Favorite (cheap) eating spots

[Bikeage77]

In the Milwaukee area, what are some of your favorite places to go? I love trying out new places, but we don't go out for fine dining or tapas unless it's our anniversary.

 

Some of my favorites are:

Cafe Centro (Riverwest Italian)

Cielito Lindo (Walker's Point Mexican)

GTO'S (Bay View Mexican)

Sobelman's (Menomonee River Burgers)

EE Sane (East Side Curry)

[bani1717]

Matty's in New Berlin - food is decent and they have an awesome outdoor patio (including shaded and unshaded areas, a giant outdoor TV, and a nice fire pit)

[gypcasino]

Off the top of my head here, you can't go wrong at any of these places

 

Thai Bar B Q- 3417 W National http://thaibarbq.com/

Pho Cali- 4756 S 27th http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-cali-milwaukee

Pho Hai Thuyet- 204 W Layton- http://www.phohaituyet.com/

Fortune- 5512 S 108th- http://fortunehalescorners.com/home-page/

Taqueria El Cabrito- 1100 S 11th http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-el-cabrito-milwaukee-4

El Salvador- 2316 S 6th http://www.elsalvadorrestaurants.com/

Nite Owl- 830 E Layton http://www.yelp.com/biz/nite-owl-ice-cream-parlour-and-sandwich-shoppe-milwaukee

Oscar's Pub & Grill 1712 W Pierce http://www.oscarsonpierce.com/

Mazos- 3146 S 27th http://www.mazoshamburgers.com/

Golden Gyros- 7233 W Lincoln http://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-gyros-milwaukee

El Tucanazo-- 2940 S 13th http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-tucanazo-milwaukee

JC King's- 3128 S 13th- http://www.yelp.com/biz/jc-kings-tortas-milwaukee

Bombay Sweets- 3401 S 13th http://www.bombaysweetsmilwaukee.com/

Coach's- 5356 S 13th http://www.coachspubngrill.com/

The Hideaway- 9643 S 76th http://www.hideawaypubandeatery.com/

Dr Dawg- 6969 N Port Washington & 7700 W Layton http://www.drdawg.net/main_page.html

 

If you want to do tapas or go a little fancier but not spend a lot of money check for example Pastiche, 3001 S KK, they have Happy Hour if you sit at the bar with half price glasses of wine and half price apps on Mon, Wed, & Thurs. http://pastichebistro.com/

[Bikeage77]

I dunno how I forgot JC Kings. Their chilanga torta is to die for.

[adamb100]

Fratelli's on 62nd and Lincoln in West Allis. Best kept secret in the city - http://www.fratellispizzacafe.com/

[fondybrewfan]

I am taking the family on a mini vacation in July down to Milwaukee. Staying at the Country Springs Hotel & Waterpark in Waukesha and going to a Brewer game, County Zoo, and Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Any good family friendly places in that area (Within 15 minutes or so)? Like most kids; my little girls love their cheeseburgers and pizzas. Probably look at going to one halfway expensive place (maybe average entrée is $20-25) and one cheap burger/pizza joint.

 

On that same token, has anyone ever been to this hotel? I was hoping to find a waterpark for the kiddos that isn't nuts like the Wisconsin Dells. We went to Tundra Lodge in Green Bay last year. It appears this is a relatively new place; water park looks a lot bigger than Tundra Lodge. $115/night including waterpark passes just seems really cheap. That is like $250 or $300 in the Dells.

[lcbj68c]

On that same token, has anyone ever been to this hotel? I was hoping to find a waterpark for the kiddos that isn't nuts like the Wisconsin Dells. We went to Tundra Lodge in Green Bay last year. It appears this is a relatively new place; water park looks a lot bigger than Tundra Lodge. $115/night including waterpark passes just seems really cheap. That is like $250 or $300 in the Dells.

 

My Dad used to maintain that hotel for their regular pest control service (normal ops, they had no problems). I accompanied him once and was amazed at the facility. There was plenty to do for children and the waterpark features were akin to the Dells as you mentioned. Easy peasy access to I-94 and plenty of restaurants nearby, though I don't have any reviews of them personally. The limited interaction that I recall with their customer service folks seemed top notch. I think you made a great choice.

[Jimbo]

I am taking the family on a mini vacation in July down to Milwaukee. Staying at the Country Springs Hotel & Waterpark in Waukesha and going to a Brewer game, County Zoo, and Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Any good family friendly places in that area (Within 15 minutes or so)? Like most kids; my little girls love their cheeseburgers and pizzas. Probably look at going to one halfway expensive place (maybe average entrée is $20-25) and one cheap burger/pizza joint.

 

On that same token, has anyone ever been to this hotel? I was hoping to find a waterpark for the kiddos that isn't nuts like the Wisconsin Dells. We went to Tundra Lodge in Green Bay last year. It appears this is a relatively new place; water park looks a lot bigger than Tundra Lodge. $115/night including waterpark passes just seems really cheap. That is like $250 or $300 in the Dells.

