German$$downtown
Old German Beer Hall on Old World Third Street downtown is a Hofbrau-style bier hall with one-liter steins, giant pretzels, bratwurst and Bavarian schnitzel.
Signature: Pretzel and beer cheese, Bratwurst plate
Order: Giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese and a one-liter stein of Hofbrau Original.
Tip: Walk-in only; weekend nights stand for a long Bavarian sing-along around the communal tables in the front room.
Burgers$wauwatosa
Kopp's Frozen Custard on North Port Washington Road, founded by Elsa Kopp in 1950, serves jumbo cheeseburgers and a daily-changing custard flavour today.
Signature: Jumbo cheeseburger, Daily flavour custard
Order: A Jumbo cheeseburger and a small of the flavour of the day with a chocolate cone.
Tip: Lines move fast; counter only and three locations across the Milwaukee suburbs.
Burgers$$walkers-point
Sobelman's Pub and Grill on West St Paul Avenue serves Milwaukee's most photographed Bloody Mary with brat, slider and pickled garnish stack since 1999.
Signature: Bloody Mary, Cheeseburger
Order: The Masterpiece Bloody Mary garnished with a brat, slider and pickled vegetables.
Tip: Lines wrap weekends; weekday lunch is the calmer window. Five Milwaukee locations.
Burgers$$downtown
AJ Bombers on North Water Street downtown is Joe Sorge's burger bar with airplane-themed peanut delivery, the Barrie Burger and a deep beer list since 2009.
Signature: Barrie Burger, Peanut delivery
Order: The Barrie Burger with cheese curds and a basket of fries.
Tip: Peanut shells go on the floor by tradition; weekend brunch runs Bloody Marys 10:00 to 14:00.
Burgers$north-avenue
Solly's Grille on North Port Washington Road in Glendale, founded by Kenneth Salmon in 1936, popularised the butter burger with a pat on a griddled patty.
Signature: Butter burger, Chocolate malt
Order: The original butter burger with stewed onions and a chocolate malt to go.
Tip: Counter only; arrive before 12:30 weekdays to skip the lunch queue.
American diner$$bay-view
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.