Port of Call

Outdoor seating & so-so eating

Before seeing Motown last week, my mom and I dined at Port of Call. We'd kind of exhausted the other obvious options around the Marcus Center: Rumpus Room, Rock Bottom, Water Street Brewery... We weren't overly impressed with any of them. Well, my mom wasn't — I actually did enjoy my sandwich at the Rumpus Room and would for sure go back. But overall, the dining around the PAC is a bit of a disappointment (not counting the pricey Kil@wat, which I have yet to try).

We'd hoped that Port of Call would prove to be wonderful and thereby solve all future theater district dining issues forevermore. It wasn't meant to be. My mom enjoyed her burger, but my salad was kinda sad. I just kept thinking of ways to make it better: different cheese, adding nuts, etc. I'd maybe go back someday and try something different, but I'm not clamoring to return. Sorry Port of Call!

But they do have a nice patio, with a lovely view of downtown Milwaukee and the river. But proceed with caution: The wind was blowing in such a way during dinner that the glorious smell of the river wafted our way. But we smiled through the stink and the salad that left me wanting as we took the riverwalk from Port of Call to the Marcus Center. That's one bonus: The riverwalk is pretty great and makes up for a lot of mediocrity. I just wish there were more no-fail, affordable dining options closer to the PAC. If anyone out there has a suggestion, I'd absolutely love to hear it!