 

Riverfront Pizza isn't far from Discovery World.

 

What do you want to know about Country Springs? I live ten minutes away?

[Jimbo]

Ma Fischer's

The Gyro Stand (Clement & Oklahoma)

City Market (Watertown Plank Rd.)

[gypcasino]

Country Springs?

 

Fun fact- My first job ever was there, whatever it was called back in 1987, washing dishes in the restaurant.

[Patrick425]

I am taking the family on a mini vacation in July down to Milwaukee. Staying at the Country Springs Hotel & Waterpark in Waukesha and going to a Brewer game, County Zoo, and Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Any good family friendly places in that area (Within 15 minutes or so)? Like most kids; my little girls love their cheeseburgers and pizzas. Probably look at going to one halfway expensive place (maybe average entrée is $20-25) and one cheap burger/pizza joint.

 

On that same token, has anyone ever been to this hotel? I was hoping to find a waterpark for the kiddos that isn't nuts like the Wisconsin Dells. We went to Tundra Lodge in Green Bay last year. It appears this is a relatively new place; water park looks a lot bigger than Tundra Lodge. $115/night including waterpark passes just seems really cheap. That is like $250 or $300 in the Dells.

 

 

I live in Waukesha 3 miles south of Country Springs. I've been there 3 or 4 times when my son was younger and attended b-day parties or other gatherings there. The water park has actually been there for a while (at least 10 years I believe?). I don't think it would be overcrowded in July since it's an indoor water park. A couple of thoughts regarding food:

 

- Just north of Country Springs, off of Hwy 16 and Merton Ave (near Arrowhead HS) is a burger/ice cream joint called Sweet Dreams. Nothing really great, but a little bit of a throwback burger joint.

- On Hwy 83 & I94, not too far West of Country Springs there are some eateries, including Water Street Brewery. There is Marty's Pizza about a half a block south of I-94 on 83. Pretty decent pizza, popular with families.

- There is a beach front area on WI Ave in Pewaukee that is very popular during the summer. There are 3 or 4 restaurants there including a Chocolate Factory and a Mexican restaurant.

- There is also Wisconsin Cue Club on Grandview in Waukesha (basically just on the other side of the freeway from where you are staying). It's a bar and doesn't sound like a place for kids, but they have a good (and increasingly popular) fish fry and if you go during supper time, I do see families in there. It's well lit (not a dive bar) and many times I'll see kids playing pool (they have a dozen or so pool tables) or foosball after the family has had dinner.

 

To be honest with you, we have lived in Waukesha for 15 years and have found that there are not of ton of "mid-priced" places to eat out there. There are the fancier, more expensive places in Pewaukee and Lake Country and then there are chain restaurants (Chilis, BW3, Friday's, etc.). Nothing really unique in the middle. If you find something, let us know!

 

If you are going to Betty Brinn, you may be better off finding a place to eat in downtown Milwaukee. I have worked downtown for 20+ years, but am not terribly familiar with all the eating establishments since I tend to go to the same places for lunch every day (I'm sure others on this board are). If you are downtown on a weekday, you can try the "Downtown Kitchen" (I think that's what it's called?) run by Bartalotta's in the U.S. Bank building. Decent selection and reasonably priced, but I don't think it's open at night or on weekends. Or possibly Real Chili. If you never heard of it, it's a Milwaukee mainstay (even Jerry Seinfeld has eaten there when he was in town).

[gypcasino]

If you find something, let us know!

 

Mr Wok on Silvernail is fantastic. Off the menu, not the buffet.

 

On Hwy 83 & I94, not too far West of Country Springs there are some eateries, including Water Street Brewery. There is Marty's Pizza about a half a block south of I-94 on 83. Pretty decent pizza, popular with families.

 

Delafield Brewhaus also. I'm not a fan but it's family friendly. But yeah, Marty's is a solid choice.

[fondybrewfan]

Downtown Kitchen looks like it might be a real solid place to go for lunch when we go to Betty Brinn, good tip.

 

No one has said anything bad about Country Springs so that is good; given the low price I was afraid it might just be a dump or in a bad area.

 

We are willing to go out of our way if there is a awesome pizza place if anyone has recommendations; I don't know Milwaukee all that well. Doc's Dry Dock in Pewaukee has good online reviews.

[Hammer]

Another fun fact...that is the hotel that my wife and I had our wedding reception at 13 GLORIOUS years ago. Anyway, it is really nice as a family place...

[trwi7]

-Just north of Country Springs, off of Hwy 16 and Merton Ave (near Arrowhead HS) is a burger/ice cream joint called Sweet Dreams. Nothing really great, but a little bit of a throwback burger joint.

- On Hwy 83 & I94, not too far West of Country Springs there are some eateries, including Water Street Brewery. There is Marty's Pizza about a half a block south of I-94 on 83. Pretty decent pizza, popular with families.

 

Definitely recommend these two places with kids. Sweet Dreams is like a 50s Diner, which is kinda cool. Ice cream as well, which is nice in July.

