Waukesha Restaurant Reviews

Here is a list of Waukesha-area restaurants written about in the Journal Sentinel. All reviews are dated. Please be aware that restaurant ownership and practices change.

Albanese's Roadhouse
2301 W Blue Mound Rd, Waukesha, (262) 785-1930
Members of the Albanese family have operated Italian restaurants in the Milwaukee area for more than 40 years. The Waukesha location serves pizza, lasagna, spaghetti and other Italian dishes. Over the years, the restaurant has made a name for itself with an ethnic twist on the familiar Milwaukee fish fry. The fish is haddock breaded with a flavorful mix of crumbs and Italian seasonings. Don't look for cole slaw or rye bread here; the Italian fish comes with a tossed salad and a side of pasta.

Big Guy's Grill
701 N. Grandview Blvd, Waukesha,(262) 650-3000
The menu features Black Angus burgers (the Big Guy's Burger weighs in at half a pound) and a "salad bar" of toppings for them. The menu also lists sandwiches, salads and both hot and cold subs. On Friday, Big Guy's serves a cod fish fry and deep-fried perch.

Casa Del Rio
408 E Main St, Waukesha, (262) 542-4080

This popular restaurant has become a busy spot for casual dining. There are plenty of the traditional Mexican dishes along with some great family recipes. Chipotle shrimp and the chile rellenos are especially good.

Ching Hwa Chinese Restaurant
1947 E Main St, Waukesha,(262) 544-1983

The menu at this popular Chinese restaurant is massive and offers all sorts of Chinese delights, from sea cucumbers to sizzling rice soup. My two favorite dishes are princess chicken and smoked tea duck.

Divino Gelato Cafe
227 W. Main St.,Waukesha, , (262) 446-9490
Located in downtown Waukesha on Avalon Square, this immaculate little cafe specializes in Italy's famed ice cream. You can pick from 24 flavors, either fruit or cream. The fruit choices, from mango to mixed berry, are dairy-free and water-based. Creamy options such as chocolate or espresso are made with milk and cream. It's almost obligatory to sample a couple of flavors before settling on one. Divino also offers soup, sandwiches, luncheon scones, coffee drinks and Italian soda.

Eric's Porter-Haus
229 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha,(262) 542-1300

Located in a building that formerly housed an American Legion Post, the Porter-Haus specialty is steaks and German recipes.

Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que
2137 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, (262) 522-3210

Real barbecue - the kind that's pit-roasted over hardwood - just got a little easier to find in southeastern Wisconsin with the opening of Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que on Waukesha's northeast side.

Jack's Pantry & Cafe
N4-W22496 Blue Mound Rd, Waukesha (262) 521-2444
Housed in what once was a stable, Jack's sits amid a cluster of antique and craft shops known as the Homestead. Co-owners Mary Ellen Mee and Jack Cameron opened it as a gourmet food and specialty gift shop. Later, they added a rear kitchen and began serving from a simple menu of top-quality breads and other ingredients.

Jalisco Restaurant
319 Williams St., Waukesha
Look for things to change in a major way at the Depot Restaurant in Waukesha next month. The old train station-turned-restaurant is getting a new tenant: Jalisco. It'll be the latest addition for a locally owned chain with outlets in Milwaukee, Franklin, Cedarburg, West Bend, Sheboygan and Waukesha.

La Estacion
319 Williams St., Waukesha,(262) 521-1986

This casual restaurant has the look of a train station in northern Mexico and serves some excellent dishes to match. Chicken or steak Zamora is especially good, as are chiles rellenos. For a treat with friends, order one of the Mexican parrillada (tableside grill) dinners. And don't miss the dessert tray: Pastel de tres leches is a rich cake that shouldn't be missed.

Rochester Deli
143 W. Broadway, Waukesha,,53186,(262) 522-9611
When Dan and Laura Strackbein opened their combination delicatessen and cake shop last spring, they figured their business would be mostly take-out. They were wrong. These days, lines of customers snake out onto Broadway as fans order sandwiches like the Devonshire Panini or Dan's hand-carved corned beef or pastrami, which is as good as that served at the best delis in New York.

Taste Of Italy
N7W23825 Blue Mound Rd, Waukesha,(262) 542-1721

Two prerequisites to romance -- candles and music -- are regular features of weekend dinners at this Italian restaurant just east of the Waukesha County Airport. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of pastas and traditional Italian entrees, including several veal dishes. If you're looking for a great pasta, try the pasta Mediterranean, which tosses shrimp, scallops and asparagus with brandy cream sauce.

Weissgerber's Gasthaus
2720 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha,(262) 544-4460

Wisconsin's German tradition has never been more alive than at this establishment, From stained glass windows to European tapestries, the restaurant looks the part. In the food department, schnitzels and shanks are great. For dessert, an excellent orange rum cake is offered.