The Palomino
2491 S Superior St, Milwaukee, WI, 53207
The Palomino Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2491 S Superior St
Milwaukee, WI, 53207 - Phone (414) 747-1007
- Website https://palominobar.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Z Z.
Wow. This is why dining out was invented. Amazing, thoughtful, fresh from scratch awesomeness. Why the heck does anyone pay their hard earned coins on chain restaurants?? Brunch for me was eggs, homemade hash browns, and a kick a$$ fruit bowl...and it wasn't a silly fruit bowl..it included the high nutrition awesome kind: blueberries, strawberries, 'naners, and a raspberry I nicely cut in half to share with my dining companion. Can't wait to try dinner sometime...making food from scratch and awesome combinations (spices maple syrup on chicken and waffles?!) count me in! OH, and the staff is sooooooo nice -- kind, informative on ingredients/choosing the right dish or cocktail/etc -- felt so welcome !
(5)Sara J.
This review is more useful for vegetarians and vegans. Omni's still welcome, but the only meat eaten was in the my husband's hoppin' john and he liked it. 2-3 Stars overall, but the service and food were good enough to round up. No comment on drinks, we don't drink alcohol. First, they're new so they're probably still getting a feel for the environment. That said, our server did a great job taking care of us. Knowledgeable about the menu, informative, polite. My issue is really about the food. Now, don't get me wrong, it was rather yummy. My husband and I shared the vegan hush puppies (yum!). I ordered the burger #5 (add onions $0.75... really? Avocado not available at a Southwestern style restaurant, REALLY?!) and a small order of the veggies. My husband ordered the vegan pulled pork, large veggies, and small hoppin' john (not vegan, he is omni but many times orders vegetarian/ vegan anyway). I honestly didn't think I would care much for the #5 burger. It is a patty made with rice, walnuts, and pecans. I like many veggie burgers out there, but didn't think this would be one of them. It ended up being really tasty, but was also, essentially, a deep fried type patty. After the hush puppies I wasn't expecting to eat more fried food. The amount of fried food I ended up eating made me quite sick, I had to stop for a lemon lime soda on our way home to help me feel better. My husband's "pulled pork" was also tasty, but not what we expected. It was another deep fried type sandwich. My husband liked it, but thought the mustard BBQ it came with actually needed more kick (this from a guy who doesn't like jalapenos and medium salsa!). I tried a small bit, it was good. He also liked the hoppin' john. Our review of the veggies: meh, boring. It was just yellow and green zucchini. I was thinking more along the lines of zucchini, red onions, bell peppers, maybe even some carrots or eggplant. But, no, it's just zucchini. Felt more like a bad WI gardening joke on a plate than anything interesting to eat. With tip, our meal cost $43 and change. Will we go back? No, not unless we want to grab some hush puppies on the go.
(3)Cory Z.
The Palomino respun. We used to be regulars here. They've changed the place and not for the better. I don't know if / when I'll bother going back. They've killed one of our favorite places. Rant / description of changes below :-) I'll ignore the soft open sort of issues. Same basic wait staff but the kitchen was slammed and the place was packed. I'll give them this. It's not an issue in my review. The Remodel: * They removed the pool tables. * The TVs are gone. * They've gone yuppie, kid friendly, and more expensive. * It seems darker * Still have the ugly truck / cowbow stuff on the walls The food / drinks: * The new tots are really good. Expensive, but a win. * Not sure if they have any draft beer any more. The cow is now in bottles. * No more sides and choice of sauce. A lot of sides are gone the rest are ala cart * No more sauces at all unless you like ranch. * Not as veggie friendly as they used to be * Seitan toffolu is gone. You can still get the tofu ones as "vegan chicken" * Totchos are gone. I ordered the "vegan bbq pulled pork" being told it was the bbq seitan. The sauce was a vinegary mustardy thing. Not the bbq sauce of old. So meh. They've turned it into Bayview's Comet Cafe. Expensive and not as good as they used to be. They should have just renamed the place and opened with a new concept.
(2)Emma L.
After a long over due makeover Palomino is worth going back to! It's cleaned up and the new seating in great but still has the old charm and overall feel. Yes the menu has changed, thank God! Elevated Southern food made with fresh quality ingredients. No more deep fried food tasting like a dirty fryer. My husband and I fully enjoyed our dinner. Skillet fried chicken. The seasoning in the breeding was super tasty accompanied by a homemade biscuit and gravy. Smoked duck and cornbread. Yum!! Can't wait to go back to try more things!
(5)Scott S.
We've been here about 5 times since the new ownership and everything we've had has been fantastic. Easily one of the best restaurants in Bay View, especially if you add in the speed and prices. I think that the vegans and those that dislike the change from what they knew are clouding overall judgement here. I understand if you're vegan, but if not, don't let them dissuade you. I recommend the chicken sandwich, the burger with bacon jam, and the chicken salad. I like the vegan wings too. And the new handmade tots are way better than the greasy old ones from a freezer bag! Oh yeah, Cory reminded me this place is now SO much cleaner (some may not like that) and IIRC the previously precarious men's bathroom is now fully functional.
(5)Christina L.
Whoa whoa whoa people, calm down! As a former vegan, I've been a long-time fan of Palomino and was apprehensive about the changes that would take place when they went under the knife for the recent facelift. Based upon reviews on here and other word on the street, you would've thought it became a McDonald's. Nonetheless, I was determined to try the place out with an open mind and an empty stomach. Upon walking in, I will say that the vibe feels for the most part, the same. The tables in front are a nice change since the pub tables could get awkward when it was busy. The boots are pretty much the same but without the large tears in the seats. The wife and I ponied up to the bar and ordered a couple pints while we browsed the new menu. Yes, it is a HUGE change in offerings, but I feel like the theme remains. At first I was like, what? no sides with my sandwich automatically, but then realized that the price point of the sandwiches dropped and now I can choose how many sides I want. I went with the crab soup and a small side of mac-n-cheese. The crab soup was delish with large chunks of crab meat and a not too thick broth. It came with a good serving of grilled sourdough and next time could make a meal out of just that. The mac-n-cheese was very good and served in a cast iron dish. We shared the house dill pickles which was a pretty good amount of pickles and had a nice vinegary zing to them. The wife has the pulled pork and said it was very good. There are still a ton of vegan options on the menu. However, I wish they were called out separate from the meat items so they could have a description of what they are. in the end, yes, I will too be longing for the days of vegan sloppy joes and pinkie sauce, but think the upgrades far outweigh the losses. The night we were there, the back area where the pool tables used to be was crowded with families and whining kids. Not sure when remodeling a bar makes it a family joint but let's hope that new "vibe" doesn't last.
(4)Becky B.
I love you Milwaukee, but you are not so good with change - even for better, as is the case with the "new" Palomino. My husband and I went here on our annual return to MKE, and were eager to check it out the place. We had frequented the Palomino in the past, but our visits had grown sparse given poor service and pretty mediocre food. After trying the new menu last month, all I can say is WOW. My mouth literally waters at the thought of their fried chicken sandwich, pimento cheese/bacon jam, chicken wings, and tots are to DIE for. I can't wait to try other things on the menu next time I'm in town, like the brisket and salads. Everything comes impeccably prepared and, given the upswing in service, piping hot. The only thing I plan to do differently next time is to order an extra side of the fantastic buttermilk dressing so that I can use it as a dipping sauce for, um, everything. Guys, check it out. Don't just walk in the door, see that things are different, walk right back out and leave a negative review (or base an opinion off what you've heard - I can't be the only one who rolls my eyes at reviews by people who haven't even eaten off the menu, right?). If you're coming here for southern-inspired cuisine and more than the cheap rail drinks/frozen tots of Palomino past, you'll be super pleased with the changes!
(5)Bobby K.
Bad Bad Bad. This place used to be Milwaukee royalty. Ever since the people from Honey Pie/Comet Cafe bought in, it can only be referred to as Milwaukee sewage. They went from great comfort food to uninspired wannabe-fancy-food for obscene prices. The crab soup was sour, one of our co-diner's hot chicken sandwich was raw, and the service was downright terrible. As a group of six people, we were unable to find a single improvement and many, many negatives. If you've been here before, you should understand that the prices have risen by about 40%, with the sides becoming a la carte(you used to get two). They've removed many of the dinner items, as well as many of the favorites. We used to have a regimen of going to Palomino every wednesday, but now I doubt we'll ever be back. From now on, we'll go to Cafe Centraal, Odd Duck, or some other good restaurant around town.
(1)Scot H.
This was my first visit after the remodeling, and I like how it looks. Benches without torn upholstery, and a men's room that no longer makes you feel dirtier when you left than when you walked in. Yes, the place has grown up a bit. Now for the menu...it is good to see several vegetarian options. My friend had the beet salad and a small plate deviled egg and bread concoction. He is a vegetarian, and liked both. I (not a vegetarian) tried the vegetarian po boy sandwich which is essentially a large long roll with a creamy cabbage, etc. slaw and a few falafel-like balls that had mystery ingredients, but were a little creamier than falafel. The contents of the roll was quite good, and I would have liked more of it. The roll was basically the vehicle, but a large one at that. It smothered the contents a bit, and dulled the experience. I opted to leave out half the roll just to get the good flavor of the insides. I'm not sure what else they could have used. Thinner roll? It might not fit the classic po boy style, whatever that is. My next visit will be for the pecan and walnut vege burger. Intriguing flavor combination. We'll see if it tops the Trempealeau Hotel's popular walnut burger.
(3)Scott S.
When reviewing a establishment of this nature, one must consider the owners perspective in relation to their other properties. Everything in the Mojofuco Co. bag is a top notch establishment that will fill neighborhoods with commerce and flavor. for a direct example I refer you to Belair Cantina in the riverwest neighborhood, Hi-hat and Garage in the Brady street district and Honey pie on KK . Congratulations Palomino for you have completely embodied the hipster vibe, where one may pay extra to appear thrifty and ironically wear a suits as if to poke fun at the idea that one would every work in such drapery. Fedoras, big lenses, rolled up pant legs, vests and unkept facial hair decorate the majority of your patrons. Wait Time-(Be sure to bring snacks ) you will wait on the up side of 45 minutes for a table and another 45 minutes to an hour for your food to arrive. Price--Not bad, to be expected given the location and venue decor Food( the best part of the joint) When it does arrive you are in for a treat. As long as you can put up with the anxt and the wait time you will survive long enough to endulge in a true flavor of BAYVIEW. Get some......
(4)Marc R.
Solid food and great bar. I have had wonderful vegetarian food prepared by the Palomino for charter school fundraisers, and other public events, but it took me till 2012 to go here to eat, drink, and watch a Packer game with a (gasp) Chicago Bears fan. I have had the eggs here - skillet to be exact, and have been happy with the quality of the food and the prices all around. I have also had the burgers- yum - I suggest that you go for the meat here at this veggie friendly place. Some of the sides seemed bland when I came here for lunch. Perhaps it might be time to mix it up a little bit with the veggie classics? I have also come here to sit, drink a coffee, and use the computer. I would not suggest it for a 5 hour internet stint for a $2 coffee, but I found it was a good place to chill do some work and have a coffee mid-day. I have watched the Packers here. Now this kicks ass and the crowd was super friendly to a couple of non-regulars. A guy with a trombone plays when they score, and another yahoo blows the horn on the Honda in the window. Crazy. Then they play some goofy Packers song and give you mystery shots. Nice touch. This Packer experience blew my friend away. She had a blast and everyone was so nice to the flatlander from the Mega-city of Chicago.
(4)Matt X.
This classic Milwaukee standby has gone through some changes lately, and I'm in the camp that things the changes are for the better. Palomino was a big raucous cowboy-themed bar famous for vegetarian food that was delicious, if overloaded with grease. And notorious restroom sanitation. Those days are gone. The ambiance is the same, but they thankfully renovated the bathrooms and the menu. So you can't the the giant deep-fried "Aw F#ck-It Bucket" any longer. Instead there is a slightly more meaty menu of a la carte choices. It has some fancier options now, like duck and deviled egg salad. But it still has the soul food/southern comfort theme and now you can also the BEST BRISKET SANDWICH in the city. And fried chicken, pulled pork, grits, hush puppies, collards, vegan po'boys, and more classics from the south. These are worthwhile changes in my book. So no it's not the Palomino of yesteryear, but in this case change is good!
(4)Matt L.
So let me start off with saying since the remodel they have SUCKED with posting hours. It took me 4 attempts to get them when they were open. VEGAN FRIENDLY The vegan food options are great. I got the burger special which was just amazing in flavor and texture. Also got the pulled "pork" which tasted pretty good, little thrown off by the mustered flavor. Had "chicken" wings as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had water to drink, but they have a HUGE selection of beer and booze, but prices look high. The vibe was chill tho and I love the patio. Overall, as a vegan I cant wait to go back.
(4)Mikey B.
... Very Simply.. Palomino is a good restaurant.. nice food..good service.. good drinks and cleaned up and spiffed up from previous owners. Now for the moment you are all waiting for.. the comparison to the 'old' Palomino.. There is none... new version steam cleaned and spiifed up with new woody booths and new barstools with backs... de-cluttered the lovely bar and added quirky neon.. they even mopped the floor ! Outdoor patio is much better now too with addition of planter buffer zone.. Service.... much better than old.. they now actually acknowledge your existence when walking in, instead of waiting half an hour for employee to stumble upon you.. Food delivery much quicker than the hour wait for deep fried yuck as before.. Food... interesting and finesse items on menu.. very good what i have had so far.. dont care about vegan yada yada as I eat meat.. good selections there. ok ok.. so it's not a 'hangout' anymore.. which is fine by me, as I dont 'hangout'.. and i can now get a seat at the bar after a 20 mile bicycle ride along the Lake.. My only nit-pick would be to add more bicycle parking ..the one 'stall' isnt enough.. Enjoy !
(4)Bob M.
Service was good but had to send my burger back twice. Still couldn't make a well done burger, kept coming back medium. First time I ever left a restaurant without eating. Other people at the table ranked their burger a 6 out of 10. Should have just stuck with beer, they do that well.
(1)Eric K.
yum. great comfort food. nice bloody!
(5)Gabby P.
I've been here many times before the remodel and loved it. I went about a month ago and got the fried pickles and a cup of chili, both were great. This time I was really let down. I wanted the chili and they didn't have any. I then ordered a pulled bbq chicken sandwich, the chicken was so dry. I also oredered sweet potato fries and they were huge mushy wedges. My husband ordered a cherry pastery puff. The pastry was not cooked all the way and there was a cherry pit in it. I was really disappointed.
(2)Amy M.
Sooooo disappointed, what happened?? It used to be a great little corner bar with good food. Last night there was flat beer, brisket so tough you couldn't eat it and the women's bathroom out of order ( only told this after I went in bathroom to find toilet overflowing- gross!!). The menu looks like it could be good, but no one is executing it. We were there around 10-10:30 on a Saturday night and there were only 15 people in the place. Don't think we'll be going back, too bad, used to like it.
(2)Jim D.
Aww Man. Are you kidding me. This place hits your right in the face with a 1960's/1970's bar vibe. You know, how you remember bars looking when you where a kid. Not made up to look old, just really old. I have avoided this place due to all the talk of hipsters and bad service, but on this Sunday night we had a great experience. We sat at the bar and were waited on quickly and efficiently by the bartender. My wife had the Velvet Elvis (Fried PB, Banana, Bacon Sandwich) and I had a Vegan BBQ Poorboy or Po-boy. The food was simply great. Certainly not healthy or good for you, but every once in a while, it's OK to eat some junk food. I loved the vibe of the place and the beer selection and the food. All good by me.
(4)Kathy G.
I thought this was a small dive bar in Bay View. I was somewhat wrong. It's a large dive bar in Bay View. The place is roomy but inviting. I love the old furniture and aging bar, signs of a well-established business. I ordered a Bloody Mary and it was made well, just enough spice the way I like it. I asked the bartender for a Shiner Bock and what do you know...they actually had it! It is so rare to find this beer at a bar. We had a large group so we ordered a few appetizers. The tot-chos were fantastic. Using tater tots instead of nachos then adding all the Mexican toppings is genius - even it if doesn't sound right, it sure tastes great. We all ordered a variety of sandwiches and there were no complaints. For bar food, it was pretty good. And the bartender was very attentive and friendly. The selections and the service will make us come back here again.
(4)Imran K.
OK OK So I rarely give a restaurant a second chance after so thoroughly disappointing in their first attempt. A friend told me that the Palomino had undergone a renovation and maybe got new owners. So after me and my girlfriend were debating the options for brunch we settled on giving the Palomino another chance. Well first when we arrived the inside was completely different. Gone was the pool table that nearly lead to disaster last time, The booths had been redone as well as the table setup. We were seated very quickly and we ordered a nice fish fry sandwich, which came with homemade coleslaw. The server was a bit overwhelmed but she was the only one there so I will not dock a place for that. All in all very nice comeback from the awful first experience. Very nice job expect me back soon!
(4)Maria S.
If there was a 3.5 option I would give the Palomino a 3.5 but since I can't, I'll round up. If you like eating fried food or better yet vegetarian fried food this is your place. The Palomino offers excellent (though artery clogging) pub fare. I highly suggest the sweet potato tots, the veggie burger and the regular burger they are good good good! The cheese curds aren't bad either. They also have a pretty decent beer selection. Here's the problem though... they have a sign to warn you to be patient when they are busy and I get it -good food takes a while, but does getting a drink order? They are notoriously under staffed and I just don't get it. They have to be able to afford a third waitress right? Just my 2 cents, and it's still not enough to keep me from going back, but it's worth noting if you are in a hurry.
(4)Jean-Paul M.
Best brunch we've had in a long time. Chicken and waffles (and spicy maple syrup) were amazing. The spicy maple syrup had diced jalapeños in it. I know, right?!? Bloody Mary was amazing. Zombie drink amazing. Fresh fruit cup amazing. Absolutely awesome! Highly recommend!
(5)Jessica O.
The Palomino taps in to a hugely neglected market - the vegetarian who doesn't want to eat wheat grass and bean curd lightly drizzled with agave nector. This place caters to vegetarians/vegans/and carnivores alike who share a passionate love for all things grease-laden and deep fried. But the ultimate Palomino experience can be summed up in one word: Tot-chos. It's everything you love about nachos...except on tator tots. Spicy nacho cheese sauce, amazing pico de gallo and the option to add a meat/faux-meat topping. It's one of those ideas that is so amazing and simple that you kick yourself for not thinking of it yourself. But stop being so hard on yourself, just go to Palomino and order them. The only sub-par food I have ever received at the Palomino was at their Hangover Brunch. I went with a group of five, (who ordered the Missed Connection, the Skilleton, and the specials - all amazing) and I ordered the Mason Dixen Waistline - because I was craving chicken fried steak. Now...in my classic defintion of chicken fried steak, the steak is pounded super thin. This version was a chunk of meat about two and a half inches thick, heavily breaded, and SUPER tough. I was not a fan. So...just a heads up...avoid that one. Fortunately, my companions all eat like birds and I got nice and full off of their leftovers.
(4)Jessica S.
bloody marys are pleasantly spicy. food is pretty damn tasty. the only con is that if you are sitting on the patio for brunch, you will fry. it is so sunny! and they need bigger water glasses or to fill ours more often.
(5)Krystin F.
I would give this place 4 stars, I wish I could give it 5 but the service is a bit unpredictable (there are times that I have been there where there was only a single person working) and the food is also a tad bit unpredictable, but always still delicious. I went here for the first time a few years ago and instantly became addicted to their 'Toffalo Wings." They are beyond delicious...I always order the mix (1/2 seitan, 1/2 tofu and with normal hot sauce) Be warned that the hot sauce is one of those items that seems to change with the chef...I've had some batches that were not that hot and some that were higher on the heat scale. (The wings can be ordered with 'Sissy sauce' but I've never tried that...) Also, I get their tator tots rather than their french fries, just a preferance. I have noticed that the quantity changes quite a bit as well...some days I feel like I get a ton and others I just get an average serving...I guess it just depends! The friends I have taken to this spot have always enjoyed it. Their burgers are a standard, good burger with some fun toppings. They also have some other, very good vegetarian options (try the fish sandwich!) and a vegan elvis is fun! With these items you get a choice of two sides and a dipping sauce from a good sized list! This makes for a unique experience as you get to taste some rather off beat sauces and sides... Ultimately this place is a bit of an old bar with some chairs and tables tucked in the corners...it's not 'romantic' by any means! The patio in the summer is a lot of fun and you can get a good beer or classic cocktail and enjoy the weather if the inside is not your cup of tea...Also, I try to hit up the palomino on off-peak hours due to the volume of people, small place, and lack of staff...but still very much worth going!
(4)robert a.
I do not give many places a 5 star rating, but this place gets it. From what I am to understand this place was a great dive bar that got a bit of a face lift. I have heard from multiple people that the greatness was gone, and now it was this, or that. Well let me tell you this, anyone who does not like what it is now may need to look into there opinions, and get their head checked. I cannot think of something not to like. The food was stellar, the brisket was some of the best I have ever had. A good craft brew selection. Great Service. Wonderful patio, with a nice view of a park. We went at 8pm on a Saturday night, and we waited on a table for.......... ZERO minutes. There were no hipsters, no tools, no assclowns, and at no point did I feel the need to get up a stop the living shit out of some snot nose punk. There were no trendy soccer moms, no $500.00 haircuts on a slumming it night. Just people from all walks of life, and all ages having a nice meal. It was cheap, beyond cheap. Punk rock & Glam rock playing on the sound system. Bourbon Pie I really cannot say enough good things about this place. Go here, eat, be happy.
(5)Jennifer G.
Server was cranky and not at all wanting to be there. The pumpkin chai French toast was ok, the bacon was burned Nd eggs were like rubber. Hubby had grits with chicken fried steak and fried eggs that were really well done and bland. Not a place I would go back to soon.
(3)stephanie s.
Best VEGAN Bar Food Ever!! Have the Tofu Wings with vegan ranch even if your not vegan they will be your new fave! I love that they give you tator tots instead of french fries too... oh but beware the portions are huge you get a lot of food for your money. The appetizer of tofu wings is a platter size and the burgers/sandwiches (vegan or not) are very large served with tots and two yummy side dishes like my fave of sweet potato with pecans or my bf's fav of okra:) They also have Purple Haze Abita Beer my fav from the dirty south! Smoky but that changes in July 2010' maybe sooner and they have a patio in summer.
(5)Scott H.
Almost always my first stop on a trip up to Brew City. Great food (tots anyone?) and excellent selection of both craft and macro beer. The bar is classic, the waitstaff fun and funky and the clientele are all over the map. Love a place where all are welcome! The outdoor seating is plentiful if the weather is cooperating.
(5)Erin S.
I went here for a going away get together for a friend. I've never been. I found the whole experience a fun one. I felt the service from the bar was extremely helpful, attentive, friendly, and quirky. I've loved the typical old fashion Milwaukee bar feel. I also got the chance to have the fried pickle spears and sweet tots. I would drive down there every week if I could. The home made dips are a great touch, and even though I'm not vegan, it's nice that they have those options. The second time I went there, I didn't know it was Raunchy Bingo night. Don't go if you don't have a sense of humor. I thought it was hysterical! I hear the brunch is great, and am anxious to try some of the other food.
(4)Teri P.
If you're going for food, definitely try to sit outside. it was loud, dark, and, well, bar-ish inside. But outside was lovely on a warm summer night! The toffalo wings, while sounding bizarre, are incredible. BBQ sauce is the way to go. The vegan chicken fried steak was also incredible...the gravy...mmmm.... It was exciting to go somewhere that had really good and interesting vegetarian food instead of just salad and pasta with sauteed veggies. I only wish they had sprecher root beer instead of the HFCS-laden one.
(4)Daniel M.
Wow. Really terrible. I spent $12 on a burger, only to later wonder how a burger could taste so bad? Big mistake. Any fast food would've been better.
(1)Meena V.
I was in the area and stepped in to grab a quick bite before a show, expecting to see classic MKE bar-food menu, and to eat a dinner of onion rings and nachos as a vegetarian -- let's just say I was very pleasantly surprised! Harbour no misconceptions about this being healthy just because it's veggie/ vegan friendly though. Their menu reads "If it's good, it's better deep fried," and they take this concept seriously. I got a variation of the veggie burger, which was good, home made, and yes, deep fried. What was most excited about, though, was that you get to pick two (TWO!) sides to go with your sandwich -- and we aren't talking mediocre fries and plastic cheese here. We're talking fried OKRA! and sweet potato casserole and Habanero coleslaw, to name a few. Yum! Definitely knocking of a star for the overwhelming smokiness, though. :(
(4)Diana M.
Cool place, love the decor, excellent music, but service was slow and our waitress completely forgot one of our brunch orders. She took it off our bill, but we had to wait 15 minutes for that meal (after waiting nearly an hour for food), while the rest of the table ate there dishes. The Bloody Mary's were great...love the Brussels Sprout garnish! I'd go back, maybe just not for a meal.
(3)Tyler M.
Look for the painted picture of Bert Reynolds.
(3)joe s.
I've had good and bad experiences here. It's a popular place to sit outside for brunch, but service is spotty, and last time I was there it literally took hours to get our food and our waitress ignored us. It's a western/vegan themed place which attracts a lot of hipster types during bar hours. The bartenders are cool, one gave me ice when I came in after smashing my finger in a car door. The place looks completely different at night when they turn on these hideous orangey-flourescent lights. The best time to go here is in the middle of the day on a saturday for a bloody mary. It's dark, the lights are still off and they have the door open. Reminds you of a saloon. EDIT: Went here very late on a Sunday and they were open past 2 AM with porn showing on the TV. They now get 4 stars.
(4)H C.
I have driven past the Palamino about a million times. But, I always felt I wasn't "cool" enough to go in. Heard they did a pretty good brunch, so a group of us stopped in this weekend after the Komen Breast Cancer walk. We got there about 1030am, and there was still plenty of places to sit. We pulled together 4 tables (without asking permission) but server didn't seem to care. After looking over the menu, and around at what some of the other people in the place were eating, my group decided on the biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and I went with the "Sit Yo A$$ at the Table", ie. cornbread covered in pulled pork and a fried eggs. We all shared off of each others plates because everything looked so good. Portions where Huge, Staff was Extremely friendly (feel real bad I didn't get our servers name), and food was Yummy! Although the atmosphere is fairly Hipster (I added that one in for you Cassie D), I didn't feel out of place at all! Will definitely be coming back, and recommending to others!
(3)Leanne M.
oh-em-gee. oh-em-gee. Made from scratch VEGAN BUFFALO WINGS with any sauce you want (my baby-ness for spice meant I went for BBQ drenched wings) that...wait for it... come with...omg again... tator tots and VEGAN RANCH. I know I'm shouting at you lots here, but people, c'mon, I would drive down (oh wait I mean up, geography is my worst) just for these! Dogs allowed. Pool tables. What more could you ask for?!
(5)Katrina V.
This place is great. Bar food with vegan options! The food is good with generous portion sizes. With a sandwich you can choose between a ton of different sides for two different options plus one dip. I think it's really great that you can get two sides of your choice instead of just a ton of one side. This place is awesome, it makes me wish I lived in Milwaukee!
(4)Stephanie B.
Seriously, we love this joint. Last time we were in Milwaukee, we drove to Bay View every night just to hang here.. and then bought t-shirts, too! Awesome beer choices and really good vegetarian menu options. And pool tables! It's a classic. Top that off with funky bartenders and you are all set.
(5)Gabrielle B.
If you're up for greasy fatty fried foods, this is the place for you. I go here when I am really craving some grease and get the tuffalo wings with the vegan ranch dressing. So good. They're even more delicious as leftovers. It's a bar, so you'll have your fill of drinks. This place is small and smokey, so you might have to wait in a fog of snoke for a table. Usually you won't have to wait too long, but get there early on a weekend.
(3)Nick T.
awesome, ordered some 2 dolla white palomino's from some really friendly bearded gentleman. I shall have to come back to try the food tho. so 4 stars for now.
(4)Albert B.
I love this bar! The prices are right and the food is down right good! Everyone is friendly and you feel like you fit right in. the tatochos are my guilty little pleasure, you have to try them.
(4)Richard O.
I mostly like the hangover brunch. I'd eat here more often if there were more interesting vegetarian options on the dinner menu. I used to love this southern style tofu sandwich they had there but they changed the menu some time two or three years ago and now I'm kind of bored by the dinner menu. I think it's great though that the dining area is marked as non-smoking during dining hours. It used to get so smoky in there. Enjoy the brunch though, even if the service can be a little spotty. Edit- On a recent visit I found the vegetarian skillet a little disappointing but, after being warned by a friend to avoid Here Chai This (from the specialty drink menu: Chai tea with ginger brandy), I got it anyway, out of curiosity, and I thought it was pleasant sipping drink. It had a sort of after taste and reminded me of drinking rice milk or something. I'd order it again.
(3)Ashe D.
Palomino caters to vegetarians and vegans. You'll find a lot of tasty comfort food like macaroni and cheese, po'boys, and hush puppies. I recommend the black bean burger or the mac n cheese. The tofu scramble for brunch is super tasty and we find ourselves here nearly every weekend for it. It's the only place I've found that doesn't try to make the tofu scramble look and taste like eggs.
(4)Erika B.
From the capsule I wrote for The Onion A.V. Club Milwaukee: If you like your veggies fried and your meat meatless, Palomino was made for you. This bar and grill specializes in Southern-fried, trucker-inspired grub that's moderately priced and served up in generous portions. Picky carnivores and vegans alike have plenty of mix-and-match menu options like the standout Po' Boy sandwich and vegan riblets, and the vegan ice cream sundae is good enough for dairy lovers. Though Palomino sports a somewhat retro, laid-back interior complete with the requisite Bay View hipsters, everyone and anyone is made to feel welcome. As an added bonus, the kitchen stays open until 11pm some nights. With a fully stocked bar, pool table and jukebox, those that would prefer to drink their dinners are covered, too. Great for: Hip and non-hip drinkers in search of fatty comfort food.
(4)Wayne N.
I go to the Palomino a lot and 1/2 of the time I enjoy it, 1/2 of the time I think "why do I go here"? Beer selection on tap is usually okay, not as good as other bars in the area, but okay. Have a lot of bottled beer, but with so many people drinking Pabst and Schlitz, it feels odd ordering an "expensive" beer. I really like the tater tots, but the other food is just okay. I go here a lot because there aren't a lot of bars around here that actually serve food, especially late. Before the smoking ban they were non smoking before 10 which was nice, but then I'd have to leave at 10 which was a bummer. Now that smoking ban is here, it's more enjoyable. But do you really have to let your customers smoke on the front step so I have to walk thru a cloud of smoke to get in? I guess non smoking is still less than a month old so I'll give it time. Friendly bartenders but most of them seem to be competing to see who can dress the ugliest. I realize it's hipster, but a sports bra under a tank top is not really something you should wear to work, even if it's hot.
(3)Andrew P.
Great, greasy food, good beer on tap, nice staff. Aggro juke. One of my favorite places in Milwaukee.
(5)Dave S.
A great place to hang out, and a great place to eat. My wife has a dairy allergy, so she especially appreciates the wide variety of vegan options at this place. The food is real down home, All American diner grub like BBQ sandwiches, Mac & Cheese, and smothered chicken. And it's always of high quality. Great beer selection, good service. Other folks have talked about the smoke. The Comet, another vegan-friendly diner across town, once had this same problem, so created a seperate non-smoking dining area. Perhaps the Palomino could do the same. In the meantime, I like to visit in the warm months and eat at their great sidewalk patio.
(4)Jason W.
Good food. I hear the vegans like it as well. I prefer the wings.
(4)Mandi A.
Ok, when people tell you how much weight you can lose on a vegan diet, they're assuming you live far, far away from here. I was on a road trip to Milwaukee and made a point of stopping here for lunch because of all the reviews. Let me just say, if I lived closer this would be my new second home. It has everything I love in a restaurant/bar; dive-y wood paneling and crappy art, juke box, local brews and vegan eats. And not just things that happen to be vegan if you order them minus some of the ingredients, but purposefully vegan things. I had a hard time deciding but ended up getting the BBQ seitan sandwich with onion rings and hush puppies and the vegan ranch dressing. The sandwich and onion rings were incredible. I didn't care for the hush puppies but I haven't had them in about 20 years, so I think they're just not my thing. My husband got the sweet potato tater tots which I will definitely be ordering on my next visit, which will hopefully be very soon.
(5)Arthur E.
One of the vegan hot spots in Milwaukee. I've tried just about all of their vegan options and the're all great however I'd have to say that the tuffalo wings are hands down their best item. If you're in the mood for some boozin' they make the best bloody mary I've ever had. DO IT!
(5)Andrew C.
Chicken-fried tofu. is there really anything more a human needs?
(4)Erica B.
we make special trips from chicago just to eat here. super fun, greasy, vegan bar food galore. (they also have regular bar food, so it works for non-vegans too) good atmosphere too. worth the drive. i promise.
(4)rebecca s.
Went on a day trip to Milwaukee from Chicago with the boyfriend lasty week. Decided we wanted to stop by this snazzy little place and get some lunch and maybe a drink. Called around 1pm to get directions. The girl told us exactly how to get there, no problem. We tried to go in at 2pm but realized they were closed. Not open until 3pm. Now, lets see, we called at 1pm saying we were on our way....why wouldnt you mention you didnt open until 3pm? weird. Anyway, we hung out around the area for a hour or so and went back around 3:30. A couple people at the bar...just opened..thats cool. Went to go sit down and the waitress said the eating area wasnt open yet. Kitchen doesnt open until 4pm. So, the boy goes to the bathroom and we are about to leave when someone else says the kitchen is open. We were getting confused. So we sat at the bar and the bartender got us beers and menus. We ended up ordering some fried cheese curds, which were really great. I also got the bbq bacon cheddar burger with onion rings and sweet potatoes and the boy got a sammich and tots. Upon leaving we both had stomach aches from all the fried foods. All in all, the place is pretty cool to check out ...food is great, alot of choice, just most of it is fried. Dont recommend the sweet potato side. Probably would have been a lot cooler if i went at night when the place had more people in it.
(3)Andy S.
If I had a car I would make sure to take weekend trips up to Milwaukee just to eat at this place. Great atmosphere with a nice patio in the summer, pretty close to the lake. I especially enjoy the vegan condiments that go with their tater tots, they really nailed it on the head with their vegan/vegetarian bar food.
(5)Laura F.
I came for drinks, and will definitely be back for the famous Elvis sandwich (banana, peanut butter and bacon?). On a recent Saturday - the bar was perfectly crowded - one table left for a friend and I, but enough activity and people watching for hours. There's something happy about cartoon images of horses on brown and sea green backgrounds. Drinks were Milwaukee prices, and not the downtown version.
(4)Jennifer M.
Nice place, The food and service are great but it was hard to enjoy any of it because it's so smokey! Unless something is done about the smoke, I won't go back, which is too bad because I really liked the place.
(3)Joe R.
Great place, very eclectic menu, plenty of comfort food, many good vegan/vegeterian dishes. I live in the neighborhood and it is our #1 default place to go. A favorite of local motorcyclists. Service can be a bit slow. Best to go in the summer so you can sit outside. The inside is noisey and smokey and the seats are uncomfortable.
(4)barney m.
hush puppies and spotted cow pool
(4)Mike W.
Very good vegan and vegetarian grub. Overly smokey atmosphere, but sitting outdoors in the summer is great. Good burgers, and great sweet potato chips. Cheap Blatz beer.
(4)Jessika G.
The Palomino is a great Bay View establishment! We walk to it every weekend in the summer where we enjoy sitting outside eating yummy food and drinking Lakefront IPA. Even in the winter, we trudge through the snow (in the car) to visit the Palomino. The food is fantastic (hello, fried everything!) and the best part of the Palomino is that now during dining hours, the dining area is non-smoking. We went last week and walked out without even the slightest scent of smoke on our clothes!
(5)Emily S.
Perhaps one of my favorite bars. Ever. Atmosphere is part old-school tavern, part whiskey soaked western. Great juke box. If for some odd reason no one is playing it, the bartenders will usually line something up that's even better. I'm pretty impressed with the vegan menu as well as a traditional bar food menu. After several hours of Pabst and shots of Jameson, the tater tots come in pretty handy.
(5)Aaron S.
Great Brunch. Great food after a little of a wait. The Chicken Fried Steak was perfectly done. Biscuit Sammy was good, but need a fork and knife. Cinnamon rolls were also a great starter.
(4)Emily M.
Was back in town for the holidays. The overall service we received was sub-par at best, the food was fairly disappointing (and took quite a while to come out) and then when the waitress didn't apply a coupon when charging my card. I asked for the original charge to be voided and rerun. Instead, both amounts were applied to my card. Hadn't been here since 2008 and won't be returning.
(1)Melissa B.
I loved The Palomino before the renovation and menu change. Their menu had was plentiful for both vegans and non-vegans. Going into the new place, I was hoping to find a lot of the same things on the menu and was said to see some of the fun had been removed. Where did the giant platter of tots with the zillion dipping sauces go? Totchos RIP. This new Palomino feels even more meaty than the last. Beware, veggie and vegan friends. I got their veggie burger and it was tasty, but I enjoyed the Haymaker better. I missed the shoestring fried onions. I didn't love the fact that the burger was fried into oblivion, either. My boyfriend got the pulled pork. It was smoky and delicious. Next time I will order this! His side of cheese grits were runny and barely cheesy. On the other hand, the hushpuppies I ordered for my side were the best part of the meal. They were the best I've ever had. We had the pimento cheese/bacon jam and sourdough to start. Less cheese, more jam please. Yum. Hangouts and hushpuppies ahoy!
(3)Amy E.
Sad... very sad. Palomino was one of those places you could walk in, grab a beer and people watch and then enjoy some of the greasiest, deep fried (vegan, if you chose) food in Bay View. Over the years, the menu became a bit stale and the service took a down turn (once I waited an hour for tots...), but I had so much hope for the renovation and refresh... Keyword there is *HAD*. I went there the other night with a few friends I hadn't seen in awhile. They beat us there and had already ordered. They got their food, but when we ordered.... we waited and waited for the food to arrive, which made me think that nothing has changed with the service. Once the food did arrive , it was sad and terrible. Also, one of the biggest injustices, the meals don't come with the standard two sides anymore... they are EXTRA. Also, the sides are an additional $3-4, which makes your meal one hellava price! The decor is nice and slightly updated, but instead of feeling like a bar with food, it now feels like a restaurant (with crappy bar service and wait staff). I'm hoping they can pull this together and make some quick improvements to bring this Bay View classic back to life.
(2)Brian M.
Seriously people, it's not THAT BAD. Nothing lasts forever, including a sandwich, two sides and and sauce for $8. It is a downgrade however. The restaurant has gone polar opposite with its menu, opting for a la carte dishes rather than a "entrees". The problem lies in the price. By itemizing the menu, Palomino is now in the $13-15 range for a sandwich and a side. The price would be so much more acceptable if they remodeled the restaurant to lose the dive atmosphere. The remodel merely made it a nicer dive. Palomino is now kind of in a no mans land where the food is more expensive but the perceived value didn't go up. I get why old fans of Palomino are jaded, and I'm not sold that first timers are going to love it either. It's too bad because I totally dug what I ate. The vegan fried chicken sandwich was good, albeit bare on toppings, and the tater tots are unlike any other fried potato I've ever had. But I'm not going back until they have a deal that knocks its price back down to earth.
(2)Kate P.
Had brunch on the patio today and our waiter (Nicholas?) was efficient and really likable. He kept the glasses filled and brought the food out immediately. I even saw him taking time to slip a bowl of water to one of the dogs. Heart!
(4)Emily L.
Sorry Palomino, I have to give you a double whammy - just wrote on the Facebook page as well. Your re-think seemed to completely ignore your demographic. The Palomino was one of the few places in Milwaukee (including Riverwest/Eastside) where vegans and carnivores could co-exist in total harmony. This is no longer the case and a BIG loss for us veg-monsters. While they did say their attempt to make it healthier was a priority, it seemed like they missed the boat then, considering their tator-tots were way greasier and even MORE deep fried... (and not even a quarter of the original portion and more expensive to boot) Our waitress did give us a complimentary second order which, I kid you not, totaled our "tot-count" to a little less than half the size of the old portions. They also took away my favorite sandwich- the Hillbilly Philly (which might I add was one of the healthiest items on their old menu? so.. another counter intuitive move there) Now onto the atmosphere.. Here is where they really missed the boat with clientele. A lot of their traffic comes between Garibaldi and the Cactus Club. We are not a shi-shi crowd like Odd Duck. We come for that rough and tumble vibe, good reasonably-priced food and drink, and of course.. THE FOOTBALL GAMES! How is trombone man going to even fit his trombone in here now? They turned the tables behind the bar into booths which took away a LOT of standing room, and even the seating area got smaller. They definitely got rid of a good amount of seating, and that's with getting rid of the pool tables, and wasn't there a dart board before? They really did just turn this into a bay view version of comet... but they even took it a step further than comet. Comet at least has some decent vegan options and is still less shi-shi than what the Palomino has turned into. Bring back the character, bring back the TVs, bring back our old tots and sauces!!! (and bring back the old prices) P.S. I miss the funky menus :(
(1)Adam R.
