4. Restaurants

Ward’s House of Prime

540 E Mason St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
  • (414) 223-0135
  • Store is closed

Ward’s House of Prime Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

  • Chris F.

    In town for a couple days and had a craving for prime rib...how fortuitous there is a restaurant called Ward's House of Prime rib. Honestly most things, meaning service, salad, etc is about as I expected...and price is about as I expected for a good steakhouse. which is to say, it was good. Nothing that stands out to rave about but nor complain about either. But one thing that is pretty awesome I must say are the available sizes! I mean seriously, most places its like, oh yeah, you want to little 10oz cut or the crazy 16 oz. and then others might toss in like 20 or 24oz for the "big" eaters. Pfff...10 years ago that would have been lunch. And it was hardly interesting when some of us during college years (admittedly silly in retrospect) would challenge each other to eating feats of prowess. But THIS place.... damn, you can basically order whatever size you want. I mean you can literally get what looks like entire rib roast... Of course nowadays being older, even the 24oz makes me full, but its cool that IF I wanted one that was like 3 times bigger or even more, I COULD order it. would love to see some tiny sized professional female competition eater come in here and just like shock everybody by ordering some crazy sized slab and polishing it off to their amazement.

    (4)

  • Christine W.

    I really wish I could say this was one of the most awesome meals that we've ever had as we went to Ward's for a birthday celebration. After spending close to $200 on a dinner for two, one doesn't want to hear "my steak was okay." The crab cakes and lobster bisque were awesome! The prime rib was overly fatty and the New York Strip was very dry. Lovely restaurant, very attentive service though!

    (3)

  • Brian H.

    I've been to Ward's a few times. The last time I went I ordered the Ahi Tuna Steak. I know this place is known for prime rib/steaks but I was in the mood for some good tuna steak. The Ahi Tuna Steak was just okay, no seasoning so it was kind of plain tasting. The soup that came with the entree was good (Tomato Bisque). The twice baked potato was okay too. If the prices were a little less I might have gave an extra star but for the price of everything I would of thought more. Parking can be tight so be prepared to do some driving if you don't want to valet parking.

    (3)

  • Bob C.

    I've only been to Ward's a couple of times for lunch, and both times I've had a prime rib sandwich. I think the price is pretty reasonable for what you get, and I do mean to go back in the evening one of these days, in which case I expect to order the prime rib for dinner. Frankly, it seems to me that when one goes to a place calling itself the "House of Prime," one might as well have what they say they are good at. The hostesses and wait staff have been excellent in my experience. I don't really like entering restaurants via the bar area, but that's true at a lot of places, and once one gets to the actual table the place is not too noisy. Lunch is full of business people, so it feels a bit dressier than my usual East Side haunts, but the last time I was there one group was dressed like construction workers, so they won't turn you away for wearing a wife-beater.

    (3)

  • Bex A.

    It is a very nice place, not cheap and unfortunately for the cost I was not impressed, at least for lunch. I was surprised by how small the portion of potato salad was and it was ok. They filet was fine as well. The Brussels sprouts were excellent, if you order an additional side, it is much larger and shareable, but then it's also an additional cost. To note, when it comes to food and the cost of the meal, you can see by my posts I am not cheap, quite the opposite. I am willing to spend, but I expected to see value either in the genius cuisine or portions, service and ambience anything. Also, I was there for lunch, I suspect dinner is much more impressive. So I would recommend trying it for dinner. Apparently, if you eat an insane amount of steak, they will name the portion size after you.

    (3)

  • Joanna T.

    My experience at Wards was really disappointing. I was there for a business meeting/sort of interview so I wasn't paying which was a good thing. First, the positive - the service was very good, hence the second star. Our server was attentive but conscious of not interrupting discussions. That's an art and I always appreciate it when a server manages to do this. The interior is "pleasant" - clubby, but not overdone. The food? Honestly, it was terrible. To some degree I blame myself, because it is a steakhouse and I ordered fish. But when the dish is running upwards of $30, I don't expect to receive dry, overcooked salmon coated with a thick layer of that nasty gray stuff (the fishy gross part) underneath. My fish was served with an "Asian inspired glaze" which thankfully came on the side because it was vile. Another person had the same thing and described it as "KC Masterpiece and soy sauce". Entrees come with soup or salad and a potato, which is nice as most steakhouses are totally alacarte. I asked to sub Brussels sprouts for a potato and was told there would be an up charge - if you're going to charge me extra for a thing, that thing better be GOOD. These Brussels sprouts? Heinous. They were completely unseasoned and tossed in the fryer - for way too long. They were a sad, burnt, oily, inedible mess. Had this not been a business dinner, I would have sent the entire lot back. But, you can't really complain in that situation so my dinner remained largely uneaten. Maybe Wards is really great for steaks - i won't be back to find out though. There are too many other steakhouses nearby that serve edible food.

    (2)

  • Doug T.

    the prime was pretty good and the price was excellent. They serve some monstrosity of a 150 oz prime rib which looks ginormous even though it's served on a garbage can lid sized plate. two free sides which I can't recall after eating myself into a meat coma. The lobster bisque was richer than the west coast iteration.. I think they fed the lobsters butter before making them into soup. If you're a vegan or a vegetarian, you might want to consider eating before coming to Milwaukee.. The kitchen is open until 10:00 so it was a great late evening dinner after getting off a plane.

    (5)

  • Frank A.

    Called on Good Friday to see if they had a Fish Fry or at least a seafood special, as per the religion of every practicing catholic to not eat meat during lent. Hell, lets be honest - The entire city of Milwaukee doesn't eat meat on ANY friday with the popularity of Fish Fry with our culture. The woman who answered the phone put me on hold and came back with: "No! We are having Prime Rib Friday Tonight!" Really - no seafood to offer? I totally understand if you don't want a $15 Fish Fry but at least tell me you have a $28 Seafood Special - nope, nothing.

    (1)

  • Lyle W.

    Great dinner, great value, and awesome service. Ask for Tim the waiter if you are there May-December. Outstanding service!

    (4)

  • Ilana O.

    The place: Dim, sort of romantic, except for the idea that someone across the table from you could order a 64 oz piece of meat. Decent service, overall a pleasant experience. The taste: Not for the faint of heart. The carpaccio appetizer was huge. It almost could have been enough for a meal for one. It was cut a little thicker, but on a crostini with the salty tapenade...I didn't really care. The caramelized Brussels sprouts were pretty succulent, especially when paired with a steak. The butternut squash ravioli was almost too sweet, but ultimately was creamy, tasty, and again, a sizeable portion. It was nice that for a $19 entrée, they were generous enough to give me 10 raviolis, instead of the more traditional 4. I ate them all. The banana cake was okay. I wanted it to be amazing, but it was a little too dense, with a really sticky frosting that seemed to be the result of a marriage between fondant and buttercream. We still took half of it home in a doggy bag, though. My face: They include an 18% tip, which was definitely deserved, but I almost missed it and tipped what would have been an exorbitant amount. The damage for 2, with a $25 off coupon from Restaurant.com ...~$100, with tip. All in a all, a lovely evening.....until we had to run to the Riverside for a show, but that was mostly our fault. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    The only reason I am not duchess here is because I come so frequently I don't bother to check in. Prime rib, steak, pork chops, Reuben, steak sandwich, French dip - Say Meat!! Say Milwaukee Brewing Happy Hour! Booyah!! Ride to Brewers games, meet up with friends. There are a number of good steakhouses in Milwaukee, but my vote goes to Wards for quality, cook to order (rare, med, med rare), service, atmosphere, and Booyah!

    (5)

  • Malikah M.

    Best Prime Rib! The service was amazing and everything we ordered melted in our mouths, from the lobster tail to the scallops and even the twice baked potato. Great experience if you enjoy rare meat.

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    With a name like "House of Prime," you know you're in for something expensive, something white tablecloth, and something cow. It's slightly pretentious: what, you're too good to finish the phrase "prime rib"? You took all the money saved on printing that extra word so that I can get two forks of slightly different size at my place when I sit down? The implication of dirtiness with the word "rib" doesn't really get taken into account when you're attempting to eat a 168 oz piece of cow. Anyway, the prime rib here lives up to the hype. It's seasoned on all sides which means maximum penetration when I'm making my way through an ungodly amount of meat. Doggy bags are for quitters, and they try to make you lose by filling you up with fresh warm bread and starchy appetizers like onion straws which were pretty greasy anyway. Instead, you can extend your meat orgy by starting with some Nueske's smoked beef carpaccio crostinis; it's Nueske's, so I don't really need to expound upon it. Instead of going for some filling mac and cheese or potato sides, choose instead the caramelized Brussel sprouts or sauteed spinach. I don't know if $6 is worth a family-sized portion of cruciferous vegetables that one person could finish themselves, but at least they tasted good. Ward's is almost exactly as you might expect: a little full of themselves, but masters of their titular Prime.

