4. Restaurants

St. Francis Brewing Co.

3825 S Kinnickinnic Ave, St Francis, WI, 53235
  • (414) 744-4448
  • Store is closed

St. Francis Brewing Co. Menu

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  • Frank A.

    Came in on a Friday night for a fish fry. Place was busy as expected and we waited about 20 minutes for a table. Fish was good, but I have had better. Place is lively and nice atmosphere - worth checking out at least once.

    (3)

  • Micalene S.

    As others have posted, the wait is long on a weekend. They do take reservations for 5 or more. Have a beer while you wait and relax. We went on a Friday night. I had the baked cod, which was very large, it came with a very nice salad. I was honestly expecting iceberg lettuce, but I got lovely mixed greens, red onion, and perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes. My hubby had the meatloaf, which was large and tasty. The couple we met both had the fish fry. The portion was hefty. They upgraded to potato pancakes and we're glad they did. I would definitely try it again, probably on a weeknight.

    (4)

  • Danielle B.

    I still think the prices are strange. I go to a lot of restaurants, and this menu just doesn't line up with the area. Prices are too high for some items: $13 for a 10-in. pizza at a brew pub? This isn't Transfer and $10 for a pretzel when they're $7.50 at Old German Beer Hall? I also have an issue with some of the up-charges. It shouldn't cost an extra $1 to get the specialty beer cheese sauce with the pretzel. If you want people to try it, include it. Especially at $10. And an extra $1 for sour cream with nachos is just silly. But some of the prices seem too low. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich for $10, and I got the Mexi-Cali (I think that was the name of it) burger, but with a black bean patty for $12. Since when do black beans cost more than pork? I've never seen that before. So why 2 to 3 stars? The food we had on our recent visit was really good. The service (our server was Brandy/Brandi?) was perfect. My cocktail, the Weiss-car was good and we split a beer sampler which was a great value - $8 for 8 samples, and gave us an opportunity to try all of the beers, some of which we really loved. The Sloth (brown ale) was my favorite. And guys, the patio. It's outstanding! The chairs recline just a bit and make me want to stay forever.

    (3)

  • joe s.

    Went here for the fish fry. Here are the highlights: The hostess looked to be about 12 years old, and she stopped holding a door halfway through my group so it slammed into one of my female counterparts; They brought the six of us to two tables of three that werent together and told us we could push them together ourselves, at which point we probably should have just left; Our server disappeared for a good 20 minutes when we were ready to order, pushing me further into a state of raw hunger and despair; She forgot my drink order entirely but managed to get everyone else's, leaving me sober and basically irreconcilable; They didnt bring us water until we asked for it (is this a thing now?); The food was marginal and didnt really make up for any of the above. The potato pancakes tasted like they had weird cheese in them, the fish was nothing special, but I didnt die or get food poisoning so I guess I should be proud of them for that. None of the above would alone be enough to make me hate a place, but combined it was almost like they went out of their way to make the experience well, uh, you know, "suck." Probably won't return.

    (2)

  • Vladimir K.

    I've driven past this place a thousand times but never decided to give it a shot until recently. All in all, "not bad" is the best way to describe. Service was lackluster but attentive. The beer menu brags of cask ale but there was none to be had at this time. Bummer. St. Francis' beer is okay. The brown ale and amber are nothing that will stand out in your memory but were very drinkable. The IPA was all right. The selection of beer styles available is pretty much your usual suspects. Food was okay but left a little to be desired. I ordered a burger medium and it arrived very well-done, totally cooked all the way through. I didn't want the cow to have died for nothing, so I just ate it anyway, it was still okay. The onion rings that topped it were cold. The sweet potato fries were pretty disappointing, they were not crispy but instead were floppy and oogy. The pickle was good. My dining companion got the vegetarian burger and said it was decent. I was teetering towards two stars on this review but three seems fair. Mediocre sums it up. All this being said, the place was not that bad and I would be willing to give it another try in hopes the food might be a little better and the brewer might have at least one or two more interesting offerings.

    (3)

  • Mike M.

    Average beer and average food in a neighborhood with nothing else around. You could do worse, but you could drive a little more and do way better.

    (3)

  • Angela W.

    Stopped in to watch the badger game and order some appetizers. Beer was alright (I'm a simple coors light gal-so may not be the best to review beers). But we really liked our appetizers. Ordered the BBQ pork nachos, really good and great to share with a group. Also had the BBQ pork shanks- now these were awesome, highly recommend! May not have been the best place to watch the badger game as it's something you want to yell about and the bar and restaurant are really open to each other (not that we were told to quiet it down or anything). I can see myself stopping back for a bloody and appetizers again (had a pretzel that looked awesome too!)

    (3)

  • Renee R.

    Great service from kitchen and waitress! My boyfriend and I chose to each get a soup and split a BBQ pork sandwich for dinner. While many places have a distaste for splitting dishes, the cooks at SFB Co. sent us each a plate with half a sandwich, fries, and a pickle! What a kind gesture! We are going back!

    (4)

  • Alfonso L.

    Impressive place, clean, comfortable and well appointed service. I got the burger, which was carrying some fine cheese and onion rings. Beef was seasoned great and whole experience was excellent. My three other eating partners loved their sandwiches, too. Beer was plentful too. A nice place to have a lunch.

    (5)

  • Lori L.

    This review is solely about their dinner service and not about the Sunday brunch. My friends wanted to go there because the beer braised beef that they serve during the brunch is spectacular. Otherwise, based on past experiences here I would have completely avoided this place. First, the service here is incredibly bad. It took us an hour fifteen minutes from start to finish and we had to keep hounding our waitress. We mentioned on the way out to the hostess but she didn't seem seem phased by our comments at all. The place was busy but they could have at least tried to pretend to care. The food was nothing to write home about. The people that were excited about the beer braised beef were let down. It wasn't the same quality as the brunch...don't know why but it just wasn't as good. I had a ham and cheese sandwich on a pretzel bun with fries. It was decent but $10 for a ham and cheese sandwich with fries it a little pricey for the area. The entrees are overpriced for the food quality and the slow service. There aren't many other restaurants in the area so that could explain the throngs of people who come here. I must say that since they got a new brewmaster a couple of years ago the beer tastes much better...that is my only real positive thing I can say about SFB.

    (2)

  • W S.

    StFB is about a 3.5 stars. Been there several times now, the food has always been very good. They have their own brands of beer from their on-site operation, as well as standard domestic and imports. Good service. Times that can be erratic are Sunday morning brunch hours. It can be a 5 minute wait to 60 minute wait. If they have groups that have come in for Sun. morning brunch, keep on going. Too many people, not enough staff, way too loud. Long wait times from being seated to standing in line at a buffet. So be warned. Other times of the day standard expectations as with any restaurant. Would recommend, just not on Sunday AM.

    (3)

  • Shannon W.

    Loved it from the second I walked in...country music, fun, friendly newer looking bar, delicious beer, nice patrons and a great bartender. I absolutely love the amount of breweries Milwaukee has! Anyway, I came in on a snowy Tuesday night & was happily surprised by the $1 beers, huge wrap around bar with high top tables, and side room with corn hole. The bartender was super sweet and I loved how the beers were named after the 7 deadly sins. I started off with the beer sampler, which was good, then ordered the fish tacos, which I really liked, highly recommend them. Excellent corn tortillas with battered cod, excellent chipotle aioli and black beans on the side. If I lived close by, I would definitely come here more often!

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: friendly neighborhood restaurant and brewery. Saint Francis Brewing Company is no small outfit. This brewery/restaurant has been a near-south-side staple for years now, and their Seven Deadly Sins beer series can be found in bottles at nearly every store in the area. I first stopped in on a Friday night and left because it was so dang packed. Returning on a Wednesday, 6 of us were able to get a table in their dining area. There's also a large bar near the brewing room and a separate party area. Overall, it's quite large. Saint Francis Brewing Company has more than beer; they feature a fully-stocked bar and a full menu. Their fish fry that night was pretty good, but I was there for the beer. $8 got me a sample of the 8 of their own brews on draught that night (they also featured other breweries' and had a cilantro cask beer). Saint Francis also hosts plenty of events to keep patrons coming in and drinking. From trivia nights to live music to a rewards program, SFBC is doing a great job of being a central hub in this small community. It's a comfortable space with good beer and better food options. Who needs church when you can spend a Sunday at Saint Francis Brewing Company? That counts, right?

    (3)

  • Meredith S.

    Seems like a nice neighborhood spot. As a visitor, I didn't know what to expect, but it was better than I thought it would be after walking in. Liked that they had a beer flight so you could try all the different beers on tap. I'm a terrible decision maker, so that always makes things easier. I ordered the grilled cheese, thinking it would be spectacular as I was in Wisconsin... the land of the cheese! It was okay. I could make the same thing at home, so boo. They do put avocado and tomato on it though which is a nice touch. Just seems like a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill type of neighborhood gathering place.

