Lots of restaurants claim to have "world famous" menu items and, in most cases, it's not exactly true. (Sorry, but the Japanese population probably isn't aware of the ribs served in a West Allis sports bar.)
However, many Milwaukee restaurants dish up locally well-known menu items, and here are a few of our favorites. As always, contribute other famous menu items by using the Talkback feature.
Abu's rosewater lemonade. Sweet and fragrant, this unique beverage complements most of the Middle Eastern dishes served at Abu's, 1978 N. Farwell Ave.
Benji's Delicatessen hopple popple. Benji's, 4156 N. Oakland Ave., serves two versions of this hearty breakfast entrée. The regular hopple popple has browned potatoes, salami and scrambled eggs. The super hopple popple adds mushrooms, green peppers and melted cheese to the mix.
Café Hollander's trader tater noshers. Actually, this dish was more famous when it was served at the now-defunct Coffee Trader, which is where it was created. Today, it's available across the street at Café Hollander, 2608 N. Downer Ave. If you haven't tried noshers, think nachos, but with a base layer of fries instead of tortilla chips.
LuLu's homemade potato chips. Served as a side to its sandwiches, LuLu's thin chips come with a creamy dipping sauce. LuLu, formerly Café LuLu, is located at 2261 and 2265 S. Howell Ave.
Chez Jacques' crepes. Granted, Chez Jacques, 1030 S. 1st St., has little competition, but customers rave about these thin, soft crepes. Try them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Fuel Café's Buttafuoco sandwich. The sandwich was invented shortly after the notorious Joey Buttafuoco / Amy Fisher affair and remains on the menu today. With cheese, tomatoes and hot peppers, this spicy sammy is a classic at Fuel, 818 E. Center St. and Comet Coffee Shop, 1947 N. Farwell Ave.
Mama Mia's garlic bread. Mama's menu features a few highly coveted items, including the lasagna and the eggplant Parmesan, but the homemade garlic bread, dripping with real butter, is one of the city's most perfect and well-known comfort foods. There are multiple Mama Mia locations in Milwaukee.
Serb Hall's fish fry. The classic fish fry at Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., draws folks from all corners of the city. Every Friday night, 1,500-2,000 plates are served in the banquet hall and at the drive-up window. The menu features a variety of fish options, but cod is the most popular.
Solly's butter burger. The burger at Solly's Grille, 4629 N. Port Washington Rd., features a fairly thin patty, but it's swimming in butter. A super butter burger is also available, with two patties.
Speed Queen's ribs. Slathered in Speed Queen's Memphis-style barbeque sauce, the ribs are tender, smoky and flavorful. For a spicier experience, ask for a side of hot sauce. Speed Queen, 1130 W. Walnut St., is also known for its barbeque sandwiches and pork shoulder.
Venice Club's eggplant strips. This decadent appetizer is the indulgence-of-choice for thousands of Summerfest goers every year. It features slices of eggplant coated in seasoned flour, fried and served with lemon, Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. Venice Club's address is 1905 N. Calhoun Rd. in Brookfield.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
