Seriously good sausage, seriously loud football fans. Not bad if you're in on it, but as a guy who doesn't follow sports, it was a little obnoxious. I got a couple of brats with sauerkraut and onions. Everything was fresh and tasty; the onions were crisp and crunchy, and the kraut had the perfect level of zing. It seems like a cool place to hang out when it's not game day. I'd go back in if ever I found myself passing by again. read more

Yum! This place is awesome! The food is fantastic, poutine, sausages and a huge list of whiskey. Definitely a must try if you are in the Area. read more

If you love delicious tube-steaks, très jolie poutine and scrumptious burgers, this is your spot. Add a great booze selection and oldie rap and wrestling on the flat screens - what else could a hungry hipster want? Though, you don't have to ride a fixie or have tattoos to fit in. This spot is inviting, inclusive, family friendly and reasonably priced. read more

Super hip joint on KK. Everyone left happy and full! All the dogs/sausages were flavorful and didn't break the bank. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because the duck poutine which I was really excited for was subpar(soupy). Next time I'm definitely going to get the potato balls because they looked stellar. read more

Go here. You will not regret it. Seriously - the sausages, the poutine... the super-cool staff, the WWE on the television. It's a must-visit in Bay View. read more

The Vanguard is a perfect casual place to go with a group of friends when you feel like a comforting, greasy Wisconsin meal with a twist. I give it four starts just for personal preference. There's not a healthy thing on the menu, so it can be a little salty, greasy and overwhelming for me. That being said, the food is really good. The cheese curds are beer battered to perfection, none of that Panko breaded nonsense. I love that the garlic poutine comes with mushrooms- it gives a little bit of a stroganoff vibe. My favorite sausages are the Thai Breaker and Gypsy Mitch. The Thai Breaker has a nice balance of crunch, citrus, and peanut. The Gypsy Mitch has a nice amount of creamy gypsy sauce and cojita cheese that does not overpower the sausage. I remember the drinks being good, but cannot comment descriptively because I am doing a dry January and their cocktails are a distant memory. I'd recommend this place if you're with a group of people and are prepared to eat some salt and grease. read more

Decent drink and food selection; I'm eager to try the sausage. When I was there they were out of cheese curds so I got chili fries; soggy but good. Try the house cocktails, their old fashioned is quite sweet but potent. It gets busy on weekend nights as expected. read more

Let's talk about this bar for a minute. OK, from the outside it really doesn't look like it's too much. I was a little hesitant at first. But when I walked in and I looked around it's very quaint and cozy - simple yet elegant. Everybody that I saw eating, seemed to really enjoy their food. I had the cheese curds and they were amazing. I had many shots and they were also amazingly served and poured by our witty bartender Chris. I also got the luxury of meeting another bartender- Olivia and she is also quite cool. Kendall was very attentive and fast. And they had great tunes. It was a great atmosphere and the waitstaff couldn't have been more friendly. I definitely suggest this little bar for a one and done stop if you're in this area. I will definitely be back. read more

Ok so the food is good, the music is cool, and service is nice.... but I don't think I can give them 5 stars since this is the second time I've witnessed the gentlemen preparing the food not using gloves yet wiping his brow and rubbing his nose without putting on gloves or washing his hands read more

This place is great - the sausages are creative and so tasty. The thai breaker is awesome... Lemongrass sausage with peanut sauce and crispies on top. The seasoned fries are thin and crispy and the hollandaise dipping sauce is delicious! read more

God I love this place so much. Everything is delicious and the vibe is perfect for a place that serves sausages and cheese curds. I'm not sure what else I can say really. It's the best. read more

What an awesome place. Great drinks, great food, and the owners love pro wrestling. One of the best bars in Milwaukee. If I lived closer I would be here 7 days a week. read more

I am a regular here. My husband likes the Jamaican Curry sausage and I love pretty much everything on the menu. They have great signature drinks which are very tasty. Great service and really nice decor. You can't leave without trying the mashed potato balls! read more

Great selection of sausages, its about time Milwaukee had a sausage restaurant. My only critique would be the length of time to receive your food. I've been here twice now and the kitchen seems to be not firing on all cylinders. Thai breaker is legit, also a huge fan of the burnt ginger sauce and the giardinera aioli. Prices are steep but worth the experience. Also the cheddarwurst Milwaukee style is comical. read more

The first time I came here, I loved it. Maybe it was nostalgia for a different sausage/bar place I love in San Diego called the Regal Begal, or maybe I was just hungry. Here's the good - the cocktails are strong, the cheese curds are quite good (and salty!), and the backyard seating and overall vibe is fun and lively. The sausages are ok. I have to say, it's not bad, if you're craving one or want a fast bite to eat. But when I can make better sausages bought from grocery stores off the grill, it takes the magic out of the restaurant food a little bit. read more

