For the 10th straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee, presented by the restaurants of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, dining guides, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as voting for your "Best of Dining 2016."
Looks like the new guy in town butted long-time winner, Emperor of China, right out of the top spot. Emperor of China has occupied the number one spot for two years running; but it appears they've been ousted by Third Ward newcomer, dandan.
DanDan opened in July after two of Milwaukee's best chefs – both named Dan – decided to open a restaurant together. The concept came together thanks to a shared nostalgia for the Chinese-American food of their childhood. And it seems their love for Chinese food has turned into a victory for both the chefs and Milwaukee.
Dandan's menu features a variety of Chinese and Asian inspired dishes including egg rolls, dumplings, pancakes, fried rice and noodle dishes.
Runners up: Lori Fredrich's pick: Jing's This year we also asked a variety of prominent Milwaukeeans to weigh in on their pick for specific categories. For this category, we consulted Steve Palec, 96.5 FM WKLH radio host.
I do have one exception. I once wanted a unique Miller Park tailgate experience for a group of friends. So I provided takeout from China East for a group of 10. Big hit!!! Fun to eat from the back of an SUV.
DanDan
2. Emperor of China
3. Jing's
4. No. 1 Chinese
5. Chopstix
There’s a restaurant in town that has floated in and out of my best-ofs for years. And that’s Jing’s, the unassuming Chinese restaurant owned by Jing Wang and Chef Jack Zu. It’s there that I’ve had dishes – like tender steamed Shanghai-style soup dumplings – which have surprised and delighted me. When Jing is working the dining room, be sure to take her suggestions reguarding what to order.
Palec's pick: China East
My favorite is China East, 6810 W. State St., in Wauwatosa. Nothing I can cite as monumental, and it may make me appear simplistic but all my life my favorite has always been the closest to where I live. I rarely plan a Chinese food experience more than 45 minutes prior to having a hankering.
