The annual Tour of America’s Dairyland returns in 2024 and on Sunday, June 23, the Cafe Hollander Tosa Village Classic encircles the warm, beating heart of Wauwatosa Village.
A map of the .96-mile route, as well as a schedule of the day’s events – which starts at 12:20 p.m. with the Cat 4/N Women Series Finale and wraps up at 8 p.m. with the end of the Pro/1 Men Series Finale and Cat 2 Men Series Finale – can be found here.
There are numerous places along the route and nearby to eat and drink, but here are a few that offer a view...
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
7700 Harwood Ave., (414) 271-7700
thebuckatabon.com
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This restaurant tribute to the classic Wisconsin supper club is the sponsor of the day's events and it has a couple patios, including one on the sidewalk right alongside the race. Grab a brandy old fashioned, a burger and some curds and watch the riders sail past.
Cafe Hollander
7677 W. State St., (414) 475-6771
cafehollander.com
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A sister restaurant to Buckatabon, the two venues share a patio in the space between them. Most of those tables will offer views of the racers. Plus, you get the bonus of watching the trains rumble past on the other side.
Colonel Hart's
7342 W. State St., (414) 476-3070
colonelharts.com
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A little further along the route is this Tosa classic, which has some seating out front. Treat yourself to a wide selection bar food – appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and Friday fish fry – while catching the race.
Jose's Blue Sombrero
7615 W. State St., (414) 453-2300
josesbluesombrero.com
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Located in the heart of the village, this Mexican eatery – where margaritas and the tableside guac service are highlights – has upper level seating that will offer a unique aerial view of the races.
Leff's Lucky Town
7208 W. State St., (414) 258-9886
leffs.com
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One of the best patios in town – not just Tosa – is right on a curve where racers will turn between State and 72nd Streets. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, wings and pizza are the specialties at this comfortable corner tavern, where the race views will be top-notch.
Vendetta Coffee Bar
7613 W. State St.
vendettacoffeebar.com/wauwatosa
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Although it's not open all day on Sundays – the hours are 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. – Vendetta has curb-side seating under sun-shading umbrellas and some of the best espresso and espresso drinks in town, plus sfogliatelle and other sweet treats to boost the spectator experience.
You can find a Tosa Dining Guide here, and a Tosa Bar Guide here, if you’d like more food and drink recommendations in the area.
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.
