Swingin' Door Exchange

August the 13th most of the family stopped in and had some delicious food , burger with roast beef was a nice sloppy change up, fries were crispy and tasty, chili had some kick to it but was really tasty and same for the dog outdoor seating was available and great except for some smoker hiding around the corner

I never knew Milwaukee is famous for food! Got this restaurant rec from local we met in shop. They told us to come here. We went there twice since we couldn’t get in at first visit due to long wait. No reservations walk in only. Glad we could make the next day for brunch. We came there 10 min before it opened. Everything was good! Truly Wisconsin traditional home meal.

My last visit to the Swinging Door completely changed my mind for the better. The food really stood out this time. It's not necessarily an amazing dining experience, taste-wise, but knowing that the food is cooked well is always great. This place on Michigan Street is tight-"cozy tight," as said before. It's an old-school saloon that's packed with tables and has a loud, busy, and fast-paced feel. While we had a 30-minute wait on our first visit, this time was different. It was a busy Friday night, and we walked in just 15 minutes before the kitchen closed at 10 PM, but they seated us right away with no problem. Service still seemed a bit stretched thin, but they were attentive and got the job done well. The menu is classic American comfort food, and this time, they nailed it. It feels like it was put together by real chefs. I ordered the Big KC burger, and it was a huge portion. The mozzarella sticks were also good. Everything came out fresh and warm-a complete turnaround from my first visit when some dishes were just mediocre. After this experience, I'll definitely be back.

I had a great steak here but the Vermouth carrots stole the show. The New York strip was great. The carrots were the best tasting thing I’ve had in a long time, and I’m not really a huge fan of carrots. They were nicely charred with a great flavor. The ice cold Spotted Cow on tap was a great complement. Top tier meal.

Update Sept 2025: Came back for Taco Tuesday and it did not disappoint! The blackened tacos were incredible, three huge tacos, perfectly seasoned, loaded with flavor, and absolutely delicious. Portion sizes were more than generous, and every bite was spot on. This place continues to be consistent with both food and service. Still a favorite stop whenever I’m in Milwaukee, highly recommend! In Milwaukee for business and looking for a quick bite, we stumbled upon Swingin' Door Exchange — what a great find! It was so good, we went back again the next day before heading to the airport. Packed at lunchtime, it’s clearly a local favorite with a great vibe. Everyone was friendly and working hard to keep things moving. The burgers and chicken were delicious, but the real stars were the brussels sprouts and beet side dishes — absolutely mouthwatering. This is officially my go-to spot whenever I’m in town!

We came here just for the Friday Fish Fry because we are good (non) Catholics! Husband had 4 pieces of the Lake Perch with fries, and I had 2 pieces of the Cod with House Chips and Cajun Ranch, with an additional side of Spicy Vermouth Carrots. Husband loved everything, and ate everything! I loved the cod, the chips with Cajun Ranch, and even the coleslaw that comes with. German-style coleslaw with a bite from the caraway. The Vermouth Carrots are grilled to the point of being charred, which I was really excited for, but husband and I had mixed feelings. I found them not flavorful enough, and quite dry. They needed more spice and I wanted them to be sweeter, too. I didn't need them to be glazed but something would have kicked it up. Or some kind of fat - oil, butter, something. We were headed to the State Fair later so I knew this was the last vegetable I'd get for a while, so I ate them, but I did not enjoy them. This is a Pub's Pub - very publike. But not a gross pub, I didn't need to be glad the lights were dim. It felt clean, but definitely a traditional dark wood, carpeted pub.

Such a cool downtown bar! The drinks were cold, food was hot, and service was fast and friendly! The Reuben was hands down one of the best I've ever had and the potato pancakes w/apple sauce were killer! Don't pass up on this place, I highly recommend trying it out! It is a rather small restaurant and it gets very busy!

What a neat place! It reminded me of old supper clubs; I'm sure that was the intent. The bartender was so nice; our server was not so much. I ordered chicken tenders, and they were the craziest things I had ever seen! They were really good, and the honey mustard was amazing.