Bad English

A Milwaukee food truck at Boone & Crockett 

I really want to love the Bad English food truck, so I'm going to need your help. The truck has been a new fixture at Boone & Crockett since June, giving Taco Moto a Filipino-style run for its money. Some of the Asian-inspired dishes look amazing. Others (the ones I tried) left me rather underwhelmed. Sad trombone. 

First up, the truck itself takes a good photo. The food is also photogenic. Purple rice topped with a veggie rainbow feels like a healthy choice, but it lacked a zing that would make me crave it. For a truck that says "Feeling Saucy?" I wondered: Where is the sauce? 

Then there were these little egg rolls. Listed on the menu board as featuring "Velveeta, sweet & spicy chili sauce & pickles," I was intrigued. Well, the rolls were straight-up filled with melty American cheese. That's it. Which is fun in a Velveeta-y way, but I dunno. 

I also tried a couple bites of noodles in a sweet & sour sauce — pretty good. But honestly, I've never been that into sweet & sour sauce, so I might be the wrong one to judge. 

Is this my most wishy-washy food review yet? Probably. The thing is, I want to want to go back to Bad English the next time I'm at Boone. I just haven't figured out what their stand-out dishes are. Please, for the love of all that's delicious, tell me: What should I be eating the next time I find myself at Bad English? 

Wisconsin State Fair 2019

Quick takes on fair food 

When you only have time for a weeknight trip to the fair, you have to choose your food wisely. How much can you pack in to your typical Tuesday night without instant regret? Here's what topped my list.

First up, the Buffalo Cheese Curd and Chicken Taco from Poncho Dogs. The textures are divine, the cheese melting into the chicken topped with blue cheese slaw and a drizzle of buffalo sauce, all in a chalupa-esque shell. Would get again and might not share.

My second-favorite pick is simple and delicious: Hot Wisconsin Cheese, from the booth plastered with the words "Hot Wisconsin Cheese." Melty and scrumptious as ever. Get the jalapeño ranch for dipping. 

Another crowd pleaser is the Deep Fried Italian Stallion at Water Street Brewery: thin slices of Italian beef, cheese, and giardiniera wrapped in a golden wonton. Ask for the au jus on the side.

We also went for the Dill Pickle Pizza from Rick's — a yummy-enough experiment, but we agreed it needs a drizzle of hot sauce. 

Don't bother with the Chicago Dog Nachos at Slim's PBR Park. 

For dessert, we went for the Brownie Waffle Stick from Waffle Chix. It was solid, but left me wondering if I should have gone for the deep-fried banana bread bites instead. Next year, maybe I'll move cream puffs onto my list of must-haves instead. Or deep-fried cookie dough, as I've never had it before. 

Don't forget to wash it all down with flavored milk! The peanut butter chocolate milk is pretty tasty — like the bottom of a bowl of Reese's Puffs. The mint, I'm told, is weak. At 50-cents a glass, it's worth trying them all just to say you did. 

I wonder: What tried-and-true deliciousness am I missing at the fair? Every year we collectively go for the novelties, while surely there are some simple pleasures flying under the radar. Take Hot Wisconsin Cheese — it's not making any lists, but it's firmly planted at the top of my list. So what other foods exist at the fair that don't need gimmicks to stay delicious? Please enlighten me in the comments.

The Tandem

Down-to-earth food you can feel good about

If you haven't heard about the incredible things happening at The Tandem in Milwaukee, it's time to grab your friends and get some fried chicken and feel-good vibes in your life. OnMilwaukee's Lori Fredich very thoroughly told the Tandem story last September, but to sum up: Owner Caitlin Cullen is a badass lady, using down-to-earth food and an encouraging, yet no-nonsense managing style to legitimately change lives and help revitalize an entire community. 

The Tandem is located on Fon Du Lac Avenue, just far enough northwest of downtown for some folks to raise an eyebrow and opt to stay in their bubble. It's time to pop those bubbles, people. This little gem is just a four-minute drive from the Fiserv Forum, to put location into perspective — and it's worth the drive.