For the past couple years I've noticed the quality of the food a Palomino slumping. WAY too much grease and half-assed food. I pretty much stopped going because I always left feeling like I just pissed my money away. I did love the divey atmosphere and grungy bathrooms though. Once I heard they were closing to re-tool a bit, I was pretty excited. So my wife and I went in for dinner last night...Other than the horribly bland and slow service, I thought the food was really stellar. Much better than the past handful of times we ate there. Yes, the food is more expensive and that seems to be a common complaint. But I think it's worth the extra $1-2 dollars for better quality, fresher, tastier food. The crab soup was top notch and not super salty and "imitation craby" tasting. The pimento cheese was also delicious. Order the appetizer though, the sandwich version of it doesn't make sense. My wife had the fired chicken sandwich, which was one of the best chicken sandwiches I think I've ever had. Very true to southern style. And we actually finished the food on our plates, unlike the old Palomino where my plate was left with a puddle of grease mixed with my half of my fallen apart sandwich. I will be back for the food, most certainly. My big gripe is with the service. I understand that it's the 'soft opening' and I'm not throwing them to the wolves, but I was very unhappy with our service the moment we walked in the door. Our hostess waved us over from the other side of the restaurant and did not say a single word to us when she sat us, when she brought us our waters or when she brought us our menus. I don't even think she looked at us. We ordered drinks right away (A tall boy of Schlitz and an iced tea), what seemed around 10 minutes later our waitress comes over an tells us they don't have Schlitz. So I ordered another beer. It was another 10 minutes before we got our 2 drinks, which I watched patiently as they sat on the end of the bar. Since it was our first time there with the revamped menu, we were having a hard time deciding what to get. We asked the waitress for some opinions so we could narrow down our choices, to which she had none. I would have hoped the staff would have tried most of, if not all the new dishes on a brand new menu! After dinner, we were talked into ordering a slice of cake to take with us, since we were pretty stuffed. Within the next 15 minutes, our waitress came over twice and said "Your cake will be right out". After what seemed like an eternity (no drinks, table not bussed) our slice of cake arrived haphazardly stuffed into a box with frosting smeared all over the inside of the lid and outside of the box. The most disappointing $6.50 piece of cake I've had. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt on this visit. I'm sure there are still some kinks to be worked out. But service is a HUGE part of a dining experience. It really hindered our first trip to the new Palomino. But I did enjoy our meal, so I will go back for that. And the whole décor thing...sure, it looks nice. A little fresh and updated, but still retains it's "diveyness". Seems like they are going more restaurant than bar now. They even left my favorite painting of the crooked mouthed cowboy on the wall! Bonus points. Folks, change is inevitable. Cheers.
(3)Patrick F.
I'm really pleased with the "new" Palomino! I was skeptical about the new menu, but had faith when I heard it was being taken over by the folks from Comet and Honeypie. Yes, I miss the old way of ordering, with the sauces and sides, but I went with the flow of the new style and was not disappointed! I went with my wife and a few other couples, so we were able to share several appetizers--I highly recommend this. The hush puppies were as good as I've ever had in New Orleans! Perfect texture, bold but balanced flavor. The wings were generously sized and the cola-BBQ sauce was uniquely delicious. My fave was the pimento cheese spread with bacon jam--I want some now! The pulled pork sandwich was as good as I've had. A few in our group got the chicken sandwich and were blown away. I drank a few excellent beers and some bourbon during the meal--the selection of both is terrific. And there are so many things across the menu I can't wait to try. I can't wait to come back. Bravo, Palomino!
(5)Tim D.
After many, many years of patronage I'm sad to report that the Palomino never actually reopened. They closed this spring and a new place opened using their name but its not the Palomino. The food is okay but the signature sides and sauces are gone as are the vegan options.
(2)Kristin S.
I waited with two other friends for almost an hr. to be acknowledged.The food took another 45 mins. Two of four meals arrived burnt. They didn't want to send it back because it would take to long to get food. My vegan Sloppy joe had jalapeño or something with some major heat, which of course is not in the food description and I have eaten this plenty of times. Please don't add "extra flavor" ingredients to food that is not listed. It will be a long while before returning here.
(1)Jay B.
I'm going to have to agree with the naysayers here. I used to love this place before the remodel but it is now lacking the odd charm and flavor it used to have. Was there last night for the first time since it reopened. The server we had was wonderful! The mac n cheese was really good, as were the new fries, (meatball looking) tater tots, and veggie burger. But I used to love the toffulo wings which are now half the size, completely different recipe and actually quite gross. I did not enjoy eating fake meat off of a mock-chicken bone. May just have to go there for drinks from now on. To the owners: please bring back the old favorites!
(3)Kelsie K.
I went here for an unintentional late night dinner with friends, we ended up ordering the fried chicken dinner for the table. It was some good comfort food with a kick, our sides were the pimento Mac n cheese and collard greens. They both were a little spicy which I loved. To top it off, their homemade pickles tasted exactly like my moms!
(4)V S.
This is the bar/restaurant that you want in your neighborhood. We went for brunch, and sat outside on a gorgeous morning. The patio is across the street from an undeveloped park - just a huge green space. We ordered waffles with fruit and whipped cream, pork tacos, and a homemade sausage scramble topped with eggs. Everything was great. The waiter was attentive, regularly refilling our coffee, and being gracious about our request that we finish and pay within an hour to make it to the train station on time. Inside, the bar is dark wood with a huge mirror (where several people were enjoying bloody marys) and the pie case special was whiskey-cholocate chip-pecan pie. Overall, a perfect meal.
(5)Kyla E.
Went to brunch here and it was awesome. I had eggs and the potato pancake. Very good. The 4$ mimosa was pretty standard, could have used a little more champagne. A friend ordered the "beermosa" and should have just ordered a beer. Somewhat limited food selections, but the whole groups' meals were tasty. Also- I was able to pick up some flavored body paints for fun and fantasy in the bathroom. Weird, but kind of made me like the place even more.
(4)Marilyn B.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has changed. They remodeled the interior a bit, and re-did the menu, too. It's not as vegan friendly anymore; many favorite items are gone. And favorites that remained have been scaled back. You don't get the heaping mound of tater tots you used to get. We won't be going back. Too bad you changed, Palomino! We used to love you!
(2)Melody F.
Cocktails hit the spot and change through out the seasons. Pork shoulder was delicious. It isn't like the old Palomino, but that doesn't mean the food and drink aren't good. Its nice to have a good restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)Colin A.
The Palomino doesn't want or need your luster. It's a dark, simple, western-themed dive bar serving up delicious deep-fried vegan goodies as well as eats for the more carnivorous palates. Burgers? Check. Tofu buffalo wings? Check. Cheap billiards? Yep. Dollar PBRs? Sometimes...don't quote me on that. Whatever sandwich/entree you purchase comes with two sides and a dipping sauce. You might think it's a bit odd to eat hush puppies or tater tots with a Velvet Elvis - to that I respond "who are you judging, hippie?" Just kidding...order what you want; to each their own. Palomino also has a good beer selection (including Lakefront Fixed Gear Red Ale) and specials, more than adequate street parking, rock n' roll service even when it's busy, plus it is less than a block from Cactus Club. Outdoor seating in the summer is a must; just bring cash because it's all they take. 3 stars if only because the food can be inconsistent at times and sometimes the grease factor is a bit much. Otherwise, if you're looking for a laid-back, deep-fried Milwaukee experience, then this is your place.
(3)Tom W.
I've been going to The Palomino since I moved to Bayview, about 8 years. It was a place to go simply as a neighborhood staple. In my opinion, the food hadn't been that good for about 5 years. Brunch was incredibly greasy and made you feel more depressed about being in a dark bar on a Saturday morning than excited about going out to eat. The burgers left you feeling like you had a pound of cement in your stomach and a chemically processed meat taste in the back of your mouth. I still liked the place; it was a hangout, but it hadn't been a great restaurant in a very, very long time. That's why I don't exactly understand this blow back against the remodel and the new menu. I get that the best thing about Palomino was the atmosphere of the bar, so why would they change that...etc. Now the best thing about Palomino is....the food. I went for dinner Friday night with my girlfriend. I had the hot fried chicken sandwich, she had the smoked brisket sandwich, and we got hush puppies, fries and 2 high lifes. The fried chicken sandwich was the best I've had north of the Mason Dixon line, home breaded and freshly fried. The breading was dark gold and super crispy, the chicken was juicy, and the homemade pickles were great. The smoked brisket was very good, but too wet for my liking. One of the managers told me that people were complaining about how dry the smoked brisket was (come on people!) and also how thin and vinegary bbq sauce was (seriously! come on!). Basically, Palomino is finally attempting real, regional southern food and bbq, and they are seriously pulling it off. The food is not only a huge improvement, but now it's the reason to go there. And the fact that they cleaned up the place, added more booths, and made an awesome new kitchen with a wood fired grill and a smoker to facilitate these changes...well, alright! The bar is exactly the same, except that they now have 40 bourbons! Service was excellent, we were seated immediately and our server was knowledgeable about all the specifics of the menu. Our food came quickly and we had a follow up in a minute or two. And when it comes to the price increases that everyone is moaning about, let me just say this; We had 2 sandwiches, 2 sides, and 2 beers and our bill was $29. I'd say that's reasonable enough. Do yourself a favor, before you believe all the negative blow back against the "new" Palomino, go there for dinner and see for yourself. Their food hasn't been this good since...well...ever.
(4)Zsa Zsa X.
I've given this place so many chances. Soooo many chances. To be honest, the food is just not that great. I love heat. What I don't like is adding spice for the sake of adding spice. Whoever's in the kitchen at the Palomino needs to learn a thing or two about flavor and balance. The chili, the blackened chicken, the dirty rice... It's all incredibly spicy, and yet... Flavorless. I'll give them props for their sweet potato tater tots (hence the two stars). God DAMN those things are good!! But what really kills me about this place is the sh!tty service. Time after time, I've gone to Palomino for dinner, only to have the waitstaff ignore us, "forget about" our table (lolololz!), or concentrate more on flirting with the testicles sitting in our booth than remembering to refill our drinks or get our orders right. And I can tell by glancing at other diners that it's not just an issue with my crew. Pretty much everyone has this glazed look in their eye like "Where is our food? We want more beers. Where is our waitress?" Every. Single. Time.
(2)Lauren G.
My Aunt and I met here on a Friday afternoon. While we were catching up I was sipping on one of my favorite beers, Hoegaarden, and my Aunt was grubbing on an excellent looking sandwich. I tried her onion rings that came with it and had to resist eating them off her plate. She said her sandwich was excellent. More people joined us throughout the afternoon and by 5PM our party was up to 9 people. The bartender was accommodating to us and was naturally friendly, and not in the way that I am nice because it is my job to be kind of way- he was a genuinely cool guy. When we were talking to him my Aunt mentioned I was visiting from L.A. and his response to me living there, "I'm sorry." I dig it. I quickly mentioned I am originally from Milwaukee and my heart still resides in Bay View! The group ordered tot-chos and everyone seemed to love them. I ordered deep fried pickles for the group and those were a hit too. I was here years ago, but was bar hopping and didn't really get to experience Palomino. Whenever I am in Milwaukee and need a place to get together for some beers this place will definitely be on the list.
(5)Todd G.
A change for the better. While the old place was fun, the new menu is a major step-up in terms of food quality. Sure it is different but they really executed the food well. The tator tots are real, made from scratch versus ore Ida. In fact everything was made from scratch. They also have a fantastic bourbon list. If you want to old Palomino this isn't it, but if you want a really awesome bar food experience this is.
(5)Matt H.
Have heard a lot about this place and driven by numerous times... and it didn't disappoint me, real solid place. Finally got around to trying The Palomino this past week. Outside seating was nice since it was a beautiful 80 degree day out. First off, the prices did seem a little high for a menu that featured basically "pub food". I got a basic burger in the end. It was good overall, well cooked. I LOVED how you get 2 sides and a sauce. The sweet potato tots are very tasty, couldn't get enough of them. It was cool having a sauce too since I've never seen a place pair that with a menu item (usually its extra). They have literally a dozen different sides and a dozen different sauces too. I chose the chipotle mayo and I basically licked every last pit of it up after i finished dipping my fries in it. Very good. Overall, the food is very good and cooked to order. The sides and sauces are what I think sets it apart from some other local pubs and bars. I'll have to come back to check out the bar and drink portion of the The Palomino some time. Definitely worth taking a look at in the Bay View area though.
(4)Stacey P.
Based on all of the positive Yelp reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check out Palomino for a late brunch on Sunday. When we arrived (a little before 1 pm) a sign near the door indicated we should seat ourselves; the place was almost completely full except for a large round corner booth and a small two person table pushed up against a pillar with another table directly around the corner. Since it was just the two of us we didn't want to be rude and sit in the large booth so we chose the table against the pillar and had to shuffle the chairs around so we weren't bumping elbows with the table around the corner; this arrangement left my boyfriend sitting with a view of the back wall of the restaurant (which is fine because there was a TV) but I ended up being facing with the pillar. I don't know if there were special circumstances that day that left our particular table in such an awkward location, I can't imagine they would normally seat people in such an obstructed location, (for the record, all of the other tables/booth seemed to have less awkward placement). As soon as we sat down we were promptly given menus by a server. Shortly thereafter another server came over with water and requested to see my ID (odd since we didn't even order drinks yet) I'm not sure if we were ever properly greeted by either of these two servers, I heard some sort of mumbling from one of them but wasn't really sure if she was talking to us or someone else (she didn't make eye contact). A few minutes later, the server who brought our water came back for our drink order. I ordered a bloody mary and my boyfriend got coffee. Less than a minute later she returned with the coffee, and took our food order. I ordered the Hillgrass Bluebilly with overeasy eggs, which is some sort variation of eggs benedict with spinach, red peppers and Andouille sausage served on potato pancakes. My boyfriend got the Mason-Dixon Waistline, which includes chicken fried steak, grits, sausage gravy, eggs and a biscuit. About 15 minutes later my bloody mary arrived (I thought it took too long); garnished with pickle spear and lemon and lime slices (I wasn't expecting all the crazy toppings like bacon, meat sticks, shrimp etc for a $6 bloody mary). I thoroughly believe that the quality of a brunch establishments bloody mary is the most reliable predictor of the how good/bad the food will be, and any place that serves a bloody mary without a pickle isn't worth my time. It should have been a red alarm when my bloody mary arrived with the most miserable, pathetic looking pickle spear of all time, I mean this thing looked like had been chewed up and regurgitated by a llama a hundred times over. It was soggy, limp and oddly warm and was missing big chunks of the fleshy middle part. We should have just left then. By about 1:45 the place had pretty much emptied out, but our food still hadn't arrived. At about 1:50 our server informed me that they were out of the potato pancakes that my meal is supposed to be served on and asked if I'd like something else like tater tots, biscuits or corn bread instead. I picked biscuits, although none of the options seemed appealing. 15 minutes later our food arrived. Mine came out warm-ish, but my boyfriend's was cold. My meal looked pretty good; two biscuit halves layered with tomato, ham, fresh spinach, sausage, and eggs drizzled with hollandaise, but the plate was way too small for such a tall stack of food. The biscuit, which was likely a few days old and microwaved, was rock hard. The sawing motion required to cut through it caused the top the layers of the benedict to topple over and fall off the too small plate onto the table. The eggs, which I ordered over easy, were overdone, the red pepper was MIA, and the tomato (not in the menu description, but somehow on my plate) was cold and mushy. My boyfriend's meal tasted just as bad (if not worse). The cheddar grits looked more like white rice than cheesy grits, were barely cooked, and so white I doubt there was any cheese on them. His chicken fried steak had this weird concave shape and it was so hard and tough he had to spit it out. His over easy eggs were also way overdone, and his biscuit was rock hard too. We managed to flag our server down and told her we would pay for the drinks but the food was inedible and we wanted it off the bill, to which she promptly obliged. Over an hour and fifteen minutes later, we left with grumbling stomachs in search of something more edible. I don't know if our food was so bad because we came during the last hour of brunch, or if it's always this bad, but I doubt I'll go back to find out.
(1)Virginia L.
Definitely one of my few go to places on the south side. Good eats, nice location, a Milwaukee bar vibe. The new menu doesn't have too many veg friendly options though.
(4)Colden H.
Apparently you get free drinks here on your birthday. Food deserves 2 stars, but our waitress was really nice (dark hair, accent, dreamgirl). She helped me pick out a sauce that would be good on my sandwich, and for dipping corn fritters. Corn fritters dipped in Cajun cream sauce is a fine partnership. My catfish sandwich came on a HUGE roll, as described in the menu. Why so huge, Palomino? Bigger is not always better, just most of the time. I could barely fit my mouth around it, and the flavors of the fish and remoulade were lost in the overwhelming dough. My side of haystack onion rings was cold and limp. I must give credit for fast, good service even though it was very busy and we were drinking free beers.
(3)Kristy K.
I love tator tots and this place has them! The overall feel of The Palomino is hip version of the corner tavern and the outdoor sidewalk seating is perfect in the summer. The food menu is typical bar and comfort food fare. Most notably, they offer vegan versions of may menu items. We stopped in for brunch this morning and could not have been happier. The Brunch Burger I ordered was a delightful combination of a burger topped with a fried egg and sausage gravy served with a side of tots. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)Tamar S.
I enjoyed my dinner and so did my friend. He had the chicken thigh sandwich and I actually ordered the brisket sandwich but ended up with the brisket dinner. We ate at the bar. The bartender kept getting my friend's drink order mixed up or forgot he ordered one...it was one martini and two vodka tonics....not rocket science. Anyway...while we were there...some guy came in who you could tell was friendly enough with the owner but complained about being over charged on his bill. He said this was the second time in two years. Well...my brother and sister in law used to own a restaurant and it took a guy like that who checked his bank account to come in and point it out a couple times. My brother was able to pin it to two servers...turns out they had been doing this in some type of scheme for at least two years...because they were addicted to heroin. The number way businesses go under is employee theft...so what might seem to be honest mistakes...may not...Good luck! I'd go back again but order from a real server...the bartender was a little too new or something?
(3)Kelsey S.
This is great local stop. While the drink menu alone is more than adequate ($2.50 Lakefront taps on Wednesday evenings - who can beat that?), the food is just plain tasty. The macaroni and cheese is delicious, the appetizer menu is awesome (recommended: sweet potato tots), and the sandwiches are served up in hearty portions. You can find a mixture of salads, burgers, sandwiches/wraps, and dinners -- great for a variety of appetites. The staff is pretty friendly too. We've been there a few times now with a group of 10+, and the staff has been willing to split checks as needed or accommodate a mixture of payment methods without complaint. Tip: Visit while it's still warm out; they have a great little outdoor patio area.
(4)Brad S.
I didn't do my homework, and it wasn't until sitting down on an early Sunday afternoon that I discovered the Palomino only serves its brunch menu until 3:00. While that's not bad in itself, I didn't see much of the creativity and skill for which the Palomino is known in this limited collection of diner-style egg and potato dishes. Which isn't to say that the breakfast burrito I had was bad by any means, but it's no fried cheese curds. Of course, this is foremost a bar, and quite an ample one, featuring plenty of the best beers from the area, a respectable Bloody Mary, and the kind of rundown atmosphere you would expect from a tavern city like Milwaukee. Growing up, I never understood how so many of these little bars could exist in such a small area - how there could be enough people to keep all of them in business. Here, the answer is obvious.
(3)Sarah H.
I freaking love this spot. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I think it's the laidbackness of the neighborhood coupled with the slightly old school feel of the bar. Food and service are decent as well. Lots of vegan/veggie options too. What I love: Veggie burger: best in the city, tastes fresh Tots: tots are tots, but they also have sweet potato tots! I like em with the pinky sauce (there's about a million sauces/sides to choose from) Poppers: hello! Green Salad: huge, comes with avocado (added bonus!) Palomino has some outside tables in the summer which are ideal as it's pretty dark inside the bar. Making a note to come back for chicken and waffles which I can't find anywhere else in this town.
(4)Phillip M.
Great food...awesome Vegan/etarian menu selection. Laid back spot to grab a drink and meet some cool people.
(4)Rachel F.
I was up in beautiful Milwaukee for a day trip with my friends. Two of them are vegetarians ... lame but I aim to please so we did our research and found The Palomino. I had some hillbilly eggs benedict thing. It was pretty rad, fresh spinach and tasty hollandaise and good sausage. It was a huge plate of food. The friends got some weird vegan meat, they seemed pretty pleased, and the "fake steak" had a good curry seasoning to it. But what really is making this go from a 3 star to the 4 stars, is that in Milwaukee they do justice w. the bloody mary. In this great town, they either give you a beer chaser or put so much stuff in it it's a meal on its own. The Palomino did both.
(4)Wisco V.
I had stopped going to "old Palomino" because I felt so sick every time I ate there, so I was happy to hear that the Comet/Honeypie crew were taking over! They maintained the atmosphere that I love and totally upped the ante on the food. The new tots are wonderful, and there are still a number of delicious vegetarian options. (I got the spicy "chicken" sandwich.) Yeah, their prices increased a little bit, and yeah the portions are a little smaller, but I'll happily pay $12 for a meal instead of $8 if I get better quality food. I'd also rather have a smaller portion of better food than a ton of something that's going to give me a stomach ache. But maybe that's just me...
(5)Joseph M.
I've held off on writing a review of the Palomino, just so I was certain I wanted to give it 5 stars. After all, you can't just hand out 5 star ratings like candy. Perhaps holding out was just an excuse to go back there more often. From the outside, the Palomino is hard to figure. The strung lights and and outdoor seating give you a cafe impression but, no one is sipping a latte. The exterior of the building doesn't give you much clue, although the almost omnipresent motorcycle in the window would earn you forgiveness should you decide to call this a biker bar (or bike shop). The inside isn't of much help either. "Townie" is the first thought that comes to mind. But townie bars aren't packed with families before 9pm getting dinner. Western bar? Perhaps, the 1950s cowboy decor certainly leads you in that direction. But that's not country music playing (sometimes it's Johnny Cash) and no one is wearing a brand new Resistol. Hipster bar then, what else is left? True, there's going to be a few folks in skinny jeans and cheap tattoos but, this isn't Fuel Cafe. So we're left with an enigma. The Palomino will appeal to anyone who doesn't insist on a "post modern" decor with the latest trendy drinks menu. You get an honest bar that has a little bit of an identity crisis. It's a western bar, it's a biker bar (the Palomino has a solid reputation among classic bike aficionados and the weekend rallies there show its popularity), it's a sometime family restaurant and it's the corner bar. You find friendly people, awesome food, a good beer selection and generally open pool tables. That food, it's the first reason to come here. The dishes are southern inspired for the most part. Which means too much is a good thing for the local heart surgeons. But for $10 you will not walk away hungry. If you're of the vegetarian persuasion they've got you covered. However, like everything in Milwaukee, it's the meat that takes the spotlight. The po'boy deluxe is an orgy of Cajun goodness (even alligator is available, though not my favorite). Their chicken breast sandwich (I prefer blackened) is a solid staple that will fill the bill when you just can't decide. Breaded pork loin, pulled pork, mac and cheese...all are sure to please. And the sides are worthy of their own prose. I actually save room for the mashed potatoes with their spicy sausage gravy. They must use breakfast sausage to make it. The jalapeno poppers have only a little spice but a lot of flavor. Now that I've waxed poetic over the Palomino I know the real reason I've held off on writing this review; I still want to be able to get a seat on Fridays for dinner. It can fill up some nights but this usually isn't an issue. When it does get busy, service will slow down a bit but, not enough to lose a star. Despite the food service and popularity, the Palomino manages to maintain a neighborhood bar atmosphere and feel.
(5)Mark S.
It's in Bayview. No thanks It's full of dirty hipsters. Meh You won't be able to understand your waitress. Go on They've taken your friends favorite item off the menu and are out of his second favorite item. Getting closer You can buy condoms and sex favors in a tiny disgusting bathroom which reeks of urine. Okay, I'm in The food was okay as long as you try not to think of where it came from. I had the brunch burger, and others in the party had 'sit yo ass down' or something. They were good, but they need to learn how to fry an egg. Nobody eats eggs with the yolk completely cooked, but the hush puppies were good, and so was the pulled pork.
(2)Joseph S.
The food is around a 2.5 I've done lunch there a few times, and, while never impressed, I was satisfied and walked away relatively unscathed. I did take my mom there for lunch and she seemed to be fairly happy with her ranch chicken wrap thing. They have jalapeno cole slaw which is actually pretty good. Their selection is quite varied with plenty of options, which I like, but I'm just not impressed with what comes out of the kitchen. That being said, not being impressed doesn't mean it was bad. The Palomino is a bar, after all, and one with an incredibly tiny kitchen, at that! Frankly, how they crank out so many brunches on weekends is beyond me. So, props to the kitchen staff on that! Speaking of brunch, I've done it once, and again, none of our group of four was particularly impressed with the food (but the bloody mary was good). Listen, go here for a drink and if you're hungry, get some food while you're there. There aren't a lot of dining options in the immediate area, aside from the De Marini's dueling pizza palaces, so the Palomino is an "OK" option. But honestly, I go to the Palomino because it's a nice place to grab a beer with friends. The bartenders are nice and do a good job, and despite the clientele being strangely mixed for bay view (we're talking pushy sweater-vest wearing young professionals to bay view hipsters), it's generally a good time. It is not on my top list of bay view drinking destinations, but when I feel like finishing the night off with a final beer a block away from my apartment, the Palomino is where I can be found.
(3)Tony J.
Wow, the place is getting 4 stars? I don't see it. It's a bar. It's all about atmosphere, it has great atmosphere, but the beer selection isn't the greatest and the food is decent. I guess I better go again and eat to give a better review.
(2)Susan N.
I was "made" to go to Palomino for a freind's birthday in December, yeah, finally... Best VEGAN food in Wisconsin, with the most lavish offerings.I didn't feel like a freak ordering food that was "safe." So I was back with another friend a few days later and when my son came home for the holidays... Guess where I took the L.A. Vegan? You betcha, Palomino, twice!!! Go there, don't make me come over there!
(5)Jackie H.
Came here a few months ago with a friend, who's a regular, and I, myself, who WAS a Palamino virgin. I cant really point out any negatives other than parking, but we did show up mid Brew Crew playoffs game. PLEASE try the Mac 'n cheese with chili. I never thought I'd like Mac with Chili, but not only is their Mac impeccable, their chili has the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tang. Go! And ladies, I had a good laugh in the restroom... Keep an eye out!
(4)Lawrence P.
First, this place was better when it wasn't a sports bar and had a corporate ipod. You all remember when they had the movies on TVs and punk music. But, the bartenders (for the most part) rock. Bill is the man. The food is always good bar food anytime. Their specialties are good too. Brunch is hit or miss with food temperature. The hipsters are not overwhelming in this place and with a good long bar, you won't get tangled in their ironic beards or trip over their messenger bags full of empty PBR cans.
(4)Danielle B.
I've never had a great experience at Palomino. I know a lot of people really love this place, but I really can't figure out why. I appreciate that the menu has a wide variety of options for vegetarians, but everything I've ordered has always just been so-so, the service has been sub-par and while the patio is nice, it's a bit cramped and inside is a fairly dank bar - not really a place I want to eat a meal. On my most recent visit, I was very excited to order the Benedict Pig (vegetarian version) which sounded great. Unfortunately, when I arrived I didn't see this dish on the menu. I asked our server why it was on the website and not on the menu. She shrugged and waited for me to order something else. It's possible she didn't hear me because at 11am on a Sunday the jukebox behind me was BLARING in the empty restaurant. I took a look at the drink menu and decided to go with a lemonade. Based on the reputation of the restaurant group, I assumed the lemonade would be great. I was wrong. It was Minute Maid. Since they didn't have the Benedict, I went with the Skillet-Ton (vegetarian). I asked for it without mushrooms. It arrived with lots of mushrooms. It was greasy and the eggs were way overcooked. When my group of 8 was finished eating, we sat at our table with dirty plates and empty glasses for at least 30 minutes before the waitress finally came back to ask if we needed anything else. Then we had to continue to wait for our check (still with no refills on drinks) only to learn the check could be split between just 2 credit cards. According to our waitress, "it says so on the menu." That's fine, but perhaps she should have mentioned it when she saw a group of 8 since that's not typical practice for most restaurants. So another not-great experience at Palomino. There are much better restaurants in the city. Try one of those.
(2)Elizabeth A.
Fun place for pool-playing, photo-boothing, and of course drinking.
(4)Casey C.
I had been dying to go here for about a year before I finally made it. It's like a dive bar with tables to boot. I had the Friday Fish Fry. Yum. My friend had a delicious and healthy salad. Rarely do I find a restaurant that can do greasy food and tasty salads equally as well. I also love the selection of local beers on tap. We sat at the bar and had great service. They have cool decorations (like a Harley) on the inside, too. It's hipster-ish without being too pretentious!
(4)Nick S.
They recently remodeled, re did the menu and the atmosphere is different. Went there on Saturday night and there were just a handful of people there. The menu has changed and is lacking. There use to be many vegan options, now there are just a few. Meals do not include side dishes, they are extra. Food was still good but I am very disappointed with the new Palomino. Really, side dishes not included...?!!? That was probably my last visit... :(
(2)Joseph S.
Hmm... Palomino. Comet south? Sort of. Styled as a western-themed dive with a focus on deep fried sides and appetizers, but yeah, a lot like Comet. Don't know what I'm talking about when I refer to "Comet"? I'm guessing you don't have a scarf draped around your v-neck shirt cascading ever so stylishly over your messenger bag. So back to The Palomino. Good beer selection! Nice location! Plenty o' room! Outdoor seating! Food - Used to really dig it. Being a vegetarian, there was (and remains) much to choose from. They had this killer salad with blackened tofu and stuff. It's off the menu now. Dang. All sandwiches come with 2 sides of your choice (slaw, fries, okra, hush puppies, etc). I like the southern inspiration. Here's where it loses me: All of the vegan/vegetarian stuff is meat substitutes (seitan, tofu) that are served in a manner trying to mimic the sort of calorie intense comfort foods that most vegetarian, vegan, and generally health conscious eaters don't really want. If you want a bbq pork sandwich, have a bbq pork sandwich. Bbq seitan isn't as good as the real thing, I'm sure. You want buffalo wings? I promise you, the genuine article taste better than "tofalo" wings. I guess my point is that I appreciate the offerings for us veggie folk, but you can prepare those foods in a manner that isn't a facsimile of the bar food we stopped eating for myriad reasons. If you're a vegetarian and live on tofu dogs, veggie burgers, and that sick fake bacon, maybe you should reconsider an omnivorous diet. You're doing it wrong, and Palomino is enabling you. You really just want to eat meat. And that's ok. Here's a tip for the cooks! Your onion rings are STUPID. I want a *ring* with a substantial batter, crisply fried and containing a nice 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide *ring* of onion. That's what everybody wants. It's fun to eat. You are trying to tell me that these little stringy bits of overcooked, half-ass tempura style shit are onion rings? No. I don't want to use a fork, thank you. Also, the okra used to be better. It was bland yesterday. I could tell the waitress hated us. When you've got 10 people all arriving and ordering at different times, It might be a good idea to split up the checks (you should be asking before you take our drink orders). Sorry honey, but you gotta quit yakkin' with that dude over by the bar and figure us out. We've got the potential to make your night, tip wise. But you gotta earn it a little.
(3)Dana M.
2 star rating is for the food. I'd give it a 4 for the 'alcohol' only visits. = 3 I was psyched that this restaurant/bar caters to vegans and vegetarians. But, Onion Rings and Tater Tots isn't quite my style... well, maybe it was when I was 18 yrs. old and first became vegetarian. Back then I relied on cheese pizza, mac and cheese, boring veggie burgers, and french fries... boy, was I a lost veggie soul! The Palomino is super fun otherwise. I love the hipster "up north," "kitschy" feel. And I love jukeboxes and playing pool (billiards), while drinking some decent beerz. I stopped coming here when I moved out of Bayview, but more so because it used to be a smokey den... ya know? Before the indoor cigarette ban? Had to go home and shower after spending a few hours there. Now that the place is smoke free I'd like to come back just for the vibe, interesting folks and stuff. It's basically a hipster joint, but draws in an interesting crowd. As a bar, I think this place is super fun, (4 stars), but as a restaurant... no. If you are bulimic you should be fine. There are fat vegetarians out there. And this is where they dine. Come here for drinking, socializing, and playing pool or watching a game on TV.
(3)Phil K.
Noooooooo.... We loved Palamino for their great food, reasonable prices, and great portions... Now it's decent food, outrageous prices, and tiny portions. We live a few blocks away and would frequent this amazing establishment a couple times a month - it was our favorite area restaurant. It's like we lost something amazing, we moved to Bayview for its unique bars and restaurants, now it's just another West Elm makeover with over priced food ... But seriously West Elm light shades ($19.00... They missed taking the stickers off the inside so you can see them when you look up)... The food was decent no complaints there but $8.00 for a sandwich (sandwich only) and $4 for a side, what a joke. Also the way the bill is structured it's totally confusing - they break everything down ... Normally, $7 Gin and Tonic... Now: $5.00 Gin...$3.50 Tonic now imagine this with a meal for 6 people with food and each side is separate - we took one look and didn't event try to decipher it. We really did love this place and were excited to hear they were getting a face lift but didn't really think they would change a ton of things because it was already great. We'll prob give you another shot for old times sake and I hope I can change this review!
(1)Frank S.
I'm so disappointed. I was really looking forward to the updated Palomino. It was one of my favorite Milwaukee restaurants, but I thought it could use going a little more upscale. What I didn't expect is that the menu would be so much worse. Gone are most of my favorite dishes, and the replacements are both boring and more expensive. And let me be clear here: I really was willing to pay more, but not for worse dishes. If you're vegan or vegetarian, you're better off going elsewhere. Bummer.
(2)Justin N.
There are a lot of late night bar type options for food, but I always miss The Palomino and their fried vegan desserts and tofalo wings. I think the "wings" were the only thing I've ever driven through blizzard like conditions to get. Treacherous, yes. Death defying, certainly. But it was all worth it when in the name of good vegan bar food. No, I don't just want fries when I'm at a bar with a menu. Low key place to hang out, decent beer, AND vegan bar food? That's all I've ever asked for in a bar, it's what I picture heaven to be like.
(5)Tony K.
fried chicken was as good as the milwaukee mag said it would be.the side dishes are smaller than anyone would ever expect. dinner for 4 to 6 at $65 for 12 pieces would be a much better deal if they doubled or tripled the size of the side dishes. drink prices are not acceptable in any setting and ironically, i was charged 3 different prices for the same drink i had 3 times. service from wait staff is "ok" but not great. glad i tried it once but would not return for dinner or drinks which is too bad. they are close to having something special, suspect typical ownership greed in portions and pricing which is unfortunate.
(2)Nati K.
The seitan buffalo wings are the real deal! Trust me, you won't miss real meat when you eat these, after all, what makes wings great is the crispy texture of the outside and the yummy spicy sauce and these have both of those qualities in spades.
(4)Angela K.
Since I'm a vegetarian (and at one point was vegan), Palomino has always attracted me with it's abundant number of veggie friendly plates that not only are tasty, but are down-right amazing! Any long-term vegetarian knows that the diet and lifestyle can get a little boring and tedious sometimes. Palomino is one of the few places where a vegetarian or vegan can let their hair down and get some hearty, "bad for you" food without having to sacrifice their culinary scruples. Here are some of my favorite dishes I've tried during my relationship with Palomino: fried pickle spears, mozzarella "tease" sticks, the vegan elvis (SO GOOD!), faux boy (awesome remoulade), BBQ seitan sammich, and their mashed potatoes with veggie gravy (a recent delicious discovery!). All of their sides are amazing, especially their tots and hush puppies. The only problem I've ever had dining their however is how rich the fried food can get. One too many tots and I end up regretting I ate any at all, so vegetarians with sensitive stomachs be warned! Recently I went to Palomino for brunch and was similarly surprised and delighted by their daytime fare. The brunch menu is much smaller than their usual menu, but boasts a lot of variety. Unfortunately you can't order off the menu during brunch and there are virtually no dishes that overlap with their full menu, so just know that going in. You won't be disappointed by their offerings though. I tried a dish called "Sit yo' ass at the table" which was cornbread topped with bbq seitan and fried eggs. It was as threatening and delicious as it sounds. I don't think I've ever had a bad night at Palomino and I look forward to those that will come in future. Thanks for helping me bridge the gap between rabbit food and true southern cooking.
(5)Joanna T.
Let me start by saying I don't belong in this place - I shop at Talbots, have no tattoos and live in the suburbs. Still, service has always been pleasant even though I'm not one of the cool kids. My major gripe with the Palomino is that every time I eat here, I get a major case of the McGurgles. I think my system is rejecting all of the coolness and grease a visit to this place entails.
(2)KELLEN K.
So far everything I have ordered here has been pretty damn good. The sweet potato tots, dirty rice, buffalo chicken sammich, blue cheese burger, and buffalo wings are all very tasty. I have also heard this is an awesome place for vegetarians. The prices are okay, maybe a little overpriced.
(3)Maribeth C.
I understand there are new owners, and they've just reopened but.. 8. for a LONE burger on a platter? Seriously? It's not a Bartolotta Restaurant people, and the bun may have been from Wonder, with some seeds. How about a Sciortino Roll and at least some chips and a pickle for another buck? $3. for an order of small fries? I hope you rethink those sandwiches. If HoneyPie is your "sister" restaurant, TALK Amongst Yourselves! We need you to continue to be our "neighborhood" restaurant!
(2)Jen D.
So sad. The new menu is terrible and expensive! It is nice inside but I wish they would have just polished up the old a bit. We will not be back, not even for the patio.
(2)Mihaly T.
Whether you're coming for a drink or a hangover cure, the bar has it ALL, with tremendous tater tots, snappy cheddar poppers, and even old Milwaukee fish fries served up in an old-time, funky cowboy setting. While the restaurant is known for its carb-heavy comfort foods, there's also a long list of meatless and (gasp!) healthy options available for the faint of heart or figure-conscious. Of course, what you'll lose in pounds will be made up in ounces, because the bar offers some of the best drink specials in the city. Add on a gorgeous sidewalk table with views of the lake -- and you've got the hip tavern of your dreams! Come for the food, stay for the people-watching. Because trust me, these are some people to watch! I rarely love anything THIS much, but this place has won over my heart completely. If I had my way, there would be a Palomino on MY block.
(4)Emily K.
I love the Palomino so much. Each time I've come it's been on a rainy weekend afternoon where we sat in a booth and ate vegan junk food and good, local beer. Our first time we got overexcited about all the vegan options and ordered wayyy too much food and basically laid around in bed all day trying not to puke (but in a good way, you know?). Our second time we came early enough for vegan brunch which was good. They still serve their full bar menu too, which is also awesome. And I love that you can order a smaller sized draft beer if you want (10 oz.) instead of a pint. I guess it's really a 3 or 3.5 star review since the food isn't amazing but it's fun to have so many vegan options. And the bar itself reminds me of the basement I wish I could have hung out in during high school.
(4)Katie H.
What happened to the Palomino?! Why do such a complete 180 and not rename it?! This is NOT the Palomino I loved. You go from two complimentary sides to zero?? A miniature menu with only a few highlights. I got a pulled pork which was sauceless with a less than exciting slaw. My husband had the fried chicken salad...he ate the chicken and took most of the bitter green salad home to redress and eat later. Others in our group liked the hush puppies but the giant balls of "tater tots" were unrecognizable. I miss the tofu/seitan wings and aw fuck it bucket. Bad reboot, Palomino. While the decor is nice, many in our party missed the pool table, but even more missed the food (and brunch!!!). RIP Palomino! I won't be venturing across the Hoan for this any time soon.
(1)Claire S.
As a pescatarian, sometimes I plain old miss delicious, meaty bar food. And sometimes, I just want to be surrounded by hipsters who are a little more laid back than the Chicago variety. The Palomino is perfect for satisfying these cravings. I don't live in Milwaukee, but will always visit The Palomino when I'm in town and recommend it to others. It's the perfect bar for hungry meat and non-meat eaters alike!
(5)Samantha M.
I was very impressed by the extensive menu on my 1st visit. The choice of 2 sides was a pleasant surprise as was the sauce choice! I am a sauce person so seeing the long list of choices was phenomenal. The waitress was a little kooky looking but friendly and prompt. My pork tenderloin sandwich was good as were the tots. I had the hush puppies as my other side and they were so-so. Also tried my dining companion's jalapeno slaw which was like nothing I've tasted before...I can't decide if I liked or not. All in all 1st experience was a positive one. Because of my great 1st impression I took another friend who had never been to Palomino on a Saturday afternoon at about 1:30 pm. This time we were given a miniature menu, and when I opened it, I realized it was a brunch menu. I asked the waitress if they had the other menu and she seemed very annoyed and said no, I was referring to the dinner menu. Okay then, brunch it is. When ordering our waitress did ask what sauce I'd like with my meal, however the menu didn't have a list like the dinner menu did and when I asked the waitress if she had a sauce menu she shrugged and said "want ranch?"...erm sure, that works. Again, food was delivered promptly, was tasty. Dining companion's meal stated on menu that it came with jalapeno poppers in addition to 1 side but he didn't get them. Didn't want to deal with the cranky waitress so decided we had enough food (which was true, you get a large portion). Also, make sure to check your bill carefully. I was charged for cheese on my burger although I did not ask nor was asked if I wanted cheese. I give Palomino 3 stars, due to the inconsistent service.
(3)Jessica F.
this is mine and my husbands regular bar and are friendly with the bartenders. good service and prices on the bar side. The food and service can be quite hit or miss. I love the haystack onion rings but on more than one occasion they've come completely under cooked or burnt to a crisp. i do love their brunch. the skilleton is awesome. its not uncommon for the waitress to bring the food and not see her again until you finally track her down and ask for the check.
(4)Nikki E.
We ordered biscuits and gravy that came with fried chicken, mac and cheese, a cheese burger, and pulled pork. No complaints on any of it. The fried chicken was really good! I thought it would only come with one but it came with three. They have pretty decent portion sizes.
(5)Nick K.
Great place, all of their food has been great (eaten there about five times), just bring back the sweet potato casserole or whatever it was!!!! (even though the sweet potato tots are pretty good too)
(5)Brandon Y.
I was brought here by some friends (locals) for Brunch on a Sunday morning. Tots and food were decent, the service wasn't. That being said the "Moscow Mule" and aptly named "hangover breakfast specials" certainly cured what was ailing me after a typical night of visiting Milwaukee. I only wish there were a better beer selection but all in all a decent neighborhood bar that both gives and cures hangovers.
