Dick_Bacon | Feb. 2, 2012 at 5:27 p.m. (report)

Among the reasons Blue's and Maxie's are so good is the owners are exceptionally hands-on. They are very conscious of the danger of spreading themselves too thin. The Blue's location was attractive to them because it is so close to Maxie's. A Downtown Blues Egg would be great, but they may not be eager to expand.

SizzlinBacon | Feb. 2, 2012 at 3:31 p.m. (report)

I just had this same conversation with someone last week. Except we thought it would be better as a Blue's/Maxie's. Because it would be great to have a Maxie's downtown as well.

angelamb825 | Feb. 2, 2012 at 12:16 p.m. (report)

I love Blue's Egg and I'm sure it would be great downtown, but there are great brunch spots downtown too. Have you checked out the new(er) menu at Cafe at the Plaza? It's great. Also, IMHO, I don't think parking is an issue downtown for those that already go there. There are plenty of people who don't bat an eye at parking a block or two away for a good restuarant. Cater to those people and you'll have plenty of customers.

Hckyboy00 | Feb. 2, 2012 at 10:05 a.m. (report)

I remember Barclays having a pretty good breakfast/brunch themselves. Your problem is and always will be parking downtown. While Blue's is very, very delicious, one of the reasons it's always so busy is the abundance of parking. When deciding on a place to eat, people are much more mindful of a long waiting time if they didn't park three blocks away. I know it seems that the opposite would be true, but it's a matter of 'we may as well wait, we already have a good parking spot'. I'm not sure if they are still open, but a place like the old Pandl's or Heinnemans in Whitefish Bay/Fox Point would be the right type of location for a second Blue's. Also, you could put a second in Bay View on the south or west sides. You could build on the land the Archdioceses is selling at the Cousins Center, or somewhere near the airport like one of the strip malls at Pennsylvania and Layton.

dagwentim | Feb. 2, 2012 at 9:27 a.m. (report)

I don't think this is a matter of Milwaukeeans being lazy. I think it's more a point of WHY should people who live DOWNTOWN have to travel for a solid, popular breakfast restaurant? Whether it's another location of Blue's Egg or an entirely new concept, it would be splendid to have something downtown offering high-quality breakfast/brunch experiences. I'd even settle for something at the level of the old Le Peep. As it stands, the best weekday breakfast bet in EastTown/WestTown/3W/WalkersPoint remains Zak's Cafe. When that place gets fully "discovered," we'll have another Blue's Egg phenomenon on our hands.