Dinner, breakfast and lunch in Milwaukee - suggestions?

My two boys (ages 8 and 12) and I will be in Milwaukee for dinner, breakfast and lunch next Sunday and Monday.
I know there are a lot of great Roadfood places in town, but was wondering what people would do if they had the chance to just eat three meals in Milwaukee in 24 hours - dinner, breakfast and lunch. Please advise. We're there to eat.
 
Thanks,
Dan

I should add that we're staying right downtown but have a car, so anywhere in the Milwaukee area is fine. We can drive.

We'll probably do Benji's for breakfast, by the way, unless someone can convince me otherwise. I was there in 2001 and remember it fondly.

Is Jake's the place for lunch? I remember trying to eat there once many years ago and finding it not only in a terrible neighborhood, but closed.

I can tell it's going to be tough choosing between Benji's and Jo's for breakfast, now that I've looked up Jo's. Let me know what we should do.
 
Also, in the Roadfood list, I didn't see anything for dinner in Milwaukee. I don't mind a corned beef or a burger for lunch, but I'm hoping for a bit more of a choice at dinner.

Any good steak places in town that I could take the boys too (not too fancy)? I checked 5 O'Clock, but the prices are pretty high and it doesn't even seem like prime beef, judging by the menu. I don't think I'd pay $40 for a steak if it wasn't prime (I'm a snob that way).
 
Sorry for all my doodling here. I'll shut up and let others chip in. I notice the last Milwaukee discussion on this thread was some time ago, so it would be good to get updates.

Thanks.

Oh, my-5 Oclock is fantastic. Their filet rivals anything I have had in Chicago( Harry Carey's, Chophouse) Be a snob all you want, but that is a great place. And the portions are huge!

There are so many Wisconsinites here on Roadfood, you are bound to get lots of great suggestions.  I only get to Milwaukee once a year, but I certainly have my favorites.
 
As for my perfect eating day in Milwaukee:
 
Breakfast would be at McBob's for some of the world's best corned beef hash.  Second choice would be Benji's for the excellent hoppel poppel.  I have been to Jo's Cafe once and while it was fine, thought Benji's was clearly better. 
 
Being a fan of butter burgers, Solly's Grille would be lunch.  Don't forget the excellent banana malt to wash it down with.
 
No question that dinner would be at Three Brothers, a wonderful Serbian restaurant.  Making reservations ahead of time is recommended as is ordering a burek.
 
In between meals, stops at the great frozen custard stands is an absolute necessity.  Kopp's is my favorite, but Leon's isn't too far behind.
 
That is one non-native's suggestions.  I would love to see where some of the locals have in mind. 

BB knows his stuff! All are wonderful suggestions....

Thanks to both of you for your helpful suggestions!
 
Anyone else want to chip in? I am curious about whether Jake's is worth the trip.

Jake's isn't open on Sunday's. It is worth the trip imho.
If you boys have never had soul food before, a visit to Mr. Perkins (reviewed here) is real treat. Warm and friendly it makes great breakfast stop. 2nd choice would be McBobs and like BB I would recommend the eggs and corned beef hash; it's spectacular. I'd check all suggestions for hours of operation but I think you and your boys would positively enjoy Maria's Pizza if it's open. Inexpensive and with only soft drinks available it's a treat to the eyes and your stomach. Milwaukee has two places off the beaten path on a river, The Horny Goat Brew Pub and Barnacle Bud's. While both are taverns with food, children are OK and they are unusual; ditto with the Safe House ( a spy themed restaurant). Of the 3, the food is best at Barnacle Buds. Three Brothers is probably Milwaukee's most quaint and charming dining location but Ilija's Place has far better Serbian food. Your other recs are great and I'll try to add some more. Will your sons try anything or do they prefer most 8 and 12 year old type foods?

MilwFoodlovers

Three Brothers is probably Milwaukee's most quaint and charming dining location but Ilija's Place has far better Serbian food.

I really need to get to Ilija's Place!

danimal15

 I notice the last Milwaukee discussion on this thread was some time ago, so it would be good to get updates. 

Yes. It was all of two months ago. I hear the dining scene in Milwaukee changes quickly....it's a fast-moving town.

Sorry. I missed it. I did do a search.

My sons are quite adventurous eaters, though Serbian might be a stretch. They're not into fish, either. They do love most ethnic foods, but not spicy stuff. Usually we do Mexican or Asian.

If the kids are willing to go Mexican, there are a ton of establishments on the south side of Milwaukee that would be a great choice for lunchtime.  La Fuente, La Perla, some lesser known as well...maybe someone could help me out here with some names of smaller joints.....

buffetbuster

MilwFoodlovers

Three Brothers is probably Milwaukee's most quaint and charming dining location but Ilija's Place has far better Serbian food.

I really need to get to Ilija's Place!

You really do.
 
I was a Three Brothers fan for a long time, and still tout them as a great overall dining experience, given the unique history and ambiance of their building, but our last outing there was a disappointment.  The roast goose was pale, bland, and tough. Other dishes were good, but didn't live up to expectations based on past experience.  I would still put their Serb salad up as the best version in the city, but for overall menu I'd give the nod to Ilja's.
 
Maybe if you come for Smoke Day/Pie Fest (or is it Pie Fest/Smoke Day), you can make it an extended visit and we can turn it into a Contingent exploration weekend of Milwaukee's (and maybe Chicago's) best ethnic dining spots.
 
Buddy

Buddy, my belts don't have that many extra notches.
I can direct you to some Mexican places that are delicious but you better know some Spanish. There is a place quite popular where the food doesn't get too exotic yet it is very tasty and has perhaps Milwaukee's nicest outside dining. El Fuego, not far from our airport has a beautiful waterfall fountain.

Pho 27, is an excellent Vietnamese restaurant that has much more than pho. They just started serving BanH Mi and is a little more upscale in appearance than some of the other banh mi and pho places

http://www.polonezrestaurant.com/ has a nice Polish Sunday brunch.

Thanks, MilwFoodlovers.
 
We will still be there for lunch on Monday, so maybe we'll check out Jake's. Of course, we'll check first to make sure it's open!

danimal15

My sons are quite adventurous eaters, though Serbian might be a stretch. They're not into fish, either. They do love most ethnic foods, but not spicy stuff. Usually we do Mexican or Asian.

Actually, they'd probably do very well with Serbian food.  Many of the dishes are very"red meat and potato" intensive; lots of sausages and kabobs.  The seasoning and flavor profiles are similar to "western" cooking and yet have a slightly exotic quality that is still very accessible to most people--especially "adventurous eaters".
 
In the Mexican category, a Contingent favorite in Milwaukee is Jalapeno Loco, down by Mitchell Field.  Excellent regional Mexican food along with many standards.
 
Buddy
 
Jalapeno Loco
5067 South Howell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 783-8300

Now I know the "cant miss dish" mentiond by Jeff- i make an awesome version of the feta'tomato salad served at 3 Brothers.

Thanks Buddy.
 
One thing I should have mentioned - we don't eat port, so no brats for us, unfortunately.