Looking for new spots to try? During Dining Month, Lori Fredrich is dishing out must-tries in 20 different dining categories, from brunch to BBQ and everything in between. Here's what she's recommended so far!

For some folks, brunch is all about the day drinking. For others, it’s about enjoying a feast of deliciously indulgent dishes. If you ask me, a great brunch requires both, plus the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely late morning or afternoon of catching up with friends (possibly followed by an afternoon nap).

However you decide to brunch, these five spots are sure to hit all the right notes.

Good City Wauwatosa

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11200 W. Burleigh, (414) 539-4343
goodcitybrewing.com 
Brunch available: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Good City Wauwatosa has always been a great spot for brunch, whether it's inside or outdoors on their spacious beer garden patio.  There's something easy-going about the vibe and their menu has something delicious for everyone.

The menu features an omelet of the day; a breakfast burger (with bacon, cheddar, chipotle mayo, and a fried egg); pulled pork hash with beer cheese sauce; and buttermilk pancakes (strawberry, blueberry, chocolate chip or plain) with maple syrup and bacon.

But don't sleep on their delicious Vanilla French toast with brown sugar, black pepper bacon, and Wisconsin maple syrup. I'd say the same for their Steak Rancheros featuring huevos rancheros with housemade salsa, tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, aged white cheddar, avocado, lime crema and grilled flat iron steak.  The flat iron is well-seasoned and beautifully cooked,  the ranchero sauce has just the right amount of kick, and the remaining components – from the eggs to the cheese and crema – offer a balanced plate of complementary elements.

Pair them up with a mimosa, beermosa, a Good City bloody mary or any one of their Good City taps.

Note: With the exception of pancakes and French toast, they have a similar menu for brunch at their location on Farwell.

Mason Street Grill

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425 E. Mason St., (414) 298-3131
masonstreetgrill.com
Brunch available: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are many delicious things to enjoy at Mason Street Grill. And now they've added to that with a phenomenal brunch service. It includes classic offerings like eggs benedict, omelets and steak and eggs along with lovely brunch drinks like Build-your-own bloody marys and mimosas and crafty concoctions like the Spicy Cucumber (Casamigos Mezcal Tequila, Cucumber Vodka, Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur, Cointreau) and the Tia Mia (Strawberry Infused Dos Hombres Mezcal, Cointreau, Orgeat, Lemonade, Pineapple Juice, Gosling's 151 Rum).

Highlights include the lobster omelet with fines herbes;  their tender sourdough Yukon waffles with butter, Wisconsin maple syrup and bacon cooked inside or topped with fresh strawberries and mascarpone cream;  and their Croque Madame featuring toasted brioche filled with sliced ham, Gruyere and Emmental and topped with mornay sauce and two fried eggs.

Oggie’s Kitchen & Bar

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411 E. Mason St, (414) 225-3260
oggiesmke.com
Brunch available: Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you've not gotten over to Oggie's, here's your invitation to explore this much overlooked gem. They've got housemade bloody marys, mimosas, plus coffee drinks and light, fizzy refreshers like the Blackberry Bubbly with blackberry liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and St. Michelle Brut.

On the food menu, guests will find both a classic and salmon benedict (featuring cajun salmon patties, lemon hollandaise and avocado), along with standards like a Classic Two Egger (eggs, breakfast potatoes, cracked wheat toast and a choice of bacon, sausage patty or fruit); and the Milwaukee Omelet (cage-free eggs, cheese bled, onions, sweet peppers, horseradish aioli).

But there's also a delicious take on the brunch burger. It's called Good Morning Fred and features smash patties, American cheese, garlic aioli, pickles and a fried egg on a sesame seed bun. It’s served with Oggie’s ultra crispy delicious breakfast potatoes.

But if you’ve got the least bit of a sweet tooth, you’ll want to try the Caramel Apple French Toast, which brings both texture and flavor with its combination of brioche French toast, old fashioned caramel sauce, fresh diced apples, pecans and apple crumble.

Story Hill BKC

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5100 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 539-4424
storyhillbkc.com
Brunch available: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This West Side staple has always been a beautiful bet for brunch, many thanks to its low-key vibe and great service.  Longstanding favorites include Shakshouka and the Crepe Monsieur and their list of brunch-worthy drinks includes a classic bloody and mimosa, plus a jalapeno paloma, red sangria and faux-tails like the Cucumber Elderflower Fizz.

But those aren't the only delicious things to enjoy. I'm fond of the Wild Mushroom & Spinach Bread Pudding Waffle, which is packed full of mushrooms, roasted broccoli, greens and feta and topped with a touch of truffle oil, poached eggs and smoked shallot marmalade.  And the Brunch Burger is as good as it looks with its 8-ounce Niman Ranch beef patty, housemade Black Shoe Bakery bun, one-year cheddar, jalapeno mayo and a beautifully cooked egg (yes, you should add the bacon). You also get tomato, onion, lettuce and roasted potatoes on the side. 

Uncle Wolfie’s Downtown

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600 N. Broadway, (414) 935-2076
unclewolfies.com/downtown-menu
Brunch available: Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ever hankering for weekday brunch?  Yeah, me too. If you work Downtown, the new Uncle Wolfie's on Broadway is the perfect spot. They have a great mix of breakfast options, just enough lunch offerings to balance things out and a great list of brunch-worthy cocktails from a classic bloody and mimosa to options like an Aperol spritz, Irish coffee and mocktails including an Espresso Mocktini.

As for food options, you've got plenty of choices. There are Uncle Wolfie classics like the BELTCH (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato and cheese) and the Big Wolf Breakfast (eggs, tavern potatoes and choice of meat and toast), along with new creations like a market veggie omelet and chorizo hash (chorizo, sweet corn, potatoes, baja sauce, queso fresco, Wolf's blood chili crisp and sunny side up eggs).

Sweet items include Pan Dan French Toast (Hawaiian bread, pan dan anglaise, chocolate drizzle, fresh orange, coconut and whipped cream); maple butter pancakes with fresh preserves.

If you're feeling lunch vibes, I'd recommend the Big McAllister smash burger or the Chili Crisp Fish sandwich featuring salt and pepper fried lake perch, preserved mustard green tartar sauce, red onion, chili crisp, American cheese and dill.  It's delicious.