The Vanguard

This is probably one of my favorite places to go in Bayview and its dawned on me that I’ve never left a review. The food is amazing if you like sausages and they even have vegan options as well. The drinks are great and most of them are on tap! The place is small but it has a nice outside sitting area during the warmer months. If you haven’t been there yet please go!

Was looking for a casual, funky/​unique place to get a quick bite to eat & heard about this place online so decided to check it out.
Place has casual, nicer dive atmosphere with some good bar food. Has full service at the bar, or you can order at the counter & they’ll bring it to one of their tables/​patio. If you arrive during lunch time (11 – 3?) you can get a lunch special which includes fries & a drink. I had the Seattle Hot Dog, my date had the Chicago Brat & we split fried cheese curds & fries. Such gluttony, but couldn’t bring myself to also order poutine.
Not sure if you’re supposed to tip on table service here though. They do bring your food to your table & bus it. Some tables didn’t, but we decided to.

I want to like Vanguard. I want our relationship to be a strong one.
Pros: They do have vegan options: chorizo and Italian sausage. You can dress those guys up pretty much however you like, any style and any toppings. Soda is $ 1. They play amazing old programs on TV (think Bob Ross and 80’s wrestling).
Cons: I usually order the same thing, and it is different every time. The vegan sausages can be very dry. I’ve sat on the patio a few times, and there’s always metal playing. I can appreciate metal in certain circumstances, but dinner is not usually one of them. My husband’s dinner always looks better than mine.
The biggest con of all: their Old Fashioneds are awful. And they are a tap cocktail! Who does that to an Old Fashioned? It’s straight-​up heresy.
In closing, I only go here when other people insist on it. I won’t refuse to go, but I don’t seek it out on my own, either.

Every out-​of-​towner I’ve taken here has been blown away. I’ve been here close to twenty times, and I’ve probably tried 80% of the menu. There’s not much I can really add to some of the outstanding reviews that have been written about this place. The cocktails are always interesting and tasty. The main event is outstanding — my favorite sausages are the kilig, khing khan, and the bellomo. The dish that has a special place in my heart, however, is the the roasted garlic poutine. Life doesn’t get much better than that plate. The perfectly roasted, soft garlic cloves just melt in your mouth alongside the fries. Pfft, who cares if I can’t kiss my wife for the rest of the day? That’s it, I’m going again tomorrow!

This place is great. The sausages are fantastic. In my experience, they were more filling that expected, since they come in a hotdog bun. The Thai Breaker is awesome, & the Kilig is also great, as long as you’re down with the sweetness of hoisin sauce. Try the corn in a cup side for $ 4! Full bar, with a variety of cocktails on draft (for $ 8), in addition to the extensive beer menu. You order & pay for your food at the register, & same for your drinks at the bar. Then waitress/​waiter brings food out. Makes it easy if you need to dash out for a movie at the Avalon Theater, just a 7 min walk up the street. It’s also very near HiFi Café, which is a great late night stop afterward for coffees, teas, &/​or dessert and to hang out.

THIS PLACE IS FUCKING AMAZING.
My boyfriend and I officially dubbed this our new favorite spot for vegetarian/​vegan food in Milwaukee. The vegan Italian and chorizo sausages were the best I’ve had and those vegan chili cheese fries… Man, those were a straight up religious experience.
I was also stoked that they don’t hold back on the heat. I asked for giardiniera AND sport peppers on my Italian and I sure as hell got them, PLUS the added bonus of pickled jalapeños on the chili cheese fries. If I had three different kinds of pickled hot peppers and my face didn’t feel like it was on fire, they would’ve been doing it wrong.
I wish I could comment more on the booze. The Vanguard old fashioned was strong and delicious but we were about to drive back to Chicago and couldn’t try more than that. Next time. Soon.
And lastly, METAL!!!
Thank you for being great. Ps, the former Hot Doug’s space is on the market again… I’m just sayin’.

It’s crazy how in love I was with Hot Doug’s in Chicago, and how saddened I was that it was closing down. But right in that same time frame Vanguard was opening, and even better it wasn’t a state away.
I’ve eaten there plenty of times, and each time has been excellent. Friendly staff, great food, and a pretty well stocked beer selection. Oh yeah, and they LLLLLLOVE wrestling.
Totes love this place!!!

