Swingin' Door Exchange

Update Sept 2025: Came back for Taco Tuesday and it did not disappoint! The blackened tacos were incredible, three huge tacos, perfectly seasoned, loaded with flavor, and absolutely delicious. Portion sizes were more than generous, and every bite was spot on. This place continues to be consistent with both food and service. Still a favorite stop whenever I’m in Milwaukee, highly recommend! In Milwaukee for business and looking for a quick bite, we stumbled upon Swingin' Door Exchange — what a great find! It was so good, we went back again the next day before heading to the airport. Packed at lunchtime, it’s clearly a local favorite with a great vibe. Everyone was friendly and working hard to keep things moving. The burgers and chicken were delicious, but the real stars were the brussels sprouts and beet side dishes — absolutely mouthwatering. This is officially my go-to spot whenever I’m in town!

We came here just for the Friday Fish Fry because we are good (non) Catholics! Husband had 4 pieces of the Lake Perch with fries, and I had 2 pieces of the Cod with House Chips and Cajun Ranch, with an additional side of Spicy Vermouth Carrots. Husband loved everything, and ate everything! I loved the cod, the chips with Cajun Ranch, and even the coleslaw that comes with. German-style coleslaw with a bite from the caraway. The Vermouth Carrots are grilled to the point of being charred, which I was really excited for, but husband and I had mixed feelings. I found them not flavorful enough, and quite dry. They needed more spice and I wanted them to be sweeter, too. I didn't need them to be glazed but something would have kicked it up. Or some kind of fat - oil, butter, something. We were headed to the State Fair later so I knew this was the last vegetable I'd get for a while, so I ate them, but I did not enjoy them. This is a Pub's Pub - very publike. But not a gross pub, I didn't need to be glad the lights were dim. It felt clean, but definitely a traditional dark wood, carpeted pub.

I never knew Milwaukee is famous for food! Got this restaurant rec from local we met in shop. They told us to come here. We went there twice since we couldn’t get in at first visit due to long wait. No reservations walk in only. Glad we could make the next day for brunch. We came there 10 min before it opened. Everything was good! Truly Wisconsin traditional home meal.

August the 13th most of the family stopped in and had some delicious food 😋, burger with roast beef was a nice sloppy change up, fries were crispy and tasty, chili had some kick to it but was really tasty and same for the dog 😋 outdoor seating was available and great except for some smoker hiding around the corner

I had a great steak here but the Vermouth carrots stole the show. The New York strip was great. The carrots were the best tasting thing I’ve had in a long time, and I’m not really a huge fan of carrots. They were nicely charred with a great flavor. The ice cold Spotted Cow on tap was a great complement. Top tier meal.

We had a great time here. Our visit was on a Thursday to grab dinner before a show. Diamond was our server and she was wonderful. Welcoming, attentive, friendly, offered her input on menu questions we had. The sandwiches we had were delicious, we both loved the garlicky cesar salad side dish. All around enjoyable visit. We will be sure to keep this a regular stop while in Milwaukee. Thank you, Diamond for making it an extra enjoyable visit!

The swinging door was formally a western union telegraph office in its youth, the bar is inside the mackie building where the grain exchange was located, now for the good stuff the beer came out cold and the cod fish fry was crisp and hot, yes I must admit I love a good Friday night Wisconsin fish fry and the swinging door was a great choice, parking is the area can be a real pain but the area is worth visiting

My last visit to the Swinging Door completely changed my mind for the better. The food really stood out this time. It's not necessarily an amazing dining experience, taste-wise, but knowing that the food is cooked well is always great. This place on Michigan Street is tight-"cozy tight," as said before. It's an old-school saloon that's packed with tables and has a loud, busy, and fast-paced feel. While we had a 30-minute wait on our first visit, this time was different. It was a busy Friday night, and we walked in just 15 minutes before the kitchen closed at 10 PM, but they seated us right away with no problem. Service still seemed a bit stretched thin, but they were attentive and got the job done well. The menu is classic American comfort food, and this time, they nailed it. It feels like it was put together by real chefs. I ordered the Big KC burger, and it was a huge portion. The mozzarella sticks were also good. Everything came out fresh and warm-a complete turnaround from my first visit when some dishes were just mediocre. After this experience, I'll definitely be back.

