Kegel's Inn

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.

Sampson Stomp

What: Sampson Stomp 5k at the Milwaukee Zoo

When: Sunday, January 19, 2014

Cost: $25

When I look at my list of “Things I Want to Do During The Winter Months In Wisconsin”, I think of things like drinking hot chocolate, curling up in multiple blankets on my couch, wearing cute scarves and hats, and ice skating. Running a 5k is not at the top, middle, or even the bottom of that list. But for the last few years, Adam’s sister, Sarah, has run a 5k in January at the Milwaukee zoo and has sworn it is super fun. This year I was able, and happy, to join her. I talked Jess into running with us, which wasn’t difficult as she is a marathon champ and a running goddess.  The weeks leading up to the run were laden with arctic temps which led me to question why I would want to run in mid-January in Milwaukee. Then, the day of the race, the temps shot up to the 20’s and the sun shined as it hadn’t in weeks. I felt really good about this race. 

The Sampson Stomp is a 5k/fun run which honors one of the most famous members of the Milwaukee Zoo, Sampson, a silverback gorilla who lived from 1950-1981. The proceeds go to help with all of the animals at the zoo.  For those who don’t know me very well, I have always been a huge animal lover.  As a small child, I did not want dolls or Barbie’s, but rather stuffed animals.  I always loved visiting the National Zoo in DC when I would visit my dad growing up.  This was my first trip to the Milwaukee Zoo.  Between the panting and the gulps of air, I was able to enjoy a few brave animals who stuck their heads out to see what all the commotion was about.  There were penguins, mountain goats, and two humped camels (called Bactrian camels)! I fully intend to return to the zoo during the warmer months to visit the wide array of animals, not just the ones who are comfortable in below freezing temps!

Penguins!

We met Sampson!

 Not only was this my first trip to the Milwaukee Zoo, this was my first official 5k. In Charleston, I had participated in a Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.  It was between 3.5 and 4 miles, but was not a race. We all stayed behind the torch, so perhaps there was less incentive to run fast.  Although I struggled quite more than I would have liked, I was able to finish the race while jogging/running the entire 5k.  I don’t think I would have been able to say that without Sarah and Jess running with me and encouraging me!  Overall, the race was enjoyable, family friendly, and through some unique scenery! Thanks, Sampson, for encouraging us to get out and stomp our January blues away!

Koppa's Fulbeli Deli

When: Saturday, January 18, 2014

What: Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli Atari

Cost: Free!

After spending a laid back Saturday running errands around town, Adam and I decided it was time to head downtown to fill our bellies!  It had been years since I had visited Comet Café, so we enjoyed some delicious, warm food that snowy evening.  Comet Café is a lovely restaurant on Milwaukee’s East Side.  On Sundays, they will serve you a basket of bacon with your Bloody Mary.  I also had an exciting moment in Charleston once as I was exiting a grocery store and on a pole in front of my car covered in bumper stickers, there was a Comet Café sticker.  So cool!  As we were chatting over dinner, Adam mentioned we could hit up Koppa’s.  It sounded like a fantastic idea.  After our meal, we walked across the street and explored this unique, small grocery store.  

Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli has been on Milwaukee’s East Side for about 25 years.  It had been family owned up until last year.  One of the unique aspects of Koppa’s is that they have an old Atari anyone can play for free!  

I played a game of Pac Man (slightly remembering why I don’t play video games: I’m bad and get bored easily) and bought a few groceries we needed.  While our visit was short, I would love to go back sometime and try one of their amazing sounding sandwiches!  Check out their website here:  Koppa’s

Fritz's Pub

What: Fritz’s Fish Fry

When: Friday, January 17, 2013

Cost: $9 - $11

For this week’s Fish Fry, we decided to try one that had been recommended by a number of people: Fritz’s Pub.  Fritz’s Pub was opened in 1978 by Dragoslav (Fritz), who had relocated his family to Milwaukee from his homeland of Germany.  Today, Fritz’s three children continue to run his pub.  The pub is only open on Fridays and Saturdays and the typical fare is Serbian and American food.  But their fish fry is what has made Fritz’s popular.  Adam, John, Jess and I arrived shortly after 7pm and there was not a single table available.  Lucky for us, there happened to be four seats opening up at the bar.  John stealthily moved to procure said seats and we were on our way to a delicious meal.  We split a delicious pitcher of Miller Genuine Draft while we waited for our fish.  For the fish fry, you have the option of ordering 2, 3, or 4 pieces.  The boys thought they could handle four, I though three would be just right, and Jess smartly ordered two.  

 Big Fish. Delicious Spuds.

Word of advice:  Order two.  They do not skimp on the size of the fish.  I was stuffed to the gills (ha! Get it?) with three pieces and the boys looked pained after forcing four.  We believe the fish was battered, fried, battered, and then fried again.  There was definitely a thick breading around the fried fish.  While delicious, my arteries were not too thrilled with me afterwards.  I would definitely recommend Fritz’s to others.  But what I would say is this: Go for the fish, stay for the fries.  I will go back and just order a plate of fries.  They serve wedge fries, which are the perfect crispiness on the outside, and a soft, mashed-potato delightfulness on the inside.  You can’t go wrong with delicious supds!