In this series, we’re on the hunt for some of the area's best fish fries. You’ll find commentary, pro tips and ratings of the three staples of a classic Wisconsin fry: namely the fish, the potato pancakes, and the classic Wisconsin style brandy old fashioned. View all fish fry reviews here.

Brewtown Eatery
5121 W. Howard Ave.
(414) 321-3900
brewtowneatery.com

If you didn’t know better, you might overlook this South Side bar and restaurant located in a strip mall just off of Howard Avenue and 51st Street. But based on the crowds fairly early on a Friday evening, the venue has built quite the following since opening in 2014.

Inside you’ll find a casual eatery with both a full bar and dining area, plenty of televisions for watching the game and a mixed crowd comprised of both older folks and families drawn in by daily specials like tacos and buy-one-get-one pizza deals.

Fish fry options include the guest's choice of beer battered, breaded, baked or baked cajun cod (available every day for $12.95); breaded lake perch ($14.95); breaded bluegill ($14.95); the Brewtown Platter with cod, lake perch and bluegill ($15.95). Each comes with coleslaw, marble rye and a choice of chips, fries, onion rings, potato pancakes or a baked potato.

It’s worthwhile to note the tartar sauce, which comes with each plate. It struck me as more of a cajun remoulade with its pink color and spice-forward flavor. It was good enjoyed with the fish, but definitely untraditional.

The fish 

My dining companion and I opted for the bluegill and Brewtown platter, giving us a chance to sample all the types of fish they offered.

The platter sported two smaller pieces of beer battered cod that boasted a light crisp coating cradling tender, nicely flavored fish. It's one flaw was that at least one of the pieces was soggy on one side, likely due to having been stacked after cooking.

Unfortunately, neither the bluegill nor the perch fared particularly well in comparison. The bread crumb-like coating on both was very crisp and nicely browned; but it came at a cost. The small fillets were left notably overcooked, leaving the normally tender, flavorful fish with a chewy texture that was tough to fully enjoy.

The potato 

The star of both plates may have been the potato pancakes, which were light and crisp without erring on the greasy side. The housemade cakes comprised of well seasoned shredded potato and flecks of flavorful onion. Best of all, they sported lovely crisp edges that made them well worth eating.

The old fashioned 

The brandy old fashioned sweet erred on the soda-forward sweet side with a sweeter flavor and a light hand on the brandy. But, at just $4.75, they’re not overcharging for the drink, which sports a classic muddled build and a good bitters presence.

Brewtown Eatery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Got suggestions for our next fish fry? Email lori@staff.onmilwaukee.com with your suggestions. Suggested fish fry menus should (ideally) include at least one lake fish option (walleye, perch), potato pancakes and a stellar old fashioned.

Updated: A previous version of this story included the idiom "a chink in its armor." The phrase has been removed by the author due to its association with the racial slur.