    (3)

  • Jax B.

    Went with a group of six; it took an hour to get a table on a Friday night. (We were expecting the wait, as they do not take reservations.) We sat at the bar during the wait and I had their stout brew. It was very good. The weiss was a hit with the rest of the group. I ordered the shepherd's pie ($11) while the rest of the group had the fish fry (also $11). The shepherd's pie was great. This pie consisted of steak with carrots and peas in a gravy topped with mashed potatoes. (It could have used a side salad, in my opinion.) Our waiter was not very attentive - my only complaint. I would try it again.

    (4)

  • Kirk E.

    We went to St Francis for our first meal upon moving to Milwaukee. It was amazing! My wife and I have tried several of the beers on tap, but haven't tried them all. The only reason we haven't tried them all is because we enjoy the Greed (Kolsch) and Lust (hefe) so much it's hard to order anything else. The food is fantastic. We've been back since our first visit and neither of us have tried anything we didn't absolutely enjoy. Their Sunday brunch is SO good. I could barely breath when we left because I was so full. I couldn't stop eating it all tasted so good. If you like good food and great beer, I highly recommend going here!

    (4)

  • Warren D.

    Stellar dining in St. Francis! Who'd a thunk it? Our little party of three came here the other night before a flick and was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. While others have criticized the decor as generic, I found it to be bright, open, and simple. Any joint that has to try to impress with the fake plants could probably have spent that money more wisely in another arena that matters. We sat near the bar which wasn't terribly noisy and allowed bandwagon Brewers fans such as myself a decent view without being inundated with homoerotic masculine energy (see Goolsby's, Major). Anyone that isn't interested in booze (like myself) should waste no time ordering a 49 Maples Root Beer. It's smooth, maple-y, and leaves you wanting to find the nearest IHOP. If you like maple at all, you'll love this RB! Others in my entourage sampled the Pumpkin Ale and praised it as the best use of a gourd outside of pumpkin pie. The food vacillates between pub fare and slightly more substantial entrees. There are plenty of options for everyone, and my St. Francis burger was excellent,right down to the toasted bun; the low standards of the town it shares its name with notwithstanding. Other options come on a Pretzilla bun, so you know you've found your bread nirvana. Sides are free which was a surprise given the relatively low cost of the burger, and the garlic mashed potatoes were decent. Most North Shore Nancy's would turn their nose up at it, as it does slightly resemble products offered in a box by a certain Mrs. Crocker. However I focus on taste and value, and the meal scored on both fronts. I don't get down to this part of town often--I have a reputation to uphold, you know--but the next time I do, I'll be sure to head over to St. Francis Brewery and Restaurant where the food is tasty, the service is friendly, and the host looks like Justin Bieber's cuter, jail-bait brother.

    (5)

  • James W.

    Only had the beer. Beer was good but I don't know how the food is...

    (4)

  • Kathy G.

    We went with a group of friends and waited for a table at the bar. Considering how shiny the building is from the outside, I was surprised to find it pretty dark and dank on the inside. I ordered a Kitzinger Kolsch, which is a lighter beer. The beer is supposed to come in a large glass for $5.50, but they were running out of beer so they served smaller sized glasses at a lower price. That seemed weird. When we got to a table, we could see the place was pretty packed. The servers were attentive considering how busy they were. A friend ordered the bangers and mash, which is brats with cabbage and onions. He said it was delicious. I had to get a beer cheese soup. It was really good. My husband and I split the South Shore Stout BBQ pork sandwich, it was a decent sandwich, very flavorful. Everyone had a good dinner. This was decent food at a fair price.

    (3)

  • Tom C.

    The food is reliably good, the service is efficient and friendly, and the dining area is large enough to accommodate all comers, even on a Saturday night. Their craft beer is enjoyable but not great. The menu is mostly composed of carb-loaded Irish pub fare, tasty but nothing special. Step up to the prime rib dinner for a gastronomically pleasing dish.

    (4)

  • Ed P.

    I had the meatloaf. First it was very salty. The worst thing was the piece of bone that lodged in my teeth. Very poor quality of food.

    (2)

  • May B.

    A few of us visited St Francis Brewery & Restaurant on a Saturday night around 7:30-8:00 and it was eerily empty. We were somewhat skeptical at that point, but it turned out okay. We got a sampler (6 samples of the beers) and overall they were good. We enjoyed the the seasonal pumpkin brew as well as the nut brown ale. The others were about run of the mill (nothing spectacular but about what I would expect for micro brew beer) except the Kitzinger Kolsch which we didn't like very much. They also have growlers for sale and refill which is always a plus. As far as food, they were out of a few items by the time we got there - which may be a good thing (things are probably fresher this way) or possibly just bad planning. Either way, they were out of the ravoli which I wanted to order and overall the menu is not very large. I ended up with a burger - which I will admit was nice because they actually cook the burger the way I requested (which most places don't do anymore) and the bun was a better bun than you'll see at most places. However it wasn't that good that I would make a trip out here to eat it. I think it'd be worth the trip for beer lovers and i might make it back for beer, but I'll pass on the food.

    (3)

  • H J.

    Stopped in here with our Nations fine young sailors after they marched in the St Francis parade....hostess was horrible! She literally had a booger hanging out of her nose and did not know how to be a hostess. Food and beer were good after the hour long wait. We were seriously the only people waiting for a table. Did I mention there was a whole section of the restaurant not being used...food and drinks took entirely too long. Seriously, they acted like they were to good to serve our Nations Sailors.

    (1)

  • Jennifer K.

    My friend lives in this neighborhood-so this was an easy place to go for a late lunch when I was visiting her in Milwaukee. It was fine-nothing exciting-but it worked. I had the tortilla soup (had a nice kick!) and I had a warm pretzel, which tasted like they microwaved a Snyder's from the grocery store. My friend liked her Monte Crisco-and they had Kraft mac and cheese for the baby-and they were very accomodating. Didn't have any beer-so I can't comment on that, but Steph had some root beer-and said it was great. Nothing special-but it fit the bill.

    (3)

  • Ruth Ann M.

    This is the restaurant St. Francis has been waiting for. In an area full of steakhouses and fish fry joints, St. Francis Brewery really stands out in a great way. The food is great, the atmosphere is classy but casual, the beers are tasty and strong, and the prices are really reasonable. I ordered the crab cakes for lunch, and I thought they were the tastiest crab cakes I've ever had. I'm kind of a crab cake snob too! My husband got the Grilled Cranberry Turkey Sandwich, and he LOVED it! He didn't say more than 2 words during lunch because he was devouring his sandwich! I really hope people visit this restaurant often. I would love to see it do well. My only suggestion to the owners/chefs is to offer more vegan and vegetarian options! We visited the restaurant with 2 vegans and a vegetarian. The vegans had nothing to choose from, and the vegetarian's only choices were salad.

    (5)

  • Chris G.

    We went out for Fish Fry after church on Friday night. We had family in town, so there was five of us. This isn't what I would call a crowd, but the hostess seemed put off that we didn't want to sit in the bar section of the restaurant. I would think in a restaurant of this size that they would have tables that could accommodate more then four people. First, the beer. It was OK. My Father-in-law and I both ordered the sampler, get a range of things. The beers got better as they got darker, but nothing to write home about. Like another reviewer said, "it is better then Miller." Second, the food. It was really good. Had it not been for the surly hostess, this would have been at least a four star review. The beer can improve as they brew longer, but the food is already great. Three of the group ordered the beer cheese soup, and all enjoyed it. We also got an appetizer of onion rings and they were fantastic. Not greasy or falling apart. I asked the server if it was the same batter as the fish fry, but she didn't quite understand the question. Three of us got the fish fry. So much food, there was plenty to take home (I can't decide if this is a good thing or bad.) It was crisp and hot. They charge extra for the potato pancakes, which I feel should be standard for a Milwaukee fish fry. Another in our group got the beer braised beef. With the sized knife it came with, we were skeptical that it would be tender, but it was. We will try again, and we will see if the review improves.

    (3)

  • Jessica W.

    Absolutely disgusted with my experience this evening at the brewery. My family and I waited over an hour for our food. We ordered two sandwiches and a fish meal. Several tables were served before us. When I asked the waitress what was taking so long she stated it had to do with my grilled chicken sandwich I ordered. The meat is raw before it is grilled. I have never heard of such a thing. She said our food was coming and 20 minutes later there still was no food. I asked to speak to a manager. This manager came to speak us and was completely disrespectful to my family and myself. He did not apologize for the delay. All he said was he needed to investigate the situation and would talk to us after we ate. There was no way we were going to stay in that restaurant one more second. We left money on the table for our drinks and left. I have never seen a man speak to women before in a way that this manager Nick spoke to us. I will never return to this restaurant again. I recommend the owners of this establishment consider sending this manager for sensitivity training. This individual represents your business.

    (1)

  • Danielle M.

