Johnny D’s Picks

How about some great places for food and drink in this town? Here’s my list. Throw yours in the comments.

Best Burger: Walter’s on West North Ave in ‘Tosa. When you order it medium-rare, it comes medium-rare.
Best Sandwich: Philly Cheese Steak from The Philly Way in Walker’s Point on 2nd, right next to Caroline’s. Like a true Philly Cheese Steak, sliced rib eye, onions and, yes, Cheez-Whiz.
Best Steak: There are some great steakhouses in town, but the best steak in my opinion is the bone-in rib eye at the Chop House on 5th and Wisconsin.
Best BBQ: Gotta go with the Silver Spur. It’s way out on Greenfield and Barker Rd., go on Tuesday, get the all you can eat. It’s Texas style, and the food is spectacular. They even recently went smoke-free (the patrons, not the meats).
Best Butcher: Bunzel’s, on 84th and Burleigh. Try a black forest marinated steak. They also have some awesome potato salad in the deli.Best Mexican Food: Cempazuchi on Brady. The mole’s are incredible. Also a very fine selection of tequila.
Best Fish Fry: I’m sticking with Albanese’s in Riverwest. Italian breaded haddock, served with a side of home made angel hair, home made sauce, and home made wine.
Best Brunch: I’m partial to the breakfast pasta over at the Knick, but Hi-Hat is also a contender.
Best Pizza: Balistreri’s, on 68th and Wells in ‘Tosa. Naturally, I can’t put my own grilled Mexican pizza on here, but hey… I’m not making everyone a pizza. Try the Pepperoni Special, it’s got everything on it.
Best Seafood: I’m not a big seafood fan, but I love going to Scotty’s Crab House and ordering a pile of appetizer’s on the patio and chasing it down with soe ice cold microbrews.
Best Chili: Real Chili, ordered hot and with noodles. 16th and Wells, on the Marquette campus.
Best Gyro: It’s hard to choose this one, but my new fave is Gyro’s West, way out in Waukesha. If I’m on the East Side, it’s Oakland Gyro’s, and on the West Side it’s Greek Village on Bluemound (in the old Pitch’s)
Best Pasta: Farfalle Taormina at Mimma’s on Brady. Spicy chicken pasta in a light cream sauce over bowtie pasta. Get a nice Pinot Noir to go with this one.
Best Patio: Other than my own, it has to be Paddy’s. A close second is Trocadero, but the back deck at the Harp is also teh r0xx0rz. The Nomad on Brady is great way to spend a sunday morning on the sidewalk, however.
Best Nightspot/Grotto: This does not mean bar, but more of a lounge like atmosphere and throwback style. Angelo’s is hands down the best lounge. At Random and Bryant’s have their thing going, but Angelo’s is way more old school cool.
Best Bar: Gah! Don’t make me choose! Oh, okay…. Paddy’s it is.
Best Sports Bar: Well, there’s a lot of them on Bluemound, by Miller Park, that can make the cut, but for the true sports fan you can’t beat the one in Potowatomi casino. Plasma TV’s, a video wall, and odds for all the games going on.
Best Wine Bar: I’m still going with my Alma Mater, Pizza Man, for whom I had to learn wine.
Best Bar Whose Name I Have To Explain: Nessun Dorma, my buddy joe’s joint in Riverwest. Great sandwiches too. Mmmmm….. Panini’s.
Best Urinal: Leff’s Lucky Town, on State Street. It had to be mentioned. Guys will know what I’m talking about, women just don’t understand how a ginormous urinal can be so impressive. Not to mention useful when you’ve had a few and your aim might be off.
Best Jazz Joint: I’m going with Caroline’s on 2nd in Walker’s Point, but the Estate on Murray is a great joint. The Estate can get a little smoky, even for me.