The Packing House
900 E Layton Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53207
The Packing House Menu
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Address :
900 E Layton Ave
Milwaukee, WI, 53207 - Phone (414) 483-5054
- Website https://packinghousemke.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 : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Sarah S.
Well, this was fun! I'm originally from Wisconsin, so I often feel overprotective and suspect about my supper club experiences. But this is all the right things about a very specific dining genre. We were flying out at 6p, and were in the strange limbo before true dinner. With that said, we were still able to order from the dinner menu at the cocktail bar. Me: perfectly seasoned broiled walleye with steamed fresh vegetables and rice. And strong pours of good wine. Husband: perfectly cooked steak and a stiff drink(s). Add to this? Attentive staff, supper club ambiance, and fabulous clientele. We are in! We fly into MKE often to visit family and we are making this a consistent stop.
(5)Mink L.
After reading many articles regarding The Packing House's award winning Friday Fish Fry's, we decided it was a must to try one of Milwaukee's best supper club. The service and live jazz ensemble were great, but the food definitely didn't live up to the hype. We ordered a S&P streak medium rare and the steak must not have rested enough or wasn't cooked at the right temp. The untested steak had made the white sauce red and pink, which made it very unappetizing and seasoning was just ugh.. There seemed to be no seasoning on the famous fish fry, the cole slaw and apple sauce were warm, and the potato pancakes was nothing to rave over. The cole slaw was very watery and the texture was really off. Maybe they had it under the heat lamp too long and it cooked the slaw. Whatever the case, The Packing House is a great place to listen to classic jazz and have a classic side car, but definitely not a place to dine. Over priced, over hyper, and under expectations.
(3)Manny R.
Awesome place , the food is fantastic. Customer service is great. Quality of ambience is excellent. I had The crepe and it was just fantastic. Totally recommended
(5)Eric T.
This restaurant has fallen off so dramatically over the last several years. 40 years ago it must have been stupendous, but they haven't kept that quality up. It's incredibly dated, and the menu is increasingly bland. I am not one to write negative reviews, but I feel I have to because this place still carries a fairly high rating. I also noticed the owner seems to lay into all yelpers who voice honest concerns about the establishment. All I can really say is that my last two experiences there have been met with staff bordering on rude and food that is uninspired. If I am looking for a trip down memory lane the 5 O'Clock or Jackson's are much more satisfying options.
(2)Heather S.
Amazing Steak, wonderful staff, live music in the bar. We really appreciated that the garden salad was so fresh. Best carrots I've had in Wisconsin the lettuce was crisp and just perfect. I had the steak au poivre - Best in show at the Wisconsin State fair, so good! Also their baked dinner bread is super tasty. Possibly the best sourdough dinner bread I've ever had at a restaurant.
(5)Danielle S.
I agree with Lisa A "An old school supper club, but with more of a Nixon yrs-1970s-early 1980s old school feel to it, as opposed to a rat pack 1950s atmosphere.". That's pretty spot on. This place has been here a long time, and looks old from the outside. The inside was much nicer. First off, they have a drive-through fish fry. What?! I've never heard of such a thing! But people were all about it. There was a line in the street to get through the drive through. We had reservations, so we had a table ready for us. Throughout the night, the servers and bartenders were pretty good to us. I don't really have any complaints about the service. They have a nice menu with a variety to choose from. Most of the menu items are a little pricer that I think they should be, but for the most part the quality was there. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which come with bread (2 kinds), soup or salad, and a relish tray. The drinks were mixed well, not too strong, not weak. They have live music on certain nights in the abr area. I wish you could see them from the regular seating area, as the bar does get crowded. I would say overall it's an older crowd, but nice.
(4)Gary N.
We have been Friday fish fry customers at the "Packing House" lately because the management decided their food was so good they dramatically increased the prices on the menu a year or so ago. This past Friday we drove up from Racine and ordered our now traditional fish fry. My wife was just starting her French onion soup and I was part way through my salad when the waitress arrived with our fish. When I mentioned we needed more time for the preliminaries she said she would keep our dinners warm in the kitchen, when she returned later with the fish they were pretty much dried out. I mentioned this to the waitress she just shrugged and walked away. Bad experience. My wife likes to listen to the music in the bar area so we stopped to have a glass of wine and hopefully enjoy that part of the night, which we did. A few days later when reviewing my charges for the week with my on-line banking I realized the bartender in the bar had increased my tip from $3.00 ( which I thought was appropriate for two glasses of wine ) to $5.00. This has happened before. Needless to say the "Packing House" is no longer our place to dine in Milwaukee. G.N. Racine
(2)Jim B.
We had walleye and steak au poivre. We had mashed potatoes with gravy and butter. The fish was very good. The steak was served medium rare as ordered. Penny was our server. Ask for Penny if you come to eat here.
(5)Steve L.
Showed up after 8pm. They decided to close early. I hate this. You advertise hours you should accommodate your customers. Walked in, the staff in the bar said nothing, walked into dinning room and was notified kitchen closed an hour early. Was told they werent from around there when we asked if they could recommend another option. We were looking forward to trying out this old school steakhouse. It looks like they left the customer service in the past. I won't be trying this joint again.
(1)c g.
Spectacular once again. Delicious walleye and salad. Terrific service ! Wish I was here more often.
(5)Nathan Z.
Very fancy, and was a great place to eat! The food was done to perfection!
(5)Lisa A.
An old school supper club, but with more of a Nixon yrs-1970s-early 1980s old school feel to it, as opposed to a rat pack 1950s atmosphere. The dining room had one of those bars that was a bar on one side and a serving station for the dining room on the other. Outside its pretty hard to tell what the inside will hold, but its location opposite the airport makes it possible to watch the planes start their approach for landing close to the airport, and that gives it a certain cache, (not sure that's the right word but I liked it.) So, we came for their Easter brunch, which was featured along with their traditional dinner menu. The special easter dinner offered featured a ton of ham, potatoes with orange hollandaise sauce and asparagus. I had something called Chicken Monterey which was pretty good and was enough to take home for a second meal. Surprisingly though, my mom's vegetarian and gluten-free risotto was probably the best dish. They gave you a huge portion of risotto with goat cheese, Portobello mushrooms and other veggies. All the dinners came with a large loaf of homemade bread to start. The food was good, but I'm guessing steaks are their forte. Also sadly, I was there during the lunch hour, which didn't seem a good time to partake in the wide variety of ice cream cocktails I saw being delivered to other tables. **sighing thinking of brandy alexanders and grasshoppers** I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I'm suddenly kind of into supper clubs so we'll bump it up to 4.
(4)David M.
Sat at the bar as we heard jazz when we walked in. The music was good. Service at the bar was outstanding. Garlic stuffed, bacon wrapped filet was very nice. I read it was the best steak north of Chicago and I could agree. Very nice wine list as well. Stag's Leap Petit Syrah from Napa complimented our steak nicely. I will return on my next visit to Milwaukee. Very close to the airport.
(5)Eric T.
Grand steer filet... Hands down the best steak I had in years.. And I'm not a easy pleaser...Pricey but worth it! Also for an appetizer u have to try the crab stuffed mushrooms. Simply awesome..
(5)Vincent C.
The food here is well-made and very delicious. The bread they give out is the best bread I've ever had! The only downside is that this restaurant is a bit too overpriced - but only just a bit. Overall, service is great but inconsistent. My waitress quickly placed my order and got me food. But towards the end of my meal, it took a bit of waiting for me to get my check.
(4)Mark P.
My grandma's been dragging us here for close to 30 years! The joint hasn't changed a bit & still has the old fashioned supper club vibe from decades past. The steaks & prime rib are always top notch. Try the Friday fish fry too!! Packing House has a drive thru just to accommodate the extra business.The clam chowder is also very good. Great thick base. Hearty and savory. There's a full bar (with plenty of beers on tap) as well as a pretty extensive wine list, so you can definitely bring a date here for a nice dinner. The restaurant always appears to be clean & organized. The staff is always friendly & attentive. . Remember to tip the coat checker!
