Brunch has become a ubiquitous part of weekend life in Milwaukee and it seems everyone has a favorite spot to indulge. But if you’re looking to try something new, this series is for you. We’ll be highlighting a new brunch spot every week and bringing you all the tasty details. Click here to check out all the spots we've tried!
Fool's Errand
316 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 269-9908
foolserrandmke.com
Brunch available: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New dinner service hours: Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Reservations recommended
Aside from great food, I’m always in search of brunch spots that have a lively, relaxed vibe. And that’s just what you’ll find at Fool’s Errand, which keeps spirits up with a spirited musical soundtrack and a pleasant bustle that allows conversation, but keeps the plant-filled, sun-drenched dining room engaging. And yes, the snipe wall-paper is adorable.
A good deal has changed since the venue – which specializes in whimsical takes on comfort food – opened in March. And that includes the addition of three days of brunch (with service Saturday, Sunday and Monday).
Even better, the expanded brunch menu is littered with tasty gems, from classic breakfast favorites, to less traditional options like the Fool’s Errand burger, pierogis and even beer battered cod. Myriad add-ons (from bacon and pork belly to eggs, toast and salad) also create flexibility so you can create the brunch dish of your dreams.
There are also a good number of brunch drinks from which to choose, including traditional options like mimosas and bloody marys (their bloody is nicely balanced with a slight kick, $10) as well as one of my personal favorites: the corpse reviver #2, a potent pre-prohibition cocktail created as the ultimate hang-over cure (it’s delicious even sans hangover), $12.
Pro tip: Head to Fool’s Errand on Mondays and the drink menu is even more compelling with $25 bottomless mimosas and $4 Fool’s handshakes (a High Life and shot of Four Roses).
When we brunch with friends, it’s often fun to order a number of items for sharing. The Fool’s Errand menu is perfect for that, featuring snacks like chicken liver mousse toast, beer cheese toast and avocado toast ($9 each), plus items like monkey bread ($7) and biscuits and jam ($4). We went for the deviled eggs, which have a fairly classic build, but a nice punch from fresh herbs like dill ($4).
Among the more traditional options, you’ll find choices like the Beyond Fabulous Person (two eggs, seasoned hash browns, bacon or sausage pattie and toast, $16), plus two benedicts: a crab cake bennie (crab cakes, poached eggs, mustard sauce, pickled onions and seasoned hash browns, $18) or a more traditional version with ham, poached eggs, bearnaise sauce and seasoned hash browns, $16.
The latter offers all that’s good about eggs benedict (from beautifully poached eggs to tasty ham), plus the peppier flavor of bearnaise. Don’t sleep on the hash browns, which are beautifully seasoned with an impeccably crisp exterior.
I was excited to see another of my favorites on the brunch menu. Fool’s Errand makes one of the best (if not THE best) Monte Cristo in the city (no lie).
Chock full of tender turkey and ham, topped off creamy, melty Swiss cheese, the egg-battered sandwich comes complete with the crispiest fried exterior you could ask for, making it not only tasty but an example of textural perfection. The sandwich comes cut into shareable portions that are perfect for dipping in the accompanying jam and dijonaise (don’t skip the dip).
The sandwich is worth every penny of its $14 (and it reheats well in the oven or air fryer if you end up with leftovers.) Bonus: it’s also available on the dinner menu!
Of course, we had to add something sweet to our leisurely repast. I was torn between the creme brulee French toast ($14) and the bananas foster waffle ($14). Just after I opted for the latter, a table nearby ordered the French toast, and I had a brief moment of entree envy (which I’ll remedy on my next visit).
If you love the combo of caramelized banana and rum, you’ll like this breakfast/dessert mash-up featuring a tender, fluffy waffle, just enough banana to spread over the top and a dollop of vanilla ice cream to round things out.
We went pretty indulgent on our brunch choices; but you’ll also find healthier options like the tasty broccoli wheat berry salad packed with flavor from golden raisins, cashews and tahini ($13). Two poached eggs round it out to make it a great choice for brunch. View the full menu online.
For me, brunch is best surrounded by great people, conversation and enough time to spare that no one feels rushed. This was that sort of brunch. I had errands to run, but we were having enough of a good time that – even after all of our food was gone – we lingered a bit over coffee.
After months of stress and strangeness, it felt good to sit back, relax and remember what it feels like to just have a great time out in the world.
In the end, our weekend brunch was anything but a fool’s errand.
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.
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