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In Dining

Benji's super popular hopple popple.

"Famous" Milwaukee menu items


Lots of restaurants claim to have "world famous" menu items and, in most cases, it's not exactly true. (Sorry, but the Japanese population probably isn't aware of the ribs served in a West Allis sports bar.)

However, many Milwaukee restaurants dish up locally well-known menu items, and here are a few of our favorites. As always, contribute other famous menu items by using the Talkback feature.

Abu's rosewater lemonade. Sweet and fragrant, this unique beverage complements most of the Middle Eastern dishes served at Abu's, 1978 N. Farwell Ave.

Benji's Delicatessen hopple popple. Benji's, 4156 N. Oakland Ave., serves two versions of this hearty breakfast entrée. The regular hopple popple has browned potatoes, salami and scrambled eggs. The super hopple popple adds mushrooms, green peppers and melted cheese to the mix.

Café Hollander's trader tater noshers. Actually, this dish was more famous when it was served at the now-defunct Coffee Trader, which is where it was created. Today, it's available across the street at Café Hollander, 2608 N. Downer Ave. If you haven't tried noshers, think nachos, but with a base layer of fries instead of tortilla chips.

LuLu's homemade potato chips. Served as a side to its sandwiches, LuLu's thin chips come with a creamy dipping sauce. LuLu, formerly Café LuLu, is located at 2261 and 2265 S. Howell Ave.

Chez Jacques' crepes. Granted, Chez Jacques, 1030 S. 1st St., has little competition, but customers rave about these thin, soft crepes. Try them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Fuel Café's Buttafuoco sandwich. The sandwich was invented shortly after the notorious Joey Buttafuoco / Amy Fisher affair and remains on the menu today. With cheese, tomatoes and hot peppers, this spicy sammy is a classic at Fuel, 818 E. Center St. and Comet Coffee Shop, 1947 N. Farwell Ave.

Mama Mia's garlic bread. Mama's menu features a few highly coveted items, including the lasagna and the eggplant Parmesan, but the homemade garlic bread, dripping with real butter, is one of the city's most perfect and well-known comfort foods. There are multiple Mama Mia locations in Milwaukee.


Serb Hall's fish fry. The classic fish fry at Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., draws folks from all corners of the city. Every Friday night, 1,500-2,000 plates are served in the banquet hall and at the drive-up window. The menu features a variety of fish options, but cod is the most popular.

Solly's butter burger. The burger at Solly's Grille, 4629 N. Port Washington Rd., features a fairly thin patty, but it's swimming in butter. A super butter burger is also available, with two patties.

Speed Queen's ribs. Slathered in Speed Queen's Memphis-style barbeque sauce, the ribs are tender, smoky and flavorful. For a spicier experience, ask for a side of hot sauce. Speed Queen, 1130 W. Walnut St., is also known for its barbeque sandwiches and pork shoulder.

Venice Club's eggplant strips. This decadent appetizer is the indulgence-of-choice for thousands of Summerfest goers every year. It features slices of eggplant coated in seasoned flour, fried and served with lemon, Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. Venice Club's address is 1905 N. Calhoun Rd. in Brookfield.


Talkbacks

colleenlovesu | Nov. 20, 2007 at 4:46 p.m. (report)

so glad to see speed queen on the list! outside shoulder dinner is the absolute best...

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laborer | Nov. 3, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. (report)

How about the Barclay Cafe's breakfast potatoes. Love them! and their homemade chips are even better than LuLu's.

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OCMEX | Oct. 30, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. (report)

How about The Five O'Clock Steakhouse , and the amazing 16 oz. Filet Mignon ? Or any other steak , chop , or Scampi from their menu. " WORLD FAMOUS ".

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littlelamb | Oct. 29, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. (report)

One more thing... The Hollander? It seems no one who cooks there has ever tasted a cone of Dutch fries, 'cause the fries they serve sure suck. And to be considered a signature item... and what about the service? Yikes!

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littlelamb | Oct. 29, 2007 at 9:30 p.m. (report)

The Mama's on Burleigh and the one on Greenfield are the only great Mama's. I think there was a splinter in the family... The others have Sam's Club meatballs. Burger? Solly's is great it... but why doesn't anyone talk about the Nite Owl on Layton. When I moved here I kept asking, "who has the best burger?" I took me seven years to find the best burger --it's at the Nite Owl!

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