(4)Travel'en C.
Well, I went to try their steaks since they came highly reviewed. I opted for for their signature filet..this garlic infused bacon wrapped filet. It was $40 for starters... So based on that price point, expectations were high. My started salad was just ok...as much as I hate to say this, but I've had fresher salads at hotel restaurants and even some diners/coneys. For $40, you'd figured on getting a pretty substantial crispy/cold salad...not here. The steak, well it was just ok. It wasn't muttony like some places can be, but I really don't feel it was $40 worthy. I would have given this place 4-stars if they'd drop the price to a more equitable/fair price of $28-$30 for that steak. Just saying... I like the location - close to airport hotels etc so that's nice.
(3)Harris N.
The Packing House is located very near the airport. If you're at any of the nearby hotels, it's an easy shuttle ride to get to the restaurants. In fact, on the Monday night that I was there, there were several tables they were expecting from the local hotels. I had a group of 5 out-of-towners that found this place based on the Yelp reviews. Good enough reviews to give it a try. The service is okay. I would say it's more on the scale of a nice diner or supper club, but not the level of a high-end steak house. The server was attentive, but the food tended to take a while to get the next round. The bread was excellent, but required prompting from our hunger pains calling out of it rather than an automatic service. Appetizers were a great start. The shrimp cocktail and the stuffed mushrooms were excellent. Large shrimp with great firm texture. Cocktail sauce was not overpowering of horseradish either. My expectations were rising. Next was the Cesar salad. It was good, though I asked for extra anchovies, and had to ask again once I received the salad. Finally, the steak arrived. I had ordered the garlic filet medium rare. The searing in how they prepare steak tends to over cook the steak and left the core of the steak a medium. I thought it was an isolated incident, but three other steaks at the table were also overcooked. When ordering I also asked if the fries were steak fries, which was answered in the affirmative. I guess they were steak fries by association with steak rather than a thicker cut of potato. They were a bit larger than your typical fast food burger joint, but much smaller than what I would consider steak fries. In all, the meal was good until the over-done steak. As a place rated 4-star in Yelp, I would have expected a much better cooked steak - especially for the price points. I would give it 2.5 stars if it was possible, but I'll leave it at a 2. Worth it to give it a try though, especially if you are looking for something near your hotel.
(2)Lea J.
We stopped here for a quick lunch before a flight. What a great way to stay our vacation! Our food was quite literally fantastic. Sister and I had a stuffed chicken dish and the chicken with mushroom and rice (Monterey Chicken?) And they both were wonderful. Dad had the spinach salad with hot bacon dressing. Very clear and clean decor. Waited was very nice, noon patronizing, good service. Highly recommend!!
(4)Valerie J.
My husband and I had our first date at the Packing House more than 15 years ago and we haven't had a bad meal since! We've tried the brunch (no longer offered) and dinner (nice classic drink selection and solid, hearty meals). We recently went on a Friday for the fish fry. My husband raved about the fish and coleslaw. My cousin was in town and had the cordon bleu, which he said was the best he's ever had. There's live music on Wed. through Sat. nights and there was a rockin' jazz band during our last visit. Be forewarned: Even with a reservation, you'll probably still wait. But it's worth it!!
(5)Laura A.
My husband and I have visited this restaurant before, because of the great reviews we've seen on Yelp. Well, let me tell you, this is a great place be! The ambiance is great for everyone. The front of the restaurant has a bar and a spot for a live band and the sitting area in the back is very eloquent; white tablecloths, dimly lite with candles on each table. The staff here is fantasti! We were there last night for my husband's birthday and we received the royal treatment. Our waitress was very attentive to the time we needed to leave in order to make it to our Broadway Play at the Rep Theater. Our table was a little wobble and she immediately has it fixed in seconds. She knew the foods on the menu and gave us great recommendations. I had the veal and mushrooms with linguine and my husband had barbecue ribs with mashed potatoes. Everything here is phenomenal!!! The manager stopped by our table to check in on us and even complimented us on how nicely we were dressed for the evening. It's so rare to get acknowledged by EVERY staff member ( that crosses your path) when you enter a restaurant but that is what you will get when you visit The Packing House Restaurant. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)David M.
The Packing House lives up to the award winning Friday Fish Fry! I applaud The Packing House for being a longtime supporter of live Jazz and Blues music almost every day of the week! This venue is a must for the hungry appetites and wonderful music fulfillment.
(5)Nate W.
The world has moved on folks. This food is terrible. You can't skate by on loud crooning vocal jazz from the golden era and classic American dishes from said golden era. It only makes me hate jazz and burgers even more. The burger pattys are frozen, the fries clearly packaged. The steak was overcooked and possibly made of pure rubber. The Reuben sandwich had been dropped in a vat of tasteless cheese where any and all flavor went do die a horrible death. 2 stars because the waitress was doing her best to be nice. But seriously, places like this shouldn't be patronized. The owner clearly doesn't care about food quality, while there seem to be plenty of modern/fresh options for dining relatively close. But at least it was way too expensive!
(2)Jeff E.
After seeing that the restaurant had several dishes I wanted to try I actually campaigned to my family for us to make a visit to the Packing House Restaurant. Enter We actually called ahead and made a reservation even though we were going to arrive at dinner opening to ensure that we would have a table. We arrived at 4 on the dot and we were seated immediately. We were the only people in the dining room and were seated in the middle area near some sort of server prep/refill/staging area which was a bit noisy at first but did calm down after a bit. It was a high traffic area which was kinda a bummer. Pre-dinner We ordered our dinner after being served our drinks and we also were served some complimentary bread which was pretty good. We also were brought our soup of the day that came with our meal Chicken Dumpling which was a broth not cream based but was also pretty good. Dinner We ordered two Beef Wellingtons, a Gardener's Pie, and a kids Chicken meal. I did make a special request for my beef to have the mushrooms taken out and was told that they were already made/prepped but our server would see what they could do. I was happy to be able to tell that they opened the pastry a bit to get some out for me. The amount left was very minimal and was the dish was good. The only complaint was that the middle of both Wellingtons were more of a medium rare (ordered medium) which made that part unappealing for one family member so I finished it up. We also ordered a hot buttered rum which was not really to my liking. In fairness, everyone makes hot buttered rum differently but this one was not for me. The positive I can give the drink is that it seemed to get better at the end with a more cinnamon flavor toward the bottom of the drink. If you do order this perhaps mixing the cinnamon around before drinking it will make it better throughout. The drink did come out very hot so that's another positive I can give, it is very hot in temp when you get it. Desserts We ordered a couple creme brûlées and a banana cream pie for dessert. Creme brûlée-very good and you get a nice size portion. Banana cream pie-also good and a big piece for sure Service Our server was okay but seemed to be gone at times for a little bit. The one experience that I didn't quite get was during the clearing of the dinner meals my soda was removed and I didn't really notice (during dessert) as I was paying attention to my family. I thought that this was due to a refill coming but sadly it was not replaced so when the check came it didn't really matter since I finished everything already. Overall So to say that the food isn't good would be unfair, it is good. The main reason for the 2 stars missing were the service, underdone Wellingtons, and the price. The meals are good but did not wow as expected. I know that things are made from scratch and everything but the bill just didn't match the experience on this visit. This is one of those where it was good to try but I don't see a return trip in the future.
(3)ChiefSlapaho E.
It seems everyone gets all "wet 'n' tickley" when they suggest this place for fish fry. We figured the tops of our heads would explode launching our nervous system into the ceiling upon our first bite. Unfortunately our heads did not explode but rather drooped in disappointment. Ate one piece... took the rest home. Surprisingly, the fish was excellent, cold with a little salt at 3am right before passing out from the 5th of scotch.
(3)Glenn Y.
