Milwaukee, WI

[gtrekker2003]

Hello.
I am going to Milwaukee, WI for a conference at Marquette University and I will be staying at nearby Ramada Inn.

I won't be having access to a car so will be relying on bus or taxi for short distances.

Any recommendations on places to go for lunch in the Marquette area?

And any recommendations for dinner near Ramada Inn or that are worthwhile taking a short taxi ride to?

I love french, asian, fusion, but am up for anything that is good in the area. Budget for dinner would be up to $20. Budget for lunch is up to $15ish.

Thanks!

[AnneInMpls]

If you're OK with kinda-fast food, Real Chili is a few blocks from campus. I haven't been there (yet), but it gets good reviews.

Here's a thread from last summer asking a similar question:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/525378

It's easy to catch a bus to downtown, where you'll have more choices - search this board for "downtown Milwaukee".

And though it's not French, Asian, or Fusion, my favorite MKE restaurant is Mekato's Columbian Bakery and Cafe. You could FEAST for $20. There's a bus stop right in front (on 35th). I'm not sure of the logistics of getting to that bus from campus, but I'm sure it's possible. Otherwise, it's not far away, so a cab wouldn't be that pricy. Here's my rave review from this summer:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/558202

Have a great time!

Anne

[nsxtasy]

For public transit information in and around Milwaukee, see www.ridemcts.com

[mech_e]

Real Chili is fantastic. Go for thhe hot with all the fixings and add a little of the hot oil. Make sure a bathroom is reasonably handy afterwards, though (especially with the cheap 2nds)! :O

[JenInTosa]

It's not "real" chili... don't waste your time!
Take a cab ride to the Milwaukee Public Market! It has EVERYTHING! and it's casual enough to walk around, shop and sit and eat at your leisure!
Or head over to Old World 3rd St. to get some good Italian small plates at Tutto or a sausage and spaezel at Old German Beer Hall (Hofbrauhaus)

[mike_d]

Marquette, about 10 years ago, sort of took over their neighborhood did extensive real estate renovations. In the process, they wiped out a lot of the small restaurants and coffee shops, etc, that grow up around a campus. So, now, right on campus there isn't much. There is a Real Chili branch and a Dogg Haus (an attempt, not completely unsuccessful, to recreate Chicago style hot dogs in MIlw.)

Miss Katie's diner is on Cylbourn and 19th st. Pretty good food, but nothing spectacular, strictly American. If you can get down the hill to St. Paul st. Sobelman's has great burgers.

Likewise, the area where the Ramada is in downtown is a bit barren. The best bets would be to head east to either Water st. (1st street over the river, 8 or so blocks) and then north. There's a number of bars and restaurants. You might check Eagen's. Or turn south and head to the 3rd ward area (board search will give you plenty of results)

Further east you can head north on Milwaukee st. I'd recommend Zarletti, but you don't indicate that Italian is what you'd want. Also in the 3rd ward there's Coquette Cafe. http://www.coquettecafe.com
Busses run up and down WIsconsin Ave., in other words anything you catch on WIsconsin ave will run between 12 st and milwaukee, pretty much anything.
Anyway,

[Living4fun]

The Ambassador Hotel on Wisconsin Ave has a good restaurant called Envoy. Give it a try. They refurbished the hotel and is is something to see.http://www.ambassadormilwaukee.com/default.aspx?pg=dining&rp=home
Milwaukee Ave has a plethora of restaurants, so does Water Street . I'd walk around the Milwaukee Public Market and around that area. http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/

[lynn55]

On Water Street, check out Eagan's Lobster BLT with Lemon Caper Sauce.

[keppy]

Sobelman's pub and grill is near the campus and has a great burger:
http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/

[kathryn]

Sobelman's is pretty small and popular so it can get crowded. The burger is great, though, with a nice toasted bun (freshly baked). However don't get the signature burger if you don't like lots of stuff on your beef patty. It was delicious but the three kinds of cheese and bacon and jalapeno peppers definitely overpowers the taste of the beef. I'm fine with it, but I know others won't be.

[saintfirky]

Sobelman's for sure. The only other place I can think of near Marquette is Coerper's 5 O'Clock Club which is the best steak house.... ever. You might be able to get buy on $20 but I'd wager it would be closer to 25-30. Worth every cent. I also second Coquette for french, its consistently very good.

