The Brown Bottle
221 W Galena St, Milwaukee, WI, 53212
The Brown Bottle Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
221 W Galena St
Milwaukee, WI, 53212 - Phone (414) 539-6450
- Website https://www.brownbottlemke.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Emily A.
Great service. Very friendly. Definetly recommended Macaroni and cheese. Very delicious. Lovely outdoor seating. Table is a little wobbly but no matter. Overall very good.
(4)Matthew T.
After a moment of confusion to find this place (it's within the Schlitz Park office complex), we were pleasantly surprised by this restaurant, which apparently has only been open for about 2 months. There's a decent bar, a formal dining room area, and some more informal tables (where you can order food but still watch the games on TV). Extensive beer list, attentive service, and the food was excellent (and not just the regular bar food). The Meatloaf and Mac and cheese are highly recommended.
(5)Cosmo K.
Thank you for reopening a historic milwaukee gem. Had a nice fish fry at the bar. noise level was perfect for talking and catching up with old friends. Great beer selection. Friendly staff. We will be back!
(4)Joanna T.
Pretty impressed with the reopened Brown Bottle. The new owners have freshened up the interior a bit (lighter walls, new banquette seats) while keeping the cozy old-world hunting lodge details intact. There's a good amount of parking right outside on Galena, and a small lot just in front of the entrance so no need to use the nearby structures. The menu is much nicer than straightforward pub food - there are a good amount of snacks and starters to share (cheese boards, charcuterie plates, etc) over a drink at the bar. There are a few flatbreads and salads and about 5-6 mains. I honestly had a hard time deciding what to pick - roasted chicken with cheesy polenta? Pretzel crusted porkchop? Meatloaf with tomato jam? I ended up with the meatloaf on the strong recommendation of Ron R and really liked it. The meatloaf (individually baked) had a nice, unique flavor (maybe a hint of cinnamon?) and was topped with tomato jam & mushroom gravy. I'll be honest - that tomato jam was not for me as it was a little sweet but I think most people will enjoy it. The mister had the porkchop which was served with herbed spaetzle and the bite he shared was delicious! There are a few desserts for now - pineapple empanadas and an "old fashioned" sundae which is Purple Door old fashioned flavor ice cream, brandy caramel and crushed cherries. You know we had to order it - and it was great! As you might expect, they've got a solid beer menu (Schlitz $2!), a decent wine list and a good selection of cocktails at fairly reasonable prices (Dark'n'Stormy for $6). Although the bar area was absolutely packed (looked like a company Christmas party) everything came out quickly for us and our server was friendly and attentive. An added bonus is that it's quite reasonably priced for the quality - two beers, two drinks, two mains and a dessert came out to $53. Not bad. a In a way, the new Brown Bottle reminds me a little of Jackson's in the Pabst complex. Both are in up-and-coming developments, they both showcase Milwaukee's brewing history and they're both a little outside of the downtown madness. IMO, Brown Bottle wins out for me on the food front for sure and it's generally less hectic than Jackson's can be. Defintely worth checking out!
(4)Steve B.
I have to say that the Brown Bottle has improved a great deal since they reopened. Great atmosphere inside and out. The service is now top notch plus there is live music on the patio.
(4)Kelly B.
Now that we have been here a couple times, I feel that I can write the 4 star review that I think Brown Bottle has earned. We have gone on both a Friday and Saturday, and received a mix of food and service. Worth noting, that their fish fry is huge and quality (as Jason pointed out - definitely better than the Lakefront fry if mostly for the quantity you get!), leading it to be a pretty busy night. That said, make a reservation ahead of time and you will be fine. Our first time here the service was lacking and it really pulled away from an otherwise overall pleasant experience. I was set to give it a 3 star review until our return visit this past Saturday. We called around 6:00 for an 8:00 reservation, and we appreciated the tip to come in closer to 7:45 to get in before the party of 8 at 8:00. We love the $2 Schlitz that they serve up in the vintage tall glasses, we love the heavy wooden door that leads into a modern yet rustic dark entryway, but mostly we've loved a lot of our food. While unable to satisfy my meat cravings during Lent, my choices have been limited to meat-free options - however I can't wait to come back and try the likes of a pretzel-crusted pork chop or the individually baked meatloaf. On our first visit we started with the tempura cauliflower. It came out quickly, but we had no silverware. The runner quickly dropped and ran, so we were struggling to find a server able to help us out. Finally the runner came back with hot, freshly dried silverware - must have run out! We found the cauliflower to be pretty flat in our opinion - when you use such a naturally tasteless vegetable to batter, the batter needs some rocking flavors going on in there and unfortunately this was just bland. This visit we opted for the appetizer special of the day: house-made hummus. She said it was $10 and came with "veggies and a falafel". Boy were we happily surprised to see a HUGE platter come out full of cherry tomatoes, warm pita, cauliflower, sliced raw yams, and falafel. We dug into the hummus, but let me tell you... this falafel was the STAR of the dish. Not even the main component, but knocked everything else out of the water.There were larger bits of chickpeas mixed with the puree, and the lemon juice really made it pop in my mouth. I was blown away, and mentioned as much to my server - put these on the menu!!! My entree was the vegetable spaetzel, and Joe has ordered both the Blackened Salmon Burger and the Salmon Bowl (theme?). The salmon burger dices up the fish and then forms a patty, while this was clearly stated on the menu, we both agreed it would be better as a hunk of fish instead. The salmon bowl came on a bed of soba noodles with broccolini - they finished it with a bacon broth that we both thought was off-putting the freshness of the fish. Our server this last time really showed that our first time may have been due to inexperience or nerves - this place really has knocked it out of the park so far, they will be seeing more of us!
