One late spring weekend, as the days were getting longer, the Gonzalez family debuted their delicacies made inside a shiny 1950s trailer, calling their business Mazorca Tacos. Their tasty bistec has three tasty going for it – the Wisconsin beer marinade, tender bean topping and delicious corn tortilla right there. Served with a zesty tomatillo salsa? Natch.
This Third Ward taco and tequila joint, which sits on the Milwaukee River, features “global street food” and claims to be Milwaukee’s very first tequilaria. The eclectic menu boasts tacos (chicken fried chicken, curried cauliflower) you can turn into a bowl, plus 160 kinds of tequila.
Open on weekends until 4 a.m., if you’re in the mood for late night Mexican, Cielito Lindo is your stop. Some delicious items include huevors rancheros, molcajete and chiles rellenos.
Botanas Restaurant not only offers delicious authentic Mexican cuisine, but they also have over 100 brands of tequila for the perfect margarita. Some fan favorites include moles, charcoal grilled meats, salsa verde and tequila shrimp.
La Casa de Alberto avoids the “all signs point to dry beef” predicament that seems to plague griddled steak. This is tender, flavorful meat buried under your choice of toppings. And if you order the chunky guac (you should), pile it on thick!
Cafe El Sol offers an authentically delicious Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine. Stop by on a Friday evening for a dinner buffet with broiled and fried fish as well as live Latin entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m.
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Sit at a table pushed up against the old wooden bar at Guadalajara. It’s old Milwaukee (the building dates to 1890) meets the modern wave of immigration. The steak is lean, on the juicy side, and with the spread of toppings, the tacos looks like little queso-capped mountain peaks. Don’t forget the house pico de gallo! This boffo fresh salsa of cabbage, radish and bell peppers offers that all-important crunch.
Traffic moves at an antelope’s pace on National Avenue, so it’s easy to unknowingly whiz by El Comedor. Advice: Keep your eyes peeled for a corner building with a bright-red threshold, then head inside and place your order immediately for crispy, succulent shreds of pork (a.k.a., al pastor). The meat is sweetened with tiny chunks of pineapple. Ask for cilantro and onion on top, and be liberal with the fresh lime! Look for El Comedor taco truck on South 13th and Hayes.
El Cabrito – whose name translates to “little goat” – is marinated and slow-roasted (leg, sometimes), which lends a succulent texture and flavor similar to lamb. Keen palates will detect cinnamon, cumin, even lemon peel. Like other meats, it needs only cilantro and onion on top, but don’t be shy with the chunky red salsa! And corn tortillas are best.
Taco and tequila bar serving over 70 tequila and mezcal varieties.
Vertical is the direction in which a burger moves. This Fifth Ward force takes the notion of layers well beyond the prosaic. It’s a little like Joan Rivers’ face. More, apparently, is better. But a few qualities stand out here – the ability to build your own burger from oodles of ingredients, and the Stack’d options for gluten-avoiders and vegetarians.
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Friday Fish Fry, Group Parties, Late Night Dining, Sunday Brunch,
Menu of small and large plates, including scallops and a burger. Dim sum cart offers a selection of dumplings.
Group Parties, Open For Lunch, Outdoor Dining, Reservations Taken,
Quirky little counter-service soup shop that has a following just for its fire-roasted red pepper bisque. But there are other great options here, which change depending on the day. Look for cheddar and Bermuda onion, and cowboy chunky chili. Sandwiches available too. Dine in or carryout.
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You’ll find morel mushrooms on occasion. And lots of rich preps of duck, lamb, beef and fish. If you don’t mind a little heat, the few seats at the kitchen counter (in view of the chefs) are the most entertaining spots in the house. Read more…
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A friendly, casual little bar where the sandwiches can be quirky (kimcheese, Brussels sprout grinder) and tasty. Good Monday $5 burger special. Brunch menu features things like breakfast. Read more…
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Earlier this year, Char’d Bar & Grill opened in the Third Ward’s former Hinterland, and it’s less focused on tradition than a broader, fusion type of dining. The owners of Char’d run a sister restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island. Read more…
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The Spanish-influenced plates are small, but the flavors are not. The interior says ??reclaimed old Milwaukee storefront.?? Weekly live flamenco guitar, and flowing gin and tonics, say ??Madrid.?? Pair all that Espana with croquetas (fritters), meatballs, tostas (open-faced sandwiches) and paella.