One of my best friends, Deb, moved to Milwaukee a couple of years ago. It’s a short drive there from Chicago (although usually takes extra time thanks to weekend traffic) and we try to see each other as often as possible. This summer was jam-packed with activities but we found a free weekend for Michael and I to head up to Wisconsin. The original plan was to go on the brewery boat tour but we didn’t want to lose an entire day, so we altered the plan to include Rockerbox, some really great bars and restaurants (Nomad, Von Trier, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, The Best Place and Alterra), and one awesome brewery tour and fish fry (Lakefront Brewery). You can read more about our beer adventures on Michael’s blog: Good Beer Hunting.

Typically, when I make it up to Milwaukee, we jam in as many bloody marys as possible. My number one favorite place is Comet, where they put slices of bacon in their bloodies, but there’s often a wait. When we finally staggered out of the house Saturday morning we were starving (starving!) and ruled-out Comet. Deb suggested the Garage, since it was on our way to Rockerbox, where Deb’s boyfriend already was, with his motorcycle. I’ve been to Hi Hat before, which is attached to the Garage, but never here. 

The place was pretty cool - very unusual decor (re-purposed wood tables, cool metal chairs and big tree branches everywhere) and an incredibly good looking crowd. The table next to ours had 2 seriously HOT guys (and, well, one average-looking one) playing Magic. Yeah, as in “the Gathering.” Our waiter was almost freakishly hot. He had kind of 1950ish hair and was tan and aloof. He actually looked like this guy:

What? You’re here to read about bloodies, not hot guys? Fine then:

We each ordered a bloody at the Garage and they were really, really good. They had a nice spice (Sriracha, I think), great flavor and incredible garnish. The pickled asparagus was especially good. They came with beer chasers, which is the norm here—thank you, Milwaukee. The food was really great, too. The Garage and their bloodies are definitely worth checking out.

We intended to go to brunch on Sunday at Trocadero or one of the other restaurants owned by the same group to get bloodies but we ended up just heading to Alterra and hitting the road. Next time I make it up there, I promise to get at least one bloody reviewed: Comet’s or the Frenchie from Trocadero.

the Garage 1/2 (bordering on 5)

1701 N Arlington Place
Milwaukee, WI 53202  (map)

(414) 220-8090
http://hihatgarage.com