Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009
Today
Hi: 44
Lo: 30
Mon
Hi: 42
Lo: 32
Tue
Hi: 46
Lo: 32
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
Related Twitter Posts

  • SuddenValues007:
    2 eggs, 2 pancakes, either bacon or sausage for only $2.99 w/coupon from Kroupa's Family Cafe in Elm Grove link

  • niklemler:
    RT @WelkesFlowers @WelkesFlowers Bring in a canned good to Milwaukee or Elm Grove Welkes House of Roses Flower Shops get $5.00 gift card

  • WelkesFlowers:
    @WelkesFlowers Bring in a canned good to Milwaukee or Elm Grove Welkes House of Roses Flower Shops get $5.00 gift card

  • LuxuryPages:
    How will you shoo the flu? A vaccine or vitamins? - Brookfield Elm Grove Now link

  • FreeListSac:
    Free garage sale items and quess mattress (Elk Grove/Foulks Ranch Elm Area): Take all items or nothing at all.... link


Follow us on Twitter ...
In Dining Blogs
"I never went there, but I'm bummed that it closed"
The Elm Grove Inn was a staple on Watertown Plank Road...
By Drew Olson RSS Feed Twitter Feed
Senior Editor

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Drew Olson

What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published Nov. 12, 2008 at 8:31 a.m.
Tags: elm grove inn, elm grove

The Elm Grove Inn, located at 13275 Watertown Plank Rd., closed its doors Oct. 1.

I drive by the place fairly often, but I can't say for certain if I ever dined there. If I did, it was 15 or more years ago.

I can't say the closing has impacted my life or my dining plans in any way.

But -- as strange as this may sound -- I'm bummed about it.

For starters, I hate to see just about any place close (with the possible exception of Circuit City, which was mentioned in Andy Tarnoff's blog yesterday). When businesses close, jobs are lost and the community is diminished.

Locally-owned restaurants are becoming rare these days. The Elm Grove Inn, which is purported to be the second-oldest restaurant in the state, offered a fine-dining experience that probably was a little out of my price and demographic range.

When I drove by, I often saw couples and extended families that seemed to be celebrating big events. When I watched these well-dressed folks walk on and off the porch of the place, I imagined grandparents' birthday brunches, wedding rehearsal dinners, graduation parties and other landmark celebrations.

For now, the celebrations have moved elsewhere.

Mark Doweiko, who took over operations at the Elm Grove Inn seven years ago, closed the place and the owners, Roxanne and Nico Derni, are looking for new operators.

I hope they find someone to take over soon. Maybe I'll try lunch or dinner there. If I don't, I look forward to seeing the activity again.

When a place that has been open for more than 150 years closes, it just doesn't seem right.

6 comments about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by jakkalope on Feb. 14, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (report)

Tammy said it best - Why are you wondering why it closed when all you have done is drive by the place? You will see many more places close this year, unfortunately due to the economy. Sad but true.

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


Posted by brendacee on Nov. 13, 2008 at 1:43 a.m. (report)

The last time I was Elm Grove Inn was a diaster. I went with my parents and we had tickets for a play at the Sunset that night. We arrived with plenty of time to enjoy drinks, dinner, and dessert. Our entre finally arrrived 20 mintues before the play was to start. We were offerred no apology or anything from management. It wasn't even that busy. Needless to say, that was the last time I've been there. It was a real diasappointment from what had been a nice and reliable establishment.

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


Posted by Tammy on Nov. 12, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (report)

Okay -seriously... you're bummed it closed and you NEVER went there? Why do you think it closed? If we continue to drive by locally owned businesses and never try them and encourage them to get better so we continue to patronize them, we have no one but ourselves to blame when we become more and more like every other city across America, full of chipper chain restaurants and stores that are all the same. Think about it, Milwaukee!

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


Posted by ozricale on Nov. 12, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (report)

I went there on my birthday several years ago and was underwhelmed. After reading so many good reviews over the years I finally tried it, and I never had a desire to go back. Food, service and ambience were all average. If and when they reopen I'll probably try again.

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


Posted by mitchgat on Nov. 12, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (report)

Great food and service. Sad to see them leave.

