Not Pulling Your Leg

I’d been hearing about this turkey leg for months. It’s not exactly a common offering on local restaurant menus. That this one was only available in limited quantities one day a week – and selling out before the day was over – had me almost desperate to try it. And there’s no denying it: The turkey leg at 1700 Pull Up (in the old home of The Tandem) is worth the hype. It’s about the length of my forearm and meaty as all get out. Following her first experience with this hunky limb on a trip to Houston years ago, owner Rosetta Bond started making her own. At her brick-and-mortar, Turkey Leg Thursday has become such a sensation that it’s now offered on Tuesdays, too. You can order it “traditional smoked” or with jerk seasonings, either on or off the bone. I wanted the on-the-bone experience, and the succulent dark meat just slid right off. The package is not complete without a topping or two (sold separately); the spicy, filling Cajun rice is packed with ground turkey and beef sausage. Even better is pairing the “kandy” yams and mac and cheese, which make a power couple – tender, creamy, sweet and cheesy. I’m headed back soon for the chicken dressing, so popular it’s often the first side to sell out.

Turkey available: Tues and Thurs noon-7 p.m. Leg $17-$22. Sides $3-$7. 1848 W. Fond du Lac Ave.

Washington Heights’ Vennture Brew Co. has added a cannabis beverage to its beer and coffee lineup. Broach is a dank, zero-ABV blueberry-pineapple seltzer laced with 3 mg of Delta-9 THC (legal, and enough for a modest high) and 6 mg of CBD.

Shyfting Perspective

While bringing together people from many walks of life over a meal is not a novel idea, it can spark meaningful connections – with those hosted by Milwaukee’s Paradigm Shyft being a prime example. These bimonthly meals, held at Hunger Task Force’s West Milwaukee office, are just one of the initiatives started by the organization, which provides re-entry resources for people after incarceration and consulting. As folks – both formerly incarcerated and not – share this experience, they see “the humanness in each other,” says co-founder Shannon Ross. “We cook a meal together, eat a meal together and then we clean up together.” Ross and co-founder Adam Procell, who has a culinary arts degree and, like Ross, served time in prison, carefully consider invitees. Attendees have ranged from a Marquette law professor to a Milwaukee cop to the mayor. “It’s always me and [Procell] talking about who’s the next person,” Ross says, “and who needs to meet that person.”

The Third Ward’s The Edison, described as a “sophisticated neighborhood grill,” is the latest concept from Benson’s Restaurant Group, which opened The Bridgewater Modern Grill in 2022  •  In a June 2023 story, bonappetit.com named Ruby’s Bagels, stationed at Zócalo Food Park, one of the “very best” bagel shops in the country  •  Third Ward modern Indian bistro Saffron added weekend brunch to its eclectic offerings. The menu (offered Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) features eggs Benedict with tandoori salmon, and chicken and waffle with sweet chili aioli. • Local hospitality veteran Eric Gutbrod will open the craft beer-forward Biersal in late fall after a light renovation of the former Wonder Bar in Washington Heights.