By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Feb 08, 2024 at 6:56 PM

Enjoy this  "Throwback Thursday" article from 2021.

The Milwaukee dining scene is continuously evolving – this is a good thing – but sometimes it's fun to reminisce about the scrumptious meals we've had over the years and the wonderful restaurants that served them.

Just for fun, my colleagues and I made a list of shuttered Milwaukee restaurants we went to – and a few just our parents went to – and now we're curious how many of these you've been to. 

  • Watts Tea Shop
  • The Boulevard Inn
  • Grenadier's
  • Heinemann's
  • John Byron's
  • The Social
  • Siam's
  • Gus' Mexican Cantine
  • Sol Fire
  • Osteria del Mondo
  • Steven Wade's
  • AP Bar & Kitchen
  • Meritage
  • Dancing Ganesha
  • Roots
  • Trocadero
  • Hinterland Erie Street Gastropub
  • Five and Ten 
  • Albanese's on Keefe
  • Roseanne's
  • Brubaker's
  • Captain's Steak Joint
  • Pig 'n' Whistle
  • Ginger
  • Ed Debevic's (still open in other cities)
  • John Ernst Cafe
  • Bella's Fat Cat
  • Karl Ratzsch’s
  • Pieces of Eight
  • Abu's Jerusalem of the Gold
  • Toy's
  • Nicolo's
  • Maiden Voyage
  • Cataldo's
  • Public Natatorium Bar & Restaurant
  • Someplace Else
  • Frenchy's
  • Polaris
  • African Hut
  • English Room at The Pfister
  • Mammy's
  • La Fuente Walker's Point
  • Rudy's 
  • Oriental Pharmacy
  • Brady Street Pharmacy
  • Giovanni's
  • M&M Club
  • Sally's
  • La Perla
  • Il Mito
  • Bangkok Orchid
  • Alamo Cantina (UWM campus)
  • Barnaby’s
  • Shakey’s Pizza
  • Port China
  • William Ho’s
  • JoJo’s / Coco’s
  • Showbiz Pizza
  • Silver Spring House
  • Spaghetti Factory
  • Arthur Treacher’s
  • Coffee Trader
  • Gil’s 
  • Grecian Delight 
  • Horny Goat
  • Graffito
  • John Hawk’s
  • Hotch-a-Doo
  • Kalt’s
  • Oakland Trattoria
  • Farrell’s
  • Water Buffalo
  • Cepazuchi
  • Ardor
  • Prime Quarter
  • Ichiban
  • Barclay Gallery & Garden Cafe
  • Jolly's On Harwood
  • Palermo Villa
  • La Casita
  • Zam Zam Cafe
  • Le Peep
  • JJ Garlic
  • Acapulco Lounge
  • Twisted Fork
  • Dos Banditos
  • Capri
  • Olive Pit
  • Dutchland Dairy
  • Eagan's
  • Nanakusa
  • El Chico Zuma


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.