THE FORMER PABST BREWERY, NOW THE BREWHOUSE INN & SUITES, IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE. PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER.

Last week, I found myself in Milwaukee.

Doing so in early February was, admittedly, a questionable choice.

As I walked around the city, I kept seeing signs that made me feel right at home. They were advertising giant fish sandwiches — a thick bun around an overflowing plank of breaded fish. One such ad proclaimed fish-fry Fridays as “the Milwaukee tradition.”

Hey, wait a minute.

Not two weeks prior, I attended the “Sandwiches of History” live show here in Allentown, at Bottlerocket Social Hall. Appearing as a guest, regional culinary chronicler Rick Sebak declared the fish sandwich to be Pittsburgh’s signature, more so than even the Turkey Devonshire or Primanti’s. Apparently, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee both think a big ol’ fish sandwich, served at the end of the workweek, is our thing.

I’m not here to start a piscine rivalry. I think the answer is actually one of unity: Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are pretty much the same place.

My exposure is limited, admittedly, to the 48 hours or so I spent in the Cream City last week. But in that time, I noticed a few things: A cold beer is always at hand, often from a beloved local brewery. Sports are a religion, with the accessories to prove it. The surrounding environs are beautiful — when they’re not frozen. And a sense of singular identity rises above any geographical or regional affiliation.

Take sports, for instance. It goes without saying that serious fandom is de rigueur in America; we’re a very athletically inclined nation, from sea to sea. But attending a Milwaukee Bucks game (we have hockey, they have hoops) revealed a frenzied fan dedication that’s uncommon in many cities. I visit other cities for NBA games fairly often — regrettably, I know we’re never getting a team here — and I can tell you that fans of the Pacers, 76ers and Nets don’t have half the enthusiasm that Bucks fans do.

It reminded me of being at a Penguins game. Both there and here, the fandom was rabid and passionate, from young fans to old.

That spills over into football, as well; even after a season that ended in a demoralizing first-run playoff loss, Packers gear was everywhere, with every bar and restaurant proudly flying the team’s flag.

Sound familiar? They have bulky cheese hats instead of our svelte towels, but the point remains.

I was also struck by how the city’s pride seemed to outstrip its size. Both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are relatively modest in terms of population; we sit in the heart of the nation’s 27th-largest metropolitan area, while Milwaukee ranks 40th. (They have us well beat in city-limits population, due to the relatively small size of Pittsburgh proper compared to most cities.) But everyone seems to be eager to talk about Milwaukee and sing the city’s praises. This isn’t something I’ve noticed when visiting Cleveland, D.C. or Tampa. Like Pittsburghers, Milwaukeeans — gotta work on that sobriquet, by the way — are invested and interested in their hometown and its history.

I did find a whole lot to like in the days I was in Milwaukee. The Mitchell Park Domes are a stunning collection of botanical gardens. The delightful spy-themed bar and restaurant Safe House is a wonderful place to spend an evening. My accommodations, the Brewhouse Inn & Suites — a boutique hotel converted from the former home of Pabst — were excellent. And I’d recommend a Bucks game to even hoops agnostics; the atmosphere is terrific.

I asked my friend Harper York, a theater professional whom I’ve worked with, to weigh in on the matter, as she’s lived in both Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. “There are differences, to be sure, but there are so many similarities in terms of feel, history and a grittiness to the culture,” she says.

“I’m a fan of Milwaukee. And like Pittsburgh, most people don’t know the great stuff that’s there now.”

So yes — you should visit Milwaukee. It’s a rare chance to explore someplace new while still feeling utterly at home. And if you’re not convinced: Every last menu has cheese curds as a side option. They come with ranch and marinara. It’s fantastic.