Restaurant Review: Solly’s Grille

Restaurant name: Solly’s Grille

Restaurant address: 4629 N Port Washington Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Phone Number: (414) 332-8808

Hours:

Monday: 10AM – 8PM

Tuesday – Saturday: 6:30AM – 8PM

Sunday: 11AM – 6PM

Cuisine type: American

Price per entrée: $$

Attire: Casual

Reservations: Walk in

Payment: Credit Cards, Cash

Service: 3 Sticks of Butter

Setting: 3 Sticks of Butter

Food: 5 Sticks of Butter

Value: 4 Sticks of Butter

Overall: 3 Sticks of Butter

When you think of Wisconsin, you think of a lot of cheese and a lot of butter, two of my favorite things. So when I found about about Solly’s Grille and how they are one of founders of the glorious butter burger, I had to give it a try. Let me say, I’m an average college student, I don’t have a lot of money so when I am going out for a meal I want to go all out.

Solly’s is located on Port Washington road which is only like five minutes away from my apartment, how have I never heard of this gem before? It’s on the quieter part of Port Washington road, down the road from Bay Shore and that area that’s usually a nightmare to drive around. When you step into Solly’s you feel like you are transported to the 1970s with their wood room and old style decor all throughout. I felt weird even having my phone on the counter that’s how old fashioned it felt. It has your average American cuisine, from french fry and onion ring appetizers to cereal coated chicken tenders. The also serve breakfast and if it’s anything like their lunch/dinner menu, I’m sure it’s good. But the restaurant is known for butter burgers and they pride themselves on that with their menu that features your average hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger and you can even get that doubled.

The family owned and operated business was established in 1936 has received state and world-wide recognition as one of the best family independent run restaurant within Wisconsin. Their website states that they use high quality meat that is from a local butcher that is delivered daily. They also only use Wisconsin creamery butter to get that buttery goodness that makes their burgers so superior. And they do that so well, and probably is one of my most favorite burgers I have ever eaten, and my friend would definitely agree. We enjoyed the atmosphere and food so much we are already planning on when we need to go back.

After a long day of apartment hunting this past Tuesday, my friend and I went to Solly’s around 5 p.m. for a casual dinner and we were really craving burgers. When I pulled up to Solly’s, I immediately felt a homey feeling as if I was at my house back in my hometown and I was about to get a home cooked burger. My friend and I were following this guy inside and accidentally tried to get into their actual house part of the house rather than the restaurant. When we finally found our way inside, we were welcomed to a diner style room. That’s exactly what I wanted, a sit down style bar where you can get the butteriest hamburger of all time. I was so excited my stomach wouldn’t shut up. The whole feeling of the restaurant feels like everyone knows each other, even if it’s your first time there. It’s a seat yourself type of restaurant but since it’s bar style, you’ll be sitting next to people you don’t know but I didn’t mind. The people sitting next to us were making conversation with us like they’ve known us forever, this was my first time ever seeing them.

Right when we sat down, we were welcomed and greeted by the one waitress that was there ready to take our order. After we finally made our decision and ordered, she always made sure we were doing well and had our drinks filled up. Since the kitchen is right out in the open, you can watch the cook do her thing and make the food. I think it’s interesting when restaurants have the stove right out in the open because I feel like some people can be so particular about how the food they eat is prepared. I enjoyed watching her though, I just couldn’t look away, I was so hungry.

Finally, our food was plated right in front of us, I could hardly wait. I had the average cheeseburger with American cheese, lettuce and mayo which averaged around $5. But what made the burger so personal to Solly’s was the huge heaping helping of butter that was spread on the top bun. Since the burger was fresh off the stove, the butter and cheese were melting onto the burger which makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The bun was toasted in a toaster for a minute and with the butter, it felt like I was eating toast. When you pair butter and cheese on a burger, it’s going to be messy that’s the only “bad” thing. But is it really a bad thing? That’s when you know you are getting something authentic and something the restaurant is proud of.

We also ordered an appetizer of onion rings and we got our fries served before our burgers with the onion rings. The french fries were probably my least favorite part of the meal. They were crinkle cut fries but there was no taste to them at all. It seemed like there was no seasoning or anything on them, I think I even like fast food french fries more. Even though I added salt and pepper and even paired them with ketchup, I still just couldn’t get past the tastelessness. Now onto the onion rings, delicious. They were the average onion ring, but there was a hit of a beer taste, which made them more delicious. They were so good that I didn’t even have to eat them with ketchup, they were so good just on their own. The onion rings were fresh and just made because I burnt the top of my mouth eating my first one, yet that still didn’t stop me from eating five more right after that. We basically inhaled all the food and it took us only 10 minutes to finish, everything, even the french fries.

The feel of the restaurant reminded me of Jim’s Grille in Cedarburg with the bar style diner seating. I feel like restaurants that incorporate that in their setting makes it feel more comfortable and like you’re eating and talking with old friends rather just at a restaurant in a booth. The food on the other hand, it reminded me of Kopp’s, which is another one of my all time favorites. My usual there is a cheeseburger and onion rings which usually totals me out to $8, and that can be a little too much sometimes. However, I can get great quality at Solly’s Grille as well for around $6.

Overall, Solly’s is officially in my top ten favorite restaurants. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a chill, relaxing, quiet and personal dinner. The feel of the diner will make it seem like everyone around you knows your name. The best thing is that your dinner won’t break the bank, I know that is what I appreciate the most with being in college. Whether you are with friends or just on your own, Solly’s Grille will welcome you with open arms and make sure you have the best burger of your life, with extra butter of course.