The Tandem atmosphere is homey, warm, and inviting. It was bustling on a Friday night with a catfish fry on the chalk Specials board. The fish fry was yummy — golden brown crust, white and flaky inside, and served with a pile of crinkle-cut fries and purple cabbage slaw. We started with fried okra (would repeat!) and hushpuppies (strangely bland, though a satisfying texture). 

Their signature Milwaukee Hot fried chicken is indeed hot, so proceed with some caution. The fried breading was crisped to perfection — for me, a deciding factor in repeat visits. The Tandem's plates of chicken are served with a drumstick, a thigh, and three sides. The potato salad was a runaway favorite at our table, and I personally enjoyed the mac 'n' cheese — creamy and saucy, not baked and congealed. 

We did wait a while for our food, but that's not to say the service was poor. The cool thing about Tandem is how genuine everyone is and how upfront and honest they are about the goings-on in their establishment. We saw owner Caitlin Cullen in the trenches with her staff, running to and from the kitchen and making sure each guest felt seen and tended to. We felt both.

When we arrived, her team needed 15 minutes to set up a table for our party of six (we didn't know they accepted reservations). Standing awkwardly by the door, Cullen personally welcomed us and offered to snag us drinks while we waited. She also invited us to hang out at a reserved table in the mean time, with the understanding that we'd have to move if the scheduled party arrived. Cool with us. 

After taking our proper seats and ordering dinner, the fryer ended being super backed up. Instead of leaving us in limbo, they told us the news and we took it in stride. We were in no hurry, and even if we had been, their transparency would not have gone unappreciated. 

There really seems to be a beautiful synergy happening at The Tandem — between the members of the staff and the way they treat their clientele. Here, everyone is in it together; it takes a village, and that's okay. A place that's so open about its mission, the folks it hires and serves, and about its own growing pains — that's a place worth supporting. And let's not forget: damn good fried chicken. 

Lux Domes at Café Benelux

Winter on top of the Ward

Step aside, Brooklyn. Who says Milwaukee can't do winter-chic? 

A metal igloo, zippered-up plastic, and a space heater are all that stand between you and the Benelux rooftop in December. But yes, I swear it's chic! I was lucky enough to be one of a handful of Lux Domes guinea pigs earlier this month, and boy did we have a blast. 

Reservations are $200 for a dome that seats eight, and that cost includes one drink package, also for eight. Eight is the magic number to maximize resources. Benelux doesn't encourage bopping between domes; that's how things get drafty and unpleasant. Trust that the folks in charge have thought this through, and embrace the experience they've crafted. Eight or fewer, no moving between domes. 

You can add additional drink and food packages on top of the $200 — things like a platter of local cheeses, meats, pickles, seafood, oysters, and dessert bites. For drinks, sip mulled wine, hot toddys, hot cocoa with Rumchata, or a bier sampler package. Yes, you must be over 21 to visit the Domes. No, you can't order things from the regular menu; bite-sizes noshables are where it's at. 

While imbibing, the domes lend a lovely, wintry, outdoor-yet-cozy vibe. The temperature inside hovers around 50–55 degrees; warm enough to cast off coats, cool enough that we were all glad to be in layers, hats, and scarves. So dress for the cold, knowing you can always lose a layer if the space heater-supplied weather permits. 

As a package deal, the Lux Domes really do deliver a super dreamy time. Sitting around with friends, enjoying delicious food and drinks, further warming the dome with laughter and conversation — it's a real treat. The problem is, reservations are selling like hotcakes. Time slots are limited, spaced out in 1.5-hour increments throughout the holiday season and beyond. Good luck getting one.

The Benelux folks are also, understandably, working through any hiccups, as this is their first year attempting a rooftop winter wonderland. How will the domes fare in high winds? A snowstorm? Bitter cold? Some of these questions are, as yet, unanswered, so hopefully Milwaukeeans will be understanding of that. I'd wager that this experience will only become more luxurious as time goes on. 

Check out luxdomes.com for details, and sign up for the Lowlands email newsletter to be the first to hear about any new reservation time slots. To all you fancy-pants people who already secured your spot in the domes: enjoy that winter-chicness!