This is a first class restaurant with a great staff and good atmosphere. I'm from our of town, so I've only had the pleasure of going one. Get the ribs, they had awesome flavor and were perfectly cooked.
(5)Todd M.
was a slow Tuesday at the bar. friendly folks. good food. a bit pricey but good nonetheless.
(4)John G.
We were with friends having a Friday Fish fry. Started with some shredded onion rings which were served with two different sauces and very tasty. Our Server was incredible and we were brought fresh marble rye along with some classic Supper Club snick snacks of raw veggies, pickles, and black olives which is a great touch for Classic Wisconsin Supper Club fans such as myself. I think we all had the combination fish fry which included both cod and perch along with excellent potato pancakes and coleslaw. My only two issues were that the perch didn't taste like perch. The cod was actually more tasty. Perch has a distinct flavor that I've savored since childhood and it just didn't have it. Not that it was bad, just blah. For some of us, the choice of potato pancakes with sour cream instead of apple sauce would be a nice touch and is more classic. I'd love to return again and give 5 stars but only 4 this time.
(4)Kristine S.
We had received a gift certificate from a friend for our wedding, but a year passed before we were able use it. I called 2 days after the expiration date and the woman who answered said she would extend the date for 2 years! But my husband's birthday was right around the corner so decided to take him out. We had never been here before. From walking in without a reservation, being seated immediately and the prompt service, I think we have a new favorite restaurant. Donna, our server was great. We ordered, and somehow she guessed it was a special occasion because after she brought dessert she asked if it was a birthday or anniversary. ...I told her my husband's birthday and she said well happy birthday, dessert is on the house. How she knew I'll never know! Onto the food. I ordered the baked french onion soup to start. Fabulous. And not very salty like I find most soups! Dinner was the crab stuffed shrimp on alfredo. Yummy! Could taste the crab and the shrimp! Husband had the tenderloin, he didn't even use the aus jus that it came with, it was fork tender and was great on its on! Dessert was the haute smore, a flourless chocolate cake, toasted marshmallow and graham cracker pieces. Perfect! I know this is the place we will go to for special occasions from now on.
(5)Michael L.
I went here for lunch because of the many local recommendations. The outside is very simple and does not do justice to what you find inside; nicely decorated, clean and modern. Great atmosphere!!! I imagine this place is hopping at night. I had the soup of the day (potato au gratin) and the chef salad. The soup was so tasty and fresh and the salad was more than enough for lunch and contained two cheeses, plenty of ham, sliced hard boiled eggs, and choice of house made dressing. All was very reasonably priced and the service was superb. Try this place for lunch!
(5)Katie M.
Wow! Not much from the outside, but what a great place! Fun live music with a supper club feel. Had a delish beef wellington, and my boyfriend had a bacon wrapped, garlic stuffed steak. Both meals were done perfectly. Steak fell apart and melted in your mouth -- it was so good!! Service was great. We will definitely be back!
(5)Peter P.
Okay I haven't been here since the "Son's" incredibly rude rebuttal to an honest review by a customer that has been going to his family's restaurant for over 24 years now. The son is no gentleman or comparable to his father or mother that used to manage this once quaint and wonderful place to eat. It's obvious the son has failed to learn well from his parents in his quest to take over the family business. My earlier review was intended well, and if anything to point out our observations and experience from our last visit. We are not ones to embellish our experiences and you sir would be much wiser to take the concerns of your long standing as well as new customers that express their experiences at your establishment. I'm not seeking a discount or coupon or any remedy based on my recent past experience. I shared my review because I was hoping some level of maturity existed within management of your business and that my concerns would offer you opportunity to ponder and consider how you might adapt to keep the "Packing House" I n 5 status. My parents held their 50 year anniversary with you and they had been going to your establishment since your founding. If you are truly as fond of your business as you claim you would not attempt to dismiss and belittle every past loyal customer that has frequented your business. Your rebuttal is childish and immature. I gave a sincere honest review based on my past visit. Keep chasing your customers off and you will find that approach does no good for you or your employees working with your business. I've taken the time to review others concerns as well and you have a pattern of attacking and stomping on anyone thst shares any critical review. It's best you not reply to your critics and to appoint a PR advocate to respond on your behalf in a gentleman like fashion without the need to dismiss and telling your customers to essentially "Fuck off!" because you didn't agree with their concerns. You have a lot to learn about business and customer satisfaction. Seek help from your mom and don't respond to critics on yelp. Instead find a way to adress the issues of your critics & find a way to keep what your family built... Based on your comments to me all I see is sheer arrogance... Your arrogance and awful rebuttal just cost you one of my 3's. Your lack of management skill is barely worth 2's in 's at this point. Plenty of great places to eat steak.. We always chose your place because of great quality and value and long term great staff thst used to work at the Packing House... Funny I didn't see any of that past staff during my last visit and I suspect based on this experience with you everyone can now see why...
(2)James P.
This place transported me back to 1980 when I was a busboy at the Wigwam in Litchfield Park Arizona. They had Old school type relish tray (haven't seen these in over 35 years). The fresh, hot homemade bread was tasty! And the homemade mushroom and cheese wontons were good. I had the Garlic stuffed Filet (Great and tender), Onion Strings (Good), the sauce on the side was very good! And the Blue cheese potatoes, Piped on a a plate were good. They even had a live singer in the bar. Again, while some of their techniques a presentations transported me back in time, they don't need to change, the food was really good!
(4)Katie K.
I have fond memories of going to The Packing House with my grandparents decades ago. Back then, I would just have a Shirley Temple and mozzarella sticks... While they have remodeled in many ways, I still recognized the place when I went in for dinner recently. I had a pretty delicious experience at The Packing House. It all started with a tasty sidecar, rimmed with sugar. My parents also enjoyed the house brandy old fashioned and the lemon drop. All strong. For an appetizer, we enjoyed the thick-cut deep-fried eggplant piled high and served with a somewhat spicy marinara sauce. I personally prefer a sweeter marinara, but this was pretty good nonetheless. Our server also brought us complimentary bread, which was just ok. I found it a bit doughy (by that I mean it seemed a bit undercooked) for my taste. I overheard a manager say that it was ordered in from an area bakery. Next was the salad, a good mix of greens and veggies. The Parmesan peppercorn dressing was really good. I ordered the Queen sized (6 oz.) filet, cooked perfectly to medium. I splurged on the $2 blackening seasoning and the $2 side of béarnaise sauce. While I don't think that a dash of blackening seasoning should really cost $2, it was really delicious. The béarnaise however, I would definitely pass on next time-- it tasted ok, but it was served kind of cool in temperature. The meat was tender and flavorful. My dad the steak au poivre. His was really great too! For dessert we split the banana cream pie (pretty standard), and the Godiva chocolate cheesecake (the chef's special). The cheesecake was really rich and chocolately, and while I doubt it was made in house, it was a great way to end the meal. Service was pretty good. We made it clear we weren't in a hurry. Our waitress seemed to have a lot of tables to cover, so I junk she was appreciative of that. Overall, a good experience.
(4)Jason J.
My wife and I have been coming to the Packing House for years. In 2000 we had our Wedding rehearsal dinner here. We usually stop in for our Anniversary, Birthdays, or fish fry. We came in on Monday October 27th 2014, approximately 7:30pm. To our surprise the menu had changed. I always get the stuffed pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy. My wife usually orders a chicken or shrimp dish. After we were seated we were surprised how long it took to be greeted by our server, this may be due to the bartender seating us. So we ordered drinks and inquired about the stuffed pork chops. The server told us they revised the menu and put a broiled porterhouse chop in it's place. She also suggested stuffing with the chop. So that's what I ordered. We both ordered salads to start, couldn't believe how wilted and brown the greens were. Pork chop and stuffing were good. The spiced apples were horrible, tasted like they sprinkled cinnamon on over cooked apples. They definitely needed some sugar. The mashed potatoes were very crumbly and dry. My wife ordered the tempura shrimp and broccoli. She asked if she could substitute the spaetzle in place of rice. Bad choice, the spaetzle was mushy almost a pudding consistency with no flavor. The shrimp was good, cocktail sauce was very watery and thin. When the waitress asked if we wanted dessert we said no. We figured we would cut our losses, normally we would get the banana cream pie to share. We don't know what happened, we've always had excellent food, very disappointed with the side dishes and sauces. They brought the whole meal down. I don't think we will ever go back, very disappointed. =(
(1)Bruce K.
