Milwaukee, WI
What fast-food chain does Milwaukee need most? There’s a runaway winner, readers say
Here’s a glance at Milwaukee’s Top 25 Restaurants selected by Rachel Bernhard
For the first time in five years, the Journal Sentinel presents Milwaukee’s Top 25 Restaurants, this year from new dining critic Rachel Bernhard.
From much-loved chains to acclaimed local spots, Milwaukee is home to many great places to eat.
However, like any city, some popular restaurants are missing. This may ring especially true if you’re a newcomer looking for a taste of home ― or a Milwaukeean who’s discovered a new favorite while traveling.
We asked our readers which fast-food brand they think Milwaukee needs and why. Our survey, which was open from Feb. 27 to March 2, received 199 responses. One restaurant won decisively, with more than six times the votes of any other.
Here’s which restaurants Milwaukeeans are hungry for:
In-N-Out Burger is Milwaukee’s most-desired fast-food restaurant
California-based burger and shake spot In-N-Out Burger claimed the title of Milwaukee’s most-wanted fast-food joint with 62 votes, nearly one-third of survey responses.
Founded in 1948, In-N-Out is known for its limited but celebrated menu featuring hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. The majority of its about 400 locations are in the brand’s home of California, with others across the western U.S. in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Texas and Utah. Many Journal Sentinel readers praised In-N-Out’s “great-tasting” and “juicy” burgers, affordable menu and “excellent service.”
“Taste, prices, service. Everything about this place is top-notch quality,” one reader, Jason, said.
“Burgers taste terrific. Still remember them after being in California 10 years ago,” reader Connie said.
Which restaurants do people wish were in Milwaukee?
Another burger chain, Texas-based Whataburger, finished in a somewhat-distant second with 10 votes. With locations mainly focused in southern and southwestern states, Whataburger offers a more varied menu that includes burgers, chicken, breakfast, melts and desserts.
Burger, chicken and fish spot White Castle and Mediterranean bowl-based restaurant Cava tied for third, each with eight votes. You don’t have to travel far to go to the nearest White Castle. It’s in Kenosha at 11730 75th St. Cava has locations in the Chicago area.
Fourth place was also a tie. Illinois-founded burger and milkshake joint Steak ‘n Shake and 24/7 Southern breakfast favorite Waffle House each got seven votes. Steak ‘n Shake has restaurants just over the Wisconsin-Illinois border, in Gurnee and McHenry, according to the company’s online store locator. Waffle House has restaurants in the southern Midwest, South and Southwest, with its closest locations to Milwaukee being in the St. Louis and Indianapolis areas.
Finally, San Diego-based Jack in the Box came in fifth with six votes. Jack in the Box is known for its extensive menu, which offers everything from burgers and chicken to tacos, egg rolls and cheese-stuffed jalapeños. The brand’s nearest locations to Milwaukee are in Chicago.
Here are the top finishers in our survey:
1. In-N-Out Burger: 62 votes
2. Whataburger: 10 votes
3 (tie). Cava: 8 votes
3 (tie). White Castle: 8 votes
5 (tie). Steak ‘n Shake: 7 votes
5 (tie). Waffle House: 7 votes
7 (tie). Jack in the Box: 6 votes
8 (tie). Bojangles: 4 votes
8 (tie). Jollibee: 4 votes
10 (tie). Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips: 3 votes
10 (tie). El Pollo Loco: 3 votes
10 (tie). Torchy’s Tacos: 3 votes
10 (tie). Zaxby’s: 3 votes
Restaurants readers wish Milwaukee had: Honorable mentions
The other restaurants mentioned by survey respondents are listed below. Each received less than three votes. Four readers also said they didn’t want any fast-food chains coming to Milwaukee; two said they would instead prefer new local restaurants.
- &pizza
- 85C Bakery Cafe
- Anime Cafe
- Applebee’s IHOP
- Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
- Birdcall
- Blake’s Lotaburger
- Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken
- Boston Market
- BurgerFi
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
- Chicken Salad Chick
- Church’s Texas Chicken
- Cook Out
- CosMc’s
- Del Taco
- Der Weiner Dog
- Duck Donuts
- Dutch Bros Coffee
- Earl’s Kitchen + Bar
- Fatburger
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
- Friendly’s
- Fuddruckers
- Godfather’s Pizza
- Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
- Hello Kitty Cafe
- Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders
- Hungry Hobo
- Johnny Rockets
- King of Donair
- Krystal
- Long John Silver’s
- McAlister’s Deli
- Mel’s Diner
- Nando’s Peri-Peri
- Next Level Burger
- PDQ Chicken
- Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
- Piada Italian Street Food
- PLNT Burger
- PrimoHoagies
- Protein Bar & Kitchen
- Ruby Tuesday
- Saucy by KFC
- Skyline Chili
- Slim Chickens
- Smashburger
- The Earl of Sandwich
- The Peach Cobbler Factory
- Tim Hortons
- Veggie Grill
- Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
- Yogurtland
Milwaukee, WI
Truck drives in to Grace Coffee in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward overnight
MILWAUKEE — A truck drove through the Grace Coffee Co. in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward on early Friday morning, the owners announced in a social media post.