(4)April B.
I've been here twice now, once for Downtown Dining Week and again this past Friday. I started the meal off at both visits with the panzanella salad. The salad is comprised of greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, croutons, a light vinaigrette and a butternut squash puree that's pretty much to die for. I could egit eat this salad at every meal, day and night. Same goes for the pretzel-crusted pork chop. The porkchop is rolled in pretzels, pan fried, and served with wilted chard, spaetzle and a mustard cream sauce. This porkchop is the porkchop of my dreams. I'll try my best to order something different on a future visit, but, I mean...it'll be hard. On this last visit, my partner ordered the kimchi reuben and absolutely loved it. The corned beef was perfectly cooked and the kimchi was a nice, unexpected stand-in for the usual sauerkraut. We also split the clam chowder and it was normal, and comforting and delicious. In addition to the excellent food, they're in a cool spot in Brewer's Hill. The decor is really minimal and the whole place brings to mind a secret bar that only the cool kids know about. The staff are awesome to boot. I adore the Brown Bottle and can't wait to go back.
(5)Jason B.
Move over Lakefront Brewery, there's a new/old Brewery in town, and they are kicking your butt when it comes to Fish Fry. I was a little hesitant to give it a whirl because I didn't think it could compare.....but it not only compared, it blew Lakefront away. It obviously don't have the same atmosphere, but I don't go to a place for that, I go to a place for food and the Brown Bottle nailed it. 3 huge pieces of fish, that were a perfect size for dunking in their homemade tartar sauce, a full plate of fries and some of the best rye bread I've ever had along side a fish fry. The service was good, the fries were good, and the historic setting was great. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Edmond B.
Went last night with my wife for the fish fry. The place looks awesome. I feel the dining area may be on the edge of almost too formal. I had no idea what I was getting into so I was in my after work relaxation garb. First the I want to mention is the service. The waitress multiple times tried pushing apps and drinks. (We did end getting some drinks) That type of attitude in a place like this just doesn't mix well. I wasn't sure if she forgot I what I had said, if she was just too busy (I doubt it as they weren't that busy yet), or took a look at me and was like I need to push our they won't spend money. Any of those reasons is not acceptable for what they are trying to sell at this establishment. The actual service was good. Food and drinks came out very timely. Drinks looked good so I selected their lager and my wife had the cider boys they had on tap. I thought the lager was good my wife really liked it. As for food we both had the fish fry. I had the fries and my wife had the potato pancakes ($1 extra). Fries are nothing worth mentioning but the potato pancakes are pretty good. Both my wife a I downed the first piece out of the 3 large pieces they gave us. We slowed down and realized the fish was overcooked. We both loved the breading but the fish itself made finishing the second piece not pleasing. So we didn't finish our third pieces. The cole slaw was weird in my opinion. They use peanut oil so the flavor is distinct. My wife loved it though. Overall we felt it was bad luck on the server and maybe the fish fryer was just off their game. So we'll give it another shot since their other food sounded really good.
(3)Patty L.
Salmon bowl delish! Pulled pork delish! Meatloaf delish! Drink specials Delish! Very reasonable for such good food and drink. AND great history since your in the old Schlitz Brewery!
(4)Stephanie R.