    (4)

  • Charles F.

    Prime Rib - that is all. If you want great prime rib come here, if you're after something else, I would go somewhere else. I think that all the food here is pretty good, but with the exception of the Prime Rib nothing stands out and this is what brings me here every time I return. Decor is avg to upscale. There's a more casual area in the front by the bar, with some more formal dining in the rear. Sides are made for sharing, the Calamari is not of my liking, but the soups/salads are quite good. If you are in the mood for a huge steak challenge and can eat more than 40oz of prime rib you can get your name on the wall. I believe if you can set the record it's free, but that's nearing 10lbs of PR now.. I can't imagine that.

    (4)

  • Jay B.

    Dissapointed. We had a party of 15 reserved a week in advance for 8:00pm on a Monday night. It was a quiet night when we arrived and it had an excellent atmosphere. However, once we ordered the Prime Rib, our waiter informed us that there were only two 8 oz pieces left (smallest on menu). The whole reasons we decided to eat here was to have Prime Rib, and there was none left. All I ask is that they call us ahead of time, or they should have told us to reserve for an earlier time. Moreover, the food that we did order was cold and very overpriced. It was $49 for a NY Strip Steak with some crab lightly sprinkled on top. I do not recommend this restaurant for large groups.

    (2)

  • Lara K.

    Excellent food. I had the salmon and roasted Brussels sprouts. My husband had the scallops and steak. I am vegetarian (but eat fish) so this was surprisingly a good choice for us, as I had a craving for a good salmon that night. It's expensive but the service and food were very good. I deducted one star because the Brussels sprouts were quite greasy and the Asian-style spicy sauce on top of the salmon was too sugary for me. It was like eating straight up molasses. Ewww. I simply had to scrape as much of it off as I could.

    (4)

  • Bruce K.

    I was particularly pleased when I looked over the online menu for Ward's because they offer their prime rib in smaller sizes. Most places only do 16 ounces or larger. Yes, I'm a big boy but I really do need to find ways to cut back on my food intake. One way is to have smaller portions and here's Ward's with an 8 ounce prime rib cut! I booked the table online as well, arriving about 15 minutes ahead to scope the place out. I had a beer at the bar while I watched the staff and the patrons in the front room. This is definitely the spot for business meetings with lots of ties and jackets in evidence. Ladies were well dressed too. No tshirts or shorts, but they didn't seem to have an enforced dress code. When I finally identified myself, the hostess brought me to the room in the back. Raised booths along the outside with tables in the center, I appreciated taht they put me in one of the booths where again, I could watch while I ate. I had the salad to start and it was just okay. Next time, I'd go for the blue cheese wedge salad. For the big show, I did order the prime rib in an eight ounce cut. It comes with a potato choice, mine was a twice-baked potato which seemed a touch on the small side. I also added the Brussels sprouts. I'd not have that the next time - there were a lot of loose leaves and not many whole sprouts and they just tasted "roasted" without the rich flavor I was expecting. As for the steak, it was excellent if maybe underdone for medium rare. Check the picture. Great taste, the small amount of fat was well marbled. As for the flavor, it was excellent. Meaty, rich, slightly fire grilled. Just excellent stuff and I somehow avoided having any of it slide off my fork and land in the au jus that was soaking on the plate. I hate when that happens. I was well stuffed and opted to skip dessert. Service was excellent, from the bartender to the hostess to the waitress (who strangely introduced herself and shook my hand before and after the meal). I would absolutely return. And as I left, I noticed that I was without a doubt, the youngest diner in the restaurant by a good ten years. And I'm no spring chicken! And as for you Man vs Food people, they do have much larger cuts including several plaques with the stomach distenders who successfully ate prime ribs as large as 168 ounces. Yes, ten and a half pounds of meat. Congratulations.

    (4)

  • Jamie L.

    Steak was good, wine was fine. While the food was tasty, there's just absolutely nothing special about this place. It has the atmosphere of a hotel restaurant, the menu lacks creativity and the service is not a standout. I did enjoy the dry aged New York Strip, but the salad that came with it was a pretty dull affair. If it's close to your hotel and you're not sure where to eat, you can trust you'll get a good steak here. Better drinks and dessert can be had elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Igor L.

    Service was excellent, we went there with a big group and split a 106oz prime rib, cooked well and tested just right. The appetizer many is mostly seafood.

    (5)

  • Valerie W.

    I had the joy of visiting Ward's for a company sponsored dinner a few weeks ago while in Milwaukee. I'd seen Ward's on the travel channel before - home of the 96oz prime rib and all... which is just beyond ridiculous, but, I'm always happy when my company treats me to a nice meal. We had a cocktail hour in their bar area before being seated in a private room. They had a few appetizers in chaffing dishes buffet style, but by the time I was able to make my way to the corner of the room where they were, there wasn't anything left that looked particularly appetizing, so I passed. Once we were seated we were given a modified menu (not surprising as this was a company sponsored dinner) which included choice of house or caesar salad, choice of filet, 16oz prime rib, salmon, or butternut squash ravioli, and choice of dessert. I went for the house salad and prime rib. The tarragon dressing on the house salad was light and delicious. Even though it was creamy, it did not weigh down the rest of the salad, which I appreciated. The prime rib was perfectly cooked to medium rare, others around me were surprised to see me eating such a *red* piece of meat, but I'm a carnivore at heart, and the rarer the better for me! The spice rub on the outside of the meat was great, which made the skirt of the prime rib the very best part. I made sure to eat it before I got too full! Sides of cajun mac and cheese and caramelized brussels sprouts were served family style, and every dish came with a baked potato. The brussels sprouts were the only side dish I was particularly interested in, and they were fantastic. I find that brussels sprouts are really becoming a popular vegetable, but not very many places can do them well without deep frying them. Ward's got it right. Dessert was a a slice of chocolate cake which I could've done without. Not that it wasn't tasty, there was just too much other food that came before it. Would I go back to Ward's on my own dime? Maybe for a special occasion. A VERY special occasion. Would I go back courtesy of my company? Anytime.

    (5)

  • Mary I.

    Came to wards for the first time to celebrate Valentine's Day early. Had excellent customer service by the owner himself. Had a great server who was friendly and made great suggestions. The lobster bisk was amazing the best in town and the clines zefindale red wine was great! I would recommend this place to all for a great classy dinning experience!!

    (5)

  • Lia Y.

    From the reviews of yelp, we decided to stop in for dinner and were shocked to find the food so disappointing. I had an 8 oz steak which had no flavors. From the taste of it, it looks as though they just threw the cow on the grill. The brussels sprouts that came as a side was extremely burnt and was not edible. My friend ordered the seafood pasta which only came with two shrimps and two scallops. Our bill was $123.00 for two entrée's and two glass of wine. For the price we paid, the food would have been better at Applebee's.

    (2)

  • Ian F.

    Ward's is a very nice restaurant! The ambiance inside is cozy and trendy. I have been to Ward's at least five times and each trip has been satisfying. I always (minus one time) have the prime rib. The aus jus that it is served over is incredible! I like the twice baked potato but there are other potato options. Most intriguing is the Lobster Bisque. It's some of the best soup I have ever had! My last visit I tried the filet with scallops. The steak was good but lacked the wow factor that the prime rib exhibits. Most disappointing, though, was that the scallops truly lacked flavor. I ate them and didn't bother saying anything, but there you have it. The service is on par with a most good restaurants in Milwaukee. Overall, I will continue to be a patron and can't wait for my next visit.

    (4)

  • Christopher S.

    Excellent food and the service was great as well. Love going here for a special night out with my wife. Wife loved the soup as well but I am not a soup guy. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    Great place for lunch! Lots of choices for soup, salads and sandwiches. They weren't very busy and its a pretty low key place with dim lighting. I had the signature prime sandwich as did the other members of my group and it was fantastic. I'd definitely like to try for dinner!

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    If you like Prime Rib you must go to Wards. You will not experience Prime Rib like there's anywhere else. It will melt in your mouth.

    (5)

  • Lisa A.

    Wards is a great contemporary steak house. I can't think how else to describe it. They have great steaks but you can get chicken seafood or even vegetarian options. I always get the small filet mignon with twice baked potato. Yum! They also do a nice $5 happy hour in the bar area with drinks and apps $5. I've never eaten in the formal dining area because I'm more of a ' eat in the bar type' girl, but both times I was there the manager/owner came around and asked how we were doin. They also make a mean caprihani (sp?). Jack and Franz are great servers!

    (4)

  • M S.