Up-Down Arcade Bar

Vintage arcade games, craft beer & nostalgia on tap

You're a child of the 80s or 90s. You step into Milwaukee's brand-new, much-buzzed-about arcade bar and you clutch your cohort's arm. "What year is it?" Neon on the walls, skee-ball, pinball, games galore. You notice Mrs. Doubtfire playing on one of the TVs and sigh a little. Then you spot Hook on a second TV and nearly cry. When they start streaming Land Before Time on a third screen, you brace yourself on the bar to keep from falling over.






Welcome to Up-Down Milwaukee, located at the curve where Water meets Brady. The place has a knack for triggering nostalgia and happy vibes. If Robin Williams in his prime doesn't do it for you, maybe replays of André the Giant, the killer craft beer list, or the spacious patios will. The Up-Down hits all the right notes, albeit for a rather specific slice of the population.

But I'd wager kids of all ages can get stoked over coming in first in Mario Kart or gunning down oozy aliens — and all games are just 25 cents to play. Our only complaints: On the four-player Simpsons game, just one controller worked. On the super-retro Super Mario Brothers game, the screen was glitchy, making it pretty tough to play. Lastly, according to the website, we were promised Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (an arcade game in which you basically have to dance battle your enemies), but it was nowhere to be found. 

These hiccups won't keep us away. Rather, I bet we'll be back combing the Up-Down for Moonwalker over a $5 slice of pizza in no time. 

Wisconsin State Fair

A few 2018 take-aways

If you're looking for a Wisconsin State Fair expert, I'll be the first to admit that you've come to the wrong place. Last Friday, however, I did spend a good six-ish hours eating my way through the fair with a couple of near-experts, so today I can speak from pretty solid experience. In brief: Hope you like fried cheese!





Top Specialty Eats 
Deep fried spinach lasagna from Albanese's Roadhouse. Deep fried French onion soup on a stick (yup) from Slim's PBR Park. The deep fried double stuffed s'mOreo sundae from Saz's Taste of Wisconsin. My cohorts also loved the cheese curd taco from Poncho Dog. I personally prefer my curds the old-fashioned way (read on!). 

Top Tried & True Eats 
Cheese curds from Hot Wisconsin Cheese. The pro tip? It has got to be the booth plastered with those glorious words: "Hot Wisconsin Cheese." And you gotta get the jalapeño ranch. These are hands down the meltiest cheese curds I've ever had the pleasure to binge. They actually outdid the specialty eats for me.

Feelin' Thirsty
Beer lovers, go to the craft beer garden at The Micro. The offerings are easily the best on the fair grounds. To the types of people who usually buy wine based on the label and sometimes choose beer based on the name, please note that the Milwaukee Brewing Company Cream Puff Ale is delicious and refreshing, but nothing like a cream puff. Kudos to the marketing team — you got me. The beer here is about $8. The everyman's beer elsewhere on the grounds is $6. You do you. 

Livin' for the Livestock 
Saw my first pig race! It's three super-fast rounds of adorableness, plus the inevitable pig puns. (Pigs with names like Ham-ah Montana and Notorious P.I.G.) If you're a real animal lover, take note of when certain livestock buildings close. The rabbits and chickens have a 4pm curfew, or at least they did last Friday. 

Flavored Milk: Meh 
Would it be a trip to the Wisconsin State Fair without some 50-cent flavored milk? Some people are all about it as a once-a-year must. I think that chocolate milk has survived the mainstream for a reason, and I don't feel any great loss by not having other flavors in my life. But it's probably one of the best deals at the fair, kiddos will love it, and it is a real Wisconsin novelty. So what da heck — if you're into it, get yourself some flavored milk der.

Washington Park Wednesdays

Where live music, killer eats & community vibes thrive

Spending an evening at Washington Park Wednesdays has earned a spot on my Milwaukee summer bucket list nearly every year for the past several, and 2018 was no exception. It all started with my dear friend and coworker at the time, Jane, who is one of the brilliant folks running the show at the Shell. Here she is — the people's queen! 

