Christie’s Pub And Grill

Horrible customer service I wouldn’t send my worst enemy there. They act as if they have the only food in Milwaukee.

Kind of a different place. small groups of people, apparently very loyal, friendly. Bar keep helps with the cheerful atmosphere. The reason to come is the food. It’s the crème de la crème of bar food. Creative dishes without it being over engineered. You know how some places try too hard to be different and its just not worth the effort. Mom makes one dish at a time so you will wait ½hr at least for your order HOWEVER, it’s worth it. A must try at least once.

Hidden gem. Jason is an amazing bartender and host who is very knowledgable on all of his products. Amazing craft beer selection. His mother cooks some of the best food in the Milwaukee area. Be prepared to wait as they are a bar first and restaurant second. The fish fry is one of the best I have had! Go soon!

This place is WAY overrated. We went there a couple of times and the food was decent but I expect more for an hour plus wait for food. Saying that everything is made from scratch is code for you will wait forever.
If Jason doesn’t like you then expect horrible service. I saw people that came in 15 minutes prior to close and he wouldn’t serve them because they weren’t regulars. If you are a consistent regular then the service is much better. We were given decent service but it disturbed me to see him treat others poorly.
After going there a few times Jason proceeded to insult me with his salty demeanor. I get that it is your place and you can do what you want but insulting patrons is not the brightest idea. That was the last time we ever set foot in the door.
If you want decent food, are willing to wait over an hour, and can deal with a bartender/​owner with mood swings then this is your place… and yes Jason this is why you don’t like Unilocal reviews.

5 Stars–
This is truly a hidden gem. We went for a fish fry. I read that JASON will recite the menu items — as well as the several tap beers. His presentation is worth the visit to the bar/​pub.
The place is small. A u shaped bar with about 15 stools and a few SMALL tables. The service is s-​l-​o-​w but one is entertained while waiting.
MOM knows how to cook the food that JASON describes.
The food is excellent in every way. When my partner got the carrot cake she ordered, her eyes widened. It must have been 16oz in weight-​and home made!
They are open only 4 days a week and the prices are high for a pub, but worth every cent.
Try it, You’ll like it !

Pros are a super nice owner bartender and yummy food. My husbsnd had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was fantastic. Cons are the prices and wait time. Drinks are CRAZY expensive! Im serious. Chicago expensive. One of most expensive meals ever to date. Wait time is longer because there is only 1 cook in the kitchen who does everything.

This place is the definition of a hidden gem — you walk in and there are no tables, you have to sit at the bar, which at first threw us off. But trusting the Unilocal rating worked out spectacularly.
The place is run by a guy (bartender/​server) and his mom (cook). First we were majorly impressed at how he knew every beer on tap, could say them all at a pace of speaking that rivaled an auctioneer, and was able to give us tastes and recommend what was best for each of us.
The menu looked a bit sad at first, but then he pulled out his double sided page of specials, which quite seriously took 4 minutes to read. But they were all so well thought out, and sounded so appetizing. The couple we got were amazing, no need saying what they were, as the specials will probably be different when you go in (because you WILL go in. You’ve read this far down in the review, you have no other choice now.).
They always have fish-​fries on Fridays! Like any good Wisconsin joint.
Also, nothing was really vegetarian on the menu, but they are so hospitable, I would expect they’d conjour up something incredible for a veggie.

Come here if you have time to spare…
Good beers on tap (brothers thelonious!) and food was fantastic but super SLOW. I guess they give you a heads up, but I mean wow.
Also it’s small so by the time you leave everyone knows you. I am into to that but some people are not so just a heads up.

Can’t begin to say enough positive things about this hidden gem in Milwaukee.
First all of it’s a small family owned and operated business so that’s always a great thing in my book being a small business owner.
Beer: About 6 microbrews rotate but they’re all high quality and no big macrobrew/​lite beer here.
Food: Huge portions, fresh products, cooked by mom in the kitchen (literally) Great wonderful menu, nice contrast of flavors in the dishes. It’s hard to imagine anyone leaning here hungry after a meal! There is something for everyone from salads, to fish, burgers to name a few staples.
Service: 10/​10, simply amazing. Jason is pleasant, informative and fun to interact with. He’ll make sure you get what you’re looking for! Great memory as well! You don’t feel like a customer, but more like an old friend!
Go there you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be back! I’ll thoroughly recommend to anyone in the Milwaukee area!