    Went to Wards tonight and had a really great meal.Everything was just perfect. So at the end of the meal I probably had three quarters of my prime rib left on the plate. so when the waitress came around I said just slide everything into my leftover plate including the au jus, the baked potato and the rib bone that I never even nibbled off but I did separate it from the main piece of meat. I had ordered the 40 ounce so it was quite a large piece of meat and the bone was pretty nice size and had a lot of meat on it. So I paid the bill and left got back to my hotel room and figured I'd have a little snack before I go to bed... But when I open my container she had through this huge bone out.. And you know I felt like it ruined the whole meal. I guess you need to really specify what you want saved because I know I told the waitress to slide everything into the container which would've been just fine... I'm a little pissed! But don't think that the food was not great. It really was excellent. I bet that bone was probably about a half a pound if not more.

    (1)

  • Kelly B.

    While I have been to Ward's for dinner - and thoroughly enjoyed myself, this will remain my go-to place for happy hour. For dinner: My waiter was great. Knew it was an anniversary, to threw in a couple complimentary spumonis on the end. We got a bottle of wine and soup to start off with too. He got a steak and devoured it like an animal. I got the pork chops and holy hell....I thought I'd never want to eat anything below that again. They were juicy and flavorful and the twice baked potato was awesome. The tab was upwards of $190 but it was great, we know what we were in for. Now on the the good stuff - HAPPY HOUR: I work across the street, so it was a shoo-in, but boy am I glad. Their specials are awesome. Martinis are $5 (including a dirty grey goose martini!!!), the MKE brewing company beers are $2, wine and rails are $4, and trust me - rails are strong. If you're not into straight vodka martinis, I highly recommend the "Flowers of New York", it's made it gin and St Germain Elderflower Liquor, very sweet, but great. Appetizers, oh appetizers....Their list of Happy Hour apps are all only $5. You can get flat bread pizzas, which is perfect to split for two. My favorite is the Roma, it's whole garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes and capers oh capers. WONDERFUL. They also have mozzerella sticks that are wrapped in won ton wrappers and egg rolls. I would kill for the mozz sticks....I would dive out of the way if one of those eggrolls came flying at me. Last but not least....the brussel sprouts. Try them, even if you hate brussel sprouts...because you won't anymore. They sautee these things in so much butter it just tastes like a salty greasy buttery mess of delicious. They toss in some proscuitto as well to add a little crunch. Sometimes I'll even order a side of these to go with my martini at happy hour. Yes, I'm that girl.

    (4)

  • Chuck W.

    My experience was just all right. We were greeted promptly at the hostess station, and our reserved table was ready for us immediately. Our server was not great...disinterested, not terribly friendly or helpful...Just didn't have her "game face" on. She had an almost rude way of interrupting the table whenever she stopped by. Also, our party of 4 only were given 2 plates for appetizers/bread, and we were never brought more. Also, silverware was never replenished once used and cleared away. Our cocktails were great, but took a very long time, even though the restaurant was quite empty. The food was good, but not outstanding. The two of us who ordered salads both wished we had gotten soup instead. However, the prices were very high. Overpriced, we all thought. Decent food, but overpriced, with mediocre service.

    (3)

  • P W.

    first time there dinner was great prime rib was the best u could ask for there was 4 of us and we loved it

    (5)

  • Amy P.

    Just went here for drinks and thoroughly enjoyed! My husband said they have great food! Excited they are opening in Delafield. Can't wait to enjoy a date night here!

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    This place was a little strange. The front bar is great. Good atmosphere and smaller tables that give out a great vibe. We sat down and ordered a bottle of wine and waited for a friend that was running a little late. Once we got seated in the main dining room it was a giant square room with booths around the parameter and some tables in the middle. The lighting was almost blinding and the space was just laid out poorly. We had to ask to sit in a booth multiple times since they wanted us to sit in the middle. The appetizer was the best part. The steak was alright but the presentation was horrible. I would rather go to a steak house if that is what you are looking for. I would just sit in the front area if you do go there.

    (2)

  • Julie N.

    My friend and I took my daughter for her 20th birthday dinner. We looked forward to dressing up and having a nice dinner. The only positive about our experience was the food. The ambiance was horrible. First of all - I would have thought there should be a dress code. The women at the table behind us was in a flannel shirt, torn jeans and spoke like a truck driver. We believe she had too much to drink and every other word was the F bomb. We made comments to our waiter 3 times about their behavior and nothing was done. So my daughter politely went to their table and asked if they could keep it down a bit - we couldn't even hear our conversation at our table. For one of the men to say - no, we're fine - thanks anyways. So I turn around and ask if they could please refrain from dropping the F bomb every other word for him to repeat again - no, we're fine. Well the night went down hill - turns out he had a shouting match with my friend, we asked to see a manager, was told there wasn't a manager on site. We were never offered to move tables and hindsight - we should have either walked out or demanded to be moved. Things quieted down when the table got their food, but they had to cause another scene on their way out yelling, screaming and swearing at my friend. I emailed management the next day and 3 days later they respond and basically put the blame on my friend for speaking back to the other table and defending us. I just wish our husbands weren't in NY at the time, because I doubt that man at the other table would have had the opportunity to bully and threaten 3 women. Will NEVER go back to this restaurant.

    (1)

  • Wendy E.

    Fab U Lous ! My Husband and I shared a 24 oz prime rib. They gave us each a separate twice baked potato and we were able to take home leftovers for another dinner. We ordered medium rare and it was not only the best prime rib we've ever eaten, it was the best steak hands down. Nice atmosphere friendly attentive staff. GO ALREADY!

    (5)

  • Jax B.

    Downtown Dining Review: I visited Ward's with a co-worker during Downtown Dining Week. I was surprised that there was not a steak sandwich on the menu, as this is a steak place. Our choices were a half of pulled pork sandwich or a half of chicken salad sandwich (yes, I wrote half). I felt that the appetizer and entree were small and the dessert was large. The sandwiches were good, don't get me wrong. I have experienced Downtown Dining at many restaurants and, quite frankly, Ward's did theirs on the cheap. I might be back.

    (3)

  • Alison M.

    I had a fabulous experience at Ward's. Because I travel a lot for work I usually sit at the bar when I go out to eat on business travel. This was no exception and I'm glad I did. My bartender/waiter treated me like a princess. Whether that's because I'm a cute 22 year old or simply because I was a customer at Ward's is unknown to me. I ordered a small filet- but after trying my neighbor's (at the bar) prime rib realized I definitely should have gone with the house specialty. My filet was great but that prime rib was out of this world. My dinner salad was fine-- the bread was so delicious but then again you can sell me on anything with cheese involved. I also tried the banana cake- again, delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth. By the end of the night, myself, a regular customer who comes in weekly, and the bartender were taking shots and drinking wine. And get this- the regular (a sixty year old guy) BOUGHT my whole meal. That was one of the better meals I've eaten on a "date!"

    (5)

  • Keyshaun S.

    First off, we were so disappointed that they ran out of prime rib when we arrived. I mean really? That was completely unacceptable. But, the NY strip was perfect and Blair and Whitney were phenomenal waitress. Enough so that I will definitely come back here the next time that I visit Milwaukee. The atmosphere in this place rocks. The bar was jumping and they have HD TVs all over the place. Which is good for Sunday and Monday's for football lovers. Steak, beer, and football. Holla!!

    (4)

  • Habanero D.

    I was FINALLY getting to go to Ward's! The hype had me frothing at the mouth. The Travel Channel, massive beef, four star reviews, the pleasure of good company with fellow foodies, why wouldn't I be excited? I would have been much happier with a McBob's Prime Rib Sandwich. The bar was nice, trendy, casual and sophisticated. The restaurant layout, while certainly more upscale, was Denny-esque, basic, nothing special. As our service began it was apparent that while our server was professional and friendly he was not as knowledgable about the menu's offerings as we would have liked. For starters we had the smoked carpaccio and the calamari. I would have preferred sliced deli roast beef to the carpaccio and my shoe would have probably been less chewy then my calamari. Next up soup and salad. The Caesar salad was fine, but the texture of the lobster bisque was terrible, either due to improper thickening or possibly reheating. The main course consisted of a 24 oz medium rare prime rib, asparagus and a twice baked potato. The twice baked potato was the highlight of the meal. The much anticipated prime rib was a complete let down. It was far from the tender piece of meat I expected and 6oz of the serving was inedible. The asparagus had that woody texture that turns a delicious vegetable into something horrifying. I was hoping that a good creme brûlée would finish the meal on a positive note. But when I was presented with a grainy mass of coagulated sugar that I sent back for replacement and was told by the server that the was the way Ward's made their brûlée, it was obvious that I had just wasted an evening of my time as well as my money.