    So St. Francis gets something "cool" after I leave, is that how it works? Right up the street from where I used to live, no less. Eh, that's okay, since it's not really that great. The few times I've been here and got food, it was just "eh" - the pretzels were the same run-of-the-mill crap you can get in the freezer section, and the wings were pretty bad. The beer, however, isn't too bad - nothing spectacular, but better than Miller Light. My fave was the KK Weissbier, and I did enjoy all the names that had something to do with St. Francis or Milwaukee in general. I'll probably be back when I'm in the area, just because it seems to be "the" spot to be in little ole SF.

    (2)

  • Alicia M.

    Went to dinner here on Saturday night (went in early cause we had a little one). I thought the food was pretty good but not amazing. It's bar food but with a heftier price than you would typically pay in MKE and there isn't really anything special about it to warrant the extra cost. That being said I enjoyed my meal but I don't think I'll be in a hurry to get back there right away. I went because I was desperate to try the Beer Cheese Soup (um...could there possibly be a more genius culinary creation than beer and cheese made in to a soup?!?). It was good but it wasn't the best I've had (the beer cheese soup at Jackson Grill is much better!). I'm pretty sure it had some bacon in it just as a warning to vegetarians. I had the pulled BBQ pork sandwich and my husband had the braised beef (which he said was good but nothing special). Hubs did rave about the beer though. They also have their own craft sodas and the Rootbeer was incredible (had a rich maple syrup flavor). I would go back just to drink the craft soda again and I know my hubs would enjoy another one of their beers. Maybe check them out and stick to drinks and Beer Cheese Soup? The service was very good. Our server checked on us often.

    (3)

  • Tim N.

    Took the wife here on a Saturday evening. A lively place to say the least. The Brewers were playing and a collection of drunks screamed their guts out over glasses of Oatmeal stout. We sat near at the bar, and after ordering our meal, a fight broke out between a bar patron and women sitting at the bar. Interesting thing is, the women started the fight. So I didn't have to buy pay per view. Oh yes, the Restaurant. Nice place. I ordered Jambalaya. It was good. Nice shrimp, chorizo, and chicken combination. My wife ordered an appetizer of Satay chicken. Looked a little skimpy, but I would go again. Check it out.

    (3)

  • Sam S.

    The Friday fish fry is amazing! I love it. They also have good brews, and the root beer is outstanding. The beer cheese soup is delicious.

    (5)

  • Dawn B.

    The food was good, but the hospitality needs some work! There was alot of miscommunication with the waitstaff and bartenders! They had some great live music, that was the reason why we went there in the first place. The waitstaff and bartenders need some more training on their hospitality! Probably will not go back!

    (1)

  • Thomas G.

    This is a wonderful new Brew Pub for the south of Milwaukee. I only went once, but I found everything to be very well done. The food was really good, and the beer ( I had the stout ) was phenomenal. I can't say a lot about it other than I hope you check it out. There are TVs at the bar, and the bar is quite large. They have a banquet hall, and ample parking. The place is a hit.

    (4)

  • Cory T.

    Nursing Home Fare Okay, I do NOT like this place, which is a shame because it's so convenient for me. I've tried it a total of four times, and it has struck out each and every time. I thought the place would grow on me. It didn't. The outside of the building is attractive, but that's where it ends for me. The interior decor looks like the generic bingo room at your local nursing home. And perhaps that's St. Francis Brewery's target demographic, because the food is bland and sterile as well. The soups are sodium-laced Campbell's commercial quality--like someone unzipped the big plastic bag into a soup well and let it simmer. I don't know if this is the case, or perhaps just the way I remember it because of my general feeling about the place, but I could swear that condiments were served in plastic ramekins. Here's my ultimate peeve about this place: the servers have managed to screw up MY order every time I've been there. Not my friends' orders, just mine for some reason. I guess I'm special that way. Having served tables in my lifetime, I'm very forgiving when it comes to wait staff, and i've never taken it out on them by leaving a bad tip or anything. Perhaps I should have, but I prefer the direct approach of offering feedback. It seems to fall on deaf ears with these people, because as polite as I have been, they never seem to offer up even the slightest acknowledgement of their obvious mistakes. And it has literally been something insanely and insipidly stupid each and EVERY time. Here's a prime example. I ordered a chicken caesar salad with the dressing on the side. Simple enough, right? Guess what was missing? THE CHICKEN! Of course the waitress "dropped" the food and went sailing into the kitchen. So I had to literally get up and flag down another server to let her know about the mistake. The original waitress was pleasant and said that they would cook some chicken and bring it out to me, since the kitchen apparently "forgot", although she never acknowledged a damn thing. The problem is, my friend had his meal already, and was eating it so that it didn't get cold. I said to forget it, and that I would eat the plain caesar salad instead. It was, of course, that out -of-the-bag crap I hate, with a couple raw onions on top and some nasty Kraft croutons ala Cousin's Subs. The check was "dropped" at the table and off went our waitress into the polyester heaven that is St. Francis Brewery. Where do these servers have to be that they are in such a hurry? We were literally the only ones in the dining room at an off-peak time of day (3 in the afternoon). This is the part that frosts me the most: I was charged for the CHICKEN I NEVER GOT. When I brought it to the waitress's attention, she didn't offer to take it off the bill. In fact, she was rather flippant, as I've experienced at this restaurant before. I don't mean to sound offensive, but it's almost as if these servers pop stupid pills before they come into work. I left the standard 20% tip as my contribution for the mentally challenged, and vowed never to return to St. Francis Brewery. And I haven't returned. Anytime someone tries to drag me there or asks my opinion on the place, I offer them my impressions. To boot, the place is not even a good value. If you really want the full experience of this place, go to your local Walgreen's or convenience store, pick up one of those Kraft Lunchables and a juice box and eat it in the parking lot. Your wallet will thank you.

    (1)

  • Katie R.

    Review is only based on the food. I came here for a work lunch with about 10 people, and it took about an hour and a half. I got a ham sandwich on a pretzel roll, which is usually delicious, but in this case was incredibly dry.

    (3)

  • Amanda J.

    We've been here twice and have not been disappointed yet. First time was for a fish fry a few months ago. Both of us had fish - my boyfriend had fried and I had baked. Everything was prepared wonderfully and was very flavorful - no rubbery fillets and didn't taste fishy. We were there again last night and again, had a wonderful dinner. My boyfriend had the center-cut pork chop special and he came short of licking the plate clean!! He also had the beer cheese soup which he just loves. I had the St. Francis burger and I think my only "complaint" (if you want to call it that) is that it needed a bigger bun to fit the flavorful burger on. The bourbon mushrooms were a really nice accompaniment to the flavorful tasting burger patty. I had the garlic mashed potatoes as a side and enjoyed those as well. My boyfriend also liked them, and he usually doesn't like garlic mashed potatoes. They had the right amount of garlic taste. The beer selection is really good and the beers are flavorful. I opted for a mixed drink the second time there and it could have been a little stronger, but not bad. Service was also pleasant both times we were there. Never felt rushed nor forgotten. And everyone - from the hostess to the servers were pleasant, which made for an overall enjoyable experience. We most certainly will be back.

    (4)

  • Lyssa R.

    I have been to St Francis Brewery several times, and each time the food has gotten a little bit worse. The first few times I went, the food was outstanding. The beer cheese soup, home made root beer and the ham and Swiss on a pretzel roll were always great until the past few times I went. Lately, the food has been cold and greasy, and service has been so-so. I love that the atmosphere and decor are very St. Francis like, with many of the landmarks in the city in frames on the wall. I'm sure I will be back, since I get the occasional craving for the beer cheese soup!

    (3)

  • Nicole D.

    The story here will of course center around the beer (as it should be.) The beer selection will have something for everyone but do yourself a favor and order the sampler to start. Non-beer lovers can take heart that there are wine selections and a full bar to. The food is surprisingly good for this off the beaten path. My husband had EXCELLENT Beer Braised Beef - so tender the knife is completely unnecessary. I had a fab sandwich of turkey with cranberry mustard and super garlic mashed potato. If you're not a huge garlic fan do not order. I ama garlic lover and so was thrilled. We shared a wonderful Baileys cheesecake dessert and a pretzel appetizer which featured their Beer Cheese soup to dip. I think I will have a full soup when we return....

    (5)

  • Melanie B.

    Great Food, Great Beer! St Francis, you are lucky to have this place!! We just went last night and I didn't have really any expectations and I was blown away by the quality of the food. The beer was delicious too- I had the Klosch (sp?) And tasted the Amber too. I felt kind of like "that girl" when ordering but the waiter did such a great job of accommodating all my requests, they had a broiled fish fry on the menu but it was in a butter cream sauce....and I really wanted the just the fish. Apparently, they cook the fish in the sauce so it was going to be a little bit more than the cooks just not putting the sauce on top. They cooks did it the way I wanted and it was wonderful fresh fish with perfect seasoning. The sweet potato fries, waffle!, are a nice touch as well. A friend of ours got the walleye and it was done just perfect. The place was hoppin' but we got in right away at 7:00pm for 4 ppl. It is a huge place. The menu is really thoughtful...much more than you would expect from a "brewery". It had so many unique items that all sounded delicious. Give it a try!