Great local joint. Food was excellent, service was wonderful, fast turn around, and the atmosphere was old school.

Neighborhood gem! Food was terrific. Service was attentive but not overbearing. I had the chili and wedge. Chili was spot on for spice ingredients and flavor. Homemade salad dressing was fantastic. Hubby had the Reuben and he's a snob about them. Said it was the best he had had in a very long time. The horseradish made it even better he said. Spot is lively. Not too loud. Great prices too! Will definitely return!!

Be prepared to wait along with dozens of other folks who have made the frozen pilgrimage... but know that ye shall be rewarded for your efforts-- I tried the generous french dip -- along with a mound of Brussels sprout tossed in sriracha as my side. It was a great way to cap my first night in a new city.

The food is always great here; however, the service was less than friendly. The waitress seemed annoyed that she had to work that day. Hopefully this improves as the food is very good and I'd like to continue eating there.

Tried out Swingin Door on a Saturday afternoon. It would have been a 30 minute wait, but they had seating outdoors. It was a little brisk, so they turned on the heaters for us. Service was quick and our waitress gave us a lot of recommendations. I got the sriracha chicken sandwich with brussel sprouts. The sandwich was great, but the real star was the brussel sprouts. They were roasted and had candied pecans and drizzled with an aioli sauce. The sauce really brought it home for me. It's easy to mess up sprouts, but they did a good job. My friend got the chicken tenders and while she said they tasted good, they were more like cutlets than tenders. I wouldn't really dock a star for that, it's just their take on tenders. But know if you order that, it may not be the shape you're expecting.

You have to go here! The atmosphere is second to none, and the food is excellent! The dip was 10/10 no doubt, and the soup was good. We also had breaded shrimp and they were great and very big portion. Couldn't recommend this place more, but be ready to wait because everyone else has heard of how cool this place is too!

Best Fish in Milwaukee! You really can't beat Swingin' Door on a Friday night. Small, but mighty supper club vibes with a killer Wisconsin Old Fashioned all located in the center of downtown. Their baked cod is the best I've ever had, with the cajun spices. Always cooked beautifully and so fresh. Don't skip their Vermouth Carrots either! Charred to perfection, I've never found anything like them at another restaurant. Delicious! No reservations accepted here. So come early, grab a buzzer, and sip an Old Fashioned while you wait. Worth it!

Great spot for a Friday night happy hour or fish fry. Brandy old fashioneds, perch fish fry, great beer taps! There's an old school basement supper club ambiance, a fun crowd, and great service by a staff that worked very hard because they were slammed!

Came for dinner and it's still amazing! Very consistent, which is key for a great place like this. The buffalo chicken dip isn't my favorite, but my husband loves it so he gets it all the time. This was my first time trying the cod fish fry and it was great! The fish was cooked perfectly with a very thin light batter that didn't taste oily at all. They let me add on a couple shrimp as well (4 shrimp for $6) which feels worth it to me cause they tasted great! The Cole slaw is fresh and not too heavy on the mayo. We finished it off with peanut butter pie which is made from a local bakery nearby and was also great! Highly recommend. I'll definitely be back.

Service was quick and efficient, it's a Thursday lunch time and only a five minute wait!! Ambiance was pleasant and relaxing. Food was fantastic husband had the chili prime dip and chips. I had the angus burger and wow the loaded Brussels sprouts were delicious! If near here again will definitely sneak back in!!

I was here for work and LOVED this place!! It has such a Cheers vibe meaning there were lots of fun regulars. The service was so great and welcoming, even though I was not a regular. The food was amazing! I got the beet salad. Go here ASAP!

It looked like a busy Friday night, but we were in luck and got a table immediately by the window. The restaurant is super cozy and they have the perfect atmosphere for a cold night. I tried the red rice and beans and sausage, it was on the specials menu. The plate was massive and it was so good. If you're looking for a hearty meal, this is the place.

