Fratellos offers familiar food in an upscale setting

Fratellos' menu relies on staples such as pizzas, sandwiches and salads, and also features pasta and Fratellos' "Signatures" dishes. Unlike the Oshkosh location, which focuses on handcrafted beers, the Milwaukee location mimics Green Bay and Appleton restaurants in outwardly focusing on wine. All seating is pre-set with wine glasses, and the wine list is better than what one would typically find in this caliber of restaurant.

Fratellos' "world famous" white chicken chili (cup $2.99, bowl $5.99) may not be world famous, but it is a thick, rich rendition with tender chicken and a dollop of sour cream intermixed. An Italian onion soup of the day (cup $2.75, bowl $4.99), was not very flavorful, but included fresh herbs and a crusty herbed crouton.

A panache appetizer ($10.49) heaped waffle fries with a few chicken tenders, onion rings and a pair of won ton-wrapped cheese sticks. All items were standard pre-made fare, but were well-drained of fry grease, which made them good, and I imagine even better if served with a cold beer on the patio.

A stone-fired Milano pizza ($9.99) is a moderately priced lunch option with red sauce and Italian sausage, caramelized onions and mushrooms enhanced with the flavors of fresh basil and mozzarella. A carved turkey sandwich ($9.49) surprisingly featured deli-style sliced turkey rather than freshly carved turkey, but the sandwich was okay overall with seven-grain bread and a serving of raspberry mayo that was sweet like a yogurt. Sandwiches come with waffle fries, cole slaw, Asian noodle salad or a seasonal healthy offering, which on one visit was apple slices with yogurt.

Bruschetta chicken ($15.99) and chicken marsala ($15.99) both offered tender, juicy chicken, but the bruschetta chicken, a signature dish, was the better of the two, since the marsala was somewhat soupy. The bruschetta chicken placed a seared chicken breast over pesto risotto and topped with Roma tomatoes, basil, olive oil and mozzarella.

Fratellos' interior is potentially misleading, since its sleek lines seem to intimate a more upscale restaurant, while the menu is decidedly more casual and simple. The result is a Downtown restaurant with casual, affordable dining, again, similar to an Applebee's or a Chancery.

Once you understand that, Fratellos can afford the opportunity to serve this type of cuisine in a very pleasant environment. Servers here are still working out a few new-opening kinks, too, but overall, Fratellos is an interesting addition to the Third Ward dining scene.

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

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Posted by unregistered_user on Aug. 1, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. (report)

Absolutely gross. Everything was terrible. Service was extremely slow. 20 min to get drinks. Food was horrendously overcooked. Angry shrimp completely lacked seasoning and there was no spice. The shrimp were rubbery and the pasta was so overcooked it was a mush. The only thing this place has going for it is deck. The meal was a train wreck.

Posted by AmberzMom on Nov. 24, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (report)

After theater, we walked over and had a very enjoyable meal. Food was very good and service was, too. Had a pork tenderloin with pumpkin ravioli that we'd never get at either Chancery or Applebee's. I think they've been paying attention to the reviews and have started moving their menu up another notch. Definitely another nice alternative for the Third Ward after theater crowd.

Posted by A_Barfly on June 3, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (report)

Went this evening for dinner, and walked away underwhelmed. We were in the mood for a good Italian meal, and we were sorely disappointed. Much like the critic said - its like any other multi-location eatery (Olive Garden with a nicer decor). And I'm just bored with these types of restaurants. Fratello's needs to step it up a notch and start delivering creative entrees if they want to survive the winter. Their summer will fare well with the patio - but unless there's some changes made, I just can't see it surviving long winters without a loyal following.

Posted by slim038 on June 2, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (report)

I've been to Fratello's Third Ward location on two occassions. First time was a Thursday night at the bar. Microbrews are affordable at $3.50 a pint (and the Happy Hour price is even cheaper). Try the "placemat" which is a sample glass of every beer on tap for roughly $7.00 total. For dinner, we thought the entrees were okay. Prices are definitely more expensive than a place like Applebees. The calamari appetizer was the best part of our dinner, and the cupcakes were a tasty, reasonably priced dessert. As Third Ward residents, we will keep going back as long as they keep the prices right. It's definitely more of a weeknight place, kid-friendly, and the patio should be fun in the Summer.

Posted by mkecupcakequeen on June 2, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (report)

Kid friendly without the puppets and loud noises. Food is good and reliable. Deck is incredible and the cupcake menu makes for an added treat!

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