Visited one time for the one year anniversary of the bar in October 2015. First impression was that it was jammed with hipsters and Bayview locals. Patio worthy. I couldn’t tell if everyone knew each other or everyone was just super nice. My boyfriend and I soon found our friend Frankie, who had also ran into two other people she knew… This local watering hole was inhabited by many; all who said to try any Sausage for satisfaction. Sausage craving fulfilled.
I can’t remember what I had to drink, but my boyfriend had three Old-​Fashions, so they must have been good. Bourbon, whiskey, scotch, and brandy lovers would rejoice here. Semi-​pricey; I would return once in a while for sure.

Second visit here. Definitely got a better take into The vibe here.
The food was awesome. Had to try the Duck BLT Bratwurst and it didn’t disappoint. With lettuce and bacon bits on top how can you go wrong?. It complimented well with the Duck as did the cheese curds on the side.
Definitely a dope spot to check out!

Sausage craving? … Vanguard is the place to go! With a wide variety of styles and sides, it’ll be hard to make up your mind while perusing their menu. Vanguard has a chill, hipster atmosphere with a large bar, along with the kitchen right next to it for all to see.
Even though sausages seem to be their theme (it’s their WiFi password by the way), they also have several vegan options served with tasty toppings as well.
Most of their menu items come with a suggested beer pairing, which I’m sure would be a nice addition to any meal of sausages and other salty side dishes. I can imagine this place is jam-​packed for Packer games and would be a fun place to spend Sunday afternoons in the fall.
On a final note, there’s this mysterious stairwell leading downstairs tucked away on the side of the main room. Several bearded men walked up the stairs, one at a time, about 3 minutes apart… Not exactly sure what goes on down there, but I’m assuming it involves sausages.

Amazing.
The kitchen is open until bar time which is almost unheard of in Milwaukee and everything is AMAZING.
The poutine and mashed potato balls are literally to die for, so is the tofu at that rate. I’ve had three of the sausage options so far and have yet to find something I didn’t like. Service is always friendly and food comes out pretty fast, especially for how busy it is, literally always.

The Vanguard is spectacular to say the least. They have something real special going on. First lets describe the digs. Inside is chillaxing and super comfy space. Clean lines and a beautiful wall of subway tile on the back bar greet you as you come in. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a great view of the place as a whole. The vanguard is built to handle the crowd of dinner and late night shenanigans. There is a back seating area as well. The TV’s above us were showing a lot of vintage footage of wrestling, rock n roll, and concerts from the 70’s through the 80’s. Can you say cool! Being an 80’s child I was digging the flashbacks.
Anyways, on to the kitchen. The setup is right in front of the house, which again I’m really a fan of. Everything coming out for you to grub on is right there and the smells in the air were so mouth watering. They also make there sausages in house. That’s one of those extra steps that set this apart form your average joint.
We ordered the Ginger Tofu to start — It is a truly unique twist on tofu. Sweet with a little heat. I was pleased. Also had the corn which was phenomenal. Corn you say, yes decadent corn with peppers, crema, cotija (Hispanic style cheese) and paprika.
The Duck BLT, which was duck sausage, bacon and sundried tomatoes, was freaking out this world and so was the Killig which was pork sausage with palm sugar, bean sprouts, and soy sauce with some type of hoisin glaze. My wife particularly loved this one. Now we only had two brats during this visit so we plan to return as we have many more to try that along with a bunch of other side items that looked as amazing as anything else. The Vanguard rocks and has a great vibe and concept going on. Great addition to the MKE food scene fo sho!

LOVE this place. Initially, I wasn’t sure why a sausage-​heavy establishment came up in my vegan search but soon realized they have homemade vegan chorizo sausage and Italian sausage. Both are very tasty. Shockingly, the ginger fried tofu was the best thing on the menu, not at all what I would expect from a sausage bar. Of the dogs, I’d say that the Chicago dog was my favorite just because I don’t find that vegan too many other places. The basil and pesto dog and the sprouts and lime dog (don’t recall the special names) were good, but both seemed they could use some sauce.
Prices are SUPER reasonable ($ 6 lunch special for a dog, fries, and drink), service is friendly, but food took a bit long during lunch so allow for some time. Granted, we did order food for about 5 people, but we weren’t prepared to wait the 40 minutes or so it took for those dogs and fries.

