Joey Buona's Italian Grille
500 N. Water St.
Prices moderate
(414) 272-8662
Pizza, pasta, Italian Beef and platters full of Italian food served in abundance are the specialty of the house at the new Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille that has emerged from the site of the former Brett Favre Steakhouse.
The Chicago-based chain's Milwaukee presence is the result of a partnership between his Quarterbackness, beef mogul Dick Monfort and Chicago's Buonavolanto family -- who hope that the mix of an active two-story restaurant serving moderately priced food will bring some life to the Water St. location.
Mention the windy city and thoughts of deep-dish pizza and two-fisted Italian beef sandwiches come to mind. Both are a mainstay on the menu here.
Joey Buona's specializes in family-style dinners, and if you are a fan of the zaniness found at Buca's, you will find happiness here. $20 a person will fill your table to the max with a pair of appetizers, two salads, two meat dishes and a pair of pastas.
We sampled bruschetta, mussels marinara, fried mozzarella, lemon chicken, Joey's steak with mushrooms and Vesuvio potatoes, and a platter full of eight finger cavatelli with sun dried tomato cream before rolling out of the place with a smile on our face.
In addition to the huge dining room there is a separate Deli/cafe where pizza, salads, pasta and grilled panini are available to pick up and carry out.
Look for Joey Buona's to join Buca and Louise's Trattoria as one of the busiest Italian restaurants in town.
