What: Kegel’s Inn Fish Fry
When: Friday, January 31, 2013
Cost: $11 - $13
Go ahead and get it out of your system. Yes, the restaurant is called Kegel’s. There’s an apostrophe. This restaurant can call itself anything it
wants because their food is absurdly delicious.
Kegel’s Inn is a German beer hall, touting themselves as the most
authentic German beer hall in Milwaukee. I wouldn’t doubt it. The beer hall and restaurant was opened in
1924 and I don’t believe it’s changed a bit since then. The ambiance is second to none. Thick, dark wooden tables. Murals of drunken peasants lining the walls. We had a late reservation (well, late for us
old folks) at 8:00. There was a line of
people waiting to be seated. Luckily, my
husband had made a reservation. When he
called to make the reservation, Jim Kegel, the owner kindly took the
reservation, as well as the follow up calls to change our reservation.
Twice. When we walked in, we were
immediately guided to our table.
Kegel's: A place for friends.
John G,
Jess, John W and Kathleen joined us for this amazing meal. For fish, we had the options of the basic
fish fry, which was haddock, perch or walleye.
Jess, Kathleen and I tried the perch, Adam had the haddock, and the
Johns had the walleye. While I didn’t
get to try the walleye, the perch and the haddock were outstanding. Contrary to many of the fish fries we’ve been
to, the fish was “lightly breaded”. The
breading was tasty, yet gave you the opportunity to really taste the fresh
fish. There were a number of potato
options to accompany the fish fry and most of us went with the handmade potato
pancakes, which came with the obligatory apple sauce. Those who ordered the fries were slightly
jealous of those of us who ordered the potato pancakes. Kegel’s was absolutely a delight and received
two thumbs up from everyone at our table.
This may be in the top running for best fish fry. Look at me.
Obviously the food was good if I haven’t even mentioned the beer
yet! Kegel’s Inn has a wonderful
assortment of German style beers. Jess
and I had the Spaten Lager, which was served in a super classy beer glass and
went refreshingly well with the fish.
John G had a mug of a German lager, natch. If you’re looking for a satisfying fish fry in
Milwaukee, this is it! Kegel’s: Racy
name, delicious food.