Silver City and Burnham Park are some of the most diverse neighborhoods in Milwaukee, and this is reflected in the food choices on offer. If you have a day off, spend it it eating at some of their top restaurants – you won’t regret it.
READ MORE FROM OUR “WHAT TO EAT NOW” FEATURE HERE.
Breakfast
Albañil Omelet
FIESTA CAFÉ | 3812 W. GREENFIELD AVE.
The three-egg omelet alone says protein-packed morning meal, while the thick black bean sauce and toppings of crumbled chorizo and queso fresco say you better be hungry. Mmm.
Hot Mocha
ESCUELA VERDE NEWLINE COMMUNITY CAFÉ | 3618 W. PIERCE ST.
Order a pick-me-up at this unique little coffee shop/community hub staffed by students of charter school Escuela Verde. Hot mocha is a latte fortified with chocolate – dopamine-releasing morning decadence. Open limited weekly hours.
Berry Pancakes
ORENDA RESTAURANT | 3514 W. NATIONAL AVE.
Learned at around age 4: Pancakes rule. Learned by around age 37: There is no age limit for that rule. Soft, fluffy and hot from the skillet, pancakes lend themselves to many topping routines. Orenda’s classic fresh berries and dusting of powdered sugar are just the right amount of sweetness.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Lunch
Banh Mi Burger
OSCAR’S WINNER’S CIRCLE | 3800 W. BURNHAM ST.
The hamburgers here are chameleonic, and this one has a Vietnamese twist including a pickled medley (carrots, radish, red onion), melted fontina, crisp cucumber, fresh cilantro and sesame garlic sauce. This burger is a flavor bomb!
Fish Sandwich
MCKIERNAN’S PUB | 2066 S. 37TH ST.
Two pieces of fried cod on a soft bun with tartar sauce is a simple recipe. And a good one! Order the creamy slaw as your side and use it as a sandwich topping. It’s saucy good.
Laab Salad
BAMBOO | 3427 W. NATIONAL AVE.
A dish foundational to Lao cuisine, this minced beef salad mingles textures: warm meat juxtaposed with crisp, cool bean sprouts, cabbage and sliced cucumber. Flavor layering is on point, from the pungent fish sauce to the peppery Thai mint.
Dinner
Parrillada
EL SEÑORIAL | 1901 S. 31ST ST.
A specialty of the house at this homey Mexican spot, the mixed grill comes in two varieties. Both feature beef tips, Mexican sausage and steak, but for an extra $1, you also get chicken legs and pork loin. It comes with tortillas, plus rice and beans, guac and pico de gallo, to make into some of the most succulent tacos.
Mofongo with Pernil
SABOR DIVINO | 3300 W. LINCOLN AVE.
Mofongo – fried, mashed plantains – is one of Puerto Rican cuisine’s great creations, a blank canvas that resourceful cooks like to build on. And nothing beats mofongo seasoned with bacon and lots of garlic, served with shredded roast pork.
Volcano Chicken
SIAM THAI | 4819 W. NATIONAL AVE.
Living up to its fiery name, Siam’s volcano chicken – crispy fried chicken in sweet Thai chili sauce – is served flaming. How they keep the chicken tender and moist is beyond me. And I love the sticky sauce.
