Each week we are featuring a new restaurant as part of “Cash Mob MKE,” an initiative created to give Milwaukee restaurants a boost during these tough times. Click here for a delectable repast of the fare from each of our #cashmobmke events.
Daddy's Soul Food & Grille
754 N. 27th St., (414) 448-6165
daddysoulfoodgrille.com
This week’s Cash Mob MKE is taking place at Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille, a restaurant that has been serving up soul-full fare since 2014. And the vibe at Daddy’s isn’t only about comforting plates, it’s also about the feeling you get when you walk inside.
There’s community and acceptance in the banter you overhear as customers approach the counter, which could include greetings like "Hi Pastor!" "Are you here for the fish?” or "Hey, man, great to see you again."
And if you happen to arrive when owner Bennie Smith is there, he’ll put forth the effort to make you feel as welcome as a regular… even if you’re not.
As for the menu, there’s something new to enjoy every day thanks to daily soul food specials. On Tuesdays, for instance, you can order the restaurant’s barbequed ribs, which can be enjoyed on their own or with two or three sides (plus corn bread) for $13.99 or $14.99.
But, there are also items available every day of the week, including favorites like fried (or baked) chicken, catfish, chicken or catfish and waffles or any number of sandwiches, including meatless options like the Philly cheese portabella sandwich.
On our recent trip to Daddy’s, we ordered the fried chicken dinner with sides of macaroni and cheese, greens and sweet potatoes ($14.99) along with the “Daddy’s Sandwich” ($7.99) and a banana pudding ($3.50).
The fried chicken was as comforting and well-prepared as you could hope. Even carried out, the skin was crisp and well seasoned and the interior chicken was tender and flavorful. The greens were silky and tender, bathed in a pot liquor that was tasty enough to enjoy on its own, and the sweet potatoes were soft, sweet and seasoned with warming spices that made the tubers feel more like a dessert than a high fiber, vitamin rich side dish.
Meanwhile, the Daddy’s sandwich featured a generously sized split top roll piled high with sweetly sauced barbequed chicken, thin, crisp strips of bacon and layers of cheese served alongside crispy crinkle-cut fries. It was messy and impossible to handle, but also infinitely comforting.
The same was true of the fluffy banana pudding, which was layered into a large soft drink cup with plenty of crushed vanilla wafers. The pudding, lightened with whipped topping, was sweet with a subtle banana flavor; and the vanilla wafers were crisp, a sure sign it hadn’t been sitting around in a refrigerator case.
Everything about the meal was both tasty and familiar, elements which made it all the more comforting. During these trying times, I'm pretty sure I need more meals from places like Daddy's.
How to order
Head to Daddy’s anytime between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2 to place your order. Place your order at the counter in the restaurant or (if you live or work within their delivery area), you can order delivery online through Eat Street.
If you choose to participate in our restaurant love bomb, bolster your support by sharing photos of your meal on social media using #CashMobMKE.
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.