    (4)

  • Erik P.

    Ive been here twice and really enjoyed the food, beer and service. Beer is brewed onsite....it's not Lakefront beer, but it's still a nice change from the regular Miller, etc. On both occasions, dinner during the week and lunch on a weekend, service has been top notch.....attentive and friendly. A great alternative to the Lulu/Cafe Centraal triangle :-)

    (4)

  • Loesje T.

    A yearly family visit to Milwaukee would not be complete without going to our favorite brewery. We were in the city for four days and frequented the brew pub three times! Two for drinks and apps the third for a full dinner. Still great, keep up the good work!

    (4)

  • Bob I.

    We came to the brew pub for dinner on a Saturday evening. The appetizers were delicious (onion rings and pretzels). 2 of our party ordered burgers medium well and they were both served medium rare. Obviously they were both sent back. The burger with potato wedges was returned with piping hot wedges. The burger that had been ordered with the sweet potato fries was returned with ice cold sweet potato fries. Also noted, the pickles were missing on the returned plates. The third in our party ordered the cajun pasta. It was good but the chicken seemed an afterthought and didn't have much flavor and was lacking any of the cajun spices that were prevalent in the rest of the dish. The last in the party ordered the chicken potpie. It was okay with a piece of puff pastry plopped on top, but it was most assuredly not the potpie of his youth. All in all, I think we'll stick with the Friday fish fry at St. Francis Brewery. Oh, the beer was delicious.

    (2)

  • Steffi S.

    The last time we ate there, it was awesome! The service, the clam chowder, the Cajun chicken pasta were all great. The 4 or 5 other times that I have been there - the service was okay at best and the food average.

    (3)

  • Rich T.

    Wow, I was NOT expecting that. I went with a small group for the brewery's first annual Oktoberfest celebration. They had a tent outside with a polka band, a couple kegs of their oktoberfest beer (unveiled the very same day) and an unbelieveable array of food. We didn't go straight to the tent cuz it was a bit chilly out, so we decided to have a couple drinks at the bar to start off. The bar is nice and big and has everything you could want, not just the brewery's craft beers. I ordered a stout, and my friend had the weisse. I'm telling you, this stout gave Sammy Smith's oatmeal a run for it's money. It was really special. I had a couple sips of the weisse and it was nothing to scoff at either. We got to talking to the bartender and he was really friendly, he had that old south milwaukee hospitality. We talked to another female bartender later and she was equally nice and talkative. We garnered a little information on the place, and they're expecting to start bottling to sell their stuff in stores. It's definitely on the horizon, so look out for that. After our first drink, we ordered the turkey cranberry sandwich with sweet potato fries. Oh wait, not sweet potato fries, sweet potato WAFFLE fries. awww yeah, boyyyyyyy. I'm not the biggest fan of bar food, but this sandwich was remarkable. What made it truly spectacular was the perfectly pan-fried whole wheat bread. Reminded me of mom's grilled cheese! So we go outside and enjoy some sweet german drinking songs, then decide to order some of the food they prepared for the event. Mind you, german food isn't their specialty, but they pulled it off like pros. We had the wurst platter and everything was hot and tasted fresh. The knockwurst was a highlight of my weekend. If you like good beer and really above-average bar food, go check out St. Francis Brewery . I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    (5)

  • Richard K.

    Absolutely top notch. A wonderful menu that contains everything from artichoke cheese dip appetizer to killer burgers to "the finest grilled cheese I've ever had" to prime rib, filet mignon and more. Prices are very reasonable. The sides like cole slaw, and garlic mashed are made in house and taste delicious. OK... killer food, great service, pleasing ambiance... everything is wonderful and it gets better. The beers brewed in house are extraordinary. Perhaps not perfect for everyone, but surely perfectly appropriate and then some for any beer conniseurer. I wouldn't consider myself one (a beer conniseurer), but I know that these beers are superb. You can even take home a growler of beer, basically a big jug of beer for 10 bucks. If your really into beer, then you can become an annual member and enjoy tastings, brewmaster meetings, etc. And let me tell you this, it has waiting list to join. The only other waiting list in this area that I am aware of is season tickets to the Packers. Perhaps that will put things in perspective for you. I wish I could be a member. I would join today.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth S.

    Thought we'd pop in for dinner but was disappointed with the limited menu selections. Decided to order a beer and appetizer instead, but they were out of the Kitzinger Kolsch. I thought that was odd as they only make 5 types of beer there. I had the KK Weiss instead, it was good, with a banana-y finish, but later made me feel waayy too full. My companion had the Archbishop Amber, it was good but not remarkable. Ordered the soft pretzels with cranberry mustard. They were tasty, but I mean, come on, it's a pretzel. Our waitress was nice, but a little unhelpful. While still deciding on whether to stay for dinner or not I asked about the grilled cranberry turkey sandwich. I asked if the meat was "real" roasted turkey or if it was like lunch meat, and if they made it there. She replied that it wasn't lunch meat, it was deli style (same to me). and that it was brought in. If I'm going to pay $8.95 for a sandwich it better be something better than what I can get at a deli counter. There was also a pork special, but I only learned of it by overhearing a different waitress letting her customers know at the next table over. I think this is the last time we'll be going here. Two beers and an order (came with 3) soft pretzels = $15.61 without tip

    (2)

  • Jamie S.

    I live close to this restaurant, and have driven by so many times, and always wanted to stop in so after a year I finally did! And I was not disappointed. I wish I would have gone in sooner. It is a very large restaurant, complete with a humungous bar and outdoor dining area (will be super for summer). It is very clean, and bright inside. We sat in the bar area and we were served by the nicest waiter! It was a friday/lunch and slower so he was very attentive to us. We had the catfish appetizer, which I didn't think I would like, but it was tasty with the accompanying dipping sauce. I had the fish fry for $10.95, and upgraded to potato pancakes for $1 more (made with real idaho potatoes as was pointed out to me), and the fish fry was amazing! I dont normally order/eat fried foods, so I went out on a limb hoping that this would be worth it, and YES i can safely say it was. I got 4 large fish portions, potato pancakes, coleslaw and applesauce. Everything was outstanding. My dining companion had the reuben, and he was impressed. I tried it, and sure enough- yum. I would definitely go back, for my fried food fix or just to try something else!

    (5)

  • Angela F.

    I like this restaurant, and live only a few blocks away. I have a few friends who always ask if we can go to the St. Francis Brewery and Restaurant whenever we are looking for a place to eat in the area. The main courses have always been really delicious; no disappointments there. The dessert menu is very disappointing, which is why I give it 4 stars instead of 5. I have not tried the beer, so I can't say anything about that, but I have had their (house?) iced-tea and it was really yummy. The restaurant has a good atmosphere, it is clean and well-maintained. I like the decorating, which is in line with the "Franciscan" theme. The waitresses have all been very friendly and accommodating so far. There are some big flat-panel TVs by the bar, which are visible from the restaurant, but not obnoxiously so. It is actually nice to be able to glance over every once in a while to see the score of the Brewer's, Bucks, or Packer's game.

    (4)

  • Lisa W.

    I feel sort of guilty - I almost gave this only 2 stars then changed it to 3 because I felt bad. There was nothing wrong with this restaurant - I had a perfectly nice time and my husband and I both enjoyed our meals. There just wasn't anything spectacular or very different about it. Two of the beers (the ones we wanted to try) were gone when we arrived at 8:45, which I guess is good for them, but the two we tried then were not totally impressive. The Weiss was better than the Kolsch, which tasted maybe slightly watered down. The Nut Brown and the Amber Ale are what we will go back to sample. The food was good - I had the baked cod and my husband got the burger which did look delicious. It was good, standard brewery food. There were a few things that looked interesting as well on the menu, but I thought everything was maybe a dollar or so more than it should be. The service, however - was great. Our server was already very knowledgable about the beers (for this being the second week open), quick, attentive and friendly. The interior was nice - neat materials and a very high, open space. And mostly - I am just so happy to have another restaurant option in this area. It seems like everyone else is too - they've had a full parking lot since the day they opened during lunch and dinner times, and that is great. Plus - it's not a chain restaurant!

    (3)

  • Jenny s.

    this is a gem on the south side. fun handcrafted beers always on tap, good food, a little pricey and it can get loud during dinner - but a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon just relaxing with a beer. the staff is friendly and they wear cute tshirts :)

    (5)

  • Virginia L.