It's been fun to watch this once-small summer music series grow. While the turnout was rather sparse in its early days, the hill overlooking the Shell is now plenty hoppin' with a crowd that's beautifully diverse. The lineup of food offerings has also grown, boasting the likes of Pete's Pops, Pedro's South American Food, Press Waffles, and more. It's becoming a challenge to pick a delicious poison.

During my most recent spin at the Shell, I went for the pork arepas from Pedro's. Holy mackerel. Good luck tearing me away from Pedro's if this food truck is ever on the premises. 




Arepas for dummies (like yours truly): They're kinda like a corn cake patty stuffed with melted cheese, heaped with toppings and slathered in sauce. Get in mah belly! Did I save room for a Press waffle with Nutella? Why, yes. Yes I did. 

The music that night was latin, with a troupe of local samba dancers taking the stage between acts. Still coming up this season are the likes of No No Yeah Okay, Collections of Colonies of Bees, B-Free celebrating the music of Prince, the Extra Crispy Brass Band, and more. People start to gather in the park around 5pm, and music kicks off around 6:00. So put Washington Park Wednesdays on your summer bucket list, friends — it's earned a spot! 

3-2-1 Avocado toast!

A tasty tour of three Milwaukee toasts 

Sometimes, no matter how you fight your fears of being basic or tell yourself "I could make this at home," you still succumb to the avocado toast. Compared to piles of syrupy pancakes or benedicts drenched in sauce, avocado toast often feels like the lightest choice on the menu, and that's what keeps me coming back.

Here are three Milwaukee toasts I've tried in recent history. The favorite? It surprised me, too.

In Third Place, The Plaza Hotel. Here we have something that's lovely to look at, but lacked a je ne sais quoi. To be honest, I thought the avocado tasted a bit like the guac you get at Metro Market: fresh enough, but like it's been sitting out too long. The whole thing just didn't do it for me. And at $12, it really should do something more than look pretty in a picture. 

Second Place is really more like Tied-for-First, but I digress. Fuel Café on 5th Street has scrumptious food all around, and their avocado toast in no exception. Theirs is topped with tomato, whipped dill cream cheese (!), and served with a house salad. Delicious. This is $9 I'd spend again in a heartbeat. 

I've gotta give First Place to what I thought would be the dark horse in this race: Urban Beets Café. Urban Beets is a plant-based eatery, and they top their toast with coconut bacon. 

Say what!? Yes, their fresh avocado is topped with crunchy bits of toasted coconut prepared smoky-style, and those bits are then drizzled with plenty of finger-lickin' balsamic. It makes me do a happy dance. The best part? You can get just one toast, perfect for a small breakfast, for $3.95. Love.

If anyone has had an avocado toast that could rival these babies, sound off in the comments! Let's all be basic together. 

Nomad Nacional

The World Pub invites Milwaukee to “Taste la fun!” 

I don’t consider myself a Nomad girl. Soccer’s not my thing, and the famous Brady Street Prix Fix doesn’t set my world on fire. But when the World Pub announced its pop-up bar, taking over the former La Fuente space on the south side, my ears perked up. 




Nomad Nacional exists thanks to the World Cup, which starts on June 14th. But it's shaping up to be so much more than a bunch of bros chugging PBR and shouting about futbol. For starters, there’s food. I made the delicious mistake of trying the Pork Nalu Bowl upon my first visit, and now I can't go back. Seared pineapple, charred corn, pickled cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, and cilantro-lime rice — outrageously cravable. FYI: Happy Hour is Monday–Friday with $5 margs, Good City’s Nomad Summer Ale, and all-you-can-eat taquitos. 




The space itself is sprawling. There’s a massive interior with high ceilings, an upstairs, and two spacious patios. While there hasn’t been an extensive remodel of the old La Fuente (the interior mural remains, as do the vaguely grimy tables), the folks at Nomad have freshened the place with bright coats of paint and festive décor, inside and out. Want massive murals by local artists? They’ve got that too — about 10 murals total to ogle. It’s an insanely fun vibe, and one that’s begging to be Milwaukee’s new summer go-to. 