I drove past this place several times before deciding to give it a shot. The outside appearance of a "classic" upscale restaurant wasn't something that I really felt was "me" but we'll try it. Also, they have fish and I wanted a lighter choice. I started with the French Onion soup, which was perfect to recipe - a crock bowl with melted provolone on top, some croutons floating in a rich beefy broth with lots of tart onions. Anything I couldn't reach with the spoon was soaked up with pieces ripped off the huge loaf of bread. The fish came next - a big piece of breaded tilapia with steamed veggies and a big pile of wild rice. The veggies were good - not too mushy - and the rice had a great flavor. I found the fish to be too buttery and the breading soaked up all the cooking oil. When you're choosing fish, you want something a whole lot healthier
(3)Stephanie B.
I always eat here when I am in town for business. It is near the airport and convenient to get take out to bring back to my hotel or eat at the bar(as I travel for work solo). The soups are my favorite and the bread is fantastic! The chicken parm is huge! I look forward to eating here when I am in town!
(5)Rick R.
I consider The Packing House another member of the Supper Club category. They are known for their steaks and fish fry. Their fish fry is so popular, they have a drive thru window set up for customers to pickup their fish fries. The drive thru window only accepts cash, by the way, and I think the window is open from 3:00-9:00.The restaurant accepts cards inside. I tried the fish fry tonight. They have several options for you to choose from, such as cod, perch, baked cod, or a combo. You can choose from fries or homemade potato pancakes and the fish fry includes housemade cole slaw, rye bread and a cup of soup. I chose the Traditional cod fry for $11.95 with potato pancakes. I really liked the hand-breaded cod fillets. I didn't have to use the tarter sauce, but I did try the sauce and it was also tasty, a bit on the sweet side. The potato pancakes were of a similar texture as homemade hash brown patties. I was good with that, but I was not happy with the flavor. They lacked seasoning. Adding salt and pepper or using the side of apple sauce didn't really help. It's shame because the fish and cole slaw were very good, but I need equally good potato pancakes for the fish fry dinner to make my "favorites list." The clam chowder was also very good. Great thick base. Hearty from the contents and savory. I've dined here a few times over the years, and enjoyed some pretty good and inexpensive steak dinners. Years ago, they ran a steak and lobster tail special on Tuesday nights for $25, but I don't see it advertised anymore. The 6 oz filet mignon dinner is only $19.95. If you want a good meal without over paying for it, The Packing House is not a bad option. By the way, they also have live music Wednesday through Saturday nights.
(4)Todd B.
Way over priced we had a party of only 8 and a $500.00 bill hello this is not chicago. This place has not been updated in years still in the 70 with a five star rating??? Food was good at best. Server was great but I would be too making $35.00 per hour we were in and out in less than 2 hrs save your money !!! The owner did respond and asked what he could do but it just too late . But because he cares enough to respond I changed my rating to 2 star
(2)Brian M.
The ambiance was great! And the food and the drinks were amazing! Dawn Z. gave us excellent service. Loved her boisterous self and cool spirit! Major hustle!!
(5)Josh P.
This is my MUST stop when I am visiting family in Milwaukee. Hands down the BEST steak in the state. You have to get the GRAND STEER fillet but start with their crab & shrimp stuffed mushrooms. You will thank me later. The wait staff are career servers and know how to treat a customer. I enjoy the decor because it was updated, but it still has an old school Milwaukee vibe to it. Make sure you get there before your meal or hang after and enjoy drinks in their piano bar. Good times.
(5)TJ D.
Great fish fry! Was in town, and hit The Packing House with my parents. All three of us rate the fish fry as excellent. Good service. Will come back when in Milwaukee.
(4)Kim R.
Visited here while in Milwaukee for a trip. We're from RI and had no idea where to eat. Found them on Yelp. Lia - our waitress - was great and the food was fresh and DELISH! Highly recommend!
(5)Dana V.
When you first walk in The Packing House it can be a bit off putting in a lounge lizard sort of way. Their bar area is definitely a throw back to that era including lounge singers/acts and the remaining odor of the bygone days of inside smoking. Do not let this put you off!!! When you get to the dining area the ambiance changes dramatically. Nice dining area, quiet and a bit classy. Not tie and jacket classy, but very nice. Whenever I stay near the airport this is where I head for dinner. I have yet to have a bad meal or experience here. The service is overall very good, the menu has a good variety of food and while a bit pricey you get what you pay for. The Roast Duck is very good - not greasy or dry, but cooked very well and you literally get half a bird. The Chicken Marsala has an excellent sauce and is flavorful. The only dish I was so/so on was the Chicken Cordon Bleu - it is wrapped in a puff pastry which was doughy and did not compliment the dish. While I have not tried it, the Prime Rib looks amazing! The meals include soup or salad with home made salad dressings, bread and the usual side choices - mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, baked potato etc... I have also found the vegetable sides included are hit or miss. The last visit we had fresh green beans which were served with overcooked carrots. In previous visits it has been frozen peas and carrots - one of the few disappointing things. They also have a decent wine list and make a mean Old Fashioned. Definitely worth a stop in to experience a true Wisconsin Supper Club!
(4)Greg B.
This place is very good. It has that old supper club feel, and seems like the place where wealthy would have dined in the 70's. The food is very good. Some of the best Walleye I've ever had with good sides. The ribs were also quite good.
(5)Athena A.
There's not JUST cheese in WI!! This food, every bite, was delicious! From the lemon ball martini and pomegranate martini (it was a rough afternoon! LOL) to the entree! The music was also divine coming from the bar. Such a welcoming place! The portions are out of control so, we started light with the seafood stuffed mushrooms- creamy, buttery, didn't taste too much seafood, but it was good ( I guess you can't really go wrong with butter and there's plenty of it) The bread has a crispy outside and very soft, chewy inside. My coworker had the french onion soup which looked like it had a very rich broth, beef based perhaps. I had a salad- nothing to explore here, but the balsamic was pretty good. For dinner, I had veal marsala- veal was tender, breading was great, marsala was perfect. My coworker had the cordon bleu- HUGE portion ( 3 rolls) plus rice and veggies. He was in heaven! I had mashed potato with my meal- was just meh, seemed watery instead of creamy. I am hoping they were homemade and not a mix, but I can't be sure so, that explains that flavor! Overall, wonderful experience! Even if you only go to the bar, you will not be disappointed- the band is great and those ladies behind the bar a rock stars!
(4)Kathy B.
Amazing food, great atmosphere today I ordered the beef Wellington with the wild rice blend, the vegetable choice today was Green beans and some carrots I upgraded my soup and had their special French onion soup. delicious oh my god so cheesy and the broth. Homemade beef broth was just to die for
(5)Paula B.
Im not sure if it was just on off night, or if The Packing house has lost its edge. I visited last night with a party of 7. Only two of us had steak and both of us were disappointed. I had a barrel steak which I ordered medium. When it came it was done medium well to well done...no pink at all. The taste was good but when you are paying almost $40 for a steak at a steak house it should be done to order. My friend ordered a fillet done medium well and it was burned and charred on the edges. She sent it back and got chicken. All the non steak eaters meals were fine. The waitress was good about making things right. I will think twice about going here for steak in the future with so may options in Milwaukee.
(3)Carlos D.
This was my second time/second chance at this place. Both times I've been to the packing house I tried the fish fry and wasn't impressed. Bland is the key takeaway starting with the clam chowder, bread, cole slaw, tartar sauce, and fish. I've heard neighbors talk about it being a good place for dinner but I don't feel the same.
