Where to Eat

I have decided to go through my favorite eateries and drinking establishments in the area.

Best Restaurant: Crawdaddy’s (6414 West Greenfield Avenue)
I think everyone knows my favorite restaurant is Crawdaddy’s. If anyone comes to town and wants to go out for dinner that is the first place I mention. I don’t know what happened, but it is not nearly as crowded on a weekend night as it used to be, which is fine with me.
My Order: Dine in Alaskan Skatewing with Scallops and Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Takeout: Crawtails, Carrots and the House Rice (I mix it all together when I get home. I call it the Crawdaddy’s casserole.
http://www.crawdaddysrestaurant.com/index.php

Best Breakfast Food: Original Pancake House (16460 West Bluemound Ave)
Try the crepes, even though I always order the same thing for breakfast wherever I go.
My Order: Ham and Cheese Omelet and 2 Hot Chocolates.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

Best Burger: Sobelman’s (1900 West Saint Paul Avenue)
It is located down in the valley in an area that looks like it would be next to the Paper Street Soap Company from Fight Club.
My Order: Mushroom and Swiss burger. And if you can squeeze some bacon on there, you won’t hear me complain.
http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/

Best Cheap Food: Conejito’s Place (539 W. Virginia Street)
Food served on a paper plate. I remember going there in college when I only had $5 on me, but that was enough for a meal. The food is cheap and the margaritas are strong.
My Order: Enchiladas
http://www.conejitosplace.net/

Best Fish Fry: Painted Parrot (8028 West National Avenue)
They serve up an “All You Can Slam” fish fry on a garbage can lid. How can you go wrong?
My Order: Haddock with Potato Pancakes.
http://www.foodspot.com/Clients/WI/Milwaukee/PaintedParrot/default.aspx?accid=14697

Best Chinese: Panda Hut (7136 West Greenfield Avenue)
I’m not much for dining in at Panda Hut, in fact I never have. But it is a short 10 minutes round trip from my house for takeout.
My Order: The General’s Chicken
http://www.pandahutchinese.com/

Best Mexican: La Fuentes (625 South 5th Street)
It has been years since I have been here, but for a while I was there on a bi-monthly basis. The margaritas are great, but if you have to wait too long, the margaritas will make you forget how good the food is. And now they have a second place which opened up just down the road from me at 9155 West Bluemound Road.
My Order: Enchiladas Regulares: One Beef, One Pork and One Pollo.
http://www.ilovelafuente.com/lafuente-home.php

Best Wings: Rock Bottom Brewery (740 North Plankinton Avenue)
The biggest wings I have come across at any eating establishment. At one time they had all you can eat wings special in the basement on Thursdays, but the beer was over $10 a pitcher.
My Order: The Buffalo Wings, but they make me sweat.
http://www.rockbottom.com/Milwaukee

Best Custard: Gillies (7515 West Bluemound Road)
It is close by, walking distance from my house. The burgers aren’t too shabby either.
My Order: Raspberry Shake. I have from time to time diverted to the caramel apple sundae. It is so good you can add 3 pounds just by smelling it.
http://www.gillesfrozencustard.com/

Best Bar Food: Leff’s Luckytown (7208 West State Street)
I am a huge fan of their relatively new patio. Plus they have the biggest urinal in the city.
My Order: Cheese Curds and Chicken Tenders
http://www.leffs.com/


Best Bar Time Food: Oakland Gyros (2867 North Oakland Avenue)
Not a big shock that this is my favorite bar time food. I think it is great sober. And if you go there sober before bar time, you can take the secret hallway over to Axel’s (See favorite Dive Bar) for a beer.
My Order: Plain Gyro Sandwich, Extra Pita and Large Root beer.

Best Bar to be Seen at: Iron Horse (500 West Florida Street)
I have always found this to be a cool bar, but then again to be cool unfortunately you have to be expensive. Fortunately it is across the roundabout from Conejito’s, so you can call it a wash if you eat there.
http://www.theironhorsehotel.com/

Best Dive Bar: Axel’s (2895 North Oakland Avenue)
Right when you walk in, there is no question about it, this is a dive bar. The Thursday night special is $3 pitchers of Busch Light. $3 for a pitcher of beer!!!!

Best Downtown Bar: Buck Bradley’s (1019 Old World 3rd Street)
This bar is rumored to have the longest bar east of the Mississippi. It stretches the length of the building.
http://www.buckbradleys.com/

Best Beer Garden: The Harp (113 East Juneau)
I know the deck is getting a little old, and the river sometimes smells and is always brown. But it is still my favorite. It is a great place to meet for lunch during the business day and then never return to work.
http://www.theharpirishpub.com/