There’s a reason Milwaukee is touted for the best beer and brats in the land. If it’s terrific tofu you’re looking for, look elsewhere. This is the upper Midwest folks. Life is real here, and so’s the food.
To that end, courtesy in no small part of the good people at Visit Milwaukee, here are some of the lakeside city’s best, and most moderately-priced, places to eat and imbibe:
Milwaukee Brat House is a bonafide drinking establishment, a bar to fall in love with. Big, unabashedly beautiful brats are featured here. Ask for extra napkins. The Polish sausage is bathed in Guinness, onion, black pepper and “secret spices.” It will run you a meager $7. Wash it down lovingly with a local brew. It’s located at 1013 Old World 3rd St.
Lakefront Brewery is a gem. On the Milwaukee River, the award-winning microbrewery was born back in 1987. The beer is bounteous: RiverWest Stein, Lakefront Bock, and East Side Dark. Seasonally, try Pumpkin or Cherry Lager. This is a brewery that begs to be toured. You’ll find it at 1872 N. Commerce St.
Milwaukee Ale House (you detect a theme developing here?) is another hometown brewpub, located in the heart of the Historic Third Ward along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. First thing off, order up a Flaming Damsel (it’s a beer). Now, it’s time to share a full rack of baby back ribs, the true fall-off-the-bone species. Too much? Try the stout pot roast. It’s braised in sheepshead stout. Live music helps make the workaday world go away. Head to 233 N. Water St.
Chili Lili’s is a casual restaurant and bar specializing in Cincinnati, Texas, Southwestern and vegetarian chilies. There are about a dozen different types in all. Chili lasagna runs $9. This being the upper Midwest, it comes with lots of Wisconsin cheese. Chili Lili’s is located at 525 Menomonee St. in Milwaukee.
Sobelman’s Pub & Grill is where burger battles are big. This place lays claims to serving up Milwaukee’s best. It’s the Sobelman’s Burger, and the third-of-a-pound Black Angus Beef creation will set you back a mere $7.25. Wash it down with Sobelman’s signature Bloody Mary. It’s full of enough veggies to start a salad, and served up in a Mason jar. Sobelman’s can be found at 1900 W. St. Paul Avenue
Café Benelux breaks the meat and potatoes mold, but retains the beer (Belgian, by the way, some of the best). Regional favorites from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg hold sway here: pannenkoeken, frites, and mussels. One pound of mussels runs $12.95. Okay, to be honest, there are burgers too, but with a twist. The Derailleur Burger is garnished with pickled onions, caramelized onions, garlic aioli and boursin. It’s a meal, and it’s $11.95. The restaurant is located at 346 N. Broadway.
MillerCoors Brewery is where you need to end up. Wind up a Milwaukee visit with a tour of Miller Valley, home to more than 150 years of brewing history. No, it’s not a microbrewery. It’s big. But after a visit you’ll understand the importance of hops, barley and such to this region. And you’ll better appreciate what went into that cold one next time you pop the top. The Miller Visitor Center is located at 4251 W. State St.
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Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: compujeramey)