We went to The Vanguard. It was seriously sausage heaven. This place specializes in artisan sausages and is served with some decked out toppings. They do have specials and part of the menu changes from time to time, so get out there as much as you can. They also have a bar which serves some good craft beers and spirits.
Cheese Curds: These were good, but nothing spectacular. I’ve had better before.
Loaded Baked Potato Balls: I am potato lover, so this was a favorite of mine. The potato mash inside was warm and moist, while the cheez whiz, sour cream and bacon pieces helped give it a nice flavor.
Veal Poutine: This was my first time having poutine. Even though I enjoyed it, I was not overly excited after we were done. I enjoy gravy, french fries, and cheese curds, but just not all in one I guess. The veal was a nice touch though.
Thai Breaker: This was my favorite sausage of the night. This was a pork sausage seasoned with cilantro, lemon grass, and ginger. Topped with carrots, lettuce, crunchy tortilla strips and a peanut sauce. I took one bite of this bad boy and fell in love. I was already thinking about how I could fit a whole second Thai Breaker in my belly. I didn’t, but I sure did think about it after every bite.
Duck BLT: This was no Thai Breaker, but if you got this you would not be disappointed. It was also very very good. This was a duck-​bacon sausage topped with lettuce, bacon, and a hollandaise aioli.

$ 9 hot dog, are you kidding me !?
The cased meat was made of duck, and very tasty, but definitely not worth the price. The baked potato balls also weren’t worth the price. I expected more. The bloody Mary’s suck. The ‘order your drink from the crowded bar. And stand in line to order food’ concept is pointless. The hostess directing you to these various stations, and bussing your table could have simplified the restaurant logistics with the traditional waitress role. It looks like they have a patio out back, when it’s not too cold. We expected more from Bayview as we were the most excited for this place while eating out way through Milwaukee. Total bummer

Sometimes I wish that you could separate the stars in to several categories, but alas, I have to land somewhere in the middle. First, I’ll talk food, which is me leading with the positive. The first time I came in I had a sausage called the «Thai Breaker» and it is still my #1. Another stand out food item is the burnt ginger sauce, everything tastes better coated in burnt ginger sauce.
So, now that my positives are out there, I’ll transition to the part that knocks it down a star… the service. Let me start out by saying the folks working the food ordering counter have all been great, unfortunately, the problem lies behind the bar. For lack of a better word, it has been unenthusiastic. I get it, you don’t have to pretend that you’re SO excited to be there, but treating people like you’d rather they weren’t there is too much. Any of the times I’ve been there the bartenders haven’t given off the most welcoming of vibes.
I’m still coming in and recommending this place to others because the food is great and that’s all that truly matters.

I enjoy The Vanguard. They have fun sausages! And fun sides! It’s kinda hipstery, but it’s alright. Their technique is different: food, drinks, ordering system (food is ordered at counter — you can pay there or add to your drink tab). I dig the different.
The Hector is flipping so delicious!!! And really strong. And again, unique. It’s my happy place drink. Oh and I just realized you can order half carafes of these tapped beverages for $ 22.
The menu changes pretty often. And they have brunch, although I haven’t tried.
This is going to sound crazy, but try the fried tofu with burnt ginger sauce. Seriously, it’s the best tofu, ever. I know that’s not saying a whole lot ’cause it’s tofu after all — but damn it, it’s good!
Have fun experimenting with sausages here! :)

Bell Brown Ale — drink
Vanguard Burger — main eats
Corn in a cup — side
This marks my 2^nd visit to this excellent Milwaukee eatery– let’s call it a sausage kingdom. Smaller spot where you walk up order your food, pay, get a number and have a seat. Super chill, younger and a bit hip as far as ambience. Quick and friendly service and a huge selection of craft and major brews to choose from along with a full liquor bar.
The Food
1.) The Durty Burger — all the loose sausage bits pressed into a super tasty burger. Toppings velveta, bacon, onions, ok sauce (house sauce) lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun.
HUGE flavor and just expertly prepared and served simple. I’m super impressed with this burger.
Cup of Corn– Esquites; corn salad, mayo, chili powder, lime, cotija cheese. (Freaking fantastic! Try some picante hot sauce)
Washed it all down with a best brown ale (recommend pairing by the menu) full bodied, sweet with a nice finish. I highly recommend checking out this impressive spot that doesn’t disappoint. In the words of California’s former governor — I’ll be back !

