The Vanguard brings bold sausages and bar comfort to Milwaukee

What the public feedback says

The Vanguard carries a 4.6 Google rating from more than 1,500 reviews, a strong result for a busy Milwaukee bar and gastropub. The available comments consistently describe an energetic, casual room, friendly service and food that arrives hot and quickly. One Thursday-night group reached the restaurant at 9:30 p.m. and took the final table, suggesting that the atmosphere can stay lively later in the evening.

Price is another recurring strength. Reviewers call the food fairly priced, and the restaurant is listed at the inexpensive price level. That combination makes it an approachable choice for groups that want substantial bar food without turning the meal into a major occasion.

Sausages lead the menu

Sausages are the clearest reason to consider The Vanguard. The Milwaukee-style brat earned praise for its cheese-curd topping, while another diner called the steakhouse sausage the best item in a larger order. The Sammartino was also well received, particularly for its crispy pepperoni, though its heat came as a surprise.

Not every combination works for every diner. One reviewer liked that the Jamaican sausage was served over fries but did not care for the accompanying sweet jam. That response points to a menu built around assertive toppings and contrasts rather than plain, familiar preparations. Diners who enjoy spicy, sweet or heavily dressed sausage plates appear especially well served.

There are signs of useful meat-free choices, too. A returning customer specifically recommended the ginger tofu, while another had previously recommended the restaurant to friends for its vegetarian options. However, that same reviewer said a newer menu design made those options harder to identify and objected to the removal of the ability to choose a sausage for a hot dog. Anyone avoiding pork may need to ask the staff for guidance rather than relying on the menu layout alone.

Start with the comfort-food sides

Poutine and mashed potato balls recur across the sampled reviews. The poutine drew favorable comments from multiple parties, including one suggestion to order extra gravy. Potato balls were described as excellent by one group, although another diner did not enjoy their flavor. Cheese curds also appear as a natural fit for a Milwaukee visit, whether ordered separately or piled onto a brat.

Wings received praise for being spicy, savory and flavorful during a Monday visit. Draft cocktails were ordered alongside one meal, and another party chose seats at the bar to take in the atmosphere. Together, those details reinforce The Vanguard’s identity as a food-focused drinking spot rather than a quiet dining room.

The practical verdict

The review pattern favors The Vanguard for casual groups, late lunches and lively bar meals built around sausages, fries, gravy and cheese. Friendly employees and attentive recommendations strengthen the case, particularly when the menu needs explanation. The main cautions are unexpected spice, polarizing sweet toppings and less-than-clear vegetarian labeling. Still, the high rating and repeated enthusiasm for the core comfort food make it one of Milwaukee’s more dependable inexpensive gastropub options.