Bavette

Good food, great service. Does not feel (or smell) like a butcher shop, at all. (fine by me, since butcher shops I’ve been to have been ice cold meat freezers with noisy saws.) That being said the ambiance is casual but cool.
. Dare I say, hip? The bread and bone marrow butter is good, but not worth $ 6. If I had to do it over, I would have chosen one of the other oh so many delicious sounding options. Other than that, the food (specifically the braised beef) was on point!

A friend and I ordered gin, yuzu, and pineapple cocktails, poutine, smoked trout salad, and a bahn mi. The yuzu in the cocktail was overly concentrated. The bahn mi was tasty — the bread, pork, and sauce were great, but it needed more pickled veggies. We were too full to enjoy the smoked trout salad.
The reason for the 3 stars is because the service was terrible. Our server forgot about us after we were seated and lied to our faces saying she wasn’t our server when we asked for water. Then told us we needed to tell her how much we were going to tip her before she’d take our credit card. We’ve been here for over a hour and an half and we’re still waiting for our credit card. … And yes, we only got our check after we got up to find her.

Two words: rhubarb ketchup. Fucked that hamburger up. Best I’ve had! Friendly staff, excellent options for any palette.

The biggest problem here is that I want EVERYTHING on the menu and I can’t possibly eat that much! AND their menu changes daily so you can’t get your heart too set on any one thing. But it’s okay because everything is good. Really good. They’ve always got a good tartar, pâté, and pickled things.
The last time we were here I got the soft pretzels, which were so buttery and salty and they came with a roasted shallot quark spread. To die for. I also loved the roast beef sandwich with roasted cherry tomatoes and horseradish. I was so full (because we also shared the tartar!) that I had to get my butterscotch pudding to go, which was a genius move because I really enjoyed it later.
The service is always super friendly and the décor is cool.

Sit at the bar! Do not miss the beautiful symphony that is real food and real flavors from around Wisconsin. This place is a gorgeous reminder of what food used to be before large corporations got involved. True, it is not the cheapest but it is the best.
I had the banh mì sandwich and I was enjoying so fantastically I had to look around to make sure people didn’t think I was high on drugs. The nuts as an app are also worth the price.
Be sure to pick up a container of frozen bone broth on your way out! Look around you. This place is a proper butcher. They offer viewings of when then break down a whole hog. This is where you want to be eating and buying your meat, bones, and bone broth from.
I can’t wait to come back and show my mom.

A true foodie spot. Wasn’t sure what to choose, the menu is so full of delicious options. The kind staff gave us recommendations and we ended up with a delicious watermelon salad, cornmeal breaded fish sandwich, steak sandwich with horseradish cheddar and bacon… And a delicious cookie. The coffee could be better (go to Colectivo) but the ambiance and clear dedication to not only meat, but all aspects of food was clear. Definitely worth a visit and is Brooklyn kids will be back next time we’re in Milwaukee. Yum.

Their Cuban Sandwich was absolutely fantastic, and the smells coming out of this place are something else. I loved the ambiance — but you will pay a bit more than your average spot.

I had an amazing amazing experience here! The STEAK SANDWICH!!! Oh my goodness. The steak basically breaks apart in your mouth – it is so tender and juicy. I was shocked. Everytime I get a steak sandwich the steak is a little tough and chewy but not this place, they have truly perfected their meat! Also great salads and a nice casual environment.

Adorable. A great lunch option for Milwaukee. Tasty salads and sandwiches and a pleasing cocktail menu. Options for small snacks, lighter fare, and a more hearty lunch. Watching the cooks work right in front of you is a cool concept. The apple pie was incredible.

Wow. We were definitely impressed. You don’t usually expect a butcher/​sandwich shop to amaze you so much for lunch, but this place was amazing. The menu was a treat and had a lot more to offer than expected. Felt more like a high end and trendy café than a butcher shop. But everything is fresh and delicious. Be adventurous here, you won’t be disappointed.

