Engine Company 3

Farm-to-table breakfast & lunch in Walker's Point

Delicious, locally-sourced, and chockfull of history and charm, Engine Company 3 is a Walker's Point must-try for breakfast and lunch (Tuesday through Friday) and weekend brunch. The restaurant is housed in a renovated fire station, highlighting the history of the neighborhood while capturing that trendy retro-industrial vibe. 

The restaurant isn't large, which is why they recommend making a reservation. You can do so up to 24 hours in advance, even for weekend brunch. But FYI: Space is limited and parties larger than six won't all fit at one table or booth, even with a reservation.

Engine Company 3 prides itself on sourcing local purveyors, not just for its foodstuffs but also its drink. You can sip on Valentine coffee and house-made Arti-Sans sodas mixed with natural ingredients like ginger and citrus. The place also caters to on-the-go folks in the community with a daily Commuter Breakfast — handheld eats for (who else?) Milwaukee commuters. It's pretty cool to witness the many innovative ways Engine Company 3 maintains a local focus.

But now let's talk food. My lovely coworker Jenny and I have this beautiful understanding when it comes to out-of-the-office work lunches — that is, splitting two dishes so that we can try more things. The first half of our shared meal was the Brekkie Scone. 

What makes this scone — which is more like a wonderfully dense buttermilk biscuit — special is that there's bacon and cheddar baked into it. The scone is sandwiched with egg and an extra slice of cheese. Simple but totally scrumptious. The potatoes were good too, when dipped in a side of aioli (ask your waiter for some). 

The second half of our meal was the Patacon con Huevo, a favorite among Yelp reviewers. It's a platter of fresh tomato sauce, cilantro rice with black beans, and a sunny-side-up egg on a bed of fried plantains. Our waitress smartly suggested we add a side of chorizo, and kudos to her for that. This dish was so full of flavor and freshness — I'm a huge fan!