By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Jul 02, 2025 at 5:46 PM

52 Restaurants is sponsored by Educators Credit Union. April marks 21 years of Financial Literacy Month in the U.S.! Check out their exciting new initiative that will grow your financial empowerment.


It’s as important as ever to support the amazing local restaurants we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants to guide you on your journey. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2025.

Kin by Rice N Roll
7484 W. State St., Wauwatosa (414) 524-9056
kinbyricenroll.com
Modern Asian
$$$

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Venture to Kin in the Wauwatosa Village and you’ll be greeted by bright, modern restaurant and a menu filled with delicious pan-Asian offerings with a focus on Thailand and Japan.

What sets Kin apart is the creativity of Chefs JJ and Tony, both of whom take inspiration from traditional and modern techniques and recipes. Their dishes not only employ fresh, seasonal ingredients but also exhibit both innovation and attention to detail. 

You'll find excellent Thai staples like drunken noodles and panang curry. But it gets even more fun when you dig a bit deeper, trying dishes like khaosoy, a curry from Northern Thailand, and honey roasted duck.

You might also look to their selection of fresh, beautifully presented sushi. Choose from more traditional nigiri and maki, sushi bar specials (try them all!), plus beautifully presented modern rolls including the Tosa Fab roll featuring a combination of fresh yellowtail, cilantro and avocado wrapped in black rice and topped with super white tuna. It’s stunning.

Recommendations: Dip dip; flaming tuna crispy rice; spicy hokkaido scallop (craft sushi); Kin Chashuman ramen

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.