By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published May 22, 2023 at 1:01 PM

It’s as important as ever to support the amazing collection of local restaurants that we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than making a commitment to patronize them throughout the year. To guide you on your journey, I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2023.  View the full list here OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file.

Strange Town
2101 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 885-0404
instagram.com/strangetownmke
Vegan
$$

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If lunch or dinner in an adorably intimate space featuring globally inspired shareable plates strikes a chord, you’ll find your happy place at Strange Town, where an eclectic collection of vinyl sets the stage for a leisurely time nibbling on dishes like oyster mushroom eggrolls, sea vegetable salad and some of the silkiest hummus in the city.

Offerings change frequently, guided by the seasons as well as what’s fresh and foraged. For instance, last week brought dishes like roasted asparagus served with fiddleheads, pheasant back mushrooms and chive polenta with wild ramp coulis; and a Saturday special of za’atar seasoned purple potatoes with rhubarb romesco, crispy maple-paprika chickpeas, ramp coulis and bolted watercress.

Pair your plant-based feast with a glass of one of their remarkable natural wines or low-ABV cocktails. They’re perfect for sipping on Strange Town’s adorable patio, which has officially opened for the season. Visit on Wednesdays and you can enjoy half-price bottles all day long.

Recommended: Strange Town hummus (it’s amazing, as are its accompaniments); sea vegetable salad; inventive specials

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.