    My husband and I just ate and drank at the newest addition to the brew pub scene in St. Francis. Well... for a brewpub, the beer needs work. It was nothing special and even sub-par. My husband who is a serious beer fan found nothing special about the beers rated them as a low B or a high C. Why drink brew pub beer if it isn''t better than a bottled beer? The food was actually better than the beer - albeit a little over-priced. The vegetable stew - more like a soup- priced at $11.95 was way over priced. The flavor was great, but had little substance except for a few lonely potato chunks. Would I go again? Perhaps, but the menu needs a serious price reduction to fit its Milwaukee clientele. For a brew pub, the menu needs a little price adjusting and the beer as well. Taking into consideration this is the bar's first week, let's hope the beer and menu pricing improves.

    (2)

  • Liz A.

    Food that was ordered included: southwest egg roll appetizer, cheeseburger, grilled cheese, and the double decker club sandwich. Drinks: SFB's kolsch, SFB's vanilla carmel soda, and sangria. I've always like their grilled cheese - three different types of cheese, tomato, bacon and avocado, it's amazing! Sweet potato waffle fries were good too. I was told the cheeseburger and club were good. The southwest egg rolls were great, especially with the cheese dipping sauce. I found the soda to be too sweet for my likely but I knew that would be my reaction hence why I ordered the kolsch beer which I did enjoy. The red sangria was good. Service was good. And on Saturday nights they have live music. It was some sort of jazzy band and they were decent.

    (4)

  • Justine P.

    Tonight was my first time coming here, and it was overall a good visit. I wasn't crazy about any of the beer, but the food was tasty. We had the artichoke dip and fish tacos, which were born good. I had expected a little more from the beer, however.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    My husband & I came here with both sets of parents for dinner on a Saturday. We were immediately seated, given menus and beverages. Our waitress took our order for appetizers and it was quickly provided. But then she was nowhere to be found to take our food orders - we were almost done with our appetizer before we found her so that we could place our food orders It took a bit to get our food but we got it quickly. The food was very good and every one likes their food (I have always liked the food here). I would give it 2 stars for service because it can be hit or miss & 4 stars for food.

    (3)

  • Dave S.

    I sooo wanted to like this place. I passed it all the time when leaving bayview on 32 and thought some day I'll eat (and drink here). Well last week was that day..... Maybe an off day but food seemed canned (had shrimp salad and ya know not quite good). Also ordered beer sampler. Now I like (love) beer and had high expectations. Meh Really bummed as reviews seemed ok. Perhaps I'll return some day but for now so many other (better IMHO) places nearby it may be a while. Not the worst ever but two stars is about all I can give

    (2)

  • Tanja M.

    My husband and I went with another couple. We sat at the bar until our table was ready. Happy hour at the bar means you get 2 for 1. The bartender gave us a green ticket for the 2 nd drink. We were still on our 1st when our table was ready. We asked the bartender if we can take our ticket to the table since happy hour says bar only. She said yes. When our waitress came she said those tickets were for the bar and seemed annoyed. We told her that bartender said it was okay. She did bring our drinks but her service seemed short and somewhat cold. Beer soup, jambalaya, meatloaf were all excellent. Restaurant was pretty busy, food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. We will return and hope they can work out there policies before the customer is involved.

    (4)

  • Addie G.

    Service wasn't on point. We weren't offered refills or asked how our food was. What a let down.

    (2)

  • Chad M.

    Bad beers, and terrible service. Take your business elsewhere. Waited over an hour for our food while driving mediocre at best beers.

    (1)

  • Katie S.

    I think I've been here three times. And that statement sums it up. It's not memorable, but I keep coming back. The beer is ok. It's not spectacular, but it's good. I could make a surprisingly good imitation of their bloody mary by watering down some V8. The service is generally good, friendly and attentive. I've had regular menu choices and they were pretty good. I've also had the Sunday brunch....Imagine if you took a face plant into a pile of hangover food and had to eat your way out. This is what happened to me (except that I was not hungover and had actually just gotten done getting some fresh air and exercise in Grant Park). Here's what I remember from my nap inducing tour around the buffet: scrambled eggs bacon sausages! French toast deep fried peanut butter and jelly scones and stuff biscuits and gravy beef short ribs orange chicken jambalaya cheesy potatoes mashed potatoes and gravy there might have been fruit and coleslaw mini dessert thingys there may have been a made to order eggs benedict and omelet bar I know I'm forgetting things, but there were enough choices to satisfy most cravings...unless you're vegetarian or eat like a healthy, responsible person all the time. Logistics are a challenge and you will most likely forget the made to order bar even exists because it's up by the front door. It's not a destination for me, but when I find myself in the area, it's as good a place as any to stop in.

    (3)

  • E M.

    I love this Brew Pub, tasty beers (My favorites are Lust and The Pride Beers). I enjoy the Ribs, beer cheese soup, but all time favorite are the stations at Sunday Brunch. Great Service Staff every time I visit. I would recommend them to anyone..

    (5)

  • Neal L.

    We've been meaning to try the St. Francis Brewery since moving to the area a year ago. The time was finally right and four of us headed over on a Friday evening. We were amazed by the size of the crowd - the parking lot was overflowing and we had to park at an empty building next door and take a fairly long walk to the door. There were many people crowded into the waiting area and we were told that we would be seated in about an hour. Given the obvious popularity, all of this seemed to indicate that the fare would be worth the effort and the wait. We were eventually seated after about 75 minutes, and the crowd was no smaller than it had been when we arrived. That said, all of us were "underwhelmed" by the meal and the service. First, we found that our table and chairs had water and/or beer on them (it looked like there had been a spill or two that were hastily cleaned). I had to go to the bar and ask for a towel to wipe everything down. Granted, it was very, very busy, but come on, that's what your wait staff is for. If you're that overwhelmed, you haven't staffed your restaurant adequately for the night. Nevertheless, we still anticipated a delicious meal - why else would it be so popular? But sadly, the meal was not at all impressive, especially considering the prices. And the wait staff was so overtaxed that we rarely saw our server. I can only attribute their success to the overall popularity of brew pubs, and the fact that it's the only one I'm aware of in this area. But given this experience, I won't bother to try St. Francis Brewery again. (Sorry, owners).

    (2)

  • Jeremy C.

    Only have been here for brunch. Pancakes are amazing. Staff is friendly and the place is clean. Have been going here a few years now and will continue when we sleep in and the other places are too crowded.

    (4)

  • M W.

    Nice atmosphere, Good food ... the new menu is a great improvement. Friendly service (not always prompt). Burgers are good. I've tried the Chicken Lime, and Beer Cheese soups and didn't like either ... way too salty. Fish is good ... baked or fried. Pizza is ok ... not great. Salads are great. Good variety of their own craft beer and bottled brands. Outdoor dining available. Off street parking. Wheelchair accessible.

    (4)

  • Valerie J.

    Decent food, horrible service! We stopped in for a late lunch (pretzel and onions rings for apps, burgers, ham sandwich, wine, margaritas). The apps were tasty, but we had to pretty much wave our arms and jump up and down so someone would bring us plates. My husband and cousin requested soup with the apps (both ordered the same kind of soup); one bowl arrived with the apps and one with the meal. House margaritas were tasty. The two burgers were good and juicy. The bread for the sandwich was dry and icky. Overall, our server seemed rushed and preoccupied, even though he had all of three tables. A disappointing experience.

    (3)

  • Jill N.

    Came to this place because of a Living Social deal that I had that included 2- beer samplers, one appetizer, a 64 oz. growler and 2 keychains. We came in mid-afternoon on a weekday and the place was pretty quiet. It looks very new on the inside despite being open for 6 years. Our bartender greeted us warmly and got right to making our beer samplers. Their beer samplers contain 8 different beers that are all labeled nicely. She explained each of the beers to us which was helpful since all their beers are named after the 7 deadly sins (which is a cute idea). They also have 2 seasonal beers as well. There were drink menus and food menus sitting right on the bar, which was also nice. We opted for the giant pretzel with mustard and beer cheese sauce. It was GREAT! Many of the other food and drink menu items looked delicious as well. I will definitely come back here. The beer was tasty, our bartender Liz was extremely attentive and friendly and the food we did try was great as well. Couldn't have asked for more! Very thankful for Living Social deals to get us out to try new things that we either didn't know about or were hesitant to try.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    I seriously love this place. I am an official card-holder! We dine here often, and have never had bad service. Sometimes as a couple, sometimes as a large group (with a reservation). At any restaurant, mistakes are bound to happen. we had a large group there recently, and a burger never came out. We asked about it, and they brought the wrong burger. The recipient inhaled it anyways because it looked better than what she had ordered. They were very apologetic, and gave the girl who received the wrong burger her dinner free, along with a gift card. They also gave a gift card to the person who was paying for all of the meals in the group. Yes, we will be back again. Thanks for acknowledging the mistake and making it right.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    For the St. Francis/ Cudahy market, StFB is pretty cutting edge. There just isn't very many other options in the immediate area. Other than Polanez,, I can't think of a single other restaurant in St. Francis that I would even recommend. The fact that the owner(s?) made such a huge investment and took a such a huge risk to build this place, earns StFB a fourth star in my book. Another thing I like about StFBis that it's a place that both my mother and I can agree on. She usually favors crappy Greek restaurants with a ton of brown food and all of the crackers and jelly you can stuff in your purse for $5.95. Me, I favor edible food. Decent beer is always nice too. The menu is full of comfort food for her and fresh tasty beer for me. Recently I had the beer cheese soup, fried mozzarella, southwest egg rolls, and the beer-braised beef. All were excellent, however, the bb beef blew me away. It has two of my favorite food groups in one entree! Who could ask for anything more? A good comparison to StFB would be the Rock Bottom Pub downtown. There a bit of something for everyone, service is always good, beer is made in-house. It's a place I'll go if someone else wants to go there, but I probably won't be the one suggesting it. Unlike all of the brew pubs downtown, this place has a large parking lot! I'm quite confident when I say that this is the best Microbrewery/ brewpub south of downtown.

