Legendary | Worth driving from anywhere
McBob’s | Best Corned Beef & Fish Fry | Milwaukee
Review by: Michael Stern
Friendly Corner Tavern
We first went to McBob’s on a Friday night to experience a great Milwaukee fish fry. Mobs of happy, noisy eaters welcomed us. The aromas of hot fish and cold beer filled the air. But we smelled something else, too: hot corned beef. While McBob’s hosts a fish fry every Friday (and Wednesday, too), superb corned beef is on the menu every day. Have it on plain or toasted rye: a grand Midwestern corned beef sandwich. Or ask the McBob’s crew to pile big, tender chunks of the steamy meat into a sandwich with sauerkraut, horseradish mustard, and Swiss cheese. Hail the Reuben! In the morning — yes, McBob’s opens for breakfast Thursday through Sunday — this house-brined meat becomes the best corned beef hash.
A Great Milwaukee Fish Fry
As for the fish fry, have it one of three different ways. Choose perch, walleye, or grouper, a combo of perch and walleye, or a super combo of all three. American fries or potato pancakes, cole slaw, and bread accompany the fish. A fragile, highly seasoned crust encases each fish fillet. The walleye is light and ephemeral. Mild grouper sports sweet, oily flavor. Snowy white meat defines the perch. Get the meal with potato pancakes. They fan out on the plate like an edible trivet for the fish. Bits of onion spark sweet notes throughout them. Their smooth potato tenderness perfectly complements crisp fried fish.
All Appetites Will Find Happiness
McBob’s has many food choices beyond fish and corned beef: tacos and nachos every day except Friday, burgers of all kinds, salads and soups, hot beef, and sandwiches. We can’t resist one sandwich dubbed “Philly Cheese and Beef.” It upgrades the familiar Philly steak with prime rib, Swiss cheese, peppers, and onions. Among several Benedicts one can have for breakfast, we love the Benedict Flight that includes not only Canadian bacon, but also prime rib and corned beef.
If you can’t find something you want to eat on McBob’s menu, we feel sorry for you.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night |
| Credit Cards Accepted | Yes |
| Alcohol Served | Yes |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
McBob’s | Best Corned Beef & Fish Fry | Milwaukee Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of McBob’s | Best Corned Beef & Fish Fry | Milwaukee?
2 Responses to “McBob’s | Best Corned Beef & Fish Fry | Milwaukee”
Jo Wishnie
November 17th, 2010
McBob’s is clearly the best corned beef sandwich restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. As a Milwaukee native, I have eaten there many times. Yes, it is a strange setting, just a typical Milwaukee neighborhood corner bar atmosphere, but the surprise and treat is their delicious corned beef, which automatically comes with the horseradish mustard mixed in. I did not know that the first time I ate it, and I’m glad. I normally shun horseradish, and had I known, I would have missed out on the best corned beef ever. The mustard is great and adds an unusual, almost sweet tang. Generously sized chunks, and generously filled sandwich.
I’ve had the fish fry too, and it is one of Milwaukee’s best. Crispy and tender, I’ve had each of the species, but the grouper was my favorite.
Best time to go is during the week when it’s not too crowded. You can get the fish fry on Wednesdays as well as Friday. I did try the famous Bloody Mary, but it was a little too spicy for my tastes. Lots of good veggies and stuff in it though.
Bryan Tk
October 16th, 2010
I am a regular at McBobs. It’s close enough to work for me to lunch at this dive bar with a great menue. The corned beef is top notch, so you cant go wrong with a rueben or a any of the other menue items with corned beef including the Irish spring rolls. The spring roll is a egg roll with corn beef, saurkraut and served with a dipping sauce. Also look for the scotch egg on the appetizer menu. This is a hard boiled egg wrapped in pizza sausage, breaded and pan fried. Also served with a dipping sauce.
The tacos are also good. They are about the size of one of those big burritos you get at those Subway like mexican chains.
Don’t expect a big bill when you finish up. My brother and I had a scotch egg, a spring roll, 2 tacos, and 4 beers the other night and our bill was under $25.
The neighborhood is not the best, but it is one block from a police headquarter building. I would consider it safe anytime before 10pm.
The bar is usually pretty full for lunch during the week, and the dinner hour on Fridays for the fish fry. I have found it mostly empty on Saturday evenings for dinner. Never visited for breakfest but I have it on my things to do list.