(3)Kyle K.
I don't know if I've ever had a more conflicted opinion about a place! Let's start with the pros: I really like the vibe of Palomino. When I walked in there was your typical group of Bay View-ers, a couple of business looking types and an older gentleman with white beard wearing a santa hat and clip clomping away on his Mac. Diverse people: Check. I also like their beer list. It's not huge by any means, but it is definitely enough. I really like their happy hour special of Lakefront taps for $2.50. The cons? I guess the only thing I have against the place is that the food has never blown me away. A burger I had on my most recent visit was not as juicy as I would have liked, but the saving grace of the meal were the sides. Included with your burger are 2 sides and I went with the tater tots (fried, not the dump on the cookie sheet and toss in the oven variety) and jalapeno poppers. These guys know their way around fried food. All in all, I like Palomino. Their juke box is awesome and I love sitting outside in the summer, but I just can't find my way into love territory. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. Your boy just quoted Walt Whitman. Boom.
(3)Angela T.
The only reason this place got 4 stars is because of the food, it's just damn good. The service on the other hand is hit or miss mainly on the miss side. The servers tend to act like they are way too cool to serve you, and are not attentive. Usually one thing if not several thing in my order is wrong and while they are always willing to fix it, it's not without attitude. This place would hands down be amazing if they improved the customer service
(4)Daniel R.
Good midwest, heart-clogging, hangover, feel good food and an awesome whiskey selection. Did I mention they serve tots?
(5)John S.
Excellent. Try the cornbread with the pulled pork and egg for brunch
(4)Denise D.
I haven't been to the Palomino in a long time-- I used to be lucky enough to live walking distance. I hesitated going last night because I remembered it always being very smoky, but luckily last night it wasn't too busy and not many people were smoking. (Just a few months ago, I swore I wouldn't ever eat inside a bar that allowed smoking . . . look how far I've come! I'm loosening up.) If you're looking for healthy bar grub, this is not the place. If you're looking for unhealthy TASTY bar grub (like fried pickles and an avocado BLT), this is the place. Good service and a nice beer list, too. Definitely a great Milwaukee bar.
(4)Sara L.
The Palomino is by far one of the worst bars in Milwaukee that I have ever been to. The service is extremely lousy and the workers are some of the rudest people I have ever met. I would not step one foot in or near that bar again. If you want to be treated with respect and to feel like your service is appreciated, this is not the bar to go to.
(1)Kaitlin B.
I'll just start out by saying that I'm sorry.. I know its "cool" to not care about the service you give, but I just feel that my past 5 experiences here have taken that to a new level. Maybe its because I come at Brunch and I KNOW how crappy it is to work Brunch (aka the most demanding meal) on the most inconvenient day (Hangover wise) Sundays. I dont get coffee because I know how annoying it is to keep checking back to refill .. I dont make special orders because when you are busy they are easy to forget. I give you the opportunity to *just* get it right. Oh, I get it, its part of the charm to have the American Apparrel Clad server with the piercings and tattoos shrug and mumble their way through the inattentive service. That being said, I have yet to have something to eat there that can speak over the service. Because I hate focusing on negatives, lets look at some positives. Their menu has cute names for the dishes. Their Sweet Potato Tots are good too. I like that they have vegetarian/vegan options that arent necessarily healthy.. because veggies like to eat greasy too sometimes. I love that they serve steak and eggs with hollandaise sauce. What a great combination. The egg cooks are pretty good for Brunch. They show Packer games on the TVs with the sound on and dont mind cheering. Eggiwegs is a great plain eggs way to go if you dont want to be too fancy. For salad lovers (I know I love the sight of a big bowl of lettuce) Choose the Blackened Ranch Salad.. comes with choice of chicken or tofu and has an everloving amount of avocado on it. Split it with a friend or eat it later that day.. or all in one sitting if you are feeling it! And if you are feeling like you havent had enough UP NORT in your life, get the Fried Pickles, you wont ever ever ever ever regret this. No matter what I say I definitely encourage you to go there and have your own experience.. and then YELP about it :-)
(3)Jen B.
If you ever find yourself roaming the streets of Bayiew in need of a solid hangover brunch, this is your place. And here's why: 1. The inside is dark. Very dark. 2. The food is just the right amount of greasy. Standard egg-and-pancake fare, plus delicious vegan breakfast meats. The hash browns are crispy without being too tough or thick. 3. Big, cheap portions. 4. The waitstaff will also be hungover, so it gives you hope that one day you, too, will be able to regain coherancy. 5. The Skilleton. Just trust me. There are a few notable downsides. The OJ sucks, and tastes like it comes from an unmarked jug labeled "Orange Drink from Concentrate." There was some kind of war going on over rights to the stereo. Music alternated between death metal and, like, Belle and Sebastian. Worst of all, you have to eat in close proximity to cigarette smoke. But I can't really blame Palomino for Milwaukee's shitty smoking policy. If I lived nearby, I'd make this a weekend standby.
(3)Nicole S.
I like the location, the staff are always pretty friendly, and the menu is pretty diverse. That being said I have had some great, five star meals there, and I have had some pretty average meals, which is why I am going with the three star. Some stand out items include the sweet potato tots, their wings (off the appetizer menu), and their pulled pork sandwich. I just had brunch here today, and it was just okay, I was not a fan of the breakfast burrito, it just wasn't that good. So, some items knock my socks off, other items leave me wishing I had ordered something else, but the moral of the story is, for a great location and a fun experience, Palomino is a good place to check out.
(3)Marcos A.
I have been raving about Palomino for years, but after going there recently I have realized that once you look past the ambiance and look at only the food it is just not that good. Their seitan is consistently undercooked and mushy when it should be much tougher to match their great breading. The onion rings are very thin and not the classic big thick rings that should be served. I also ordered a root beer only to be given a root beer that has been doused with maple syrup. No root beer should have maple syrup as a sweetener is addition to cane sugar. The feel of the place is great and the people there are great, but in the end it is about the food and this place just does not cut it.
(2)Angel N.
This place has completely gone down hill. Unless you just want to come and have a beer, don't expect much. I used to love the menu, tons of fun stuff, veggie options too. The past 3 times I've gone to eat the food's been messed up, the servers are usually coked out or snooty because I don't have enough hipster in me to get a tattoo of some sheers on my forearm. Bummer MKE, used to be a gem! Only upside is there's a killer patio for day drinking that is also dog friendly.
(1)M L.
I came here tonight for the first time and the food was quite good. Quite fatty and quite destructive to my diet, but I was in town for the weekend, so whatever. Now I've heard tell about po' boy sandwiches for nigh onto fifteen years and have always been interested in trying one. Thing is, I went vegetarian nearly four years ago, so I put po' boys on the back burner. But then I came across this succulent and greasy 'faux' boy and boy howdy! My taste buds were singing! What's nice is that you get two sides. I was partially in a Napoleon Dynamite kind of mood, so I got the tots. Hush puppies are another one of those delicacies I've wanted to try (especially since seeing the recipes for them in my dad's White Trash Cookbook), so I got these as well, along with some vegan ranch dressing. "Drools" The food was quite good. I loved the atmosphere. The cowboy decor made me glad I wore my cowboy boots to Brew City this weekend. I'll probably come back here, though I'll wait until I drop these twenty stubborn pounds. One thing that annoyed me was that our waitress. She was okay, but for some reason, she carded us when my friend only wanted an iced tea. Yeah, it's nice to be carded when you're twenty-five, but it's not nice when it's implied that you might have to leave if you don't have your ID or aren't twenty-one (we both had our ID's). And yet...there was a little kid running unchecked around the restaurant. Okay...?
(4)Lindsay B.
chipotle cornbread, pulled pork, fried egg: It was hard to eat because I could not stop SMILING LIKE A FREAK about how good the pulled pork was. I am never going vegetarian again. Pulled pork forever.
(5)Claire P.
Toffalo wings. Toffalo wings. Toffalo wings! I still dream about the damn tasty things. Get one order of the sissy version and one of the hot. I don't remember what I ordered for my "main" meal but I know that our whole group stuck to the vegan options, and everything was amazing. Great beers here too, and a nice sort of stuck-in-another-decade tavern vibe. And there was this vintagey cigarette machine in the back that I was tempted to try just to see if it actually worked. Even though I don't smoke.
(4)Erica B.
I went back to Palomino for bingo on Monday night. While the experience doesn't change the amount of stars I'm giving, I just wanted to put in my two cents. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends and acting kind of ridiculous. It was a great way to cut loose on an otherwise dull Monday evening. The bingo hosts are a hoot, and the jams are good. I only have two complains; the wait between bingo games was too long, and I didn't win.
(3)Boone D.
When I'm in the mood for Southern food, I come to this place. They have a great selection of appetizers and entrees. Also they're one of the few places that has such a good vegetarian and vegan selection. It's a little pricey for a bar-type place, though, so I don't go all that often.
(4)Jessica O.
Ambiance: Retro-chic tchotchkes and decor to attract wannabe hipsters with tribal tattoos that mean something really deep and existential who smoke, and wear ironic tee shirts. They did play a fair share of really good music though. Staff: I really liked out server. She was very nice and accomodating and I saw her dutifully record our entire order correctly. I have some issues with the kitchen service, they completely botched my dining companions order. The waitress apologized when we brought one issue to her attention and was willing to fix it. When we discovered the second problem it felt pointless to bring it up. The kitchen clearly did not pay attention to the ticket. I expect that at a fast food joint and I would have hoped to hold The Palomino to a higher standard. Food: I really found the food to be average. The fries were good. I had the Velvet Elvis and it was dry and missing some sort of sweetness. I believe I can make a superior V.E. at home and plan to. I think all the rave reviews for the food tend to come from the fact this establishment is very vegetarian/vegan friendly. And if you fall in one of those two catagories, then yes, there is probably great variety and better quality food comparatively on this menu than other Milwaukee joints. If you don't, you probably aren't going to be blown away. My apologies to all the vegetarians, vegans and dead animals I am leaving in my wake. Beverages: Lots of beer. Lots of liquor. Parking: Street but it isn't so bad. Pointers: If you don't like smoke I would suggest coming on a day you can eat outside or waiting until July 2010 when they will have to go smokefree. Overall I found The Palomino to be lacking the luster all the other reviewers have shined this place to. There wasn't one component of the experience that stood out as a beacon of hope where I would say, "You know everything else is average but I would come back for blah blah blah. There was no blah blah blah, just your run of the mill blah.
(3)Roxy R.
this bar rocks. if i lived in mke, i am sure it would be one of my fave bars. it's cool and they have good beer and the best part? VEGAN BAR FOOD! they have loaded vegan tot-chos! and fried pickles. whaaaaaaa.....it was the most amazingly drunken vegan gorge fest. and i loved every second of it. i can't wait to go back.
(5)Emily M.
I have loved going to Palomino since I lived in Milwaukee several years ago and every time I am in the area I try to stop there for a bite. This past weekend my husband and I went for a late lunch. I had the vegan sloppy joe and he had one of the specials, "the Wisconsin death trip." All was good and delicious, I would go for the hush puppies alone. FYI, Don't expect a super warm greeting or overly friendly server, this is hipster heaven. We didn't have as much luck as other visits, we both had horrible stomach aches that night and the next day but perhaps that is what they meant by "death trip." So if I had to rate this visit alone I would only give 1-2 stars but since I love the 70's dive bar look of this place, good beer selection and all the vegetarian/vegan options and I will reiterate again, the hush puppies! I give 4 stars overall. Is it bad to admit the food is even worth a two day debilitating stomach ache?
(4)Trey M.
My mom told me not to Yelp with my mouth full, but it's too hard I'm sitting here at this peculiar place 1. Even though it's a restaurant, it's a "bar", so you have to be 21 2. The decorations are totally "meat-eater", but they have tons of vegan bar-foody type options? Great place. Come here. Free wi-fi too
(5)Shawn A.
The food is awesome and the drinks are decently priced. Play some pool and have a good time!
(5)Pete P.
This place has a good vibe, it has atmosphere, it has some of that Bay View hip-ness that scares the people from the suburbs... and those are all good things. They've also got some pretty tasty food. I opted for a cheeseburger but went with the "healthy" option by leaving off the fried egg and gravy, and it was indeed, a great burger. The fries were also top notch. Service was a bit slow, considering the place was about 60% empty, but we were in no rush, so it was all good. There's vegetarian and vegan options as well, so bring your weido friends who never want to go out to eat with you.
(4)Melanie B.
Get the Fried Cheesecurds. Life = complete.
(4)Sarah J.
I love the Mino! Good drinks, apps and dinner. If you're a vegetarian and want something a little less greasy order the tofu fajita salad with the tequila vinaigrette and find the greatness in it!! Otherwise, dive right into the fried pickles and our personal fave, the toffalo wings.(extra spicy of course!)
(5)Chris G.
Best tater tots in town! All the other menu items are interesting and tasty as well. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable. We were in for Monday Night Bingo a bit ago, and only one waitress working that evening. The place was quite busy, and we were never wanting for anything, she was on top of it. I like almost everything on the menu, which is quite eclectic, from Vegan friendly to a carnivores dream. I did try the Fat Elvis (Grilled peanut butter, bananas and bacon). Glad I tried it, but a one time thing, nothing to write home about, but cool they have it on the menu.
(5)Kimberly G.
I had gone to Palomino for dinner once before some time over a year ago and I can't remember what I had - they have lots of vegan options to pick from which is good. I think I liked my meal OK but can't remember what I had then. I had a special drinky and it was VERY strong. I remember that I didnt like the fact that when I came out of the place I smelled like I had gone clubbing because I smelled like cig smoke. I know its a bar too but I think they need to work on separating the eating area a bit better. I do kinda of like the fact I feel like I am eating in Wyoming or Texas or somewhere when I go there because of the decor. Kinda cute. Anyhow, back in the Milwaukee area, we went again to Palomino for the new brunch back in November. I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and they were very good but on the sweet side. I still like Comets biscuits and gravy the best (Riverwests are a bit spicy) but it is nice to have another place to go. The waitress let me sub the tots for hashbrowns. The bf had the Skillet-ton vegan I think and I tasted some of his and it was good too. Next time I go again I want to try some of the other vegan brunch dishes they have. I mean, I can't pass up something called "Eggiwegs", can I? :) I wish they would have the entire menu online somewhere for me to refer too though. They have the brunch menu on myspace but not the dinner menu which I know they keep changing. Brunch menu on myspace: myspace.com/palominobar One good thing is that you are now not allowed to smoke in the dining area during food service hours so less smoke but people were smoking at the bar when we went (and there was a football game on the TV so very loud too even though it wasn't really crowded) so I could still smell some smoke on me when I left but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as before. I am wanting to go back to try some of the other vegan dishes and drinkies.
(4)Mabel E.
Pros: an embarrassment of riches where deep-fried indulgence is concerned but yes, best order the mountain of fried cheese curds, tater tots & cocktail weenie corn dogs whilst ramping up to something short of hammered. Pinky horseradish sauce. Decent beer selection including Lagunitas on tap. Pool tables. Cons: Service is lackadaisical at best. Don't be in any sort of hurry if you visit. But really, after a few lbs of batter dipped whatnot, how fast you really want to move anyhow?
(4)Benjamin L.
An open letter to the Palomino waitstaff of Labor Day around 5pm...I get it Palomino. I shave. I took a shower today. I purchase new and not used clothes. I am not like your typical clientele. But my money works, and I typically tip very, very well. However when I have to corner you in the bar to actually get you to bring me a menu, you are clearly too self important to do your job in a tip-worthy manner.
(2)Bryan V.
What's not good here? Stop by and try just about everything. The menu rocks and it's all good. Did I mention they have tater tots and moscow mules? Easily my favorite place in the neighborhood.
(5)Thomas J.
Best vegan kicker bar within 100 miles of the bronze Fonze...OK, with food that good the praise should be less nuanced. seriously, the vegan "wings", made with seitan and tofu may just be better than any that required plucking. I'm not committed to a vegan lifestyle yet, but the food here goes a long way to closing the deal. Not just a nostalgia trip for former carnivores but an interesting way to cook that can stand on its own.
(4)Alison H.
A fun atmosphere and a pretty good menu! A comfortable neighborhood spot.
(3)J T.
This is a great place to end a night of pub crawling in Bay View. The comfort food is fantastic, especially the tater tots and the tofu buffalo wings (which remarkably taste like the real thing!). The lakefront location is also great. Drink-wise, I recommend the 'Swedish Fish' cocktail, a speciality that goes down too easily.
(4)Ryan S.
We showed up here after the Art Museum which got us thirsty, and after the Lakefront Brewery tour, which got us hungry. And drunk. We showed up and didn't really know what to expect. From the outside the place looked a bit divey, and a bit like it would be locals-only (and for and older, grizzly crowd. To our surprise there was a healthy balance of older local types and younger hipsters. What we really liked about this place was the mix of blue-collar, rustic Wisconsin, and liberal, trendy Milwaukee. The decor consisted of lots of knick-knacks, paintings, posters, and I believe an animal or two up on the walls. Good music was played throughout the dinner, memorably Radiohead, which was surprising and pleasant. I ordered the Blue Pig, a massive burger with bacon and bleu cheese, and it was so good. It was accompanied with mashed potatoes with sausage gravy and fried okra. You were able to choose two sides with each dinner entree, so the customization options were many and delicious. Go with some friends and choose all different things, and you have a lot to play around with. The burger was delicious and massive, the mashed taters amazing with that gravy, and the fried okra was as god as fried okra can be. Another aspect that we were very impressed with, was that there were actually numerous vegan offerings there in the menu. Amanda ordered a vegan rib sandwich that I tried and tasted exactly like a real rib sandwich. It was awesome. She had the mashed potatoes with a vegetarian (maybe vegan?) gravy and she liked it very much. The waitstaff was extremely friendly, and cool. I was pretty buzzed at this time and they handled me being an obnoxious idiot (asking if they served horsemeat, etc.) very well. They were funny, too, which is always a plus. Also, the Lakefront Brewery gave us coupons for free beers at this place (I found an extra on the ground at the brewery too) and Palamino's waitstaff were very friendly and eager to provide us with free beer. After dinner, our nice blonde waitress with a big smile on her face, asked us if we were ready for more beer - and we had to say no. We were just too full from our massive dinners. Which is a damn good thing. Next time I'm in Milwaukee I probably won't come back here only because I'd like to try more places. But I will certainly recommend it and will surely get another Blue Pig sometime.
(4)Roxanne O.
I was in town for a convention downtown recently and I'm so glad I made the trip to Bay View. Spent a very fun night eating and drinking in the area. But back to Palomino. Yelp brought me there, honestly. I'm a vegetarian and love tofu wings, so I thought I'd give them a try. I was also intrigued by the vegan chicken fried steak. And they have Moscow Mules - my absolute favorite drink. I'd say 2 of the three things I wanted to try were absolutely awesome - the tofu wings and the mules. My meat eating boyfriend even enjoyed the tofu wings. And he's not a guy that likes tofu. I thought the chicken fried steak was good but not great. Not sure anything could have impressed me as much as the tofu wings, anyway. This is a great vegan and vegetarian friendly that's worth checking out if you're in Milwaukee. It's a little hipster-y, but I didn't feel out of place.
(4)Beth P.
Good atmosphere and drinks. The menu is rather unique with some cool combinations. I went with the fish fry since it was a Friday night. It was a pretty standard portion for the price. The service was spotty.
(3)Brandon S.
I really should hate this place. On the surface it has all the trappings of a place trying to be hip 1. Gimmicky foodstuffs like tater tots in lieu of fries, and burgers served on biscuits for brunch (check) 2. Unecessary Spaghetti Western Theme promulagated by a corporate ownership group in the middle of a Liberal Midwest City (check) 3. Promoting the hipster trifecta of spirits: The Moscow Mule, PBR, and Blatz (check) And yet everytime I go there I have a great time. The food is good. The service is great, and I spend hours looking at all the stuff on the wall. I recommend going for brunch. I accidentally went there on a Sunday morning and not only do they have a pretty good brunch menu, but it's less crowded than most of the places on the East Side.
(5)Julia M.
Sweet potato tater tots! Sweet potato tater tots! There's also the Bay View retro hipster atmosphere (hey, I like it) and some good to okay sandwiches. Blue cheese burger, yes; that grilled veggie thing on a giganto bun, no. Did I mention the sweet potato tater tots?
(4)Caroline R.
Some Milwaukee friends took me to The Palomino for brunch on Sunday, and I was blown away by it. Fresh, delicious food that can be made VEGAN (!!!!!). The option to replace meat with soy product was available with almost every dish! This is a veggie-girl's dream come true. Their coffee was delicious and the mimosa I had was no joke- served in a pint glass, with just a splash of OJ. Just as it should be.
(5)Sam H.
I don't know where to even begin. Had brunch here on a Sunday afternoon and it all seemed to start off well. Server took our orders and although the place was a little dim, football was playing on three screens. This is when things start going wrong.... First off this "bartender" kept throwing glasses / dishes around and causing a huge ruckus near where we were eating. I mean this wasn't a little droning or anything it seemed to come out of nowhere ear splattering sound, and I am use to loud sounds. This would continue to go on for the rest of the meal, even AFTER we requested that he stop. Clearly, he doesn't like his job. Second, when the food arrived, the waitress messed up our orders. Fair enough, but in this case someone ordered a Vegetarian plate right out of the menu, and it came with all kinds of meat splattered on top. How can you mess that up?! I had the "cardiac arrest" and was thoroughly disappointing. Nothing in the dish save the jalapeno poppers was good, and those are so easy to make I can get em at the nearest fast food joint. First, the food was lukewarm on arrival. The eggs were cold and nasty, and I quickly moved them to the side. The beef itself was way overcooked and clearly it had been sitting there for a while, as it tasted like a leftover microwaved burger. The other meat was alright, but you can't screw that up. I literally had to DOUSE my whole plate with hot sauce to make it taste acceptable. When it time came to pay we were left waiting for what it seemed like ages. I don't know if this is how its suppose to be done but we literally had to get up and go to the "cashier" near the bar and pay the bill there. All the while this "waitress" didn't come over and apologize or help out. Oh yea, the bathroom was pretty disgusting. I don't see how in the world this is a 4 star establishment nor can you compare this to the one and only Comet Cafe. Comet Cafe is leaps and bounds better than this place. I don't do many one stars, but this one place I would NEVER recommend anyone going. Waste of my time and money.
(1)Pita J.
Ive been here a few times since the remodel and menu change. Staff is friendly. Drink options are good. And music is always great. Unfortunately everytime i've ordered - the food is not anywhere close to where it was prior. The mini dessert pie tasted like it was deep fried in the same oil as fish. The fried chicken was extremely dry. Deserts in the cooler are a safe bet and are gigantic. But the rest of the menu that i've sampled has been disappointing. I wont be back to eat here nor would i recommend eating here. However, a good local tap, friendly staff, good atmosphere where the misfits and the pixies can be heard.
(2)Ellie B.
The food at Palomino is always hit or miss for me. The last time I visited we came for brunch and I got the amusingly named, "Sit Yo Ass at the Table" dish. It was jalapeno cheddar cornbread with BBQ seitan and fried eggs on top. The cornbread was totally dry and hard and combined with the unpleasantly chewy seitan and runny eggs, it was all so unappetizing. I also ordered an orange juice and it was mainly water and tasted like crap. It seemed like they made it from concentrate, didn't stir it, and I got the first pour. It wasn't really that busy, but we waited longer for the check than we did for our food and hardly got checked on at all. No drinks refilled either. I enjoy their lunch and dinner menu more. They have good things like the Elvis sandwich and sweet potato tots! I like that most dishes come with two sides and a sauce. The portions are good. Skip the pie for dessert - the banana cream pie tasted chemical-y.
(2)Rachel H.
I have many loves, and divey old man bars and cheese curds are just a couple of them. We settled in near the fake fireplace, under the watchful eye of a mounted deer head and perused the menu. The aforementioned curds were stellar, and the serving was ample. Sometimes you end up with a measly molehill, here we had to take home a bit of this mountain. Also, a curd dipped in their excellent cheese sauce will have you mumbling something or other about meta when the paramedics come to scoop you up. Just a tip from me to you. You could also dip them in something other than their own innards if you want. I only did this to one of them lest you think I'm in the cardiac unit right now. My steak sandwich was equally massive, and good, and the leftovers of my side of fried onions were still crisp the next day even after chilling in the fridge. Boyfriend fell in love with the extensive selection of veg and vegan options and polished off an entire veg. chicken fried steak platter. Even the ladies room graffiti was too my liking. Instead of "b!%#@, you stole my man" it was more "b!@#% how dare you support Walker." My kind of can.
(5)Brad D.
Great Bar. 1st Bartendar wasn't the best but next (Drew) picked up his slack n saved this review. Great crowd. Goodtimes. Thanks for the hospitality Drew! Cheers!
(5)Thomas T.
Probably the biggest problem with the old Palomino was consistency of service and food and to a lesser extent beer prices toward the end ($8 for a Strongbow in a can?!). I don't think anyone had a problem with the menu or portion sizes other than that favorites would come and go on the menu. So what do they change this time around? The menu. I'm just going to start off by saying the biggest mistake is not including sides with the meal anymore. You can't go from including 2 sides with every meal to no sides! Overall the 2 sides and dipping sauce was probably my favorite thing about Palomino. Literally every other place that I can think of in Milwaukee at least includes some kind of side with a sandwich. That being said I thought my Pimento Grilled cheese was pretty good but it could've used some sliced cheese to go along with the spread. The new made from scratch tater tots were pretty tasty but honestly I'd take the old ones as a free side over these for $4-$6 any day. The new decor is nice and I think the booths near the door are a much better use of the space. Service was good this time around but it was always hit or miss depending on the person so it would take more visits to see if this has improved overall. Honestly I don't see this happening any time soon. I heard the people from Comet helped with this new version. They should've stuck with that formula. Offer interesting taps at great prices from some southern breweries and have lots of great sandwiches that can be made vegan/vegetarian. Include at least one side with each meal and have the option to add another if necessary. At this point the menu is not there yet, the vegan/vegetarian options are not great and the overall value is lacking.
(2)Amanda D.
I write this review in the hopes that this new Palomino is a work in progress. This was my favorite neighborhood haunt. I could always count on it for delicious and affordable food after getting home late from work. The new decor is nice, but clearly they are attempting to make the transition from bar to restaurant, which would be fine except this new restaurant so far, sucks. The menu has become very skimpy, and there is nothing on it that won't give you an instant occluded artery. I'm not vegan or even vegetarian, but I imagine those who are and used to frequent Palomino regularly are pretty pissed. There's only like three salads now and one of them has, I kid you not, pickled onions and anchovies in it. Seriously. My bill was about 20.00 more than usual. The prices have skyrocketed. I ordered some fried chicken and the only thing it came with was biscuits. They wouldn't substitute for a veggie, so I had to pay even more. Gone are the days when I get home from work late and zip on over. It's so disappointing:( If I'm gonna have to pay so much for food late night, I'll head over to Cafe Centraal instead. Hey and where are the TV's?? I miss eating my meals to some inappropriately gory FX offering!!
(2)Kelly B.
First time visit at the Palomino last night...I guess I'd go back. It took a while for us to be noticed, and even then it was just a water drop off and run. When we ordered our beers, we were happier. We started with the Fuck-It-Bucket, which consisted of Jalepeno Poppers, Tater Tots, Cheese Curds and Corn Fritters. The curds were good (obviously), as were the tots. The fritters were so dry that when you broke them open the inside just crumbled all over the plate. The jalepeno poppers were okay, but only one tiny slice of jalepeno in there. Then we decided to split the mac and cheese with chili. Disappointed to see that the chili was just beans and tomatoes...no meat. Weird for almost a $2.00 upcharge. The server took my beer without asking, and even when she noticed there was half a beer left, turned around and walked away. That being said, the moscow mule was awesome. Not too much bite from the overpour of ginger beer, which is my usual complaint with this drink. They definitely did it right. We were pretty disappointed to see that the server charged us an extra $2.00 to 'split' the meal, when we never asked, we simply ordered one dish for two people. At the end of the night, it was an okay experience, but for $50.00 it was just not quite up to par. I'd focus more on drinks and apps here than coming for dinner.
(3)Dustin Z.
I made my first trip back to Palomino post-remodel, finally. I miss the hole-in-the-wall charm, sure. And the overall cheaper menu, yes. And did I mention that I miss the hole-in-the-wall charm? I miss that too. I really miss that. But. But, I like what it is now, in terms of ambiance. This is the kind of vibe I'd love for my future home to give off were I competent enough to decorate my house in a cool style. Seriously, the booths and tables are a major upgrade in terms of seating quality. It's a trade, sure, but that's a trade that I don't mind. Now for the food. To be frank (Hi, I'm Frank), I was never a huge fan of Palomino's food. I didn't hate it by any stretch, it was good food, but never delicious to me. I always went because it wasn't painfully overpriced, casual, and, vegan-friendly (for my friends, not me). This trade "up" at least in terms of expense of food isn't necessarily for the win. I got a burger. Had blue-cheese and bacon. Again, was tasty, though not delicious. I did however, dig the burger bun - like a Big Mac bun, except not McDonalds. Fries were good, presented in a cool little kitschy mini-oven pan, but presentation only gets you so far. $8 for my burger, $3 for my fries. I happily pay $11 for the same duet at many other establishments, and frankly I don't think that it's unreasonable here (even given The Palomino's past reputation for less expensive meals) - though I do miss the sauce! Oh the sauce, you guys couldn't keep it in any sort of iteration? Heartbreaking. I'm sure I'll be back, because I didn't hate it, the service wasn't horrible, and my half-burger + fries that I had for lunch the next day actually tasted pretty yummy while reheated (a feat only aptly achieved by one other MKE burger establishment - Stack'd). We'll see how the experience goes then.
(3)Sandra Z.
Until I took my parents and boyfriend here recently, I hadn't been since before the remodel. I had high expectations. I ordered the hot chicken sandwich, my parents each got the smoked bbq chicken, and my boyfriend ordered the po-boy. I love Nashville hot chicken, and while the sandwich was not the same as I was hoping for, it was good and I would order it again. However, I didn't find the friend chicken so impressive that I'd be willing to fork over the money for the fried chicken dinner. My parents both loved their bbq sandwiches, but my boyfriend considered his po-boy quite bland. The sides were fantastic, however. Regarding service, when arriving, it took much longer to grab someone's attention to be seated outside than it should have. It was a little frustrating. But once seated our server was great, polite, and put up with bad jokes from my dad. The only other thing to possibly take into consideration is the music. It's a little alienating. I don't mind metal, but I couldn't help but be a little distracted by the "noise." I'm sure it bothered my parents, and even though Boomers might not be their target clientele, it's something I will keep in mind when deciding whether or not to return and with whom. The reason Palomino got a 4-star rather than a 3-star rating from me is because of its strengths, but I think they have some work to do on their consistency.
(4)Tina W.
There for brunch. It took a really long time to get our food, our waitress was inattentive, and my eggs were way over cooked. Nobody likes brown scrambled eggs. Everyone else loved their biscuits, bacon, hashbrown casserole, cheese grits, waffle, and breakfast burger. Three stars for the other food and for the fact that they comped my eggs when asked why I didn't eat them.
(3)Jess O.
Ahh Palomino why did you change? Like others, I am saddest about the change in the menu. The new tater tots may be fancier (and greasier) but they give you so few. I want the good old Ore-Ida tater tots in a huge platter! Like others I also thought that they had done away with many of the vegan options and now see that instead it is just kind of like a secret menu. When we asked were the tofalo wings went, the waitress was surprised that we didn't realize they were on the menu. Yes, I guess it is true that there is a little (v) next to the chicken wings, but everything in the description talks about chicken not tofu and tempeh. They should put these things back on the menu explicitly. I would be sad about the pool tables except I kinda love the big wooden table in the back. (although they could dim the lights and get some air circulating back there!) Bring back the TV and jukebox. Oh - I was also sad because they wouldn't honor the foursquare deal I got that said I earned a free drink.
(2)Susan F.
Ok, it really brings me down to write this, but it's going to be awhile before I eat here again. Service is 100% to blame. Twice we went and service was below average, but tolerable. Last time, we were seated in an empty restaurant and commenced to wait for a server to acknowledge us for 20+ minutes. This, while staff congregated and chit chatted 5 feet away. We finally walked out. What a bummer, I really love the food.
(2)Rachael G.
This. Sucks. Palomino before renovations: Things are going to stay the same! Still will be veggie/vegan friendly! Things will be awesome! Palomino after renovations: JUST KIDDING! Screw all our loyal customers! Gone: -Pretty much everything vegan and vegetarian -Totchos. Why the hell would you get rid of heaven on earth?! -Affordable prices. 10 dollars used to get me a sandwich and TWO sides. Now it barely gets me a sandwich. -Charm. Out the fucking door. -Their former customers. I realize people may not understand why I am so worked up/sad over this, but as someone who frequented Palomino at least 2 or 3 times a month for my Veggie Burger fix, I am really disappointed. This city is lacking in creative veggie/vegan restaurants, and Palomino really stood out before they decided to send their old menu down the crapper. I am sure yuppies and families who can afford to spend 20 bucks on a burger with fries will still go here, but I've washed my hands clean of this restaurant. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY DOLLAR!
(1)August B.
Our service was great. Can't recall his name but he made sure we had refills of coffee, and brought us napkins and wet naps when we asked for more napkins. Out food was amazing! It was my husband's first time here and we are still dreaming about the chicken and waffles. We will be back for sure! Probably this week.
(4)Lauren S.
Preface: I've never been to Palomino before it was under its current ownership. Palomino was the first restaurant I checked out after moving to Bay View. I've been three times for dinner in the ~8 weeks I've lived here, and I'll be back many more times, I'm sure. I like the cozy feel of the place, and that the food is different from your average bar fare without being pretentious (or hyper-expensive). WHAT I'VE TRIED: * Po-boy with black-eyed pea falafel. My hands-down favorite. Had to resist ordering it the two times I've been back because I wanted to try everything else, but seriously, the po-boy is where it's at. * Burger #1. It's hard to screw up blue cheese and bacon. The burger was good but otherwise not particularly noteworthy. * PBLT. Again, it's hard to screw up a BLT with cheese. Tasty and I'd order it again. Everything is reasonably priced and I don't mind that the sandwiches don't come with sides. You can order sides to share, and the large order of tots are plenty for two people (they're also damn good, and I'm not usually a tater tot person). Service at Palomino has been a mixed bag, for which I'm docking a star; that and the lack of weekend drink specials. OVERALL: Cozy feel, young scene without reeking of hipster buffoonery, good food, fair prices.
(4)Stephanie C.
My fiancé and I live very close to Palomino but have not been there since the summer. We decided to stop in around 3:30 on a Saturday and we were starving! We have also never sat inside and were pleasantly surprised with the decor. It had a cool rustic feel with some pretty awesome murals on the walls that make you feel like it is summer outside even though it is only 20 degrees. Regardless of being an odd time on the weekend, the restaurant had a good number of booths filled up and even more people at the bar. There is no doubt that people like Palomino! They have a huge bourbon list and a good number of beers on tap.. But I was just craving a Miller High Life and my fiancé got a Riverwest Stein - next time we will try some of their drinks and Bourbon! I was really itching to try something new because I am not too familiar with a lot of the entrees and sandwiches, however we both decided to play it "safe" because it is the worst when you are really hungry and don't enjoy your meal - well... No disappointments here!! I ordered burger #2, nix the BBQ sauce and add lots of pickles.. Tots on the side. The man got burger #3 and didn't know what to expect with the bacon jam (even though he LOVES bacon)... And fries. The food came out and the portions were huge. Tots are massive balls of fried goodness and the quality if the burgers is epic. The aged cheddar in my burger was very aged - sharp, and delicious.. I'm drooling thinking about it. Their house-made pickles were also a hit with my non-pickle loving lover. Now on to the bacon jam burger... Let's just say that is what I am getting next time. It was SO good, words can't even explain. Add on the pimento cheese and you have a mouthwatering meal that you will be finishing all of! Wait staff was friendly as well. :) Overall, Palomino was a huge hit with us - highly recommended and will be back soon!
(5)Ashley N.
The fried chicken is really good here. This year, they revamped and renovated. At first, the revamped menu was annoying and slightly overpriced. Now, the tots are back and the sammies are getting more creative. Keep it up, Im looking forward to Whiskey & Pie soon!
(5)Drew S.
I went to palomino for the first time October of 2013 and it was awesome then.... I've been back several times over the months with out noticing and change But we went back last night thinking we could have a nice dinner and it was just okay. The pimento cheese spread with bacon jam was lack luster and watery they clearly changed the recipe and that's one of the things they're known for. They use to have an apricot sauce for your biscuits and they didn't have it anymore the service was slow the appetizer came on top of our dinner and they weren't on top of upselling or refills which is annoying their pie menu wasn't very good and it took forever to get your service staffs attention. Probably won't be back oh well it wasn't horrible just not up to my foodie standards
(3)Angela S.
I feel it's over priced for a bar. We ordered fried chicken, it came with 2 sides $18. Sides lacked seasoning. We also ordered fried green tomatoes, they were not green tomatoes, and they also lacked seasoning. The best part was the pie. I will probably not return here, many other restaurants in the Bay view area to try.
(2)Kristin H.
Meh. This place USED to be a great bar with amazing food. Then they decided to remodel the place and the atmosphere changed. It is not the same friendly corner bar anymore. It is a place for yuppies and hipsters. I suppose if your white middle age middle/upper class you'd probably enjoy it. The food is not very good. I had the fish fry and I got three tiny pieces of fish that were most likely frozen as they resembled square fish sticks, the cole slaw, if you can call it that, was shredded vegetables without any dressing or seasoning. The one redeeming thing I hmate was the macaroni and cheese. It was awesome. All in all don't waste your time. Sad to see such an amazing bay view establishment go down hill.
(2)Emily M.
You complained - they listened! Sandwiches now come with a $2 fry option (instead of a $4 side). Brunch is fabulous - love the brisket hash. Fried chicken dinner family style meal is awesome - husband and I had this as our anniversary meal about a month ago. Great chicken, great sides - possibly the best value for your money as well. Still sad about the tots...
(4)Merete M.
OMNOMNOMNOMNOM!! I had a GREAT experience while here. My food was flavorful and exactly what I was craving. The decor was perfect, complete with Walker, Texas Ranger on the tube. I learned quickly that Palomino was closing for remodeling shortly after my first experience with them. I can only hope it will be even better the next time I go.
(5)Jen M.
Been here several times for lunch, brunch and dinner. Hands down best fried chicken in MKE. Sammy #3 is my absolute favorite! Have had the chicken dinner (which is a phenomenal deal), waffles, bloodies (which are possibly the best in MKE also) and several other delicious things. All consistently amazing. Service can be spotty, but it seems they have hired some new staff recently and they are all really good. TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY RECOMMEND.
(5)Deborah D.
I'm a vegan and I felt happy the whole time I was there. I was able to try vegan fried pickles and chicken and waffles for the very first time in my life. I fell in love. Oh! And the coffee is amazing. The problem with this place is that it sometimes it can take an hour to get your food, even when it's appetizers. Also the wait staff is hit or miss, sometimes you get the heavily tattooed blonde chick, and if she's in a good mood then it's all good, but somedays. Other times though, her and the other wait staff are in such a mood, it's like they were forced to work on the worst day of their period while having to use Brillo wrapped porcupines as crotch plugs. Seriously, they are bitchy like a guy who hasn't been blown in year. I would never make a guy (any guy, even you) go without getting his girthy ham cock wet with the epic force of my tornado like mouth. I totally suck cocks like politicians lie, publicly and often. Oh and watch out where they seat you. Often times they will seat you near the speakers while they blast music that is awful and racist. Do you like Clutch? Then you're probably a fucking waste of life and should commit suicide, and still wouldn't like hearing this music because it's like the staff got together and recorded themselves trying to play Clutch songs while practicing rectal dentistry on each other. I'm trying to eat their vegan food, get over a hangover, and diddle my own taint with their fucking dirty ass silverwear and this music is playing over the speakers, that literally drove people to walk out of the restaurant. They are music and money hating sacks of rotten jizz. Yeah, you know the smell of rank jizz that's slowly putrifying, that's how these bands sound and it's how bad the host of the palominos pretentious smile looks now that I mention it. Yes, I'd probably still wack his cock around and humiliate his balls while dipping a tea infused full of my nail clippings in and out of his no doubt bloody gaping man gash. Why would they ever want to lose business when they have such good food? Fuck if I know, and if you know meet me over there and I will fist your ass with a handful of angry bees. Unless you pay. Then I might just piss out of my own ass in the backseat of your car, when I'm done emasculating you in red panties.
(5)Rebecca O.
Damn. Fried chicken has amazing crunch, juicy, dripping meat and a mouth watering savory taste. Ask for honey and homemade jam to pair with flaky, buttery biscuit. And for kicks, a wonderfully rich, flavorful mac and cheese. I'm writing this review from the table. THAT good. Great beer on tap, whiskeys on pour. Goodnight.
(5)ML C.
Thank you, Palomino, for your well-labeled gluten free options. Last time, I had a bevy of sides: cheese grits, collard greens, and hoppin' john. Delicious. I DO wish there were more gluten free entrees, though. Ordering a selection of sides is fun sometimes and always tasty here, but it's a bit of a downer to not be able to get a whole gluten free meal. Cornbread is a staple on the menu here, but they don't go the easy one-step to make the cornbread gluten free, which would make it good for everyone
(4)Steve K.
I've been here two times, the first time everything was great. I had an amazing meal. The portion was a little small but that's about the only complaint. The second time there I think the waitress might have been new, it was slow and she kept forgetting things. The food is between 4-5/5, it's around 10 to 15 a meal per person. Cool atmosphere and a full bar.
(4)Kelsey M.