    (4)

  • Jessica O.

    St Francis Brewery is clean, friendly, and the food is good. I sipped an chocolate hazelnut porter that smelled absolutely heavenly and tasted even better. A sip of my friend's amber ale was also quite satisfying - smooth and crisp. Five stars there. The beer cheddar soup is also quite fantastic, and the beer braised beef is fork-tender. Overall, a great dining experience. The location is a little out of the way for me, so I don't know if I would make a special trip out there. But if I saw that chocolate hazelnut porter on my grocer's shelf, I would pick it up in a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • Joseph W.

    Not exactly the religious experience I was expecting when a place is named after a Saint and followed by the word "Brewery". That's not to say it was bad by any means. The waitstaff and bartenders here are perfect pros, making sure I was content and gladly answering any questions I had about the different beers they had to offer. I selected my beer wisely, asking for a glass of St. Francis' own Belgian Tripel. It was surprisingly good and went down smooth after two hours of running around previous to this stop. Props to the brewmaster, I'd definitely buy this if you start to offer it by the six pack. The food was excellent. The beer cheese soup was perfectly creamy and not too salty like some other soups. Their Mozzarella Marinara is amazing, along with their Beer Braised Beef. I wasn't crazy about their southwestern egg rolls, but it's a good attempt nonetheless. I'll definitely be back based on this visit, most likely to sample more of their beers.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    We had good service here and the food was good. 2 for 1 Sin beer on a Thursday night was a bonus! I had the Chicken Sandwich and my friend had Salmon , both were both good.

    (4)

  • Virginia F.

    St Francis brewery has a solid brunch buffet. Hands down. This was my second time having it and it was consistently tasty, fresh and reasonably priced. I would actually give it a 3.5. The braised beef was really good. Very tender and flavorful. You get the typically limp buffet bacon and mediocre breakfast sausage but the rest of it makes up for it. With omelette and pancake stations as well as eggs, hash browns, sausage gravy and biscuits, mashed potatoes, ribs, prime rib, pastries, fruit and salad, there is definitely something for everyone. And bloody marys are only $5.

    (3)

  • Nicole H.

    I hear they've updated their menu and I'd like to get back to try more of it. Used to do trivia here so we were there weekly and man did I get sick of the menu quickly - I tried a lot of different things, but usually ended up back at the beer cheese soup, the grilled cheese and the nachos. So often specials would sound delicious and fall well short of the mark. But there's so little on this side of town and some of what they're doing is quite good. I would consider upping this an other star based on the beer cheese soup alone. It's thick and creamy and perfect for long, cold Wisconsin winters (Pro tip: The recipe is on JS so you can make it at home and it comes it pretty darn close). Big space, friendly staff - it's just not quite there for me. I have high hopes for this new menu.

    (3)

  • Tony K.

    Not much to say really. The beer is good. The food is pretty unhealthy and heavy... but AOK I suppose. I just wasn't swayed one way or another.

    (3)

  • Rob O.

    Can't say enough about it. The location is good with ample parking. The facilities are near new and well kept. Good selection of beer made on site. The food is excellent and the staff efficient.

    (4)

  • greg c.

    We ate there Friday and sat at the bar area. Service took a while before we were acknowledged they were busy . I ordered of their amber beers off their wine list ( no prices) and she had a Pinot Grigio. We had to return the wine (tasted weird and the second glass was bad too my beer came in a small water glass and charged me 5 bucks for it. We had the perch fry with potato pancakes (1.75) up change and a some sour cream (.95) up charge . The food came out fast but out bill was over 34 bucks with tip we felt the food was mediocre but overpriced . To top things off they had valet parking for their surface lot (not really needed). I guess that's their way of trying to charge for parking too. Ps we won't be coming back

    (2)

  • Christopher C.

    Great food, beer and service every time we go. I would recommend them to anyone.

    (5)

  • Al G.

    Beers aren't worth making the trip. This is clearly a local brewpub family restaurant. Menu is bar fare with a good selection. Buffalo Wings were good.

    (3)

  • Glen F.

    Pleasantly surprised by how well the Sunday AYCE Brunch Buffet was from a cost and quality standpoint. Very good selection, made to order omlettes and Eggs Benedict. Braised beef was tasty too.

    (4)

  • Richard S.

    Came here on a Saturday Night with my girlfriend Diane and her Dad. They both had the Prime Rib. It was perfectly cooked and the couple of bites I stole were tender and tasted great! I had the Jambalaya which was full of Veggies, Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage. Our server warned me it had quite a kick and he was right! I ate a lot, but still have enough left over for a couple of lunches this week. They are easily wheelchair accessible and the staff is friendly and helpful.

    (4)

  • chris r.

    Great food...meatloaf was excellent...with even greater beer.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    One of the best fish frys I have had in Milwaukee. Also one of the worst waits I have had in Milwaukee. If you take reservations stick to them else don't do them. We had a 7pm reservation and were told we would get the next big table. Other people passed us that didn't have reservations and we sat down at 745. The manager struggled to explain it and then comped us on our next visit.....id flip a coin to go back.

    (3)

  • Matt H.

    I've been here a few times, as recently as last week actually, and I have to say this place has the best looking hostesses hands down. That was the best part, I stared and I didn't care. Total knockouts. Oh yeah I think they serve food here too. A little more upper-class in terms of price, but you get pretty much what you pay for. Beer cheese soup that everyone is mentioned is one of the best I've had in the area. I've had a number of the entrees (fish fry, the pasta dishes) as well as some of their burgers and sandwiches and all are above par. Some better than others, but overall pretty solid. The servers are outstanding as well. Very attentive.

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    So I haven't ordered off the menu, so this is for the brunch buffet. I was invited by a colleague to an event to benefit seniors... brunch, football, charity. Anyway, the place was certainly buzzing and we were looking for tables around the bar area, but didn't get one, so we ended up in the room with the two long tables right under the t.v. There were a couple of waiters, but one in particular made us think he wasn't quite all there. The food was ok... I liked the chorizo in the scrambled eggs and I loved the party potatoes (I think they called them cheesy potatoes, but it was more than cheese and in Iowa that's what we call those). The beef was delicious too... I believe it was braised in beer and melt in your mouth! The rest of the food wasn't anything special. My colleague even mentioned that the ribs weren't that great. Back to our waiter, on one round when he was topping up our coffee, I asked for more creamer because our bowl was empty. He looked over at my colleague's empty chair, her coffee, and the two creamers that were sitting next to her cup, and he took one and pushed it toward me. Really? He had to bring us more in a few minutes when more people showed up. I would certainly go back and like to try the beers as well as the food from the menu, but on this visit, I can't give more than three stars.

    (3)

  • Al K.

    This establishment obviously has a cult following because people couldn't possibly go there for the food. My wife and I went to the Sunday morning brunch. Were there when it opened. Half of the items in the buffet line were missing and most were still missing a half hour later. The scrambled eggs were horrible. They were NOT eggs. The sausage and bacon were cold. The ribs and chicken were made the day before. If I want leftovers, I'll stay home. The egg station featured a guy who didn't have the foggiest idea what "Over easy" meant and the eggs Benedict were just about hard boiled. YEEECCCHHHH!

    (1)

  • Joanna T.

    Yep, it's food. Not bad at all - certainly equal to or bettter than many "brewpubs" in the Milwaukee area. Beer - pretty good. I had Kolsch and Sis had Weisse. They could use a 2nd bartender as ours was really hustling. Space - modern cloister style. Actually, quite thoughtfully designed with arches and a private room with sliding barn doors. The big photos of St Francis Seminary are a nice touch. Food - good. I had a turkey sandwich which is hard to screw up. It was a bit salty. Sis had the beer braised ribs - hell yes to those. Like the best pot roast with a hint of beer. Service - quite attentive and fun Crowd - interesting to say the least. Lots of South Side Royalty and many families. At the bar, a drunk lady lectured me about leaving my cc out as identity theft was rampant but she "was honest". Ohhhhh-kaaay. If you are in the area, you can do much worse.

    (3)

  • Allison F.