(3)Jennifer W.
When the out of town guests arrive on a Friday, you only have one choice: You must have a decent fish fry. And, sometimes, the whole Lakefront Brewery scene is fun and sometimes it is just too much. This past Friday, we decided to take Cousin Joel out for a true Wisco experience. We showed up without reservations at the Packing House. At 7 p.m. on a Lenten season Friday, the wait was about 30-45 minutes. We marveled at the line of cars waiting for the drive through carryout fish fry that went waaaaaaaaaaay down the block. While waiting, we enjoyed the Brandy Old Fashioneds and the cheesy crooning singer. For dinner, we all got the fish - three fried and one baked. Two were having a hard time deciding between fries or potato pancakes, so the waitress gave them some of both. The ambiance is nice, and the food was really great. I don't get to this part of town much, but for a Friday Fish Fry treat this is a solid choice.
(4)Brooke V.
I recently moved to Milwaukee for college and I couldn't go home for this Thanksgiving because of school and work so my mom and sister came down to visit me. We couldn't cook anything at my apartment because I live in a small studio so we decided to go out for a Thanksgiving dinner. Everywhere I looked downtown had plates for $35+ and we weren't willing to pay that much. Being 3 small ladies, we definitely weren't going to eat $35 worth of food. I found an ad for the Packing House (only $23 per plate) and asked around about it. Everyone at my work said it had really good food and it was a nice place. And they were right, it was! The dinner was phenomenal. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, white & dark meat turkey, cranberries, and green beans. My mom and I got the thanksgiving dinners and my sister got the risotto. The only reason I gave this place 4 stars is because the risotto was not good at all and it ended up going to waste. Otherwise the service was excellent and the food was great. Definitely would recommend to people who aren't able to cook a dinner for a holiday.
(4)Hunter M.
I ate here my first night in Milwaukee and wow!! I can't believe the prices!! Supermodels followed me back to my cheap hotel after eating here!! My car also gets better gas milage! My acne cleared up completely!!! I got a raise at work and my feet don't hurt no more!!! Try the filet for sure!!!
(4)Enrico N.
This was the closest highly rated place to my hotel so I stopped in on a Thurs night. I was probably the youngest customer in the place by about 15-40yrs. Ordered the garlic stuffed bacon wrapped filet mid-rare. Came with a house salad, and side, I chose mash. The salad was fine, a little sloppy but taste wise was ok. Bread was good too. When the steak arrived, I noticed that 75% of the plate was covered with fried onion strings. A bit much. The side of mash came in a separate plate. They could have easily cut the onion strings by 2/3 and had plenty of room for the mash. The mash was pretty standard, nothing special, kinda dry with generic brown gravy on top. You could tell they used a scoop like you get in a cafeteria. The steak itself was OK. I ordered medium rare and it came out well-done on the outside and rare on the inside (cold). They certainly didn't sous-vide the steak. For a filet, it wasnt juicy at all. Not even all that tender. The stuffed garlic slivers were a bit of a waste. I thought that it would have infused garlic flavor into the meat but not at all. You only tasted it when you actually bit a piece of the garlic (which would be too much at that point). The bacon wrapping was fine. A very average to below-average steak, nothing special. I figured that dessert my salvage the meal. I got the turtle bread pudding. I am a little particular about my bread pudding, I think it should be more liquid than solid with focus on the custard vs a moist cake. The description said "spongy custard", I thought that using the custard as the noun and spongy as the adjective (vs the other way around) was a good sign but I was wrong. It tasted ok. It mentioned pecans, chocolate, and caramel. I mainly just tasted chocolate chips. No pecan flavor. The caramel seemed to just be drizzled over everything. The ice cream was just standard. A bit pricey for the quality and poor presentation. I'd expect my meal to cost about 1/3 less. I probably wouldnt come back here. If I did, I'll def order something else. Now the place does have a good atmosphere with live music. Perhaps that is the draw.
(3)Greg P.
I would give it a 100 stars if I could! This place is awesome! I love to drive up from Chicago on a Sunday for their delicious over the top brunch! Also, I've been here for lunch, dinner and the Friday fish fry as well! All delicious! The waitstaff (Penny and the hostess lady) are super friendly as well! I took my mother here for brunch and she raved and raved about it. On a obvious note, establishment is clean and neat and quaint! Thanks for making my favorite list! I wish I lived closer! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Jesse M.
i like it old school, what can I say. I was hoping Joe Pecshi woulda snuck out from behind the bar and called my date a wise guy. In a culinary world bombarded by small plate and fusion, it was refreshing to just sit down and order a steak. Whoda thunk it... Sunday night, a steak, some red wine, good company. Cozy. I would imagine this place could lose some charm on a busy weekend night, so I will constraint my recommendation based on day of the week (Sunday). Service was appropriate, the food was good. The wine and cocktail list was better than I had expected. I'd go back...
(4)Andy S.
Ah, one of my favorite restaurants. Great fish fry, love the steaks, most reliably escargot in the area, Sunday brunch is great. I really love this place, not the most modern interior and I don't care about appearance, I care about quality cocktails and great food.
(5)John Paul F.
My girlfriend and I tried the Packing House for the first time last night. I'd heard it was a great fish fry! I heard wrong. The atmosphere coming in is really not so good, but it does improve in the dining room. That feels like a mod-ish 1990's supper club atmosphere. The beat up tables have thin layers of foam padding laid on top of them, underneath the tablecloths. Every glass is slightly tippy. I have no clue what that's all about. We both got the broiled cod - one with fries and one with potato pancakes. To begin, the "clam chowder" was completely tasteless. If it didn't come out of a can, it should have. One piece of clam was full of sand, too. Yuck. The rye bread had nearly zero rye flavor, just the slightest hint. It was too salty to eat. I wanted to just spit it out. It was gross - covered in a thick coating of giant pretzel salt granules. "Well, the fish is what really matters," we thought. Well, every piece of cod was ruinously overcooked - chewy, mealy crap. I just noticed that I need to go floss because a piece is still stuck between my teeth. Nasty. What a complete waste. The slaw was similarly flavorless. The one and only saving grace, food-wise, was the fries, which were were hot and crunchy and really tasty. The pancakes were pedestrian, but at least they weren't terrible. The beer was quite good - I tried their one local offering on tap. The service was just weird. Not terrible, just... awkward, from the guy who seated us to the very uncomfortable waitress to the nice bus boy... it felt like being on set in a (boring) one act. All in all, I couldn't recommend this place for half the price. It wasn't unhealthy or disgusting and I really liked the Milwaukee pictures on the walls, it was toasty on a cold night, and it doesn't deserve a one star rating, but it doesn't deserve three, either.
(2)Kristy D.
The owner did contact me regarding my review. He was extremely apologetic about our situation and how we were treated by himself and his staff. He did offer to bring me back in but at this time I have declined. I give the owner a lot of credit for contacting me.
(2)Michael C.
Went in a large group. Medium rare filet more like filet Took a long time but friendly service. Okay food. Good root beer.
(3)Amy E.
Very disappointed. $140 for 4 people only one cocktail, no appetizers, or sides. Food was ok. Felt like we were being rushed out of the place. Seems like if you were a regular you got lots of chatting up (hearing about the waitress talking about her water on the knee was interesting) but our food was put down fast and crackers for soup literally thrown toward us on the table. Food was plopped down on the table. Won't be going back. Was looking for a nostalgic moment, as I grew up right near there. Best part of our visit was the young man pouring our water. He was very efficient and very courteous.
(2)Bill R.