As always, excellent libations, great music (Black Sabbath!) and delicious bar food taken to an ethereal level. Fun chatting with others sitting around the bar; you’ll never know who you’ll see — Bad Santa was lots of fun.

In the most surprising turn of events on a most random Friday night, I had the best burger experience ever in Milwaukee. An emergency trip to drop of my best friend’s GF at the ER left us hungry at 11pm.
Gloriously sated, best burger I’ve had in the city. So, I had to come back when we hadn’t been drinking and were totally starving.
My memory was entirely accurate.
First trip, we split the Texas caviar (spicy chili) and chips to start. I followed with the MOP burger (cheddar, onions, shrooms and bacon) with homemade fries. All of this made by Jason’s mom in the kitchen.
Key point there: Jason runs the bar up front and serves all of his people. Mom (don’t ask her name) does all of the cooking. Two people. Seriously, it’s one fourth of what another burger place not far had working and the menu selection is phenomenal. Not just burgers, but fish, pasta and chicken… all scratch process.
Second night, I had the soup (spicy roasted red pepper with goat cheese) with a house biscuit, and added the Chuy burger (fried onions, avocado, cheddar and the Texas caviar) with fries. So very good…
The beer selection is great for what you’d think is just a neighborhood spot. Taps included Left Hand, Founders, Ommegang, Anchor Steam and others. Jason is very knowledgeable about beers, and he’s a huge fan of two other great places (Palm and Burnhearts) which says something about the mindset of the place.
I can’t even think to guess at how I’ve been back and forth around this area for years and never stopped in here. I’ve already got my next two trips here planned to show this place off.

This place is interesting in that it has some really strong positive and negative qualities. First, it has a unique menu with lots of great choices like Asian-​style squid, «Texas caviar» (black bean dip), and a bunch of interesting burger options. The quality of the food was surprisingly good; far better than you would find at an average bar. The atmosphere was also warm and welcoming with antique PBR decorations, friendly customers, and an outgoing owner/​bartender.
Now for the downside. Everything was overpriced by $ 1 – 3. It’s basically a dive bar, yet they are charging prices that you would get at a nice sit-​down restaurant. $ 6 for a cup of soup, $ 7 for a basic wedge salad (no meat), $ 8.25 for a Brother Thelonious beer, $ 15 for fish fry, etc. The place is not run smoothly either. The first thing I noticed when I walked in were dishes piling up on tables off to the side. The kitchen staff consisted solely of his mother, and they had to cut the menu down to simpler items because she was getting tired or running out of time or something. Everything just seemed to move so slowly. I don’t know why he doesn’t just hire some staff.
Overall, I would recommend this place if you want a nice dive bar experience with good food, but don’t care about money. Otherwise, there are plenty of great alternatives in Bay View and scattered elsewhere throughout the city.

This place is really magical. We had a really memorable evening.
It’s really more of an experience than just a bar or just a restaurant. From what I can tell all of the food is exceptional. My burger was incredible. Everything was seemingly carefully selected from the bun to the toppings. The fries are hand cut and delicious. The beer selection was superb if you like IPAs. They were prominently featured when I went. The ambiance is really unique and cool. Great music selection. Not too loud, not too quiet.
I can’t say enough good things about this place. If you are considering going to Christie’s here are some things you should take into consideration so you aren’t surprised:
You will be there for a while. This isn’t a bad thing. Again the company is great and so is the bartender. The seating is limited so it feels like a community in there. We got there at around 6 pm on a Friday and how no issues getting a seat. But as everyone else has said you will be there for a couple hours at least if you are eating. It’s totally worth it.
It’s probably not great for large parties. I would say 4 or less because it’s bar seating with maybe two or three tables.
Don’t bring your kids. It’s a bar and while there is nothing lewd going on in here it’s definitely better suited for adults.
The food is incredible. The specials list is longer than the actual menu and very thoughtfully created.
Try it out if you’re looking for a low key and unique evening.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes! Rarely do I walk out of what was just supposed to be dinner, on a life high, quite literally.
First, you have to find it, on a low key side street. Walk in and cross your fingers for a seat at the bar. The bartender/​owner/​server is a lovely gent, with a quirk or two. He’ll make you a real drink, encourage you to try something new, and do it with an ease you’d expect as if you were in your buddy’s basement bar.
He’ll come by and walk you through the menu personally. He will not take your order before the kitchen is ready to accept another order. No one rushes mama (literally, it’s his mama back there manning the grill). The menu has staples, but the specials really are something special here.
Place your order and settle in. You won’t get your food for awhile now, mama has a lot to do back in the kitchen, considering everything is made from scratch, the way mamas and grandmamas were taught. Watch as regulars come in and catch up with each other while they wait an hour or two for their favorite dishes. Watch as unsuspecting newcomers are told matter-​of-​factly that the food wait could be an hour or two and witness the jaw-​dropping. Honesty is refreshing folks.
I’m not really sure how it happened, but an hour or two later, we were friends with 4 or 5 new couples, a friendly man and I shared a crossword puzzle, we learned about some local industry politics, and much sporting was debated.
You are brought a wooden tray that hooks on to the bar to make a more appropriate eating surface. Then your food arrives. Both of the specials we ordered were fantastic. No exaggeration whatsoever. I was drooling over my food! Even the mac and cheese was great.
When the night was over (3.5 hours later), we walked out, said goodbye to our new friends, received a few hugs and handshakes. It just so happened it was a beautiful night out and we were just happy. It was the best things about being up north at a supper club, or sitting at any low key bar with your oldest friends, or having your chef friend test out some recipes on you… all mixed up together.
If you’re in a rush, want linen napkins, or prefer to be ‘seen’, then go somewhere else. However, you should have high expectations about Christie’s…it’s a reminder of the good things in life.

