The Classics

➞ Call them stereotypes if you like, but Milwaukee’s signature dishes are beloved by residents and visitors from all around the world. These local delicacies and regional favorites stand alone as true classics in the city's food culture. Subtle difference in their recipes and preparations make each restaurant's fare unique.

Fish Fry

A staple on many restaurant menus throughout the city, the Friday Fish Fry is a local institution. A complete fish fry meal usually includes a few pieces of cod or perch fried to golden brown perfection and served with sides of fries, coleslaw, and rye bread. For an upgrade, try subbing in potato pancakes for fries.

FIVE T O T RY Lakefront Brewery, Hubbard Park Lodge, Bavarian Bierhaus, Kegel's Inn, Packing House

Custard

Milwaukee is home to the largest concentration of frozen custard shops in the world. It's our answer to ice cream. Although both treats are made with milk, cream, and sugar, custard also includes egg yolks. This results in the sweet treat's richer, creamier texture.

FIVE T O T RY

AJ Bombers, Dairyland

Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard & Hamburgers, Fred's Frozen Custard & Grill, Kopp's Frozen Custard, MooSa's

Bratwurst

A mainstay at any tailgate, bratwurst is not just reserved for gameday grills. Known locally as brats, the name of the German import translates to "sausage for frying." From the parking lots of American Family Field before a Brewers game to the menus of many area restaurants, the flavorful sausage is best served with a dollop of mustard, diced onions, or sauerkraut.

FIVE T O T RY

Milwaukee Brat House, Mader's Restaurant, Vanguard, Usingers, Bavarian Bierhaus

Cheese Curds

Curd is always the word in Milwaukee! These bits of cheesy goodness appear on the menus of restaurants throughout the city and supermarkets throughout town. Served fresh and squeeky or fried and gooey, no matter how slice it, there's nothing cheddar - er, betterthan cheese curds.

FIVE T O T RY

Clock Shadow Creamery, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Lakefront Brewery, Black Sheep, Buckatabon

Bloody Mary

This iconic brunch beverage is turned up to 11 at Milwaukee eateries. What really gives a Bloody some Milwaukee flare isn't always what's in it, but what's on top - everything from bacon to rotisserie chickens, mini burgers to lobster claws. Not to mention its tagalong companion, the beer chaser. Every bar and restaurant has its own twist on this fine classic.

FIVE T O T RY

Sobelman’s Pub and Grill, St. Paul Fish Company, Wicked Hop, Cafe Benelux, Blue’s Egg

Good things are brewing in Milwaukee! The new show, Good Things Brewing, spotlights passionate community leaders as they show off their favorite spots in the city and share their Milwaukee experiences. Meet the cast of the show and hear their thoughts on what makes the Cream City the cream of the crop.

MEET THE HOST! DAVID CARUSO, OWNER OF DYNAMIC EVENTS

➞ David Caruso, the host of “Good Things Brewing,” hears time and again how people who experience Milwaukee find it an unforgettable experience. “Visitors, touring performers, and new businesses confirm that the people of Milwaukee made a powerful, lasting impression.” Caruso said. “Without the kindness and amiability of its people, Milwaukee wouldn’t be nearly as popular among travel writers, convention-goers, and real estate developers.”

He looks forward to sharing Milwaukee’s hidden gems – restaurants and attractions, neighborhoods and businesses, and the people behind them all - with wider audiences. “I love that Milwaukee is always looking for new ways to celebrate our diversity, culture, and talent,” Caruso said. “It's a place where people can realize their dreams and create a lifestyle that's rich in friends, activities, work, and prosperity.”

Mauricio Ramirez Muralist

➞ He’s known for making largerthan-life murals, like the threestory-tall downtown homage to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. And Mauricio Ramirez sees this city as the perfect canvas not only for creating art, but also for creating community.

“I love how Milwaukee has embraced public art into its landscape and fabric,” Ramirez said. “It shows how everything is so interconnected. For instance, sports support the arts, and the arts support community storytelling.”

Such stories can spring from anyone and anywhere, Ramirez said, whether out at a game or on a stool at the corner bars that reflect the city’s many neighborhoods. “Genuine conversations are naturally started without it being weird or odd,” he said, “and that’s something that you just can’t find anywhere else.”

SANDRA DEMPSEY PRODUCER AND CO-FOUNDER, ESTAMOS UNIDOS US

➞ Mexico native Sandra Dempsey moved to Milwaukee in 2002, and the media professional marvels at the amount of transformation she’s seen the city undergo since then. “There is a feeling of freedom and openness to start and try new things,” Dempsey said. “This translates into individual confidence when creating, innovating and offering the community new products, services, and experiences.” She thinks Milwaukee excels at finding the delicate balance between embarking on new developments and retaining what makes it such a special place. “Growing and evolving comes with challenges and rewards, so it’s important to preserve what has made us stand out,” Dempsey said, “and continue to have the vision to be a top city to work and play.”

JESUS GONZALEZ CHEF AND ENTREPRENEUR, ZÓCALO FOOD TRUCK PARK

➞ First-generation Mexican American Jesus Gonzalez and business partner Sean Phelan transformed an empty gravel lot into Zócalo Food Truck Park, the first of its kind in Milwaukee. Its blend of street food and diverse culinary culture makes it one of the most popular attractions in Walker's Point.