I took my corporate chef here during a stay over near the airport. I thought it looked better than anything else nearby. And for the most part, it was pretty good. Chef had the prime rib and thought it was excellent and I had scallops. Can't complain about the food, but I had issues with the service. I can't say it was bad, just a little uninformed about table presence. First off, it was a really long approach time to our table after being sat. Sometimes, a busser will come by and pour water and collect the extra settings which eases the anxiety. But it was really long. The waitress collected the extras and poured water. This was disappointing. The next was timing. She must have had the kitchen fire our entrees when she picked up the salads. With a cut of prime rib and scallops done scampi style, not much production time. The chef ate his salad really fast and figured he would run off to the restroom while I was finishing my salad. Out of the corner of my eye, here come the entrees. She dropped them, warning me to warn others that the plates were hot. Meanwhile, I'm still working on my salad. Then, the empty salad plate stayed there the entire meal. She never returned to check the table. Again, I don't think I had a bad server, I think they need to be better trained when entrees hover around the $30 mark. One high point for me were the wine by the glass prices. Typically, this is a very profitable area for a restaurant. When you get a glass of pretty good wine for $6.95 at a fine dining restaurant, it's a pretty rare occurrence.
(3)Rachel F.
My friend swore this was another supper club-type spot that time forgot. She swore it was the best. She usually gets her way, so that's how I ended up here on a Monday night in a hoodie. Sigh. She was right, and not in the way that I expected... American psycho (think 80s "classy" lounge/restaurant type feel) meets Wisco-tastic supper club (mirrors, carpet, a nature quite antiquated on the whole) meets big screen TVs playing football. Drink it in, folks. This place makes steaks first and foremost. They make really good steaks. I should've ordered a different steak, though. I always forget that I don't actually care for tenderloin wrapped in bacon... the bacon is never done quite how I'd like, and it just always ends up being somewhat disappointing. Should've gone with the dry-aged T-bone. My bad. Service? Strange and antiquated, but nice and accommodating. Attentive, and more than willing to throw my steak back on the grill for a minute. (I ordered med rare, and I received and uber-rare cut of meat. Almost blue.) We got some free pie for the trouble, which was unnecessary, but a nice touch. The sides, desserts, etc., were nothing to write home about. (While the french onion soup was the jam, mashed potatoes and "gravy" lackluster, and the pie obviously frozen. But it was free, so you know, complaining about that makes me an a-hole. Free pie is a win, always.) Verdict? Spendy-ish, wine list and drinks not up to par, strange and antiquated vibe, sides and extras not worth the trouble, but great steaks (I had the chance to give my friend's steak a whirl, it was glorious.) This is a true south-side joint, and if you know MKE, you know what that means. I think we were the youngest folks there. If you're looking to be entertained by a strange ambiance and enjoy a stellar steak, this is your spot, Milwaukee.
(3)Michelle A.
Possibly the best filet I've ever had! I had dinner here the other night for the first time. The food was amazing! Everything made from scratch really pays off! Chicken tortellini soup...delicious! Filet with Sicilian breadcrumbs...delicious! Mozzarella marinara...delicious! Chocolate lava cake...delicious! Service was great! I have just one complaint...I took half my entree home, but, the other half of my baked potato and the rest of my asparagus didn't make it into my box. Our server was excellent, she must have just thought I was done with it. Wouldn't stop me from going back or from recommending it to others, just a bummer, that asparagus was delicious!
(5)alan w.
Old fashion, stylish supper club. A great evening with the guys for drinks and steaks, or a semi-special dinner with the better half. Yes it's pricey, but it's well worth the money. Service staff is top-notch, and everyone makes you feel welcome. Do yourself a favor and call ahead for seating. Trust me.
(4)Candice F.
Best Waitress Ever: Penny (from Heaven). So earthy, honest, personable and knowledgable we went both nights on a business trip. Escargot in butter with garlic bread - when was the last time you had them? Two nights in a row! The temperature outside was 20 below zero but the dinner and service - warm and satisfying. I'll be back.
(4)Jennifer M.
Went to the Packing House for brunch today. The server, Penny, was brash and since we were not regulars the service was spotty at best. She ignored us and didn't make any effort to make sure we didn't want an entree from the kitchen. The busboy however was great and made sure out drinks were filled and plates cleared. Penny was also sure to let everyone know that they will no longer be serving a buffet style brunch which is probably a good thing since the brunch items were nothing more than you would find at the Old Country Buffet or similar place. The bloody Mary's were awful but the coffee was good. Not sure we will return any time soon, if ever.
(2)Indy M.
Nice ambience, good food. I have been going here for years and while they had some issues a few years ago with food taste, they seem to be back up to par now. The filets are awesome! I've had other food there and it was good as well, but the fillets are perfectally cut, cooked, displayed, and eaten :-) Definately bring my team here every time we travel to Milwaukee together.
(4)Lindsey O.
We went for New Years. We wanted to entertain our college daughter and her boyfriend. That we did. They were by far the youngest in the joint. A decision was made, she would not have "old lady" hair when she's of age. This place reminds me of a mobster movie, perhaps its the mirrors or the carpet or the tables and loud chatter. Now on to the food... They grill a mean steak. We all went for the filet. Cooked just right. I don't have any concerns about the preparation of our meals. Service was okay. It was busy and we had to wait 30 minutes after our reservation, which is always annoying. Price = expensive Expect a good $120 for four, without alcoholic beverages.
(3)Jacki S.
We ate here on Christmas Eve. We had late afternoon reservations and it was not crowded when we arrived. And even though the crowd was sparse at this time, the place still felt "crowded". You have to maneuver down a narrow hallway to get to the dining area, and once there, there were many, many tables and chairs set close together. By the time we left, it had filled up so it was quite a challenge getting around. I felt sorry for the wait staff having to try to serve food in such cramped conditions. We all had steaks and unfortunately were not impressed with them (new york strip, filet mignon). They were cooked as ordered, but were not as flavorful or juicy as you would expect. As 1 reviewer stated, these steaks are indeed priced around $40. I understand it was Christmas eve, but the menu was their usual menu (not a special holiday one), and it was not crowded when we ordered, so I don't believe they were too busy to cook a good steak. There are other places in the Milwaukee area to get a better steak at a better price.
(2)Abigail R.
Omg, the food here was delicious. Our meal began with a tasty, fresh green salad and deliciously warm, fresh bread. It was so good that we ate one whole loaf and asked for one to take home. My husband had the roasted duck which came with masked potatoes, mixed veggies, apple stuffing, and cranberry sauce. The duck was moist with crispy delicious skin. Yum! I had the scallops with mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies. It was cooked just right and was too tasty. I had enough to eat that night and for dinner the next day. My mother in law had the haddock Oscar, which came with lump crabmeat, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Her meal was so delicious that even though she was full, she couldn't stop picking at it. My husband and mother in law had drinks as well and they even brought out an ice cream sundae for her birthday. All of it was only 80+ dollars which was more than reasonable. The staff there was extremely friendly, but there can be a wait, so I would suggest calling ahead for reservations. This was our first time here, and we will definitely be back!!!
(5)Bill R.
This makes 2 years in a row for being at P.H. for New Years Eve. I had salmon it was good. Prices seemed to be kicked up for New Years or the New Year ? The war dept. had steak and lobster, the steak was ordered medium well came barely medium but the waitress brought a new perfect steak back to her. Wanted to see Lem and his band again since they were great last year on New Years. For the most part the band was doing there best to carry Lem last night. He did not seem to get into it until after midnight and several disappearances and a gentleman that stood in for him that got things going at about 11:20pm.
(4)Nicole M.
Noting was terrible, but nothing was really that great either. This will be put on the 'probably won't come back' list.
(3)Chuck M.
This is just a Fish Fry review. I've only been inside to look around. It's kind of dark and you walk past the grand piano and wonder what it's like to settle down with an old fashioned and sip. No I don't. There is a Tiki Bar in town somewhere calling to me. We just get the Fish Fry at the drive through and it rates in the top 3 in town. Very fresh & consistent. The cars line up around the block, but when you get to the window to pay, the food comes pretty quick. Thick moist cod with a thin coating, sour slaw, and good fries all package to stay warm for 20 minutes or so. But the longer the delay, the more likely you got soggy fish. Just pop across the street into the "secret" airport parking lot and watch the planes. Or rush home and crack a beer. One of the top FF in the city.