I have my reasons for giving the palomino 3 stars First off don't get me wrong the food is amazing, I love the menu. mainly the staff I USED to go to palomino I loved the atmosphere the music Granted I don't know if they just have a guard up constantly??? Or because they dress/look better?!? I just believe in welcoming everyone with a smile not being a total bitch or asshole because you work at one of the "hippest" places When I would go with my guy, the waitress's would always be nice and super friendly to him She would come to our table and ask if he needed a drink but never ask me when I did But wait she would come back and say "oh....did you need one??" And not in that forgetful way because I have worked in customer service for about 10 years and you just know, or I would think anyone would right?!? If the stag was more welcoming and not hire bitchy waitresses that would be great Oh and the Bloody Mary suck So watered down!
(3)Brianna K.
This was a great place to spend a quiet New Year's Eve with my family!! I feasted, as per usual when many vegan options are present, and they no doubt are at the restaurant. I started with the Vegan Wings- amazing. Then I had a GREAT BBQ vegan pulled pork sandwich with Maple Glazed Carrots on the side, they were the vegetable of the day. I stole some french fries off of my brother's plate, and they were fantastic as well. We ended the meal by splitting (between my step mother and I) a Raspberry Layer Cake. That, as well, was amazing. I have no complaints about this establishment, it is close to a vegan paradise in Milwaukee.
(5)Elizabeth H.
What did they do to their buffalo wing sauce?! It's sweet, and so wrong. I'm heartbroken.
(3)Cassandra B.
Delish!!!!! The Palomino was the first vegan-friendly restaurant that I found when I went veg back in 2002. I used to love their vegan beer brat but got sick of the same menu year after year. To my delight, while visiting this past weekend, I stopped in for some toffulo wings and see that they redid the menu. Excellent! The toffulo wings with tots are still a favorite, but I have to say that I am all about some of the new items. I was really impressed that they have a great salad with fried tofu and ranch dressing (much better fresh than day old, unlike the toffulo wings, which make a great snack the following day). I was also impressed that the veggie of the day was grilled asparagus. Grilled asparagus at a bar? Get out of here! It was great. I think the place is SO much better smoke-free, but I still don't want to see anybody's kids in here. .Wait. I think I brought my nephew here for lunch one day. But lunch on Tuesday is way different than Friday night dinner. Kids only during off-peak hours, please! :) P.S. Pinky horseradish dip on ANYTHING!!!!!
(4)TJ S.
Congratulations..the makeover is complete and now the palomino has nothing to set it apart from the rest of the "hey look at us we're kind of trendy" bars in Milwaukee. The bite has been taken out of the dog and there is no more authenticity. The waitstaff is all new and they don't even know the legend they've inherited. Gone is the pool table. Gone are the habenero wings. Gone is the Palomino White beer made specially for this bar (the bartender just looked at me funny when I ordered it). Gone is the edge.... Gone is this loyal customer who used to travel the world secure with the thought that nestled on the edge of the Great Lakes was a hidden gem. Here instead is a safe hipster bar for the "new-Bayview" crowd, their B.O.B.S, and SUV's....you can have it.
(1)Jessica G.
Nope. I know that the people who own Honeypie now own Palomino. But if I want locally-sourced fresh food, I go to Honeypie. Or Comet. If i want greasy vegetarian comfort food, I go to Palomino! Alas, no more. I was a pre-renovation Palomino fan. Now, not so much. This was my vegetarian comfort food go-to spot. They have wiped most of the vegetarian options from the menu (some menu items are available vegan, but we used to have a whole section of the menu!). The food that remains is not so delicious. 1. Avoid the Palomino punch...it's a weird cherry/hot pepper situation. In fact, based on the drinks I tried tonight, I'd say beer is your friend here. 2. The crab soup- awful! A funny sour flavor, coated in oil, and not very crabby. 3. Falafel sandwich- flavorless. 4. Entrees previously came with two sides and a sauce. Now, every side is around $4 (or more), and has to be added in addition to the entree. I had the vegan pulled pork, which was fine, but not particularly good, either. On the upside, the waitress was friendly, but the best service in the world can't save bad food. Would not recommend!!
(1)Rachel F.
Caught between a rock and a hard place; caught between two and three stars. I'll round up because that's how I roll. --- Remember that sound from the Price is Right when someone doesn't win money/loses a thing/guesses incorrectly? It sort of sounds like this: buun bumm burrrr baaaeeerrrrrr.................... Downshift + downgrade, Palomino. I always really want to like this place, and I keep giving it go after go. But, after last night, I've concluded that I'm pretty ambivalent about the Pal. I really love the ambiance/vibe, and I want to love the place all around. But the food? It's pretty mediocre. And the service? It's pretty mediocre/sometimes downright not so good. And the beer selection? It's not bad, but there are certain things priced almost offensively (read: can of Strongbow = 8 bucks). Say whaaaa? The tater tots were good. So was the gumbo! My pulled pork was so-so. My sweet potato tots were so-so. Didn't bite the boy's burger, but he seemed pretty happy with it. They do boast pretty good/innovative beer/drink specials, but still. I'm always left sort of disappointed in what I hope(d) would be the biz-nass. Verdict? Beers, maybe, apps, maybe... though the menu seems hit/miss, as does the service. I'll probably end up going back due to its convenient nature, but it's certainly not my go-to spot in the Beev. That said, not sure I actually have a go-to spot in the Beev. ::ponders::
(3)Stephanie L.
I think that any demerits appearing on the "revived Palomino" page should be singularly credited to the former establishment. I could not find a single flaw with the current state of affairs at this place now owned by the Honeypie folks. I hope that they maintain the superior service and food performance that they gave on Saturday evening. I was more than impressed with what was served. We arrived a little after 8:00 p.m., and there were spots-a-plenty at the bar, but we managed to snag the last booth in back. The rest of the tables were full and even a large group was whooping it up (no annoyance factor there, by the way). The source of happiness comes truly from the food. There is a significant amount of love in what they are creating, and they certainly are not shy when it comes to portions. Do not let the hefty portions fool you, though, because you will receive freshness and quality. Believe it. We wanted to taste a little around the menu, so we first got our drinks on order with a tapped spiced cider and a bourbon-aged stout. To saddle up with the first drink of the night, we went with the pimento cheese spread that was topped with this glistening, jammy wonder. Wonder what it was? Bacon. Yes. Lovely lardons mixed with fruit preserves. Throw that mixture atop a lightly spiced cheese spread and you have hog heaven. Plus, you get grilled sourdough slices, and their char makes for the perfect melody of flavors. Huge fan of that collaboration. We went with an appetizer, really, only because we knew there would be a wait on any fried chicken dinners. I selected one off the entrée list, which included two buttermilk biscuits, and this insane sausage gravy. Insane!!! I could have dipped everything in it. I practically did. In fact, we ordered a side of the homemade tater tots, and I dipped them in the gravy, and my biscuits, and my chicken...oh, and my fingers. I still had half the bowl left too, even after all of that dipping, if that is any indication of how much you get. The chicken. Man. By far. By far, the best chicken I have ever had. As a Yelper, there is an abundance of hyperbole and exaggeration, however, not in explaining this chicken and all of its magnificence. It is killer. Juicy, succulent, tender, and piping hot. It is the best in town. It is made to order and served hot. So much so, there is steam billowing out when you cut into it. The biscuits were fluffy, flaky, and buttery. It partnered well with the chicken and gravy. Mmmm. Gravy. It makes me want to take a bath....in it. Ha. The tots too. These were in a league of their own, with a crunchy shell I have never seen or tasted elsewhere. Panko or cereal flake in texture. Sooo crunchy and yummy. The potatoes inside were hot and creamy. Sorry, folks. I don't mean to sound dirty, but this food has my heart, and I'm not afraid to shout it out aloud. I love Palomino. Yep. I said it.
(5)Eric G.
I loved Palomino would have rated it 5 stars before the new menu and remodel. The food leaves a lot to be desired. The crab soup was terrible and came out with a thick coating of oil on top. It was tasteless and boring. I had the po boy sandwich which was dry and again lacking real flavor or seasoning. Ordered a side of Mac and Cheese and it contained more thick pockets of oil. So greasy it was inedible. Very surprising seeing as how the owners are nice and own Honey Pie, one of our favorite restaurants in Milwaukee. The problem here was really the quality of food and menu change. There were more vegetarian dishes before and anything you ordered tasted great. I hope management reads these reviews and changes the menu and recipes.
(2)Jennifer R.
The vibe at the Palomino is some crazy shiite, in a dynamite-kryptonite kinda way! Walking in there is like stepping into a dive supper club in northern Wisconsin, replete with the vintage bar, booths, and patrons watching tv. With shows on deer hunting. On a Saturday morning. Except the show is featuring a woman hunting deer. And the patrons watching and adding commentary (that's so funny I'm on the floor laughing) are complete hipsters, with hair, clothes and glasses to match. The women bartending have awesome combos of trendy haircuts, vintage clothes and tatted bare arms, necks and chests. And before noon on a Saturday, they serve chicken here. Fresh. Deep fried. From scratch. Garnished with chopped parsley and powdered sugar. So I'm sitting at the bar, eating chicken and waffles with delicious maple syrup, reaching my arms up to the high bar like a five year old struggles to reach the table. How. Freakin. Fun! Chicken and Waffles is on the Palomino's brunch menu, and it was the first time I've tried it. My waffle was cold. Like the butter wouldn't melt into it. And it was not Belgian - style . But it was plate-sized, thin, crisp yet fluffy, and a bit sweet. Accompanied by nice thick authentic maple syrup to dunk it in. The chicken was definitely the star. I got two pieces that when compared to say KFC, seemed small, but that's because this was more meat, less batter chicken. There was plenty of juicy meat, and oh, that batter was to die for. I made sure to bite into it over my waffle, to catch the bits that didn't make it into my mouth for a second savor of flavor. It was kinda hard to manage, being at a high bar and all. But I'm not complaining! I washed it all down with a Top Note Gentian Bitter Orange Tonic, a Milwaukee-made soda crafted in the tradition of the vintage Moxie brand that I adore. Top Note borrows the Gentian herb from Moxie. I am on a personal quest to seek out non-alcoholic cocktails and was delighted with this Palomino find.
(4)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: almost-dive, almost-hipster bar(/grill?). To be fair, I've only been to The Palomino once for late-night drinks. When I drive by on the weekends or weeknights there are always people sitting outside enjoying themselves. It appears as though they serve food (and pie!), but around 11PM on a Saturday they had stopped. The decor is...I'm not sure? Old-school Milwaukee workman's bar meets 2015 Bay View Hipster. Their selection of beers veered hard into that hop-tastic genre that I don't much care for. Instead I tried their spin on a Manhattan, using some single-barrel reserve they featured that night. I'm not complaining about the $12 charge, as it was a good drink and that's pretty standard. I just think this place came off as less highbrow than that. I can't put my finger on The Palomino's pulse. Maybe some food next time.
(3)Beth S.
The Palomino is trying way too hard... If you enjoy spending too much money for poorly executed food this is your place! Our waitress was Andrea and she didn't care enough to ask how our food was, but didn't hesitate to charge extra for ranch dipping sauce. If a place charbroils their burger to the extreme they should at least mention it on their menu. The pickles and hush puppies were good, but not good enough to come back. One last note... A $10 Bloody Mary? Really? What are they frickin serving... Gold?
(2)Cody L.
We met with some friends for lunch, we got a table right away and they had a high chair for our 6 week old. Very family friendly. Our waitress came quickly, we got our coffee right away and our order was taken in a timely fashion. This is where things went from starting at a 5 stars and going down. Our waitress came by twice in 40 minutes to check on water and coffee refills. When looking around, it was half empty in the restaurant yet we were still waiting. It took 45 minutes and one of our friends asking if there was an update on food to get the response "I'm going to go get it now." I worked in the food industry and when you can say that and the food comes right out, that's a hell of a skill. No apologies for the wait. The tots are amazing and I would highly recommend subbing for them. I had a wonderful buttermilk biscuit with precooked bacon and pimento cheese. Again, very good. The ooey gooey cinnamon rolls were neither ooey or gooey, just hot, dry and without a frosting. The thick bacon steak was just a slab of ham with brown sugar. Good but I wouldn't use the term bacon. Overall the experience was pleasant. Food was very good, ambiance and location great. Service. Eh.
(3)Suzanne O.
For a casual restaurant with bar-like food, it's pretty good! We started out with the sweet potato donut holes, which were the highlight of the meal. They were slightly sweet with a sprinkle of powered sugar on top, and they came with a spicy syrup. YUM! For my meal I got the banh me sandwich, which was one of the specials. The pork was flavorful, but the big chunks were a little too large for the sandwich. The sandwich came with fries, and they were thinly cut just like I like them. This is a pretty good place to watch a game, as there are 2 TVs at the bar and a big projector screen in the back dining area. There's also a nice outdoor dining area so I'll have to come back when the weather is nicer.
(4)Angela W.
Delicious. Just delicious. I live right around the corner from this place and have kinda stayed away due to the less desirable reviews. But I have realized that everyone who gave poor reviews.... Is STARK RAVING MAD. "Boring, bland tater tots, bring the old ones back"? Are you bonkers? The tots (which were just one portion of our delightful meal) were Amazing! Great texture, perfectly seasoned, and HOMEMADE!! If you prefer frozen pre-made tots, then you and I are a different level of food appreciation. Okay... On to the rest of the meal and experience. Chose to sit at the bar, bartender was great! Super friendly and as people poured in and sat at the bar, you could tell she was consistent in her service. Ordered the garlic infused bloody, nice and thick, chunky and garnished with a beef jerky. Ordered the fried chicken sandwich with the tots and two eggs, over easy with sourdough and.... Hold it.... Hash brown casserole. The hash brown casserole is something I could eat to brighten a gloomy day. Seriously... It's that fatty, hot out-of-the oven perfection that can change a day. Boyfriend loved the fried chicken, said the sauce had just the right amount of heat. And to touch on the decor... It's great. It's that kitschy, repurposed coolness... I guess people miss the covers on the old art??? (That they had to have so the pre-made tot loving crowd wouldn't steal the art)?? Must be. Glad that I decided to go against my original judgement and give this place a try again. They will see much more of me!
(5)Sarah E.
I would say this experience was closer to 4 1/2 stars. It was my first time at The Palomino and overall, I would recommend it. Intimate, chill vibe. The food is not light, mainly all fried Southern cuisine. After reading the menu, I wanted to order pretty much everything because it all sounded so good. Food - This gets a 5. My friend and I shared the Sweet Potato Doughnut Holes with Spicy Maple Syrup as an appetizer. Oh man. These were amazing. A-mazing. And for $8, we got a good portion, I think 8 doughnut holes. The spicy maple syrup was more flavorful than spicy and perfectly balanced the dish. I wish this was sold in stores. For my entree I got the Pulled Pork Sandwich with Fries. The sandwich was very good and the brioche bun held up well and the coleslaw added the perfect bit of crunch. The fries were only so-so. I liked that they were thinner, but they were a bit floppy like Hugh Grant's hair. Perhaps undercooked. I left at least half of them on my plate, which is rare because fries are my jam. Service - Hostess was pleasant. Our waitress was nice but not attentive. She was okay to start but then seemed to keep passing our table without taking our order. And when we were clearly done eating, it took her a very long time to get to us with our checks, take our cards and bring the back. We weren't in a hurry so it wasn't the end of the world. But in a place where you can see all the tables and she didn't have many other tables (maybe 2-3), it seemed a bit dragged out. Verdict: I would definitely go back for the food. There are several other things I want to try. The Palomino is a stick-to-your-ribs eatery, so if your looking for a salad/light fare, try somewhere else. As far as the service, it could be different next time depending on the server so not a huge factor for me. Lastly, get those doughnut holes if you go. Amazing.
(4)Rachel G.
Was introduced to The Palomino by my boyfriend while friends were in town visiting. I was delighted. For a Saturday morning, it was perfectly quiet in there. Our waitress was sweet as can be and timely. We shared the cinnamon rolls--oh so sinfully good. I love cinnamon rolls, so I can be picky when it comes to finding the good ones. I'd definitely recommend! I enjoyed the yogurt with house-made granola, local honey, and fruit. Perfect blend of textures and sweetness to balance the creamy and slightly sour taste of plain yogurt. Others had a giant waffle (I mean giant), biscuits and gravy, and eggs. All was fantastic.
(4)N V.
Love the breakfast tacos!
(4)Rebecca S.
How is it that I've never reviewed The Palomno before?? It's one of my favorite spots for drinks, or food. Fried pickles are awesome, the drinks are potent, and I love their vegetarian menu. My veggie burger last night was crisp and tasty- perfect. We also tried the peaches and cream cake- to die for!! Service is always great, and the patio outside is a great spot to people watch in BV.
(5)Jonah Y.
I've been traveling to Milwaukee for about nine years now and am pissed that I have been missing out for so long. This place is a true hidden gem. Six of us went there after a business meeting on a recommendation from another foodie I work with. He mentioned the fried chicken and the whiskey selection were impressive. He now had my attention. Everything was exceptional. the apps were amazing. Freid pickles are always a good judge on how the rest fo the meal will be... and they didnt disappoint again. Fried pickles, hush puppies, corn bread, and biscuits were the apps brought to the table and all were fantastic. What made the cornbread and biscuits was the homemade raspberry perserves they brought to the table. The freid chicken and sides were definately the stars of the show. The chicken was fantastic with just the right amount of crunch to juicy chicken ratio. the sides were unreal. Cheese grits, bacon corn, pimento mac and cheese, and grilled califlower were perfect pairings for the chicken. To round out the experience, one of the best banana cream pies I've ever had...ever. Side note. We had quite the night of whiskey sampling and as a thank you, the bar tender brough a round of his favorite whiskey on the house to our table. That was totally unexpected and what is making me give this place a 5 star rating. Excellent food and service in a very cool atmosphere. Cant wait to go back!!
(5)Tim V.
Got chx and waffles. Great! Chx and waffles is always good! Chicken came out raw.... told the waitress and she said it was the bone marrow? Uh... no, blood only seeps through everything when you touch the meat. Last time i checked, red fluid from chicken means it's raw.... other than that, the hash brown casserole was good and so are the bloodies.
(1)Michelle B.
Hadn't been to Palomino in a few years and was excited to go back tonight for some of our favorite dishes. We were shocked to see that the menu had changed so drastically since the remodel, and in place of all of our favorite items and sauces were a bunch of dishes that make the restaurant almost indistinguishable from many others in the area. Gone are all of the elements that made us travel across town to the old Palomino - the bevy of vegan/vegetarian options, the sauces and sides, the dive atmosphere with pool table, etc. It's sad to see such a unique restaurant have the soul ripped out of it.
(1)April L.
MEH. They replaced the #5 burger, which was an $8 "Housemade pecan, walnut, and rice patty" with a premade Field Roast patty for $12. Plus it no longer has the sweet tomato sauce stuff on it so it's basically just this really hard hockey puck of a patty with no flavor. The fried pickles and housemade tater tots are pretty great, but the house cut french fries are lacking. Not too sure about this place anymore.
(3)Larissa G.
I stopped by here for dinner on a Monday last week. I was traveling solo for work and had just gotten done working out, so I was starving. I saw that they do happy hour all night on Mondays, which solidified by decision to come (even though $1 off on drafts is barely a swoon-worthy happy hour deal...). Being a sucker for horses, dives, and vegetarian food, this place was basically my heaven. The decor is adorable (skate deck with horses painted on it hanging on the wall?!) and the atmosphere was super laid-back. It was pretty dead, and I sat at a booth to ponder the menu. There was a lot I wanted to try, so I asked the server if there was any way that I could try the tofu wings and drummies without getting a full order. He managed to get me one of each to sample (& charged me $3 for it, which was totally fair and awesome). They were SO good!! The little wing with the stick in the middle was was such a unique way of doing it and they were delicious on top of the aesthetic appeal. I also ordered the black eyed pea falafel sandwich, which had just the right amount of spicy kick to it. My server seemed a little surprised when I cleared the entire plate! If I lived in town, Palomino would definitely be a place that I would frequent.
(5)Suzan O.
Ok, Palomino... When your claim to local fame is the best fried chicken in town, do NOT find yourself unable to serve any of the fried chicken dinners on your menu because you HAVE NO CHICKEN, other than wings, AT 6:00 P.M. (Milwaukee's dinner time). AND if you still want to claim you can serve an all-wings version of the chicken dinners AT THE SAME PRICES, I have a news flash for you -- one wing does NOT equal one, unavailable chicken breast. Not in size and not in the amount of meat and definitely not in the spirit of your menu offerings. IF you're going to offer to still sell the chicken dinners, but just with wings only AND you're keeping the prices the same, then here's the math to go by... One unavailable chicken breast is, meat-wise, the equivalent of 3 wings. So, if I'm supposed to get one breast and one wing with the #1 Solo, and there are no pieces other than wings, you should be serving four wings to make that order equivalent in value. Btw, the server (not at fault) did go ask the management about the number of wings included in the chicken dinners when there were no other pieces. He came back and said, "The two-piece dinner would just be two wings at the same price." Bait and switch tactic? No consideration for patrons' perception of the establishment? Idiot manager who either can't think on his/her feet and/or wouldn't recognize common sense if it jumped up and bit him/her in the ass? Whatever the reason, that will have to remain a mystery because I won't be going back. And when we never go back, another thing we won't miss is FLYS! On everything -- table, food, our hair! Tons of them. And we were sitting INSIDE and not near the door (which was closed). Besides the food issue, this restaurant has the worst fly problem I have ever seen. Milwaukee Health Inspector and the Dirty Dining reporter, your services are needed at The Palomino.
(1)Maggie I.
I have weird feelings about Palomino. If you wanna skip the details below, let me sum it up here: good beer, slightly overpriced but delicious food, poor-to-acceptable service. I kinda feel bad saying this because sometimes people have off-days and I really try to give folks the benefit of the doubt, but the hostess should not be a hostess. Maybe it was her first day? Maybe she has never worked in any sort of customer service job? Maybe she is extremely introverted? Ugh. I try not to get visibly upset when I'm out and about, but I couldn't help it. She told us we had a 30 minute wait, so we ran across the street and came back within the time frame. She saw us and told us just two minutes. Ten minutes later, she told us two minutes. It was at least another five minutes after that before we were seated. She was assisting people out of order and neglecting people trying to inquire about the wait time. She was very quiet and her awkwardness made me uncomfortable (and I can handle awkward). I think she was also bussing tables? I don't know. I almost left before we were seated. So off putting. Our waitress on the other hand was chipper and attentive, but not very personable. I will give her a pass in that because it was very busy and I guess something's gotta give. The beer selection is great. While I've only beer here for food once, I am familiar with the bar. This time around, my partner and I took a chance on a 15+% Dogfish Head (did not disappoint). Anywhere I can go where that caliber of brew is on the menu guarantees a return visit. The food was good, but as previously mentioned a touch overpriced. I'm not a fan of fries chicken, which I understand is their specialty, but I was quite pleased with my BBQ chicken sandwich. The chicken was amazing and all of the toppings went really well together. The fries were greasy, small, and not my favorite, so I'll probably opt to upgrade to tots next time. I try to stray from sandwiches when I'm going out to eat, because they're usually pretty simple and I feel like I could make them at home. I share this basic sentiment here, but I can't make chicken that well. Palomino kitchen 1, Maggie's kitchen 0. Will I be back? Probably. Will I forget the uncomfortable, unprofessional hostess mishap? Probably not.
(3)Chadrick J.
This place has a ton of food options and caters to all things vegan too! The location is lovely and the outdoor patio seating is a great place to hangout and catch a cocktail or two they have a great specialty drink menu and the food is spectacular! We will be back for more. Cheers!
(4)Adam D.
The Palomino we knew and loved for many years is no more. The remodel took away everything that made this bar/restaurant unique: the awesome menu (abundant vegetarian/vegan offerings, amazing sides & sauces), the juke box, and the pool table. What is left is unrecognizable. Please change the name; the establishment that now exists is an imposter and doesn't deserve the name Palomino. SHAME on whomever made this happen!
(1)Adam C.
I never got the pleasure of trying this place before the remodel, so unlike a lot of people I have nothing to compare it to. I have heard so many friends and acquaintances complain that it's gotten worse since the remodel, but I couldn't tell you. I have had the chance to try it a couple of times since, though. The food is decent enough. They have a couple of vegetarian options, which are greatly appreciated but seem a bit out-of-place. Their burgers are okay--not the best or worst in town. I tried the pulled pork sandwich; the meat was good but the sauce was...I don't know. It has a weird sort of slightly tangy, slightly sour flavor that puts it into a culinary uncanny valley. It's something you can recognize and it's not even necessarily bad, but it's just a little...well, off. As far as the atmosphere goes...I hear this used to be a legendary dive bar (which is sort of an oxymoron, just roll with it). I don't know that that's still the case, but I feel like this is a weird mixture of almost sterility (in the sense that everything is still quite new and obviously well taken care of) and the sense that it has the trappings of a neighborhood dive bar. In the end you get a sort of unusual cowboy/biker hipster chic. The staff has been very friendly and attentive every time I've been there, no complaints there. Drink prices are also pretty reasonable depending on what you get. I would come here if I were with a friend who wanted to go, but it's probably not at the top of my list of recommendations.
(3)Daniela C.
Good drink selection - the pies rock, and they have an outdoor patio. Service could have been a little better, food takes forever and is over priced, but the pie is good.
(2)Mark S.
They have a lot of vegan options, and it's probably one of the better places in Milwaukee to get tasty vegan food. It wouldn't be that great in another city that actually has vegan restaurants, but Milwaukee is not one of those. So, I guess it's Milwaukee-good® as far as vegan food goes. Toffalo wings were a loved item that everyone missed when they first reopened, but those are back now, and almost as good as ever. I still think it was a mistake to take the Faux Boy off of the menu, as that was just a delicious sandwich, but it's also a pretty easy one to just make at home, so that's no big deal. I can't comment on their non-vegan food, but a lot of people seem to like it, for whatever reason. The dining area is pretty nice now since the (not so recent anymore) remodel, and most of the staff is very nice. They have a really good beer selection, and the tap beers taste great. There are also about 8 billion different kinds of whiskey, if that's your thing.
(4)Brian H.
Went here for a fish fry during prime time dinning hour of 6:30pm. It was very crowded but we were able to get a spot & served right away. The fish fry was okay, 3 medium sizes pieces. I've had their burgers before & those are pretty amazing. I gave it 4 stars because overall I know their food is amazing, I'm just a little picky about my fish fry's!
(4)Kim S.
I wanted to like this place. Good location. Menu sounded interesting, but it just didn't deliver. Our waitress was slow and never refilled our water or checked on how our meal was going. We finally had to ask another waiter to bring us our check after waiting half an hour after finishing our meal. We tried the cinnamon rolls. They lacked flavor! Im not sure how you can mess up a classic ooey gooey goodness that is cinnamon rolls (they were not ooey or gooey as the menu suggests), but I can get better at the Grocery Store from frozen. Next came the meal. I have the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the Hot Fried Chicken. Mine was almost inedible. The bun was so hard I couldn't even cut through it with a knife so I just ended up eating the chicken alone. Again lacking flavor. I managed to snag a few bites of the Hot Fried Chicken too. That was actually pretty good, but not enough to raise my rating. Overall, I would not recommend testing your luck to see if you can find the one good thing on the menu.
(2)Jami L.
We've been to the Palomino several times and have consistently found the food to be inedible. Today we went for brunch and ordered drinks along with the breakfast burrito. The bloody mary was too salty. The burritos had textural problems and undercooked potatoes. Neither of us were able to finish the meal and left disappointed. The service at the bar was great and very accommodating but we just can't get past the terrible food. A waste of time and money.
(1)Elissa B.
Let's start with the good. The staff was friendly; our server checked on us plenty without being a pest. This place is super cute inside, with a nice looking patio. That's pretty much the best I can say... The fries were ok, but they were so tiny and too salty. If they had been bigger, I would have welcomed the slug-shriveling saltiness. I got a chicken sandwich that disappointed left and right. When I scraped off the PILE of pickled onions, I was able to wrangle this mess into my mouth. The BBQ sauce was way too sweet and the slimy bits of chicken skin still make feel icky when I think about it. The cheese only added to the messiness rather than any flavor. I was annoyed throughout the whole lunch. My boyfriend said his BLT was good, but "how can you mess up a BLT?" With all the hype, I was pretty let down. I don't think I have any interest in returning. There are too many other new places to try, or old favorites that make me happy to waste time on Palomino.
(2)Alex L.
The Palomino is a real hidden gem, especially if you don't eat meat. I'm pretty sure they happily convert most of their options for a vegetarian/vegan friendly alternative. I myself have only ever been for brunch and have always left very happy. The price is on the higher end for a brunch, especially if you go for the really good stuff, so I wouldn't make this place a routine stop. On both of my visits I ordered the Chicken fried steak with cheesy potatoes and fried eggs. Glorious, but a bit overcooked and dried out the second time around. Their Bloody's are top notch and made from scratch with an in house mix. Also, if you are a bacon enthusiast you shouldn't pass up their thick cut maple bacon side - It's worth the price. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and SUPER Hipster. Oddly slow service for how few tables there are in each section though. FYI - There is an entire menu dedicated to their HUGE whiskey selection -- you've been warned.
(4)Piper V.
Ah, Palomino. So beautiful since the remodel & menu 'upgrades.' Not that it wasn't beautiful before, at least in many people's eyes. While I desperately want it to be a five star establishment, I have to offer only three - if I could, 3.5. The food - not bad at all! I get the idea - when we first arrived post-change, the bartender summed it up via his explanation of the tater tot overhaul. They aren't frozen crap anymore. Well, sometimes at a bar, you want frozen crap. A made from scratch tater tot is a lovely idea, but bland in real life. So, so bland. Kind of how I feel about the entire place nowadays. Before I moved to Milwaukee years ago, we made it a point to stop here. Now, eh. I can take it or leave it. I think I just really miss the Aw fuck it bucket and Amazing service (with a smile - it is supposed to be customer service, right? Why have you become so sad?). The good news: interesting cocktails, great decor, & AWESOME fried chicken thigh sandwich. Order these things. You'll be happy!
(3)Alex W.
Food wise, this place just doesn't do it for me. I feel they try to do different twists on traditionally brunch food but don't have success. My boyfriend enjoys their biscuits but it drives me crazy because the butter they provide is so cold that it is not able to be spread. Breakfast comes with a side choice of grits or casserole hash browns. I dislike both :(. The hash browns have a weird texture due to the powdery cheese they use. I wish they would update their menu more often and provide healthier choices. The special is always a burrito of some kind.
(2)Jen F.
Dear lord, stop the insanity people. Ok, so it's not the old Palomino. It had to grow up and get a job and give up on its dream of making it as a rock star. I know that a little bit of you died too with that lost dream. But STOP FREAKING OUT. There are still vegan/vegetarian options on the menu. Not as many as before, but the menu in general is smaller. And the items I tried (vegan hot fried chicken, collard greens, homemade tater tots, hushpuppies) have been really great. The only minor disappointment was the wingz. They are far from the toffalo wingz of yore. Not bad per se, but lacking the old glory. For people with a little extra $$ in their wallet and a penchant for the meatfoods, I think you guys will be pleasantly surprised. They seem to really be putting quality first and are smoking their own brisket and pork and crazy stuff. The omni bf has been enjoying all of them. They're still definitely working out a lot of kinks, and don't even have brunch running yet! So let's just take a breath and give them a little time to get their bearings before the angry mob burns the place down. Because now that I can have vegan hushpuppies, I don't want to go back to a world without them.
(4)Dennis M.
We were expecting so much more after reading about this place in the Milwaukee Magazine and their sandwiches. I was very happy with my choice, the special. Bacon cheeseburger with a 20oz tap for $10.00. Great burger and tasty cold beer at an awesome price. My wife choose the flank steak sandwich with fries. It looked burnt and dried out and was nothing much to speak of. Service was also a three star. I think a waitress can make or break a night out and ours was less than special and to top it off she tried to short change me $10.00. Milwaukee has so many great bars and restaurants so no need for us to return to this place.
(3)Jennifer A.
I met up with a friend to check out the new menu and vibe at Palomino in Bay View. The establishment had recently partnered up with the owners of Comet and Honeypie to update their offerings and give the building a face lift. Upon arrival, I noticed the patio now has additional privacy from the planters that were installed. It is nice to have a little green at that intersection and there were several people enjoying the seating, despite the extreme temperatures. Walking in, the bar had a familiar feel. The wet cardboard smell never quite went away, but added a bit of nostalgia. The decor and seating is still more rustic, but comfortable. Newer televisions were installed behind the bar area, which would be great for those looking to catch a game. Once seated, Palomino offers a full bar and a variety of rotating draft selections, alongside bottles. I thought the pricing was on par to more reasonable for the area. I opted for the Dark Horse Thirsty Trout Porter. The glassware was cling to present a creamy head on the beer and the tap lines were clean, leaving a fresh taste on the brew as well. I also found a new favorite. I also would like to note this beer had the coolest tap handle - a sawed off shotgun. I requested that the bartender make a gun noise when tapping this beer so we all had a good time with that. As tummies started to rumble, it was time to experience the new menu. There were a few fried favorites left from the old menu, but they added many smoked meats and lighter fare to compliment them. The theme would still be Southern inspired comfort food, but now I would add modernized to the description. I ordered the Smoked Duck Sandwich with Rhubarb Mustard and Arugula. I did request that they do not serve me the bun, so I was pleased with my pile of smokey deliciousness without feeling like I was wasting the bread I did not plan to eat. I was happy that they did not make a big deal about my request or even look at me funny. Bonus points again. The collard greens on the side were a nice compliment. They were served in a tiny cast iron dish and had a hint of apple flavor. If I had room, I would have ordered the S'mores Cake or the Pear Hand Pie. I drool at the thought. Next time... I know there were a lot of mixed reviews comparing the old to the new. Here is my take: The heart of Palomino is there. I think the remodel and the redesign of the menu keeps them moving forward and improves their business. The old menu had a lot of choices, which delighted some and overwhelmed others, as did the amount of "deep fry". People in the area are becoming more health conscious and business costs are rising. They need to attract the most amount of folks and control their costs as well. Having a large menu is expensive and having a few, simple items you do well and taste good is also impressive. I imagine I would enjoy most of the items on the menu and plan to be back. Thanks for being one of my favorite places for over a decade, Palamino. Fun facts: One of my favorite memories was NYE at Palomino. Evan Barnes, Milwaukee bartender extraordinaire, made me a delicious Bloody Mary and I watched John Carpenter's , 'The Thing', closed captioned on their TV. Sparks malted beverage was popular then, if I recall. *shudder*
(4)Carrie G.
I've been hearing so much about the chicken dinners here I had to pick up a takeout order. And it was well worth my time. The side salad was your basic mixed greens with red onions and a few tomatoes, but the flavorful green vinaigrette dressing was fantastic! The chicken was a boneless cutlet on the thinner side, which really worked well. It was coated in a thicker well seasoned bread crumb and cooked perfectly. And the collard greens were a nice side. But the real star of the show is the pimento mac and cheese. Now I understand that pimento cheese is not a big Midwest thing. My introduction to this amazing creation came when the fabulous Martha's Pimento Cheese (get some now) hit Milwaukee shelves. And Palomino takes the beauty that is pimento cheese to another level in the mac and creamy, creamy cheese with a hint of red pepper. This is a dish that will not only make you glad you went, but planning your next visit in the middle of dinner!
(4)Shannon C.
I really want to love Palomino, but they've been letting us down recently. We came for brunch - actually, we're still here - and it took them 45 minutes to bring us our food. And then they left the sausage off the sandwich and the hash brown casserole was cold and hard. Not good! So we won't be back for brunch. So sad.
(2)Justin L.
Came here for lunch/brunch on a Monday and it was a nice day so we decided to dine outside. Service was typical and beer selection is like all other American type places in the bay view area. I got the smoked duck breast with grit cakes and hash brown casserole. Let me just start by saying that hash brown casserole is sooooo on point! That cheesy start by goodness with a little crisp was the winner of the plate. I may have given an extra star if they were a little crispier and the grit cakes were thinner. The cakes were too thick and I just ate the crispy parts around. The duck was whatever and tasted like ham really... Would also have been better if they had some more hollandaise sauce.... Good plate but little things that could be improved IMO. Overall, not bad and we enjoyed it but I'm dying to try the tater tots that everyone's talking about...next time.
(3)Joey P.
Atmosphere: It was nice to be in a building that seemed to have been around for a while. The atmosphere is pretty good, just seemed pretty relaxing to me. Drinks: The selection of drinks was very solid, I was given several things I could choose from and not just one beer, for us dark beer lovers. Food: The food was pretty good, not the very best I ever had but my tummy was happy, after consuming the food. Prices: The cost of the food was very competitive to local restaurants and the drinks were overpriced.
(4)Danielle S.
It's hard to give this place a fair review. If you've been to the Palomino before the remodel, you just have to know going in that it's not the same restaurant anymore. The divey charm and kitschy menu is gone.. Along with the incredible sauces and endless veg options. That being said, I went to the new Palomino with a group of 4. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food, but overtly agree they missed what used to be.. When a dining destination is up to me, I will not choose to go back to Palomino.
(2)Clyde F.
I never minded the crappy service here when it was a legitimate dive bar, but now that they've remodeled under new management and gone with the faux-dive motif, I have a problem with being charged extra just because someone decided that it's trendy to have idling aloof servers. To sum up the service here, take the most entitled and self-centered aspects of the Comet staff and compound it by the fact that you're in Bay View. My wife and I both ordered water and iced tea to go with our spicy entrees. The preparation took so long that we were out of iced tea even before the entrees arrived, and the entrees were brought out by someone who was not able to fill up our drinks, so we remained unchecked on by our server and drink-less for the remainder of the meal. When a table near us was having similar problems, they asked the food runner for their check, and she said she would tell the server. We tried the same tactic, but the message must not have arrived, so we ended up sitting with empty plates and empty glasses for some time before the server reappeared. I went inside to use the bathroom and they were well-staffed and not busy, so there really is no explanation for why we were so poorly attended to. The food was mediocre. Back in the day, they had a dedicated vegetarian fryer and they weren't afraid to throw anything in it. Now, the veggie options are sparse. I ordered the vegan scramble which had a paltry amount of vegan sausage on it, and an excessive amount of chili pepper (see: drink complaint). I'm not afraid of a little spice, but in this case it was the only flavor that came out in the dish. The grits that accompanied my meal were okay, but I'm not sure if they were vegan (as indicated by the server) or cheesy grits (as listed on the menu). My wife had a chicken entree, which she found uninspired. The redeeming part of the meal was the Cinnamon Rolls, which were cooked through yet still soft and chewy, and accompanied by a great sauce. The iced tea was also pretty tasty, if only I could have had it refilled.
(2)Rick R.
New menu is better than I expected. I was with a private party and we had a small buffet set up with fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, hoppin john (a rice dish with black-eyed peas), mac-n-cheese, grilled broccoli, corn bread, cole slaw, buttermilk biscuits, and pickles. Everything was house made. The fried chicken was moist with a slightly crispy and well-seasoned breading. The smoked pulled pork wasn't the best I've had in town, but good in its own right. Ditto on the mac-n-cheese made with pimento. The hoppin john was also moist and delicious, although someone in our group is from South Carolina and told us this recipe wasn't close to how it is made in the south. I haven't seen the dish before, so I was happy with Palomino's version. Everything else was solid. I plan to return some day to try the smoked brisket and smoked duck, or maybe one of the 1/2 pound burgers cooked on their wood-fired grill.
(4)Jessica M.
Vegan chicken wings and tator tots! Amazing. GIANT cakes looked killer. I snapped some photos. ;) Love the atmosphere, decor and drink selection.
(4)Jay L.
I've been to The Palomino many times and enjoyed the food, drinks, and atmosphere. However, tonight my opinion of the place took a drastic turn for the worse. They still have booze, still have food, but so do hundreds of places around the area... Without the TERRIBLE SERVICE. Do NOT patronize this place! The bartender tonight obviously either hates his job or hates money... Or both. We came in with a group of five couples for a few drinks. He was put out to wait on us and actually get us a drink. And forget asking a question about availability of certain beers/alcohol. He simply shoved the beer list in our face and said, "learn to read." Yes, this was actually said. He also very rudely told one of the guys we were with to talk softer... We are in a bar and YOU are the one playing the shitty indy metal music loudly so naturally voices may need to elevate. Maybe the up and coming Bay View area bartender there tonight was just too cool. Maybe our money wasn't good enough? Regardless, I will not return to the Palomino and I will make sure to tell everyone I know NOT to as well. Like it or not you are in the hospitality business. Get a personality, you aren't that cool to be rude to people who want to have a good time at your bar.
(1)Christina M.
Not as good as it used to be. The brunch was not tasty at all. I ordered the vegan tofu scramble and it was so boring that ketchup and hot sauce couldn't help it. The oatmeal that came with it was not good and super cinnamon/sugary. To top my recent experience off, they served me real eggs first...not the tofu I ordered. I probably never need to go here again.
(2)Sarah H.
Oh Palomino. I try so hard to love you. The menu is just so up and down. Went here for dinner in October for the first time in about a year. Was pleasantly surprised. Veggie options were solid, the hush puppies were back on the menu and service was great. Went back a few weeks later and the menu had changed. Veggie options were less than stellar. Food was lacking and very blah, no spice or anything interesting. Service was still great and my beer, as always, was cold and delicious. This place has been so up and down over the last five years that I think I'm done trying. Which makes me sad because I want to love it.
(2)Connie M.
Disappointingly short menu , slow food service, cold food and overcooked beef that was not close to medium rare as ordered When slow service and cold food and med well burger brought to waitress awareness the reply was less than acceptable "the kitchen got slammed" which was simply not true. Our order was taken with 3 other tables occupied ! At least manager removed the charge for the cold appetizer
(2)Chelsey L.
