For the 10th straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee, presented by the restaurants of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, dining guides, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as voting for your "Best of Dining 2016.
McGinn's Sports Bar
5901 W. Bluemound Rd.
(414) 475-7546
facebook.com/McGinnsSportsBar
I like wings, but more than that, I like wings at McGinn's, where variety is the spice of life.
I typically get there about once a month, usually to watch a game on the TVs or to park, eat and then ride the free shuttle to a Brewers game. Because there's such a good selection of flavors on the big, meaty wings (the drummies are especially hefty), I like to mix up textures and flavors, like the Jamaican dry rub jerk, which has great grill marks, the tangy original buffalo and the sweet and sticky maple bourbon (all three pictured below).
Once in a while – especially on Brewers game days when grill space is at a premium and McGinn's doesn't offer the jerk wings – I'll mix it up and order something different, like the Texan BBQ or the spicy garlic, which is the same as the original buffalo but with a big garlic boost.
Occasionally, I'll dip in and try something else, too, like the crispy Reuben rolls, wrapped in egg roll wrappers. Some folks also rave about the fried chicken, but I'll have to take their word for it, because I can't stop eating the wings.
Type of food: Bar food
Prices: Apps and sandwiches run about $7-8; salads range from $5.25 to $8.95; entrees like steak, shrimp, ribs and meatloaf range from $8.25-$18.50.
Vegetarian friendly? There are salads. And the popcorn is free.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Parking: A parking lot is adjacent and free street parking available within a block.
Vibe/dress: Casual and laid back. Brewers gear on game day. To their credit, no one ever scoffs at my Mets hat.
Hits: Wings, reuben rolls, chicken.
Misses: No jerk or other dry rub wings available on game days.
Insider tip: Wings are a steal at 75 cents, but even more of a bargain at 60 cents on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