I’ve only been to the Vanguard twice, but I can guarantee you that I will be back many more times!
Dubbed a «sausage fest» by many Milwaukeeans, the Vanguard is just that, but in the cleanest, most delicious, chow hound kind of way! Consisting mainly of sausages, their menu is truly eclectic and varied enough to have a little something for everyone, barring the pickiest of eaters.
On my first visit, I enjoyed a Piri Piri pork sausage which was topped with pickled cactus and had buffalo sauce and blue cheese hiding underneath. This thing was so huge, I had to eat it with a knife and fork. In a word: AMAZING! The blue cheese tempered the buffalo sauce perfectly. The flavors went together so well and it is a dish I would definitely recommend.
On my second visit, hubs and I split a Thee DVR and potato balls. The sausage was elk sausage topped with cottage cheese and herbs. Again, knife and fork… there’s just no other way to eat it! The potato balls were like hand mashed potatoes (complete with chunks) rolled into balls, breaded, fried and topped with cheese and herbs. Delicious. Buy one or both.
There is a Greek sausage and a Thai sausage that both have my name on them when I return…
The drinks! OMG, the drinks. You will get your money’s worth in the booze department. The house cocktails (there are like 8 of them) are all pre-​made and on tap. They definitely have a kick and no one person should probably have more than two!
If you can, sit at the bar. At the bar, you can order your food and drinks at the same time. If you sit at the tables, you have to go up and order your food. You will be given a number and sent back to your table. While waiting on your food, you will then have to belly up to the bar and purchase your drinks as a separate transaction. Busing at the tables is pretty much on you. Not that it’s a big deal, but you should know that so you don’t get labeled as «that guy».
The first time I went, I met a bunch of friends to watch a Packer’s game. The place was full, so I would recommend it as a place to catch a game, if you’re so inclined. Also, free touchdown shots. Only one that day, but free booze is free booze!
¹³⁸⁄₂₀₁₅

Thanks to Maggie I’s UYE yesterday, I finally made it into Vanguard. I’ve had one of their sausages at a Burnheart’s block party, but never actually went to Vanguard.
I think the main reason I never went was because I kept reading and hearing about how small and busy the place was. I pictured a hole in the wall where I’d place an order, wait an hour for food, and then have to stand while I eat it in a corner somewhere. So I thought I’d have to wait for a week day when I was off work to go visit.
Luckily, I was the first to arrive yesterday and secured two tables for our UYE. I was surprised they let me do that, but it worked out to their advantage. I told them we expected 14 guests, but there were 19 or 20 of us and we all bought lots of food and drinks.
I started with a brunch item, the Croaker ($ 7), which is a fried egg, ham, béchamel, brown mustard, and swiss cheese on a brioche bun. I was worried about the brown mustard over powering, but it didn’t. I didn’t even notice it. Maybe it wasn’t there. The sandwich was good, but didn’t wow me as I hoped. I wish I would have ordered the Breakfast Poutine instead.
When you order, they give you a wooden block with a number on it. The server looks for that number to bring your food to you. You order your drinks at the bar. So essentially, the server just brings your food to you and does some bussing. We bussed our own table because it was more convenient with the trash cash and dish bin right behind where I sat.
I also ordered the fried cheese curds ($ 7), and they were excellent! Definitely among the best I’ve had and served with a bacon stein aioli! They were crispy, not greasy, and had a great proportion of batter to cheese!
In the second half of the game, I ordered the Piri Piri sausage ($ 7) with a side of small fries ($ 3). The fries were the shoe string style and looked house cut. They were crispy and seasoned appropriately.
The Piri Piri sausage had great flavor and was topped with pickled cactus, which I also loved. The sausage was spicy and they add a little hot sauce, but there was a bleu cheese sauce that I forgot about in description, and I’m not a big fan of bleu cheese, so I forgot to hold it. There was a lot, which I assume was meant to balance out the heat. It did, but also took away from my enjoyment. The bottom of the bun had a very thick layer of the bleu cheese sauce and the sausage was placed on top. If I order it again, I’ll hold the bleu cheese and take my chances with the heat. I want to stress that there was nothing wrong with this sausage sandwich. I just screwed up and forgot to hold the bleu cheese. If you like bleu cheese, then you should like this menu item.
The vibe from the game was fun, and I was able to enjoy the game and hear it even with the loud venue and only 2 TV’s above the bar.
I don’t think I’d go back to watch a Packers game here, but I will definitely go back for eats and drinks. I have my eye on the Poutine with Duck Confit!