My burger, bacon, and bun were burnt to a crisp. I returned the burger and asked for a new one to go, the new burger was burnt as well and they forgot the bacon. No good.
(2)Larissa G.
I stopped by here for dinner on a Monday last week. I was traveling solo for work and had just gotten done working out, so I was starving. I saw that they do happy hour all night on Mondays, which solidified by decision to come (even though $1 off on drafts is barely a swoon-worthy happy hour deal...). Being a sucker for horses, dives, and vegetarian food, this place was basically my heaven. The decor is adorable (skate deck with horses painted on it hanging on the wall?!) and the atmosphere was super laid-back. It was pretty dead, and I sat at a booth to ponder the menu. There was a lot I wanted to try, so I asked the server if there was any way that I could try the tofu wings and drummies without getting a full order. He managed to get me one of each to sample (& charged me $3 for it, which was totally fair and awesome). They were SO good!! The little wing with the stick in the middle was was such a unique way of doing it and they were delicious on top of the aesthetic appeal. I also ordered the black eyed pea falafel sandwich, which had just the right amount of spicy kick to it. My server seemed a little surprised when I cleared the entire plate! If I lived in town, Palomino would definitely be a place that I would frequent.
(5)Suzan O.
Ok, Palomino... When your claim to local fame is the best fried chicken in town, do NOT find yourself unable to serve any of the fried chicken dinners on your menu because you HAVE NO CHICKEN, other than wings, AT 6:00 P.M. (Milwaukee's dinner time). AND if you still want to claim you can serve an all-wings version of the chicken dinners AT THE SAME PRICES, I have a news flash for you -- one wing does NOT equal one, unavailable chicken breast. Not in size and not in the amount of meat and definitely not in the spirit of your menu offerings. IF you're going to offer to still sell the chicken dinners, but just with wings only AND you're keeping the prices the same, then here's the math to go by... One unavailable chicken breast is, meat-wise, the equivalent of 3 wings. So, if I'm supposed to get one breast and one wing with the #1 Solo, and there are no pieces other than wings, you should be serving four wings to make that order equivalent in value. Btw, the server (not at fault) did go ask the management about the number of wings included in the chicken dinners when there were no other pieces. He came back and said, "The two-piece dinner would just be two wings at the same price." Bait and switch tactic? No consideration for patrons' perception of the establishment? Idiot manager who either can't think on his/her feet and/or wouldn't recognize common sense if it jumped up and bit him/her in the ass? Whatever the reason, that will have to remain a mystery because I won't be going back. And when we never go back, another thing we won't miss is FLYS! On everything -- table, food, our hair! Tons of them. And we were sitting INSIDE and not near the door (which was closed). Besides the food issue, this restaurant has the worst fly problem I have ever seen. Milwaukee Health Inspector and the Dirty Dining reporter, your services are needed at The Palomino.
(1)Maggie I.
I have weird feelings about Palomino. If you wanna skip the details below, let me sum it up here: good beer, slightly overpriced but delicious food, poor-to-acceptable service. I kinda feel bad saying this because sometimes people have off-days and I really try to give folks the benefit of the doubt, but the hostess should not be a hostess. Maybe it was her first day? Maybe she has never worked in any sort of customer service job? Maybe she is extremely introverted? Ugh. I try not to get visibly upset when I'm out and about, but I couldn't help it. She told us we had a 30 minute wait, so we ran across the street and came back within the time frame. She saw us and told us just two minutes. Ten minutes later, she told us two minutes. It was at least another five minutes after that before we were seated. She was assisting people out of order and neglecting people trying to inquire about the wait time. She was very quiet and her awkwardness made me uncomfortable (and I can handle awkward). I think she was also bussing tables? I don't know. I almost left before we were seated. So off putting. Our waitress on the other hand was chipper and attentive, but not very personable. I will give her a pass in that because it was very busy and I guess something's gotta give. The beer selection is great. While I've only beer here for food once, I am familiar with the bar. This time around, my partner and I took a chance on a 15+% Dogfish Head (did not disappoint). Anywhere I can go where that caliber of brew is on the menu guarantees a return visit. The food was good, but as previously mentioned a touch overpriced. I'm not a fan of fries chicken, which I understand is their specialty, but I was quite pleased with my BBQ chicken sandwich. The chicken was amazing and all of the toppings went really well together. The fries were greasy, small, and not my favorite, so I'll probably opt to upgrade to tots next time. I try to stray from sandwiches when I'm going out to eat, because they're usually pretty simple and I feel like I could make them at home. I share this basic sentiment here, but I can't make chicken that well. Palomino kitchen 1, Maggie's kitchen 0. Will I be back? Probably. Will I forget the uncomfortable, unprofessional hostess mishap? Probably not.
(3)Chadrick J.
This place has a ton of food options and caters to all things vegan too! The location is lovely and the outdoor patio seating is a great place to hangout and catch a cocktail or two they have a great specialty drink menu and the food is spectacular! We will be back for more. Cheers!
(4)Adam D.
The Palomino we knew and loved for many years is no more. The remodel took away everything that made this bar/restaurant unique: the awesome menu (abundant vegetarian/vegan offerings, amazing sides & sauces), the juke box, and the pool table. What is left is unrecognizable. Please change the name; the establishment that now exists is an imposter and doesn't deserve the name Palomino. SHAME on whomever made this happen!
(1)Adam C.
I never got the pleasure of trying this place before the remodel, so unlike a lot of people I have nothing to compare it to. I have heard so many friends and acquaintances complain that it's gotten worse since the remodel, but I couldn't tell you. I have had the chance to try it a couple of times since, though. The food is decent enough. They have a couple of vegetarian options, which are greatly appreciated but seem a bit out-of-place. Their burgers are okay--not the best or worst in town. I tried the pulled pork sandwich; the meat was good but the sauce was...I don't know. It has a weird sort of slightly tangy, slightly sour flavor that puts it into a culinary uncanny valley. It's something you can recognize and it's not even necessarily bad, but it's just a little...well, off. As far as the atmosphere goes...I hear this used to be a legendary dive bar (which is sort of an oxymoron, just roll with it). I don't know that that's still the case, but I feel like this is a weird mixture of almost sterility (in the sense that everything is still quite new and obviously well taken care of) and the sense that it has the trappings of a neighborhood dive bar. In the end you get a sort of unusual cowboy/biker hipster chic. The staff has been very friendly and attentive every time I've been there, no complaints there. Drink prices are also pretty reasonable depending on what you get. I would come here if I were with a friend who wanted to go, but it's probably not at the top of my list of recommendations.
(3)Daniela C.
Good drink selection - the pies rock, and they have an outdoor patio. Service could have been a little better, food takes forever and is over priced, but the pie is good.
(2)Mark S.
They have a lot of vegan options, and it's probably one of the better places in Milwaukee to get tasty vegan food. It wouldn't be that great in another city that actually has vegan restaurants, but Milwaukee is not one of those. So, I guess it's Milwaukee-good® as far as vegan food goes. Toffalo wings were a loved item that everyone missed when they first reopened, but those are back now, and almost as good as ever. I still think it was a mistake to take the Faux Boy off of the menu, as that was just a delicious sandwich, but it's also a pretty easy one to just make at home, so that's no big deal. I can't comment on their non-vegan food, but a lot of people seem to like it, for whatever reason. The dining area is pretty nice now since the (not so recent anymore) remodel, and most of the staff is very nice. They have a really good beer selection, and the tap beers taste great. There are also about 8 billion different kinds of whiskey, if that's your thing.
(4)Beth S.
The Palomino is trying way too hard... If you enjoy spending too much money for poorly executed food this is your place! Our waitress was Andrea and she didn't care enough to ask how our food was, but didn't hesitate to charge extra for ranch dipping sauce. If a place charbroils their burger to the extreme they should at least mention it on their menu. The pickles and hush puppies were good, but not good enough to come back. One last note... A $10 Bloody Mary? Really? What are they frickin serving... Gold?
(2)Kim S.
I wanted to like this place. Good location. Menu sounded interesting, but it just didn't deliver. Our waitress was slow and never refilled our water or checked on how our meal was going. We finally had to ask another waiter to bring us our check after waiting half an hour after finishing our meal. We tried the cinnamon rolls. They lacked flavor! Im not sure how you can mess up a classic ooey gooey goodness that is cinnamon rolls (they were not ooey or gooey as the menu suggests), but I can get better at the Grocery Store from frozen. Next came the meal. I have the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the Hot Fried Chicken. Mine was almost inedible. The bun was so hard I couldn't even cut through it with a knife so I just ended up eating the chicken alone. Again lacking flavor. I managed to snag a few bites of the Hot Fried Chicken too. That was actually pretty good, but not enough to raise my rating. Overall, I would not recommend testing your luck to see if you can find the one good thing on the menu.
(2)Jami L.
We've been to the Palomino several times and have consistently found the food to be inedible. Today we went for brunch and ordered drinks along with the breakfast burrito. The bloody mary was too salty. The burritos had textural problems and undercooked potatoes. Neither of us were able to finish the meal and left disappointed. The service at the bar was great and very accommodating but we just can't get past the terrible food. A waste of time and money.
(1)Elissa B.
Let's start with the good. The staff was friendly; our server checked on us plenty without being a pest. This place is super cute inside, with a nice looking patio. That's pretty much the best I can say... The fries were ok, but they were so tiny and too salty. If they had been bigger, I would have welcomed the slug-shriveling saltiness. I got a chicken sandwich that disappointed left and right. When I scraped off the PILE of pickled onions, I was able to wrangle this mess into my mouth. The BBQ sauce was way too sweet and the slimy bits of chicken skin still make feel icky when I think about it. The cheese only added to the messiness rather than any flavor. I was annoyed throughout the whole lunch. My boyfriend said his BLT was good, but "how can you mess up a BLT?" With all the hype, I was pretty let down. I don't think I have any interest in returning. There are too many other new places to try, or old favorites that make me happy to waste time on Palomino.
(2)Alex L.
The Palomino is a real hidden gem, especially if you don't eat meat. I'm pretty sure they happily convert most of their options for a vegetarian/vegan friendly alternative. I myself have only ever been for brunch and have always left very happy. The price is on the higher end for a brunch, especially if you go for the really good stuff, so I wouldn't make this place a routine stop. On both of my visits I ordered the Chicken fried steak with cheesy potatoes and fried eggs. Glorious, but a bit overcooked and dried out the second time around. Their Bloody's are top notch and made from scratch with an in house mix. Also, if you are a bacon enthusiast you shouldn't pass up their thick cut maple bacon side - It's worth the price. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and SUPER Hipster. Oddly slow service for how few tables there are in each section though. FYI - There is an entire menu dedicated to their HUGE whiskey selection -- you've been warned.
(4)Piper V.
Ah, Palomino. So beautiful since the remodel & menu 'upgrades.' Not that it wasn't beautiful before, at least in many people's eyes. While I desperately want it to be a five star establishment, I have to offer only three - if I could, 3.5. The food - not bad at all! I get the idea - when we first arrived post-change, the bartender summed it up via his explanation of the tater tot overhaul. They aren't frozen crap anymore. Well, sometimes at a bar, you want frozen crap. A made from scratch tater tot is a lovely idea, but bland in real life. So, so bland. Kind of how I feel about the entire place nowadays. Before I moved to Milwaukee years ago, we made it a point to stop here. Now, eh. I can take it or leave it. I think I just really miss the Aw fuck it bucket and Amazing service (with a smile - it is supposed to be customer service, right? Why have you become so sad?). The good news: interesting cocktails, great decor, & AWESOME fried chicken thigh sandwich. Order these things. You'll be happy!
(3)Alex W.
Food wise, this place just doesn't do it for me. I feel they try to do different twists on traditionally brunch food but don't have success. My boyfriend enjoys their biscuits but it drives me crazy because the butter they provide is so cold that it is not able to be spread. Breakfast comes with a side choice of grits or casserole hash browns. I dislike both :(. The hash browns have a weird texture due to the powdery cheese they use. I wish they would update their menu more often and provide healthier choices. The special is always a burrito of some kind.
(2)Jen F.
Dear lord, stop the insanity people. Ok, so it's not the old Palomino. It had to grow up and get a job and give up on its dream of making it as a rock star. I know that a little bit of you died too with that lost dream. But STOP FREAKING OUT. There are still vegan/vegetarian options on the menu. Not as many as before, but the menu in general is smaller. And the items I tried (vegan hot fried chicken, collard greens, homemade tater tots, hushpuppies) have been really great. The only minor disappointment was the wingz. They are far from the toffalo wingz of yore. Not bad per se, but lacking the old glory. For people with a little extra $$ in their wallet and a penchant for the meatfoods, I think you guys will be pleasantly surprised. They seem to really be putting quality first and are smoking their own brisket and pork and crazy stuff. The omni bf has been enjoying all of them. They're still definitely working out a lot of kinks, and don't even have brunch running yet! So let's just take a breath and give them a little time to get their bearings before the angry mob burns the place down. Because now that I can have vegan hushpuppies, I don't want to go back to a world without them.
(4)Dennis M.
We were expecting so much more after reading about this place in the Milwaukee Magazine and their sandwiches. I was very happy with my choice, the special. Bacon cheeseburger with a 20oz tap for $10.00. Great burger and tasty cold beer at an awesome price. My wife choose the flank steak sandwich with fries. It looked burnt and dried out and was nothing much to speak of. Service was also a three star. I think a waitress can make or break a night out and ours was less than special and to top it off she tried to short change me $10.00. Milwaukee has so many great bars and restaurants so no need for us to return to this place.
(3)Jennifer A.
I met up with a friend to check out the new menu and vibe at Palomino in Bay View. The establishment had recently partnered up with the owners of Comet and Honeypie to update their offerings and give the building a face lift. Upon arrival, I noticed the patio now has additional privacy from the planters that were installed. It is nice to have a little green at that intersection and there were several people enjoying the seating, despite the extreme temperatures. Walking in, the bar had a familiar feel. The wet cardboard smell never quite went away, but added a bit of nostalgia. The decor and seating is still more rustic, but comfortable. Newer televisions were installed behind the bar area, which would be great for those looking to catch a game. Once seated, Palomino offers a full bar and a variety of rotating draft selections, alongside bottles. I thought the pricing was on par to more reasonable for the area. I opted for the Dark Horse Thirsty Trout Porter. The glassware was cling to present a creamy head on the beer and the tap lines were clean, leaving a fresh taste on the brew as well. I also found a new favorite. I also would like to note this beer had the coolest tap handle - a sawed off shotgun. I requested that the bartender make a gun noise when tapping this beer so we all had a good time with that. As tummies started to rumble, it was time to experience the new menu. There were a few fried favorites left from the old menu, but they added many smoked meats and lighter fare to compliment them. The theme would still be Southern inspired comfort food, but now I would add modernized to the description. I ordered the Smoked Duck Sandwich with Rhubarb Mustard and Arugula. I did request that they do not serve me the bun, so I was pleased with my pile of smokey deliciousness without feeling like I was wasting the bread I did not plan to eat. I was happy that they did not make a big deal about my request or even look at me funny. Bonus points again. The collard greens on the side were a nice compliment. They were served in a tiny cast iron dish and had a hint of apple flavor. If I had room, I would have ordered the S'mores Cake or the Pear Hand Pie. I drool at the thought. Next time... I know there were a lot of mixed reviews comparing the old to the new. Here is my take: The heart of Palomino is there. I think the remodel and the redesign of the menu keeps them moving forward and improves their business. The old menu had a lot of choices, which delighted some and overwhelmed others, as did the amount of "deep fry". People in the area are becoming more health conscious and business costs are rising. They need to attract the most amount of folks and control their costs as well. Having a large menu is expensive and having a few, simple items you do well and taste good is also impressive. I imagine I would enjoy most of the items on the menu and plan to be back. Thanks for being one of my favorite places for over a decade, Palamino. Fun facts: One of my favorite memories was NYE at Palomino. Evan Barnes, Milwaukee bartender extraordinaire, made me a delicious Bloody Mary and I watched John Carpenter's , 'The Thing', closed captioned on their TV. Sparks malted beverage was popular then, if I recall. *shudder*
(4)Carrie G.
I've been hearing so much about the chicken dinners here I had to pick up a takeout order. And it was well worth my time. The side salad was your basic mixed greens with red onions and a few tomatoes, but the flavorful green vinaigrette dressing was fantastic! The chicken was a boneless cutlet on the thinner side, which really worked well. It was coated in a thicker well seasoned bread crumb and cooked perfectly. And the collard greens were a nice side. But the real star of the show is the pimento mac and cheese. Now I understand that pimento cheese is not a big Midwest thing. My introduction to this amazing creation came when the fabulous Martha's Pimento Cheese (get some now) hit Milwaukee shelves. And Palomino takes the beauty that is pimento cheese to another level in the mac and creamy, creamy cheese with a hint of red pepper. This is a dish that will not only make you glad you went, but planning your next visit in the middle of dinner!
(4)Shannon C.
I really want to love Palomino, but they've been letting us down recently. We came for brunch - actually, we're still here - and it took them 45 minutes to bring us our food. And then they left the sausage off the sandwich and the hash brown casserole was cold and hard. Not good! So we won't be back for brunch. So sad.
(2)Justin L.
Came here for lunch/brunch on a Monday and it was a nice day so we decided to dine outside. Service was typical and beer selection is like all other American type places in the bay view area. I got the smoked duck breast with grit cakes and hash brown casserole. Let me just start by saying that hash brown casserole is sooooo on point! That cheesy start by goodness with a little crisp was the winner of the plate. I may have given an extra star if they were a little crispier and the grit cakes were thinner. The cakes were too thick and I just ate the crispy parts around. The duck was whatever and tasted like ham really... Would also have been better if they had some more hollandaise sauce.... Good plate but little things that could be improved IMO. Overall, not bad and we enjoyed it but I'm dying to try the tater tots that everyone's talking about...next time.
(3)Joey P.
Atmosphere: It was nice to be in a building that seemed to have been around for a while. The atmosphere is pretty good, just seemed pretty relaxing to me. Drinks: The selection of drinks was very solid, I was given several things I could choose from and not just one beer, for us dark beer lovers. Food: The food was pretty good, not the very best I ever had but my tummy was happy, after consuming the food. Prices: The cost of the food was very competitive to local restaurants and the drinks were overpriced.
(4)Danielle S.
It's hard to give this place a fair review. If you've been to the Palomino before the remodel, you just have to know going in that it's not the same restaurant anymore. The divey charm and kitschy menu is gone.. Along with the incredible sauces and endless veg options. That being said, I went to the new Palomino with a group of 4. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food, but overtly agree they missed what used to be.. When a dining destination is up to me, I will not choose to go back to Palomino.
(2)Clyde F.
I never minded the crappy service here when it was a legitimate dive bar, but now that they've remodeled under new management and gone with the faux-dive motif, I have a problem with being charged extra just because someone decided that it's trendy to have idling aloof servers. To sum up the service here, take the most entitled and self-centered aspects of the Comet staff and compound it by the fact that you're in Bay View. My wife and I both ordered water and iced tea to go with our spicy entrees. The preparation took so long that we were out of iced tea even before the entrees arrived, and the entrees were brought out by someone who was not able to fill up our drinks, so we remained unchecked on by our server and drink-less for the remainder of the meal. When a table near us was having similar problems, they asked the food runner for their check, and she said she would tell the server. We tried the same tactic, but the message must not have arrived, so we ended up sitting with empty plates and empty glasses for some time before the server reappeared. I went inside to use the bathroom and they were well-staffed and not busy, so there really is no explanation for why we were so poorly attended to. The food was mediocre. Back in the day, they had a dedicated vegetarian fryer and they weren't afraid to throw anything in it. Now, the veggie options are sparse. I ordered the vegan scramble which had a paltry amount of vegan sausage on it, and an excessive amount of chili pepper (see: drink complaint). I'm not afraid of a little spice, but in this case it was the only flavor that came out in the dish. The grits that accompanied my meal were okay, but I'm not sure if they were vegan (as indicated by the server) or cheesy grits (as listed on the menu). My wife had a chicken entree, which she found uninspired. The redeeming part of the meal was the Cinnamon Rolls, which were cooked through yet still soft and chewy, and accompanied by a great sauce. The iced tea was also pretty tasty, if only I could have had it refilled.
(2)Rick R.
New menu is better than I expected. I was with a private party and we had a small buffet set up with fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, hoppin john (a rice dish with black-eyed peas), mac-n-cheese, grilled broccoli, corn bread, cole slaw, buttermilk biscuits, and pickles. Everything was house made. The fried chicken was moist with a slightly crispy and well-seasoned breading. The smoked pulled pork wasn't the best I've had in town, but good in its own right. Ditto on the mac-n-cheese made with pimento. The hoppin john was also moist and delicious, although someone in our group is from South Carolina and told us this recipe wasn't close to how it is made in the south. I haven't seen the dish before, so I was happy with Palomino's version. Everything else was solid. I plan to return some day to try the smoked brisket and smoked duck, or maybe one of the 1/2 pound burgers cooked on their wood-fired grill.
(4)Jessica M.
Vegan chicken wings and tator tots! Amazing. GIANT cakes looked killer. I snapped some photos. ;) Love the atmosphere, decor and drink selection.
(4)Jay L.
I've been to The Palomino many times and enjoyed the food, drinks, and atmosphere. However, tonight my opinion of the place took a drastic turn for the worse. They still have booze, still have food, but so do hundreds of places around the area... Without the TERRIBLE SERVICE. Do NOT patronize this place! The bartender tonight obviously either hates his job or hates money... Or both. We came in with a group of five couples for a few drinks. He was put out to wait on us and actually get us a drink. And forget asking a question about availability of certain beers/alcohol. He simply shoved the beer list in our face and said, "learn to read." Yes, this was actually said. He also very rudely told one of the guys we were with to talk softer... We are in a bar and YOU are the one playing the shitty indy metal music loudly so naturally voices may need to elevate. Maybe the up and coming Bay View area bartender there tonight was just too cool. Maybe our money wasn't good enough? Regardless, I will not return to the Palomino and I will make sure to tell everyone I know NOT to as well. Like it or not you are in the hospitality business. Get a personality, you aren't that cool to be rude to people who want to have a good time at your bar.
(1)Christina M.
Not as good as it used to be. The brunch was not tasty at all. I ordered the vegan tofu scramble and it was so boring that ketchup and hot sauce couldn't help it. The oatmeal that came with it was not good and super cinnamon/sugary. To top my recent experience off, they served me real eggs first...not the tofu I ordered. I probably never need to go here again.
(2)Sarah H.
Oh Palomino. I try so hard to love you. The menu is just so up and down. Went here for dinner in October for the first time in about a year. Was pleasantly surprised. Veggie options were solid, the hush puppies were back on the menu and service was great. Went back a few weeks later and the menu had changed. Veggie options were less than stellar. Food was lacking and very blah, no spice or anything interesting. Service was still great and my beer, as always, was cold and delicious. This place has been so up and down over the last five years that I think I'm done trying. Which makes me sad because I want to love it.
(2)Connie M.
Disappointingly short menu , slow food service, cold food and overcooked beef that was not close to medium rare as ordered When slow service and cold food and med well burger brought to waitress awareness the reply was less than acceptable "the kitchen got slammed" which was simply not true. Our order was taken with 3 other tables occupied ! At least manager removed the charge for the cold appetizer
(2)Chelsey L.
My burger, bacon, and bun were burnt to a crisp. I returned the burger and asked for a new one to go, the new burger was burnt as well and they forgot the bacon. No good.
(2)Dustin Z.
I made my first trip back to Palomino post-remodel, finally. I miss the hole-in-the-wall charm, sure. And the overall cheaper menu, yes. And did I mention that I miss the hole-in-the-wall charm? I miss that too. I really miss that. But. But, I like what it is now, in terms of ambiance. This is the kind of vibe I'd love for my future home to give off were I competent enough to decorate my house in a cool style. Seriously, the booths and tables are a major upgrade in terms of seating quality. It's a trade, sure, but that's a trade that I don't mind. Now for the food. To be frank (Hi, I'm Frank), I was never a huge fan of Palomino's food. I didn't hate it by any stretch, it was good food, but never delicious to me. I always went because it wasn't painfully overpriced, casual, and, vegan-friendly (for my friends, not me). This trade "up" at least in terms of expense of food isn't necessarily for the win. I got a burger. Had blue-cheese and bacon. Again, was tasty, though not delicious. I did however, dig the burger bun - like a Big Mac bun, except not McDonalds. Fries were good, presented in a cool little kitschy mini-oven pan, but presentation only gets you so far. $8 for my burger, $3 for my fries. I happily pay $11 for the same duet at many other establishments, and frankly I don't think that it's unreasonable here (even given The Palomino's past reputation for less expensive meals) - though I do miss the sauce! Oh the sauce, you guys couldn't keep it in any sort of iteration? Heartbreaking. I'm sure I'll be back, because I didn't hate it, the service wasn't horrible, and my half-burger + fries that I had for lunch the next day actually tasted pretty yummy while reheated (a feat only aptly achieved by one other MKE burger establishment - Stack'd). We'll see how the experience goes then.
(3)Sandra Z.
Until I took my parents and boyfriend here recently, I hadn't been since before the remodel. I had high expectations. I ordered the hot chicken sandwich, my parents each got the smoked bbq chicken, and my boyfriend ordered the po-boy. I love Nashville hot chicken, and while the sandwich was not the same as I was hoping for, it was good and I would order it again. However, I didn't find the friend chicken so impressive that I'd be willing to fork over the money for the fried chicken dinner. My parents both loved their bbq sandwiches, but my boyfriend considered his po-boy quite bland. The sides were fantastic, however. Regarding service, when arriving, it took much longer to grab someone's attention to be seated outside than it should have. It was a little frustrating. But once seated our server was great, polite, and put up with bad jokes from my dad. The only other thing to possibly take into consideration is the music. It's a little alienating. I don't mind metal, but I couldn't help but be a little distracted by the "noise." I'm sure it bothered my parents, and even though Boomers might not be their target clientele, it's something I will keep in mind when deciding whether or not to return and with whom. The reason Palomino got a 4-star rather than a 3-star rating from me is because of its strengths, but I think they have some work to do on their consistency.
(4)Tina W.
There for brunch. It took a really long time to get our food, our waitress was inattentive, and my eggs were way over cooked. Nobody likes brown scrambled eggs. Everyone else loved their biscuits, bacon, hashbrown casserole, cheese grits, waffle, and breakfast burger. Three stars for the other food and for the fact that they comped my eggs when asked why I didn't eat them.
(3)Jess O.
Ahh Palomino why did you change? Like others, I am saddest about the change in the menu. The new tater tots may be fancier (and greasier) but they give you so few. I want the good old Ore-Ida tater tots in a huge platter! Like others I also thought that they had done away with many of the vegan options and now see that instead it is just kind of like a secret menu. When we asked were the tofalo wings went, the waitress was surprised that we didn't realize they were on the menu. Yes, I guess it is true that there is a little (v) next to the chicken wings, but everything in the description talks about chicken not tofu and tempeh. They should put these things back on the menu explicitly. I would be sad about the pool tables except I kinda love the big wooden table in the back. (although they could dim the lights and get some air circulating back there!) Bring back the TV and jukebox. Oh - I was also sad because they wouldn't honor the foursquare deal I got that said I earned a free drink.
(2)Susan F.
Ok, it really brings me down to write this, but it's going to be awhile before I eat here again. Service is 100% to blame. Twice we went and service was below average, but tolerable. Last time, we were seated in an empty restaurant and commenced to wait for a server to acknowledge us for 20+ minutes. This, while staff congregated and chit chatted 5 feet away. We finally walked out. What a bummer, I really love the food.
(2)Rachael G.
This. Sucks. Palomino before renovations: Things are going to stay the same! Still will be veggie/vegan friendly! Things will be awesome! Palomino after renovations: JUST KIDDING! Screw all our loyal customers! Gone: -Pretty much everything vegan and vegetarian -Totchos. Why the hell would you get rid of heaven on earth?! -Affordable prices. 10 dollars used to get me a sandwich and TWO sides. Now it barely gets me a sandwich. -Charm. Out the fucking door. -Their former customers. I realize people may not understand why I am so worked up/sad over this, but as someone who frequented Palomino at least 2 or 3 times a month for my Veggie Burger fix, I am really disappointed. This city is lacking in creative veggie/vegan restaurants, and Palomino really stood out before they decided to send their old menu down the crapper. I am sure yuppies and families who can afford to spend 20 bucks on a burger with fries will still go here, but I've washed my hands clean of this restaurant. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY DOLLAR!
(1)August B.
Our service was great. Can't recall his name but he made sure we had refills of coffee, and brought us napkins and wet naps when we asked for more napkins. Out food was amazing! It was my husband's first time here and we are still dreaming about the chicken and waffles. We will be back for sure! Probably this week.
(4)Lauren S.
Preface: I've never been to Palomino before it was under its current ownership. Palomino was the first restaurant I checked out after moving to Bay View. I've been three times for dinner in the ~8 weeks I've lived here, and I'll be back many more times, I'm sure. I like the cozy feel of the place, and that the food is different from your average bar fare without being pretentious (or hyper-expensive). WHAT I'VE TRIED: * Po-boy with black-eyed pea falafel. My hands-down favorite. Had to resist ordering it the two times I've been back because I wanted to try everything else, but seriously, the po-boy is where it's at. * Burger #1. It's hard to screw up blue cheese and bacon. The burger was good but otherwise not particularly noteworthy. * PBLT. Again, it's hard to screw up a BLT with cheese. Tasty and I'd order it again. Everything is reasonably priced and I don't mind that the sandwiches don't come with sides. You can order sides to share, and the large order of tots are plenty for two people (they're also damn good, and I'm not usually a tater tot person). Service at Palomino has been a mixed bag, for which I'm docking a star; that and the lack of weekend drink specials. OVERALL: Cozy feel, young scene without reeking of hipster buffoonery, good food, fair prices.
(4)Stephanie C.
My fiancé and I live very close to Palomino but have not been there since the summer. We decided to stop in around 3:30 on a Saturday and we were starving! We have also never sat inside and were pleasantly surprised with the decor. It had a cool rustic feel with some pretty awesome murals on the walls that make you feel like it is summer outside even though it is only 20 degrees. Regardless of being an odd time on the weekend, the restaurant had a good number of booths filled up and even more people at the bar. There is no doubt that people like Palomino! They have a huge bourbon list and a good number of beers on tap.. But I was just craving a Miller High Life and my fiancé got a Riverwest Stein - next time we will try some of their drinks and Bourbon! I was really itching to try something new because I am not too familiar with a lot of the entrees and sandwiches, however we both decided to play it "safe" because it is the worst when you are really hungry and don't enjoy your meal - well... No disappointments here!! I ordered burger #2, nix the BBQ sauce and add lots of pickles.. Tots on the side. The man got burger #3 and didn't know what to expect with the bacon jam (even though he LOVES bacon)... And fries. The food came out and the portions were huge. Tots are massive balls of fried goodness and the quality if the burgers is epic. The aged cheddar in my burger was very aged - sharp, and delicious.. I'm drooling thinking about it. Their house-made pickles were also a hit with my non-pickle loving lover. Now on to the bacon jam burger... Let's just say that is what I am getting next time. It was SO good, words can't even explain. Add on the pimento cheese and you have a mouthwatering meal that you will be finishing all of! Wait staff was friendly as well. :) Overall, Palomino was a huge hit with us - highly recommended and will be back soon!
(5)Ashley N.
The fried chicken is really good here. This year, they revamped and renovated. At first, the revamped menu was annoying and slightly overpriced. Now, the tots are back and the sammies are getting more creative. Keep it up, Im looking forward to Whiskey & Pie soon!
(5)Brian H.
Went here for a fish fry during prime time dinning hour of 6:30pm. It was very crowded but we were able to get a spot & served right away. The fish fry was okay, 3 medium sizes pieces. I've had their burgers before & those are pretty amazing. I gave it 4 stars because overall I know their food is amazing, I'm just a little picky about my fish fry's!
(4)Drew S.
I went to palomino for the first time October of 2013 and it was awesome then.... I've been back several times over the months with out noticing and change But we went back last night thinking we could have a nice dinner and it was just okay. The pimento cheese spread with bacon jam was lack luster and watery they clearly changed the recipe and that's one of the things they're known for. They use to have an apricot sauce for your biscuits and they didn't have it anymore the service was slow the appetizer came on top of our dinner and they weren't on top of upselling or refills which is annoying their pie menu wasn't very good and it took forever to get your service staffs attention. Probably won't be back oh well it wasn't horrible just not up to my foodie standards
(3)Angela S.
I feel it's over priced for a bar. We ordered fried chicken, it came with 2 sides $18. Sides lacked seasoning. We also ordered fried green tomatoes, they were not green tomatoes, and they also lacked seasoning. The best part was the pie. I will probably not return here, many other restaurants in the Bay view area to try.
(2)Kristin H.
Meh. This place USED to be a great bar with amazing food. Then they decided to remodel the place and the atmosphere changed. It is not the same friendly corner bar anymore. It is a place for yuppies and hipsters. I suppose if your white middle age middle/upper class you'd probably enjoy it. The food is not very good. I had the fish fry and I got three tiny pieces of fish that were most likely frozen as they resembled square fish sticks, the cole slaw, if you can call it that, was shredded vegetables without any dressing or seasoning. The one redeeming thing I hmate was the macaroni and cheese. It was awesome. All in all don't waste your time. Sad to see such an amazing bay view establishment go down hill.
(2)Emily M.
You complained - they listened! Sandwiches now come with a $2 fry option (instead of a $4 side). Brunch is fabulous - love the brisket hash. Fried chicken dinner family style meal is awesome - husband and I had this as our anniversary meal about a month ago. Great chicken, great sides - possibly the best value for your money as well. Still sad about the tots...
(4)Merete M.
OMNOMNOMNOMNOM!! I had a GREAT experience while here. My food was flavorful and exactly what I was craving. The decor was perfect, complete with Walker, Texas Ranger on the tube. I learned quickly that Palomino was closing for remodeling shortly after my first experience with them. I can only hope it will be even better the next time I go.
(5)Deborah D.
I'm a vegan and I felt happy the whole time I was there. I was able to try vegan fried pickles and chicken and waffles for the very first time in my life. I fell in love. Oh! And the coffee is amazing. The problem with this place is that it sometimes it can take an hour to get your food, even when it's appetizers. Also the wait staff is hit or miss, sometimes you get the heavily tattooed blonde chick, and if she's in a good mood then it's all good, but somedays. Other times though, her and the other wait staff are in such a mood, it's like they were forced to work on the worst day of their period while having to use Brillo wrapped porcupines as crotch plugs. Seriously, they are bitchy like a guy who hasn't been blown in year. I would never make a guy (any guy, even you) go without getting his girthy ham cock wet with the epic force of my tornado like mouth. I totally suck cocks like politicians lie, publicly and often. Oh and watch out where they seat you. Often times they will seat you near the speakers while they blast music that is awful and racist. Do you like Clutch? Then you're probably a fucking waste of life and should commit suicide, and still wouldn't like hearing this music because it's like the staff got together and recorded themselves trying to play Clutch songs while practicing rectal dentistry on each other. I'm trying to eat their vegan food, get over a hangover, and diddle my own taint with their fucking dirty ass silverwear and this music is playing over the speakers, that literally drove people to walk out of the restaurant. They are music and money hating sacks of rotten jizz. Yeah, you know the smell of rank jizz that's slowly putrifying, that's how these bands sound and it's how bad the host of the palominos pretentious smile looks now that I mention it. Yes, I'd probably still wack his cock around and humiliate his balls while dipping a tea infused full of my nail clippings in and out of his no doubt bloody gaping man gash. Why would they ever want to lose business when they have such good food? Fuck if I know, and if you know meet me over there and I will fist your ass with a handful of angry bees. Unless you pay. Then I might just piss out of my own ass in the backseat of your car, when I'm done emasculating you in red panties.
(5)Rebecca O.
Damn. Fried chicken has amazing crunch, juicy, dripping meat and a mouth watering savory taste. Ask for honey and homemade jam to pair with flaky, buttery biscuit. And for kicks, a wonderfully rich, flavorful mac and cheese. I'm writing this review from the table. THAT good. Great beer on tap, whiskeys on pour. Goodnight.
(5)ML C.
Thank you, Palomino, for your well-labeled gluten free options. Last time, I had a bevy of sides: cheese grits, collard greens, and hoppin' john. Delicious. I DO wish there were more gluten free entrees, though. Ordering a selection of sides is fun sometimes and always tasty here, but it's a bit of a downer to not be able to get a whole gluten free meal. Cornbread is a staple on the menu here, but they don't go the easy one-step to make the cornbread gluten free, which would make it good for everyone
(4)Jen M.
Been here several times for lunch, brunch and dinner. Hands down best fried chicken in MKE. Sammy #3 is my absolute favorite! Have had the chicken dinner (which is a phenomenal deal), waffles, bloodies (which are possibly the best in MKE also) and several other delicious things. All consistently amazing. Service can be spotty, but it seems they have hired some new staff recently and they are all really good. TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY RECOMMEND.
(5)Steve K.
I've been here two times, the first time everything was great. I had an amazing meal. The portion was a little small but that's about the only complaint. The second time there I think the waitress might have been new, it was slow and she kept forgetting things. The food is between 4-5/5, it's around 10 to 15 a meal per person. Cool atmosphere and a full bar.
(4)Kelsey M.
I have my reasons for giving the palomino 3 stars First off don't get me wrong the food is amazing, I love the menu. mainly the staff I USED to go to palomino I loved the atmosphere the music Granted I don't know if they just have a guard up constantly??? Or because they dress/look better?!? I just believe in welcoming everyone with a smile not being a total bitch or asshole because you work at one of the "hippest" places When I would go with my guy, the waitress's would always be nice and super friendly to him She would come to our table and ask if he needed a drink but never ask me when I did But wait she would come back and say "oh....did you need one??" And not in that forgetful way because I have worked in customer service for about 10 years and you just know, or I would think anyone would right?!? If the stag was more welcoming and not hire bitchy waitresses that would be great Oh and the Bloody Mary suck So watered down!
(3)Brianna K.
This was a great place to spend a quiet New Year's Eve with my family!! I feasted, as per usual when many vegan options are present, and they no doubt are at the restaurant. I started with the Vegan Wings- amazing. Then I had a GREAT BBQ vegan pulled pork sandwich with Maple Glazed Carrots on the side, they were the vegetable of the day. I stole some french fries off of my brother's plate, and they were fantastic as well. We ended the meal by splitting (between my step mother and I) a Raspberry Layer Cake. That, as well, was amazing. I have no complaints about this establishment, it is close to a vegan paradise in Milwaukee.
(5)Elizabeth H.
What did they do to their buffalo wing sauce?! It's sweet, and so wrong. I'm heartbroken.
(3)Melody F.
Cocktails hit the spot and change through out the seasons. Pork shoulder was delicious. It isn't like the old Palomino, but that doesn't mean the food and drink aren't good. Its nice to have a good restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)Cassandra B.
Delish!!!!! The Palomino was the first vegan-friendly restaurant that I found when I went veg back in 2002. I used to love their vegan beer brat but got sick of the same menu year after year. To my delight, while visiting this past weekend, I stopped in for some toffulo wings and see that they redid the menu. Excellent! The toffulo wings with tots are still a favorite, but I have to say that I am all about some of the new items. I was really impressed that they have a great salad with fried tofu and ranch dressing (much better fresh than day old, unlike the toffulo wings, which make a great snack the following day). I was also impressed that the veggie of the day was grilled asparagus. Grilled asparagus at a bar? Get out of here! It was great. I think the place is SO much better smoke-free, but I still don't want to see anybody's kids in here. .Wait. I think I brought my nephew here for lunch one day. But lunch on Tuesday is way different than Friday night dinner. Kids only during off-peak hours, please! :) P.S. Pinky horseradish dip on ANYTHING!!!!!
(4)TJ S.
Congratulations..the makeover is complete and now the palomino has nothing to set it apart from the rest of the "hey look at us we're kind of trendy" bars in Milwaukee. The bite has been taken out of the dog and there is no more authenticity. The waitstaff is all new and they don't even know the legend they've inherited. Gone is the pool table. Gone are the habenero wings. Gone is the Palomino White beer made specially for this bar (the bartender just looked at me funny when I ordered it). Gone is the edge.... Gone is this loyal customer who used to travel the world secure with the thought that nestled on the edge of the Great Lakes was a hidden gem. Here instead is a safe hipster bar for the "new-Bayview" crowd, their B.O.B.S, and SUV's....you can have it.
(1)Jessica G.
Nope. I know that the people who own Honeypie now own Palomino. But if I want locally-sourced fresh food, I go to Honeypie. Or Comet. If i want greasy vegetarian comfort food, I go to Palomino! Alas, no more. I was a pre-renovation Palomino fan. Now, not so much. This was my vegetarian comfort food go-to spot. They have wiped most of the vegetarian options from the menu (some menu items are available vegan, but we used to have a whole section of the menu!). The food that remains is not so delicious. 1. Avoid the Palomino punch...it's a weird cherry/hot pepper situation. In fact, based on the drinks I tried tonight, I'd say beer is your friend here. 2. The crab soup- awful! A funny sour flavor, coated in oil, and not very crabby. 3. Falafel sandwich- flavorless. 4. Entrees previously came with two sides and a sauce. Now, every side is around $4 (or more), and has to be added in addition to the entree. I had the vegan pulled pork, which was fine, but not particularly good, either. On the upside, the waitress was friendly, but the best service in the world can't save bad food. Would not recommend!!
(1)Rachel F.
