Martino's Chicago-Style Hot Dogs & Italian Beef — Restaurant in Milwaukee

Before I get into this, know that they have the best Chicago dogs in the city. Period. And the best Italian Beef sandwiches. And the best wonton-style mozzarella sticks I've ever had. Even though my mother is toothless and in a nursing home, she still requests their Reubens every so often, and that's all she specifically asks for - they're that good.

I worked here 13-14 years ago, and had the pleasure of making every one of those things. I still eat there, if that means anything. Everything is exactly the same. Everything. Right down to the stainless tray with the slotted holes that we used to dump the fries into. The same old-school ketchup-colored tables kept spotless and disinfected, the same old-school Vienna glamor shots of the different types of hot dogs and sandwiches they make. The same picture of Mary, the owner's mother, above the serving window. I still remember the last time I got to hug her.

The owner, TJ, always was impeccable about cleanliness, and keeping his stuff in top shape - it was these things I held onto from working there. They are by far the cleanest restaurant I've ever worked in, even versus higher-end places like The Packing House I've been behind the scenes for. It's no less true where you can't see it as a customer. The back rooms are cleaner than the best-kept parts of your house - and TJ was never afraid to send someone back to clean something again if he felt it wasn't good enough. I know none of this has changed, either.

In fact, the only thing that has changed since I came in as a kid for the first time 28 years ago is that they took out the mini-golf that used to be in the back, some time before I put on the hat and shirt to work there. Might have been shortly after my best friend and I accidentally broke (and paid for) one of their putters...And they also now have a sleek tablet with a card reader.

This place is a landmark. It has timeless class and a deep seat in my heart - and stomach! The food is still exactly as I remember it 14 years ago, 28 years ago. It's rare that a restaurant keeps at what it's good at, and isn't tempted to get all flashy, trendy, and 'hip.' They've never changed the quality of the food to make more money. They didn't buy into the Sriracha or Chipotle-everything fads, they didn't have to 'buy into' the 'everything fresh' movement because they're already there. They perfected their work long ago, and it's great to see them...

So amazing when you, your girlfriend and her son can all enjoy great food at the same place. I ordered the corn dogs (delicious Vienna sausage hot dog on the inside, crispy, corn-meal battered exterior), my girlfriend got the Chicago dog, with all the fixins', and her son got the cheese dog with cheese fries (he claims he is cheese-deprived, don't believe him).

We all just devoured our food, only occasionally lifting our heads to smile, wipe away mustard, and take in some of the fun, eclectic decorations.

The food was cheap in price but huge on flavor and taste, and the manager was very nice in pointing out the paper menus to us, so we could sit down on our first visit there and choose what to get. A quick note, though, is that we did end up going to their website to look at the images of some food on the menu, as while I'm sure the friendly staff would have described the ingredients in specific hot dogs (southern dog?) the menu itself offered no descriptions -- but I feel that's par for the course at any fast-food type establishment.

Overall, a five-star experience with five-star food. If you love Chicago-style hot dogs, this is definitely the place in Milwaukee to dine. Very close to the Milwaukee airport as well, so if you're traveling and have just a couple hours between flights, check...

My husband went into order three Chicago dogs around 6:30 PM. There was only one other person in the establishment wearing a mask, none of the employees were wearing a mask, he said he got to the counter to place our order and your shift manager rolled her eyes at him and said “oh God you are fine” in reference to him wearing a mask. There is a sign posted on the outside of the establishment in the vestibule before you enter the restaurant that says meets Covid safety requirements, with a picture of a mask on the sign. I don’t appreciate that level of disrespect prior to service from an employee. My husband asked for the manager to watch this lady responded she was the manager. He then asked for the owner‘s number which she would not give him. We have been coming to this establishment for years my parents have been loyal customers for decades, never have we received this kind of service at Martinos before. Some people are immunocompromised and cannot get the vaccine, some people have children at home that are under five who also cannot get the vaccine. Some people have family members who died of Covid in the ICU alone. