Best Milwaukee Area Fish Frys

I was conversing with my good friend and business associate Dan Birschbach this afternoon. Dan is an aficionado of Milwaukee fish frys. I asked him what some of his favorites were. He sent me this e-mail with his picks:

Well, it’s Friday…again. It’s my favorite day of the week. Not just because I don’t have to work tomorrow, either. Friday is undoubtedly the best day of the week to live in Wisconsin. Where else can you have a fish-fry…just because it is Friday? What do they do in other states on Friday?

That being said, here are my top five picks for Friday Fish-Fry’s in the Milwaukee (& surrounding area):

1. Mineshaft –Hartford. It is a drive to get there. You will have to wait (Even though they keep expanding the place). But, trust me; it is more than worth the wait. Dessert: they usually have bands playing later in the night if you want to stick around.
2. MJ Stevens –Hartford. It is just as far as the Mineshaft (in miles traveled). They have the same waiting time as well. They are a CLOSE second. It is VERY hard to put them second since they could be first as well. Dessert: they have an outdoor patio/bar which is awesome in the summer to hang out and have a few drinks at while you wait.
3. Lakefront Brewery –Commerce Ave. Neat place…especially for guest from out of town. As long as you don’t mind sitting with strangers (Served cafeteria style). Good (GREAT) beer. Good fish. And you can get a brewery tour! Dessert: You get to listen to a polka band to boot!
4. The Blue Herron –Big Bend. Another drive, but well worth it! All you can eat for 10 bucks or so. I remember their soup being pretty darn good too! Dessert: non-fish eaters like this place ‘cause it is all you can eat baked and fried fish and fried chicken.
5. Benno’s -74th & Greenfield. Small place. Always a wait. But worth it. Great fish specials (Walleye, etc.) Dessert: While you wait, try one of their 30 or so beers they have on tap.

Didn’t make the list but are right up there: The Bosh (108th & Janesville Rd.), The Green 7 (Green Bay Rd in Glendale), Maxwell’s (Mooreland Rd inside the Best Western), Howards (County Line Rd in Mequon-Try their soup!), Champion Chicken (87th & Lisbon Ave), and Palla’s Greek Restaurant (108th and Greenfield).

Posted by chuck at January 14, 2005 4:02 PM

Comments

McBob’s is my favorite.

Posted by: Chuck at January 14, 2005 4:07 PM

Best Fish Fry in Los Angeles:

Eating a Burger King Whaler in your car on the 101 freeway in your 90th minute of commuter traffic.

Count your damn blessings back there in the Mil. You can’t even get 1/10 of Hooligan’s level bar food in this town. No custard, No Fish Fries, uggggh……….

-Andy

Posted by: Andy Gorzalski at January 14, 2005 5:23 PM

……..of course the legion of Hot, non-sweater wearing, tan super-chicks in the middle of January on Melrose Ave. kind of replaces good tartar sauce.

Posted by: Andy Gorzalski at January 14, 2005 5:25 PM

McBob’s stands out for me. Also, us nice Polish boys from the South Side must not forget Crocus, the authentic Polish restaurant loaded with fresh Polska immigrant waitresses. There’s something about a 20-year-old woman who speaks middling English and carries an Eastern European accent that makes my fish fry all the better.

Years ago the Italian Community Center had an outstanding fish fry/buffet/smorgasboard that nearly exploded my stomach after one particular gorge fest. I haven’t been there in years, though, and am not sure they still do it.

Also, since there’s a movement afoot to transfer the Center of Power to Waukesha County, I must mention Zilli’s, 613 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha. Grown men have been known to weep with joy at the mere mention of its name.

Posted by: Jim at January 17, 2005 9:54 AM