Caught between a rock and a hard place; caught between two and three stars. I'll round up because that's how I roll. --- Remember that sound from the Price is Right when someone doesn't win money/loses a thing/guesses incorrectly? It sort of sounds like this: buun bumm burrrr baaaeeerrrrrr.................... Downshift + downgrade, Palomino. I always really want to like this place, and I keep giving it go after go. But, after last night, I've concluded that I'm pretty ambivalent about the Pal. I really love the ambiance/vibe, and I want to love the place all around. But the food? It's pretty mediocre. And the service? It's pretty mediocre/sometimes downright not so good. And the beer selection? It's not bad, but there are certain things priced almost offensively (read: can of Strongbow = 8 bucks). Say whaaaa? The tater tots were good. So was the gumbo! My pulled pork was so-so. My sweet potato tots were so-so. Didn't bite the boy's burger, but he seemed pretty happy with it. They do boast pretty good/innovative beer/drink specials, but still. I'm always left sort of disappointed in what I hope(d) would be the biz-nass. Verdict? Beers, maybe, apps, maybe... though the menu seems hit/miss, as does the service. I'll probably end up going back due to its convenient nature, but it's certainly not my go-to spot in the Beev. That said, not sure I actually have a go-to spot in the Beev. ::ponders::
(3)Aaron S.
Great Brunch. Great food after a little of a wait. The Chicken Fried Steak was perfectly done. Biscuit Sammy was good, but need a fork and knife. Cinnamon rolls were also a great starter.
(4)Emily M.
Was back in town for the holidays. The overall service we received was sub-par at best, the food was fairly disappointing (and took quite a while to come out) and then when the waitress didn't apply a coupon when charging my card. I asked for the original charge to be voided and rerun. Instead, both amounts were applied to my card. Hadn't been here since 2008 and won't be returning.
(1)Jennifer R.
The vibe at the Palomino is some crazy shiite, in a dynamite-kryptonite kinda way! Walking in there is like stepping into a dive supper club in northern Wisconsin, replete with the vintage bar, booths, and patrons watching tv. With shows on deer hunting. On a Saturday morning. Except the show is featuring a woman hunting deer. And the patrons watching and adding commentary (that's so funny I'm on the floor laughing) are complete hipsters, with hair, clothes and glasses to match. The women bartending have awesome combos of trendy haircuts, vintage clothes and tatted bare arms, necks and chests. And before noon on a Saturday, they serve chicken here. Fresh. Deep fried. From scratch. Garnished with chopped parsley and powdered sugar. So I'm sitting at the bar, eating chicken and waffles with delicious maple syrup, reaching my arms up to the high bar like a five year old struggles to reach the table. How. Freakin. Fun! Chicken and Waffles is on the Palomino's brunch menu, and it was the first time I've tried it. My waffle was cold. Like the butter wouldn't melt into it. And it was not Belgian - style . But it was plate-sized, thin, crisp yet fluffy, and a bit sweet. Accompanied by nice thick authentic maple syrup to dunk it in. The chicken was definitely the star. I got two pieces that when compared to say KFC, seemed small, but that's because this was more meat, less batter chicken. There was plenty of juicy meat, and oh, that batter was to die for. I made sure to bite into it over my waffle, to catch the bits that didn't make it into my mouth for a second savor of flavor. It was kinda hard to manage, being at a high bar and all. But I'm not complaining! I washed it all down with a Top Note Gentian Bitter Orange Tonic, a Milwaukee-made soda crafted in the tradition of the vintage Moxie brand that I adore. Top Note borrows the Gentian herb from Moxie. I am on a personal quest to seek out non-alcoholic cocktails and was delighted with this Palomino find.
(4)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: almost-dive, almost-hipster bar(/grill?). To be fair, I've only been to The Palomino once for late-night drinks. When I drive by on the weekends or weeknights there are always people sitting outside enjoying themselves. It appears as though they serve food (and pie!), but around 11PM on a Saturday they had stopped. The decor is...I'm not sure? Old-school Milwaukee workman's bar meets 2015 Bay View Hipster. Their selection of beers veered hard into that hop-tastic genre that I don't much care for. Instead I tried their spin on a Manhattan, using some single-barrel reserve they featured that night. I'm not complaining about the $12 charge, as it was a good drink and that's pretty standard. I just think this place came off as less highbrow than that. I can't put my finger on The Palomino's pulse. Maybe some food next time.
(3)Cody L.
We met with some friends for lunch, we got a table right away and they had a high chair for our 6 week old. Very family friendly. Our waitress came quickly, we got our coffee right away and our order was taken in a timely fashion. This is where things went from starting at a 5 stars and going down. Our waitress came by twice in 40 minutes to check on water and coffee refills. When looking around, it was half empty in the restaurant yet we were still waiting. It took 45 minutes and one of our friends asking if there was an update on food to get the response "I'm going to go get it now." I worked in the food industry and when you can say that and the food comes right out, that's a hell of a skill. No apologies for the wait. The tots are amazing and I would highly recommend subbing for them. I had a wonderful buttermilk biscuit with precooked bacon and pimento cheese. Again, very good. The ooey gooey cinnamon rolls were neither ooey or gooey, just hot, dry and without a frosting. The thick bacon steak was just a slab of ham with brown sugar. Good but I wouldn't use the term bacon. Overall the experience was pleasant. Food was very good, ambiance and location great. Service. Eh.
(3)Suzanne O.
For a casual restaurant with bar-like food, it's pretty good! We started out with the sweet potato donut holes, which were the highlight of the meal. They were slightly sweet with a sprinkle of powered sugar on top, and they came with a spicy syrup. YUM! For my meal I got the banh me sandwich, which was one of the specials. The pork was flavorful, but the big chunks were a little too large for the sandwich. The sandwich came with fries, and they were thinly cut just like I like them. This is a pretty good place to watch a game, as there are 2 TVs at the bar and a big projector screen in the back dining area. There's also a nice outdoor dining area so I'll have to come back when the weather is nicer.
(4)Angela W.
Delicious. Just delicious. I live right around the corner from this place and have kinda stayed away due to the less desirable reviews. But I have realized that everyone who gave poor reviews.... Is STARK RAVING MAD. "Boring, bland tater tots, bring the old ones back"? Are you bonkers? The tots (which were just one portion of our delightful meal) were Amazing! Great texture, perfectly seasoned, and HOMEMADE!! If you prefer frozen pre-made tots, then you and I are a different level of food appreciation. Okay... On to the rest of the meal and experience. Chose to sit at the bar, bartender was great! Super friendly and as people poured in and sat at the bar, you could tell she was consistent in her service. Ordered the garlic infused bloody, nice and thick, chunky and garnished with a beef jerky. Ordered the fried chicken sandwich with the tots and two eggs, over easy with sourdough and.... Hold it.... Hash brown casserole. The hash brown casserole is something I could eat to brighten a gloomy day. Seriously... It's that fatty, hot out-of-the oven perfection that can change a day. Boyfriend loved the fried chicken, said the sauce had just the right amount of heat. And to touch on the decor... It's great. It's that kitschy, repurposed coolness... I guess people miss the covers on the old art??? (That they had to have so the pre-made tot loving crowd wouldn't steal the art)?? Must be. Glad that I decided to go against my original judgement and give this place a try again. They will see much more of me!
(5)Sarah E.
I would say this experience was closer to 4 1/2 stars. It was my first time at The Palomino and overall, I would recommend it. Intimate, chill vibe. The food is not light, mainly all fried Southern cuisine. After reading the menu, I wanted to order pretty much everything because it all sounded so good. Food - This gets a 5. My friend and I shared the Sweet Potato Doughnut Holes with Spicy Maple Syrup as an appetizer. Oh man. These were amazing. A-mazing. And for $8, we got a good portion, I think 8 doughnut holes. The spicy maple syrup was more flavorful than spicy and perfectly balanced the dish. I wish this was sold in stores. For my entree I got the Pulled Pork Sandwich with Fries. The sandwich was very good and the brioche bun held up well and the coleslaw added the perfect bit of crunch. The fries were only so-so. I liked that they were thinner, but they were a bit floppy like Hugh Grant's hair. Perhaps undercooked. I left at least half of them on my plate, which is rare because fries are my jam. Service - Hostess was pleasant. Our waitress was nice but not attentive. She was okay to start but then seemed to keep passing our table without taking our order. And when we were clearly done eating, it took her a very long time to get to us with our checks, take our cards and bring the back. We weren't in a hurry so it wasn't the end of the world. But in a place where you can see all the tables and she didn't have many other tables (maybe 2-3), it seemed a bit dragged out. Verdict: I would definitely go back for the food. There are several other things I want to try. The Palomino is a stick-to-your-ribs eatery, so if your looking for a salad/light fare, try somewhere else. As far as the service, it could be different next time depending on the server so not a huge factor for me. Lastly, get those doughnut holes if you go. Amazing.
(4)Rachel G.
Was introduced to The Palomino by my boyfriend while friends were in town visiting. I was delighted. For a Saturday morning, it was perfectly quiet in there. Our waitress was sweet as can be and timely. We shared the cinnamon rolls--oh so sinfully good. I love cinnamon rolls, so I can be picky when it comes to finding the good ones. I'd definitely recommend! I enjoyed the yogurt with house-made granola, local honey, and fruit. Perfect blend of textures and sweetness to balance the creamy and slightly sour taste of plain yogurt. Others had a giant waffle (I mean giant), biscuits and gravy, and eggs. All was fantastic.
(4)N V.
Love the breakfast tacos!
(4)Rebecca S.
How is it that I've never reviewed The Palomno before?? It's one of my favorite spots for drinks, or food. Fried pickles are awesome, the drinks are potent, and I love their vegetarian menu. My veggie burger last night was crisp and tasty- perfect. We also tried the peaches and cream cake- to die for!! Service is always great, and the patio outside is a great spot to people watch in BV.
(5)Jonah Y.
I've been traveling to Milwaukee for about nine years now and am pissed that I have been missing out for so long. This place is a true hidden gem. Six of us went there after a business meeting on a recommendation from another foodie I work with. He mentioned the fried chicken and the whiskey selection were impressive. He now had my attention. Everything was exceptional. the apps were amazing. Freid pickles are always a good judge on how the rest fo the meal will be... and they didnt disappoint again. Fried pickles, hush puppies, corn bread, and biscuits were the apps brought to the table and all were fantastic. What made the cornbread and biscuits was the homemade raspberry perserves they brought to the table. The freid chicken and sides were definately the stars of the show. The chicken was fantastic with just the right amount of crunch to juicy chicken ratio. the sides were unreal. Cheese grits, bacon corn, pimento mac and cheese, and grilled califlower were perfect pairings for the chicken. To round out the experience, one of the best banana cream pies I've ever had...ever. Side note. We had quite the night of whiskey sampling and as a thank you, the bar tender brough a round of his favorite whiskey on the house to our table. That was totally unexpected and what is making me give this place a 5 star rating. Excellent food and service in a very cool atmosphere. Cant wait to go back!!
(5)Tim V.
Got chx and waffles. Great! Chx and waffles is always good! Chicken came out raw.... told the waitress and she said it was the bone marrow? Uh... no, blood only seeps through everything when you touch the meat. Last time i checked, red fluid from chicken means it's raw.... other than that, the hash brown casserole was good and so are the bloodies.
(1)Michelle B.
Hadn't been to Palomino in a few years and was excited to go back tonight for some of our favorite dishes. We were shocked to see that the menu had changed so drastically since the remodel, and in place of all of our favorite items and sauces were a bunch of dishes that make the restaurant almost indistinguishable from many others in the area. Gone are all of the elements that made us travel across town to the old Palomino - the bevy of vegan/vegetarian options, the sauces and sides, the dive atmosphere with pool table, etc. It's sad to see such a unique restaurant have the soul ripped out of it.
(1)April L.
MEH. They replaced the #5 burger, which was an $8 "Housemade pecan, walnut, and rice patty" with a premade Field Roast patty for $12. Plus it no longer has the sweet tomato sauce stuff on it so it's basically just this really hard hockey puck of a patty with no flavor. The fried pickles and housemade tater tots are pretty great, but the house cut french fries are lacking. Not too sure about this place anymore.
(3)Melissa B.
I loved The Palomino before the renovation and menu change. Their menu had was plentiful for both vegans and non-vegans. Going into the new place, I was hoping to find a lot of the same things on the menu and was said to see some of the fun had been removed. Where did the giant platter of tots with the zillion dipping sauces go? Totchos RIP. This new Palomino feels even more meaty than the last. Beware, veggie and vegan friends. I got their veggie burger and it was tasty, but I enjoyed the Haymaker better. I missed the shoestring fried onions. I didn't love the fact that the burger was fried into oblivion, either. My boyfriend got the pulled pork. It was smoky and delicious. Next time I will order this! His side of cheese grits were runny and barely cheesy. On the other hand, the hushpuppies I ordered for my side were the best part of the meal. They were the best I've ever had. We had the pimento cheese/bacon jam and sourdough to start. Less cheese, more jam please. Yum. Hangouts and hushpuppies ahoy!
(3)Stephanie L.
I think that any demerits appearing on the "revived Palomino" page should be singularly credited to the former establishment. I could not find a single flaw with the current state of affairs at this place now owned by the Honeypie folks. I hope that they maintain the superior service and food performance that they gave on Saturday evening. I was more than impressed with what was served. We arrived a little after 8:00 p.m., and there were spots-a-plenty at the bar, but we managed to snag the last booth in back. The rest of the tables were full and even a large group was whooping it up (no annoyance factor there, by the way). The source of happiness comes truly from the food. There is a significant amount of love in what they are creating, and they certainly are not shy when it comes to portions. Do not let the hefty portions fool you, though, because you will receive freshness and quality. Believe it. We wanted to taste a little around the menu, so we first got our drinks on order with a tapped spiced cider and a bourbon-aged stout. To saddle up with the first drink of the night, we went with the pimento cheese spread that was topped with this glistening, jammy wonder. Wonder what it was? Bacon. Yes. Lovely lardons mixed with fruit preserves. Throw that mixture atop a lightly spiced cheese spread and you have hog heaven. Plus, you get grilled sourdough slices, and their char makes for the perfect melody of flavors. Huge fan of that collaboration. We went with an appetizer, really, only because we knew there would be a wait on any fried chicken dinners. I selected one off the entrée list, which included two buttermilk biscuits, and this insane sausage gravy. Insane!!! I could have dipped everything in it. I practically did. In fact, we ordered a side of the homemade tater tots, and I dipped them in the gravy, and my biscuits, and my chicken...oh, and my fingers. I still had half the bowl left too, even after all of that dipping, if that is any indication of how much you get. The chicken. Man. By far. By far, the best chicken I have ever had. As a Yelper, there is an abundance of hyperbole and exaggeration, however, not in explaining this chicken and all of its magnificence. It is killer. Juicy, succulent, tender, and piping hot. It is the best in town. It is made to order and served hot. So much so, there is steam billowing out when you cut into it. The biscuits were fluffy, flaky, and buttery. It partnered well with the chicken and gravy. Mmmm. Gravy. It makes me want to take a bath....in it. Ha. The tots too. These were in a league of their own, with a crunchy shell I have never seen or tasted elsewhere. Panko or cereal flake in texture. Sooo crunchy and yummy. The potatoes inside were hot and creamy. Sorry, folks. I don't mean to sound dirty, but this food has my heart, and I'm not afraid to shout it out aloud. I love Palomino. Yep. I said it.
(5)Eric G.
I loved Palomino would have rated it 5 stars before the new menu and remodel. The food leaves a lot to be desired. The crab soup was terrible and came out with a thick coating of oil on top. It was tasteless and boring. I had the po boy sandwich which was dry and again lacking real flavor or seasoning. Ordered a side of Mac and Cheese and it contained more thick pockets of oil. So greasy it was inedible. Very surprising seeing as how the owners are nice and own Honey Pie, one of our favorite restaurants in Milwaukee. The problem here was really the quality of food and menu change. There were more vegetarian dishes before and anything you ordered tasted great. I hope management reads these reviews and changes the menu and recipes.
(2)Amy E.
Sad... very sad. Palomino was one of those places you could walk in, grab a beer and people watch and then enjoy some of the greasiest, deep fried (vegan, if you chose) food in Bay View. Over the years, the menu became a bit stale and the service took a down turn (once I waited an hour for tots...), but I had so much hope for the renovation and refresh... Keyword there is *HAD*. I went there the other night with a few friends I hadn't seen in awhile. They beat us there and had already ordered. They got their food, but when we ordered.... we waited and waited for the food to arrive, which made me think that nothing has changed with the service. Once the food did arrive , it was sad and terrible. Also, one of the biggest injustices, the meals don't come with the standard two sides anymore... they are EXTRA. Also, the sides are an additional $3-4, which makes your meal one hellava price! The decor is nice and slightly updated, but instead of feeling like a bar with food, it now feels like a restaurant (with crappy bar service and wait staff). I'm hoping they can pull this together and make some quick improvements to bring this Bay View classic back to life.
(2)Brian M.
Seriously people, it's not THAT BAD. Nothing lasts forever, including a sandwich, two sides and and sauce for $8. It is a downgrade however. The restaurant has gone polar opposite with its menu, opting for a la carte dishes rather than a "entrees". The problem lies in the price. By itemizing the menu, Palomino is now in the $13-15 range for a sandwich and a side. The price would be so much more acceptable if they remodeled the restaurant to lose the dive atmosphere. The remodel merely made it a nicer dive. Palomino is now kind of in a no mans land where the food is more expensive but the perceived value didn't go up. I get why old fans of Palomino are jaded, and I'm not sold that first timers are going to love it either. It's too bad because I totally dug what I ate. The vegan fried chicken sandwich was good, albeit bare on toppings, and the tater tots are unlike any other fried potato I've ever had. But I'm not going back until they have a deal that knocks its price back down to earth.
(2)Kate P.
Had brunch on the patio today and our waiter (Nicholas?) was efficient and really likable. He kept the glasses filled and brought the food out immediately. I even saw him taking time to slip a bowl of water to one of the dogs. Heart!
(4)Wisco V.
I had stopped going to "old Palomino" because I felt so sick every time I ate there, so I was happy to hear that the Comet/Honeypie crew were taking over! They maintained the atmosphere that I love and totally upped the ante on the food. The new tots are wonderful, and there are still a number of delicious vegetarian options. (I got the spicy "chicken" sandwich.) Yeah, their prices increased a little bit, and yeah the portions are a little smaller, but I'll happily pay $12 for a meal instead of $8 if I get better quality food. I'd also rather have a smaller portion of better food than a ton of something that's going to give me a stomach ache. But maybe that's just me...
(5)Emily L.
Sorry Palomino, I have to give you a double whammy - just wrote on the Facebook page as well. Your re-think seemed to completely ignore your demographic. The Palomino was one of the few places in Milwaukee (including Riverwest/Eastside) where vegans and carnivores could co-exist in total harmony. This is no longer the case and a BIG loss for us veg-monsters. While they did say their attempt to make it healthier was a priority, it seemed like they missed the boat then, considering their tator-tots were way greasier and even MORE deep fried... (and not even a quarter of the original portion and more expensive to boot) Our waitress did give us a complimentary second order which, I kid you not, totaled our "tot-count" to a little less than half the size of the old portions. They also took away my favorite sandwich- the Hillbilly Philly (which might I add was one of the healthiest items on their old menu? so.. another counter intuitive move there) Now onto the atmosphere.. Here is where they really missed the boat with clientele. A lot of their traffic comes between Garibaldi and the Cactus Club. We are not a shi-shi crowd like Odd Duck. We come for that rough and tumble vibe, good reasonably-priced food and drink, and of course.. THE FOOTBALL GAMES! How is trombone man going to even fit his trombone in here now? They turned the tables behind the bar into booths which took away a LOT of standing room, and even the seating area got smaller. They definitely got rid of a good amount of seating, and that's with getting rid of the pool tables, and wasn't there a dart board before? They really did just turn this into a bay view version of comet... but they even took it a step further than comet. Comet at least has some decent vegan options and is still less shi-shi than what the Palomino has turned into. Bring back the character, bring back the TVs, bring back our old tots and sauces!!! (and bring back the old prices) P.S. I miss the funky menus :(
(1)Emily S.
Perhaps one of my favorite bars. Ever. Atmosphere is part old-school tavern, part whiskey soaked western. Great juke box. If for some odd reason no one is playing it, the bartenders will usually line something up that's even better. I'm pretty impressed with the vegan menu as well as a traditional bar food menu. After several hours of Pabst and shots of Jameson, the tater tots come in pretty handy.
(5)Angel N.
This place has completely gone down hill. Unless you just want to come and have a beer, don't expect much. I used to love the menu, tons of fun stuff, veggie options too. The past 3 times I've gone to eat the food's been messed up, the servers are usually coked out or snooty because I don't have enough hipster in me to get a tattoo of some sheers on my forearm. Bummer MKE, used to be a gem! Only upside is there's a killer patio for day drinking that is also dog friendly.
(1)Erica B.
I went back to Palomino for bingo on Monday night. While the experience doesn't change the amount of stars I'm giving, I just wanted to put in my two cents. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends and acting kind of ridiculous. It was a great way to cut loose on an otherwise dull Monday evening. The bingo hosts are a hoot, and the jams are good. I only have two complains; the wait between bingo games was too long, and I didn't win.
(3)Adam R.
For the past couple years I've noticed the quality of the food a Palomino slumping. WAY too much grease and half-assed food. I pretty much stopped going because I always left feeling like I just pissed my money away. I did love the divey atmosphere and grungy bathrooms though. Once I heard they were closing to re-tool a bit, I was pretty excited. So my wife and I went in for dinner last night...Other than the horribly bland and slow service, I thought the food was really stellar. Much better than the past handful of times we ate there. Yes, the food is more expensive and that seems to be a common complaint. But I think it's worth the extra $1-2 dollars for better quality, fresher, tastier food. The crab soup was top notch and not super salty and "imitation craby" tasting. The pimento cheese was also delicious. Order the appetizer though, the sandwich version of it doesn't make sense. My wife had the fired chicken sandwich, which was one of the best chicken sandwiches I think I've ever had. Very true to southern style. And we actually finished the food on our plates, unlike the old Palomino where my plate was left with a puddle of grease mixed with my half of my fallen apart sandwich. I will be back for the food, most certainly. My big gripe is with the service. I understand that it's the 'soft opening' and I'm not throwing them to the wolves, but I was very unhappy with our service the moment we walked in the door. Our hostess waved us over from the other side of the restaurant and did not say a single word to us when she sat us, when she brought us our waters or when she brought us our menus. I don't even think she looked at us. We ordered drinks right away (A tall boy of Schlitz and an iced tea), what seemed around 10 minutes later our waitress comes over an tells us they don't have Schlitz. So I ordered another beer. It was another 10 minutes before we got our 2 drinks, which I watched patiently as they sat on the end of the bar. Since it was our first time there with the revamped menu, we were having a hard time deciding what to get. We asked the waitress for some opinions so we could narrow down our choices, to which she had none. I would have hoped the staff would have tried most of, if not all the new dishes on a brand new menu! After dinner, we were talked into ordering a slice of cake to take with us, since we were pretty stuffed. Within the next 15 minutes, our waitress came over twice and said "Your cake will be right out". After what seemed like an eternity (no drinks, table not bussed) our slice of cake arrived haphazardly stuffed into a box with frosting smeared all over the inside of the lid and outside of the box. The most disappointing $6.50 piece of cake I've had. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt on this visit. I'm sure there are still some kinks to be worked out. But service is a HUGE part of a dining experience. It really hindered our first trip to the new Palomino. But I did enjoy our meal, so I will go back for that. And the whole décor thing...sure, it looks nice. A little fresh and updated, but still retains it's "diveyness". Seems like they are going more restaurant than bar now. They even left my favorite painting of the crooked mouthed cowboy on the wall! Bonus points. Folks, change is inevitable. Cheers.
(3)Patrick F.
I'm really pleased with the "new" Palomino! I was skeptical about the new menu, but had faith when I heard it was being taken over by the folks from Comet and Honeypie. Yes, I miss the old way of ordering, with the sauces and sides, but I went with the flow of the new style and was not disappointed! I went with my wife and a few other couples, so we were able to share several appetizers--I highly recommend this. The hush puppies were as good as I've ever had in New Orleans! Perfect texture, bold but balanced flavor. The wings were generously sized and the cola-BBQ sauce was uniquely delicious. My fave was the pimento cheese spread with bacon jam--I want some now! The pulled pork sandwich was as good as I've had. A few in our group got the chicken sandwich and were blown away. I drank a few excellent beers and some bourbon during the meal--the selection of both is terrific. And there are so many things across the menu I can't wait to try. I can't wait to come back. Bravo, Palomino!
(5)Tim D.
After many, many years of patronage I'm sad to report that the Palomino never actually reopened. They closed this spring and a new place opened using their name but its not the Palomino. The food is okay but the signature sides and sauces are gone as are the vegan options.
(2)Kristin S.
I waited with two other friends for almost an hr. to be acknowledged.The food took another 45 mins. Two of four meals arrived burnt. They didn't want to send it back because it would take to long to get food. My vegan Sloppy joe had jalapeño or something with some major heat, which of course is not in the food description and I have eaten this plenty of times. Please don't add "extra flavor" ingredients to food that is not listed. It will be a long while before returning here.
(1)Jay B.
I'm going to have to agree with the naysayers here. I used to love this place before the remodel but it is now lacking the odd charm and flavor it used to have. Was there last night for the first time since it reopened. The server we had was wonderful! The mac n cheese was really good, as were the new fries, (meatball looking) tater tots, and veggie burger. But I used to love the toffulo wings which are now half the size, completely different recipe and actually quite gross. I did not enjoy eating fake meat off of a mock-chicken bone. May just have to go there for drinks from now on. To the owners: please bring back the old favorites!
(3)Kelsie K.
I went here for an unintentional late night dinner with friends, we ended up ordering the fried chicken dinner for the table. It was some good comfort food with a kick, our sides were the pimento Mac n cheese and collard greens. They both were a little spicy which I loved. To top it off, their homemade pickles tasted exactly like my moms!
(4)V S.
This is the bar/restaurant that you want in your neighborhood. We went for brunch, and sat outside on a gorgeous morning. The patio is across the street from an undeveloped park - just a huge green space. We ordered waffles with fruit and whipped cream, pork tacos, and a homemade sausage scramble topped with eggs. Everything was great. The waiter was attentive, regularly refilling our coffee, and being gracious about our request that we finish and pay within an hour to make it to the train station on time. Inside, the bar is dark wood with a huge mirror (where several people were enjoying bloody marys) and the pie case special was whiskey-cholocate chip-pecan pie. Overall, a perfect meal.
(5)Z Z.
Wow. This is why dining out was invented. Amazing, thoughtful, fresh from scratch awesomeness. Why the heck does anyone pay their hard earned coins on chain restaurants?? Brunch for me was eggs, homemade hash browns, and a kick a$$ fruit bowl...and it wasn't a silly fruit bowl..it included the high nutrition awesome kind: blueberries, strawberries, 'naners, and a raspberry I nicely cut in half to share with my dining companion. Can't wait to try dinner sometime...making food from scratch and awesome combinations (spices maple syrup on chicken and waffles?!) count me in! OH, and the staff is sooooooo nice -- kind, informative on ingredients/choosing the right dish or cocktail/etc -- felt so welcome !
(5)Sara J.
This review is more useful for vegetarians and vegans. Omni's still welcome, but the only meat eaten was in the my husband's hoppin' john and he liked it. 2-3 Stars overall, but the service and food were good enough to round up. No comment on drinks, we don't drink alcohol. First, they're new so they're probably still getting a feel for the environment. That said, our server did a great job taking care of us. Knowledgeable about the menu, informative, polite. My issue is really about the food. Now, don't get me wrong, it was rather yummy. My husband and I shared the vegan hush puppies (yum!). I ordered the burger #5 (add onions $0.75... really? Avocado not available at a Southwestern style restaurant, REALLY?!) and a small order of the veggies. My husband ordered the vegan pulled pork, large veggies, and small hoppin' john (not vegan, he is omni but many times orders vegetarian/ vegan anyway). I honestly didn't think I would care much for the #5 burger. It is a patty made with rice, walnuts, and pecans. I like many veggie burgers out there, but didn't think this would be one of them. It ended up being really tasty, but was also, essentially, a deep fried type patty. After the hush puppies I wasn't expecting to eat more fried food. The amount of fried food I ended up eating made me quite sick, I had to stop for a lemon lime soda on our way home to help me feel better. My husband's "pulled pork" was also tasty, but not what we expected. It was another deep fried type sandwich. My husband liked it, but thought the mustard BBQ it came with actually needed more kick (this from a guy who doesn't like jalapenos and medium salsa!). I tried a small bit, it was good. He also liked the hoppin' john. Our review of the veggies: meh, boring. It was just yellow and green zucchini. I was thinking more along the lines of zucchini, red onions, bell peppers, maybe even some carrots or eggplant. But, no, it's just zucchini. Felt more like a bad WI gardening joke on a plate than anything interesting to eat. With tip, our meal cost $43 and change. Will we go back? No, not unless we want to grab some hush puppies on the go.
(3)Cory Z.
The Palomino respun. We used to be regulars here. They've changed the place and not for the better. I don't know if / when I'll bother going back. They've killed one of our favorite places. Rant / description of changes below :-) I'll ignore the soft open sort of issues. Same basic wait staff but the kitchen was slammed and the place was packed. I'll give them this. It's not an issue in my review. The Remodel: * They removed the pool tables. * The TVs are gone. * They've gone yuppie, kid friendly, and more expensive. * It seems darker * Still have the ugly truck / cowbow stuff on the walls The food / drinks: * The new tots are really good. Expensive, but a win. * Not sure if they have any draft beer any more. The cow is now in bottles. * No more sides and choice of sauce. A lot of sides are gone the rest are ala cart * No more sauces at all unless you like ranch. * Not as veggie friendly as they used to be * Seitan toffolu is gone. You can still get the tofu ones as "vegan chicken" * Totchos are gone. I ordered the "vegan bbq pulled pork" being told it was the bbq seitan. The sauce was a vinegary mustardy thing. Not the bbq sauce of old. So meh. They've turned it into Bayview's Comet Cafe. Expensive and not as good as they used to be. They should have just renamed the place and opened with a new concept.
(2)Emma L.
After a long over due makeover Palomino is worth going back to! It's cleaned up and the new seating in great but still has the old charm and overall feel. Yes the menu has changed, thank God! Elevated Southern food made with fresh quality ingredients. No more deep fried food tasting like a dirty fryer. My husband and I fully enjoyed our dinner. Skillet fried chicken. The seasoning in the breeding was super tasty accompanied by a homemade biscuit and gravy. Smoked duck and cornbread. Yum!! Can't wait to go back to try more things!
(5)Scott S.
We've been here about 5 times since the new ownership and everything we've had has been fantastic. Easily one of the best restaurants in Bay View, especially if you add in the speed and prices. I think that the vegans and those that dislike the change from what they knew are clouding overall judgement here. I understand if you're vegan, but if not, don't let them dissuade you. I recommend the chicken sandwich, the burger with bacon jam, and the chicken salad. I like the vegan wings too. And the new handmade tots are way better than the greasy old ones from a freezer bag! Oh yeah, Cory reminded me this place is now SO much cleaner (some may not like that) and IIRC the previously precarious men's bathroom is now fully functional.
(5)Christina L.
Whoa whoa whoa people, calm down! As a former vegan, I've been a long-time fan of Palomino and was apprehensive about the changes that would take place when they went under the knife for the recent facelift. Based upon reviews on here and other word on the street, you would've thought it became a McDonald's. Nonetheless, I was determined to try the place out with an open mind and an empty stomach. Upon walking in, I will say that the vibe feels for the most part, the same. The tables in front are a nice change since the pub tables could get awkward when it was busy. The boots are pretty much the same but without the large tears in the seats. The wife and I ponied up to the bar and ordered a couple pints while we browsed the new menu. Yes, it is a HUGE change in offerings, but I feel like the theme remains. At first I was like, what? no sides with my sandwich automatically, but then realized that the price point of the sandwiches dropped and now I can choose how many sides I want. I went with the crab soup and a small side of mac-n-cheese. The crab soup was delish with large chunks of crab meat and a not too thick broth. It came with a good serving of grilled sourdough and next time could make a meal out of just that. The mac-n-cheese was very good and served in a cast iron dish. We shared the house dill pickles which was a pretty good amount of pickles and had a nice vinegary zing to them. The wife has the pulled pork and said it was very good. There are still a ton of vegan options on the menu. However, I wish they were called out separate from the meat items so they could have a description of what they are. in the end, yes, I will too be longing for the days of vegan sloppy joes and pinkie sauce, but think the upgrades far outweigh the losses. The night we were there, the back area where the pool tables used to be was crowded with families and whining kids. Not sure when remodeling a bar makes it a family joint but let's hope that new "vibe" doesn't last.
(4)Becky B.
I love you Milwaukee, but you are not so good with change - even for better, as is the case with the "new" Palomino. My husband and I went here on our annual return to MKE, and were eager to check it out the place. We had frequented the Palomino in the past, but our visits had grown sparse given poor service and pretty mediocre food. After trying the new menu last month, all I can say is WOW. My mouth literally waters at the thought of their fried chicken sandwich, pimento cheese/bacon jam, chicken wings, and tots are to DIE for. I can't wait to try other things on the menu next time I'm in town, like the brisket and salads. Everything comes impeccably prepared and, given the upswing in service, piping hot. The only thing I plan to do differently next time is to order an extra side of the fantastic buttermilk dressing so that I can use it as a dipping sauce for, um, everything. Guys, check it out. Don't just walk in the door, see that things are different, walk right back out and leave a negative review (or base an opinion off what you've heard - I can't be the only one who rolls my eyes at reviews by people who haven't even eaten off the menu, right?). If you're coming here for southern-inspired cuisine and more than the cheap rail drinks/frozen tots of Palomino past, you'll be super pleased with the changes!
(5)Bobby K.
Bad Bad Bad. This place used to be Milwaukee royalty. Ever since the people from Honey Pie/Comet Cafe bought in, it can only be referred to as Milwaukee sewage. They went from great comfort food to uninspired wannabe-fancy-food for obscene prices. The crab soup was sour, one of our co-diner's hot chicken sandwich was raw, and the service was downright terrible. As a group of six people, we were unable to find a single improvement and many, many negatives. If you've been here before, you should understand that the prices have risen by about 40%, with the sides becoming a la carte(you used to get two). They've removed many of the dinner items, as well as many of the favorites. We used to have a regimen of going to Palomino every wednesday, but now I doubt we'll ever be back. From now on, we'll go to Cafe Centraal, Odd Duck, or some other good restaurant around town.
(1)Scot H.
This was my first visit after the remodeling, and I like how it looks. Benches without torn upholstery, and a men's room that no longer makes you feel dirtier when you left than when you walked in. Yes, the place has grown up a bit. Now for the menu...it is good to see several vegetarian options. My friend had the beet salad and a small plate deviled egg and bread concoction. He is a vegetarian, and liked both. I (not a vegetarian) tried the vegetarian po boy sandwich which is essentially a large long roll with a creamy cabbage, etc. slaw and a few falafel-like balls that had mystery ingredients, but were a little creamier than falafel. The contents of the roll was quite good, and I would have liked more of it. The roll was basically the vehicle, but a large one at that. It smothered the contents a bit, and dulled the experience. I opted to leave out half the roll just to get the good flavor of the insides. I'm not sure what else they could have used. Thinner roll? It might not fit the classic po boy style, whatever that is. My next visit will be for the pecan and walnut vege burger. Intriguing flavor combination. We'll see if it tops the Trempealeau Hotel's popular walnut burger.
(3)Scott S.
When reviewing a establishment of this nature, one must consider the owners perspective in relation to their other properties. Everything in the Mojofuco Co. bag is a top notch establishment that will fill neighborhoods with commerce and flavor. for a direct example I refer you to Belair Cantina in the riverwest neighborhood, Hi-hat and Garage in the Brady street district and Honey pie on KK . Congratulations Palomino for you have completely embodied the hipster vibe, where one may pay extra to appear thrifty and ironically wear a suits as if to poke fun at the idea that one would every work in such drapery. Fedoras, big lenses, rolled up pant legs, vests and unkept facial hair decorate the majority of your patrons. Wait Time-(Be sure to bring snacks ) you will wait on the up side of 45 minutes for a table and another 45 minutes to an hour for your food to arrive. Price--Not bad, to be expected given the location and venue decor Food( the best part of the joint) When it does arrive you are in for a treat. As long as you can put up with the anxt and the wait time you will survive long enough to endulge in a true flavor of BAYVIEW. Get some......
(4)Marc R.
Solid food and great bar. I have had wonderful vegetarian food prepared by the Palomino for charter school fundraisers, and other public events, but it took me till 2012 to go here to eat, drink, and watch a Packer game with a (gasp) Chicago Bears fan. I have had the eggs here - skillet to be exact, and have been happy with the quality of the food and the prices all around. I have also had the burgers- yum - I suggest that you go for the meat here at this veggie friendly place. Some of the sides seemed bland when I came here for lunch. Perhaps it might be time to mix it up a little bit with the veggie classics? I have also come here to sit, drink a coffee, and use the computer. I would not suggest it for a 5 hour internet stint for a $2 coffee, but I found it was a good place to chill do some work and have a coffee mid-day. I have watched the Packers here. Now this kicks ass and the crowd was super friendly to a couple of non-regulars. A guy with a trombone plays when they score, and another yahoo blows the horn on the Honda in the window. Crazy. Then they play some goofy Packers song and give you mystery shots. Nice touch. This Packer experience blew my friend away. She had a blast and everyone was so nice to the flatlander from the Mega-city of Chicago.
(4)Matt X.
This classic Milwaukee standby has gone through some changes lately, and I'm in the camp that things the changes are for the better. Palomino was a big raucous cowboy-themed bar famous for vegetarian food that was delicious, if overloaded with grease. And notorious restroom sanitation. Those days are gone. The ambiance is the same, but they thankfully renovated the bathrooms and the menu. So you can't the the giant deep-fried "Aw F#ck-It Bucket" any longer. Instead there is a slightly more meaty menu of a la carte choices. It has some fancier options now, like duck and deviled egg salad. But it still has the soul food/southern comfort theme and now you can also the BEST BRISKET SANDWICH in the city. And fried chicken, pulled pork, grits, hush puppies, collards, vegan po'boys, and more classics from the south. These are worthwhile changes in my book. So no it's not the Palomino of yesteryear, but in this case change is good!
(4)Matt L.
So let me start off with saying since the remodel they have SUCKED with posting hours. It took me 4 attempts to get them when they were open. VEGAN FRIENDLY The vegan food options are great. I got the burger special which was just amazing in flavor and texture. Also got the pulled "pork" which tasted pretty good, little thrown off by the mustered flavor. Had "chicken" wings as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had water to drink, but they have a HUGE selection of beer and booze, but prices look high. The vibe was chill tho and I love the patio. Overall, as a vegan I cant wait to go back.
(4)Caroline R.
Some Milwaukee friends took me to The Palomino for brunch on Sunday, and I was blown away by it. Fresh, delicious food that can be made VEGAN (!!!!!). The option to replace meat with soy product was available with almost every dish! This is a veggie-girl's dream come true. Their coffee was delicious and the mimosa I had was no joke- served in a pint glass, with just a splash of OJ. Just as it should be.
(5)Mikey B.
... Very Simply.. Palomino is a good restaurant.. nice food..good service.. good drinks and cleaned up and spiffed up from previous owners. Now for the moment you are all waiting for.. the comparison to the 'old' Palomino.. There is none... new version steam cleaned and spiifed up with new woody booths and new barstools with backs... de-cluttered the lovely bar and added quirky neon.. they even mopped the floor ! Outdoor patio is much better now too with addition of planter buffer zone.. Service.... much better than old.. they now actually acknowledge your existence when walking in, instead of waiting half an hour for employee to stumble upon you.. Food delivery much quicker than the hour wait for deep fried yuck as before.. Food... interesting and finesse items on menu.. very good what i have had so far.. dont care about vegan yada yada as I eat meat.. good selections there. ok ok.. so it's not a 'hangout' anymore.. which is fine by me, as I dont 'hangout'.. and i can now get a seat at the bar after a 20 mile bicycle ride along the Lake.. My only nit-pick would be to add more bicycle parking ..the one 'stall' isnt enough.. Enjoy !
(4)Bob M.
Service was good but had to send my burger back twice. Still couldn't make a well done burger, kept coming back medium. First time I ever left a restaurant without eating. Other people at the table ranked their burger a 6 out of 10. Should have just stuck with beer, they do that well.
(1)Eric K.
yum. great comfort food. nice bloody!
(5)Gabby P.
I've been here many times before the remodel and loved it. I went about a month ago and got the fried pickles and a cup of chili, both were great. This time I was really let down. I wanted the chili and they didn't have any. I then ordered a pulled bbq chicken sandwich, the chicken was so dry. I also oredered sweet potato fries and they were huge mushy wedges. My husband ordered a cherry pastery puff. The pastry was not cooked all the way and there was a cherry pit in it. I was really disappointed.
(2)Jim D.
Aww Man. Are you kidding me. This place hits your right in the face with a 1960's/1970's bar vibe. You know, how you remember bars looking when you where a kid. Not made up to look old, just really old. I have avoided this place due to all the talk of hipsters and bad service, but on this Sunday night we had a great experience. We sat at the bar and were waited on quickly and efficiently by the bartender. My wife had the Velvet Elvis (Fried PB, Banana, Bacon Sandwich) and I had a Vegan BBQ Poorboy or Po-boy. The food was simply great. Certainly not healthy or good for you, but every once in a while, it's OK to eat some junk food. I loved the vibe of the place and the beer selection and the food. All good by me.
(4)Kathy G.
I thought this was a small dive bar in Bay View. I was somewhat wrong. It's a large dive bar in Bay View. The place is roomy but inviting. I love the old furniture and aging bar, signs of a well-established business. I ordered a Bloody Mary and it was made well, just enough spice the way I like it. I asked the bartender for a Shiner Bock and what do you know...they actually had it! It is so rare to find this beer at a bar. We had a large group so we ordered a few appetizers. The tot-chos were fantastic. Using tater tots instead of nachos then adding all the Mexican toppings is genius - even it if doesn't sound right, it sure tastes great. We all ordered a variety of sandwiches and there were no complaints. For bar food, it was pretty good. And the bartender was very attentive and friendly. The selections and the service will make us come back here again.
