By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jul 18, 2025 at 10:40 AM

Sometimes diner food is the only food that hits the spot. It's comforting, reliable, filling and fairly cheap.

I grew up going to the iconic Oriental Diner – we called it "The O" – and the Brady Street Diner with my dad. Unfortunately, those places are now gone, but there is no shortage of classic diners to visit when I get the hankering.

What makes a diner a diner?

This is debatable. But for me, it requires "counter seating," a menu featuring both eggs and burgers (and sometimes meatloaf and "diet plates"), water without asking, a small ceramic bowl of plastic creams, individual jelly packets, frilly toothpicks in sandwiches and bottomless cups of coffee brewed in a drip machine.

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Breakfast at Lisbon Cafe.
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This time, I picked diners only in the city of Milwaukee, but a few of my favorites are in the 'burbs, too. (I'm talking to you Benji's!) Maybe I need to write a part 2 in this series. For now, order up!

Jo's Cafe
3519 W. Silver Spring Dr.
(414) 461-0206

Hours: Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Payment: Accepts cards or cash. 

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Two "Adam and Eves" with hashbrowns at Jo's Cafe.
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Landmark Family Restaurant
3451 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
(414) 481-1300

Hours: Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Payments: Accepts cards and cash.

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Lisbon Cafe
8518 W. Lisbon Ave.
(414) 463-2714

Hours: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Monday.
Payment: Cash only.

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The BLT featuring classic toothpicks from Lisbon Cafe.
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Ma Fischer's
2214 N. Farwell Ave.
(414) 271-7424

Hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Payment: Cash or cards.

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Ma Fisher's has a massive menu.
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Miss Katie's Diner
1900 W. Clybourn St.
(414) 344-0044

Hours: Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Payment: Cash and cards.

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Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.