    The nachos brought me back to my middle schools days of microwaving tortilla chips and shredded cheddar. I would have sent it back but I got the impression it was exactly how they were intended. Overpriced and terrible. I did not enjoy the beer at all. I got the sampler and while the IPA was alright, the rest tasted either bitter or metallic. The building is very nice.

    (2)

  • Emily M.

    The St. Francis Brewery gets a 3.5 star rating from me. I've been teetering on the verge of 4 stars, but I just couldn't do it. Upon arrival my husband and I each ordered a sampler. It was a decent deal - 8 different beers, for $8.00. I have to say the Wrath Amber Ale was great, it was probably my favorite of them all. My husband and I both had the chicken pot pie. While the container it came in was deceptively small, the pot pie was surprisingly filling (with a puff pastry shell on top that we just mashed into the rest of the pot pie). It was a pretty respectable pub entree and I can't complain. Our waiter was very attentive - I can't complain because he was like Goldilocks - just right. He wasn't too imposing, but he was around enough to provide good service. However, here's where the three stars come in (instead of the 4, and it's really just a technicality but something I needed to complain about nonetheless). When my husband got the credit card back after paying the bill, the card was almost broken in half! I can't figure out why that could be - maybe it was run through with such a force that the plastic couldn't withstand the swipe? Not sure. The -1 star is for the time we've been spending on the phone, trying to get a replacement card. All in all we'd go again, but next time I'd probably just bring cash to avoid having to replace another card.

    (3)

  • Kayla M.

    Yum yum yum!!! Two thumbs are way up!!! Super great! Staff rocks too!!! Drinks are tasty! And the price is right!

    (5)

  • Corey P.

    Kitchen is super slow. Came in early for dinner on a Saturday, ordered sandwiches and 2 kids meals and it took 25+min for our food to come out. Food is decent but the service depends on what kind of high schooler you get serving your table. To top it off, they ruined root beer by adding maple to it.

    (1)

  • Jonathan J.

    Second time dining here and I must say the food is pretty good. First visit I had the jambalaya which was delicious. Second time I had the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, I would have to say it was pretty bland compared to other chicken Alfredo I've had. Their beer is great I would recommend taking beer home to go.

    (4)

  • Tanya R.

    This is a great place. The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly. Everything I've ever eaten there is outstanding! Their grilled cheese is the best grilled cheese I've ever had. All of the apps are fantastic. Drinks are reasonably priced. My husband raves about their beer selection. Especially the beers they brew themselves. They have a trivia night on Thursdays (at least they used to) and that was fun. Always have a good meal and good time here.

    (5)

  • Dulcie N.

    Terrible service. No one came to our table until about 20 minutes after we had seated. There was also a band that was playing so loud during the lunch hour that you could not have conversation. They also messed up our bill which took about 15 minutes to find a waitress to help us fix it. Very disappointing.

    (1)

  • David L.

    This is a small brewery with grub. Unlike the similar and nearby Horny Goat, which I think is OK (their milk stout now only seasonal?!?!) this place does it right. First thing, the place is pretty big, or at least bigger than most, which is a plus for me. Even on a weekend evening you can almost be guaranteed a table or at the very least a spot at the bar. The service and knowledge of the beer types on tap of the staff can fluctuate from server to server but is generally above average, not to mention the fact that most of the girls are very easy on the eyes :P At the end of summer they still had porters and stouts on the menu, which is rare in warmer months. I generally stick to very dark beers all year round, so that was another plus for me. All of the beers are very good and above average. Now the food. I would consider the food better than your average pub/restaurant grub and the prices are for the most part modest. I have had a few burgers and the fish fry and everything was great. Well worth the $$$. They also make their own soda from what I am told and it's very good! Atmosphere: 8.5/10 Food: 8.0/10 Price: Average and well worth it. Service 7.5/10

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    Nice relaxing lunch. Beer choices are awesome. Brazen beef was superb. Wife had fish tacos and gave them the double thumbs up. Highly recommended for a brew pub. Much better than the reviews indicate and definitely better than others, like mke ale house.

    (5)

  • Kyle H.

    Another family visit and was pleasantly surprised by- Chicken Pot Pie- excellent crust and the filling was sublime, with nice spices. Possibly the best chix pot pie I've ever tasted! (Too bad my son loved it too, and didn't have too much left to share w/dad). BBQ Chicken- I got the 1/2 chicken with green beans and garlic mashed potatoes. So much chicken, and the Stout-infused BBQ sauce was unique and not lame. Garlic mashed potatoes were good. Maple Root Beer- really good if you like maple syrup Kolsch beer- a nice light, yet complex beer Service was excellent and this place is lively but not crazy loud.

    (5)

  • Kyle K.

    "And if it's just a lull, why'm I bored right outta my skull? Oh yeah, keep me from feeling so dull." Paul Westerberg must have been at St. Francis Brewery. (Before you say anything, I know Don't Tell A Soul is probably The Replacements' worst album.) Look, I have no serious complaints about SFB. The place is nice, the food just fine and the beer is as good if not better than any of the other brewpubs in town. Take that for what it's worth. It's just that every time I've been here there doesn't seem to be much action. I don't need a laugh a minute, but I prefer a more lively atmosphere. I particularly like their Bangers and Mash. Being Polish, I can't get enough red cabbage. So far as their beer goes, it's pretty decent. If you check the place out try the Oatmeal Stout. It's my favorite. Yawn.

    (3)

  • Carla L.

    We were passing through on our way back to illinois and discovered this place. Had a fun beer flight and a very tasty burger. Our bartender was very attentive and we'd recommend this place to anybody. If you're thinking of trying this place, you should definitely give them a go. We'll be back.

    (5)

  • Adam U.

    The SFB is one of my two, maybe three, local drinkeries and that is why it gets four stars. The food is ok, with a couple of exceptions (the exceptions being really good...beer cheese soup is on that list). The beer is better than average and locally brewed which makes it cooler than going to Applebee's. The staff is friendly, helpful, and attentive; it is much better then falling down in an icy parking lot, in late March...ridiculous. I can't believe I need to shovel...never mind. The thing that sets the SFB apart is the tapping parties and the 'mug club'. Exclusive invites to new beer 'opening nights', .$25 "kill the keg" specials, and a nifty mug with the SFB logo on it. The mug club more than makes up for the minor flaws of this place. I won't stop going any time soon and look forward to the beer garden this summer.

    (4)

  • Sue H.

    One of my favorite places to relax and have a nice meal! Very polite servers and knowledgable about the menu. But my only gripe is that the bar tenders make the drinks way to strong. The Bloody Mary was so strong I didn't drink it and asked for a water. The garnish was lacking and no beer chaser! At a brew pub! I've stopped getting mixed drinks altogether.

    (4)

  • Leslie R.

    All four of us enjoyed our meals. I had the braised beef, which was fantastic. The potatoes and veggies were so-so, which is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. The menu has a wide variety of options, but it isn't overwhelming. The service is always stellar. The prices are good considering the portion sizes and quality.

    (4)

  • Bradrox M.

    I'm an easy person to please. That being said, I don't think I'll ever be back to St Francis Brewer for dinner. First we had to wait forever to be seated then the waitstaff lost our order. Finally, they brought out 4 of the five meals and it took over 20 mins to get the fifth. The food was all really salty and was not the highest quality.

    (1)

  • Andy E.

    I'm not a beer drinker but the maple Root Beer is my favorite root beer in the city (it's a close race between that and Sprecher). I don't frequent the restaurant too often but when I do go it's always a delicious friday fish fry with potato pancakes. I would highly recommend St. Francis Brewery to anyone looking for a good fish fry at a nice restaurant. And on nights that a sports game is on you can also sit at the bar area and watch the game!

    (4)

  • Kelsey S.

    Atmosphere: Nice space -- good decor, lots of seating, nice ambience. We opted to sit outdoors on the patio, which was only a bad idea due to the amount of bugs flying around this particular evening. Otherwise, a nice area. Service: Server was attentive and friendly. Beer: The hubs and I each tried the amber ale ($5) -- I thought it was pretty darn tasty and would definitely get it again. Food: Surprisingly tasty. I had the shepherd's pie ($10.95), which was a delicious feast of sirloin tips and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes. Yummy. The hubs had the chicken and ribs combo ($18.95) and said he'd repeat the order in the future. Overall, a nicer treat than our usual rotation of downtown brewery restaurants, or - at the very least - something a little bit different. Good meal for decent prices; I'm sure we'll be back.

    (4)

  • Mindy C.

    The beer cheese soup was indeed very tasty (as everyone on yelp has said). You must eat cheese soup while vacationing in Wisconsin - I'm pretty sure it's a state law. The soft pretzels were nothing special (what's up with not having salt on soft pretzels in Milwaukee? This is the second time!) though you did get to dip it in said delicious soup. My husband had the buffalo sandwich and he said it was very spicy (and he's not one to comment on that usually, he handles hotness very well). We also got the beer sampler (7 sample beers for $8) - there were a few that were pretty good and a few that were pretty meh. We enjoyed the Maibock and Amber most and the Smokey Porter was unique - though you wouldn't want to drink more than one in a sitting. Growlers are $14, with $10 refills. We got one to take back to the hotel room!

