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Bar culture varies around the world, from what folks drink to the customs they follow. But one of the most fascinating aspects are the dishes that people choose to eat after they indulge.
We’ve rounded up a collection of nine foods from around the world that folks use to soak up a night of sometimes questionable decisions, as well as where to find them in Milwaukee.
The list has but one caveat: As restaurants recover from the pandemic and staffing issues have forced abbreviated hours at venues around town, late night options have dwindled. So you won’t necessarily find all of these options available after bar time. Fortunately, they’re all options that taste just as great before midnight (or even earlier) as they do after 2 a.m.
1. Argentina: Empanadas
Among Argentina’s most treasured dishes, empanadas are often a meal unto themselves. But thanks to street vendors, the traditional food has also become a popular anytime snack, including for local bar-goers. In Milwaukee, you’ll find South American empanadas at a variety of restaurants; but these locations feature Argentinian style empanadas more specifically.
Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen / Lola's Food Truck
6207 W. National Ave, West Allis, (414) 321-5775
antiguamilwaukee.com
Serving: The Yolanda Empanada (beef with basil chimichurri)
Cavas
401 E. Erie St., (414) 930-9088
cavasmke.com
Serving: Pork or beef with chimichurri
La Masa
1300 E. Brady St., (414) 885-1866
lamasaempanadas.com
Serving: A variety of Argentine inspired empanadas
El Gaucho Grill
17800 W. Bluemound Rd., (262) 846-5445
argentinianrestaurantbrookfield.com
Serving: Argentine beef with chimichurri
2. Canada: Poutine
What’s more delicious than crisp fries with gravy and squeaky cheese curds? We can thank the folks to the North for this remarkable indulgence that’s perfect after a few brews. The dish can be found at a wide range of spots around town, but here are a few for starters:
Camino
434 S. 2nd St., (414) 800-5641
7211 W. Greenfield, West Allis (414) 810-4838
caminomke.com
Serving: Bar poutine with hand-cut fries, chorizo gravy, local curds
Drunken Cobra
6818 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 837-4997
drunkencobratosa.com
Serving: Classic Red Dot recipe for poutine
Poutine Stop
Paper Table Co., 733 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 395-0905
poutinestop.com
Serving: Eight distinctive poutine variations
Carry-out or delivery only
Three Lions Pub
4515 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, (414) 763-6992
threelionspub.com
Serving: British chips, curds, house Guinness gravy
3. Germany: Currywurst
In Berlin, currywurst wins the day. But what is it? It’s sausage (usually smoked) that’s been cooked, fried and served with curry ketchup. Up until 2018, Berlin even had the Deutsches Currywurst Museum, an entire museum dedicated to the sausage. We haven’t gone that far, but there are a number of places that offer up the oh-so-German dish.
Old German Beer Hall
1009 N. Old World Third St., (414) 226-2728
oldgermanbeerhall.com
Serving: Currywurst with fries
The Vanguard
2659 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 539-3593
vanguardbar.com
Serving: Berlin currywurst: pork and beef frankfuter with grilled onion, mayo, ketcup, curry dust; served over fries
Von Rothenburg Bier Stube
N116 W15863 Main St., Germantown, (262) 293-3098
vrbstube.com
Serving: Currywurst: smoked Hungarian bratwurst served over spaetzle and mixed vegetables and topped with curry tomato sauce
Von Trier
2235 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 272-1775
vontriers.com
Serving: Currywurst: two fried Usinger's bratwurst, herbed spaetzel, apple kraut, pickled red onion, curry ketchup and haus mustard
4. Greece: Loukoumades
These light, airy Greek doughnuts (soaked in honey and often topped off with nuts and seeds) were traditionally eaten as fare for special occasions. While they can be eaten any time of the day, they’re a popular late night snack in Greece. We’re fortunate to have a couple of great spots to find them right here in the Cream City.
