heading out to WI this weekend to take in Lambeau and watch the mighty dolphins defeat your packers.

it's going to be a whirlwind weekend and i'm looking for a few rec's.

flying into MKE on Friday -> Madison on saturday for the Ohio State/Wisconsin game -> Green Bay on sunday and fly out monday.

for MKE, the names i've seen for some good German eats: Mader's and Karl Ratzsch. are these worth it? are they casual or are reservations required?

which brewpubs are musts? Water Street? Lakefront? Stonefly?

i've also read that friday night is big for fish fry. is it worth seeking one out - like the Historic Turner? it seems as most of the brewpubs offer a fish fry as well.

how about Madison? one of my buddies has been trying to incorporate a visit to all the burger joints in the Hamburger America book over the past couple years. so, Dotty Dumpling's Dowry or The Plaza?

hook me up with some inside info pls!

enjoy some frozen custard and cream soda

i can't offer an opinion on any of those questions, but you should hit up a culver's at some point.

When in Madison, make sure you go to the Student Union for a few pitchers after the game, it's a great spot, especially if they win....oh shit, this is a night game, I forgot, then you might want to go before the game if you can. I don't have tickets, but I'll probably be a tailgate party beforehand.

As far as places to eat, um... http://www.smokysclub.com/ is a old fashioned steak joint, where you can get a good cocktail and a nice meal. For a little cheaper fare...Tex Tubb's Taco's or Monty's Blue Plate Diner on the East Side are both good food, and good atmosphere.

I'd be interested to hear your reactions to your trip.

no he should not

Do you enjoy Wu-tang Clan? Do you like lesbians? If yes to each, go to Stonefly ("Stonopa"... as it were formerly Onopa). Hit up House of Frank n' Stein across the street, as well.

For fish-fry, I am less helpful. Serb Hall has the big one, but might be a little too sterile/commercial for a (typical) Obner's taste.

Also: Culver's? Pshaw! Gilles's or Kopp's.

Lakefront Brewery shouldn't be missed either.

Dude. Cheese curds. Seriously.

I haven't lived here long, but definitely Kopp's over Culvers.

Lakefront Brewery is definitely good as well - the best fish fry in my opinion.

and if you haven't seen the Milwaukee Art Museum, which was designed by Spanish architect Calatrava, you should go.


the building is incredible and they frequently have some really good exhibits

http://www.mam.org/info/details/calatrava.php

thanks dudes. so Lakefront = yes. Stonefly is crossed off the list (thanks for the heads up on that one Monty)

paper, do you know either of those burger joints mentioned in the first post?

no opinions on german food in milwaukee? who else is up there - Busty? Chowgurt ? Is the Booger Mart still open?

keep the suggestions coming, i appreciate it.

Wow, he needs to pop in at the very least.

Ok I'm not there any more of course, but I'll help where I can. Really you need Busty for Milwaukee / burger related info.

Mader's: I ate there with the Mrs something like 8 years ago and it was good. Never been to the other place. But I will say that Essen Haus in Madison is a decent second alternative, should you need it. The food's not bad, very real german, and the atmosphere is 300% oompah / lederhosen. Good mix of families dancing to the oompah bands and students at the bar downing huge glass boots of beer later in the evening.

Burger Joints: Dotty's is fine from what I recall, nothing holy-shit-amazing. Busty / Bustette used to have a favorite hole in the wall but it was nowhere near downtown. My favorite burger wasn't a simple / plain / old-fashioned one, but more of a gourmet one called Bob's Bad Breath Burger at a joint on Williamson Street called The Weary Traveler. I really like that place, btw... excellent local microbeer on tap, great menu, good dark atmosphere. Unique, interesting, delicious place. The Bad Breath burger has like Pickapeppa sauce and goat cheese I think... there's more to it and it fucking rules, the wife knows what's on it - she once tended bar there. Anywho. If you eat there, imagine Squirrgle up in the corner playing Johnny Cash covers with a small band like the good old days. sigh.

Lakefront Brewery, MKE: GREAT location, so-so beer. Worth a visit but don't expect much from their brews. Not shitty, but very meh. The building is right on the river, it's fucking gorgeous.

Student Union, Madison: Is amazing for sure, but remember that someone needs a student ID to buy beer, or someone has to join the Hoofers Club (student physical activities club, they run the sailboats and dive classes, etc). I don't believe you can just waltz up and buy beer. You used to not be able to, anyway, but we had UW ID's. Someone might go get you one if you buy them a pitcher. It's worth it, the beers are great and cheap, and you're right on the water on terraced tables.

Booger Mart: is no more. Sunrise, sunset.



Like I said, you need Busty to appear for good recs in Milwaukee.

Try to go when it is moving.

I've heard Dotty Dumpling's Dowry is good, but never been, the Plaza rings a bell, but haven't been there either.

The Kegel Inn in Milwaukee is a really good German Place. I've heard Karl Ratzsch's is good too.

squirggle, thank you for chiming in. that burger does sound awesome.

Oh, & how could I forget?

Burgers: Sobelmann's, on St. Paul Street, near the Marquette campus.

Madison:

I'd second The Weary Traveler for an interesting quality burger.

If you're interested in the best beer in Wisconsin without the ambiance, hit up The Ale Asylum for a few pitchers or a couple growlers. It's on the same side of town as The Weary Traveler.

THE place to go for a fish fry is supposed to be The Avenue Bar off of East Washington; but the wait isn't usually worth it, nor is the food in my opinion. I've eaten a shitload of fish fries in Madison, and by far the best all-you-can-eat family style fish fry with cheap drinks is a supper club on the East Side called Kavanaugh's Esquire. It's kind of a townie joint, but good authentic shit.

The Essen Haus is a given place to finish an evening. AND all those places are on one the East and Near East side of town.

don't forget to bring some brick cheese as a souvenir.

Sup?

So yeah in Milwaukee Mader's is king for German stuff. Never been there myself, but ask anyone and they'll tell you the same. Get a reservation because I'm sure there are gonna be a ton of people in Milwaukee going to Madison for the game too and eating there.

My favorite spot in Milwaukee to eat and drink is Comet Cafe. It's been on that Diners Dives & Drive-thrus show or whatever, and it's fucking AMAZING. Great beer selection, and just great food. - http://www.thecometcafe.com/

The best fish fry in Milwaukee by a long shot is at Lakefront Brewery. You eat in a huge beer hall and they've got the band cranking out the oompah music. Fun atmosphere to be sure. Cap'N's right, the beer ain't all that but I've a shit-ton worse ones. Get the Riverwest Stein, you'll be fine.

Don't bother with Water Street Brewery, it's too touristy for my taste and the beer just isn't good.

If you have wheels head down to Bayview to one of two places for great beer selection:

Sugar Maple - http://www.mysugarmaple.com/

Romans Pub - http://www.romanspub.com/

Aaaaaw yeah I fucking LOVE that place. Great fattyfatfat fat food, and always a great beer selection. So goddam good.

I endorse this joint. Also, whatever bar in Madison I literally jumped out the window of.

... I don't remember that. Do I? At what point of the evening was it?

The point when people are drunk enough to jump out of windows.

So in your case (back then) about 9:30pm?