    (2)

  • Malek K.

    The filet Mignon is amazing! you just eat it as it is - Unique experience The decor and Staff are very nice This is a highly recommended safe restaurant for a business trip - date or simply btw friends

    (5)

  • Mihaly T.

    After two previous dinners at Ward's, I thought I'd treat myself to a special birthday lunch and some of the city's finest steak. And, yes, wholeheartedly, that is what I want to confirm upfront: Ward's has some of the best steak I've ever had in Milwaukee. As I anticipated my self-absorbed Gemini date with myself all morning, all I could think about was their amazing filet mignon. It dominated my entire day. THAT GOOD. What I noticed immediately was that lunchtime at Ward's is very different than the high-end steakhouse experience at dinner. This is both a high and low point. At dinner, I was greeted immediately by a warm and welcoming staff. At lunch, I was pretty much ignored while the hostess chatted with a co-worker until I asked for a table. It was an ice cold reception, in more ways than one. (The dining room was freezing!) Now, you're probably visualizing a younger, less mature hostess, right? Nope. This hostess should have the maturity and experience to know better. The bar area was filled with corporate types like myself, engaging in business lunches or just some focused alone time with their laptops, so I asked to be seated upfront. I was seated and told someone would be right with me. Whoever "someone" was, she must have been on break. Ten minutes after being seated, the same hostess finally noticed I had not been served. She offered to bring me water and a beverage. I let her know I was ready to order (and had been all day, of course, thinking about that filet!) My server showed up and awkwardly rushed through the order-taking. She didn't explain much, if anything, about how the lunch menu worked (i.e., side dishes, cuts or portions of meats available, temperature, etc.) When my food came, I wasn't exactly sure what I had ordered. Again, the lunch experience is very different than dinner. You're offered bread, salad, soup, side dishes, etc. with your meal at dinner. At lunch, I was served a small side of cole slaw with my steak. The plate looked really bare in comparison to what I had at dinner. I wasn't asked how I wanted my steak, which I realize is a new thing in steakhouses, but when I asked the server how it was prepared, she didn't know. Okay? My steak was admittedly fantastic, tasting like it had been braised with both delicious butters and peppercorns. It was, amazingly, exactly what I wanted. But for $25, I was surprised to receive nothing but my steak and a tablespoon of cole slaw. I almost wanted to ask if I had missed a course, of some sort, but my server was a moving target. Order taken? BAM. Food delivered? BAM. Drink refill? BAM. Catching her with a question was like trying to bottle lightning. And in a steakhouse setting, I guess I expected more focused service. Most off-putting moment of the visit: the same hostess who had been too busy chatting with co-workers when I arrived, was still chatting with co-workers when I left, including some out of uniform and off the clock. There was a long, ongoing discussion (which I could hear at my table, mind you) about who was and wasn't quitting, and what management had to say about it. The hostess station isn't the place for idle water cooler gossip, ma'am. She didn't even say goodbye to me when I left -- even after I said goodbye to her. Ouch. A month later, that still stings. High lessons learned: Ward's steaks have always been and remain fantastic. Truly top notch. Best in class in Milwaukee. And I've been to the so-called "best in class" competitors. Low lessons learned: Don't come expecting a luxurious lunchtime experience. I'd almost say you should eat before you come. Save your money for the much higher standards at night, when you will leave satisfied in every way.

    (3)

  • David R.

    This was my first visit to Milwaukee. We stopped here after a late drive to WI. We had some appetizers. I tried the prime rib flatbread and my friend got the chicken sliders. The prime rib flatbread was like a pizza, with prime rib slices, black olives, cheese, onions and banana peppers. The chicken sliders was grilled chicken with a rosemary mayo, tomatoes and lettuce. The drinks were good here also. The first one I had was called Flowers of New York. It is made with bombay sapphire gin, st germaine gin, lime juice and dry vermouth - it was good and refreshing. Not as dry as I thought it would be. After dinner, I had a drink called the Black Squirrel which was too sweet for me! It is made with smirnoff vanilla vodka, frangelico and kahlua. My server allowed me to returned the Black Squirrel for another drink, I got the Antioxidant. It is made with van gogh acai-blueberry, van gogh pomegranate, cranberry and sweet and sour with an orange twist. The antioxidant was good, it was a good balance of tart and sweet. Our server Fran, was great! There is valet parking, but we parked in a parking deck around the corner from the restaurant. This is a great place to come to if you are in Milwaukee late at night!

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Ate here during dining week. Service was soooo slow. Food was fair. Better steaks to be had IMAO at Texas Roadhouse. Oh well.

    (2)

  • Kari G.

    My hubby and I have been here three times in the past 6 weeks. Previously, I had been here for a private party. We used the Group On as well, but did not have a problem with the 18% gratuity. The service was great throughout our meal. We didn't have to search for our server, drinks were filled and the food hit the table hot. I usually order the sea bass, but this past visit I ordered the lobster ravioli. The sauce was creamy and I had nice chunks of lobster inside the ravioli. It left me pretty satisfied, and I had no room for dessert. My husband ordered the butternut squash ravioli and stated it was very flavorful. I am pleased with the level of service we received, and the ambiance is very relaxing. As long as this place stays open, I am sure we will be frequent visitors.

    (4)

  • justin F.

    Was going to wards for a celebration dinner. When we got there at 7:30 the place was almost empty. Not a good sign for a Friday night. The hostess was not very friendly. Didn't smile and sounded like she was annoyed we were there. We ordered drinks and they didn't have the Jameson 12 year I ordered even though it was on the menu still. Then the bread came, what a joke. There were 2 pieces of store bought bread and 2 VERY stale chunks of some kind of cheese biscuit. A new basket yielded the same results. The wait staff was relatively good natured, but had very little knowledge about the menu or product. I asked for more info about the steaks, and one waitress said "I don't know" then got the other waitress who fumbled through a description of what a NY strip was. I explained I knew what the cut was but wanted more information about the meat. I was met with a blank stare, then she tried to tell me about the cut of beef again. They knew nothing about how they're prepared, what kind of beef, are they aged.. Etc. When the table behind us sent back food and sounded disappointed, we paid for our drinks and walked to a nearby restaurant of the same type. Considering there are 3 other steak places in 4 blocks, there are some basics Wards will need to turn around to survive.

    (1)

  • Jon O.

    Had a nice dinner at Ward's. Not spectacular but not horrible. My wife and I both ordered the filet. The cut of meat was poor. Tough and somewhat fatty. Not what I'd expect for a $40 filet. I regret not ordering the prime rib. The lobster bisque soup was excellent. Mine was chock full of lobster pieces, but my wife's didn't have any. A side of mushrooms was a great accompaniment. Our sever was decent, but took my wife's (expensive) drink away before she finished it. She moved so quickly we couldn't alert her unless we yelled across the restaurant. It was okay, and I might go back at some point in the future. Next time I'll try the prime rib.

    (3)

  • TL U.

    I have been to Ward's a few times and never left disappointed. Typically I have their steak but this last time I tried the prime rib and was definitely glad I did. It was one of the best pieces of prime rib I've had. I took it home for leftovers and the next day it was just as delicious. My boyfriend is a huge fan of their steak and scallops - He gets it every time. This last visit I tried a side of creamed cauliflower - Glad I did. Typically service is always top notch at Wards but this last time our waitress was a little short. I can't tell you her name because we were never told. Upon arriving at our table, the first words out of her mouth were "Can I get you something to drink?" Not a welcome or greeting. I used the restroom at one point and I wasn't even seated in the booth yet before she starting informing us of the specials. I felt she could have waited for me to sit down before she started addressing our table (the 2 of us). Throughout our meal she disappeared and a different waiter took over, which was definitely fine by us because he was extra pleasant and outgoing. We love Ward's and will continue to come back despite the less than pleasant waitress. The food and overall service are too good to let her ruin it for us!

    (4)

  • Janelle M.

    My boyfriend and I came here on a groupon that we had this past summer, and I am NOT sorry. We started out with some warm bread and drinks. A few minutes later, our soup came. I had the lobster bisque and he had the beef vegetable. Let me tell you, forget about that beef vegetable. The lobster bisque deserves your FULL attention. Thick, creamy, not too fishy, and just plain hot and delicious. So so good. And I hadn't even tasted my steak yet. I ordered a 6 oz. filet (awesome) and my boyfriend requested the prime rib (which was even better than mine, I would reccommend it). It came with our choice of potato as well. Everything was tender and flavorful. You can dress up here if you like, but you don't have to wear a sport jacket or an evening gown to be let in. I wore a sundress and was very comfortable in the upscale setting. I should also add that the service was great! Our waiter was very down to earth and helped make our meal very relaxing. We went on a Friday night around 6pm and had no wait for our table. Overall, it was a great experience and I am excited to return!