I have been conflicted about reviewing Christie’s because I have felt like the owner, Jason, would not want me to. No way to sugar coat it, he hates Unilocal and in theory that would mean he hates all Unilocalers. However, he has never been anything but warm and welcoming to me on the many occasions I have frequented his establishment and he is well aware of my affiliation with the Y-​word. So last Saturday I asked for and was granted permission to review his bar. I would normally never ask for permission, but I REALLY like the guy and his bar is me and the hubs absolute FAVORITE in the area (stumbling distance from our house). But I am going to include some things I think Jason would like for people to know.
Christie’s is a fairly small bar, and your only option is to sit at the bar. It is a big wooden oval in the middle of the room and Jason stands in its midst. There are 2 booths that are no longer available for patrons to use due to some very bad behavior by some very inebreated non-​regular customers. These incidents occurred during the height of Jason’s fevered Unilocal success. Bad stuff like damagingthe nice leather on the booth seats and trying to steal memorbelia off the walls. So, strike 1 for Unilocalers.
But to me sitting at the bar here is a perk because I always meet people who are nice and great conversation ensues. Always. Every time.
I am not going to spend a lot of time reviewing the food, because everything said in previous reviews about how amazing the food is at Christie’s is 100% accurate. Except for the one guy (Bobby G) that gave the place a bad review just cuz he got his panties in a wad over how long it took for the food to come out. Wussy. Strike 2 for Unilocalers.
I am slowly working my way through every item on the menu and enjoying every frickin second of doing so. His mom is an amazing cook, wish she would come live with me. Since that is not gonna happen I will often order an extra item to take home and savor the next day. The food here is awesome, nuf said.
The thing to remember about Christie’s is that it is a BAR. It is not a place to bring your kids, or your baby, or anyone who is whiney and not interested in having a good time. Apparently a lot of Unilocalers brought their out of control children and/​or screaming babies in carseats. This is simply not the place for that. Way too small and I personally don’t want to come here and listen to anything other than the ice rattling around in my adult beverage and the adult conversation I am having with other adults. Strike 3 for Unilocalers.
It is a family owned and run bar. Jason’s mom is cooking by herself, Nana is washing the dishes. She can take as long as she wants to crank out those amazing meals. I always have someone fun to talk to while I wait.
The reason Jason is anti-​yelp is because the positive reviews he received on Unilocal pushed him into the «successful restaurant» category and his bar is just not set up for that. His place cannot handle «wait times» and «reservations» and the onslaught of a hungry mass of Unilocaler foodies.
It’s a little local bar that also serves a somewhat limited menu of really great food. So he is resentful of the fact that Unilocalers sort of control and at times overwhelm his business and there is nothing he can do about it. I still love all things Unilocal,but I do see his point.
So if you go to Christie’s and Jason asks you how you heard about the place, DO NOT say what I said on my first visit which was «I heard about you on Unilocal». Unless you want to hear what he thinks about Unilocal and if you love the Unilocal then it is not a fun (albeit one way) conversation. Tell him a friend told you about it, use my name (but only if you are cool and are not going to make me look bad by complaining about the wait time :-)
Cheers Unilocal Peeps

Christie’s pub and grill is so unique! Definitely worth a visit. But don’t go unless you’re there to chat people up and don’t go if you’re in any kind of rush. The bar has been in the family a long, long time. Mom’s in the kitchen making your grub, while son’s out front running the show – and he ain’t shy! It’s a very intimate place and gives a great neighborhood feel. Glad we took the chance.

