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
Where to watch San Antonio Spurs vs Milwaukee Bucks: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Saturday, March 28
The San Antonio Spurs can clinch no worse than the Western Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed with a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in an afternoon matinee game on Amazon.San Antonio is heavily favored with a moneyline of -2500, while Milwaukee is at +1100.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks
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Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
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Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis.
Advertisement
Team records
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San Antonio Spurs: 55-18 (No. 1 in Southwest Division)
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Milwaukee Bucks: 29-43 (No. 3 in Central Division)
Odds
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Spread: San Antonio Spurs -18.5
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Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +1100) / San Antonio Spurs -2500
Milwaukee, WI
Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
MILWAUKEE — Despite a partial government shutdown causing long TSA lines at airports across the country, travelers at Milwaukee Mitchell airport are experiencing short wait times ahead of spring break.
John Wahlen and his colleague Joe Orendorf were coming back home from North Carolina and prepared for a much different scene.
“We were remarkably surprised that it was as easy as it was,” Wahlen said.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
A national TSA spokesperson told TMJ4 that over 3,450 TSA officers called out across the country on Thursday. The national call-out rate was at 11.83% percent, the highest since the shutdown began.
While the TSA could not provide specific numbers for Milwaukee Mitchell, the airport was not in the top-10 for call-out rates.
The highest percentages of call-offs came from much larger airports, including George Bush Intercontinental in Houston at 44 percent, Atlanta at almost 41 percent, and Baltimore at 37 percent.
“We were in smaller airports, Raleigh-Durham, I think we waited for two people, and one of them was him,” Orendorf said.
Watch: Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
A spokesperson for Milwaukee Mitchell told TMJ4 that around 11,000 people are expected this Friday and Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday as spring break travel peaks.
President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents, meaning a resolution may be on the horizon. Travelers, including Selena Mauricio, said they are thankful for the agents who are still showing up.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
“Their jobs aren’t easy, and I commend the ones that still come to work, definitely,” Mauricio said.
This story was reported on-air by Brendyn Jones and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
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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.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
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