Honey Butter Cafe
7221 S. 76th St., Franklin, (414) 367-2800
honeybuttercafe.com
Serving: Classic loukoumades (soaked in honey with cinnamon), plus flavors like Oreo, Nutella, milk caramel
Ouzo Cafe
776 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 272-6896
ouzocafe.com
Serving: Classic loukoumades: honey glazed with your choice of nuts (peanuts or cashews)
5. Japan: Ramen
In Japan, ramen shops are open late to assuage late night drinkers. And there might be good reason for that. Two substances, alanine and glutamic acid, are both present (in the pork and noodles respectively) and are said to help break down the substances produced when your liver processes alcohol. Of course, we’d argue that a comforting bowl of ramen is delicious no matter when you choose to eat it.
Easy Tyger
1230 E. Brady St., (414) 226-6640
easytyger.info
Serving: Tonkotsu, miso, shoyu, plus creative takes (gluten-free ramen also available)
Kawa Ramen & Sushi
2321 N. Murray Ave., (414)-800-7979
3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
kawaramensushi.com
Serving: Tonkotsu and miso ramen on Murray Street location; paitan chicken ramen at 3rd Street Market Hall
Red Light Ramen
1749 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 837-5107
redlightramen.com
Serving: Tonkotsu, chicken paitan, miso ramen
6. Spain: Street Noodles
You might not be able to get the street noodles from Zhou Yulong or "The Underground," the late-night hidden gem of a restaurant which once drew lines among local club-goers in Madrid, Spain before closing in 2019. But, you can find an homage to the delicious late-night fare right here in Milwaukee. Plus the bowl of delicious noods is far cheaper than a trip to Madrid. [Read more]
MOVIDA at Hotel Madrid
600 S. Sixth St., (414) 488-9146
hotelmadridmke.com
Serving: Street noodles, other tapas
The Netherlands: Shawarma
These gorgeously tender strips of meat that have been roasted on a vertical rotisserie are famously found among street vendors and in small fast casual restaurants throughout the Netherlands, particularly in Amsterdam where global fare collides with international commerce. Get your fix at these local spots:
Lebnani House
5051 S. 27th St., (414) 488-8033
lebnanihouseinc.com
Serving: Beef, chicken shawarma
Pita Palace
789 W. Layton Ave.. (414) 988-8100
pitapalacerestaurant.com
Serving: Beef, chicken shawarma
Shahrazad
2847 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 964-5475
shahrazadrestaurant.com
Serving: Beef, chicken shawarma
Shawarma House
2921 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 967-1000
17385 W. Bluemound Rd., (262) 938-9300
shawarmahouse.us
Serving: Beef, chicken shawarma
8. Vietnam: Banh Mi
This popular & fulfilling sandwich is often eaten for breakfast in Vietnam; but it’s also a popular late-night snack among the bar-hopping crowd. Get yours for lunch or dinner at these local establishments, including Mekong Cafe which serves up the equally delicious Lao variation on the sandwich, khao jee pate.
Hue
2699 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Bay View, (414) 294- 0483
huerestaurants.com
Serving: Lemongrass beef, lemongrass shrimp, chicken katsu, char xiu pork, veggie meat
Mekong Cafe
5930 W. North Ave., (414) 257-2228
mekong-cafe.com
Serving: Khao jee pate (eight variations from ham roll and pork to veggie), their signature bahn mi burger
Xankia
222 W. Wells St., (414) 817-0241
xankiawi.com
Serving: Eight banh mi variations, from pate and grilled pork to tofu and veggie
Pho4U
3835 N. 124th St., Brookfield, (262) 439-9149
skiplinow.com/shop/238653i
Serving: Eight banh mi variations, from grilled beef or chicken to lemongrass tofu
9. The UK: Doner kebab
In the UK, post-pub options can vary; but stands offering up doner kebab are wildly popular, especially for the late night crowd. And it’s no wonder. The beautifully seasoned meat, which is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie is popular across Europe and beyond for good reason. Get your fix at these local spots:
Centraal Grand Café and Tappery
2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 755-0378
cafecentraal.com
Serving:
Von Rothenburg Bier Stube
N116 W15863 Main St., Germantown, (262) 293-3098
vrbstube.com
Serving: Beef and lamb
WurstBar
1239 E. Brady St., (414) 763-2180
wurstbarmke.com
Serving: chicken doner kebab, doner fries
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.
