Barnacle Bud's

A beach-style shack in Bay View

Adam and I had a blast with the whole kayaking thing a couple weeks back — and that day was also our first trip to Barnacle Bud’s. I’d been in the dark about this place for a long time it seems, but I recently started hearing great things about it from lots of people. A dockside restaurant that serves grouper sandwiches? Am I in Florida?

And that’s really how it feels — so Florida. Or the Bayou. It’s a vacation from Milwaukee, wherever it is. We sat on the patio at a huge wooden picnic table — large enough for our group to sit comfortably, while still allowing cozy moments between any willing lovebirds. (Here's looking at you, Becca & Jacob, you crazy kids!)  

For drinks, most of the group indulged in the weekend bloody mary bar or tropical cocktails in mason jars. I went for beer. Lots of us ordered grouper of some kind, and it was tasty — not mind-blowing, but tasty. And where else can you get a grouper sandwich in Milwaukee? 

I had my sandwich cajun-style (blackened with spicy seasoning) and Adam had his fried. Both sammies were topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce with some sadly bland crinkle-cut fries. Nothing a little ketchup won’t fix, but still a disappointment.

Would I go back to Barnacle Bud’s on food alone? I’m not sure. But it’s the combo of atmosphere and vacation-like eats that makes me say, overall, I’d very happily bop back to Bud’s. It’s just so cheerful and refreshing! The interior decor is plenty fun, too. I can imagine sitting at the Barnacle Bud’s bar mid-winter would feel like a nice break from reality. But if you're able to go on a beautiful summer day, do it. This is one stay-cation you want to take!