Plus, during the month-long World Cup celebration, there’s daily live music and DJs, local vendors, and special events on tap at Nacional. On Friday June 15th, Milwaukee favorite De la Buena will be in the house. For Father’s Day, there’s a pig roast, rock climbing wall, and reps form the Milwaukee Wave to kick around with the kiddos. Yes, everything at Nacional is family-friendly! They’re even countering Father’s Day with a Soccer Mom Sunday on June 24th, with free manicures for moms and specials on mimosas and white wine.




Last but not least, the alley behind Nomad Nacional will host a Vendor Village on select dates throughout the World Cup. Newaukee is hosting a three-day Night Market the weekend of June 28th, too. Could there be any more reason to pop by this pop-up? There’s something for everyone! Oh, and soccer. There will also be soccer. Lots of soccer (in the Fanzone, as they're calling it). With all there is at Nacional to get excited about, they might even eke a cheer or two out of me.

For music lineup, vendor info, and match schedules, follow Nomad Nacional on Facebook or visit nomadfanzone.com. 

The Café at the Pfister

One of downtown Milwaukee's best brunch secrets

If you haven't waltzed through the Pfister Hotel lobby, working your best "We've Got Elegance," you're missing out. And if you didn't know there's an adorable café in said lobby, open for everyone and not just fancy-pants hotel guests, you're also missing out.

Brimming with old school charm, The Café at the Pfister is open daily for seated breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch from 6am to 2pm. Until 8pm daily, you're welcome to snag coffee and a pastry from the barista & patisserie counter, then help yourself to a seat. For seated dining service, there's either in a nice-sized dining room or, my favorite, a row of tables along large street-facing windows. The space is sunny and cozy-casual with just a hint of fancy. After all, it is the Pfister.

I've only ever been for Sunday brunch, and I've never been disappointed. Hot coffee is served promptly, with a little porcelain jug of cream on the side. The Eggs Florentine, my go-to dish, is the kind of tried-and-true deliciousness you can depend on. By and large, you won't find hipster mumbo jumbo at the Pfister — though I did spy avocado toast on the menu, upon my last visit. So I guess there really is something for everyone!

As if the food and ambiance weren't enough, you're welcome to park in the Pfister structure. Take your ticket with you to the café, and your server will have it validated. That's right: Free and easy downtown parking. It's every bruncher's dream!  

Oh, and did I mention that you can snap your fingers and make a reservation? Show me another brunch spot that accepts reservations — and for just a party of two even! (No really, do you know of one? Because I don't.) Truly, you couldn't ask for a more delightful, non-stressful Sunday brunch than the Café at the Pfister — and sometimes easy breezy is better than hip and trendy. 

Tribeca Gallery Café & Books

Coffee, gifts & hard-to-find books in Walker's Point

Say it with me: Coffee and books. Yes, friends, there's a place in Milwaukee where you can sip lattes and browse shelves of unique reads — and it's not a Barnes & Noble Starbucks. It's Tribeca Gallery Café & Books, located on 1st Street in Walker's Point.

The café's original location is still in operation in downtown Watertown. It's been around since 2007, with the owner having opened a second location in Milwaukee in late 2017. At Tribeca, they're pouring Madison's Ancora Coffee and Milwaukee's own Pilcrow Coffee. Upon my most recent visit, I was informed that, once it's warmer out, Tribeca will indeed serve Pilcrow's beloved cold brew.

Up at the coffee counter, you'll find a selection of baked sweets. Though I have yet to grab a bite at Tribeca, there's always something scrumptious noted on the the resident chalkboard sign — usually a soup of the day and other light lunchables.

But my favorite thing about Tribeca: Books and gifts. There are a handful of goodies for coffee and tea lovers, an enticing little collection of greeting cards, a variety of pocket-sized notebooks, and books for both kids and adults. The book selection certainly isn't basic. There are hard-to-find and little-known titles, plus a solid selection of collectible classics. 

Point is, you'll never be bored while waiting for your coffee at Tribeca. Though the place is airy and spacious, there's lots of treasures to discover. And thus far, it's a rather quiet spot, ideal for hunkering down and getting some work done. So as you drive through Walker's Point to one favorite coffee shop or another, consider giving the new kid on the block a bit of local love. 

Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market

Fresh produce, jarred goodies & tasty eats

It broke this week that Milwaukee's Winter Farmers Market will be changing locations next season. It's currently held at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in the Greenhouse Annex. It's a lovely, sunny experience, so it's a bummer that things are getting all shook up next winter. But there are still a few weekends left to pop into the greenhouse and bask in all the deliciousness on display. The Winter Farmer's Market runs through April 14th.




Though there's not a ton of fresh produce (at least, not by noon, which is when I arrived), there's plenty else to tempt your palate and pocketbook. Almost everything is up for a taste test: a dozen or more cheeses, honey, pickles, salsa, hot sauce, and more. I walked away with some cheese and a jar of "Smokin'" sauce for my dad's birthday. There are also some handcrafted goods, like soaps & dog chews.




To keep up your strength as you shop, you can sip on Valentine coffee and stop at one of the food stands. I opted for a Press waffle with Nutella, but then spied someone eating a scrumptious-looking noodle soup that gave me slight buyer's remorse. Next time! Because really, it was all too great for there not to be a next time. 




You could easily spend an hour or more drifting along from booth to booth, sampling as you go and rubbing elbows with local growers and makers. Whether or not you actually buy anything, the Winter Farmers Market a fun experience — one that I'm sure folks will follow to its new home next year, wherever that may be.

Birch & Butcher

A contemporary Sunday brunch in downtown Milwaukee

Hip but humble, bright and spacious, smells of scrumptious smoked meat, coloring crayons for all — welcome to Birch & Butcher. A friend and I stopped in for brunch one Sunday mid-morning and fell a little bit in love with the place. The ambiance is relaxed and classy-cazh. For food, they aim to keep things as local as possible, noting that "the best we have to offer comes from not-so-far-away." 




With the great things I'd heard about this new-ish spot on Water and Pleasant, I fully expected a long wait — but there was none. Jackpot. We were seated at a cozy, outward-facing booth and immediately treated to paper menus and a jar full of crayons to keep us busy while we waited for coffee and mimosas. 

Sit-down brunch is only served on Sundays. All other days, Birch & Butcher offers casual counter service for breakfast and lunch starting at 7:30 in the morning. Daily offerings include the likes of freshly-baked bagels, avocado toast, and breakfast sandwiches. 




But Sundays are for treating yourself to something more decadent. We started with the Bread Plate of chocolate banana bread, fruit muffins, and waffle wedges. The banana bread and muffins were particular favorites. The waffles don't hold up to Press Waffles, but that's on me; you'd be hard pressed (pun intended) to find me a traditional Belgian waffle that does. The sweet selection is perfectly paired with cultured butter. Always cultured butter. 

For the main event, we opted for sharesies: Avocado toast and a naan & chorizo dish. The toast requires a knife and fork. It's thick and piled high with avocado, red beets, and herbs — very yummy. But my favorite was the naan, plated with chorizo, n'duja (a spicy & spreadable pork salumi), poached eggs, ricotta, and greens. 




Put it all together, and it was so satisfying and flavorful, this is easily one of the best and most unique brunch dishes I've had the pleasure of polishing off. Going back to Birch & Butcher for dinner sometime (and some morning for bagels) is only a matter of time.

Gypsy Taco

Bay View's unapologetically un-authenic taco truck

If out-of-town guests want a Milwaukee meal that's atmospheric, low-stress, unique to our city, and knock-your-socks-off scrumptious, I don't hesitate. My first thought is always Gypsy Taco. To be honest, it's baffling to me that I've gone this long without giving my favorite tacos in Milwaukee a shout out. Maybe it's because I always wolf them down before I can snap a picture. Maybe I secretly want Gypsy to remain a little bit of a secret. 

But it's really not a secret at all. The Gypsy Taco truck, which is permanently parked on the patio at Boone & Crockett in Bay View, topped Milwaukee Magazine's 2017 Reader's Choice list for best food truck/cart. And with good reason. 