(5)Justin H.
This place tripped me out a bit. I swear I walked in the doors and magically ended up in 1992. Now don't get me wrong, the food here is really good and the service was friendly and fast. I had the garlic stuffed filet which was cooked perfectly, and the onion straws and mashed potatoes were awesome. I walked away impressed.
(4)AJ R.
Get the Caesar salad. Many classics line the menu, get them all. You will not be disappointed. The State Fair of Wisconsin has awarded them more than the livestock and for good reason!
(5)Bill K.
Real nice place. Great food . I had the steak filet. Friendly service.
(5)Chad C.
We did the famous drive-thru fish fry. We actually were fortunate enough to go at a time where there was no wait... which was nice after hearing how the line of cars can go quite a ways down Layton Ave. Very solid fish fry with good quality fish and french fries. The drive-thru version made me think that actually eating inside the restaurant would take this food experience to another level, so we plan to do that next. It's not that the fish tasted old... I just imagine it'd be even better if I was able to get at it even faster than when it sits in a to-go bag for a little bit.
(3)Nancy R.
This is an old fashioned supper club. Very good steak in a Rat Pack atmosphere.
(4)Ryan C.
I took my fiance to the Packing House because we were craving steak. I ordered the Prime Rib, and my fiance had a sirloin filet. Both were absolutely delicious. Staff was kind, atmosphere is nice. Parts of the place seem really finished, others seem a little dim, as if the main dining room is used for something else. So, it's not the most entertaining place to look at, but if you're having a quiet fancy night this is a great destination. We felt really well serviced and left happy and full of great steak!
(4)Brad S.
I tend to be harsh on the restaurants that feature the fine dining of old, because it tends to offer little by way of innovation, a wide-ranging menu that attempts to please everyone, and a lot of froufrou atmosphere with a high price tag. The Packing House is no different with regards to the menu, but it's so retro that it's interesting, like a time capsule into what people considered fine dining in the mid 70s. Veal Oscar? Chicken Cordon Bleu? A Delmonico cut of steak? Oysters Rockefeller? Shrimp De Jonghe? Diner's Club? I'll admit I had to look up some of these recipes, and was surprised to find they were established dishes. But of course, the traditional dish they are most known for is the fish fry, the thing for which they added a dang drive-through window to the restaurant, and as a result there are cars lined up the block every Friday. The fish fry is another one of those traditions that you don't realize is unique to the Midwest until after you leave it. Grown out of the large Catholic population from the Poles and Germans, the fish fry became the preferred way to make it through those meatless Friday nights of lent. I think the practice is more of a cultural event today than a religious one, but whatever the reasons, there is nary a restaurant in the city that doesn't offer a variation of it on their menus. And in an embracing of my Brew City roots, I thought it was time to visit the restaurant past which I must have driven hundreds of times while living there. I knew I was in for a blast from the past when upon entering I accidentally stumbled my way into the coat check room. Once thought to be long extinct, the coat checker was a manned position in the restaurant solely for the purpose of taking, giving, and guarding the valuable furs and trenchcoats of the woman and man, respectively. The Fish Fry gets its own special place on the menu and begins with a cup of clam chowder, which was rich and smooth, and obviously prepared in the traditional New England manner. The fish itself was haddock, I believe, covered in a flour crust that was almost too thin to taste, and would have been fairly plain if not for the lemon that comes along with the dish, which is as essential flavor component of the meal as the fish itself. The homemade tartar sauce was fresh, though nothing outside of the ordinary, and the meal came with some potato pancakes, which are like hashbrowns except better fried, packed, and included some herbage for flavor. You also get a slice of marble rye bread, because that's how fish fries are served. I also got to try the ribs on one of my fellow diners, which were expectedly baked and covered with a sauce, but they fell off the bone pretty readily, and while they wouldn't be my first choice, they were A-OK. I'm glad I knew what I was getting beforehand, because the amount of ribs, steaks, seafood, poultry, and veal on the menu was overwhelming. The thing that I liked about The Packing House, and probably what has kept them in business for so long, is the amount of in-house cooking they do, from their soups to their sauces to their salad dressings, it's all made here. They even have a steak au poivre that is actually made au poire - seared in a pepper crust, not just smothered with a pepper cream sauce like so many restaurants are wont to do. I would venture to suppose it's considered the second-most popular item on the menu next to the fish. The Packing House prides itself on familiarity and consistency, which is something that appeals to many people, and sure, there are some culinary relics like liver and onions and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts on the menu, but if they're made properly, who am I to complain? Just remember to tip your coat checker.
(4)Phillip B.
Classy blend of quality supper club and trendy atmosphere. Regret I don't get here more often. Came with a group of four and every one had a remarkable meal. Steaks and seafood all done wonderfully. Great service, great cocktails, and perfect meal. Price tag should be higher for what we got. Always enjoy this place and recommitted after this visit to making it a regular spot. Long time hidden gem in Milwaukee.
(5)Rach K.
Yum! I was out in Milwaukee for a business trip and the guy from our Milwaukee office recommended this place saying it had the best ribs. A bunch of us went for dinner on a Thursday night (during Milwaukee's WORST rainstorm in 100 years or something - this was the storm that closed down the airport and caused a sinkhole in the middle of the city). Anyway, I didn't order the ribs, but a few other people did and I tried some and they were fantastic. The sauce was tangy and sweet and smoky and perfect and the ribs were really tender. You barely needed to poke them to make them fall off the bone. I ordered the queen-sized filet mignon because I didn't think the petite would do it for me, and I didn't want to get greedy with the king (because someone else had already said he was going to treat us all to this dinner). The steak was really tender and delicious. It came with a salad and a side, which weren't v. memorable. The bread that came for the table was really good though. It seemed like it was baked fresh and brought to our table; it was really soft and chewy and warm. Just as an aside, our waitress was a little odd. She was v. friendly and nice, but she referred to everyone as "young lady" or "young man," even though there was a gentleman in our party who was in his 70s. (And to note, our server was in her late 30s/ early 40s at most). There's a full bar (with plenty of beers on tap) as well as a pretty extensive wine list, so you can definitely bring a date here for a fancy dinner. The power did start to flicker three-quarters of the way through dinner, but that wasn't the restaurant's fault, obviously. Really pleasant dining experience.
(4)Barbara D.
Went here with a group of friends. I had the tenderloin which was very good. It was small but big enough to fill me when you add the great bread and salad. As others mentioned, the decor is stuck in the '70s. But it seemed clean, staff was friendly and food good quality.
(4)Dan F.
The food is pretty good. They have a pretty good fish fry. I've been here twice for lunch. Both times the food had been good. The service is excellent. The bathrooms are clean. My only issue with the place is the decor seems outdate. I feel like i'm in the late 70's or early 80's when I walk in here.
(4)Kathy G.
The Packing House is my favorite restaurant. The menu is solid and the chef never disappoints. The high quality food is always prepared to perfection. Even the creme brulee dessert is excellent. When I walk in I get the feel that the place has been around for a long time, indicating how good they are. Even though the place is fresh and clean, I feel like Sinatra could walk in the door at any moment, it has that old time charm about it. Whether we are there for a late night supper, a Friday fish fry, or a romantic dinner, the food is consistently well prepared. The Sunday brunch is incredible. Not only do you get to choose from a wide variety of prepared dishes, but there are items you can order from the kitchen as well. The bar service is very good. Joe, the bartender is friendly and provides great conversation. The hostess, Pauline is a lovely woman who always makes us feel like we're the most important people there. Whether it's the seafood special of the evening, the steak au poivre or Danny's chicken parmesan that you're after you won't be disappointed. For fine casual dining, this is the best.
(5)David G.
