AJ Bombers is a burgers restaurant in Downtown, Milwaukee.
AJ Bombers on North Water Street downtown is Joe Sorge's burger bar with airplane-themed peanut delivery, the Barrie Burger and a deep beer list since 2009.
Signature dishes: Barrie Burger, Peanut delivery
Must order: The Barrie Burger with cheese curds and a basket of fries.
Tip: Peanut shells go on the floor by tradition; weekend brunch runs Bloody Marys 10:00 to 14:00.
Address: 1247 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Swingin' Door Exchange on East Michigan Street downtown is an Irish pub in the 1873 Mackie Building with reubens, shepherd's pie and cocktails since 1985.
Signature: Reuben sandwich, Shepherd's pie
Order: Reuben sandwich with corned beef and Swiss and a pint of Guinness.
Tip: Cash-friendly; downtown lunch line peaks 12:00 to 13:30 weekdays.
Solly's Grille on North Port Washington Road in Glendale, founded by Kenneth Salmon in 1936, popularised the butter burger with a pat on a griddled patty.
Signature: Butter burger, Chocolate malt
Order: The original butter burger with stewed onions and a chocolate malt to go.
Tip: Counter only; arrive before 12:30 weekdays to skip the lunch queue.
The Vanguard on South Kinnickinnic in Bay View serves 20 house-made sausages including vegan brats, plus 30 taps of craft beer since 2014, counter-only room.
Signature: Vegan sausage, Buffalo chicken brat
Order: Buffalo chicken brat with house slaw and a Wisconsin sour off the taps.
Tip: Weekday late-night kitchen runs to 23:30; weekend brunch is a sleeper.
Swingin' Door Exchange on East Michigan Street downtown is an Irish pub in the 1873 Mackie Building with reubens, shepherd's pie and cocktails since 1985.
Signature: Reuben sandwich, Shepherd's pie
Order: Reuben sandwich with corned beef and Swiss and a pint of Guinness.
Tip: Cash-friendly; downtown lunch line peaks 12:00 to 13:30 weekdays.
Transfer Pizzeria on West Mitchell Street in Walker's Point runs wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas in a converted transit garage with Italian wines on tap.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Calamari
Order: Pizza Bianca with truffle oil and a glass of Chianti.
Tip: Lunch walk-ins easy; weekend dinner books on OpenTable two weeks out.
Cafe Hollander on State Street in Wauwatosa Village is a Lowlands Group Belgian cafe with frites, croque madame and a long Belgian beer list since 2009 open.
Signature: Belgian frites, Croque madame
Order: Croque madame with Belgian frites and Andalouse sauce.
Tip: Brunch is bottomless mimosas on weekends; the patio fills mid-afternoon in warm weather.
Cafe Centraal on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is the Lowlands Group Belgian cafe with mussels and frites, croque monsieur and a deep Trappist list.
Signature: Mussels and frites, Croque monsieur
Order: Moules-frites with white wine broth and a pour of Westvleteren if it's on the list.
Tip: Sister Hollander rooms run the same menu; this is the original Lowlands location.