[SarahK08]

I'd suggest Louise's downtown location for fun Italian. Milwaukee old standbys would include Mader's for German food.

[carts2]

Milwaukee restaurant and bar list

For more details, just Google a few of these places.

Downtown restaurants:

Mader’s, 1041 N. Old World 3rd St.; German, upscale

Karl Ratzsch’s, 320 E. Mason St.; German, upscale

Eagan’s, 1030 N. Water St.; upscale, known for seafood

The King & I, 830 N. Old World 3rd St.; Thai

Thai Palace, 838 N. Old World 3rd St.; Thai

Edgar’s Calypso, 628 N. Water St.; Caribbean

Tulip, 117 N. Jefferson St.; Turkish

Elsa’s on the Park, 833 N. Jefferson St.; perennial favorite, upscale cocktails and sandwiches

Aladdin, 202 W. Wisconsin Ave.; Middle Eastern, casual

Buca di Beppo, 1233 N. Van Buren St.; Italian, family-style

Usinger’s Sausage, 1030 N. Old World 3rd St., traditional German sausage retailer

The Spice House, 1031 N. Old World 3rd St., nationally renowned spice shop

Downtown bars:

John Hawk’s Pub, 100 E. Wisconsin Ave.; English pub, seating on the River Walk, food service

Water Street Brewery, 1101 N. Water St.; brewpub, good beer, food service

Trinity Three Irish Pubs, 125 E. Juneau Ave., Irish pub, food service

Old German Beer Hall, 1009 N. Old World 3rd St., German décor, beer and food

Milwaukee Brat House, 1013 N. Old World 3rd St., German décor, beer and food

Turner Hall, 1034 N. 4th St., German décor, beer and food, historic building, open weekends only

Buck Bradley’s, 1044 N. Old World 3rd St., longest bar in the city, food service

The Safe House, 779 N. Front St. (an alley off Wells St. at Water St.); Milwaukee’s favorite tourist bar since the 1970s; espionage theme; to enter you must say “I’m looking for a safe house.”

Brady Street restaurants:

Casablanca, 728 E. Brady St.; Middle Eastern

Mima’s, 1307 E. Brady St.; Italian, upscale

Cempazuchi, 1205 E. Brady St.; Mexican, upscale

Apollo Café, 1310 E. Brady St.; Greek, casual

Emperor of China, 1010 E. Brady St.; Chinese, very good pot stickers and orange beef

Peter Scortino’s Bakery, 1101 E. Brady St.; traditional Italian bakery

Brady Street bars:

Nomad World Pub, 1401 E. Brady St.; imports & microbrews, music

Up and Under, 1216 E. Brady St.; blues venue

Hi Hat Lounge, on Brady St. at Arlington Pl.; martini bar

Balzac, on Brady St. at Arlington Pl.; wine bar

Trocadero, 1758 N. Water St., one block north of Brady St.; French-themed bar and café; food service; parking can be difficult

East Side restaurants:

Palermo Villa, 2315 N. Murray Ave.; Italian

Ichiban, 2336 N. Farwell Ave.; Japanese, sushi and teppenyaki

Izumi’s, 2150 N. Prospect Ave.; Japanese, best sushi in town; in an historic art deco building

Maharaja, 1550 N. Farwell Ave.; Indian

Ethiopian Cottage, 1824 N. Farwell Ave.; Ethiopian

Good Life, 1935 N. Water St., Caribbean

East Side bars:

Paddy’s Pub, 2339 N. Murray Ave.; Irish pub; BEST BAR IN MILWAUKEE; gorgeous hand-built interior, unbelievable patio, music upstairs, great owners. No food service, but plenty of restaurants in neighborhood. One block north of Von Trier.

