What to order at Real Chili

Must order
Three-way with mild meat, beans, onions, cheese and a side of crackers.
Signature dishes
Three-way chili, Cheese chili dog
Editor tip
Open late after Pabst Theater shows; the Marquette location runs college hours.
CuisineAmerican diner
Price$
Neighborhooddowntown

Signature dishes: Three-way chili, Cheese chili dog

Must order: Three-way with mild meat, beans, onions, cheese and a side of crackers.

Tip: Open late after Pabst Theater shows; the Marquette location runs college hours.

Location

Address: 419 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Also in downtown

Old German Beer Hall ★ 4.1

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.

AJ Bombers ★ 4.3

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.

Full downtown food guide →

More casual dining in Milwaukee

Old German Beer Hall ★ 4.1

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.

Kopp's Frozen Custard ★ 4.7

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.

Sobelman's Pub and Grill ★ 4.4

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.

AJ Bombers ★ 4.3

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.

Solly's Grille ★ 4.7

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.

The Vanguard ★ 4.4

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.

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