My wife and I live about 2 blocks from Vanguard, and we can't get enough. If you come here and can tell me their sausages & cocktails aren't amazing, then this kind of food just isn't for you. Others reading these reviews, there is a reason the reviews are so good, get over to Vanguard and get one of these sausages in your mouth hole and wash it down with their tap old fashioneds. What should you order?....anything. I've been here at least 10 times, and everything I've had is awesome. I personally love the Thai sausage, but to each their own. I'd definitely suggest following them on facebook as they do have specials that they announce on their page from time-to-time. read more

Really good food. A wall decorated with whiskey bottles and a bar full of different beers. A very Bay view restaurant. I enjoyed everything about being in this restaurant. read more

I think I missed the memo that vanguards is going for a more hipster version of Ed debevic's. To start, I went on sat, at 445pm, with 7 people. Obviously this can cause an inconvenience to staff, especially when it's busy. It was obvious that it was inconvenient from the start even though there was an entire table available and we ordered separately at the counter and bar. This is normally not something that bothers me. I get it; I have worked in the industry for over 10 years, and customers blow and yelp is much worse, but I felt that this was necessary based on how rude the staff was to me. I ordered last in my group. I ordered three items. When I put money in the tip jar, instead of ignoring it or saying thank you which is the general norm, the person working the register said, "tell your friends to tip." In the moment, I was pissed at my friends but then realized how messed up it was that he said that (and, they tipped). Bottom line, tips are not required. Notably, in his frustration, i didn't get my gourmet sauseege because two people ordered the same type of sausage and only one was prepared and brought to the table. When I tried to talked to staff about it, the server went rummaging through the tickets, showed it to me to let me know that the order was in fact correct, and insinuated that my friend who got the same item as me did not actually order/pay for her food? The exchange was unpleasant and i became rude as well because I felt like I was being accused of being cheap and trying to scam the restaurant for a 6 dollar sausage. I'm poor, but I wouldn't stoop to such a level to con someone who is just trying to make a living. I got a sausage (not the one I ordered but after both encounters with staff, I definitely was not going to say anything) and it was dank, but I am amazed by the laughably insulting service. read more

I read most of the reviews and there are some places that some reviewers had encountered a one time experience or just flat out incorrect. The sausages are good. They're house made, unlike a lot of places in town that use Usinger's. My biggest complaint in all of my visits: I wish there was more harissa on/in the Lambo. The Curry-wurst is served European street style, no bun, over fries with a mild curry sauce and sauteed onions. The Pri Pri has been the big winner for me so far. I can't wait to try some of the standards. Poutine is different in a good way, the deep fried cheese curd add a nice consistency the gravy is much more like a demi-glace but its delicious. Potato balls with cheez whiz and crumbled bacon were good, there were a few bigger chunks of potato in the ball themselves that were surprising. Nice beer selection, the staff is great. They don't have picnic tables, they do have community seating. Yes they do show retro pro wrestling on the televisions but I've never encountered a bunch of people screaming at it. They also show old Soul Train episodes and sports on the TVs. So don't be dissuaded by some of the other reviews. read more

Solid flavors. Between the three of us we had ginger tofu, chili dog, and duck BLT. The tofu and duck worked well together. The chili dog stands on its own with the fries. I only wish the peppers would have been more spicy but there is hot sauce on the table. No need to worry about splitting checks you order at a counter. read more

What can I say that hasn't been said? Can't wait to come back again and again. Don't let the hipster vibe dissuade you....this is truly good food. Bring a group and there's a sausage for each type of flavor pairing. Order 2 of the ginger tofu...you are not going to want to share. read more

Loved this place. The draft cocktails are strong and the food is unlike anything unless you can find in the area. Duck BLT is where it's at.

I love love love this place! And I love that it's open until 2am even on weeknights. Great for someone like me who eats dinner really late. read more

Worst meal ever. The cheddarwurst sausage was burnt beyond recognition and the fries were soggy and sitting in a small pool of warm oil. I realize Sunday afternoons are busy, but there is no excuse for serving such poorly prepared food. I will find another lunch spot. read more

I gave it 3 stars because service and explanation of how the restaurant worked was not the best. I went in for one of their hotdogs at lunch time and was told they were out of dogs!?!? What? Ended up with a $5 brat that I could have made at home on the grill for .50... Don't get me wrong, it was good, just nothing special like I was expecting...then again I was looking for a hotdog Chicago style. Another ordered the Duck BLT...Not sure where the "LT" part of BLT was, but all it was was a sausage with bacon on it in a wiener bun....not distinguishable as duck I might add... $9 Add the yummy baked mashed potato balls, $6 and a small order of fries $3 and you have a $25 lunch minus drinks! It was ok...I'm not in a rush to get back though. read more

Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! When I came to town for a visit, my pals brought my hubby and I here. A week later and we're still raving about it! The food had us on the ropes and the drinks knocked the rest of our socks off. The staff was so friendly and personable and the prices were fantastic! Better than anywhere I've ever eaten in Chicago! We might just move here for The Vanguard! read more

Cool place in Bay View! The first time I went here a couple weeks ago with a friend for a drink. The bar seats 15-20 people and there are tables in a back corner and along side the bar as well. The food ordering process is unique as you freely make your way up to the open kitchen and are given a wooden number stake for your order. I had the Thai Breaker: a pork sausage with Thai spices and typical banh mi veggies. It was tasty and I was satisfied with my selection. I think it was a bit undercooked but no biggie. The Leffe Blonde beer...great as always. When I stopped in a week later, I was feeling in the mood for a little SoCo old fashioned. They thought I was crazy for thinking they carry Southern Comfort...strange to me. I settled for a whiskey old fashioned, pretty good. We ended the night with a Tequila shot. Courtney, who seems to be their main bartender, is very friendly and many knew her by name. She recommended the Espolon Blanco Tequila and wow it was smooth! This is a great bar to head to with a few friends if you're looking for a relaxed evening. It's not too loud and has a great mix of people with excellent service. read more

The Vanguard - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Love this place. Cute bar weird tv amaze balls food. Haven't had a bad sausage yet. Very creative.

We ordered the coconut currywurst, Enzo s'more and another one served with cotija. Got the sides of green beans, corn on a cup and potato balls. Everything tastes amazing. The fried that came with the currywurst was really undercooked though. Since we did really care about the fries that night it didn't bother us much. Our 5 year old ate the currywurst no problem. She has gone vegetarian! read more

Love coming here in the summer when the patio is open! No frills but it's a good place to enjoy a beer and bar food with friends.

Their vegan stuff is some of the best in town. The house-made veggie sausages have been killer since they opened, but holy geez their new veggie patty is the BEST veggie burger I've ever had. While some other local haunts are shrinking their veggie menus, Vanguard is making some of the best stuff in the country. Good work, dudes. read more

Happened to pick a less-than-ideal time to visit the Vanguard as it was a Saturday night during the aftermath of a very popular local street festival. But I decided to brave the crowds anyway, and I'm glad I did. It's a very esthetically pleasing environment - relaxing and fun. The food recipes are among some of the most creative and delicious I've ever experienced. The drink selection is unbelievably wide, though I'd highly recommend trying one of the outstanding mixed drink options. Most surprising was that, during all of the commotion of walk-in guests from the festival, the staff could not have been more pleasant. Definitely worth a visit - though one visit will merit future visits, guaranteed. read more

Terrible service, mediocre food, stressful ambiance! Simply terrible! Waste of evening!

I went out to eat here with some of my girl friends. The food was fantastic. Definitely a more hipster vibe. Bellemo was one of my favorites but everything I had there was awesome. read more

I don't want to live in a world without the Thai-Breaker sandwich. True to ethnic flavor. The peanut sauce is decadent.

I love the attitude and energy of this place! I always make sure I come here with friends so we can all choose something different off the menu and share - I can never decide on just one thing. The food is delicious and pretty unique, I just wish there was table service instead of ordering up at the counter. read more

First stop at this place was for my birthday. The hubby and I wanted to try something new. We were very pleased with the food, staff, and service!! The bourbon sour was great and Hector cooler too. We have loved each sausage we have tried and LOVE the baked potato balls. At this point we can pay our babysitter by bringing them home for her ;-) We have been back several times since. A must try in my book. Another great option in the wonderful world of Bay View. read more

Delicious! You walk up to the register to order and then they will bring your food to your table.

What's not to like about drinks and sausage?! I love this place. I usually try and offer something different every time, so it's hard to pick a favorite. If they have the octo-brat on the menu, that's a definite must! I love to see what's on the special menu and order from that. These guys are so creative, I hat to miss something new. Good for late night dining. Earlier in the day, also kid friendly. Always crowded! read more

If you look like you could be under 21, skip this place, they may kick you out. They kicked my daughter out after the bartender checked her WI drivers license and then she ordered food and a drink. She never even got the food. She was with her boyfriend and they wanted dinner after work. They claimed he was 21, but she was not. She was born in 1994, he in 1995. The math doesn't work out. Her crime was looking young. I know they want to protect themselves, and maybe they thought she had a fake ID, but they should have a sign posted stating that young looking, clean cut, petite young ladies are not welcome in their establishment. read more