«We’ll go to places that we have never seen. And if we’re together we’ll have a happy time, ’cause I got no reservations.»
These days, you might actually hear Hüsker Dü at Christie’s. Out with the Jazz music, in with the Rock n’ Roll. It’s amazing how such a small deviation from the blueprint can make such a big difference, but Christie’s feels less like a lounge and more like an old school diner. That is, if your old school diner served pancetta wrapped scallops on razor thin slices of pear with balsamic syrup.
Here’s the warning: You had better be prepared to hang out a while and sip some cocktails, because fast food this ain’t. Who would want to rush through this experience anyway? Sit down, order a drink and make some new friends. This is seriously one of the friendliest places in town, and the conversation always veers toward… interesting. You’ll want to stick around for a while, and even if you don’t want to you’d better prepare for it.
My most recent meal at Christie’s was ridiculous. Fried eggs, asparagus, crispy prosciutto and cheese ravioli in brown butter. F@#$! I’m going to dream about that dish. Jason is a great bartender and he really takes pride in his place. His mom Eileen is just the best. Hands down my favorite place in town.

Really??? What’s up w all the 5 star reviews? No way in heck I would call it that. It’s «a bar that serves food so ppl don’t get DUIs»… Not the classiest join. Maybe an amazing corner dive bar, but nothing more. Love the bartending owner, despite his hatred for Unilocal and all things social media or internet based.
Rather odd to sit in a BAR w maybe 10 patrons, 3 of which were regulars and 7 Unilocalers, and listen to the owner trash his good reviews. Ironic to say the least. This made the 2 Hr wait for food, much longer then needed.
… Did he just say it would be a 2.5 Hr wait for food? Wtf really are u high? Lol.
I felt for his 65 yr old mother cooking in the kitchen, one dish at a time… Please hire some staff so u don’t give her a heart attack! Or make frozen pizzas like every other bar.
Food, Ehh ok. Nothing memorable. Super simple. Super comfort mom-​style food, literally. If I ever go back it won’t b bc of Unilocal or for the food!
Who ever said Sandfords of the southside was a complete moron & clearly had something against Mr D’Amato. Good luck holding 5 stars for ever.

Super friendly and really good food available here! All the food is homemade and prepared to order. Went there with friends and we all enjoyed our meal. The proprietors couldn’t be nicer. Save room for the carrot cake… its AMAZING! ;)
You’ll eat at the bar on a special wood platform that provides a smooth flat surface. Pretty clever for bar dining!
They are seeing more Unilocalers coming in and welcomed us with open arms! Be prepared to wait for your food… try to stop in when it’s not a busy time. I guess Friday and Saturday nights are really busy.
Large portions… go with a good appetite!

For starters, we tried the proscuitto wrapped scallops. The balsamic sauce was delicious! Personally, I didn’t like the pears. The balsamic already has sweetness to it, so the raw pear wasn’t necessary for me.
I was going to get a veggie sandwich, but turned carnivorous after hearing about the liver pâté beef wellington burger. To my dismay, it came about med/​well to well and honestly, there was SO MUCH liver pâté on there that it didn’t even taste like a burger. Every bite was a mouthful of very strong liver pâté, nothing else. Wishing I would’ve stuck with the veggie original thought…
My guest ordered the meatloaf. It so happens he can handle spicy food, but I was surprised the owner doesn’t by default mention to people that it’s VERY spicy. Some people have a sensitive palate and can’t even handle mild salsa. It’s a good idea to let people know when ordering that there is a ton of diced jalepenos mixed in the meatloaf — which is very rare, who would expect that…
And, when I sampled the meatloaf… I am also ok with spice but, HOLY SAGE! Goodness gracious it tasted like there was a full cup of sage in there. Yikes. I like herbs, but not as a main ingredient, it should be more subtle.
I wanted to love Christie’s. I would go back to try something else, because I like that the guy runs his own business with his mom in the kitchen and that it’s been in his family for many years. But, what I really want is to love the food :(
Carrot Cake — BEST thing we ate. Huge portion size.
To Christies I’d say: Food needs to be balanced. Strong ingredients need to be used with care and grace. A heavy hand is such a mistake. Liver is a strong flavor and so is sage. Be delicate!