Best Late Night Drunk Eats: Oakland Gyros
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Ma Fischer's
n East Side landmark popular with UW-Milwaukee students and locals at all times of the day, Oakland Gyros takes on a slightly bawdy atmosphere around bar time. The fact that the food is fast, plentiful, satisfying and relatively inexpensive explains why so many pedestrians in the area smell of tzatziki sauce in the pre-dawn hours.

Best Patio: Trocadero
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Water Buffalo
Trocadero offers a year-round (heated when necessary) patio -- a spacious terrace with a fountain, and private, shady gardens that make you wish Wisconsin weather was more accommodating to dining al fresco (heat lamps don't cut it in a snow storm).

Best Pizza: Pizza Man
OnMilwaukee.com editor's choice: Classic Slice
The East Side landmark, a fixture for nearly four decades at 1800 E. North Ave., claims victory year after year against worthy competitors like Zaffiro's, Balistreri's, Lisa's, Calderone Club, DeMarini's and Palermo Villa. The rustic ambience of the place, along with characteristics like the trademark cracker-like thin crust and extensive wine list, make Pizza Man a perennial winner in this category.

Best Romantic Restaurant: Lake Park Bistro
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: The Pasta Tree
Maybe it's the exquisitely prepared classic French cuisine that gets couples "in the mood" here, or perhaps it's the beautiful, cliff-top view overlooking Lake Michigan. Either way, there is no denying Lake Park Bistro's European elegance that often transports diners to a special place where the food is divine and love is in the air.

Best Seafood: Crawdaddy's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Crawdaddy's
In the last several years, redevelopment has added a number of condos and shops and Crawdaddy's remains a popular stop in the area. It's so popular, in fact, that OnMilwaukee.com readers consider it their favorite place to get seafood. The dining room at Crawdaddy's is large, bright and noisy enough to bring large dining parties and create the kind of rollicking atmosphere befitting a Cajun-influenced establishment.

Best Steak: Five O'Clock Steakhouse
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Eddie Martini's
The Five O'Clock keeps people coming back because the New York Strip and filet mignon are comparable to the best steakhouses in the country. Saveur magazine recently called the restaurant one of its five favorite steakhouses in the country.

Best Subs/Sandwiches: Chocolate Factory
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Koppa's Fulbeli Deli
Perhaps it's their homemade bread that's usually still warm when you get it, but according to OnMilwaukee.com readers, The Chocolate Factory is the best place to grab a sub or sandwich. This year, The Chocolate Factory celebrates 25 years of business. It began as an ice-cream parlor in Cedarburg, and the original concept was conceived on the back of a napkin. Today, The Chocolate Factory has seven locations.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Buca di Beppo
OnMilwaukee.com editor's choice: Red Robin
When it comes to dining out with the kids, OnMilwaukee.com readers say Buca di Beppo is the best place to do it. The crazy décor, tolerance for loud noise (thanks to the incessant Italian-American songs booming through the speakers) and energetic staff make it the perfect place for families to have fun without getting vibed by childless diners. Plus, with a menu dominated by pizza and noodles, what kid wouldn't love to scarf at the super-spirited Buca?

Best New Restaurant (opened in last year): Water Buffalo
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Maxie's Southern Comfort
With a modern, artistic interior by Flux Design and a two-story outdoor deck with a beautiful view of the river and Downtown, the restaurant easily blended with the aesthetic of the Riverwalk and the Third Ward (As the name implies, the building sits at the high-traffic intersection of Water and Buffalo Streets.)

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13 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by Adriana on June 21, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (report)

The frozen custard served in kopp's is ok, but the best place to get frozen custard is in leon's on 27th st

Posted by no2much on Sept. 30, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (report)

Pizza man the best pizza? Apparently you people have'nt tried Zaffiro's Pizza. Best thin crust in the city. People are nice. Make you feel welcome.

Posted by ClovernookCheese on June 13, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (report)

Adam Siegel, of Lake Park Bistro fame, recently appeared on Food Network's "Iron Chef - America" supporting Paul Bartolotta's battle with Mario Batali. The featured ingredient was rice, but several of the dishes certaintly seemed to have Adam's influence. The veal sauce and the duck dish definitely echoed typical Lake Park Bistro fare. The failed to overtake the legend, but scored well and were very well-received by the judges. It was nice to see some Milwaukee boys get the exposure and credit they have so richly earned.

Posted by gigi on March 3, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (report)

loved it

Posted by MKEsculptor on Feb. 25, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (report)

Three Brothers is a must to try in MKE. Great unknown that has been here for years...