(4)Imran K.
OK OK So I rarely give a restaurant a second chance after so thoroughly disappointing in their first attempt. A friend told me that the Palomino had undergone a renovation and maybe got new owners. So after me and my girlfriend were debating the options for brunch we settled on giving the Palomino another chance. Well first when we arrived the inside was completely different. Gone was the pool table that nearly lead to disaster last time, The booths had been redone as well as the table setup. We were seated very quickly and we ordered a nice fish fry sandwich, which came with homemade coleslaw. The server was a bit overwhelmed but she was the only one there so I will not dock a place for that. All in all very nice comeback from the awful first experience. Very nice job expect me back soon!
(4)Maria S.
If there was a 3.5 option I would give the Palomino a 3.5 but since I can't, I'll round up. If you like eating fried food or better yet vegetarian fried food this is your place. The Palomino offers excellent (though artery clogging) pub fare. I highly suggest the sweet potato tots, the veggie burger and the regular burger they are good good good! The cheese curds aren't bad either. They also have a pretty decent beer selection. Here's the problem though... they have a sign to warn you to be patient when they are busy and I get it -good food takes a while, but does getting a drink order? They are notoriously under staffed and I just don't get it. They have to be able to afford a third waitress right? Just my 2 cents, and it's still not enough to keep me from going back, but it's worth noting if you are in a hurry.
(4)Amy M.
Sooooo disappointed, what happened?? It used to be a great little corner bar with good food. Last night there was flat beer, brisket so tough you couldn't eat it and the women's bathroom out of order ( only told this after I went in bathroom to find toilet overflowing- gross!!). The menu looks like it could be good, but no one is executing it. We were there around 10-10:30 on a Saturday night and there were only 15 people in the place. Don't think we'll be going back, too bad, used to like it.
(2)Jean-Paul M.
Best brunch we've had in a long time. Chicken and waffles (and spicy maple syrup) were amazing. The spicy maple syrup had diced jalapeños in it. I know, right?!? Bloody Mary was amazing. Zombie drink amazing. Fresh fruit cup amazing. Absolutely awesome! Highly recommend!
(5)Jessica O.
The Palomino taps in to a hugely neglected market - the vegetarian who doesn't want to eat wheat grass and bean curd lightly drizzled with agave nector. This place caters to vegetarians/vegans/and carnivores alike who share a passionate love for all things grease-laden and deep fried. But the ultimate Palomino experience can be summed up in one word: Tot-chos. It's everything you love about nachos...except on tator tots. Spicy nacho cheese sauce, amazing pico de gallo and the option to add a meat/faux-meat topping. It's one of those ideas that is so amazing and simple that you kick yourself for not thinking of it yourself. But stop being so hard on yourself, just go to Palomino and order them. The only sub-par food I have ever received at the Palomino was at their Hangover Brunch. I went with a group of five, (who ordered the Missed Connection, the Skilleton, and the specials - all amazing) and I ordered the Mason Dixen Waistline - because I was craving chicken fried steak. Now...in my classic defintion of chicken fried steak, the steak is pounded super thin. This version was a chunk of meat about two and a half inches thick, heavily breaded, and SUPER tough. I was not a fan. So...just a heads up...avoid that one. Fortunately, my companions all eat like birds and I got nice and full off of their leftovers.
(4)Jessica S.
bloody marys are pleasantly spicy. food is pretty damn tasty. the only con is that if you are sitting on the patio for brunch, you will fry. it is so sunny! and they need bigger water glasses or to fill ours more often.
(5)Krystin F.
I would give this place 4 stars, I wish I could give it 5 but the service is a bit unpredictable (there are times that I have been there where there was only a single person working) and the food is also a tad bit unpredictable, but always still delicious. I went here for the first time a few years ago and instantly became addicted to their 'Toffalo Wings." They are beyond delicious...I always order the mix (1/2 seitan, 1/2 tofu and with normal hot sauce) Be warned that the hot sauce is one of those items that seems to change with the chef...I've had some batches that were not that hot and some that were higher on the heat scale. (The wings can be ordered with 'Sissy sauce' but I've never tried that...) Also, I get their tator tots rather than their french fries, just a preferance. I have noticed that the quantity changes quite a bit as well...some days I feel like I get a ton and others I just get an average serving...I guess it just depends! The friends I have taken to this spot have always enjoyed it. Their burgers are a standard, good burger with some fun toppings. They also have some other, very good vegetarian options (try the fish sandwich!) and a vegan elvis is fun! With these items you get a choice of two sides and a dipping sauce from a good sized list! This makes for a unique experience as you get to taste some rather off beat sauces and sides... Ultimately this place is a bit of an old bar with some chairs and tables tucked in the corners...it's not 'romantic' by any means! The patio in the summer is a lot of fun and you can get a good beer or classic cocktail and enjoy the weather if the inside is not your cup of tea...Also, I try to hit up the palomino on off-peak hours due to the volume of people, small place, and lack of staff...but still very much worth going!
(4)robert a.
I do not give many places a 5 star rating, but this place gets it. From what I am to understand this place was a great dive bar that got a bit of a face lift. I have heard from multiple people that the greatness was gone, and now it was this, or that. Well let me tell you this, anyone who does not like what it is now may need to look into there opinions, and get their head checked. I cannot think of something not to like. The food was stellar, the brisket was some of the best I have ever had. A good craft brew selection. Great Service. Wonderful patio, with a nice view of a park. We went at 8pm on a Saturday night, and we waited on a table for.......... ZERO minutes. There were no hipsters, no tools, no assclowns, and at no point did I feel the need to get up a stop the living shit out of some snot nose punk. There were no trendy soccer moms, no $500.00 haircuts on a slumming it night. Just people from all walks of life, and all ages having a nice meal. It was cheap, beyond cheap. Punk rock & Glam rock playing on the sound system. Bourbon Pie I really cannot say enough good things about this place. Go here, eat, be happy.
(5)Roxanne O.
I was in town for a convention downtown recently and I'm so glad I made the trip to Bay View. Spent a very fun night eating and drinking in the area. But back to Palomino. Yelp brought me there, honestly. I'm a vegetarian and love tofu wings, so I thought I'd give them a try. I was also intrigued by the vegan chicken fried steak. And they have Moscow Mules - my absolute favorite drink. I'd say 2 of the three things I wanted to try were absolutely awesome - the tofu wings and the mules. My meat eating boyfriend even enjoyed the tofu wings. And he's not a guy that likes tofu. I thought the chicken fried steak was good but not great. Not sure anything could have impressed me as much as the tofu wings, anyway. This is a great vegan and vegetarian friendly that's worth checking out if you're in Milwaukee. It's a little hipster-y, but I didn't feel out of place.
(4)Beth P.
Good atmosphere and drinks. The menu is rather unique with some cool combinations. I went with the fish fry since it was a Friday night. It was a pretty standard portion for the price. The service was spotty.
(3)Brandon S.
I really should hate this place. On the surface it has all the trappings of a place trying to be hip 1. Gimmicky foodstuffs like tater tots in lieu of fries, and burgers served on biscuits for brunch (check) 2. Unecessary Spaghetti Western Theme promulagated by a corporate ownership group in the middle of a Liberal Midwest City (check) 3. Promoting the hipster trifecta of spirits: The Moscow Mule, PBR, and Blatz (check) And yet everytime I go there I have a great time. The food is good. The service is great, and I spend hours looking at all the stuff on the wall. I recommend going for brunch. I accidentally went there on a Sunday morning and not only do they have a pretty good brunch menu, but it's less crowded than most of the places on the East Side.
(5)Julia M.
Sweet potato tater tots! Sweet potato tater tots! There's also the Bay View retro hipster atmosphere (hey, I like it) and some good to okay sandwiches. Blue cheese burger, yes; that grilled veggie thing on a giganto bun, no. Did I mention the sweet potato tater tots?
(4)Sam H.
I don't know where to even begin. Had brunch here on a Sunday afternoon and it all seemed to start off well. Server took our orders and although the place was a little dim, football was playing on three screens. This is when things start going wrong.... First off this "bartender" kept throwing glasses / dishes around and causing a huge ruckus near where we were eating. I mean this wasn't a little droning or anything it seemed to come out of nowhere ear splattering sound, and I am use to loud sounds. This would continue to go on for the rest of the meal, even AFTER we requested that he stop. Clearly, he doesn't like his job. Second, when the food arrived, the waitress messed up our orders. Fair enough, but in this case someone ordered a Vegetarian plate right out of the menu, and it came with all kinds of meat splattered on top. How can you mess that up?! I had the "cardiac arrest" and was thoroughly disappointing. Nothing in the dish save the jalapeno poppers was good, and those are so easy to make I can get em at the nearest fast food joint. First, the food was lukewarm on arrival. The eggs were cold and nasty, and I quickly moved them to the side. The beef itself was way overcooked and clearly it had been sitting there for a while, as it tasted like a leftover microwaved burger. The other meat was alright, but you can't screw that up. I literally had to DOUSE my whole plate with hot sauce to make it taste acceptable. When it time came to pay we were left waiting for what it seemed like ages. I don't know if this is how its suppose to be done but we literally had to get up and go to the "cashier" near the bar and pay the bill there. All the while this "waitress" didn't come over and apologize or help out. Oh yea, the bathroom was pretty disgusting. I don't see how in the world this is a 4 star establishment nor can you compare this to the one and only Comet Cafe. Comet Cafe is leaps and bounds better than this place. I don't do many one stars, but this one place I would NEVER recommend anyone going. Waste of my time and money.
(1)Pita J.
Ive been here a few times since the remodel and menu change. Staff is friendly. Drink options are good. And music is always great. Unfortunately everytime i've ordered - the food is not anywhere close to where it was prior. The mini dessert pie tasted like it was deep fried in the same oil as fish. The fried chicken was extremely dry. Deserts in the cooler are a safe bet and are gigantic. But the rest of the menu that i've sampled has been disappointing. I wont be back to eat here nor would i recommend eating here. However, a good local tap, friendly staff, good atmosphere where the misfits and the pixies can be heard.
(2)Ellie B.
The food at Palomino is always hit or miss for me. The last time I visited we came for brunch and I got the amusingly named, "Sit Yo Ass at the Table" dish. It was jalapeno cheddar cornbread with BBQ seitan and fried eggs on top. The cornbread was totally dry and hard and combined with the unpleasantly chewy seitan and runny eggs, it was all so unappetizing. I also ordered an orange juice and it was mainly water and tasted like crap. It seemed like they made it from concentrate, didn't stir it, and I got the first pour. It wasn't really that busy, but we waited longer for the check than we did for our food and hardly got checked on at all. No drinks refilled either. I enjoy their lunch and dinner menu more. They have good things like the Elvis sandwich and sweet potato tots! I like that most dishes come with two sides and a sauce. The portions are good. Skip the pie for dessert - the banana cream pie tasted chemical-y.
(2)Rachel H.
I have many loves, and divey old man bars and cheese curds are just a couple of them. We settled in near the fake fireplace, under the watchful eye of a mounted deer head and perused the menu. The aforementioned curds were stellar, and the serving was ample. Sometimes you end up with a measly molehill, here we had to take home a bit of this mountain. Also, a curd dipped in their excellent cheese sauce will have you mumbling something or other about meta when the paramedics come to scoop you up. Just a tip from me to you. You could also dip them in something other than their own innards if you want. I only did this to one of them lest you think I'm in the cardiac unit right now. My steak sandwich was equally massive, and good, and the leftovers of my side of fried onions were still crisp the next day even after chilling in the fridge. Boyfriend fell in love with the extensive selection of veg and vegan options and polished off an entire veg. chicken fried steak platter. Even the ladies room graffiti was too my liking. Instead of "b!%#@, you stole my man" it was more "b!@#% how dare you support Walker." My kind of can.
(5)Brad D.
Great Bar. 1st Bartendar wasn't the best but next (Drew) picked up his slack n saved this review. Great crowd. Goodtimes. Thanks for the hospitality Drew! Cheers!
(5)Thomas T.
Probably the biggest problem with the old Palomino was consistency of service and food and to a lesser extent beer prices toward the end ($8 for a Strongbow in a can?!). I don't think anyone had a problem with the menu or portion sizes other than that favorites would come and go on the menu. So what do they change this time around? The menu. I'm just going to start off by saying the biggest mistake is not including sides with the meal anymore. You can't go from including 2 sides with every meal to no sides! Overall the 2 sides and dipping sauce was probably my favorite thing about Palomino. Literally every other place that I can think of in Milwaukee at least includes some kind of side with a sandwich. That being said I thought my Pimento Grilled cheese was pretty good but it could've used some sliced cheese to go along with the spread. The new made from scratch tater tots were pretty tasty but honestly I'd take the old ones as a free side over these for $4-$6 any day. The new decor is nice and I think the booths near the door are a much better use of the space. Service was good this time around but it was always hit or miss depending on the person so it would take more visits to see if this has improved overall. Honestly I don't see this happening any time soon. I heard the people from Comet helped with this new version. They should've stuck with that formula. Offer interesting taps at great prices from some southern breweries and have lots of great sandwiches that can be made vegan/vegetarian. Include at least one side with each meal and have the option to add another if necessary. At this point the menu is not there yet, the vegan/vegetarian options are not great and the overall value is lacking.
(2)Amanda D.
I write this review in the hopes that this new Palomino is a work in progress. This was my favorite neighborhood haunt. I could always count on it for delicious and affordable food after getting home late from work. The new decor is nice, but clearly they are attempting to make the transition from bar to restaurant, which would be fine except this new restaurant so far, sucks. The menu has become very skimpy, and there is nothing on it that won't give you an instant occluded artery. I'm not vegan or even vegetarian, but I imagine those who are and used to frequent Palomino regularly are pretty pissed. There's only like three salads now and one of them has, I kid you not, pickled onions and anchovies in it. Seriously. My bill was about 20.00 more than usual. The prices have skyrocketed. I ordered some fried chicken and the only thing it came with was biscuits. They wouldn't substitute for a veggie, so I had to pay even more. Gone are the days when I get home from work late and zip on over. It's so disappointing:( If I'm gonna have to pay so much for food late night, I'll head over to Cafe Centraal instead. Hey and where are the TV's?? I miss eating my meals to some inappropriately gory FX offering!!
(2)Kelly B.
First time visit at the Palomino last night...I guess I'd go back. It took a while for us to be noticed, and even then it was just a water drop off and run. When we ordered our beers, we were happier. We started with the Fuck-It-Bucket, which consisted of Jalepeno Poppers, Tater Tots, Cheese Curds and Corn Fritters. The curds were good (obviously), as were the tots. The fritters were so dry that when you broke them open the inside just crumbled all over the plate. The jalepeno poppers were okay, but only one tiny slice of jalepeno in there. Then we decided to split the mac and cheese with chili. Disappointed to see that the chili was just beans and tomatoes...no meat. Weird for almost a $2.00 upcharge. The server took my beer without asking, and even when she noticed there was half a beer left, turned around and walked away. That being said, the moscow mule was awesome. Not too much bite from the overpour of ginger beer, which is my usual complaint with this drink. They definitely did it right. We were pretty disappointed to see that the server charged us an extra $2.00 to 'split' the meal, when we never asked, we simply ordered one dish for two people. At the end of the night, it was an okay experience, but for $50.00 it was just not quite up to par. I'd focus more on drinks and apps here than coming for dinner.
(3)Kyla E.
Went to brunch here and it was awesome. I had eggs and the potato pancake. Very good. The 4$ mimosa was pretty standard, could have used a little more champagne. A friend ordered the "beermosa" and should have just ordered a beer. Somewhat limited food selections, but the whole groups' meals were tasty. Also- I was able to pick up some flavored body paints for fun and fantasy in the bathroom. Weird, but kind of made me like the place even more.
(4)Marilyn B.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has changed. They remodeled the interior a bit, and re-did the menu, too. It's not as vegan friendly anymore; many favorite items are gone. And favorites that remained have been scaled back. You don't get the heaping mound of tater tots you used to get. We won't be going back. Too bad you changed, Palomino! We used to love you!
(2)Tom W.
I've been going to The Palomino since I moved to Bayview, about 8 years. It was a place to go simply as a neighborhood staple. In my opinion, the food hadn't been that good for about 5 years. Brunch was incredibly greasy and made you feel more depressed about being in a dark bar on a Saturday morning than excited about going out to eat. The burgers left you feeling like you had a pound of cement in your stomach and a chemically processed meat taste in the back of your mouth. I still liked the place; it was a hangout, but it hadn't been a great restaurant in a very, very long time. That's why I don't exactly understand this blow back against the remodel and the new menu. I get that the best thing about Palomino was the atmosphere of the bar, so why would they change that...etc. Now the best thing about Palomino is....the food. I went for dinner Friday night with my girlfriend. I had the hot fried chicken sandwich, she had the smoked brisket sandwich, and we got hush puppies, fries and 2 high lifes. The fried chicken sandwich was the best I've had north of the Mason Dixon line, home breaded and freshly fried. The breading was dark gold and super crispy, the chicken was juicy, and the homemade pickles were great. The smoked brisket was very good, but too wet for my liking. One of the managers told me that people were complaining about how dry the smoked brisket was (come on people!) and also how thin and vinegary bbq sauce was (seriously! come on!). Basically, Palomino is finally attempting real, regional southern food and bbq, and they are seriously pulling it off. The food is not only a huge improvement, but now it's the reason to go there. And the fact that they cleaned up the place, added more booths, and made an awesome new kitchen with a wood fired grill and a smoker to facilitate these changes...well, alright! The bar is exactly the same, except that they now have 40 bourbons! Service was excellent, we were seated immediately and our server was knowledgeable about all the specifics of the menu. Our food came quickly and we had a follow up in a minute or two. And when it comes to the price increases that everyone is moaning about, let me just say this; We had 2 sandwiches, 2 sides, and 2 beers and our bill was $29. I'd say that's reasonable enough. Do yourself a favor, before you believe all the negative blow back against the "new" Palomino, go there for dinner and see for yourself. Their food hasn't been this good since...well...ever.
(4)Zsa Zsa X.
I've given this place so many chances. Soooo many chances. To be honest, the food is just not that great. I love heat. What I don't like is adding spice for the sake of adding spice. Whoever's in the kitchen at the Palomino needs to learn a thing or two about flavor and balance. The chili, the blackened chicken, the dirty rice... It's all incredibly spicy, and yet... Flavorless. I'll give them props for their sweet potato tater tots (hence the two stars). God DAMN those things are good!! But what really kills me about this place is the sh!tty service. Time after time, I've gone to Palomino for dinner, only to have the waitstaff ignore us, "forget about" our table (lolololz!), or concentrate more on flirting with the testicles sitting in our booth than remembering to refill our drinks or get our orders right. And I can tell by glancing at other diners that it's not just an issue with my crew. Pretty much everyone has this glazed look in their eye like "Where is our food? We want more beers. Where is our waitress?" Every. Single. Time.
(2)Colin A.
The Palomino doesn't want or need your luster. It's a dark, simple, western-themed dive bar serving up delicious deep-fried vegan goodies as well as eats for the more carnivorous palates. Burgers? Check. Tofu buffalo wings? Check. Cheap billiards? Yep. Dollar PBRs? Sometimes...don't quote me on that. Whatever sandwich/entree you purchase comes with two sides and a dipping sauce. You might think it's a bit odd to eat hush puppies or tater tots with a Velvet Elvis - to that I respond "who are you judging, hippie?" Just kidding...order what you want; to each their own. Palomino also has a good beer selection (including Lakefront Fixed Gear Red Ale) and specials, more than adequate street parking, rock n' roll service even when it's busy, plus it is less than a block from Cactus Club. Outdoor seating in the summer is a must; just bring cash because it's all they take. 3 stars if only because the food can be inconsistent at times and sometimes the grease factor is a bit much. Otherwise, if you're looking for a laid-back, deep-fried Milwaukee experience, then this is your place.
(3)Lauren G.
My Aunt and I met here on a Friday afternoon. While we were catching up I was sipping on one of my favorite beers, Hoegaarden, and my Aunt was grubbing on an excellent looking sandwich. I tried her onion rings that came with it and had to resist eating them off her plate. She said her sandwich was excellent. More people joined us throughout the afternoon and by 5PM our party was up to 9 people. The bartender was accommodating to us and was naturally friendly, and not in the way that I am nice because it is my job to be kind of way- he was a genuinely cool guy. When we were talking to him my Aunt mentioned I was visiting from L.A. and his response to me living there, "I'm sorry." I dig it. I quickly mentioned I am originally from Milwaukee and my heart still resides in Bay View! The group ordered tot-chos and everyone seemed to love them. I ordered deep fried pickles for the group and those were a hit too. I was here years ago, but was bar hopping and didn't really get to experience Palomino. Whenever I am in Milwaukee and need a place to get together for some beers this place will definitely be on the list.
(5)Todd G.
A change for the better. While the old place was fun, the new menu is a major step-up in terms of food quality. Sure it is different but they really executed the food well. The tator tots are real, made from scratch versus ore Ida. In fact everything was made from scratch. They also have a fantastic bourbon list. If you want to old Palomino this isn't it, but if you want a really awesome bar food experience this is.
(5)Phillip M.
Great food...awesome Vegan/etarian menu selection. Laid back spot to grab a drink and meet some cool people.
(4)Matt H.
Have heard a lot about this place and driven by numerous times... and it didn't disappoint me, real solid place. Finally got around to trying The Palomino this past week. Outside seating was nice since it was a beautiful 80 degree day out. First off, the prices did seem a little high for a menu that featured basically "pub food". I got a basic burger in the end. It was good overall, well cooked. I LOVED how you get 2 sides and a sauce. The sweet potato tots are very tasty, couldn't get enough of them. It was cool having a sauce too since I've never seen a place pair that with a menu item (usually its extra). They have literally a dozen different sides and a dozen different sauces too. I chose the chipotle mayo and I basically licked every last pit of it up after i finished dipping my fries in it. Very good. Overall, the food is very good and cooked to order. The sides and sauces are what I think sets it apart from some other local pubs and bars. I'll have to come back to check out the bar and drink portion of the The Palomino some time. Definitely worth taking a look at in the Bay View area though.
(4)Stacey P.
Based on all of the positive Yelp reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check out Palomino for a late brunch on Sunday. When we arrived (a little before 1 pm) a sign near the door indicated we should seat ourselves; the place was almost completely full except for a large round corner booth and a small two person table pushed up against a pillar with another table directly around the corner. Since it was just the two of us we didn't want to be rude and sit in the large booth so we chose the table against the pillar and had to shuffle the chairs around so we weren't bumping elbows with the table around the corner; this arrangement left my boyfriend sitting with a view of the back wall of the restaurant (which is fine because there was a TV) but I ended up being facing with the pillar. I don't know if there were special circumstances that day that left our particular table in such an awkward location, I can't imagine they would normally seat people in such an obstructed location, (for the record, all of the other tables/booth seemed to have less awkward placement). As soon as we sat down we were promptly given menus by a server. Shortly thereafter another server came over with water and requested to see my ID (odd since we didn't even order drinks yet) I'm not sure if we were ever properly greeted by either of these two servers, I heard some sort of mumbling from one of them but wasn't really sure if she was talking to us or someone else (she didn't make eye contact). A few minutes later, the server who brought our water came back for our drink order. I ordered a bloody mary and my boyfriend got coffee. Less than a minute later she returned with the coffee, and took our food order. I ordered the Hillgrass Bluebilly with overeasy eggs, which is some sort variation of eggs benedict with spinach, red peppers and Andouille sausage served on potato pancakes. My boyfriend got the Mason-Dixon Waistline, which includes chicken fried steak, grits, sausage gravy, eggs and a biscuit. About 15 minutes later my bloody mary arrived (I thought it took too long); garnished with pickle spear and lemon and lime slices (I wasn't expecting all the crazy toppings like bacon, meat sticks, shrimp etc for a $6 bloody mary). I thoroughly believe that the quality of a brunch establishments bloody mary is the most reliable predictor of the how good/bad the food will be, and any place that serves a bloody mary without a pickle isn't worth my time. It should have been a red alarm when my bloody mary arrived with the most miserable, pathetic looking pickle spear of all time, I mean this thing looked like had been chewed up and regurgitated by a llama a hundred times over. It was soggy, limp and oddly warm and was missing big chunks of the fleshy middle part. We should have just left then. By about 1:45 the place had pretty much emptied out, but our food still hadn't arrived. At about 1:50 our server informed me that they were out of the potato pancakes that my meal is supposed to be served on and asked if I'd like something else like tater tots, biscuits or corn bread instead. I picked biscuits, although none of the options seemed appealing. 15 minutes later our food arrived. Mine came out warm-ish, but my boyfriend's was cold. My meal looked pretty good; two biscuit halves layered with tomato, ham, fresh spinach, sausage, and eggs drizzled with hollandaise, but the plate was way too small for such a tall stack of food. The biscuit, which was likely a few days old and microwaved, was rock hard. The sawing motion required to cut through it caused the top the layers of the benedict to topple over and fall off the too small plate onto the table. The eggs, which I ordered over easy, were overdone, the red pepper was MIA, and the tomato (not in the menu description, but somehow on my plate) was cold and mushy. My boyfriend's meal tasted just as bad (if not worse). The cheddar grits looked more like white rice than cheesy grits, were barely cooked, and so white I doubt there was any cheese on them. His chicken fried steak had this weird concave shape and it was so hard and tough he had to spit it out. His over easy eggs were also way overdone, and his biscuit was rock hard too. We managed to flag our server down and told her we would pay for the drinks but the food was inedible and we wanted it off the bill, to which she promptly obliged. Over an hour and fifteen minutes later, we left with grumbling stomachs in search of something more edible. I don't know if our food was so bad because we came during the last hour of brunch, or if it's always this bad, but I doubt I'll go back to find out.
(1)Virginia L.
Definitely one of my few go to places on the south side. Good eats, nice location, a Milwaukee bar vibe. The new menu doesn't have too many veg friendly options though.
(4)Colden H.
Apparently you get free drinks here on your birthday. Food deserves 2 stars, but our waitress was really nice (dark hair, accent, dreamgirl). She helped me pick out a sauce that would be good on my sandwich, and for dipping corn fritters. Corn fritters dipped in Cajun cream sauce is a fine partnership. My catfish sandwich came on a HUGE roll, as described in the menu. Why so huge, Palomino? Bigger is not always better, just most of the time. I could barely fit my mouth around it, and the flavors of the fish and remoulade were lost in the overwhelming dough. My side of haystack onion rings was cold and limp. I must give credit for fast, good service even though it was very busy and we were drinking free beers.
(3)Kristy K.
I love tator tots and this place has them! The overall feel of The Palomino is hip version of the corner tavern and the outdoor sidewalk seating is perfect in the summer. The food menu is typical bar and comfort food fare. Most notably, they offer vegan versions of may menu items. We stopped in for brunch this morning and could not have been happier. The Brunch Burger I ordered was a delightful combination of a burger topped with a fried egg and sausage gravy served with a side of tots. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)Lawrence P.
First, this place was better when it wasn't a sports bar and had a corporate ipod. You all remember when they had the movies on TVs and punk music. But, the bartenders (for the most part) rock. Bill is the man. The food is always good bar food anytime. Their specialties are good too. Brunch is hit or miss with food temperature. The hipsters are not overwhelming in this place and with a good long bar, you won't get tangled in their ironic beards or trip over their messenger bags full of empty PBR cans.
(4)Tamar S.
I enjoyed my dinner and so did my friend. He had the chicken thigh sandwich and I actually ordered the brisket sandwich but ended up with the brisket dinner. We ate at the bar. The bartender kept getting my friend's drink order mixed up or forgot he ordered one...it was one martini and two vodka tonics....not rocket science. Anyway...while we were there...some guy came in who you could tell was friendly enough with the owner but complained about being over charged on his bill. He said this was the second time in two years. Well...my brother and sister in law used to own a restaurant and it took a guy like that who checked his bank account to come in and point it out a couple times. My brother was able to pin it to two servers...turns out they had been doing this in some type of scheme for at least two years...because they were addicted to heroin. The number way businesses go under is employee theft...so what might seem to be honest mistakes...may not...Good luck! I'd go back again but order from a real server...the bartender was a little too new or something?
(3)Kelsey S.
This is great local stop. While the drink menu alone is more than adequate ($2.50 Lakefront taps on Wednesday evenings - who can beat that?), the food is just plain tasty. The macaroni and cheese is delicious, the appetizer menu is awesome (recommended: sweet potato tots), and the sandwiches are served up in hearty portions. You can find a mixture of salads, burgers, sandwiches/wraps, and dinners -- great for a variety of appetites. The staff is pretty friendly too. We've been there a few times now with a group of 10+, and the staff has been willing to split checks as needed or accommodate a mixture of payment methods without complaint. Tip: Visit while it's still warm out; they have a great little outdoor patio area.
(4)Brad S.
I didn't do my homework, and it wasn't until sitting down on an early Sunday afternoon that I discovered the Palomino only serves its brunch menu until 3:00. While that's not bad in itself, I didn't see much of the creativity and skill for which the Palomino is known in this limited collection of diner-style egg and potato dishes. Which isn't to say that the breakfast burrito I had was bad by any means, but it's no fried cheese curds. Of course, this is foremost a bar, and quite an ample one, featuring plenty of the best beers from the area, a respectable Bloody Mary, and the kind of rundown atmosphere you would expect from a tavern city like Milwaukee. Growing up, I never understood how so many of these little bars could exist in such a small area - how there could be enough people to keep all of them in business. Here, the answer is obvious.
(3)Sarah H.
I freaking love this spot. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I think it's the laidbackness of the neighborhood coupled with the slightly old school feel of the bar. Food and service are decent as well. Lots of vegan/veggie options too. What I love: Veggie burger: best in the city, tastes fresh Tots: tots are tots, but they also have sweet potato tots! I like em with the pinky sauce (there's about a million sauces/sides to choose from) Poppers: hello! Green Salad: huge, comes with avocado (added bonus!) Palomino has some outside tables in the summer which are ideal as it's pretty dark inside the bar. Making a note to come back for chicken and waffles which I can't find anywhere else in this town.
(4)Joseph M.
I've held off on writing a review of the Palomino, just so I was certain I wanted to give it 5 stars. After all, you can't just hand out 5 star ratings like candy. Perhaps holding out was just an excuse to go back there more often. From the outside, the Palomino is hard to figure. The strung lights and and outdoor seating give you a cafe impression but, no one is sipping a latte. The exterior of the building doesn't give you much clue, although the almost omnipresent motorcycle in the window would earn you forgiveness should you decide to call this a biker bar (or bike shop). The inside isn't of much help either. "Townie" is the first thought that comes to mind. But townie bars aren't packed with families before 9pm getting dinner. Western bar? Perhaps, the 1950s cowboy decor certainly leads you in that direction. But that's not country music playing (sometimes it's Johnny Cash) and no one is wearing a brand new Resistol. Hipster bar then, what else is left? True, there's going to be a few folks in skinny jeans and cheap tattoos but, this isn't Fuel Cafe. So we're left with an enigma. The Palomino will appeal to anyone who doesn't insist on a "post modern" decor with the latest trendy drinks menu. You get an honest bar that has a little bit of an identity crisis. It's a western bar, it's a biker bar (the Palomino has a solid reputation among classic bike aficionados and the weekend rallies there show its popularity), it's a sometime family restaurant and it's the corner bar. You find friendly people, awesome food, a good beer selection and generally open pool tables. That food, it's the first reason to come here. The dishes are southern inspired for the most part. Which means too much is a good thing for the local heart surgeons. But for $10 you will not walk away hungry. If you're of the vegetarian persuasion they've got you covered. However, like everything in Milwaukee, it's the meat that takes the spotlight. The po'boy deluxe is an orgy of Cajun goodness (even alligator is available, though not my favorite). Their chicken breast sandwich (I prefer blackened) is a solid staple that will fill the bill when you just can't decide. Breaded pork loin, pulled pork, mac and cheese...all are sure to please. And the sides are worthy of their own prose. I actually save room for the mashed potatoes with their spicy sausage gravy. They must use breakfast sausage to make it. The jalapeno poppers have only a little spice but a lot of flavor. Now that I've waxed poetic over the Palomino I know the real reason I've held off on writing this review; I still want to be able to get a seat on Fridays for dinner. It can fill up some nights but this usually isn't an issue. When it does get busy, service will slow down a bit but, not enough to lose a star. Despite the food service and popularity, the Palomino manages to maintain a neighborhood bar atmosphere and feel.
(5)Mark S.
It's in Bayview. No thanks It's full of dirty hipsters. Meh You won't be able to understand your waitress. Go on They've taken your friends favorite item off the menu and are out of his second favorite item. Getting closer You can buy condoms and sex favors in a tiny disgusting bathroom which reeks of urine. Okay, I'm in The food was okay as long as you try not to think of where it came from. I had the brunch burger, and others in the party had 'sit yo ass down' or something. They were good, but they need to learn how to fry an egg. Nobody eats eggs with the yolk completely cooked, but the hush puppies were good, and so was the pulled pork.
(2)Rachel F.
I was up in beautiful Milwaukee for a day trip with my friends. Two of them are vegetarians ... lame but I aim to please so we did our research and found The Palomino. I had some hillbilly eggs benedict thing. It was pretty rad, fresh spinach and tasty hollandaise and good sausage. It was a huge plate of food. The friends got some weird vegan meat, they seemed pretty pleased, and the "fake steak" had a good curry seasoning to it. But what really is making this go from a 3 star to the 4 stars, is that in Milwaukee they do justice w. the bloody mary. In this great town, they either give you a beer chaser or put so much stuff in it it's a meal on its own. The Palomino did both.
(4)Joseph S.
The food is around a 2.5 I've done lunch there a few times, and, while never impressed, I was satisfied and walked away relatively unscathed. I did take my mom there for lunch and she seemed to be fairly happy with her ranch chicken wrap thing. They have jalapeno cole slaw which is actually pretty good. Their selection is quite varied with plenty of options, which I like, but I'm just not impressed with what comes out of the kitchen. That being said, not being impressed doesn't mean it was bad. The Palomino is a bar, after all, and one with an incredibly tiny kitchen, at that! Frankly, how they crank out so many brunches on weekends is beyond me. So, props to the kitchen staff on that! Speaking of brunch, I've done it once, and again, none of our group of four was particularly impressed with the food (but the bloody mary was good). Listen, go here for a drink and if you're hungry, get some food while you're there. There aren't a lot of dining options in the immediate area, aside from the De Marini's dueling pizza palaces, so the Palomino is an "OK" option. But honestly, I go to the Palomino because it's a nice place to grab a beer with friends. The bartenders are nice and do a good job, and despite the clientele being strangely mixed for bay view (we're talking pushy sweater-vest wearing young professionals to bay view hipsters), it's generally a good time. It is not on my top list of bay view drinking destinations, but when I feel like finishing the night off with a final beer a block away from my apartment, the Palomino is where I can be found.
(3)Tony J.
Wow, the place is getting 4 stars? I don't see it. It's a bar. It's all about atmosphere, it has great atmosphere, but the beer selection isn't the greatest and the food is decent. I guess I better go again and eat to give a better review.
(2)Susan N.
I was "made" to go to Palomino for a freind's birthday in December, yeah, finally... Best VEGAN food in Wisconsin, with the most lavish offerings.I didn't feel like a freak ordering food that was "safe." So I was back with another friend a few days later and when my son came home for the holidays... Guess where I took the L.A. Vegan? You betcha, Palomino, twice!!! Go there, don't make me come over there!
(5)Jackie H.
Came here a few months ago with a friend, who's a regular, and I, myself, who WAS a Palamino virgin. I cant really point out any negatives other than parking, but we did show up mid Brew Crew playoffs game. PLEASE try the Mac 'n cheese with chili. I never thought I'd like Mac with Chili, but not only is their Mac impeccable, their chili has the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tang. Go! And ladies, I had a good laugh in the restroom... Keep an eye out!
(4)Danielle B.
I've never had a great experience at Palomino. I know a lot of people really love this place, but I really can't figure out why. I appreciate that the menu has a wide variety of options for vegetarians, but everything I've ordered has always just been so-so, the service has been sub-par and while the patio is nice, it's a bit cramped and inside is a fairly dank bar - not really a place I want to eat a meal. On my most recent visit, I was very excited to order the Benedict Pig (vegetarian version) which sounded great. Unfortunately, when I arrived I didn't see this dish on the menu. I asked our server why it was on the website and not on the menu. She shrugged and waited for me to order something else. It's possible she didn't hear me because at 11am on a Sunday the jukebox behind me was BLARING in the empty restaurant. I took a look at the drink menu and decided to go with a lemonade. Based on the reputation of the restaurant group, I assumed the lemonade would be great. I was wrong. It was Minute Maid. Since they didn't have the Benedict, I went with the Skillet-Ton (vegetarian). I asked for it without mushrooms. It arrived with lots of mushrooms. It was greasy and the eggs were way overcooked. When my group of 8 was finished eating, we sat at our table with dirty plates and empty glasses for at least 30 minutes before the waitress finally came back to ask if we needed anything else. Then we had to continue to wait for our check (still with no refills on drinks) only to learn the check could be split between just 2 credit cards. According to our waitress, "it says so on the menu." That's fine, but perhaps she should have mentioned it when she saw a group of 8 since that's not typical practice for most restaurants. So another not-great experience at Palomino. There are much better restaurants in the city. Try one of those.
(2)Elizabeth A.
Fun place for pool-playing, photo-boothing, and of course drinking.
(4)Casey C.
I had been dying to go here for about a year before I finally made it. It's like a dive bar with tables to boot. I had the Friday Fish Fry. Yum. My friend had a delicious and healthy salad. Rarely do I find a restaurant that can do greasy food and tasty salads equally as well. I also love the selection of local beers on tap. We sat at the bar and had great service. They have cool decorations (like a Harley) on the inside, too. It's hipster-ish without being too pretentious!
(4)Nick S.
They recently remodeled, re did the menu and the atmosphere is different. Went there on Saturday night and there were just a handful of people there. The menu has changed and is lacking. There use to be many vegan options, now there are just a few. Meals do not include side dishes, they are extra. Food was still good but I am very disappointed with the new Palomino. Really, side dishes not included...?!!? That was probably my last visit... :(
(2)Joseph S.
Hmm... Palomino. Comet south? Sort of. Styled as a western-themed dive with a focus on deep fried sides and appetizers, but yeah, a lot like Comet. Don't know what I'm talking about when I refer to "Comet"? I'm guessing you don't have a scarf draped around your v-neck shirt cascading ever so stylishly over your messenger bag. So back to The Palomino. Good beer selection! Nice location! Plenty o' room! Outdoor seating! Food - Used to really dig it. Being a vegetarian, there was (and remains) much to choose from. They had this killer salad with blackened tofu and stuff. It's off the menu now. Dang. All sandwiches come with 2 sides of your choice (slaw, fries, okra, hush puppies, etc). I like the southern inspiration. Here's where it loses me: All of the vegan/vegetarian stuff is meat substitutes (seitan, tofu) that are served in a manner trying to mimic the sort of calorie intense comfort foods that most vegetarian, vegan, and generally health conscious eaters don't really want. If you want a bbq pork sandwich, have a bbq pork sandwich. Bbq seitan isn't as good as the real thing, I'm sure. You want buffalo wings? I promise you, the genuine article taste better than "tofalo" wings. I guess my point is that I appreciate the offerings for us veggie folk, but you can prepare those foods in a manner that isn't a facsimile of the bar food we stopped eating for myriad reasons. If you're a vegetarian and live on tofu dogs, veggie burgers, and that sick fake bacon, maybe you should reconsider an omnivorous diet. You're doing it wrong, and Palomino is enabling you. You really just want to eat meat. And that's ok. Here's a tip for the cooks! Your onion rings are STUPID. I want a *ring* with a substantial batter, crisply fried and containing a nice 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide *ring* of onion. That's what everybody wants. It's fun to eat. You are trying to tell me that these little stringy bits of overcooked, half-ass tempura style shit are onion rings? No. I don't want to use a fork, thank you. Also, the okra used to be better. It was bland yesterday. I could tell the waitress hated us. When you've got 10 people all arriving and ordering at different times, It might be a good idea to split up the checks (you should be asking before you take our drink orders). Sorry honey, but you gotta quit yakkin' with that dude over by the bar and figure us out. We've got the potential to make your night, tip wise. But you gotta earn it a little.
(3)Dana M.
2 star rating is for the food. I'd give it a 4 for the 'alcohol' only visits. = 3 I was psyched that this restaurant/bar caters to vegans and vegetarians. But, Onion Rings and Tater Tots isn't quite my style... well, maybe it was when I was 18 yrs. old and first became vegetarian. Back then I relied on cheese pizza, mac and cheese, boring veggie burgers, and french fries... boy, was I a lost veggie soul! The Palomino is super fun otherwise. I love the hipster "up north," "kitschy" feel. And I love jukeboxes and playing pool (billiards), while drinking some decent beerz. I stopped coming here when I moved out of Bayview, but more so because it used to be a smokey den... ya know? Before the indoor cigarette ban? Had to go home and shower after spending a few hours there. Now that the place is smoke free I'd like to come back just for the vibe, interesting folks and stuff. It's basically a hipster joint, but draws in an interesting crowd. As a bar, I think this place is super fun, (4 stars), but as a restaurant... no. If you are bulimic you should be fine. There are fat vegetarians out there. And this is where they dine. Come here for drinking, socializing, and playing pool or watching a game on TV.
(3)Phil K.