I visited this restaurant while in Milwaukee on business. It is an old style supper club. We had shrimp cocktails as shared appetizers. They were good sized and about what you would expect at a quality restaurant. I had a rib eye steak. It was exceptional and was inexpensive by Chicago standards. The service was very good and the food was excellent. I will defiantly return the next time I am in town.
(4)Jesse M.
A great find! The outside decor makes it look like yet another random airport restaurant, but inside you'll find fine steaks, impeccable classic cocktail, and subtle and nicely decorated ambiance. I had the filet and it was cooked perfectly as were the escargot. The bar area is also beautiful and this is definitely a place I'll go to in the future for drinks.
(4)Danielle M.
I have four words. Fish fry. Sunday brunch. That is all. Oh, and - if you want the "drive through" fish fry, you better get there EARLY, because cars literally are lined up down Layton and the side roads. You've been warned.
(4)Chris G.
We went for the Friday Fish Fry, and it was pretty good. The restaurant has a supper club feel to it, although it is hard to get to the dining room with two infants in car seats. It also isn't very clear where the host's station is to be seated, but those don't effect the quality of the food. Three of us got the fish fry, and the fish and potatoes (two ordered pancakes, one fries) were above average for Wisconsin Fish Fry. The cole slaw was so-so. I could have done without it. The meal started with chowder, it that was quite good. One note, they do drive thru, and the line was quite long. However, if you just want take home fish fry, I would near by Puddle Jumpers instead. Much quicker service, and even tastier.
(3)John L.
I went there on a Friday for lunch. Reason for going on a friday: ITS FREAKING FISH FRY DAY. I was told this place has the best Fish Fry. My coworkers were right. The dish cost around 13 dollars. It came with soup or salad. The fish fry also came with coleslaw and potato pancakes (looked like hash browns to me). The packing house is located right next to the airport. Very convenient if you are leaving WI and wanted to grab lunch. The one thing though..... I guess it was 11am .... but the place was filled with senior citizens. It was a bit akward. The atmosphere is tacky. The decorations are pretty old so I guess it was a perfect place for those senior citizens. (Dont get me wrong, I love my grandmama...)
(3)Rohan D.
Perfect kid friendly Sunday buffet brunch, standard selection of bad-for-you breakfast foods plus a decent salad bar, shrimp, salmon, small lunch menu items included in reasonable brunch price (Just under $20 for adults, $10 for the kiddies). Our comical waitress provided excellent service (clearing plates as soon as we got up for our next buffet trip). Decor is hotel-like, parking is ample and convenient, it's easy to get to, right off either 794 or 94 across from the airport. Skilled chefs will make fresh omelets, waffles, or carve some roast beef for you. A fair choice of desserts. I recommend the Sunday brunch for families. Nothing fancy, there are better places if you want to impress.
(3)Barb W.
The Packing House is one of my favorite restaurants. This is where I go when I want steak or ribs. Every time that I have been here, their food has been excellent (outside of the one incident with almost, rock-hard mashed potatoes, LOL). Even though I do order my steak well-done, I find that every time, it is still tasty and served, just the way I like it. It's not burnt, or dried out, like some places make it. You'll also get your choice of potato, soup or salad, and fresh, hot bread, with your meal. I usually end up ordering their Baked French Onion Soup. IT IS SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!!! Their service is usually pretty prompt, unless it's one of those busy nights, where all of the tables are full, and the waiters and waitresses, and even the bussers are hopping around, trying to keep everyone satisfied. Unfortunately, we do miss Mary, the wonderful waitress, that was our favorite, for many years! She surely did take great care of us, every time we came in. The other good thing about this restaurant, is that you can come as you are....You can wear jeans, or you can dress up. It really doesn't matter. No suit and tie required!
(5)Michael B.
A very cordial staff, nice & friendly. Get there on Fridays & try the fish fry; It's so popular, there's a drive-thru specifically for the Fish Fry and it's worth the wait.
(4)Brett N.
Food was good. Simple yet good. The service is where this place shines. They really appreciate their customers. If you want to feel special, go here.
(4)Jim D.
great fish fry. Plan on going back.
(4)Kyung P.
I had a wonderful business lunch here earlier this week. It reminded of an old school supper club. Initially, I was turned off by the smell of smoke, but the food was fabulous. I had the daily salad special, mixed green topped with grilled chicken, candied walnuts, goat cheese, strawberries, and tomatoes. The dressing was light and great. I believe all of their soups and desserts are made from scratch daily. Even though I didn't get to try them, I'm sure they're delicious!
(4)Kim S.
We went there on a Sat. night with a group of 6. We had a reservation, which you definitely need because there wasn't an empty table a 6:00pm. On Sat. night they have a Prime Rib special that everyone around us was ordering. None of us are Prime Rib eaters so we all opted for the "Grand Steer". Let me tell you, this is the BEST piece filet I've probably ever had. It's 12 oz. and they cook their meat to perfection. I ordered mine medium rare and it was spot on. It comes with mushrooms and 2 large onion rings on top, with your choice of soup or salad and choice of potato. First they brought out 2 piping hot round loaves of freshly baked bread on a wooden board with a bread knife. We all went crazy over the bread and ended up eating....4 loaves. :) Then we moved on to appetizers. If you love onion rings you have to try these. They're the shredded rings, piled in a haystack. They came out piping hot in a basket. They aren't greasy at all and nice and crispy. We also oredered the stuffed mushrooms. They give you 8 mushrooms stuffed with crab and lightly drizzled with a bernaise sauce. Everyone was fighting over them so we ended up getting another order. I took a piece of my bread and wiped the plate clean. That sauce was so delicious!! We also got one order of escargo. There give you 8 of them with toast points. The garlic butter sauce they're in is fantastic and we were all fighting over who was going to get the empty dish to wipe clean with our bread. We were all starting to get pretty full at that point and we asked the waiter if he could hold off on putting our food order in and he was more than happy to do this for us. I wish I remembered his name. He was unbelievable, extremely attentive. Whenever our drinks were low he was there and the bus boys kept our water filled and empty plates were promptly removed. One person in our group had a birthday and they gave here a complimentary piece of cake. Can't say enough about the Packing House, we love it. BTW- There fish fry is one of the best in Milwaukee. They have a drive through service which is nice but we've always ate at the restaurant.
(5)andrew m.
Had the Sunday brunch and loved it. Great service and large selection of food. Personally liked the omelet bar.
(4)Kat K.
If you're looking for delicious ribs, chicken, steak, or seafood at a moderate price, go to the Packing House! My boyfriend and I celebrated my birthday there and were incredibly happy with our meal and service. I had the Sunday prime rib (yum!), and he had scallops (double yum!). Expect bread, soup or salad, and choice of potato with the main dish. The service was a tad slow, but the place was packed. Everything was tasty, and our table was promptly bussed after finishing every dish. Try the homemade french onion soup--yum again!
(5)David Z.
Milwaukee's Sunday brunches tend to be extravagant fares or extended breakfast tables. Some which are inbetween still do not approach the extravagant buffets. At $17.95, Packing House is less than the really good buffets. It provides omelettes, salads, a lot of lesser quality desserts and a lone stand of sirloin of beef. The potato pancakes tasted like they came frozen in a package and were warmed up (tasted of onion but had no fresh quality). The salad bar was not as ample as an old Ponderosa. And the dessert buffet had lots of puddings and jellos on top, plus some chiffon type cheesecakes, passable eclairs and various cookies. Mimosas, etc. were extra, as was coffee. Four small-plate entrees could be ordered from the kitchen separately(very small portions). Glad we checked it out, but it's not one of the top five Sunday buffet brunches in Milwaukee.
(3)Eliot D.
Good food, however a horrendously rude host, after making a reservation the day before we ended up waiting an hour for a table, when we finally were seated the place was half empty and we were seated right next to the kitchens. There's nothing more romantic than your date bathed under the glow of bright fluorescent lights. However after all that the food was good and the actual server was very attentive.
(2)