    (4)

  • Chitown D.

    Second time is definitely not a charm at this place. Not only were the food and service bad, but we asked to speak with the sommelier and he wouldn't come over and they weren't that busy. That definitely started us off on the wrong foot and it went down from there.

    (2)

  • S B.

    Food was mediocre. My boyfriend ordered a $45 steak, nothing special. My freshly seared ahi tuna was delicious. The atmosphere is just strange. Smelled like old people and the dining room had very bright lights. Service was below average, especially for fine dining. Only thing I would go back for was the shuttle that took us to the Pabst for our show!

    (2)

  • Danny C.

    Love the Bone-in Ribeye. Never disappoints!

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    I have mixed opinions on wards. Pros: the food was super good, our waitress was nice, and the manager makes a point to check in on your table. Cons: what is up with the hostesses? Worst phone etiquette ever, and they seemed to have no idea if they could take reservations or not. When we arrived they appeared just as confused and were pretty snotty, not to mention they were dressed like go go dancers. Is this a club or a restaurant for old people? Can't tell. Bottom line:if you want me to pay that much for dinner you need to teach your employees some customer service skills.

    (3)

  • Sadie T.

    We went here on Saturday night around 6pm after walking away from our reservation at another downtown restaurant. Wards had immediate seating and was the upscale feel we were looking for. Now, that being said...my companion and I ordered soup and salad. We weren't interested in a heavy meal. Our waiter, Nick, was friendly, attentive, and very unpretentious. He didn't know the answers to our questions about the menu, but he did go and find out. We both ordered drinks. I got the Paloma cocktail. It was so incredibly salty, I had to send it back. Nick apologized and prompty brought a new (and saltless) drink. I had the strawberry fields salad. It came with raspberries, not strawberries (which was delicious...but it would have been nice to be informed). Good salad, quality lettuce. I also got the tomato bisque soup. YUM. It was only a cup size (at one point our waiter came back and asked my companion if he wanted his stake soup as a cup or a bowl, but didn't ask me). I was told I got the last of the soup, so I asked for more bread to fill in the cracks. It was incredible soup, 5 stars. I would go back here again for a fancy dinner.

    (4)

  • Miguel W.

    My meal was a real hit from start to finish. I was a solo, late-night diner and sat in the lounge area. I started with the ahi tuna appetizer and went with the bone-in ribeye for my entree as the only prime rib that they still had this late in the evening was medium or past. Totally understandable. The appetizer was phenomenal and the steak was one of the top three that I've ever had. Even the house salad was creative, unique and distinct. My server Blair was a total pro. She was around when needed, but left me alone to watch the TV's and play Words with Friends on my phone when I didn't need anything. Blair rocks!

    (5)

  • Alyssa P.

    Food was good, but overpriced. $6 upcharge for a teacup of lobster bisque, and there wasn't even one piece of lobster in it. The ribeye was tender, but lacked seasoning and flavor.

    (3)

  • Jon A.

    At first I thought "milli-wau-kay," was Algonquin for, "beer." In fact, it has many definitions. Another one being, "we know exactly how to be the most amazing place to have the greatest House of Prime Rib." Ward's. Doesn't it just ring with the name of someone you'd like to know? He probably founded Schlitz. Or, the first guy to enjoy a High Life. The lore of Ward's (according to bubbly Mary Kay) is they all worked at another unnamed Steakhouse and broke off to found a specifically "prime rib," locale the way they see fit. Yes, it was fact when I called to make a reservation for 17 guys from Los Angeles in town for a Bachelor Party and that the dinner at Ward's was going to be the apex dinner for us. Mary Kay didn't balk, she pitched a perfect game (and the umpire of life didn't screw up the final out). A gent named Gunnar picked all 17 guys up in a shuttle. A gent named Gunnar waited on all 17 guys all night. A gent named Gunnar drove all 17 guys home in a shuttle. That folks is service. That folks is the Gunnar show. Gunnar did 17 separate checks, and broke the Bachelor's check up 17 ways, so we could all pay. Um, anywhere else but Milwaukee? Onto the grub! The Prime Rib at 24oz was enormous! Bloody, rich, thick cut, prime rib that makes you want to hasten your way into hell, so you can dine with the devil all night on something like this prime rib. Schlitz in the bottle or top-shelf Manhattan, whatever you'd like Sir & Madame. Seared sashimi & smoked stonebread appetizers. As you can see...the Mayor of Milwaukee isn't dining as well as us because he wasn't at Ward's that night. This night at Ward's displays why we dine the way we do.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    Wait time: haven't really had to wait yet. Reservations never hurt! Parking: There is valet for $5, probably a good idea if you are dining after 6pm on Fr-Sat. Otherwise most likely will find street parking on Jackson St, Jefferson St. or by Cathedral Square Park. There is also a parking ramp next to it which has $6 parking but the door out of the lot exits on Jefferson. About a block walk then. Atmosphere: Formal, yet casual is OK. People dressed up to people wearing jeans and a polo. Booths are nice for couples and up to 4, quiet inside good for dates and groups. What do I order: MUST get the caramelized Brussels sprouts! They are absolutely amazing! You can't believe that you are actually eating Brussels sprouts by the time you eat them. Also their bread and butter is awesome. The Steak chili was good, a little on the salty side but hearty. Filets are pretty standard and tasty. But we go back mainly for the sprouts. Also recommend ordering the Jargon Pinot Noir wine to have with the steak.... oh but the sprouts. (CRAVER ALERT!) Rating: The service has always been nice, it is a tad bit slow so don't be in a hurry to make anything. The owner comes out and greets tables which I feel is always nice to feel taken care of! Parties? - They have a nice backroom with a flat screen TV that can sit about 15-20 around a table. Great privacy!

    (4)

  • Jay G.

    we were there for our anniversary the staff is awesome the food was great i know prime rib theres is right up there with the corner house i dont have to drive to get awesome primerib next time i will try a hugh maybe a 206or 207 to beat the one and only we will be back

    (5)

  • Kari M.

    Ward's has been on my list of restaurants to try for awhile now. I reviewed the menu before going and was drooling. I couldn't wait to get there and eat a big slab of meat. The bar and entrance area is nice. It is trendy with dark woods and a long bar. It made me want to hang out there longer. I wish we would have eaten in this area instead of the main room. The main room is just kind of disappointing and had kind of a weird vibe to it that I still can't place my finger on. It is a big open area with a couple of the walls have booth seating and then several tables in the center of the room. It was pretty dead for a Friday evening around 7:00. I am not sure it is due to people watching their budgets after the 2% SS tax increase or an indication of things to come. The speaker by our table seemed to be the only speaker working and the music was kind of loud coming out of there. It made talking to my boyfriend who was sitting right by me kind of hard. Definitely too loud for a place like this that is supposed to be more upscale dining. We ordered the Prime Rib 12 oz special of the evening. The soup of the day was cream of asparagus which was good. I am low-carbing, but could not pass up the bread. It was warm, crusty on the outside and a bit soft on the inside, just the way I like it and worth cheating on my low-carb diet for. The prime rib was cooked medium rare as I had requested but lacked flavor. it wasn't awful, but it wasn't the best I have ever had. I keep thinking back to Sunday Brunch at Pandl's in Bayside, they had some excellent prime rib that was so tender you didn't need a knife to cut (I went to this brunch over 10 years ago and still talking and dreaming about it). My prime rib was a bit tough and chewy. For it being slow roasted for as many hours as they say it is, I thought it would have been like butta. My twiced baked potato was probably my favorite item of my meal. It had a nice golden crust on top from the cheese that was baked and flavorful inside with bacon. MMMMMMMM. We ordered a side of asparagus with hollandaise sauce. The asparagus was rubbery and the hollandaise was bland and did not have the usual buttery lemony taste. (Try Blue's hollandaise sauce, that stuff is so good). I think the thing that really made our dinner sub-par was the horrible service we had. Our server was not engaging, did not smile at all (but we didn't fee tool bad because she didn't smile to anyone). She seemed like she was pissed she had to be there working. Even still, she could have faked being happy. I don't always want to go into work but when I am there, I am there for my customers and put a smile on my face and it comes through in my work product and interactions. The service really made our meal into one that was unforgettable, but not in a good way. I expect much better service at a place like this. I am not sure what it is now a days, but so many places the servers just don't seemed to be trained well. We had thought about dessert, but based upon what we had eaten so far and our unwelcoming server, we could not pay the bill quick enough, grab our jackets and get out of there. We opted for some Sassy Cow ice cream from Outpost, and I even served it with a smile on my face. We did have a Groupon that we used, but that being said, that should not mean the meal and service should be of lower quality. We normally tip on the regular full price of the meal and above the usual 20% for good service. It was hard tonight even giving our server 15% of the regular price tonight. I don't think she deserved even that, but we still gave her that. I am not sure what is going on with Ward's since we had heard such good things from our friends and reviews. Based on the experience we had tonight, I don't plan on going back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    3.5 stars. Very nice setting. We had an early reservation do the place was still pretty empty. My wife and I both got prime rib and we ordered the cajun mac and cheese which was delicious. The prime rib was ordered medium rare. It came out medium. They offered to redo it but told us that it will always appear medium due to cooking all day which doesn't sound right to me. The prime rib was good but I don't think it was so much better than some other places I've been like nardo's. I would rate them higher but the value doesn't really match the price. The server was very good though. His name was gunner and he was great! Overall a nice experience but not a place I would say I'm dying to go back to.