I ordered takeout a long time ago and I loved it. This time, I dined in and it was fine. It's a very small place, which can be detrimental when sitting by an extremely loud table. It can also be cozy and intimate...it all depends on the time and day of your visit. My Old Fashioned was also OK, nothing memorable. The service was efficient.

Can I rate a place more than 5 stars?! I live in Indianapolis and go to Milwaukee a couple times a year specifically to get my Swinging Door fix, specifically the chili. I don't know what magic they put in their food but oh my goodness, it's delicious. It's all homemade and the prices are beyond reasonable. It's a small location but very quaint and my kind of place. The service has always been wonderful!

Had to stay overnight in Milwaukee for work in downtown. I ran across this spot when walking through the area. It was pumpin with people and looked like a great time. I stopped in for a spotted cow and some food and I can say I was happy surprised. Place delivered on what I was looking for. Would recommend. Cheers!

Solid bar and food. I had the Philly special burger and it was enormous. Topped with ham, pepperoni and cheese..it is not for the light of heart. It was very good, fries were very good as well. Bartender was very nice and helpful. Would definitely come back.

Great food excellent service. The food was fresh and delicious. I had a spicy Bloody Maria with my meal and it was excellent, loved the pickled hot green beans. Also let me switch from iceberg to mixed green lettuce with no problem.

Good food- Bartenders only concentrate on locals Good Bar food A little expensive for sandwiches and wings

Just yesterday, I saw this restaurant featured in the top 100 restaurants in the Midwest here on Yelp. When I saw that it was a block away from where I was working today, I definitely had to try it for lunch. It did not disappoint! Atmosphere is really cool and old-school and the food was terrific. I got the crispy chicken sandwich with fries and they were both delicious. I especially like the high-quality. The chicken was tender and juicy with a great crunch from the cornflake breading. My server, Kate, was warm and accommodated. It was a great experience over. I will be back and I am embarrassed that I've never been here before.

Sports bar, saloon, country mix. When you walk in, expect to see a buxom broad hanging on the wall. It's got a nice dark saloon ambience. Food is delicious just what you need to fill yourself up in the afternoon. We got the Maple Mustard Glazed Porkchop and the blackened chicken bacon avocado sandwhich! The caramelize Brussels sprouts really shined here. The beets were fun, but at the end of the day they are beets, so skip! What a great stop in Milwaukee.

Nice hole in the wall kinda place. It has an old saloon esthetic hidden right in downtown Milwaukee. The food is comforting and filling. They have a great cocktail menu with choices for every part of the day! If you want a nice cozy no frills place to go downtown, I'd suggest here.

Cool old school vibe bar. Like others say, this place gets packed on Fridays so get there early. I went at 11:30 and by noon it was jam packed. They have different specials and food menu. The meaty chili and mahi mahi bites were tasty. The chili was light but had plenty of meat in a small cup. The mahi mahi bites were pretty good. Lightly fried and inside was packed with fish. The service was friendly and quick. The food came out within minutes and was checked on after getting order.

Try the Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese. It has a little broccoli to make you feel better about it but it tastes great. Top it off with the grilled beets and goat cheese. The servers were friendly and the locals were too.

This is the cutest place we've found in a while. It was directly across from the Hilton Garden Inn. Inside is small but super cute, very old school, very clean. We were seated at a high top right away in the bar area. Great service. Excellent food! I had the bacon, tomato, avocado sandwich on sour dough - YUM and my partner had the pepper and egg sandwich. Both of us took the 2nd half of our sandwiches home. So good! Can't wait to come back next time we are in Milwaukee.

On the road in Milwaukee and had dinner here, the place was packed 45 minute wit on a Wednesday night! Our server did a great job and the food very good. A little noisy for good conversation but it was manageable. I had the corned beef on rye with Swiss and a cup of soup. Lots of corned beef and Swiss served hot on perfectly grilled rye! The black bean soup was definitely made in house and tasty. Will definitely return when i am back in Milwaukee

Food was beyond delicious. Service was fast. Ambiance on a Wednesday night was super good. Highly recommend!