Noooooooo.... We loved Palamino for their great food, reasonable prices, and great portions... Now it's decent food, outrageous prices, and tiny portions. We live a few blocks away and would frequent this amazing establishment a couple times a month - it was our favorite area restaurant. It's like we lost something amazing, we moved to Bayview for its unique bars and restaurants, now it's just another West Elm makeover with over priced food ... But seriously West Elm light shades ($19.00... They missed taking the stickers off the inside so you can see them when you look up)... The food was decent no complaints there but $8.00 for a sandwich (sandwich only) and $4 for a side, what a joke. Also the way the bill is structured it's totally confusing - they break everything down ... Normally, $7 Gin and Tonic... Now: $5.00 Gin...$3.50 Tonic now imagine this with a meal for 6 people with food and each side is separate - we took one look and didn't event try to decipher it. We really did love this place and were excited to hear they were getting a face lift but didn't really think they would change a ton of things because it was already great. We'll prob give you another shot for old times sake and I hope I can change this review!
(1)Frank S.
I'm so disappointed. I was really looking forward to the updated Palomino. It was one of my favorite Milwaukee restaurants, but I thought it could use going a little more upscale. What I didn't expect is that the menu would be so much worse. Gone are most of my favorite dishes, and the replacements are both boring and more expensive. And let me be clear here: I really was willing to pay more, but not for worse dishes. If you're vegan or vegetarian, you're better off going elsewhere. Bummer.
(2)Justin N.
There are a lot of late night bar type options for food, but I always miss The Palomino and their fried vegan desserts and tofalo wings. I think the "wings" were the only thing I've ever driven through blizzard like conditions to get. Treacherous, yes. Death defying, certainly. But it was all worth it when in the name of good vegan bar food. No, I don't just want fries when I'm at a bar with a menu. Low key place to hang out, decent beer, AND vegan bar food? That's all I've ever asked for in a bar, it's what I picture heaven to be like.
(5)Tony K.
fried chicken was as good as the milwaukee mag said it would be.the side dishes are smaller than anyone would ever expect. dinner for 4 to 6 at $65 for 12 pieces would be a much better deal if they doubled or tripled the size of the side dishes. drink prices are not acceptable in any setting and ironically, i was charged 3 different prices for the same drink i had 3 times. service from wait staff is "ok" but not great. glad i tried it once but would not return for dinner or drinks which is too bad. they are close to having something special, suspect typical ownership greed in portions and pricing which is unfortunate.
(2)Nati K.
The seitan buffalo wings are the real deal! Trust me, you won't miss real meat when you eat these, after all, what makes wings great is the crispy texture of the outside and the yummy spicy sauce and these have both of those qualities in spades.
(4)Angela K.
Since I'm a vegetarian (and at one point was vegan), Palomino has always attracted me with it's abundant number of veggie friendly plates that not only are tasty, but are down-right amazing! Any long-term vegetarian knows that the diet and lifestyle can get a little boring and tedious sometimes. Palomino is one of the few places where a vegetarian or vegan can let their hair down and get some hearty, "bad for you" food without having to sacrifice their culinary scruples. Here are some of my favorite dishes I've tried during my relationship with Palomino: fried pickle spears, mozzarella "tease" sticks, the vegan elvis (SO GOOD!), faux boy (awesome remoulade), BBQ seitan sammich, and their mashed potatoes with veggie gravy (a recent delicious discovery!). All of their sides are amazing, especially their tots and hush puppies. The only problem I've ever had dining their however is how rich the fried food can get. One too many tots and I end up regretting I ate any at all, so vegetarians with sensitive stomachs be warned! Recently I went to Palomino for brunch and was similarly surprised and delighted by their daytime fare. The brunch menu is much smaller than their usual menu, but boasts a lot of variety. Unfortunately you can't order off the menu during brunch and there are virtually no dishes that overlap with their full menu, so just know that going in. You won't be disappointed by their offerings though. I tried a dish called "Sit yo' ass at the table" which was cornbread topped with bbq seitan and fried eggs. It was as threatening and delicious as it sounds. I don't think I've ever had a bad night at Palomino and I look forward to those that will come in future. Thanks for helping me bridge the gap between rabbit food and true southern cooking.
(5)Joanna T.
Let me start by saying I don't belong in this place - I shop at Talbots, have no tattoos and live in the suburbs. Still, service has always been pleasant even though I'm not one of the cool kids. My major gripe with the Palomino is that every time I eat here, I get a major case of the McGurgles. I think my system is rejecting all of the coolness and grease a visit to this place entails.
(2)KELLEN K.
So far everything I have ordered here has been pretty damn good. The sweet potato tots, dirty rice, buffalo chicken sammich, blue cheese burger, and buffalo wings are all very tasty. I have also heard this is an awesome place for vegetarians. The prices are okay, maybe a little overpriced.
(3)Maribeth C.
I understand there are new owners, and they've just reopened but.. 8. for a LONE burger on a platter? Seriously? It's not a Bartolotta Restaurant people, and the bun may have been from Wonder, with some seeds. How about a Sciortino Roll and at least some chips and a pickle for another buck? $3. for an order of small fries? I hope you rethink those sandwiches. If HoneyPie is your "sister" restaurant, TALK Amongst Yourselves! We need you to continue to be our "neighborhood" restaurant!
(2)Jen D.
So sad. The new menu is terrible and expensive! It is nice inside but I wish they would have just polished up the old a bit. We will not be back, not even for the patio.
(2)Mihaly T.
Whether you're coming for a drink or a hangover cure, the bar has it ALL, with tremendous tater tots, snappy cheddar poppers, and even old Milwaukee fish fries served up in an old-time, funky cowboy setting. While the restaurant is known for its carb-heavy comfort foods, there's also a long list of meatless and (gasp!) healthy options available for the faint of heart or figure-conscious. Of course, what you'll lose in pounds will be made up in ounces, because the bar offers some of the best drink specials in the city. Add on a gorgeous sidewalk table with views of the lake -- and you've got the hip tavern of your dreams! Come for the food, stay for the people-watching. Because trust me, these are some people to watch! I rarely love anything THIS much, but this place has won over my heart completely. If I had my way, there would be a Palomino on MY block.
(4)Emily K.
I love the Palomino so much. Each time I've come it's been on a rainy weekend afternoon where we sat in a booth and ate vegan junk food and good, local beer. Our first time we got overexcited about all the vegan options and ordered wayyy too much food and basically laid around in bed all day trying not to puke (but in a good way, you know?). Our second time we came early enough for vegan brunch which was good. They still serve their full bar menu too, which is also awesome. And I love that you can order a smaller sized draft beer if you want (10 oz.) instead of a pint. I guess it's really a 3 or 3.5 star review since the food isn't amazing but it's fun to have so many vegan options. And the bar itself reminds me of the basement I wish I could have hung out in during high school.
(4)Katie H.
What happened to the Palomino?! Why do such a complete 180 and not rename it?! This is NOT the Palomino I loved. You go from two complimentary sides to zero?? A miniature menu with only a few highlights. I got a pulled pork which was sauceless with a less than exciting slaw. My husband had the fried chicken salad...he ate the chicken and took most of the bitter green salad home to redress and eat later. Others in our group liked the hush puppies but the giant balls of "tater tots" were unrecognizable. I miss the tofu/seitan wings and aw fuck it bucket. Bad reboot, Palomino. While the decor is nice, many in our party missed the pool table, but even more missed the food (and brunch!!!). RIP Palomino! I won't be venturing across the Hoan for this any time soon.
(1)Claire S.
As a pescatarian, sometimes I plain old miss delicious, meaty bar food. And sometimes, I just want to be surrounded by hipsters who are a little more laid back than the Chicago variety. The Palomino is perfect for satisfying these cravings. I don't live in Milwaukee, but will always visit The Palomino when I'm in town and recommend it to others. It's the perfect bar for hungry meat and non-meat eaters alike!
(5)Samantha M.
I was very impressed by the extensive menu on my 1st visit. The choice of 2 sides was a pleasant surprise as was the sauce choice! I am a sauce person so seeing the long list of choices was phenomenal. The waitress was a little kooky looking but friendly and prompt. My pork tenderloin sandwich was good as were the tots. I had the hush puppies as my other side and they were so-so. Also tried my dining companion's jalapeno slaw which was like nothing I've tasted before...I can't decide if I liked or not. All in all 1st experience was a positive one. Because of my great 1st impression I took another friend who had never been to Palomino on a Saturday afternoon at about 1:30 pm. This time we were given a miniature menu, and when I opened it, I realized it was a brunch menu. I asked the waitress if they had the other menu and she seemed very annoyed and said no, I was referring to the dinner menu. Okay then, brunch it is. When ordering our waitress did ask what sauce I'd like with my meal, however the menu didn't have a list like the dinner menu did and when I asked the waitress if she had a sauce menu she shrugged and said "want ranch?"...erm sure, that works. Again, food was delivered promptly, was tasty. Dining companion's meal stated on menu that it came with jalapeno poppers in addition to 1 side but he didn't get them. Didn't want to deal with the cranky waitress so decided we had enough food (which was true, you get a large portion). Also, make sure to check your bill carefully. I was charged for cheese on my burger although I did not ask nor was asked if I wanted cheese. I give Palomino 3 stars, due to the inconsistent service.
(3)Jessica F.
this is mine and my husbands regular bar and are friendly with the bartenders. good service and prices on the bar side. The food and service can be quite hit or miss. I love the haystack onion rings but on more than one occasion they've come completely under cooked or burnt to a crisp. i do love their brunch. the skilleton is awesome. its not uncommon for the waitress to bring the food and not see her again until you finally track her down and ask for the check.
(4)Nikki E.
We ordered biscuits and gravy that came with fried chicken, mac and cheese, a cheese burger, and pulled pork. No complaints on any of it. The fried chicken was really good! I thought it would only come with one but it came with three. They have pretty decent portion sizes.
(5)Nick K.
Great place, all of their food has been great (eaten there about five times), just bring back the sweet potato casserole or whatever it was!!!! (even though the sweet potato tots are pretty good too)
(5)Joe R.
Great place, very eclectic menu, plenty of comfort food, many good vegan/vegeterian dishes. I live in the neighborhood and it is our #1 default place to go. A favorite of local motorcyclists. Service can be a bit slow. Best to go in the summer so you can sit outside. The inside is noisey and smokey and the seats are uncomfortable.
(4)barney m.
hush puppies and spotted cow pool
(4)Kyle K.
I don't know if I've ever had a more conflicted opinion about a place! Let's start with the pros: I really like the vibe of Palomino. When I walked in there was your typical group of Bay View-ers, a couple of business looking types and an older gentleman with white beard wearing a santa hat and clip clomping away on his Mac. Diverse people: Check. I also like their beer list. It's not huge by any means, but it is definitely enough. I really like their happy hour special of Lakefront taps for $2.50. The cons? I guess the only thing I have against the place is that the food has never blown me away. A burger I had on my most recent visit was not as juicy as I would have liked, but the saving grace of the meal were the sides. Included with your burger are 2 sides and I went with the tater tots (fried, not the dump on the cookie sheet and toss in the oven variety) and jalapeno poppers. These guys know their way around fried food. All in all, I like Palomino. Their juke box is awesome and I love sitting outside in the summer, but I just can't find my way into love territory. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. Your boy just quoted Walt Whitman. Boom.
(3)Angela T.
The only reason this place got 4 stars is because of the food, it's just damn good. The service on the other hand is hit or miss mainly on the miss side. The servers tend to act like they are way too cool to serve you, and are not attentive. Usually one thing if not several thing in my order is wrong and while they are always willing to fix it, it's not without attitude. This place would hands down be amazing if they improved the customer service
(4)Daniel R.
Good midwest, heart-clogging, hangover, feel good food and an awesome whiskey selection. Did I mention they serve tots?
(5)John S.
Excellent. Try the cornbread with the pulled pork and egg for brunch
(4)Denise D.
I haven't been to the Palomino in a long time-- I used to be lucky enough to live walking distance. I hesitated going last night because I remembered it always being very smoky, but luckily last night it wasn't too busy and not many people were smoking. (Just a few months ago, I swore I wouldn't ever eat inside a bar that allowed smoking . . . look how far I've come! I'm loosening up.) If you're looking for healthy bar grub, this is not the place. If you're looking for unhealthy TASTY bar grub (like fried pickles and an avocado BLT), this is the place. Good service and a nice beer list, too. Definitely a great Milwaukee bar.
(4)Mike W.
Very good vegan and vegetarian grub. Overly smokey atmosphere, but sitting outdoors in the summer is great. Good burgers, and great sweet potato chips. Cheap Blatz beer.
(4)Jessika G.
The Palomino is a great Bay View establishment! We walk to it every weekend in the summer where we enjoy sitting outside eating yummy food and drinking Lakefront IPA. Even in the winter, we trudge through the snow (in the car) to visit the Palomino. The food is fantastic (hello, fried everything!) and the best part of the Palomino is that now during dining hours, the dining area is non-smoking. We went last week and walked out without even the slightest scent of smoke on our clothes!
(5)Kaitlin B.
I'll just start out by saying that I'm sorry.. I know its "cool" to not care about the service you give, but I just feel that my past 5 experiences here have taken that to a new level. Maybe its because I come at Brunch and I KNOW how crappy it is to work Brunch (aka the most demanding meal) on the most inconvenient day (Hangover wise) Sundays. I dont get coffee because I know how annoying it is to keep checking back to refill .. I dont make special orders because when you are busy they are easy to forget. I give you the opportunity to *just* get it right. Oh, I get it, its part of the charm to have the American Apparrel Clad server with the piercings and tattoos shrug and mumble their way through the inattentive service. That being said, I have yet to have something to eat there that can speak over the service. Because I hate focusing on negatives, lets look at some positives. Their menu has cute names for the dishes. Their Sweet Potato Tots are good too. I like that they have vegetarian/vegan options that arent necessarily healthy.. because veggies like to eat greasy too sometimes. I love that they serve steak and eggs with hollandaise sauce. What a great combination. The egg cooks are pretty good for Brunch. They show Packer games on the TVs with the sound on and dont mind cheering. Eggiwegs is a great plain eggs way to go if you dont want to be too fancy. For salad lovers (I know I love the sight of a big bowl of lettuce) Choose the Blackened Ranch Salad.. comes with choice of chicken or tofu and has an everloving amount of avocado on it. Split it with a friend or eat it later that day.. or all in one sitting if you are feeling it! And if you are feeling like you havent had enough UP NORT in your life, get the Fried Pickles, you wont ever ever ever ever regret this. No matter what I say I definitely encourage you to go there and have your own experience.. and then YELP about it :-)
(3)Jen B.
If you ever find yourself roaming the streets of Bayiew in need of a solid hangover brunch, this is your place. And here's why: 1. The inside is dark. Very dark. 2. The food is just the right amount of greasy. Standard egg-and-pancake fare, plus delicious vegan breakfast meats. The hash browns are crispy without being too tough or thick. 3. Big, cheap portions. 4. The waitstaff will also be hungover, so it gives you hope that one day you, too, will be able to regain coherancy. 5. The Skilleton. Just trust me. There are a few notable downsides. The OJ sucks, and tastes like it comes from an unmarked jug labeled "Orange Drink from Concentrate." There was some kind of war going on over rights to the stereo. Music alternated between death metal and, like, Belle and Sebastian. Worst of all, you have to eat in close proximity to cigarette smoke. But I can't really blame Palomino for Milwaukee's shitty smoking policy. If I lived nearby, I'd make this a weekend standby.
(3)Nicole S.
I like the location, the staff are always pretty friendly, and the menu is pretty diverse. That being said I have had some great, five star meals there, and I have had some pretty average meals, which is why I am going with the three star. Some stand out items include the sweet potato tots, their wings (off the appetizer menu), and their pulled pork sandwich. I just had brunch here today, and it was just okay, I was not a fan of the breakfast burrito, it just wasn't that good. So, some items knock my socks off, other items leave me wishing I had ordered something else, but the moral of the story is, for a great location and a fun experience, Palomino is a good place to check out.
(3)Marcos A.
I have been raving about Palomino for years, but after going there recently I have realized that once you look past the ambiance and look at only the food it is just not that good. Their seitan is consistently undercooked and mushy when it should be much tougher to match their great breading. The onion rings are very thin and not the classic big thick rings that should be served. I also ordered a root beer only to be given a root beer that has been doused with maple syrup. No root beer should have maple syrup as a sweetener is addition to cane sugar. The feel of the place is great and the people there are great, but in the end it is about the food and this place just does not cut it.
(2)Erica B.
we make special trips from chicago just to eat here. super fun, greasy, vegan bar food galore. (they also have regular bar food, so it works for non-vegans too) good atmosphere too. worth the drive. i promise.
(4)rebecca s.
Went on a day trip to Milwaukee from Chicago with the boyfriend lasty week. Decided we wanted to stop by this snazzy little place and get some lunch and maybe a drink. Called around 1pm to get directions. The girl told us exactly how to get there, no problem. We tried to go in at 2pm but realized they were closed. Not open until 3pm. Now, lets see, we called at 1pm saying we were on our way....why wouldnt you mention you didnt open until 3pm? weird. Anyway, we hung out around the area for a hour or so and went back around 3:30. A couple people at the bar...just opened..thats cool. Went to go sit down and the waitress said the eating area wasnt open yet. Kitchen doesnt open until 4pm. So, the boy goes to the bathroom and we are about to leave when someone else says the kitchen is open. We were getting confused. So we sat at the bar and the bartender got us beers and menus. We ended up ordering some fried cheese curds, which were really great. I also got the bbq bacon cheddar burger with onion rings and sweet potatoes and the boy got a sammich and tots. Upon leaving we both had stomach aches from all the fried foods. All in all, the place is pretty cool to check out ...food is great, alot of choice, just most of it is fried. Dont recommend the sweet potato side. Probably would have been a lot cooler if i went at night when the place had more people in it.
(3)Andy S.
If I had a car I would make sure to take weekend trips up to Milwaukee just to eat at this place. Great atmosphere with a nice patio in the summer, pretty close to the lake. I especially enjoy the vegan condiments that go with their tater tots, they really nailed it on the head with their vegan/vegetarian bar food.
(5)Laura F.
I came for drinks, and will definitely be back for the famous Elvis sandwich (banana, peanut butter and bacon?). On a recent Saturday - the bar was perfectly crowded - one table left for a friend and I, but enough activity and people watching for hours. There's something happy about cartoon images of horses on brown and sea green backgrounds. Drinks were Milwaukee prices, and not the downtown version.
(4)Jennifer M.
Nice place, The food and service are great but it was hard to enjoy any of it because it's so smokey! Unless something is done about the smoke, I won't go back, which is too bad because I really liked the place.
(3)M L.
I came here tonight for the first time and the food was quite good. Quite fatty and quite destructive to my diet, but I was in town for the weekend, so whatever. Now I've heard tell about po' boy sandwiches for nigh onto fifteen years and have always been interested in trying one. Thing is, I went vegetarian nearly four years ago, so I put po' boys on the back burner. But then I came across this succulent and greasy 'faux' boy and boy howdy! My taste buds were singing! What's nice is that you get two sides. I was partially in a Napoleon Dynamite kind of mood, so I got the tots. Hush puppies are another one of those delicacies I've wanted to try (especially since seeing the recipes for them in my dad's White Trash Cookbook), so I got these as well, along with some vegan ranch dressing. "Drools" The food was quite good. I loved the atmosphere. The cowboy decor made me glad I wore my cowboy boots to Brew City this weekend. I'll probably come back here, though I'll wait until I drop these twenty stubborn pounds. One thing that annoyed me was that our waitress. She was okay, but for some reason, she carded us when my friend only wanted an iced tea. Yeah, it's nice to be carded when you're twenty-five, but it's not nice when it's implied that you might have to leave if you don't have your ID or aren't twenty-one (we both had our ID's). And yet...there was a little kid running unchecked around the restaurant. Okay...?
(4)Lindsay B.
chipotle cornbread, pulled pork, fried egg: It was hard to eat because I could not stop SMILING LIKE A FREAK about how good the pulled pork was. I am never going vegetarian again. Pulled pork forever.
(5)Claire P.
Toffalo wings. Toffalo wings. Toffalo wings! I still dream about the damn tasty things. Get one order of the sissy version and one of the hot. I don't remember what I ordered for my "main" meal but I know that our whole group stuck to the vegan options, and everything was amazing. Great beers here too, and a nice sort of stuck-in-another-decade tavern vibe. And there was this vintagey cigarette machine in the back that I was tempted to try just to see if it actually worked. Even though I don't smoke.
(4)Brandon Y.
I was brought here by some friends (locals) for Brunch on a Sunday morning. Tots and food were decent, the service wasn't. That being said the "Moscow Mule" and aptly named "hangover breakfast specials" certainly cured what was ailing me after a typical night of visiting Milwaukee. I only wish there were a better beer selection but all in all a decent neighborhood bar that both gives and cures hangovers.
(3)Sara L.
The Palomino is by far one of the worst bars in Milwaukee that I have ever been to. The service is extremely lousy and the workers are some of the rudest people I have ever met. I would not step one foot in or near that bar again. If you want to be treated with respect and to feel like your service is appreciated, this is not the bar to go to.
(1)Andrew C.
Chicken-fried tofu. is there really anything more a human needs?
(4)Boone D.
When I'm in the mood for Southern food, I come to this place. They have a great selection of appetizers and entrees. Also they're one of the few places that has such a good vegetarian and vegan selection. It's a little pricey for a bar-type place, though, so I don't go all that often.
(4)Jessica O.
Ambiance: Retro-chic tchotchkes and decor to attract wannabe hipsters with tribal tattoos that mean something really deep and existential who smoke, and wear ironic tee shirts. They did play a fair share of really good music though. Staff: I really liked out server. She was very nice and accomodating and I saw her dutifully record our entire order correctly. I have some issues with the kitchen service, they completely botched my dining companions order. The waitress apologized when we brought one issue to her attention and was willing to fix it. When we discovered the second problem it felt pointless to bring it up. The kitchen clearly did not pay attention to the ticket. I expect that at a fast food joint and I would have hoped to hold The Palomino to a higher standard. Food: I really found the food to be average. The fries were good. I had the Velvet Elvis and it was dry and missing some sort of sweetness. I believe I can make a superior V.E. at home and plan to. I think all the rave reviews for the food tend to come from the fact this establishment is very vegetarian/vegan friendly. And if you fall in one of those two catagories, then yes, there is probably great variety and better quality food comparatively on this menu than other Milwaukee joints. If you don't, you probably aren't going to be blown away. My apologies to all the vegetarians, vegans and dead animals I am leaving in my wake. Beverages: Lots of beer. Lots of liquor. Parking: Street but it isn't so bad. Pointers: If you don't like smoke I would suggest coming on a day you can eat outside or waiting until July 2010 when they will have to go smokefree. Overall I found The Palomino to be lacking the luster all the other reviewers have shined this place to. There wasn't one component of the experience that stood out as a beacon of hope where I would say, "You know everything else is average but I would come back for blah blah blah. There was no blah blah blah, just your run of the mill blah.
(3)Roxy R.
this bar rocks. if i lived in mke, i am sure it would be one of my fave bars. it's cool and they have good beer and the best part? VEGAN BAR FOOD! they have loaded vegan tot-chos! and fried pickles. whaaaaaaa.....it was the most amazingly drunken vegan gorge fest. and i loved every second of it. i can't wait to go back.
(5)Trey M.
My mom told me not to Yelp with my mouth full, but it's too hard I'm sitting here at this peculiar place 1. Even though it's a restaurant, it's a "bar", so you have to be 21 2. The decorations are totally "meat-eater", but they have tons of vegan bar-foody type options? Great place. Come here. Free wi-fi too
(5)Shawn A.
The food is awesome and the drinks are decently priced. Play some pool and have a good time!
(5)Pete P.
This place has a good vibe, it has atmosphere, it has some of that Bay View hip-ness that scares the people from the suburbs... and those are all good things. They've also got some pretty tasty food. I opted for a cheeseburger but went with the "healthy" option by leaving off the fried egg and gravy, and it was indeed, a great burger. The fries were also top notch. Service was a bit slow, considering the place was about 60% empty, but we were in no rush, so it was all good. There's vegetarian and vegan options as well, so bring your weido friends who never want to go out to eat with you.
(4)Melanie B.
Get the Fried Cheesecurds. Life = complete.
(4)Sarah J.
I love the Mino! Good drinks, apps and dinner. If you're a vegetarian and want something a little less greasy order the tofu fajita salad with the tequila vinaigrette and find the greatness in it!! Otherwise, dive right into the fried pickles and our personal fave, the toffalo wings.(extra spicy of course!)
(5)Kimberly G.
I had gone to Palomino for dinner once before some time over a year ago and I can't remember what I had - they have lots of vegan options to pick from which is good. I think I liked my meal OK but can't remember what I had then. I had a special drinky and it was VERY strong. I remember that I didnt like the fact that when I came out of the place I smelled like I had gone clubbing because I smelled like cig smoke. I know its a bar too but I think they need to work on separating the eating area a bit better. I do kinda of like the fact I feel like I am eating in Wyoming or Texas or somewhere when I go there because of the decor. Kinda cute. Anyhow, back in the Milwaukee area, we went again to Palomino for the new brunch back in November. I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and they were very good but on the sweet side. I still like Comets biscuits and gravy the best (Riverwests are a bit spicy) but it is nice to have another place to go. The waitress let me sub the tots for hashbrowns. The bf had the Skillet-ton vegan I think and I tasted some of his and it was good too. Next time I go again I want to try some of the other vegan brunch dishes they have. I mean, I can't pass up something called "Eggiwegs", can I? :) I wish they would have the entire menu online somewhere for me to refer too though. They have the brunch menu on myspace but not the dinner menu which I know they keep changing. Brunch menu on myspace: myspace.com/palominobar One good thing is that you are now not allowed to smoke in the dining area during food service hours so less smoke but people were smoking at the bar when we went (and there was a football game on the TV so very loud too even though it wasn't really crowded) so I could still smell some smoke on me when I left but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as before. I am wanting to go back to try some of the other vegan dishes and drinkies.
(4)Mabel E.
Pros: an embarrassment of riches where deep-fried indulgence is concerned but yes, best order the mountain of fried cheese curds, tater tots & cocktail weenie corn dogs whilst ramping up to something short of hammered. Pinky horseradish sauce. Decent beer selection including Lagunitas on tap. Pool tables. Cons: Service is lackadaisical at best. Don't be in any sort of hurry if you visit. But really, after a few lbs of batter dipped whatnot, how fast you really want to move anyhow?
(4)Benjamin L.
An open letter to the Palomino waitstaff of Labor Day around 5pm...I get it Palomino. I shave. I took a shower today. I purchase new and not used clothes. I am not like your typical clientele. But my money works, and I typically tip very, very well. However when I have to corner you in the bar to actually get you to bring me a menu, you are clearly too self important to do your job in a tip-worthy manner.
(2)Bryan V.
What's not good here? Stop by and try just about everything. The menu rocks and it's all good. Did I mention they have tater tots and moscow mules? Easily my favorite place in the neighborhood.
(5)Chris G.
Best tater tots in town! All the other menu items are interesting and tasty as well. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable. We were in for Monday Night Bingo a bit ago, and only one waitress working that evening. The place was quite busy, and we were never wanting for anything, she was on top of it. I like almost everything on the menu, which is quite eclectic, from Vegan friendly to a carnivores dream. I did try the Fat Elvis (Grilled peanut butter, bananas and bacon). Glad I tried it, but a one time thing, nothing to write home about, but cool they have it on the menu.
(5)Thomas J.
Best vegan kicker bar within 100 miles of the bronze Fonze...OK, with food that good the praise should be less nuanced. seriously, the vegan "wings", made with seitan and tofu may just be better than any that required plucking. I'm not committed to a vegan lifestyle yet, but the food here goes a long way to closing the deal. Not just a nostalgia trip for former carnivores but an interesting way to cook that can stand on its own.
(4)Alison H.
A fun atmosphere and a pretty good menu! A comfortable neighborhood spot.
(3)J T.
This is a great place to end a night of pub crawling in Bay View. The comfort food is fantastic, especially the tater tots and the tofu buffalo wings (which remarkably taste like the real thing!). The lakefront location is also great. Drink-wise, I recommend the 'Swedish Fish' cocktail, a speciality that goes down too easily.
(4)Ryan S.
We showed up here after the Art Museum which got us thirsty, and after the Lakefront Brewery tour, which got us hungry. And drunk. We showed up and didn't really know what to expect. From the outside the place looked a bit divey, and a bit like it would be locals-only (and for and older, grizzly crowd. To our surprise there was a healthy balance of older local types and younger hipsters. What we really liked about this place was the mix of blue-collar, rustic Wisconsin, and liberal, trendy Milwaukee. The decor consisted of lots of knick-knacks, paintings, posters, and I believe an animal or two up on the walls. Good music was played throughout the dinner, memorably Radiohead, which was surprising and pleasant. I ordered the Blue Pig, a massive burger with bacon and bleu cheese, and it was so good. It was accompanied with mashed potatoes with sausage gravy and fried okra. You were able to choose two sides with each dinner entree, so the customization options were many and delicious. Go with some friends and choose all different things, and you have a lot to play around with. The burger was delicious and massive, the mashed taters amazing with that gravy, and the fried okra was as god as fried okra can be. Another aspect that we were very impressed with, was that there were actually numerous vegan offerings there in the menu. Amanda ordered a vegan rib sandwich that I tried and tasted exactly like a real rib sandwich. It was awesome. She had the mashed potatoes with a vegetarian (maybe vegan?) gravy and she liked it very much. The waitstaff was extremely friendly, and cool. I was pretty buzzed at this time and they handled me being an obnoxious idiot (asking if they served horsemeat, etc.) very well. They were funny, too, which is always a plus. Also, the Lakefront Brewery gave us coupons for free beers at this place (I found an extra on the ground at the brewery too) and Palamino's waitstaff were very friendly and eager to provide us with free beer. After dinner, our nice blonde waitress with a big smile on her face, asked us if we were ready for more beer - and we had to say no. We were just too full from our massive dinners. Which is a damn good thing. Next time I'm in Milwaukee I probably won't come back here only because I'd like to try more places. But I will certainly recommend it and will surely get another Blue Pig sometime.
(4)Jennifer G.
Server was cranky and not at all wanting to be there. The pumpkin chai French toast was ok, the bacon was burned Nd eggs were like rubber. Hubby had grits with chicken fried steak and fried eggs that were really well done and bland. Not a place I would go back to soon.
(3)stephanie s.
Best VEGAN Bar Food Ever!! Have the Tofu Wings with vegan ranch even if your not vegan they will be your new fave! I love that they give you tator tots instead of french fries too... oh but beware the portions are huge you get a lot of food for your money. The appetizer of tofu wings is a platter size and the burgers/sandwiches (vegan or not) are very large served with tots and two yummy side dishes like my fave of sweet potato with pecans or my bf's fav of okra:) They also have Purple Haze Abita Beer my fav from the dirty south! Smoky but that changes in July 2010' maybe sooner and they have a patio in summer.
(5)Scott H.
Almost always my first stop on a trip up to Brew City. Great food (tots anyone?) and excellent selection of both craft and macro beer. The bar is classic, the waitstaff fun and funky and the clientele are all over the map. Love a place where all are welcome! The outdoor seating is plentiful if the weather is cooperating.
(5)Erin S.
I went here for a going away get together for a friend. I've never been. I found the whole experience a fun one. I felt the service from the bar was extremely helpful, attentive, friendly, and quirky. I've loved the typical old fashion Milwaukee bar feel. I also got the chance to have the fried pickle spears and sweet tots. I would drive down there every week if I could. The home made dips are a great touch, and even though I'm not vegan, it's nice that they have those options. The second time I went there, I didn't know it was Raunchy Bingo night. Don't go if you don't have a sense of humor. I thought it was hysterical! I hear the brunch is great, and am anxious to try some of the other food.
(4)Teri P.
If you're going for food, definitely try to sit outside. it was loud, dark, and, well, bar-ish inside. But outside was lovely on a warm summer night! The toffalo wings, while sounding bizarre, are incredible. BBQ sauce is the way to go. The vegan chicken fried steak was also incredible...the gravy...mmmm.... It was exciting to go somewhere that had really good and interesting vegetarian food instead of just salad and pasta with sauteed veggies. I only wish they had sprecher root beer instead of the HFCS-laden one.
(4)Daniel M.
Wow. Really terrible. I spent $12 on a burger, only to later wonder how a burger could taste so bad? Big mistake. Any fast food would've been better.
(1)Meena V.
I was in the area and stepped in to grab a quick bite before a show, expecting to see classic MKE bar-food menu, and to eat a dinner of onion rings and nachos as a vegetarian -- let's just say I was very pleasantly surprised! Harbour no misconceptions about this being healthy just because it's veggie/ vegan friendly though. Their menu reads "If it's good, it's better deep fried," and they take this concept seriously. I got a variation of the veggie burger, which was good, home made, and yes, deep fried. What was most excited about, though, was that you get to pick two (TWO!) sides to go with your sandwich -- and we aren't talking mediocre fries and plastic cheese here. We're talking fried OKRA! and sweet potato casserole and Habanero coleslaw, to name a few. Yum! Definitely knocking of a star for the overwhelming smokiness, though. :(
(4)Diana M.
Cool place, love the decor, excellent music, but service was slow and our waitress completely forgot one of our brunch orders. She took it off our bill, but we had to wait 15 minutes for that meal (after waiting nearly an hour for food), while the rest of the table ate there dishes. The Bloody Mary's were great...love the Brussels Sprout garnish! I'd go back, maybe just not for a meal.
(3)Tyler M.
Look for the painted picture of Bert Reynolds.
(3)joe s.
I've had good and bad experiences here. It's a popular place to sit outside for brunch, but service is spotty, and last time I was there it literally took hours to get our food and our waitress ignored us. It's a western/vegan themed place which attracts a lot of hipster types during bar hours. The bartenders are cool, one gave me ice when I came in after smashing my finger in a car door. The place looks completely different at night when they turn on these hideous orangey-flourescent lights. The best time to go here is in the middle of the day on a saturday for a bloody mary. It's dark, the lights are still off and they have the door open. Reminds you of a saloon. EDIT: Went here very late on a Sunday and they were open past 2 AM with porn showing on the TV. They now get 4 stars.
(4)H C.
I have driven past the Palamino about a million times. But, I always felt I wasn't "cool" enough to go in. Heard they did a pretty good brunch, so a group of us stopped in this weekend after the Komen Breast Cancer walk. We got there about 1030am, and there was still plenty of places to sit. We pulled together 4 tables (without asking permission) but server didn't seem to care. After looking over the menu, and around at what some of the other people in the place were eating, my group decided on the biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and I went with the "Sit Yo A$$ at the Table", ie. cornbread covered in pulled pork and a fried eggs. We all shared off of each others plates because everything looked so good. Portions where Huge, Staff was Extremely friendly (feel real bad I didn't get our servers name), and food was Yummy! Although the atmosphere is fairly Hipster (I added that one in for you Cassie D), I didn't feel out of place at all! Will definitely be coming back, and recommending to others!
(3)Leanne M.
oh-em-gee. oh-em-gee. Made from scratch VEGAN BUFFALO WINGS with any sauce you want (my baby-ness for spice meant I went for BBQ drenched wings) that...wait for it... come with...omg again... tator tots and VEGAN RANCH. I know I'm shouting at you lots here, but people, c'mon, I would drive down (oh wait I mean up, geography is my worst) just for these! Dogs allowed. Pool tables. What more could you ask for?!
(5)Katrina V.
This place is great. Bar food with vegan options! The food is good with generous portion sizes. With a sandwich you can choose between a ton of different sides for two different options plus one dip. I think it's really great that you can get two sides of your choice instead of just a ton of one side. This place is awesome, it makes me wish I lived in Milwaukee!
(4)Stephanie B.
Seriously, we love this joint. Last time we were in Milwaukee, we drove to Bay View every night just to hang here.. and then bought t-shirts, too! Awesome beer choices and really good vegetarian menu options. And pool tables! It's a classic. Top that off with funky bartenders and you are all set.
(5)Gabrielle B.
If you're up for greasy fatty fried foods, this is the place for you. I go here when I am really craving some grease and get the tuffalo wings with the vegan ranch dressing. So good. They're even more delicious as leftovers. It's a bar, so you'll have your fill of drinks. This place is small and smokey, so you might have to wait in a fog of snoke for a table. Usually you won't have to wait too long, but get there early on a weekend.
(3)Nick T.
awesome, ordered some 2 dolla white palomino's from some really friendly bearded gentleman. I shall have to come back to try the food tho. so 4 stars for now.
(4)Albert B.
I love this bar! The prices are right and the food is down right good! Everyone is friendly and you feel like you fit right in. the tatochos are my guilty little pleasure, you have to try them.
(4)Richard O.
I mostly like the hangover brunch. I'd eat here more often if there were more interesting vegetarian options on the dinner menu. I used to love this southern style tofu sandwich they had there but they changed the menu some time two or three years ago and now I'm kind of bored by the dinner menu. I think it's great though that the dining area is marked as non-smoking during dining hours. It used to get so smoky in there. Enjoy the brunch though, even if the service can be a little spotty. Edit- On a recent visit I found the vegetarian skillet a little disappointing but, after being warned by a friend to avoid Here Chai This (from the specialty drink menu: Chai tea with ginger brandy), I got it anyway, out of curiosity, and I thought it was pleasant sipping drink. It had a sort of after taste and reminded me of drinking rice milk or something. I'd order it again.
(3)Ashe D.
Palomino caters to vegetarians and vegans. You'll find a lot of tasty comfort food like macaroni and cheese, po'boys, and hush puppies. I recommend the black bean burger or the mac n cheese. The tofu scramble for brunch is super tasty and we find ourselves here nearly every weekend for it. It's the only place I've found that doesn't try to make the tofu scramble look and taste like eggs.
(4)Erika B.
From the capsule I wrote for The Onion A.V. Club Milwaukee: If you like your veggies fried and your meat meatless, Palomino was made for you. This bar and grill specializes in Southern-fried, trucker-inspired grub that's moderately priced and served up in generous portions. Picky carnivores and vegans alike have plenty of mix-and-match menu options like the standout Po' Boy sandwich and vegan riblets, and the vegan ice cream sundae is good enough for dairy lovers. Though Palomino sports a somewhat retro, laid-back interior complete with the requisite Bay View hipsters, everyone and anyone is made to feel welcome. As an added bonus, the kitchen stays open until 11pm some nights. With a fully stocked bar, pool table and jukebox, those that would prefer to drink their dinners are covered, too. Great for: Hip and non-hip drinkers in search of fatty comfort food.
(4)Wayne N.
I go to the Palomino a lot and 1/2 of the time I enjoy it, 1/2 of the time I think "why do I go here"? Beer selection on tap is usually okay, not as good as other bars in the area, but okay. Have a lot of bottled beer, but with so many people drinking Pabst and Schlitz, it feels odd ordering an "expensive" beer. I really like the tater tots, but the other food is just okay. I go here a lot because there aren't a lot of bars around here that actually serve food, especially late. Before the smoking ban they were non smoking before 10 which was nice, but then I'd have to leave at 10 which was a bummer. Now that smoking ban is here, it's more enjoyable. But do you really have to let your customers smoke on the front step so I have to walk thru a cloud of smoke to get in? I guess non smoking is still less than a month old so I'll give it time. Friendly bartenders but most of them seem to be competing to see who can dress the ugliest. I realize it's hipster, but a sports bra under a tank top is not really something you should wear to work, even if it's hot.
(3)Andrew P.
Great, greasy food, good beer on tap, nice staff. Aggro juke. One of my favorite places in Milwaukee.
(5)Dave S.
A great place to hang out, and a great place to eat. My wife has a dairy allergy, so she especially appreciates the wide variety of vegan options at this place. The food is real down home, All American diner grub like BBQ sandwiches, Mac & Cheese, and smothered chicken. And it's always of high quality. Great beer selection, good service. Other folks have talked about the smoke. The Comet, another vegan-friendly diner across town, once had this same problem, so created a seperate non-smoking dining area. Perhaps the Palomino could do the same. In the meantime, I like to visit in the warm months and eat at their great sidewalk patio.
(4)Jason W.
Good food. I hear the vegans like it as well. I prefer the wings.
(4)Mandi A.
Ok, when people tell you how much weight you can lose on a vegan diet, they're assuming you live far, far away from here. I was on a road trip to Milwaukee and made a point of stopping here for lunch because of all the reviews. Let me just say, if I lived closer this would be my new second home. It has everything I love in a restaurant/bar; dive-y wood paneling and crappy art, juke box, local brews and vegan eats. And not just things that happen to be vegan if you order them minus some of the ingredients, but purposefully vegan things. I had a hard time deciding but ended up getting the BBQ seitan sandwich with onion rings and hush puppies and the vegan ranch dressing. The sandwich and onion rings were incredible. I didn't care for the hush puppies but I haven't had them in about 20 years, so I think they're just not my thing. My husband got the sweet potato tater tots which I will definitely be ordering on my next visit, which will hopefully be very soon.
(5)Arthur E.
One of the vegan hot spots in Milwaukee. I've tried just about all of their vegan options and the're all great however I'd have to say that the tuffalo wings are hands down their best item. If you're in the mood for some boozin' they make the best bloody mary I've ever had. DO IT!
(5)Emily M.
I have loved going to Palomino since I lived in Milwaukee several years ago and every time I am in the area I try to stop there for a bite. This past weekend my husband and I went for a late lunch. I had the vegan sloppy joe and he had one of the specials, "the Wisconsin death trip." All was good and delicious, I would go for the hush puppies alone. FYI, Don't expect a super warm greeting or overly friendly server, this is hipster heaven. We didn't have as much luck as other visits, we both had horrible stomach aches that night and the next day but perhaps that is what they meant by "death trip." So if I had to rate this visit alone I would only give 1-2 stars but since I love the 70's dive bar look of this place, good beer selection and all the vegetarian/vegan options and I will reiterate again, the hush puppies! I give 4 stars overall. Is it bad to admit the food is even worth a two day debilitating stomach ache?
(4)