Wayward Kitchen Co. co-owner and chef, Tyler Mason, told OnMilwaukee in 2014 that his "main goal has been – and will continue to be – to make things tasty."

Recently, Wayward Kitchen, 1407 S. 1st St., started offering a Service Industry Brunch on Monday (which is open to anyone) and, indeed, Mason has stayed true to his taste promise. 

Wayward Kitchen offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday as well, with a full menu in a family-oriented setting. The Monday brunch has a "limited" menu, but still boasts about 10 different items. Wayward will also soon offer a $10 lunch special and is open most nights for dinner.

This past Monday, OnMilwaukee stopped in for brunch and had a super satisfying burger, Benedict and bloody. 

Wayward Kitchen Co.
1407 S. 1st St., (414) 763-1191
wayward-kitchenandbar.com

Type of food: The menu, overall, is "new American" and changes seasonally. Chef Mason’s concept includes foods that originally came from other cultures but over time became American favorites. The regular brunch menu – as well as the Monday service industry brunch menu -  features a mix of classic brunch dishes with a twist. "And there will always be a burger available, too," says Mason.

Prices: Brunch items range from $8-15.

Vegetarian friendly? Yes. One of Wayward’s greatest attributes is Mason’s willingness to accommodate any dietary need, from vegan to gluten-free. Just ask!

Hours: Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight; Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays.

Parking: There's a parking lot next to the building.

Vibe/dress: The environment is casual and creative and whether you arrive hungover for brunch or dressed up for a first date you'll fit right in. Tyler, and his wife and business partner Megan, are extremely friendly and accommodating.

Hits: Everything we sampled during our brunch was delicious. The Bloody Mary is made to order from spicy to mild. We ordered it in the middle, and it was spot on. The cheese tortellini in the mix of garnishes and the choice of any tap beer for a chaser made it even better.

The crab Benedict is, according to Mason, the most popular brunch menu item and after one bite, we understood why. Like many of Mason’s creations, it’s gourmet comfort food. Served on an English muffin, this Benedict comes topped with crab, perfectly poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise sauce served with salty and flavorful-but-not-too-greasy crushed potatoes on the side.

The half-pound burger is topped with creamy gorgonzola cheese, arugula and to-die-for bacon jam. It came, as ordered, a perfect medium rare. 

Misses: The space needs to be warmed up a little bit. It’s large and can feel chilly. Tapestries? A freestanding fireplace? Dunno, but it needs something.

Insider tip: The aforementioned bacon jam is made with Anodyne coffee and some of the best we've had. Try it on the burger. Also, if you actually do arrive at Wayward with a hangover, try The Hangover Cure – an elixir cocktail made with EmergenC and hair of the dog.