Smoke Shack's Inviting Wood-Smoked Barbecue

Owners of Swig, Water Buffalo expand Third Ward offerings

The Smoke Shack opened in the Third Ward at a good time, as Milwaukee's dining scene could use an infusion of wood-smoked barbecue. And this is the real deal: The aroma of smoked meat emanating from the kitchen is immediately...

Add Some Spice With Glorioso's Human Torch

The tables near the entrance of Glorioso's Market (1011 E. Brady St.) are nearly always filled with customers. Sometimes people are just sipping an espresso or a cappuccino, but most of the time you will find someone enjoying a sandwich from the deli...

Jow Nai Fouquet's Fresh, Tasty Thai Food

Green curry ranks as Milwaukee's very best

Jow Nai Fouquet breaks the mold for local Thai restaurants. You won't find mass-produced...

Wingstop's Fresh, Nuclear Chicken Wings

Short Orders

Miller Park Way, home to the first Sonic in this area, continues to sprout strip malls and chain restaurants. In a building next door to Sonic is another chain new to Milwaukee. Named Wingstop, the restaurant is located in a small strip mall...

Braise Elevates Milwaukee Dining Scene

'Community Supported Restaurant' highlights local ingredients

With a number of restaurants opening in formerly shuttered spots, Walker's Point is...

Improved Menu at Swingin' Door Exchange

Short Orders

The Swingin' Door Exchange (219 E. Michigan St.) has been under new ownership for more than a year now. While the bar still looks the same, the food has been improved and the menu offers more variety. It is a fine spot for a Friday fish fry...

Water Street Brewery a Modern-Day Classic

Fine pub fare, house-crafted beers among highlights

Brewery pubs were a new concept when the Water Street Brewery opened in 1987...

Tazinos Pizza a Healthful, Fun Bistro

Short Orders

Strictly speaking, bistros and buffets are different dining concepts, but Tazinos Pizza & Salad Bistro provides the intimate impression of the former while maintaining the self-serve approach of the latter. The Wisconsin-based chain has three locations...

Franks Diner Provides Unique Experience

Kenosha's historic eatery is worth the trip

Upon entering Franks Diner, your senses are blindsided by the savory smells of onions and potatoes frying. And then you get the sense of being inside an early-20th-century train car. (Franks is built around a small rail car.) A shout from the cooks...

Frankie's Sammiches Serves Up Happy Food

Prominently posted at Frankie's Sammiches is a list of promises to customers, starting with a declaration: “We only make happy food.” Happiness, of course, can be defined in many ways. At Frankie's, it is tasty comfort food at reasonable prices...

2011 Year in Review

Milwaukee's dining scene adds new gems

If new restaurant openings are an economic indicator, then 2011 should inspire confidence...

Karl Ratzsch's Holiday Splendor

Short Orders

For a holiday dining experience that truly stands out, make a visit to that temple of German dining, the venerable Karl Ratzsch's (320 E. Mason St.). The décor, accented with oil paintings and beer steins, makes a fine backdrop for evergreen garlands and white...

NaNa Asian Fusion a Great Fit for Shorewood

Wide-ranging entrée and sushi options add variety

Local restaurants continue to combine the food of many nations when it comes to Asian cuisine. Sushi bars have popped up in Chinese and Thai restaurants, and some places offer a little of everything. Add the recently opened NaNa Asian Fusion...

Craft Beers, Fine Fare at Stubby's Pub & Grub

Short Orders

With 53 choice craft beers on tap, Stubby's Pub & Grub (2060 N. Humboldt Ave.) has one of the area's most thoughtful beer lists. There also are big, 750-ml bottles of beer, many from Belgium. The grub is in for some changes next year, as last month...

Balistreri's Bluemound Inn Still Going Strong

Supper club meets Italy at classic Milwaukee restaurant

Balistreri's Bluemound Inn adds Italian accents to the feel of a classic supper club. You enter into the barroom, where you will almost always find a few regulars enjoying a drink. White linen tablecloths adorned with butcher paper dot the landscape...

La Parihuela's Peruvian Classics

Short Orders

After many years of having only one Peruvian restaurant in the Milwaukee area, two opened their doors in 2011. In addition to Mr. Sebass, which we reviewed in October, there is La Parihuela (9039 W. National Ave., West Allis). The exterior signs advertise...

Rumpus Room Fits Well in Milwaukee

Bartolotta scores again with Water Street gastropub

The Bartolotta restaurant empire continues to expand. In 2010, it was the Harbor House, a joint venture with local philanthropist Michael Cudahy. This October, it was the Rumpus Room, located on Water Street in Milwaukee's Downtown...

Tello's Meshes Greek, Mexican, U.S. Flavors

Short Orders

The flags of the United States, Mexico and Greece fly in front of Tello's Grille & Cafe (200 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington), telegraphing the staple cuisines of this roomy, quirky establishment in the city's downtown. A recent dinner with friends found...

Kafe Kultura's Diverse Latin American Menu

Walker's Point has another gem in Milwaukee dining scene

The Walker's Point neighborhood seems to be an incubator for good restaurants, as evidenced by new options like INdustri Café and Juto. Another recent opening, Kafe Kultura, adds even more variety to the mix. The menu is all about Latin America...

Grilled Cheese Galore at Melthouse Bistro

The Melthouse Bistro (1857 E. Kenilworth Place) is an appropriate name for a restaurant located in “America's Dairyland.” True to form, the menu is very cheesy, with 16 different grilled cheese sandwiches and a few salads. Not all sandwiches are solely...

Izumi's New Menu Filled With Flavor

Milwaukee's go-to place for superb, authentic Japanese food

Café Perrin: A Delight Any Time of Day

Short Orders

Café Perrin (5901 W. Vliet St.), a new addition to Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood, is a pleasant spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning diners will find fresh baked goods and the usual egg fare like quiche and omelets. The lunch menu...

Juto's World Fusion Stands Out

Asian cuisine leads the way at this undiscovered gem

In a neighborhood known mainly for Mexican restaurants such as La Fuente, La Perla and Botanas, the Asian-fusion restaurant Juto stands out from the pack. Located in a vintage building last occupied by Il Mito, Juto offers two dining areas...

Ashley's Bar-B-Que Is One of Milwaukee's Best

Short Orders

Don't be deterred by the lack of tables at Ashley's Bar-B-Que (1501 W. Center St.), or you'll miss out on one of Milwaukee's best barbecue restaurants. You will find all of the standard meats, including chicken, pork shoulder and rib tips, as well as exceptional...

La Isla II Highlights Puerto Rican Mofongo

Second location opens on National Avenue

When La Isla opened near the intersection of Mitchell and Pearl streets, it became one of the only Milwaukee restaurants to focus on Puerto Rican food. The formula of authentic meals at good prices has proven successful enough that a second...