Von Trier, on E. North Ave. at Farwell Ave., traditional German interior, import beers, no food service

Hooligan’s, on E. North Ave. at Farwell Ave., popular pub, imports & microbrews, sandwiches served upstairs

Café Hollander, 2608 N. Downer Ave.; Dutch & Belgian themed café; mussels & fries; beet salad

3rd Ward and Walker’s Point restaurants:

Coquette Café, 316 N Milwaukee St.; French

La Merenda, 125 E. National Ave.; small-plate dining from around the world

Nanakusa, 408 E. Chicago St..; Japanese, upscale

Chez Jacques, 1022 S. 1st St.; authentic French, casual atmosphere

Crazy Water, 839 S. 2nd St.; upscale dishes in a tavern atmosphere

Conejito’s, on South 6th Street at Virginia St.; at the south end of the 6th Street Viaduct; authentic Mexican, perennially popular, very inexpensive, food served on paper plates, tavern atmosphere

3rd Ward bars:

Milwaukee Ale House, 233 N. Water St.; popular brewpub, seating on the River Walk, food service

The Wicked Hop, 345 N. Broadway; imports & microbrews, food service

Elsewhere:

Three Brothers, 2414 S. St. Clair St.; Serbian, nationally known; in Bayview neighborhood; difficult to find, print off Google map and directions

Jalapeño Loco, 5067 S. Howell Ave., across from airport; specializes in Mexican moles

Personal favorites:

Phan’s Garden, on National Ave. at 19th St.; authentic Vietnamese; cha gio (Vietnamese egg rolls), goi cuon (spring rolls), bo noung vi (grilled beef in rice papers), bahn xeo (Vietnamese omelet), pho, green papaya salad, cold beef salad, H8: curried chicken, K3: shrimp in coconut milk and lemon grass.

Thai BBQ, on National Ave. at 34th St.; Thai, good appetizers and curries. Try the Green Curry.

Paddy’s Pub, 2339 N. Murray Ave.; Irish pub; BEST BAR IN MILWAUKEE; gorgeous hand-built interior, unbelievable patio, music upstairs, great owners. No food service, but plenty of restaurants in neighborhood. One block north of Von Trier.

[saintfirky]

thats a pretty extensive list, but there are definitely some things I would leave off as far as recommendations go, I'd sure hate to see someone end up going to three diablos rojos restaurants at the expense of missing something good. as far as best bar in milwaukee? i dunno....those sound like fightin words

[JenInTosa]

How is that helpful? Plus, it left off the Riverfront Bistro on Erie!

[sarapeater]

wow. that's quite a list. am I right to assume that sausage/german is 'traditional' milwaukee fare? is there a classic place everyone goes to? more than one?

[sarapeater]

one more thing: what is kringle?

[JenInTosa]

a kringle? do you mean the pastry ring things from Racine, WI? they are a flat breakfast pastry sometimes with icing on top and filled with fruit or nuts. My favorites are the pecan ones!

and yes, MKE has quite the German representation. Sausages and beer!

[sarapeater]

I read about kringles on another thread. I'm guessing, yes, it's the pastry. thanks.

[yorgos25]

I would have to say, where is La perla? I believe anyone that comes to Milwaukee should ride the pepper! They even have a shuttle service from Marquette campus. Margaritas here I come!

[jenniegirl]

I love Milwaukee-I lived there when I was student teaching. I lived on the East side, near the U of M, and getting around is really easy on the bus. We took the bus to the Y downtown, so it wasn't far. There's also some kind of a hop-on hop-off trolley for like a dollar some days, which is sort of fun in terms of getting acquainted with the downtown area, and for transportation.
I love love Authentic Thai Kitchen on Oakland Street. It's cheap, and good-and they have this amazing thing called volcano chicken. Get that and the curry and you should be a happy camper.
Next door is Oakland Gyros (with a door from the men's room that goes into the bar next door!) The gyros are good, but for some amazing food to go, try the athenian chicken with rice. It will last you for three days. Pizza Man is also good for Italian I think on the corner of Brady and Oakland? Don't quote me. They have amazing fried eggplant. For food to go there's this great organic place across the street from Pizza Man called Beans and Barley. It would be great to eat in or to take to go. Enjoy your time, and try to get out to the East side a little!

[maigre]

Alem Ethiopian Village has good Ethiopian food that can hold its own with that of cities with larger Ethiopian populations. I'd rate it as one of the top Ethiopian places I've tried. The menu is typical of Ethiopian restaurants, but with a few variations, like the tasty Filet Mignon Tibs. Good ingredients, too.

One of the better places to eat in Milwaukee that I've tried.