    (3)

  • Cory T.

    UPDATE: Well, if you've read my last review of the place, you'll see I've visited Ward's twice now. I was promised gift certificates in the mail when contacted by management about my first visit, which was absolutely lacklustre. I had a mediocre experience when I visited again (it was a short time after the first visit, and I didn't wait to receive the certificates--I figured I'd use them in the future). As of 8/2/2011 I still have not received said certificates for the poor meal on July 9th. I think I've let enough time pass that I can assume they are not coming. I find empty promises deeply disappointing. Needless to say, I will not be returning, nor can I recommend the place. With plenty of impressive dining options in Milwaukee, I was a bit surprised at Ward's lack of follow through.

    (1)

  • Warren D.

    I've been looking forward to trying this place since it took over the space formerly known as Yanni's; which was a decent restaurant in its own right. The seating process was friendly and efficient and the back room we were in was cozy and well-decorated, with the exception of the entrances, which were an odd mishmash of classy frosted glass and the same metal framing you would expect from the stores at your local strip mall. It's unfortunate how much it cheapens the whole joint. Service began decently with a pleasant and efficient waiter. The lobster ravioli is a nice--if pricy--appetizer. Diet Coke came with a slice of lime (I felt so cosmopolitan!) and my dining companion's Sidecars were so tasty that he ordered a second. I ordered the broccoli cheddar soup, but received lobster bisque instead, which I guess was fine. It wasn't Capital Grille quality, but was tasty and above-average. I chose the panko-crusted walleye for my entree which also featured asparagus and fingerling potatoes. All entrees are to come with a choice of potato, yet when I chose twice-baked, I was told that I was already getting a potato with my meal (well, then!). Around here is when our waiter disappeared and someone else started helping us. She was also friendly and I didn't mind, but wondered why she wasn't introduced as our waiter was at the beginning of our meal. Just as I was getting concerned for the bloke, he reappeared near the end with the check. Back to the food, the panko was tasty but the walleye itself was kind of bland. I yearned for Capital Grille's citrus-glazed salmon... The fingerling potatoes were tasty with just the right amount of saltiness. Sadly, the asparagus appeared to have been sauteed in water as it was totally devoid of flavor. Thankfully my dogs ate it the next day, so it didn't go to a complete waste. All in all not a terrible experience, but at these prices I would expect a slightly higher quality of food. Oh and if you're going to charge me $2.50 for every Diet Coke I get, either tell me refills aren't free or spare me some of the ice--$5 was hardly worth the 10 ounces of Diet Coke I actually consumed.

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    This place was alright. I am not a prime rib person, so perhaps I am not the most qualified to write this review. However, I can describe my experience. First of all, it was a Friday night and this place was a ghost town. I don't know if they're gonna be around that much longer. We'll see. We had the Roma flatbread which had a ton of garlic on it, and was absolutely delicious. The side salad with the tarragon dressing was also excellent. I got a 6 oz filet mignon which was not presented very well. Just a couple of pieces of parsley on the plate to make it look a little nicer would have been most welcomed. Just a note. The mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious. The average rating comes from the ambience. The lighting was a bit sterile and something about the dining area was just a little off. Overal, a decent experience, but I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. I can't vouch for the prime rib, but if I'm getting a steak in town, I'm going to Coerper's.

    (3)

  • Lisa S.

    Have been to Ward's several times and the service and food had always been excellent. In particular, Blair and Jack are excellent servers. Additionally, they have great happy hour specials. The food is pricey, but I'd you use a restaurant.com certificate, it does help. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Maika M.

    Ward's House of Prime has delicious cuts of meat. My husband and I went there for his birthday. He got the 24 oz prime rib and I got lamb chops. Both dishes were awesome! The prime rib was very tender and amazingly had a lot of flavor, best ever! The lamb chops were also very good, not as tender as the prime rib, but still very good cut of meat. Both dishes came with choice potato and soup or salad. Price is expensive but worth a special occasion dine in!

    (5)

  • Ashley K.

    I hate that I have to give this place such a poor rating because our waitress and our food were wonderful. However, our after dinner experience at the bar was terrible and it completely ruined our experience. Both servers seemed to care more about the basketball three-point competition then they did about the few customers they had sitting at the bar. Of the three requests I made, one was ignored and the other two were met with quick and abrupt answers so they could get back to the basketball they were watching on TV. If we enjoy a bar experience, my husband and I typically will stay for some time and have at least a handful of cocktails but in this instance we hurriedly finished the drinks we had and left due to the service. Between the two of us, my husband and I have over ten years of bartending experience so we often give servers the benefit of the doubt. In this case, we felt it necessary to say something because this brief experience is cause for us to never return to this restaurant. Date Visited: 2/16/2013

    (2)

  • Diane W.

    We went there for lunch for the first time. I was so impressed with the food and the service. Our waiter was so helpful with our food choices. She had a very good personality and she was patient with us being first time customers. We will be going back for sure on a regular basis.

    (5)

  • Rachel C.

    After watching the Travel Channel episode and my husband being a prime rib lover. We decided to try it for my birthday. We arrived around 7:30ish on a Thursday night. The place was pretty empty and was seated immediately. It took our waitress 10 minutes to greet us and another 10 to get our drinks. At this point we were a little irritated. I ordered the Seabass which was $37 and my husband ordered the 24oz prime rib at $44. Which by all means is not cheap. I have to say our food arrived in a timely manner BUT when it did come the presentation was far from something spectacular. For $37 I was expecting a beautiful plate highlighting my Seabass. I was served a piece of fish with a white creamy sauce on a white plate with not even a speck of parsley for color. I've gotten a better presentation of food from Applebees for around a 1/3 of the price. My husband's prime rib was nothing spectacular. Out of 24 ounces 12 of it was fat. We were very far from impressed. Save your money its not worth it.

    (1)

  • Jason V.

    Great food, great ambience, service average. Had the sea bass which is fabulous. Tasted the prime rib which also was terrific! A little pricey. Will be back again.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    After hearing so many good things I had to visit Wards. I was under dressed as most had on business attire, on lunch hour. I ordered the prime rib sandwich with potato salad. The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned. I wondered if I should have ordered a cut of meat instead but ended up very pleased with my selection. I will return because of the quality food and service. On a personal note the bathroom is very wheelchair friendly! For a person who lives on dollar menu's I was a bit shocked by the prices. Friends have told me for a high end steakhouse downtown it is reasonable. A GREAT EXPERIENCE,

    (5)

  • Emily T.

    Great experience! Great service, good steaks, and great sides. I'd recommend. Especially with a restaurant.com certificate! :)

    (4)

  • hannah j.

    The service was great, the seating and lighting perfect. My problem was the food, I ordered a fillet butterflied medium well and it was charred and the outside tasted burnt. My fiance got the bone in rib-eye ordered it medium rare, and his to was charred and looked and tasted burnt on the outside, and it was barely pink in the middle. Our total bill was over $100, do not think we will return again. I prefer a Morton's or Gibson's for that price. Was hoping for better, as I would love a great steak here in Milwaukee!

    (2)

  • Chrissy O.

    After reading other reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to give it a try. We ordered an appetizer and I could barely eat any, I felt like I was just eating salt. I had a pasta dish that was nothing above average My boyfriend enjoyed his meal, and the wine and bread was great. The service was good, and the atmosphere was wonderful. I know that they are a steak place and vegetarians aren't their target, but having 2-3 things that are well prepared really make the difference, rather than just having them as a tasteless afterthought. We'll probably give them one more try, as many Yelpers seem to be fans.

    (3)

  • Bennie t.

