Cafe Hollander is one of the most well-known dining establishments in the Milwaukee area. While I've been there plenty of times for dinner with friends, grabbing breakfast at the city's most reputable gastropub was a new experience.
The Place
Cafe Hollander is situated at a very European five-way street corner at Downer Ave., Belleview Pl., and Hackett Ave., on Milwaukee's East Side (Hollander also has another suburban location in the Wauwatosa Village). Bi-level indoor seating in the bicycle-themed cafe is nicely enhanced by the spacious outdoor patio, which is comprised of charming cobblestone and adorned with a fountain. Ample outdoor shade is provided by umbrellas, and bicycle racks are readily available for those who choose to ride to dinner.
Bier and Other Fare
The menu at Cafe Hollander is pretty diverse and offers a great selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Their beer selection is also very impressive, offering everything from local taps to specialty Belgian crafts. They are also one of the few restaurants that feature absinthe on their liquor menu.
Cafe Hollander serves a variety of unique appetizers ranging from Bitterballen spicy meatballs to Wisconsin cheese curds and calamari. Patrons can choose from a variety of entreés to suit any palette, including a Summer Beet Salad, Tulip Turkey Burger, Grilled Steak Sandwich, Rosemary Goat Cheese Mac, and Meatloaf.
Of course, Hollander's breakfast menu (served from 8-11 a.m.) and brunch fare (from 9-3 p.m.) are also unique. French toasts, oatmeal, granola, pancakes, waffles, eggs, salmon, and quiche come served in a variety of flavors, always with fresh ingredients that really strive to enhance the quality and taste of every plate.
Our Tasty Breakfast Experience
Since it was such a nice morning, my husband and I decided to ride our bikes to Cafe Hollander's East Side location, where we found easy bike parking and were seated at a small curbside table. Our waitress was quick to pour our waters (extra-refreshing after a bike ride in summer heat) and offered a variety of breakfast drinks like oj, specialty Bloody Marys, mimosas, beer-mosas, and coffee. After ordering an orange juice, I got down to business checking out the brunch menu. There were loads of tasty options, but I narrowed my choices to the belt-busting Hot Mess (eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, potatoes, and cheese smothered in beer cheese sauce), Green Torpedo Omelet (with spinach, basil, feta, and goat cheese), or the Chorizo Hash & Eggs option. Eventually, my penchant for Mexican selections won over and I ordered the Chorizo Hash & Eggs, while my husband chose the Banana French Toast, topped with large caramelized bananas, powdered sugar, fresh berries, and maple syrup.
My breakfast arrived looking super-colorful and yummy in one big glorious bowlful of chorizo, breakfast potatoes, poached eggs, beer cheese sauce, and black bean relish (including tomatoes, corn, peppers, and onions). The runny yolk of the eggs added the perfect amount of moisture to the dish, as there wasn't as much beer cheese sauce as I'd expected. Despite the deliciousness of the crisp potatoes and tasty chorizo, the sheer density of the dish hit my stomach like a load of bricks and for the first time in ages, I couldn't polish off my meal. Since shoving the rest of my delightfully spicy breakfast into my pockets for the bike ride home wasn't an option, I finished as much as I could and bid adieu to the remainder.
Whether you're eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Cafe Hollander, be sure to come hungry and enjoy a great Milwaukee meal with a European twist!
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