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT!
I had the BBQ brisket sandwich topped with cabbage-​apple slaw and jalapeño aioli. It was the best sandwich I’ve ever had. I tried to think of a sandwich that I enjoyed more and came up empty handed. Seriously, nothing compares to this.
The brisket was perfect, flavorful and not dry. The cabbage and apple provided great texture, and the jalapeño added the heat that my hot sauce addicted self needed. Perfect portion, bun stayed in tact (which can be an issue with sauce-​laden sandwiches), tasty chips on the side.
Easily my favorite Third Ward spot for anything. Can I move in upstairs and constantly smell bacon and BBQ sauce?
I’m saying all of this confidently, even though I have been here ONE TIME. Endless heart emojis for these folks.

This place was awesome! Great food and environment. We came here during a business trip to Milwaukee.
There is a real butcher, it’s cool to watch them work while you are eating. Great lunch spot!

Yum! Shout out to MKE’s own Rachel F. for leading us here. Bavette is a beautiful space (teal walls with gold antler print, airy, sun pouring in) with delicious meats to match the quality of the décor.
Our group started with the pretzel appetizer featuring a smoked sea salt and cranberry mustard. The pretzel was good but not my favorite, but I was digging the mustard for sure. My dining companions and I were torn with what to order for our lunches — too many good choices. I finally opted to trade half of my curry chicken sandwich for half of a beef brisket sandwich.
First, the curry chicken. Such a unique flavor — nestled in a delicious roll, the chicken was accompanied by roasted broccoli, dried apricots, toasted almonds, and a mint yogurt sauce. This is way out of my usual flavor profile preferences, but it sounded so unique that I decided to be adventurous. While at the restaurant, the flavors didn’t jive with the brisket (more on that in a second), and so I ended up taking most of it home for dinner. I definitely liked it more on its own — I’ve never had anything that tasted like it. Definitely worth trying if you want something out of the ordinary.
The aforementioned brisket was the hands-​down winner of the meal for me. The bun was perfectly chewy, the meat tender and luscious, and the jalapeño aioli just put it over the top — such a wonderful and unexpected match made in sandwich heaven.
We capped off the meal by sharing a slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream. The pie crust was a little salty, and whether by design or by accident it worked. Some of the ice cream was icy, but the portion was generous and we had plenty to accompany our slice. It was an accent to the main event, and at its heart Bavette is a butcher shop, not a creamery.
If you’re looking for a solid lunch spot, Bavette could be it — easy parking, a good crowd but not busy, and tasty, interesting dishes.

I really want to give this place more stars. I really enjoyed my experience here and will be back.
The food is amazing and the selection has classics you’ll know and some you’ll venture to try because you have no idea what it is. Their meat cuts are all quality, you can really taste it.
Drink selection, only ¾ the menu, lots of wine, cocktails, and beer. My waitress brought me a Brown Ale, when I asked for the barley wine, so I was disappointed in that. They happily brought me another drink when we realized the menu was incorrectly labeled. Seems they carry craft beer but their is some learning for them to do about it.
Service, it was reasonable but they were understaffed. Our waitress was manning the bar, waiting tables, etc. This place needs to hire more people and then they will have better service.
Costs were about standard for the third ward and good quality food. Drink costs were average but not that overpriced.

I hereby profess my undying and unwavering love for Bavette now and forevermore in this here Unilocal review update because all the things on the menu, but especially the brisket sandwich.

I have been here once before and I got a salad. A salad! I know, I know, I’m shaking my head at my crazy mistake. This place is a butchery and has meat coming out of its sandwiches. I had the steak sandwich and it was delicious. The only thing is it was tough to eat the meat the way you would a regular sandwich, I felt kinda like a dog. So I put my meat down and cut it up like a civilized human being. I’ll make another visit and possibly add another star. Until then, try a sandwich! But if they have that beet salad on the menu try that too!

I’m not a fancy eater, so a place like Bavette wouldn’t normally appeal to me. Their menu is a bit twee. Every dish has a bit too much froo-​froo in it. But the food is good.
We started with the pretzels with cranberry mustard. See? This is what I’m talking about. There’s nothing wrong with regular mustard! But I guess if we have to dip our pretzels in cranberry sauce, that’s fine. And it’s… pretty good.
My standout dish was the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. It had a deep, smoky flavor to let you know that this meat had been marinating in something tasty for a long, long time. It was awesome. I basically licked the plate clean.
My girlfriend ordered a chicken sandwich and the pulled chicken had a great smoky flavor, almost like a teriyaki. But there was no sauce. The meat was somehow infused with the tasty goodness.
Bavette is pricey and the menu is probably overcomplicated, but when the food hits your taste buds, it makes an impression.