    One word describes Ward's perfectly: Mediocre. My wife and I dined at Ward's recently for her birthday and decided on the restaurant because of the reviews on restaurant.com and yelp. First and foremost, we had a good dinner. Good, mind you... not great. But we weren't expecting great. We were expecting a pleasant dinner, and that's what we got. I'd give it a B- overall. The value was good... about what we'd expect to pay at a steak-house in Milwaukee. All-in with a couple drinks and dessert, we barely eclipsed $100 with tip. We left full and happy, so nothing to complain about there. Our server was friendly, prompt, and alert... but I think we were her only table, so who knows what it would have been like on a busy night (aside - it was a Friday night and there were only four tables occupied while we were there). Maybe Ward's is more of a lunch destination as the Milwaukee CBD isn't exactly the most happening place to be on a winter night. Who knows... I've never complained about good service before, and I'm not starting now. The food was merely ok. This is where the mediocre part comes in... I find that you can have great service, great value, great ambiance, great entertainment, but if the food doesn't capture your attention, that alone will turn a great restaurant into a mediocre one. Don't get me wrong -- there was nothing bad about the food, it just seemed like I could have done better on my grill at home; when I go out to eat, I want great food that my tummy will enjoy... I don't care whether I'm in a swanky New York hotspot or a gas station BBQ in San Antonio. There was something about my prime rib that just didn't taste right. My wife's filet wasn't spectacular either. Again, it wasn't bad, but the flavor wasn't the robust beefiness that I expect from a true "prime" steakhouse. In summary... Ward's is like the student with so much potential that seems content with coasting through by fulfilling the minimum requirements. I would recommend it if you want a decent meal downtown with a spouse or family. I wouldn't take out-of-town guests, a date, or someone you're trying to impress to Ward's, however.

    (3)

  • Marc T.

    I visited Ward's for dinner this past Satrurday evening. The place was fairly busy, but not packed. I like the atmospher despite the fact that our table was probably among the worst in the place. I've only been to Ward's once before and it was with a large group, so I don't know if we got a typical experience. This time I thought the food was very good and the service was, as well. My lobster bisque was GREAT. It had considerably more lobster than what I belive is typical. My NY Strip, on the other hand, was just OK. It was definitely a nice piece of meat, but it was slightly over cooked (ordered medium rare) and just didn't pack the flavor I'd hoped for. My girlfriend's filet, on the other hand, was cooked perfectly and was far superior to the steak I received. We shared the creamed corn and mushrooms, which were both quite good. We also both ordered the twice baked potatos. I thought these were also better than what I'd had in the past. They tasted like they had been prepared in a wood fired oven with a smokiness that I really enjoyed. I'd definitely go back, but I might think twice about the steak I order.

    (4)

  • Ron R.

    Wonderful! Great Prime rib, but I feel we were slightly underdressed- The meal was fine, and the service was fabulous.

    (4)

  • Bill B.

    New place, just across the parking lot from the Pfister on Mason. Modern, cherry wood motif. Lots of HD televisions in the bar. Prime Rib is their specialty, but the night I was there with a business associate, it was all steak for us! Started off with The Wedge. I usually have them chop it for me, and they did. The dressing was not the usual Bleu Cheese, but a mayo based rendition of the usual dressing you expect. And it was pretty good. It was a little sweeter than what I was expecting, but hit the spot. I liked it. Then the fillets came. I ordered the 10 oz medium rare, peppercorned. It came out solo on a plate. No butter sizzling, no frills, just the steak and an oblong plate. Very nice. Just straightforward steak that was damn good. The other steak was ordered medium-well and came out perfectly. We ordered sides of sauteed mushrooms, asparagus, and the mac and cheese. All were delightful. One item of note: The service was stellar. Sarah was on the ball. Very attentive but not cloying. We wanted a second of the schrooms and they came out in about 45=seconds. I kid you not. The whole meal was just delightful. It did not appear too busy the Tuesday night we were there. This is a traditional steak/prime rib house with modern decor. I would place it ahead of Carnivore, but a little behind Mo's. I am not sure where they get their beef and I forgot to ask. I have a thing about Stock Yards purveyed beef, it Ward's may get theirs there. Not sure. Wards is going on my return list. Well done.

    (4)

  • Catherine G.

    Perfect steak, perfect service, warm/romantic atmosphere. I went to Ward's with my boyfriend to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We were definitely happy with our choice. The booths for couples are pretty unique. They lined the perimeter of the dinner area, you sit side by side, and have a clear view of the other guests. It was a little weird to me at first, staring straight on at the couple across the room and noticing them staring back. But after the restaurant filled up I grew pretty fond of the view. We started off with crab cakes and the shrimp cocktail. The crab cakes were AMAZING. They were the best I've had in Milwaukee. I probably wouldn't get the shrimp cocktail again in the future though. Nothing too special about it. Oh yeah and their cheesy bread is unexpected and delicious. We both got the lobster bisque soup (which comes with the entree). It was so smooth and tasty, not over-salted, with large pieces of lobster. For the entree, I had the ribeye, and my boyfriend had the prime rib. My ribeye was prepared a perfect medium rare. His prime rib was extremely thick, a little less done than he would prefer -- pbb b/c of the thickness of it. His warm horseradish also did not have the kick we expected and wanted. Next time, we would ask for the "cold" version. Overall, we both still enjoyed our entrees a lot. The entrees also comes with choice of potato. He got the mashed potatoes and I opted out of their potato side and got the green beans instead. Both were delicious!! For dessert, we had the strawberry cheesecake. No frills, no nonsense -- it was just a great tasting classic cheesecake. OMG I was so full I didn't think I could walk to the car. We used a restaurant.com certificate ($50 off $100) and spent a total of around $100 for our meals, 2 beers, and tip. They also have a bar area near the front entrance. We plan on going back to check out their bar menu food soon. :)

    (5)

  • Tristin H.

    Overall we enjoyed our first visit and will likely go back. Nice interior with a large lounge that includes seating options to eat as well as a decent sized bar. We opted for the dining room, and had very nice service - attentive, pleasant, etc. Both of us had the 6oz fillet. "Included" with the entree is soup or salad and choice of potato... this is where they lost the 5th star - it seemed to be implied by our server when we asked for caesar salad and the lobster bisque that they were included. No mention of "there's an extra charge," or "the house salad or soup of the day is included." Wasn't until I looked at the details of the bill later in the night that I noticed "substitute" charges. $2.50 and $3.50 I think. Either make this clear when ordering or just include all soup and salad options when we're paying $28.95 for a 6oz steak. Other than that little glitch, it really is a nice place with great food.

    (4)

  • Mark O.

    My wife and I have been there a number of times and each time it gets better. The meals are always consistently prepared, service is attentive, drinks awesome. Brian and the crew treats you like family. Ward's is my steakhouse in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Jimmy M.

    The wife and I used to be a big fan of the previous tenant, Yanni's, so we had to give Ward's a try. This is my first Yelp review. After spending that much money, I had to comment on the experience because it was a disappointment. The waitress took our appetizer order first, separate from the entrees, which is fine. What I found kind of unusual was that she brought our appetizers and then took our entree orders while the calamari sat there waiting for us. And the calamari was not good. Very boring. The marinara sauce was very watery and bland. If you want to try great and creative fried calamari, try it at Umami Moto. They serve it with a sriracha sauce that is more memorable than a bland marinara. The entrees were just so-so. I had a small filet, which was OK. I realize that filet is the most boring cut of beef, but I can make a filet taste better at home. My wife had the salmon and she thought it was just OK. The highlights were the asiago bread and the creme brulee. Everything else was very very bland. I expect a lot more from a high-end restaurant, especially when there is a lot of competition in this niche from places like Palmer's, Jake's, Mr. B's, etc. I won't be going back even though I have another $50 restaurant.com gift certificate to use.

    (2)

  • Bobby G.

    I'm a regular, or at least I should be!! I love the food, atmosphere, and staff. Prime rib is bomb, complimented with the creamy truffled corn. Dig it! Ill be back very soon! PROMISE.

    (5)

  • Aaron F.

    I've been to Ward's several times now and haven't been disappointed. I've usually gotten the filet but I've also tried the prime rib. The prime rib really is one of the best around. All entrees also include a salad and choice potato which isn't always the case downtown. I've also had some really tasty drinks from the bar there including a Mason margarita which I think is one of the best I've ever had. The filets are good but I probably have had better ones elsewhere.

    (4)

  • Stephen R.