Gonzalez believes Milwaukee’s character stems from the hardworking immigrants who built the city and how residents welcome visitors into their neighborhoods. Out-of-town friends often tell him that Milwaukee feels like a warm hug.

“This warmness is evident in the creative and small business community,” Gonzalez said. “They are proud of the spaces they’ve created, are willing to share their struggles and success, and genuinely care about the communities they’re in and the memories they can help create.”

SAMANTHA TIMM CURATOR, SAINT KATE –THE ARTS HOTEL

➞ Samantha Timm’s curatorial art career includes stops at the York Art Gallery in the United Kingdom and New York City’s Guggenheim Museum. So she knows the ingredients of a cultured art scene, and she sees them all right here in Milwaukee.

“There is art and culture around every corner of the city,” Timm said, “and much of it is accessible and open to the public.” That includes everything from the world-renowned Milwaukee Art Museum to Wisconsin Avenue’s public art installations to the striking pieces Timm brings to Saint Kate.

Equally important, Timm said, is how Milwaukeeans continue to elevate the arts scene. “People in the arts community go out of their way to support each other and collaborate,” Timm said. “They’re constantly building each other up and inviting those new to Milwaukee to participate in what they are working on.”

PAUL BARTOLOTTA CHEF AND CO-FOUNDER, THE BARTOLOTTA RESTAURANTS

➞ The two-time James Beard award-winner is one of the country’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs. And though Paul Bartolotta can tell you all about running a Vegas restaurant or being named an ambassador of cuisine by Italy’s president, he’d just as soon explain why his heart and soul remain in Milwaukee.

“The people are everything. They are truly the soul of this city,” Bartolotta said. “Milwaukee rivals any city in the world with hospitality, and that is what I love most about it.”

He remains, of course, a champion and promoter of Milwaukee’s dining scene. “From cultural mom and pop shops to impeccable fine dining,” Bartolotta said, “Milwaukee’s ever-growing culinary scene is poised for national and international recognition, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it.”

NOEL ALVARADO ARTIST AND OWNER, NONE ABOVE

➞ Much of Noel Alvarado’s work is rooted in fashion, and his custom-painted sneakers are true marks of modern style. He sees Milwaukee as a collection of passionate individuals who combine to make a greater whole. “The best way I can define Milwaukee is one big melting pot that brings this uniqueness to our city,” Alvarado said. “No matter your ethnicity, religion, or political views, Milwaukee has something for everyone.”

He sees no better example of this togetherness than the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace. The small business hub hosts more than 25 businesses, everything from barbers to bakers, restaurateurs to massage therapists. “Being part of a tight-knit community that is welcoming and engaging gives us that feeling of belonging and togetherness,” Alvarado said. “Community plays a huge role in Milwaukee becoming a great place to visit and a great place to live.”

SHAWNA NICOLS DJ, MILWAUKEE BUCKS

➞ DJ Shawna’s soundtracks are music to the ears of Milwaukee Bucks fans. While the team is winning on the court, she’s hyping up the fans in the stands. And she’s all too happy to hype up Milwaukee at large. “This is my home,” Nicols said. “I have been fortunate enough to live all over the globe, but always found myself coming back.”

She keeps returning because she believes Milwaukeeans are some of the best people in the world and they’ve created a place unlike any other. “One of the brilliant aspects of Milwaukee is the unique neighborhoods that make up one incredible city,” Nicols said. “My vision is for Milwaukee to be a place for everyone to feel that this is their city, their home, and their favorite travel destination.”

JUDGE DEREK MOSLEY DIRECTOR,

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL’S LUBAR CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH AND CIVIC EDUCATION

➞ Derek Mosley spent 20 years as a Milwaukee municipal judge before joining Marquette. The self-described foodie enjoys having a seat at the table for Milwaukee’s award-winning restaurant scene. Moreover, he loves the city’s diversity and how it makes this a place with something for everyone.

But for all of the development through the years, Mosley is particularly thankful for what hasn’t been developed. “We’ve created green spaces next to the lake,” Mosley said, “so it can be enjoyed by people and not high rises.” Milwaukee is home to more than 150 public parks, including three designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also happened to design New York City’s Central Park. They are gems not to be missed.

eaturing sold-out rock concerts, quick-witted comedians, the newest Broadway hits, and up-andcoming indie artists, the Milwaukee Theater District truly is Milwaukee’s most entertaining district. Since 1895, this walkable group of venues in the heart of downtown has offered world-class acts in stunning, must-visit theaters. Nine world-class theaters and over 2,000 shows each year guarantee

SHOWTIME!

With 15,000 theater seats downtown, the Milwaukee Theater District ranks No. 1 in the United States for the highest number of theater seats per capita.

something for everyone from hair bands to Hair fans. But the fun doesn’t stop when the curtain drops! The Milwaukee Theater District is also home to a vibrant dining and arts scene beyond the stage. Situated right at the heart of the district is Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel. While we’d recommend an overnight stay in one of their specially curated Artist Rooms, there’s so much more to explore in this stunning hotel inspired by music, painting, sculpture, and design. Whether you're up for dinner and a show, or the concert you’ve been counting down to the Milwaukee Theater District is the place to be.