Let's start with the starters, shall we? The corn cup. Always the corn cup. If you're a fan of hot, melty queso, the chips & queso make an amazing app, while the pickled veggies are awesome for eating by the forkful or piling atop your tacos. Plus, the veggies are just gorgeous to look at. Try them — it's a life- and taco-altering experience. 

As for the tacos themselves — drool. The slogan doesn't lie, as they are unapologetically un-authentic. Taco meats include Dr. Pepper pulled pork, braised beef tongue, fried oyster mushroom, grilled chicken thigh, and seared ahi tuna. There's also a rotating seasonal selection; I've tried the roasted root veggie and the fried fish.

So you think the meaty part of the taco is aces? The fixings are next level. This is why I love unauthentic tacos. Don't get me wrong — a simple, pure garnish of cilantro and onion can really hit the spot. But at Gypsy, the tacos are topped with things like pickled red onion, goat cheese, creamy sauces, arugula, and a magic blend of spices. 

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These are some seriously thoughtful tacos, crafted by hand and with love by people who seem to understand the science behind delicious. Too gushy? Too bad. I've been a Gypsy fan since they opened in 2016, and I'm finally unleashing my obsession on you fine, hungry people. Gypsy Taco is open daily from 4pm (noon on weekends) to 2am (woo!) on the Boone & Crockett patio, even in winter. Eatin' pants: On.

Do you have a favorite taco spot in Milwaukee? Holler in the comments! A little diversity in one's taco diet never hurt. 

Bastille Days

Milwaukee's French fête in Cathedral Square Park

If you ask me, Bastille Days is one of the best fests in Milwaukee. It's located in the heart of downtown, it's free, the music is great, the vendors are worth a peek, and there are fortune tellers, occasional parades, and delicious food. Yes there's also atrocious parking, but you can afford to avoid that — since the fest itself is free, coughing up $10 for a parking structure is a no-brainer. 

Today I want to call out some of the delicious food that was up for grabs at 2017's Bastille Days. Yes we all love greasy fair food, but I say that's what State Fair and Summerfest are for. If I'm going to an ethnic fest like Bastille Days, I'm going to do my darnedest to eat vaguely ethnic foods. While I didn't try all of these (I'd need multiple stomachs do accomplish that), I think the options below are worth noting for future reference. So let's get hungry! 

First, the two delicious goodies pictured above: A Nutella waffle from Press (who we found in an actual booth, not their signature trailer) and a beignet from Beignets Français. Both were a sheer, sweet, worth-every-calory delight. You might wonder why a waffle counts as French food, and I'll tell you: In the north, where France borders Belgium, you can get true Belgian waffles from street vendors — just like the ones at Press. Heaven — and authentic! 

Other French food purveyors worth a stop: North Shore Boulangerie for tarte flambée, fresh baguettes, and a charcuterie plate; Le Reve for a tomato, brie, and pesto sandwich or warm brie and honey crostini; Sciortino's Bakery for a ham and brie sandwich; and Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro for a croque monsieur. Bon appétit!  

Burnhearts/Pabst Street Party

Kicking off a Milwaukee July in Bayview 

Burnhearts street parties are starting to become a bit of a tradition for my friends and me. For the past two years, we've made a point to check out both winter's Mitten Fest and summer's Pabst Street Party. Three of the four times we ended up at Palomino for fried chicken and cheese curds after the fest, as fried chicken and cheese curds are always a great idea, whatever the weather. 

This year, we were especially enamored with a number of things that Burnhearts and Pabst threw together. First: The Tullamore Dew Irish Coffee Slush. Sweet Saint Patrick, what a delicious little drink! You know it's good when you you and your friends are in complete agreement that three rapid-fire rounds of the same frozen, creamy deliciousness is in no way overkill. More please. 

Second: We stumbled upon the musical stylings of singer/songwriter Joseph Huber and fell a little bit in love with the whole shebang — the fiddle, the suitcase kick drum, the harmonica, the stand-up bass. While our stomachs were screaming for dinner, our ears and hearts were fueling up on Huber's folksy, blue grass, foot-stompin' vibe. Yes we ignored our hunger pains to watch the whole set. Yes we bought two CDs. Yes it was so worth it.