The food, atmosphere and service were great! My tuna melt was super flavorful and so delicious! The grilled beets were the perfect side! We loved the portion as well! It wasn't over the top. Highly recommended!

Super cute place with good vibes. When you walk in, there are a few small tables against the wall with a big bar in the middle of the room. The place was crowded on a Saturday afternoon. We waited about 20 minutes for a table for 2. In the meantime we were able to get a drink from the bar which was nice. They had a deal going for PBRs this past weekend- 3 for $5- can't beat that! The food was also really good and big portions. We got a crispy chicken sandwich and the tuna melt. We were able to bring half our meals home as leftovers bc of the large portion size. Definitely worth checking out!

Four of us went there for lunch on a Thursday. Place was packed. Staff welcomed us - did all they could to seat us within the expected waiting time - 10 minutes. Serving staff very accommodating. Food was exactly as described on menu - and we all enjoyed our meal and time there.

Wow! Haven't been to the Swingin' Door in years. It's better than ever! I remember it as sort of being a bar with some tables, but now it acts like a restaurant with DELICIOUS food from a creative menu. But what brought me to Yelp today was the service. Multiple servers from all angles asking about refills, filling up waters, checking in, etc. etc. Honestly felt like a VIP. Gonna put this back in my rotation for sure. Delicious.

Small, cozy spot that fills up fast! We showed up at 5:30 on a Saturday night and the place was packed with standing room only for waiting. The wait however was worth it. The BBQ ribs were delicious and fall off the bone. The grilled beets with goat cheese, brussel sprouts and Vermouth carrots sides were all amazing. I could have just eaten those and been happy! Everything was served timely and hot, and our waiter was friendly, funny and definitely part of the great experience. I'd absolutely go back!

Cool Place to go in if you find yourself in downtown Milwaukee. Old school cool. I had the soup ( Dutch potato) and the burger. Both were very good. Nice staff. Good service.

Traveling for work from Ohio. Stopped in and had the best glazed pork sandwich ever. Will definitely be returning here for lunch next time I'm in town!

This restaurant was highly recommended by several people, and it just happened to be across the street from my hotel. Nice casual vibe and super friendly service, it's best to come early especially on weekends, as they're always busy. I had the juciest pork chop I've ever tasted, so good! The side salad and the bread were very fresh and tasty, the only thing that needs to be improved was the side of roast carrots, several of them burnt. I also tried their versions of Sidecar and Old-fashioned and quite enjoyed it. Prices are reasonable too, I'll definitely be back soon!

Long time Bartender Daryl is FANTASTIC! He is fun, funny, attentive, patient, and a true gem. We had so much fun bantering back & forth. I had not been here in years, but now I want to go every week! The food is delicious. We had the fish fry on a Friday! Another guest had the Reuben, which looked great! I am ordering it next time. The place is small & busy, but all of the employees are all true pros and are used to handling the busy flow as efficiently as possible. Love this place!

This is a very popular stop! We tried lunch but it was a longer wait than we could stay, so we returned for dinner. We again had to wait but they check you in when you arrive and seating became available in an acceptable amount of time. The service was excellent considering it was a full house. The food was also great. They did a great job of keeping the restaurant clean. The did a nice job of keeping drinks coming and checking in with us. I'm only in town for the week, but I will be back!

So many of my favorites have disappeared, or tried to cut cost and quality after Covid. This place continues to offer excellent food! Tonight I drove an extra 20 minutes just to get a really good piece of mahi-mahi that I would put up against much of the seafood I've had in Florida. Love the service. Love the food. Love the place.

Swinging Door is a gem in the city of Milwaukee. It's small, but mighty from a food and business point. I have yet to have a bad meal or drink here. Their chicken strips are the BEST! Thin and crispy! A great place to visit if you want some charm, food atmosphere, and unwavering food! Yum!

