With patio season in full swing, Benson’s Restaurant Group is offering a new way for you to enjoy delicious dishes, drinks and patio views with your best furry friend in tow.
“Our high quality food and beverage offerings aren’t just for humans anymore – and just like at each of our restaurants, there’s something for everyone,” said Alex Sazama, corporate executive chef at Benson’s Restaurant Group.
“Each of our restaurants feature amazing patios that are dog friendly, and we wanted to enhance that experience for pups and owners alike by curating these fido-focused menus. We cannot wait for wagging tails and joyful memories to fill our patios this summer.”
Options for your pups
The Bridgewater Modern Grill
2011 S. 1st St., (414) 299-6556
bridgewatermke.com
Enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner on Bridgewater's spacious riverfront patio (the longest in the city) while your furry friend feasts on grilled chicken, grilled veggies and scrambled eggs served with rice. For a sweet finale, order up a Fresh Fruit Parfait. Prices range from $9 - $12.
The Edison
322 N. Broadway, (414) 269-6306
edisonmke.com
The Edison's spacious patio is the perfect spot for a delicious dinner. Treat your pet as well with dog-friendly dishes like Grilled Chicken Bites with corn and rice; Steak and Potatoes with grilled skirt tips and beef fat potatoes; or even Salmon Salad featuring grilled salmon and charred cabbage. Prices range from $7 - $10.
Smoke Shack
332 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 431-1119
smoke-shack.com
Let fido have dessert before dinner with Doggy Cookies (sweet potato scraps, oats and peanut butter, $4) or Frozen Yogurt Treats for $1. Savory options include their Chicken Patty (chicken, rice and veggies, $6).
Smoke Shack also offers their Pups & Pints happy hour every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on the patio featuring $2 off tap beers, $7 cocktails and BBQ snacks.
Onesto
221 N. Broadway, (414) 308-1600
onestomke.com
Take in the bustle of the Third Ward from Onesto's sidewalk patio. Their dog-friendly menu features Beef Zucchini Meatballs (ground beef, zucchini, egg, rice and turmeric) or Chicken Casserole (chicken, corn, zucchini, peas, potatoes and apple). Sweet treats include Vitolato, featuring Baron’s Gelato peanut butter and banana sorbet. All items are $6.
Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria
249 N Water St., (414) 431-1133
bluebatkitchen.com
You can enjoy riverfront views from the Blue Bat patio while your pup feasts on selections like The HamBarker (5-ounce burger patty, $7), Chicken and Veggies (chicken, cauliflower and cucumbers, $10) or Yogurt and Berries (Greek yogurt, berries and honey, $9).
AJ Bombers
1247 N. Water St., (414) 221-9999
www.ajbombers.com
Grab a burger, fries and a shake from Bombers while your pet enjoys Bomber Bites (an AJ Bomber burger blend covered in cheese and wrapped with bacon, $6), Grilled Cheese (featuring American cheese on panini bread, $4); or a Custard Pup Cup (a cup of signature vanilla custard, $3).
Dog menus are only available for outdoor dining. All outdoor dining is first come, first served, however, restaurants will do their best to accommodate requests made with reservations. Make your reservation online.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
