In an effort to shed my "doesn't like change" reputation, I've been working on expanding my dining horizons lately. In addition to checking out new restaurants, I'm also looking at some old standbys that, for whatever reason, I have yet to patronize.
In the last two weeks, I visited two restaurants that many have recommended: Robert's Tavern, 4301 S. Howell Ave., and Erv's Mug, 130 W. Ryan Rd. Both were far from fancy, but featured good, solid food and interesting ambience to boot.
At Robert's, I ordered the corned beef sandwich, which was almost on par with Benji's or Jake's Deli. My wife had the fish fry and reported that she really liked it. Beyond the food, I enjoyed the décor at Robert's, which had a cozy, Old World feel to it. People throw around the phrase "turn of the century craftsmanship" a lot in Milwaukee, but if it should just be reserved for one place, it's Robert's. The bill came out quite reasonable, and I expect to be back.
I checked out Erv's Mug with my parents and grandma, and despite a rather smoky bar that one has to walk through to get to the dining room, it proved for another nice and inexpensive dinner. Before visiting Erv's, I knew only two things about it: the wait staff has a friendly reputation, and the portions are huge. And that's true on both counts.
None of us ordered anything too exotic that night. I had the French dip, my dad had a big burger, my mom had a cheeseburger, and my grandma ordered a tuna melt. The server was prompt and attentive, and especially kind to my 90-year-old grandmother. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to portions, but while not spectacular, our dinners were quite good. Well above average, I'd say.
I'll be back to both South Side restaurants -- hopefully soon. But not before I check out a few more places on the "gotta try" list. Any suggestions for my next out-of-the-way but awesome diamond in the rough? Please let me know.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