A light snow is slowly falling outside as you walk across the silent courtyard after dark. You pull open the heavy, carved wooden door to the Brown Bottle. Burl Ives is singing Christmas carols, beckoning you in. It's softly lit and inviting inside, and the din of coworkers and friends sharing drinks and conversation after a weekday surrounds and warms you. You brush the snowflakes off your shoulders and take a seat at the bar which is crowned with a dark, heavy beamed ceiling and order a Queens Peak Cabernet for $8. The wine is fruit forward with notes reminiscent of a nice cigar box, and it arrives paired with a glass of ice water without request, which delights you. There is a dining room in back and and several cozy nooks with booths or leather aviator style chairs for tucking in to in the bar. You think, "this place has to have been around for about 80 years." You aren't incredibly hungry, so you think a vegetarian dish may be in order: the fall panzanella: a butternut squash purée topped with greens, sprinkled with dried cranberries and toasted walnuts. It's beautifully presented with croutons cascading over the fresh greens. Your partner orders the meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini, and upon sampling said vegetable you exclaim "that's how vegetables should taste!" The meatloaf with its mushroom gravy is comfort food elevated to a new level. You will think about this meatloaf again and again. Soon a Packers game will start. The holiday tunes give way to the game commentary and there are large TVs available for you to take in the game. Yeah, you're a fan.
(4)Ron R.
Came in on a Monday for date night- was dismayed to find two consecutive Christmas parties. No worries though, the bartender quickly caught our eye the through the crowd and served our drinks. It wasn't too long before we found two seats at the bar. Wifey ordered a Queens Peak Cab ($8) I had the "Brown Bottle Lager" apparently an amber made just for them by Lakefront. ($5) Tastes suspiciously like Riverwest Stein. Happy Hour runs 4-6 PM , 1$ off rails, wine and taps. Meatloaf is good, damn good! It's got sage or something not really considered a 'meatloafy' type seasoning. Whatever it is- it's really good. This is hands down my my fave meatloaf in MKE. It was on a nice soft cushion of mashed taters and mushroom gravy. A layer of sweet tomato sauce on top. Freaking yummo! Finish it off with a Bulleit neat (10$) pretty good times for a Monday y'all. Pretty good times.
(4)Violet P.
Stopped after dinner to take a peek! What a super cute place!!!! We didn't have dinner but from the looks of it, fish fry is the way to go on a Friday night. Will have to definitely try that soon!! There are high top tables with seating for groups as well as circular booths. The bar area was very nice with some just drinking and some eating. The best part is are the corner nooks with leather seats and old time Schlitz wood tables. On the table was a book called "Schlitz Brewing Art" filled with images of the old brewery song with wonderful facts as well as Trivial Pursuit! How awesome. Bring your friends, have a fish fry, and stay to hang out!!!!!
(5)Tony K.
I was pleased with my experience. The menu was small. It was more or an upscale fee (but yet approachable) with some German-ish comfort food. I had the chicken breast which was served over mashed potatoes with Brussels sprouts and pork belly. The skin on the chicken was uber crispy - way too much for my liking - but I could see that someone else might be all about it. The drink menu and beer list were great. $2 schlitz! and other inventive cocktails. The service was very friendly and attentive. Kudos to making us feel welcome. The atmosphere was very similar to what I remember of Libiamo - but brighter. I'd say, for the bar area at least, it was overly bright. Turn the lights down a couple notches and it would've felt more comfortable. I'd like to return I think to enjoy a drink... But only if the lights were more at a comfortable level.
(4)Annie S.
I came for downtown dining week and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I would have preferred the beer cheese soup to not have the giant chunks of potato, but that's just a personal thing. The seasoning on the Mac and cheese was delicious! I could have used so much more of it. The old fashioned sundae was delicious. I don't drink old fashioned, but this was SO GOOD. Don't miss it. The seating outdoors looked nice, the inside was kinda cool looking, although we were sat so close to our neighbors that I'm pretty sure they could hear our conversation. Which was really awkward since we had dinner early so there was plenty of other space.
(4)Katie S.
I want to like this place. In fact, I'd like to come back in the dead of winter when it sucks outside and this place will make me feel all warm and cozy. It's warm and wooden and inviting inside, despite being in a renovated-to-super-modern-old-building-turned-office. Bonus - plenty of parking available! We sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly. The beer selection was just ok. To be fair, it's getting hard for a beer list to impress me anymore, but I don't love hops and I wasn't finding anything in the non-hop category that interested me even a little. Why are hops so cool??!?! Ugh. Anyway, we ordered the chips, the butternut squash ravioli, and the tempura cauliflower...but we got tempura shrimp instead. The chips were good, the dip was fine. The ravioli and shrimp were not good. I mean they weren't terrible - certainly edible, but they were boring as heck. And excessively sweet. There was basically no filling in the ravioli and the batter on the shrimp was falling off. Blah. We ended with the Old Fashioned Sundae....which is not and old fashioned sundae, but a sundae based on and Old Fashioned. YES. Purple Door whiskey ice cream with some whiskey caramel and smashed maraschino cherries...why yes, that does sound delightful. And it was. I would eat that again, and I would drink here again, but I certainly don't need to eat here again.
(2)Kay C.
