich is a popular seller. 

"A cannibal sandwich is just a ground round, some people use ground round or ground sirloin, we use a ground round," said Podd. "You want to put that on a piece of rye bread, a little salt, pepper...good to go." 

The dish is eaten raw. While not everyone likes to eat it, many in Wisconsin have grown up with it on the table for the holidays. 

"It's on our table, yes, twice a year," said Podd.