New Restaurant
Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
Since its opening in late 2018, this nest for daytime dining inside an immaculately restored old Cream City building in Brewers Hill has been a magnet, particularly for weekend brunchers. Understandably so, since Wolfie’s slam-dunks it with cool digs, good grub, cocktails and high-octane Anodyne coffee.
234 E. Vine St.; unclewolfies.com
Quick Lunch
Milwaukee Public Market
The Third Ward market offers so much in one place, perfect when you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for – enchiladas or an acai bowl, Thai curry or fried oysters, panini or chili and lots more. There’s also free one-hour parking in the adjacent lot, which helps make a visit a quick in-and-out.
400 N. Water St.; milwaukeepublicmarket.org
Business Lunch & Splurge
Harbor House
The low-decibel, white-tablecloth dining room of this Bartolotta-run, New England-inspired seafood house is where some of the city’s most pressing business is done, against the backdrop of Lake Michigan waves. Our readers also named Harbor House their pick for Best Splurge. The market- price whole Maine lobster and $250 tin of Russe Osetra caviar definitely qualify as such.
550 N. Harbor Dr.; bartolottas.com/harbor-house
Pub Food / Gastropub
Café Hollander
Lowlands Group’s mastery of ambiance is 100% illustrated by the Hollanders, which have airy, light-filled interiors comfortable for lingering, crowd-enticing outdoor spaces, large Belgian craft beer lists and pub food menus (mussels and frites, burgers, brunch all day) that appeal to the hoi polloi. That’s magic.
Multiple locations; cafehollander.com
Bakery
Peter Sciortino Bakery
Sound the collective oohs and aahs for cream-filled cannoli, tiramisu and fresh breads and rolls (the rolls are classic, tender-but-mighty support for the sauciest Italian sausage), the baking aroma from which filters down Brady Street in the morning.
1101 E. Brady St.; petersciortinosbakery.com
Dessert
Le Rêve Patisserie & Cafe
Ogling the dessert case is part of the dining experience at this enchanting French bistro, where it’s virtually impossible to choose poorly. The chocolate-caramel tart, Paris-Brest (a wheel-shaped ring of choux pastry), citron tart and opera torte are just a few of the tantalizing tours de force.
7610 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa; lerevecafe.com
Late-Night Eats
Oakland Gyros
A stop at OGs is a staple of any late night on the East Side. Warm and friendly scents of succulent lamb waft around the cozy, brightly colored, shacklike counter space, and a visitor will usually need to wait in a bustling line before a smiling face takes your order. The food arrives so quickly, there’s barely time to question the small picture of a famous Oakland Gyros fan, Ludacris, among the numerous award plaques on a wall. Grab a booth across from the older couple decked out in Harley gear and adjacent the group of tipsy college students, and dig in. The gyro sandwiches, hefty and delicious, are a hunger killer to any midnight appetite. — John Quinnies
2867 N. Oakland Ave.; 530 W. Layton Ave.
Photos courtesy of: Chris Kessler; Visit Milwaukee; Lowlands Group; Olivia Medrow, Oakland Gyros
We Beg To Differ
Steakhouse
Reader’s Pick
Five O’Clock Steakhouse
[alert type=white ]Old fashioneds, large cuts of charred beef suffused in a trademark basting sauce, a setting where the clock seems to have stopped in 1968 – so many reasons our readers dig this joint.[/alert]
Ann Christenson’s Pick
Carnevor
[alert type=white ]Bottom line, these are primo-quality (wallet-emptying) steaks, with wet-aged and reserve-cut options simply cooked; toppings and sauces are optional. Over-the-top high-end and worth it.[/alert]
Barbecue
Reader’s Pick
Smoke Shack
[alert type=white ]This local spot takes the dry-rub, slowsmoke approach, offering five regional sauces on the side. It also does a lot of things: baby-back and spare ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, hot links and lots of sides.
Ann Christenson’s Pick
Heaven’s Table
[alert type=white ]Owner-pitmaster Jason Alston grew up watching his elders smoke meat. Learning from them, he’s perfected his brisket, ribs and pork shoulder by slow-smoking them in hickory. This is indeed heaven.[/alert]
Photo courtesy of Smoke Shack
Tacos
Reader’s Pick
BelAir Cantina
[alert type=white ]Locals vibe on the well-executed Cali surfer decor, plus tacos of all kinds (fried avocado and bacon, “gringo” ground beef, tempura-fried grasshoppers – yep!), not to mention the possibility of seeing reported fan Giannis Antetokounmpo.[/alert]
Ann Christenson’s Pick
Chilango Express
[alert type=white ]An authentic little mom-and-pop enterprise where they make the corn tortillas from scratch, the pastor (pork) is tender and so good, and they have a great roast lamb special on the weekends. Tamales on the weekend, too![/alert]
Sandwich Shop
Reader’s Pick
Glorioso’s Italian Market
[alert type=white ]The many flavorful choices here are undeniably good, from the Milwaukee Muffalatta (three kinds of meat) to the Human Torch, which has – bada boom – hot pepper spread and hot pepper-olive relish. Plus, the selection of dried pastas is remarkable.[/alert]
Photo by Mia Sienko
Ann Christenson’s Pick
Boo Boo’s
[alert type=white ]Crusty, tender bread makes these sandwiches soar. (It’s similar to the bread served at sister and Walker’s Point neighbor Soup Brothers). I love fun, delicious flavor combos like the Happy Pappy with pork loin, sweet peppers and spicy mango sauce.
Editor’s Pick
Burger
Oscar’s Pub & Grill
Owner Oscar Castenada’s burgers have a touch of familiarity – the juicy, thick beef patty and a tender but robust bun with a glossy top dome. Before opening his own place in 2011, Castenada worked at Sobelman’s, leaving with seriously sharpened burger-making skills. The half-pound burgers he serves these days are consistently excellent.
1712 W. Pierce St.; oscarsonpierce.com
Readers’ Choice Winners & Runners-up
Business Lunch
★ Harbor House
★ Mason Street Grill
★ Lake Park Bistro
Quick Lunch
★ Milwaukee Public Market
★ BelAir Cantina
★ Beans & Barley
Tacos
★ BelAir Cantina
★ Café Corazón
★ Botanas
Bakery
★ Peter Sciortino Bakery
★ Simma’s
★ Miss Molly’s
New Restaurant
★ Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
★ Char’d
★ Don’s Diner
Dessert
★ Le Rêve
★ Lake Park Bistro
★ Odd Duck
Sandwich Shop
★ Glorioso’s Italian Market
★ Jake’s Deli
★ Comet Cafe
Splurge
★ Harbor House
★ Lake Park Bistro
★ Sanford
Barbecue
★ Smoke Shack
★ Saz’s
★ Speed Queen
Pub Food / Gastropub
★ Café Hollander
★ The Wicked Hop
★ The Rumpus Room
Steakhouse
★ Five O’Clock Steakhouse
★ Eddie Martini’s
★ Mr. B’s Steakhouse
Late-Night Eats
★ Oakland Gyros
★ Elsa’s On the Park
★ Ma Fischer’s
More Best of Milwaukee 2019
Here it is: The cream of Cream City. You chose the winners in dozens of categories, and we added a few that we couldn’t help but chime in on.