What's not to love about the Lumber Inn, 617 Wells St., in "Downtown" Delafield? Opened in 1983 at the former site of a lumberyard, the Lumber Inn is an old school diner that serves amazing breakfasts in a fresh from the farm setting that's nothing truly special, but at the same time something so very special.
I love breakfast, and have written about my desire for more options in Milwaukee's Downtown. Well, last weekend, I found what I'm looking for in "Downtown" Delafield. Nothing against Milwaukee's quality offerings, but this place does it right.
The counter, cash register, open cooking and friendly faces say it all. This is what breakfast is all about. Now owned by Raul Perez, Lumber Inn not only does a great, down-home breakfast (eggs, pancakes, omelets, corned beef hash, etc.) but also adds regular Mexican specials, burgers and desserts that all make the place sing.
You'll see the regulars at the counter, families in the booths and others on the cozy, little patio. It's, I'm told, always packed in the mornings and hardly ever not busy.
Even the walls of this place say "special." The history of the site hangs with antique logging equipment, tools of the trade and random photos and artifacts. It's, admittedly, a bit odd but so very cool.
I realize I haven't said much of the food in this blogged "review," but I think that words and above photos more than speak to the food's simplicily and goodness.
I loved the Lumber Inn, and you will too.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
