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In Dining
Supper clubs offer a taste of Wisconsin
Supper clubs offer a taste of down-home Wisconsin comfort.
By Amy L. Schubert RSS Feed
Food Writer

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Amy L. Schubert

Last updated Sept. 29, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
Tags: supper clubs, selens, five o'clock steakhouse, clifford's, the packing house, pitch's, the rafters, south woods restaurant


Note: The contents of this guide were checked for accuracy when this article was updated on Sept. 29, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. We continually update the thousands of articles on OnMilwaukee.com, but it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. As always, we recommend you call first if you have specific questions for the businesses mentioned in the guide.

Supper Clubs accentuate the classic, down-home comfort of Wisconsin. Usually found in the suburbs or small towns, supper clubs run rampant in northern and north central Wisconsin, where it seems like there is at least one every few blocks. In recent years, many old classics like Williams, Chuck's and the Aud-Mar closed, but we still have a smattering of Milwaukee area mainstays, mostly on the South Side.

The hallmarks of classic supper clubs seem to be large portions of steaks, chops, the iconic surf and turf, and spins on what each claim to be the city / county / state / world's best Friday fish fry. There is no alà carte nonsense as plates come piled with vegetable and starch, and décor is dark and moody, often with deer and bear heads peering down as patrons sip highballs and nosh on a relish tray and some homemade bread.

What follows is a list of some of the Milwaukee area's legendary supper clubs. Use the Talkback feature to share some of your own favorites.

Clifford's Supper Club
10418 W. Forest Home Ave., (414) 425-6226
cliffordsfinefood.com

This Hales Corners supper club features steaks, chops and seafood along with the token Friday fish fry. Banquet hall and catering are available, as well as dine in and carry out options.

The Five O'Clock Steakhouse
2416 W. State St., (414) 342-3553
fiveoclocksteakhouse.com

Situated in a questionable neighborhood, the Five O'Clock is not only one of the best steakhouses in the Midwest, its décor and throwback atmosphere make it a supper club lover's dream. Reservations are required and the fish here is fresh, not fried.

The Packing House
900 E. Layton Ave., (414) 483-5054

This family-run South Side staple was founded in 1973 by the Wiken family, which still operates the restaurant. Friday fish (and drive-through service), catering, hall rental, dine-in and carry out options are available. The Packing House also offers brunch and a children's menu.

Pitch's Lounge and Restaurant
1801 N. Humboldt Ave., (414) 272-9313
Arguably Milwaukee's only Downtown supper club, Pitch's serves a mean highball and a side of pasta with just about everything on the menu. While steaks and chops are not as prominent as in suburban supper clubs, the ribs are good and the standard décor and service rules apply. Pitch's offers banquet hall and catering, dine in and carry out options.

The Rafters Steakhouse
7228 S. 27th St., Oak Creek, (414) 761-2222
rafters-milwaukee.com

The Dimiceli family has owned this Oak Creek traditional supper club since the 1930s. The Rafters is open daily and features an open charcoal pit in the center of the dining room. Prime rib is offered on Thursdays and Saturdays, and fish on Fridays; banquet hall, catering, dine-in and carry out options are available.

Selen's House of Prime
3107 E. Layton Ave., Cudahy, (414) 294-0599
selensrestaurant.com

In June, a family of nine siblings and their mother re-opened the restaurant as Nine Enterprises, Inc.'s version of Selen's, combining their collective restaurant experience and personal tastes to re-launch this Cudahy mainstay. Prime rib is offered nightly and Friday fish (and drive-thru service), catering, hall rental, dine-in and carry out options are available.

South Woods Restaurant and Banquet Hall
5404 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Cudahy, (414) 744-5430
southwoods.net

With nightly dinner specials and an old-school atmosphere, South Woods visitors are often greeted with a wait for a table. All-you-can eat shrimp boils on Monday and Tuesday nights also create a draw in addition to their standard supper club offerings. Friday fish catering, hall rental, dine-in and carry out options are available.



More Information ...
October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, special features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food. Bon appetit!

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

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by elnmajic on Dec. 19, 2007 at 10:31 p.m. (report)

I can't believe how awful Selenes food has become. A place known for it's prime rib, I couldn't recommend it at all. No wonder we were the only table there.

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Posted by OlderWiser on Oct. 22, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. (report)

Also give a nod to Pleasant Valley Inn on 97th and Dakota (West Allis) and Diamond Jim's Stoneridge Inn just a little west of Hywy 100 on Janesville Road (Hales Corners). I know these are the 'burbs to some, but still really good "supper clubs". Thanks for the list.

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Posted by laula on Oct. 21, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (report)

You forgot Dobie's on KK! Come to the St Francis side of Bay View! You'll expect to see Buddy and Sally waiting for Rob and Laura Petrie! Interesting client base and an improved menu make this one great fun. Then head over to At Random for an ice cream drink to revisit 1963.

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Posted by admiral on Oct. 21, 2007 at 7:08 a.m. (report)

Pitch's has the WORLD's Best Hash Browns!

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