Alem Ethiopian Village
307 E. Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI 53202
ph: 414-224-5324
alt: 414-243-1430
[e-mail]

[pastoralia]

Silly question:

I'm going back to Milwaukee (where I grew up) this summer from New York. I pretty much have every meal planned.

Fish Fry at Lakefront Brewery
Coerper's, Kopp's, Sobelman's, Speed Queen for meats
Zaffiro's, Pizza Man for pizza (I've heard Pizza Man has improved- true?)
Branded at The Iron Horse (our hotel) for a romantic dinner

But I have one night where I'm getting taken out to dinner and I can't decide between Mader's or Mimma's. I've never been to either one. Bear in mind my wife (from Portland, OR) will be with me and I'm looking to give her the "Milwaukee experience."

[Fydeaux]

It sounds to me like you've already got quite a bit of the "Milwaukee Experience" covered (even more so if you add a stop at Usinger's to shop for sausage to take home with you).

Between Mader's and Mimma's, Mader's is more "Milwaukee" than Mimma's. But personally I think that Mimma's has MUCH better Italian food than Mader's does German food.

One man's opinion.

[pastoralia]

Oh, I got Usinger's covered. My gma works there and send me sausages every year.

The problem I have with Mimma's is it's Italian...and there's some pretty damn good Italian in Brooklyn/NYC.

I'm thinking Mader's will be the choice...or maybe I should do that Serbian place in Bayview? Followed by drinks at At Random?

[Fydeaux]

Having once lived in Rochester, I did not automatically assume that you would be visiting from NYC. And you're right: you have no shortage of excellent Italian where you live (although that alone should not rule out Mimma's as it compares quite favourably).

That being said, I would pick Three Brothers (the Sebian place in Bayview) over Mader's. The food is superb; just expect to wait for it as everything is prepared fresh.

Enjoy your visit.

[caftpru]

Maders is really good, but Karl Raatch's is better. While you are in Mke. go to "Blue" it's a cocktail lounge on the top of the Pfister. All glass looking out at the lights at night is fantastic. also, if you like Mexican food La Fuente on 5th & National is the place to go (outdoor seating too).

[caftpru]

You definitely won't find real pizza in Wisconsin. There are alot of good ones, but I have yet to find one that compares to real NYC pizza pie.

[pastoralia]

Having grown up in Milwaukee and now living in New York...it's true there isn't a pizza like DiFara's in Milwaukee but it's also true you can't find a delicious thin crust pie like Zaffiro's in New York.

[sammylou]

For a Milwaukee experience dinner, I would definitely go for 3 Brothers in Bay View. When we were being wooed to Milwaukee, 3 Brothers was key to our positive first impression to the city. Remember to bring cash, as they do not take credit cards!

[caftpru]

3 Brothers is excellent!!

[caftpru]

You can walk to downtown from Marquette. There are SO MANY great restaurants to pick from. Also the Milwuakee Public Market is a must for lunch. There are so many different vendors to pick from there. The St Paul Fish Company has the best fish sandwich I have ever had.

[caftpru]

If you like Sushi--Izumi's is the one & only place youwant to go--absolutely gorgeous presentation and wonderful quality sushi.

[Harmony414]

Regarding the original post if you ever come back to visit i've been in milwaukee about 5yrs and have found so far that .... for authentic lao/thai food its only Vientiane for me. Its on 35th and national. A small mom and pop resteraunt that typically only laos folks dine at so you know the food is authentic. For pho (vietnamese soup) i only go to Phans garden on about 17th & national, best in the city (unless you know someone to make it home made for you)! Its nextdoor to the Lao temple and across the street from Pick n Save. For chinese it is hands down Fortune on highway 100 (aka 107th). I have there phone # in my cell its that good!

For those of you from NY you are absolutely correct about the pizza in Milwaukee! Your definately not going to find a pie out here but there is good pizza. So far Neds pizza is favorite thin crust (located on 27th). Its paper thin and has a flavorful sauce. Not to mention the sausage topping is DElicious! For just reg pizza i only go to Marty's in brookfield. Its about 10 min west of milwaukee and so far the only pizza resteraunt that i can find a eatable antipato at.

Bon Appetit!
Harmony