Then there was custom screen-printing on t-shirts of your choice, courtesy of Redwall. Such a cool service! We also took local photographer Manda of Alwaysbee Photography up on her photo booth offer, posing for a couple pics in front of a Pabst backdrop (up top). With CDs and t-shirts in hand, our names on Manda's email list, and sweet Irish Coffee Slush in our bellies, we walked to Palomino to cap off the night with the aforementioned fried chicken and cheese curds. Just your typical great Milwaukee weekend.

Bavette la Boucherie

Some of the best sammys in Milwaukee

I can tell you the Milwaukee sandwiches that stick with me: the Portabella Philly at Nessun Dorma, turkey at North Shore Boulangerie, and sirloin steak at Story Hill BKC. Enter Bavette la Boucherie in the Third Ward with its delicious lineup of sandwiches, giving the rest a run for their money. 

The interior of Bavette is adorable with a nice-casual vibe and my favorite: a pop of turquoise wallpaper. The sidewalk patio overlooking Catalano Square is now open for the season and lined with cheerful striped umbrellas. Given the fine weather, we opted for a table in the sunshine and two sandwiches to share. First, the Cuban: pressed ham, bacon, cheese, pickles, pickled jalapeño & mustard.






My favorite was our second choice: BBQ pulled beef with cabbage-apple slaw and pickled jalapeño aioli. Last time I was at Bavette, it was pulled pork with the same fixings, so it seems the menu changes from time to time — perhaps daily? Either way, give me some saucy pulled meat topped with slaw and aioli and I'm a happy camper!






You can check out the rest of the yummy sandwiches at Bavette on their website, but remember that what you see there may not be what you get. Also, be sure to check the hours before you make the trip; Bavette is closed on Sundays, only open from 11–5 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and is open until 9pm all other days. 

What are your favorite sammys in Milwaukee? I'd love to add them to my bucket list, so sound off in the comments!

Black Sheep

Wine bar & inventive dining in Walker's Point

Dinner and drinks with girlfriends is really the best. Hate to break it to you boyfriends of the world, but when you can go and gab for hours, share plates, and sip wine with your girls, it's a win. That means finding a place that doesn't mind if you hunker down. It also means finding a spot with dishes to share, because I think women are genetically built to want to try a little of everything — that's why eating with fellow womenfolk is such a delight. 

For our most recent night out, the girls and I finally tried Black Sheep in Milwaukee's Walker's Point. The place has been around since 2013, but the buzz is still going strong; there was almost a two-hour wait, but luckily no line at the bar. We sat for a long time, noshing and catching up — never feeling rushed. If anything, the bartender that night was notably gracious. For drinks, you can choose from the wine bar, house-made sangria (which looked delish), bottle and tap beer, spiked tea, and craft cocktails. 




For food, Black Sheep offers a variety of plate sizes. There are Bar Snacks (truffle popcorn, soft pretzels, pancake-battered cheese curds) as well as dishes To Start (tempura veggies, a waffle topped with goat cheese, candied bacon & maple syrup), To Share (poutine, fried chicken, crab cakes), To Feast (steak frites, fish fry, roast salmon), and To Finish. Black Sheep is located just across the street from Purple Door ice cream, so let's just say the treats To Finish are made with the finest local ingredients. 

What dishes did we try? Bacon-wrapped, goat cheese-stuffed dates as a starter, followed by gnocchi with peas, sweet potato, parmesan, and garlic — both tasty. Then, to feast, we went for the Cauliflower Brava (spiced cauliflower, roasted pepper, pea shoots & radish) and the Black Sheep Burger. The cauliflower was good, but we found the burger to be rather basic. Solid, but not particularly inspired. I'd love to go back and try a whole new lineup of savory goodness. 

But what really put me over the edge and guaranteed a return trip to Black Sheep: The Spiked Shake. Get this. Purple Door salted caramel ice cream with Jameson Irish Whiskey. Salted caramel ice cream from Purple Door is my favorite, period. In shake form? Spiked? Heaven. It might be a $10 investment, but please — take my money!