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5




Show me the other Talkback
Recent blogs/briefs by Drew Olson
What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Even up north, the Bucks are the talk of the town
Sunday
They may not usurp the local football squad in terms of fan interest, but the Bucks are ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Ouch: The Zoo Interchange needs 3 new bridges
Nov. 19, 2009
Citing "significant deterioration," the Department of Transportation announced plans to ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Saying "farewell" to a trusty daily companion
Nov. 18, 2009
For the first time in 40-plus years, I live in a house without a daily newspaper subscription. ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Which songs will Bruce play at the Bradley Center?
Nov. 14, 2009
Part of the fun of attending a concert by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is guessing ...

Pfister bar specials will help Bruce fans get "loose"
Nov. 13, 2009
The Pfister Hotel, which holds a special place in Bruce Springsteen lore, is offering ...

OnMilwaukee.com is part of the In Click Network. Other In Click sites include: 30RockReport.com | Behind The Scenes at OnMilwaukee.com | BetterRecipes.org | Bimmer Digest | Brain Brawn & Body | BrewCityBeats.com | Brewcitybigscreen.com | britneysnation.com | BritPop Rocks | Brooklynbanter.com | CactusLeagueReport.com | Caffeinateddigest.com | Culinary Piedmont | Cycling Chainring | Daily Lost Update | Daily Milwaukee News | Daily Spa | DannyGokeyMilwaukee.com | Dogs Blogs | EarthFueled.com | Edible Wisconsin | FanaticPhotog.com | Gadget Deals and Steals | GolfLinksWisconsin.com | H1N1 Alerts | H1N1 Blog | H1N1 Prevention | H1N1 Reporter | H1N1 Tracker | HogEnthusiast.com | Informed Runner | iPhone Daily Report | Man United Nation | Milwaukee Brewers Nation | Milwaukee Bucks Blog | Milwaukee Dad | Minnesota Wild Nation | MomMilwaukee.com | My Super Stocks | MyGayMilwaukee.com | MyHangoverHelper | News on Draught | NY Mets Nation | OnAtlantaGA.com | OnAustinTX.com | OnBaltimoreMD.com | OnBirminghamAL.com | OnBostonMass.com | OnBuffaloNY.com | OnCharlotteNC.com | OnCincinnati.com | OnClevelandOH.com | OnColumbusOH.com | OnDallas.com | OnDCmetro.com | OnDenverCO.com | OnDetroitMI.com | OnDoorCounty.org | OnFortLauderdale.com | OnGreenBay.com | OnHartford.com | OnIndianapolisIN.com | OnKansasCityMO.com | OnLakeCountry.com | OnLosAngelesCA.com | OnLouisvilleKY.com | OnMadison.com | OnMemphisTN.com | OnMiamiFLA.com | OnMilwaukee.com Cars | OnMilwaukee.com Metro Headlines | OnNashvilleTN.com | OnNewOrleansLA.com | OnNYCny.com | OnOrlandoFL.com | OnPalmSprings.com | OnPhiladelphia.com | OnPhoenixAZ.com | OnPittsburgh.com | OnPortlandOR.com | OnProvidence.com | OnRichmondVA.com | OnSacramento.com | OnSaltLakeCity.com | OnSanAntonioTX.com | OnSanDiegoCA.com | OnSanFran.com | OnSanJose.com | OnSeattleWA.com | OnSinCity.com | OnStLouis.com | OnStPetersburg.com | OnTampaBay.com | OnTucsonAZ.com | OnTwinCities.com | OnWichita.com | OnWindyCity.com | Packers Posts | Porsche 911 Fans | PriusFans.com | Roller Derby Network | SnuggieFans.com | SummerfestRocks.com | Swine Flu China | Swine Flu Reporter | The 24 Reporter | The Barack Obama Fan Club | The Brilliant Manager | The Comic Book Reporter | The In Click | The Office Fan Blog | TheHDTVReporter.com | TheNetbookBlog.com | TheNewParentBlog.com | Trueguitarheroes.com | Vintage Mets | VW Busses | WaukeshaWeekly.com | Weekly Media News | Wisconsincustomhomenews.com | WisWomen.com | Woodworker Digest