Belgian beers are No. 1-voted Café Hollander’s claim to fame, but the restaurant’s brew menu is 15 pages long, and is organized by beer style.
Other Locations: Café Hollander – Downer Ave
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Late Night Dining, Open For Lunch,
The Swingin’ Door Exchange inhabits a red-awninged space under one of the city’s most majestic venues, the Grain Exchange Room. The dig’s first incarnation as a bar – called the Exchange Tavern – began in the 1930s. The owner of the neighboring barbershop took over the place in ’67, renaming it the Swingin’ Door. Nowadays, the Door still gets its patty melt and Friday fish fry on, but it’s rolling with the times – packing in a hodgepodge of the hungry, from bike couriers to number-crunchers. Read more…
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The tacos served here are in the style of L.A. taco trucks; the margaritas are made with free-squeezed lime juice. You build your margarita by choosing the tequila – there’s no shortage of options.
Other Locations: BelAir Water Street, BelAir Downer
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One of Milwaukee’s classic frozen custard stands. This stand dishes up frozen custard, hot chili, burgers, cookies and Gilles T-shirts.
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Lines form early at the hostess station on the weekends. If you don’t mind a backless stool, the bar is comfortable and manned by a team of fast, friendly servers. Executive chef/co-owner Joe Muench offers familiar ideas packaged in untraditional ways. Don’t miss the stuffed browns, hoppel poppel and monkey bread. Read more…
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Calzones, Italian beef, hot dogs
If you’ve never been to Balistreri’s before, the thin crust pizza (literally any kind) is a must. Some other delectable Italian dishes include veal scallopini, Bistecca alla Siciliano – Steak Sicilian Style, and of course the delicious Friday Fish Fry.
Friday Fish Fry, Open For Lunch, Reservations Taken, Sunday Brunch,
While the decor conjures up a pseudo-bordello (red paint, crystal-like chandeliers), the cuisine takes off in various directions: BBQ (really fine beef brisket), raw oysters from the coasts, Louisiana jambalaya, and ??low country?? South Carolina specialties like?frogmore stew. A mint julep will get you in the mood.