It’s as important as ever to support the amazing local restaurants we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants to guide you on your journey. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2025. View the full list OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file for your fridge or wallet.
Hen’s Deli
209 W. Florida St.
facebook.com/clarkestsausageco
Deli, breakfast
$
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Tucked away in the old Soup Brothers on Florida Street, Hen's Deli is a charming family-owned takeaway spot where you can grab breakfast sandwiches and bagels, lunch (starting at 10:30 a.m.) and sometimes even take-home dinner specials on Friday nights (keep an eye out on their Facebook page).
But let's talk about their phenomenal sandwiches, which are fresh, imaginative and flavorful. You can't beat options like their Classic Italian Sub with soppressata, capicola and provolone. Their Mexican Tortas are packed with flavor from beans, tomato, avocado and jalapenos, plus varying proteins like housemade pork belly, Brazilian spare ribs, jerk chicken and even chorizo con huevo (for breakfast).
Don’t miss their housemade roast beef sandwich, which I tried for the first time in 2024 and can’t get out of my head.
Recommended: Tortas, roast beef sandwich, specials!
Pro tip: Can't find parking on the street? Use the parking lot right behind the building!
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
