She said/she said is a series of rapid reviews written by the intrepid duo, Lori Fredrich (the foodie) and Carolynn Buser (the socialite). Tune in weekly for our latest meanderings on hot spots around town.
Destination: Twisted Fisherman.
Reason for visiting: Happy hour, Monday-Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Specials: Two-for-one taps and rail drinks.
Regular Pricing: $5 taps ($4 domestic bottles and Miller) $5-8 cocktails; $5 wine pours.
Pro Tip: Head back on Wednesdays for Oyster & Wing Night, which features $1 oysters and 50-cent wings and $1 off taps.
Mood: Twisted Fisherman is uber beachy and super casual. Reminiscent of a beachside east coast crab shack, this riverside spot tucked along the Menomonee Valley is an escape in the midst of the city. Come as you are and sit on the deck. Or grab a drink and head down closer to the river to enjoy picnic tables and Adirondack chairs along the Menomonee River.
Go here when:
Lori: Need a little sun on a warm summer's day? Want to have a drink (or two) and poke your toes in the sand at the same time? Twisted Fisherman is your spot. Drink prices are reasonable just about all the time, with rail cocktails and taps running at $5 all day, every day. There aren't any food specials for happy hour, though you can grab a snack off of the regular menu. We nibbled on their smoked trout dip – which was served casually with packaged saltines ... It was decent, creamy and smoky but nothing to write home about for $7.
Carolynn: If you'd like a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Twisted Fisherman is great choice. The Adirondack chairs in the sand take you away to a different place – plus you get the entertainment of watching the boats come in. Check the schedule for live music as well – then you can truly feel like you are somewhere a lot closer to the equator. The tropical cocktails – especially the pina colada – help, too!
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Go back for:
Lori: Go back for the beach. Seriously. For me, Twisted Fisherman is about escapism ... sand, wind, water and maybe a tropical drink or two.
Carolynn: Lay back and put your toes in the sand – and then order a pina colada. A tropical oasis is waiting for you! And, if you go on a Friday head over to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino after and partake in some all you can eat crab legs!
Overall Rating:
Lori: I'll give a thumb-and-a-half up. Love the atmosphere; I'll definitely go back for a drink or two on a summery day (or maybe even in the fall when I'm wishing it was summer). And I'd definitely go back to sip cocktails with friends. But, I'm not sure I'd need to do it during happy hour. In fact, I might choose one of the daily specials instead.
Carolynn: I love the ambiance and vibe – so I'll agree with Lori on the thumb-and-a-half-up. I'd go back for a happy hour again – mainly because it is a great place to end a hectic day.
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.
