Review: Drink Wisconsinbly Pub, A Cheesehead’s Paradise

Drink Wisconsinbly Pub & Grub
Cuisine type: American/Supper Club
Price per entrée: $7-$16
Attire: Casual
Reservations: Yes
Payment: Credit Cards Accepted

Drink Wisconsinbly Pub & Grub
135 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 930-0929

Mon-Tue 4pm–12am
Wed-Thur 4pm–2am
Fri 4pm–2:30am
Sat 11am–2:30am
Sun 11am–12am

Rating System: Cheese Curds
SERVICE: 5/5 Cheese Curds
SETTING: 5/5 Cheese Curds
FOOD: 4/5 Cheese Curds
VALUE: 5/5 Cheese Curds
OVERALL: 19/20 Cheese Curds

I never thought that a restaurant could be my soulmate. But then I walked into Drink Wisconsinbly Pub & Grub (DW Pub) in Walkers Point.

The atmosphere embodies that old-school Wisconsin tavern feel, bringing me right back to my first time in an “up north” bar. Nestled within Walkers point at 135 E National Ave, the restaurant is sitting in one of Milwaukee’s hottest neighborhoods. The cuisine is a modern twist on the American supper club, and as Wisconsin as it could possibly be. Think deep-fried cheese curds and mouthwatering butter burgers.

The Wisconsin-themed supper club is the tavern arm of the local merchandise brand created by Richard Lorbach. DW Pub was opened in February of 2016, in the space formerly occupied by Blue Jacket, a small plates and specialty cocktails establishment. Visitors at Drink Wisconsinbly are greeted by all kinds of Wisconsin kitsch, in the best way possible. Cheeseheads hang from booths, vintage photos depicting Wisconsin’s history abound, and hunting decor is plentiful. On the several televisions play vintage Green Bay Packer games and reruns of That 70s Show. It’s my grandpa’s favorite bar in the 1960s, but, it’s 2017. And this time, the bar comes with a bubbler that has Soulboxer Old Fashioned flowing from it.

The pub’s website states that they aim to “give an honest representation of the amazing food products that are created and produced right here in our great state.” If that means eating from their impressive and unique menu, count me in.

The first dish I enjoyed was an order of cheese curds. Listen, I know we’re in Wisconsin and you can get cheese curds pretty much anywhere. But these cheese curds were something else. Fried to perfection while somehow maintaining the sacred “squeakiness” of the cheese, I couldn’t get enough. The Eastside Dark beer batter on the curds was well complimented by the house ranch, which offered a tangy zing with a well-balanced kick of heat. Considering the large portion, the $10 price tag was a fantastic deal. Plus, I’m pretty convinced that my server read my mind before I ordered it, because there’s no other way to explain how the ‘curds came out of the kitchen so quickly.

Up next was the “DW burger.” The 6oz burger was garnished with Merkts cheese spread, Applewood smoked bacon and caramelized and crispy onions. In a perfectly Wisconsin fashion, the whole thing was served on a buttered bun. Never heard of Mertks cheese spread? Get to DW Pub immediately. You’ll thank me later. And so will your wallet, for spending only $14 on the best burger in Milwaukee.

Not only do the dishes reflect a Wisconsin theme, but the beer list is also Sconnie-focused. The pub only serves Wisconsin beer. Don’t even think about ordering a Bud Light- you might as well tell them you’re a Bears fan, too. We’re keeping it very Wisconsin in this atmosphere, and I am so here for it.

Okay fellow Wisconsinites, bear with me here because you’re not going to love what I’m about to say next. I don’t love beer. I know, as a Milwaukee native and resident, I should have the stuff running through my veins, but it’s just not for me. Luckily, along with the Wisconsin-brewed beer, are cocktails made with spirits and ingredients from local distilleries and sources. As soon as I saw the Soulboxer Old Fashioned on the menu, I was sold. Soulboxer is an Old Fashioned mix made by former Great Lakes Distillery employees, that clearly knew what they were doing. The cocktail is a blend of premium California brandy flavored with Door County cherries, real orange peel, bitters and cane sugar. The best part was watching the bartender drop a sugar cube into the glass before he poured over the mix and bitters. Who am I, the Queen of England? It was cute, fancy, and slightly unexpected coming from a supper club-style venue. The bartender then garnished the cocktail with a squeaky cheese curd. He might as well have grabbed me and screamed “I love Wisconsin!” in my face. And I would’ve gladly joined him.

Would I recommend this restaurant to a friend? Let’s put it this way: I went to DW Pub for the first time on a Monday, and spent the next Thursday, Saturday and Sunday there. The rest of Milwaukee agrees with my high opinion of the restaurant and bar, as it was voted Milwaukee’s Best New Bar and Best Pub 2017.

Is there such thing as heaven on earth? Is there a greater pairing than that of a Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned and a squeaky, locally-made cheese curd? Stop by Drink Wisconsinbly Pub & Grub and find out for yourself. You’ll be happy you did.