Truly old school or just inspired by nostalgic food traditions, these restaurants epitomize the casual, inexpensive aesthetic of classic all-day-breakfast joints, plus some extra fare from these five food trucks. If you’re looking for more frugal options check out the full guide.
Ted’s Ice Cream & Restaurant
A trip in the best sense of the word, 85-year-old Ted’s doesn’t skimp on character. As I waited at the counter, in a chrome-finished stool, for my fried egg, ham and cheddar breakfast sandwich on a hard roll ($6.50 and delicious, by the way), I picked out fun details – coffee mugs in a medley of shapes and designs like you’d see in someone’s home kitchen, poinsettias on a windowsill (it was May), quirky old advertising signage, a plastic basket of Dum Dum lollies. Several people here were eating solo – it’s a comfortable place for that. They also seem familiar, not to me, but with how Ted’s works. Menus aren’t handed out unless you ask (most people know what they want), the waitress calls everyone “Hon,” and a malt or shake is perfectly acceptable with your breakfast. $5-$15. 6204 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
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Oak Creek Diner
Behind the counter piled with vessels of sugar packets and tiny creamers and bottles of ketchup and hot sauce, the waitress smiled. “Do youse know what you want?” My first time at this lively breakfast and lunch joint will certainly not be my last. I was seated on a counter stool opposite the kitchen’s order window. The cooks, only their foreheads up to the hairnets visible, kept the fast pace. The waitresses were hustling to pick up the steady flow of orders – omelets, oatmeal, French toast, biscuits and gravy. These servers had a unique system for grabbing the plates – they used a wooden backscratcher to slide the plates toward them. It’s a bit of charm (the scratcher doesn’t touch the food) that made me feel even better about this place. Next time, maybe I’ll have the Denver omelet ($8.50) again, with crispy hash browns and a side of French toast. This place is only 15 years old but feels like a nicely broken-in glove. $6-$17. 6874 S. 13th St., Oak Creek
North Ave Grill
On a Saturday morning, a bunch of folks could be congregating outside the front door. “What’s happening?” you might wonder, slowing your car to see what’s up. This 14-year-old diner gets busy, that’s what’s up. There’s often a wait on weekends because the food is hearty and very tasty. The Tosa Classic ($6.50) is a keeper – two eggs and toast (cinnamon raisin!), add American fries (do it!) and meat (nah) if you like. They have something called veggie power hash ($15) made with sweet potatoes – delicious with over-easy eggs. Their lunch-dinner menu is solid, mostly sandwiches and burgers. Here I can satisfyingly indulge my childhood penchant for a club sandwich ($16), this one jazzed up with avocado and Swiss cheese. Tosa diner dilemma: Is it a Ted’s or a North Ave Grill kind of day? You decide. $6.50-$16. 7225 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
5 Frugal Food Trucks
1. Fatty Patty
The single cheeseburger ($7) is hot, tender and just charred enough. Add tasty, seasoned fries ($4) and a soda and you’ve got a very satisfying meal.
2. MKE Chicken & Gyro
The Instagram-famous walking taco ($10) is – both bad (Doritos, gyro meat, chicken, rice and more) but also so good.
3. Heirloom MKE
The creamy, hand-stretched burrata with salad and toasted bread ($21) is a house specialty – plus it’s a farmers market haul inside a carryout container.
4. MKE Bento
One of this terrific Asian mobile kitchen’s bento boxes, The Don ($16) packs rice, protein (get the beef bulgogi!), spicy mayo and two sides – well hello, kimchi and quail egg.
5. Las Virellas
Get the most bang for your buck with this Puerto Rican shrimp combo ($20, $28 for the surf and turf shown here) with salad and two sides (choose tostones and Puerto Rican rice). Amazing!
