While on a vacation in New Orleans a decade ago, lifelong Milwaukeeans India and Michael Guster decided they were going to open a frozen daiquiri bar and restaurant in Milwaukee.
They didn’t know exactly when or in which neighborhood, but they knew it would happen when the timing was right and in the meantime continued to visit New Orleans and Las Vegas to learn as much as they could about the frozen drinks business.
Last month, the couple introduced the Daq Shack, 4191 N. Green Bay Ave., a daiquiri bar and restaurant with hookah service and a selfie room.
The building, formerly Lyle’s Sandwich Shop, was transformed into a fresh, modern space while maintaining the horseshoe-shaped bar from the iconic diner.
Daq Shack features 10 different frozen drink machines churning icy, boozy daiquiris. Flavors will rotate, but currently include strawberry, blue raspberry, banana, pina colada, hurricane, White Russian, Peach Bellini (made with Champagne), Margarita, the 190 (made with 190 proof alcohol) and a “mystery” flavor that changes monthly.
“We invite our customers to sample any of the flavors before choosing,” says India.
Combinations of two or more flavors are also on the menu, such as the “Uber Me Home” which is a mix of the margarita and the 190; the “Brew Crew” which combines blue raspberry with banana; and the “All In” which is a boozy blend of all the flavors.
Drunken gummy bears soaked in rum, Jell-o shots and seven hookah flavors are also available.
Drinks are sold individually for $9 or $12; a pitcher is $30.
Daq Shack’s food menu offers appetizers, wings, salmon entrees, flatbreads and salads. During our visit, we sampled the bourbon BBQ wings, waffle fries and spinach and artichoke dip, all of which appeared and tasted very good, with the hot and creamy dip serving as the stand-out item.
The cute and clean space has fresh white walls, come covered in faux greenery and lemons, simple neon signs and a selfie room with walls covered in paper flowers, purple butterflies, colorful envelopes and clouds.
“We’re so grateful to Milwaukee for supporting us the way they have,” says India. “We took our time and we are so happy to finally share our dream.”
Daq Shack is open Tuesday - Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