I'll start with this, Schlitz tappers $2 all day, everyday. Yes, the beer that made Milwaukee famous. Classic Schlitz. Good Schlitz. I have visited the "new" Brown Bottle three times since it opened. First off, you can't beat the atmosphere. This was the original tasting room and VIP dining room for Schlitz back in the day. If only the walls could talk. Love the dark walnut wood, antler chandeliers and especially the huge carving of the Schlitz logo - the globe...at one time Schlitz was one of the world's largest breweries - dang! There isn't much left of the former brewery, but what still exists is pretty darn cool. Great Cream City brick buildings. Anyhow... Schlitz tappers are $2 all day, everyday. My first visit was for lunch where I sat at the bar and enjoyed a Kimchi Reuben - an interesting and tasty twist to the popular sandwich. Had great service. Next, my husband and I stopped in on a Friday night for the fish fry. The dining room was busy, so we opted to dine at the bar, which was a good choice. He had the battered fish fry, I had the baked. Both were great and could rank as one of the best fish frys in the city. In addition, I had the Seared Deviled Eggs - I could eat a lot of those! And we had quite a few of the $2 all day, everyday Schlitz tappers. So pretty in that pilsner glass. It was fun sitting at the bar with some people who have already become regulars and had a great time chatting with Executive Chef Ben Hudson. My husband and I used to go to the "old" Brown Bottle Pub back in the 90's for Import Night on Tuesdays...drank a lot of imports, but never got my T-shirt (needed to drink 100!) Next up, I brought a group of 30 for lunch. Had great service from Jessica, the manager, setting everything up in advance as well as taking care of us at lunch. We went with the meatloaf sandwich for everyone...a bit hit - everyone loved the red onion relish. And then the bigger hit was single servings (thanks Ben!) of the Old Fashioned Sundae with Purple Door's brandy ice cream. A sweet rendition of the famous Wisconsin cocktail. This is a great place to bring out of towners to share the Brew City history, as well as enjoy some great food...and did I mention the $2 all day, everyday Schlitz tappers?
(5)Justine T.
Loved the atmosphere here. Came for dinner, but cannot wait to come back just for drinks sometime. We tried the chicken breast and the Mac and cheese and I would recommend both. Didn't care for the pork belly that came with the chicken, but the chicken itself was perfect. Overall, had a great time here!
(5)Bail T.
Terrible god awful fish fry.....thick dish water tasting coating, and terrible coleslaw...hate leaving bad reviews
(1)Kayla F.
This has been my second time here and I have yet to be disappointed. The food has been very flavorful and tasty! It is a pain to get here due to it being "off the beaten path" but it is well worth it. Must try the butternut squash wontons, kimchi ruben, and beer battered nuggets.
(4)Jenni P.
Where to begin ... Well, I suppose the beginning is as good a place as any, right? My friend wanted to check this place out - there was a group of 6 of us, and none of us had ever been so we were excited to investigate. Since we had a bigger group I decided to call to make a reservation (it was a Tuesday night, but still, better safe than sorry, right?!). When I called she put me on hold to 'check the book' to make sure it was ok (no problem there). When she came back she said it wouldn't be an issue & took my information. 6:30 rolls around & we stroll in. Literally NO ONE else in the restaurant, just 2 men in business suits at the bar having a drink. The guy behind the bar greeted us and asked if we had a reservation (we both kind of chuckled a bit at that) and took us to our table. So far so good, although a little odd that we were literally the only people there at prime time dinner time. Waiter came over to take our drink order, came back a minute later to let me know they were out of the beer I ordered. I ordered a different beer. They were out of that one also. My friend asked for a sour beer, they were out of that too. (Sensing an annoying pattern yet?!). Finally I gave up & asked what they did have that was similar to anything else I was trying to get & my friend gave up & got a cocktail. Anyway - we chatted for quite a while but then finally ordered. Our waiter kind of disappeared for a while / didn't come back to check our drink situation in a timely manner. Also, the food took a really long time to come out. Why? I have no idea. If you recall, we were LITERALLY the only people there. I still don't get what the hold up was and I'm scared to know how long it would take to get your food if it was actually a busy night. The food was all really good (except my friend didn't care for her tempura cauliflower) so I can't say anything bad in that department. Cut to the end of the night when the bill came and my friend noticed they added gratuity on there. Not a huge deal I guess but most places generally put (a gratuity of "x" will be added to parties "x" and larger) - no such disclaimer was on the menu and with only 5 of us there (one person backed out, if you're really keeping tabs on this story), I don't think any of us expected it to be tacked on. So - bottom line: food = good, service = not so great. Will any of us go back? Questionable. Sidebar: ONE other table finally came in as we were wrapping up our meal / leaving around 8. In 90 minutes only ONE other table came in. What the what?!
(2)