I was staying down the street and decided to check this place out for dinner. I grabbed a seat at the bar since I was solo. I got the tuna steak with grilled beets. The beets were honestly the star of the show - sooo good! The tuna had overall good flavor but was a little dry. The garlic knot was also dry and I didn't eat much of it. I stayed a lot longer than anticipated because I started talking to the guys around me and that was a lot of fun. A good bar to meet some friendly people for sure, which I always like. They also have 3 for $5 cans of some beers, and one of the guys gave me one of his. Can't really beat that deal if you want some cheap beer! I'd come back if I'm in MKE again!

We visited this restaurant several times while visiting Wisconsin! The children continued asking for it. The milkshakes and the spicy fries were their favorites among the delicious cuisine. My spouse and I appreciated the atmosphere's inventiveness. The highlight of the structure was the raised dining Greyhound bus, although every food truck had a unique design. The photo of Uncle Eddy in the RV windshield was my favorite. There are tons of entertaining things to do both before and after dinner. There was never a long wait.

We dined here last night and had a wonderful experience. Everything was prepared perfectly. This place is definitely an institution. The ambience is old school and charming - the place has a very cozy feel which I love. Food was amazing - we started with the home made chips that came with both bleu cheese and ranch. I could tell both sauces were made in house and to die for. As a New Yorker I cannot stress how delicious and amazing fresh ranch is. We followed our meal with a grilled beet salad which was fantastic. The flavors on the salad were on point - paired w apple, red onion, candied nuts and goats cheese. Sliders were delicious and juicy and not dried out, I especially loved the caramelized onions on top. The buffalo chicken dip came with both crostini and tortilla chips for dipping. It tasted way better with the chips in my opinion, and we did end up ordering extra chips which they were happy to give it to us for free. the buffalo chicken dip had big fresh chunks of chicken in it, which I loved digging through. The seasoning and flavor was perfect as it was not on the bland side. Dessert was a salted caramel cake which was moist and the perfect sweet note to end the meal on. If you are visiting Milwaukee I strongly suggest eating here!! This restaurant is definitely an iconic gem.

Great ambiance and great food. Definitely allows you to appreciate the historic side of Milwaukee. The service was also great! Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and had great recommendations.

Good vibe. It was busy but we had a table in reasonable time. The service was good. The food was good. Local neighborhood restaurant. I liked it all. I will go again when I'm in Milwaukee.

Absolutely love the decor in here and everything is so so delicious, loved the mussels and my Moscow mule. Service was great as well!

Excellent food and service!!! EXCELLENT!!! Michael took great care of us! It's a low key place. Friendly atmosphere. I'll be back!

Wow. I went to school in Milwaukee for four years and have made countless trips up here since then and I somehow had never heard of or been to this place. Everything about the bar is amazing. It's one of those classic Wisconsin bars that gives off a 1970s vibe. Despite it being close to downtown, it makes you feel like you're up north in the Wisconsin wilderness right when you walk in. The TVs were just playing reruns of the Brewers game and the bar tenders were playing bar dice with patrons. Did not eat food, just had a Miller High Life. Seems like the food is good though, so I will definitely try that next time I visit. If you're looking for an iconic Wisconsin bar, this is a place to go.

The food is fantastic, the server was great! Ask for DTM you won't be disappointed! We had the fish fry one with fries on with a side of Brussels sprouts... The sprouts are you die for!!!!

The food was absolutely amazing and our service was top notch i would highly recommend anyone to dine here!! We ordered a few things however one must and i mean absolutely must try the ruben omg..... Unfortunately we didn't get any photos of the ruben .. however it was so amazing we ordered two to take home with us !! the house made chips with the spicy ranch is a must have side.. and dont miss the sliders as appetizer!! Enjoy freinds!

Located inside of an old Wells Fargo Bank, it feels like an old school vibe. They still have the vault in the back by the kitchen. The food is exceptional and delcious. My burger was super juicy and flavorful, and the potato chips that I has for my side were housemade and perfectly salty and crispy. Their reuben sandwich is awesome... the corned beef is tender and delcious. Service is spotty... Servers seem too cool to bring out menus and refills. Luckily, food holds it down.