    (4)

  • Angel S.

    Wonderful location, beautiful building and friendly service. But ... The food was average. At times, mediocre. We found many of dishes poorly prepared. The service to the table was quick once the food was done, but it seemed like the kitchen was struggling with output. Bangers and Mash. Yuck. The beer was warmer than the meat at time of table delivery, and the potatoes were gritty and cold. We added soft pretzels as an appetizer, but it was served with the entrée. Tasted like it was dipped in the Dead Sea. Food preparation was haphazard, not seasoned or over-seasoned or messy, and others at our table agreed that the food, in general, was out of tune and lacking. Other reviewers are on point when recommending the cheese soup. Sad to see a niche restaurant like this go down in flames to the chains. Applebee's is priced about the same, but at least serves better food.

    (2)

  • Heather M.

    Best Beer Cheese Soup I've ever had. If you've never had Beer Cheese Soup... well.. it's beer.. and cheese.. and it's amazing. The Mozzarella Sticks are also a fantastic appetizer. You could even split it between four people because it's a very generous portion size. Sticking with the cheese theme... the last "must have" on my list is the Grilled Cheese. It has three cheeses and on sourdough bread. Great, friendly service to top it off.

    (4)

  • Rick F.

    We got the crab cakes for an appetizer, then Paul had the Sunday Special, full rack of ribs and I had the Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken. The crab cake were very yummy but perhaps a bit too much filler. The ribs were not quite as moist as Paul wanted them to be. Not enough sauce to coat the dry charring. All said they were tender and tasted good. My Alfredo was decent, the chicken was cooked near perfectly, but the dish overall was a slightly bland. The decor was fantastic, and the patio was expansive and nice. Oh, and the beer was good :-) One last thing, Paul and I are right around 40 and we felt young in there, except for the young wait staff.

    (4)

  • Matt And Meg L.

    My wife and I have gone to St Francis brewery about 4 times in the past year and I must say we have been getting more and more disappointed with the place. Each time we are there we notice that it is turning more and more into a chain like restaurant. Biggest disappointment were the soft pretzels, microwave frozen pretzels. Our last visit, they were cold and soggy. Our main course dishes were bland, I wish the food was as good as the beer. Service seemed very rushed even though it wasn't that busy. Atmosphere is ok. I must say I have enjoyed the beer every time.

    (2)

  • Josh H.

    Braised beef was awesome.... Wrath Amber is a must have.

    (4)

  • Sarah T.

    Requisite recipe for amazing beer cheese soup: Check. Mind-blowing three-cheese and bacon grilled cheese sammich: Yep. Canned beans served with sub-par tacos: What? Until a few nights ago, I was pretty much infatuated with this place. My dining experiences had been consistently great. The food was always hot, well-seasoned and, quite honestly, damn tasty. So I decided to take a chance (finally) and order one of their specials, which just happened to be tacos - with my choice of either chicken or beef - accompanied by rice and beans. Now, because I've been spoiled by really, really great Mexican food (La Canoa and Riviera Maya), my expectations were abnormally high. While waiting for my order to arrive, I dreamt of light, fluffy rice; lard-laced beans sprinkled with mild, salty cheese; and toasty corn tortillas cradling tender, slow-cooked chicken. None of which I received, unfortunately. My tacos arrived in flour tortillas, which would have been fine if the size of the tortillas hadn't been totally inappropriate for the pittance of meat and toppings I was given. Of course, I could have overlooked the meager amount of filling I'd received if any of it had actually tasted like anything. The chicken was bland, the cheese was a Frankenstein mix of greasy, unidentifiable bits of cheese, and the lettuce and tomatoes - which could have easily been replaced by onion and cilantro to give the taco more flavor - only added to the palate-numbing "blah" effect of the overall dish. My beans - oh, the shame! - had been harvested from a can. How could I tell? I'd made the same beans just a few nights before. Same consistency, seasoning, coloration, and embarrassing tin-can flavor. The rice was equally disgusting, mostly because it was loaded with what tasted like tomato paste and.. well.. not much of anything else, except a few sad little shriveled peas. Oh, and gummy bits of corn. The verdict: I think I'll stick with the stuff their chefs actually know how to make.

    (3)

  • Duke F.

    Beer is at about the 60th percentile amongst local brewries and brew pubs, getting better as time goes on. Main dishes are sub par. Environment is a tad sterile, but in no ways unwelcoming. Decent place to take your family out for a bite as long as the family is ok with one step above Applebee's cooking. What I do enjoy is the bar itself. We often find ourselves at the bar, quaffing a pint of the Kolsch or Nut Brown Ale watching a Brewer game or having a quiet conversation. Very friendly bar staff, top notch and never seem to be overwhelmed. Limiting oneself to the starter menu is your best bet. I have purchased numerous growlers of the Nut Brown to serve to friends and family at the holidays and it always gets positive reviews. Enjoy a pint but stay on the eastern part of the building where the best things happen.

    (3)

  • Ellrn G.

    Excellent atmosphere! The chicken pot pie, beer cheese soup, and apple cobbler are delicious!!!! Give this place a try!!

    (5)

  • Thomas K.

    MMM. This fish fry is bomb. Also affordable. I experienced beer cheese soup for the first time at this place, and is now one of my favorites! This is an interesting microbrewery. Good variety of beer, that is always changing. Not a big IPA fan, but it was very good here. You can buy a growler, and keep getting refills for $10. There is a hall that you can rent out for small groups/meetings. Cant wait for summertime to be able to hang out on the patio. Will be back!!

    (5)

  • Brad E.

    Sunday brunch is a new obsession. I enjoy the mix and match brunch. This is a great country where one can enjoy a stack of strawberry french toast with braised beef and mashed potatoes on the same plate. You can wash that down with a nice frosty mug of maple root beer made, in house. Or heck, have the beer sampler with chocolate dipped strawberries, about 30 slices of bacon and chicken parmesan, it's your choice. If you would like to create a dish that matches your tastes 100%, they even have made to order omelettes. The dining room is really beautiful with the romantic lighting and microbrewery in the background, working hard to bring you excellent brew. The brunch spread also included eggs and a beautiful fruit tray. In addition, it wouldn't be a Wisconsin approved buffet without the cheesy hashbrowns. This was all for $10.95! Service was kind of slow and the variety, over quality, was definitely the selling point. I really enjoyed this brunch and would definitely add this to my brunch rotation.

    (3)

  • Aaron F.

    I've been here a couple times now and overall I'd have to give it an average grade. I enjoy their home brews and they do seem to be getting better as time goes on. The food for me is average if not a little above average for pub grub. All the standard pub options are there with the sandwiches, wraps, and burgers but I've only tried the bangers and mash for an entree. I would like to try the shepherd's pie to see how it compares to other top picks of mine. I do also enjoy the look and feel of the place and how open it is. I think it's probably a great place to come for a drink or two on weeknights. I think if I was solely grading this place on its bar and beers I'd give it a 4.

    (3)

  • John D.

    We visited the St. Francis Brewery on the first day of operations, so my rating may change soon, but I decided on three stars for some very specific reasons. I believe that St. Francis Brewery ought to be commended for opening a brew pub in the Milwaukee area. I think most people who moved here from other areas would agree that Milwaukee seriously lacks good brewpubs. That being said, I believe that St. Francis Brewery has some work to do. The beer at St. Francis is okay. Nothing special, but it is drinkable. I have the feeling they were trying to release beers that appeal to the Miller Lite set, rather than going with more potent and unique brews. The Weisse beer was the best I tried. The amber was dull and the Kolsch lacked body. The beers were also expensive at $5-$5.50 given their mediocre taste. The food was pretty good for opening day. However, there was nothing special on the menu. Sandwiches, standard pub apps., and some entrees. I had a bourbon mushroom swiss burger that was pretty good, but it tasted like they added some sort of smoke flavoring to the burger. I would have much rather tasted more of a bourbon flavor than an artificial smoke flavor. The service was good and the staff seemed to be handling themselves well given the stress of opening day. I noticed the hostess was holding back tables in order to not overwhelm the staff. This shows smart management, which gives me hope. The decor is nice, but feels a little canned. That being said, it is a nice change from the average Milwaukee bar. I am excited to visit St. Francis Brewery again in the near future. Had the taste of the beer been better, I probably would have given St. Francis Brewery four stars. I am hopeful that the quality of this new spot will only go up over the next few months. Finally, St. Francis is non-smoking, which makes me very, very happy. It is nice to have another non-smoking restaurant in the Milwaukee area.

    (3)

  • Lawrence P.

    The food has gotten alot better since the place opened. The service needs a bit of improvement. The bartending staff rocks. They beers are also getting better. But, that is not to say they still are not worth trying. This place is worth your time.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

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

St. Francis Brewing Co.

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