    My fiance and I have date night every Saturday night. Every other week we try something new, this weeks unfortunate choice was Wards. First walking in the staff that greeted us looked flaky and distracted. They were rude as well. We were seated in a booth. The decor/atmosphere was decent but kind of cold feel. Being greeted by our server was awkward and too quick, ALL of the staff seemed unhappy and pissed off... That bad mood made it hard to enjoy our night out. The negativity seemed contagious. Both entrees were bland and boring. The house dressing was just okay but nothing I would crave. We left feeling unsatisfied with everything feeling like we didnt even eat. Very disappointed. My fiance was offered a potato side and then later told it didnt come with pasta entrees so it would be an additional charge...a lot of other little problems. You cant teach customer service, you either have it or you dont and Wards doesnt seem to get that. We will not be returning and will not recommend, in fact we intend to recommend people Not go there.

    (1)

  • Dustin M.

    Rude waitress, flatbread tasted like cardboard, and filet was a bit overcooked. Broccoli cheese soup was very good, and seafood sampler was pretty good as well. Would sit in the bar section if ever go back. Overall just ok, with a RUDE waitress.

    (2)

  • Jon F.

    I dont leave Bay View too often but I did for this and Im glad I did! If you're looking for great Prime Rib then Ward's House of Prime is definitely the place to go! You can eat in the bar area or go back into the dining area, its nice because they are completely separate. The are all friendly & professional the food was great. The menu is awesome and will fit all sizes of appetite. the prime rib cuts start at 8oz & go all the way up to 96oz (Holy Macro!!!) All entree's come with soup or salad & choice of potato. You gotta try this place & dont plan on doing anything afterward except a nice nap(unless you only order the 8oz lol).

    (5)

  • Scott C.

    My girlfreind and I went here last week after reading reviews of it on here and it did not disappoint. We started off with some drinks, a haberno bloody mary for me, Moscow Mule for her and both exceeded expectations. I ordered the 16 oz prime rib with a twice baked potato and it was fantastic. Service was great and the server was always attentive.

    (5)

  • Ted C.

    Best prime rib in the city! Value is great too (entree and 2 LARGE sides). Also, doing some great things on the wine list. Expanding imported section, and offering some cool BTG options.

    (4)

  • Anne H.

    Went there with a friend last night. Sat at the bar. We were ignored by the bartender unless we flagged him down. We ordered the tuna appetizer. It was not a good grade of tuna. it was very stringy. We were never offered another drink or more water unless we asked for it. The bartender was very busy drinking shots with other patrons at the bar. We expected much more from a place of this caliber.

    (1)

  • Chuck E.

    Awesome prime rib cooked perfectly medium rare. My wife's filet was also very good and cooked as asked. Wine list has reasonably priced selections and the staff was very friendly. Every bit as good as the chop house. It's too bad Ward's is not closer to home.

    (5)

  • Fates W.

    the best thick cut slice of bloody heaven prime rib I have ever had, next time in Milwaukee I will defiantly stop again.

    (5)

  • Mary H.

    I loved this place. The salad was really good. Steak cooked to perfection. I also did love the Brussels sprouts. Yummy. If you crave prime rib this is the place for you! The staff was very nice and they have valet parking which is always a plus Check it out!

    (5)

  • Cole W.

    The atmosphere is very nice, and feels pretty high end. A good place to take a date or to go with colleagues after work or to take a client.So I like that. The food is good. I've enjoyed various items from their menu and have only had one poor experience, which was not handled all that well (A piece of bone in my prime rib sandwich, cut open my mouth, waitress took the cost of sandwich off the bill but no manager came to address the problem and never did get an apology even though I was actually injured), but given the totality of good experiences I had previously and the fact that my friends love the place, I have given them another chance and have not been disappointed again. Although an apology for the bone shard in my soft pallet would still go a long way with me. The steaks are excellent, but the prices are pretty steep, so I suggest sticking up a couple old ladies earlier in the day so you can afford dinner and drinks. Also, I suggest ordering wine or beer because their mixed drinks are chronically weak and their martinis are superman strong.

    (4)

  • Joe J.

    Great Spot! The bar is a fun more casual feel and if you feel like being more formal the dining room is perfect!

    (5)

  • Paul P.

    The steak was great, service was outstanding and the atmosphere is nicely upscale casual. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Kate Z.

    Just had dinner at Wards tonight!! It was a great experience and AMAZING food. I have eaten at many steak houses, but Wards is one of the BEST! It has a great dining room, not too big.... Not too small. The Service was outstanding including the owner coming over 2 times to see how dinner and dessert was. The steak was delish, the cream corn is my new favorite! Not only did Wards offer a great dining location, but also a great value.... Potato and soup Or salad included. One surprise was that they do charge for every soda refill..... But not a big deal!! you can get a great meal at a reasonable price at Wards!!! I sure hope it stays in Milwaukee!!

    (5)

  • Wisco V.

    The service was very friendly, but the food was seriously mediocre. I wanted to love the food, especially for the price. I didn't. My boyfriend didn't either. I can't imagine we'll return...

    (3)

  • Julianne K.

    My fiance and I went to Ward's for our anniversary. Our anniversary happened to fall on Mother's Day this year so when I called to make a dinner reservation, they asked if we were coming to celebrate Mother's Day. When I said no, they asked if there was anything else we were celebrating and I told them it was our anniversary. Not really thinking why they would ask for such details, it ended up being used in our favor. Upon arrival, the hostess wished us a Happy Anniversary and seated us immediately in a romantic wrap around booth. The ambiance is very nice and it really is a very nice modern steak house. Our server was very good and really seemed to be very informed about the wine list and menu. All of the food we had was great. We had lobster ravioli as an appetizer which was very fresh tasting. I had the lobster bisque which was tasty (prepared with sherry) and my fiance had the vegetable beef (soup of the day) which was surprisingly nice. I say surprisingly because I wouldn't necessarily think that vegetable beef soup could be a stand out, but it was. As for our entrees, my fiance had the ribeye which was cooked perfectly. I had the filet and scallops. The filet was cooked nicely as well though I must add, it was not as exceptional as the steak at 5 O'Clock Club (truly amazing). However, it was a quality piece of meat, that was cooked and tasted great. The scallops were good too though they did lack that freshly caught taste, which I acknowledge is hard to do in Wisconsin. We had the creme brulee for dessert that the server brought us (gratis) for our anniversary. It was delicious. There were several areas where Ward's really stood out: 1. Their steak includes choice of soup or salad and a side, which is not usually how steak houses work (sides are a la carte). Their sides are also very good. 2. With any steak, you can choose how you want it prepared. Ward's offers a cracked black pepper rub, cajun rub, bleu cheese sauce, bernaise sauce, etc... 3. Overall, their customer service is A+. They really go the extra mile to make your dining experience great.

    (4)

  • Kristen S.

    Food and service were excellent. With Summerfest running, we were practically the only patrons dining. Had the lamb chops and glass of syrah - delicious!

    (4)

  • Kristy M.

    We visited in late March to use a restaurant.com gift certificate. Our waitress was top notch and we had great service that added to the experience. For our main entrees, I had the prime rib and my boyfriend had the filet. My prime rib was wonderful and my boyfriend had good things to say about the filet. The truffle cream corn was amazing and both of us were happy with our respective potato choices (baked and mashed). Our waitress gave us a free dessert which was a layered chocolate cake, it was delicious and a perfect ending to the meal. We really enjoyed our meal here and will definitely come back in the future when going out for a nice steak dinner.

    (4)

  • Robert B.

    My girlfriend and I had a great diner here this past Saturday, she had been once before and really liked it. I ordered the Bone-in Ribeye with a Wedge Salad to begin and a Twice Baked Potato and my Girlfriend ordered the Bone-in Filet with a Caprese to begin and a Twice Baked Potato. The Wedge was a bit different than a normal Wedge, it had White Cheddar instead of Blue Cheese and it was excellent. The Caprese had really fresh Cherry Tomatoes and Ciliegine sized Fresh Mozzarella with a great Balsamic Vinagrette. Both of our Steaks were cooked perfectly and the Twice Baked Potatoes were out of this world! Our Server was attentive and well informed on the Menu. The Owner stopped by out table to see how our evening was, which is a very nice touch! Since Bastille Days was going on just a few blocks away, we asked the Valet if it was OK to leave our car while we walked over for a while, he was more than accomodating to this request. All in all it was a great evening and we will be going back!

    (5)

  • Liz K.

    Came tonight with my hubby since we found this new place on Restaurant.com and surely are glad we came. The service was fantastic and the food was amazing. We started with the scallop appetizer which was ever-so-yummy before moving on to our delish entrees. Hubby had the filet and scallop combo...filet was cooked perfectly medium and looked outstanding. I had the sea bass which literally melts in your mouth with its buttery and most succulent texture. Must-have for fish lovers. Everything comes with soup/salad and potato, which you can also substitute with one of their tasty sides for only $2 more and they come ready to share for two people. Great to have a delicious and more affordable steak place in downtown Milwaukee. We'll be back!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Ward’s House of Prime

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