The Vanguard

Bar · Bay View

The Vanguard

Bar · Bay View

2659 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Highlights

Creative varieties of scratch-made sausage, plus beer and cocktails served in modern surrounds.

2659 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 Get directions

vanguardbar.com

@vanguardmilwaukee

$$ · Menu

@eater

"Open for: Lunch, dinnerPrice range: $$Fatty, old-world comfort meets modern technique and creativity at this sausage emporium that doubles as a laid-back watering hole. Eat like a glutton with style: jalapeño cheddar brats, Nashville hot chicken sausages, Ukrainian pork sausage with carrot kraut, a bison and bacon number with pepper jack sauce, an outrageously lavish burger made with a sausage patty and Velveeta, multiple poutines, and fried curds with bacon aioli. To wash it down there are plenty of Midwestern brews and a bevy of signature house cocktails; the latter even come on draft, the embodiment of the Vanguard’s semi-serious spirit.Must-try dish: The South Buffalo Poutine will take you to an entirely new side of a dish you think you know." - Todd Lazarski

The 38 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

View Postcard for The Vanguard

@cntraveler

"Serves house-made sausages, like a cheddar-and-pickled-jalapeño bratwurst, topped with fried cheese curds."

50 States, 50 Cuisines: The Food Worth Traveling For in Every State

View Postcard for The Vanguard

Robert Cox

Google

What a great Place to eat in Milwakee! Amazing staff even better food. I was recommended by a bartender at Bad Moon. We have several items but the Bunkhouse Sausage was 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Waiter was cool as he'll. Outside seating was great. Will be back on our next trip.

Gaurav Hegde

Google

Amazing poutine, delicious hot dog sandwiches and refreshing cocktails. This place is a 10 on 10 and with the server being so nice and warm, we just couldn’t get enough of this place . Their poutine was spicy with their local pepper and sauce and along with tofu bits and cheese curd was devoured by our entire crew of vegetarians. The sausages were different kinds and i went with the bratwurst recommended by our server went amazingly well with the korean sauce and toppings. They have vegan options as well. The rum cocktail was unique and solid and was suggested by our server as well. We came in with zero expectations and felt this might be one of those dingy shady places and we went away from this place with our hearts and tummy full. I don’t live in this town but highly recommend this place for the locals. So much vibe and the food is great

Trucking With kingfish (Trucking with kingfish)

Google

Vanguard is a unique spot and a true experience the menu consists of a large selection ranging from brats to sausages and hot dogs basically anything that fits in and hot dog style bun, I ordered to kill khan and the chili cheese fry’s, both were excellent, the vanguard also has a large selection of bourbons best bet is to check out their web page before you go since the selection is so large

Jamie Ivanov

Google

As a lesbian, these are the only cylindrical meats I want in my mouth! Simple but delicious flavors that will take you to a new plane of existence, like an orgasm for your mouth AND your brain. I got the chicago style brat and sweet Jesus tap-dancing Christ on a cracker in a sidecar, it was sooooooooo goood 🤤 I'm definitely coming back! With the good there is some bad though... This place does have communal seating and it is a bit loud but the food is worth it a million times over. There is also the issue of accessibility where the front entrance is not handicap accessible nor did I see a sign that indicated if, and where, there was an accessible entrance

Regena Yu

Google

Got seated right away. Great ambience and bar but the food was not a crowd pleaser. We got the large classic poutine and unfortunately the fries and gravy were not hot or really, barely warm, so the cheese curds were still cold and hard and gravy. The rest of the group got the banh mi sausage special and the regular bratwurst, but it didn’t hit the palette like we were anticipating based on reviews!

C P

Google

Took a trip to Milwaukee and was recommended to eat here by the bartender at a local pub in the area due to the vegetarian and vegan friendly fare they offer. I had a vegan brat Chicago style, and it was phenomenal. They also offer putine, a buttery pretzel and a variety of other vegetarian food as well as omnivore food. Prices are very fair, as well. The atmosphere is just okay. It's small with very tight seating, almost family style. If it's busy enough, a party of 2 is sure to sit night next to another party of 2 at the same table. It's pretty chaotic in there, but all and all, it's worth it for the fresh food. Service was quick and friendly, but servers really need to make sure they take a mint every now and then when they close-talk with patrons. All-in-all, I will definitely go there again.

jessica namaste

Google

Everyone loved the food, enjoyed the dining space and had great service from Chris. Pictured are the Thai Breaker (with vegan brat) and we shared the Burnt Ginger Tofu - both were delicious. Oh, we also shared the cheese curds, yum! Others with me had bloody marys and they said they were really great as well. Great prices too! Go there.

Larry Ray Reed

Google

Flavor: B Service: B Drinks: B Solo dining: A A hole-in-the-wall-looking bar that’s quite the modern eatery inside. My brat wasn’t anything super special but I did think the potato balls were great. There are only Pepsi products but they did have a good special on Makers. This was a good find for a true Milwaukee lunch.