This is really between a two and three star… I felt it was a four at first, but as our courses kept coming, it was a three… and as the food sat stagnating in my stomach, making both myself and my husband tired and just not feel great, it was a two.
I’m giving it three because… Milwaukee is really lacking a good food scene, and also because we liked sitting outside, and had a decent experience with service.
We ordered the deviled eggs with salmon, and they came out first. Not what I expected, but not bad. My husband was not impressed and said the eggs were over-​cooked. I am not an egg fan but enjoy them done well. I thought these were decent but not great.
Second up, the big disappointment: Asian chili caramel chicken wings — er… first of all, legs aren’t wings ;) We got both in our order, but that’s not the point. They LOOKED great, but they were really not good at all. My husband said they tasted reheated… or maybe they were just seated under heat lamps too long. Either way, I ate two of the many that came in the fairly cheap order, and didn’t touch another. Even the hubby stopped eating them, and my husband’s a good eater!
The final plate we ordered was the bresaola «with fig-​black olive tapenade & parmesan» — I was disappointed that the bresaola came topped with this sweet mixture… as most charcuterie plates come with the meat on one side, and the sauce/​tapenade/​etc on the other, so you can prepare it how you like. (I would have *liked* my tapenade not infused with sweet fig sauce!)
At any rate… this spot is not a place I’ll be going back to. It’s cute, but the food doesn’t measure up. Not surprising for Milwaukee, yet still disappointing.

Bavette is pretty great.
Love the open concept. I wish I could go there when they are butchering to watch and learn. A friend told me it’s only during the day during the week (I have a job so that wouldn’t be possible). I think they’d be onto something if that viewing was possible at different days and times.
My first visit was for takeout. I was less happy that time as the roast beef sandwich I ordered was too dry. If I had eaten inside I could have easily asked for more horseradish mayo, but I wasn’t. Sad face. I had to hit the fridge at home and wasn’t thrilled about that.
My second visit was pretty phenomenal. We ordered buffalo Chicharrones (called «buffalo» only because of the seasonings) and the salmon deviled eggs for appetizers. The Chicharrones were really amazing.
For my meal I tried the pasole (a traditional Mexican soup). I must say it was quite delicious for being produced outside of someone’s house (homemade has always tasted the best, to me).
That the sandwiches all come with a bag of chips seems a bit like a cop out. The staff is always working so hard so I feel bad saying it. But I still feel it. I don’t know why they don’t make their own chips or offer different side options if someone does not want a bag of chips.
The prices are a little high here, too. I can understand they’re a smaller place and need to make a profit. But, is there a way to improve costs, I wonder?
Anyway — I’m still a fan!

Upgrade!
Thanks to Joanna T. for oganizing last night’s UYE at Bavette. I’ve been wanting to get back there, but so hard to do with SO MANY great options in Milwaukee.
We were off to a good start with the meat and cheese charcuterie board. I don’t remember the specifics that our awesome server explained to us because I just wanted to take pictures for you and eat it, but it was great!
Throughout the evening, members in our group playfully teased our server, and he was such an awesome sport, he played right along, helping to enhance our dining experience.
I saw Roasted Bone Marrow ($ 12) on the menu online and was locked in. It was all I thought about all day, one of the longest days ever. I cannot remember the last time I had good bone marrow in Milwaukee, and this was REALLY good. There were one or two bone marrow virgins in our group, and I believe they are now fans of the savory, slightly gelatinous goodness that is bone marrow.
I struggled mightily between the Roast Pork sandwich ($ 11.75) and the Braised Beef sandwich ($ 13). Joanna T. assisted by reminding me of one of the ingredients on the Roast Pork sandwich, pumpkin butter… yes PUMPfricKIN BUTTER! SOLD!
The pumpkin butter had a dark orange-​ish color and a texture simliar to oatmeal but not as «runny» and get this, I could actually taste the pumpkin flavor! The sandwich was served on a toasted brioche bun with braised cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and bacon because why the hell not add bacon??? A little bitter, a little sweet, a little salty, a little sour (well not really mcuh sour), but lots of Umami, baby!
The sandwich was served with a side of potato salad that was good, but nothing to write home about. This is a butcher shop, not a deli. Meat is the name of the game and Bavette is a champion!