Due to the extensive damage that was done, the coffee shop will be closed until further notice.
TMJ4
“We’re incredibly grateful no one was hurt, and we’ll keep you updated as we begin repairs,” the coffee shop said in the post.
TMJ4 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department but have yet to hear back.
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Milwaukee, WI
MPS layoffs plan draws pushback as district works to close $46M gap
MPS cuts face backlash
Milwaukee Public Schools plans about 200 layoffs to close a $46 million budget gap, but union leaders say cuts could impact student safety while district leaders say no classroom teachers will be eliminated.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools is planning to cut roughly 200 positions next school year as the district works to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap — but there’s disagreement over which roles will be impacted.
What we know:
District leaders say the goal is to close a roughly $46 million shortfall, prompting changes that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says are necessary.
Milwaukee Public Schools said about 201 staff members will be impacted. District leaders say no classroom teachers, counselors or social workers will be cut — something the teachers’ union disputes.
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The reductions stem from a previously approved plan to eliminate about 260 non-classroom roles. The final number dropped after retirements and existing vacancies. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved that plan on March 9.
What they’re saying:
“We have a $50 million deficit, we are for sure not going to be able to do business the same way that we’ve been able to do business,” Cassellius said. “Change is just hard. It’s just hard. And every single one of our employees is so important.”
But some educators say the cuts go too far.
“MTEA is setting up a distress signal. We are talking about our teachers, art teachers, music teachers, physical education teachers, counselors — things that the voters of referendum of Milwaukee actually voted for,” said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. “Staffing is being cut to the extent that they are concerned about student safety.”
Cassellius acknowledged the uncertainty and asked school leaders for patience.
“We just have to for sure know our budget situation, where we’re at with that after these cuts are made in order to make those decisions,” she said. “So I’m asking my principals, be patient with us.”
By the numbers:
The district outlined the 201 affected positions as:
- 70 central office roles
- 62 educators with a teaching license but not assigned to one classroom
- 59 assistant principals
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MPS says the savings will support new class size guidelines, including:
- 18 students per teacher in K3
- 20 students per teacher in K4
- 22 students per teacher in K5
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
District leaders say no students will be asked to leave a school to meet class size guidelines. Officials say they are working with schools that may not have space or that require larger classes based on specific programs.
What’s next:
Milwaukee Public Schools plans to present its proposed 2026–27 budget to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in May.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by Milwaukee Public Schools and prior FOX6 coverage.
Milwaukee, WI
Brewers finally announce cable, satellite TV channels for broadcasts
What’s the main story line of the 2026 Brewers season?
Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe chat about the overriding storyline for the 2026 Brewers on the cusp of opening day, part of the ‘Microbrew’ podcast.
Just before the pitch clock hits zero, the Milwaukee Brewers released a rundown of channels on cable and satellite for game broadcasts, mere hours before the 1:10 p.m. CT first pitch on Opening Day, Thursday, March 26.
The club said channels include 1263 on XFinity, 670 on DirecTV, 1743 on U-Verse, and 319 or 469 on Spectrum. The broadcasts are also listed as available on streaming service Fubo.
The Brewers are pointing fans to a channel-finding tool on their web site at Brewers.com/watch, though in the moments after the announcement, the channel finder was not yet locating details for Spectrum customers for Milwaukee-area zip codes. A club spokesperson said Major League Baseball was aware of the error and the games would indeed air on Spectrum in Milwaukee.
The built-in Spectrum guide still showed Channel 308 as the “BREW” offering in Milwaukee, with Brewers Live Pregame scheduled to begin at noon CT and baseball at 1 p.m. March 26.
With the February announcement of a switchover from FanDuel Sports Wisconsin to Major League Baseball productions in 2026, MLB negotiations have gone down to the wire with the various providers around Wisconsin. Several teams covered by Main Street Sports, which operated the FanDuel brand, have been in a similar boat this offseason.
Brewers fans aren’t alone in experiencing the late-arriving channel information. Maury Brown of Forbes has been keeping track of all the late-arriving channel announcements for teams around baseball, specifically those that were covered by the Main Street Sports. As of 7 a.m. March 26, the Royals, Rays, Tigers and Braves also still hadn’t released channel listings.
Streaming customers who used the FanDuel Sports Wisconsin app in previous years can use the new Brewers.TV option to once again watch games. The opener is also one of 10 games simulcast on over-the-air channels this season, including WITI-TV (Channel 6) in Milwaukee.
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