It’s as important as ever to support the amazing collection of local restaurants that we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. To guide you on your journey, I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2024. View the full list OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file for your fridge or wallet.
Strange Town
2101 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 885-0404
strangetownmke.com
Vegan
$$
[Read more]
It's entirely worth your while to spend some time with the menu at Strange Town where the cozy bar and dining room and eclectic collection of vinyl sets the stage for an evening of nibbling from their menu of locally sourced, seasonal fare.
During the summer months, offerings are fresh, light and perfectly paired with a glass of bubbly. You'll find snackable dishes like celery root and sweet corn tartines; and nachos showcasing Strange Town's famous carrot queso, hibiscus pico de gallo, beans, pickled jalapenos, mojo cashew crema, and fresh coriander blossoms. Meanwhile, housemade pasta is topped with whatever is fresh and in season, from loads of fresh herbs to fresh vegetables like zucchini and cherry tomatoes.
Dishes tend to change frequently, but you can count on seasonal, fresh takes on globally inspired fare.
Strange Town also offers a beautifully curated list of natural wines and low-ABV cocktails. Don't miss the chance to sample something new on Wednesdays (that's half-price bottle night).
Recommended: [Not just any old] hummus; seasonal soups; pasta
Pick up a copy of Lori Fredrich's new cookbook "Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State"
It includes over 45 compelling stories about local farms, plus 70 delicious recipes from Wisconsin restaurants, including Strange Town's delicious Carrot Queso!
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.