 

Marty's is pretty expensive but is good. I think calling their pizza pretty decent is selling them way short.

[docduany]

The family and I stayed at Country Springs this past summer. I had no complaints and we would go back there. Our daughter was 2 1/2 and enjoyed the water park (there was enough for her to do there as well as our 6 year old God daughter.)

 

Speaking of Tundra Lodge, we loved it. Would recommend it. And Bay Beach amusement park was also a winner in Green Bay.

[Outlander]

We are willing to go out of our way if there is a awesome pizza place if anyone has recommendations; I don't know Milwaukee all that well. Doc's Dry Dock in Pewaukee has good online reviews.

Since you are with the family I would recommend going to Organ Piper Pizza right around hwy 100 and Layton. It is a place to experience at least once.

 

Regarding the Country Springs, the water park is probably around 20 years now and starting to feel a little dated. Still an enjoyable place for the price but nothing like the Dells in my opinion. Definitely not in a bad area though.

[fondybrewfan]

We will definitely go to Sweet Dreams and now I have two pizza places to pick from; Marty's or Organ Piper.

[Bikeage77]

fondy, I'd second Organ Piper. My wife and I used to go there around her birthday every year until she realized she had a wheat allergy.

 

I'd suggest AJ Bombers on Water and Juneau for burgers. The decor is pretty fun, when overhead steel planes pushed to your table where a buncha peanuts fall into a bowl. You can throw the shells on the floor and I believe you can draw on the walls. Burgers aren't my favorite in Milwaukee, but they're still good. The girls might get a kick outta that. I'd go there closer to lunch time, I think nights it's pretty crowded.

[Patrick425]

Another fun fact...that is the hotel that my wife and I had our wedding reception at 13 GLORIOUS years ago. Anyway, it is really nice as a family place...

 

Now that I think of it, my wife had her wedding shower there 21+ years ago. Also, her 25th HS reunion was there.

 

Also Fondy, I grew up in West Allis and the Organ Piper was always a big hang out for us back then. Have not been there in a long time, but if it's anything like it was 30 years ago, it's a fun place for families. Not sure if others will agree, but between the two pizza places, I would say Organ Piper for the atmosphere and Marty's for the quality of pizza.

[fondybrewfan]

We will be down for 2.5 or 3 days; at this point I will try to hit up as many of Organ Piper, AJ Bombers, Downtown Kitchen, and Sweet Dreams as I can. They all seem like places my girls would enjoy. Selfishly I would also like to find a nice place; but it can be a real hassle taking 2 and 4 year olds to a nice place and have them not be a distraction. Maybe I can convince my soon to be retired mother in law to come down to Milwaukee for a night so just the wife and I could go out. I am thinking a nice Japanese/sushi place if that happens.

 

I agree on Tundra Lodge; it was a great vacation. Bay Beach was fun and incredibly cheap and Green Bay has a nice Children's Museum as well. Took a tour of Lambeau and had some good food. I would do that trip again. Titletown Brewing Company and A'Bravo both had really good food. I also hit up Joe's Texas BBQ for lunch one day; probably the best BBQ I have ever had although admittedly WI isn't exactly known for many good BBQ places so I have nothing to compare it too other than Famous Dave's in Appleton. A'Bravo was a nicer place and the staff there were fantastic with the girls, drinks and food were great. That place is a little off the beaten path but totally worth it.

[CheezWizHed]

Its been 20 years, but the Forum Family Restaurant on HWY100 and Layton was always a great spot. Huge portions and not expensive. Large variety of foods also.

[FVBrewerFan]

You can't make a trip to Milwaukee and miss Kopp's Frozen Custard! Great frozen custard, but even better cheeseburgers. They have several locations.

[datrain711]

I am taking the family on a mini vacation in July down to Milwaukee. Staying at the Country Springs Hotel & Waterpark in Waukesha and going to a Brewer game, County Zoo, and Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Any good family friendly places in that area (Within 15 minutes or so)? Like most kids; my little girls love their cheeseburgers and pizzas. Probably look at going to one halfway expensive place (maybe average entrée is $20-25) and one cheap burger/pizza joint.

 

On that same token, has anyone ever been to this hotel? I was hoping to find a waterpark for the kiddos that isn't nuts like the Wisconsin Dells. We went to Tundra Lodge in Green Bay last year. It appears this is a relatively new place; water park looks a lot bigger than Tundra Lodge. $115/night including waterpark passes just seems really cheap. That is like $250 or $300 in the Dells.

 

Literally right across I-94 from Country Springs (On Silvernail Rd) is a mexican place called Plaza Garibaldi. I live a 1/2 mile from there. The food is really, really good. Prices are good too. I have eaten at most good mexican places and this holds up very well.

[Invader3K]

Any of you ever been to the Swingin' Door Exchange in downtown Milwaukee? The wife and I had dinner there a couple weeks back, before the Gaslight Anthem concert, and the food was surprisingly good. Very old school kind of bar, but very pleasant atmosphere. Prices were very reasonable. Good cocktails, too.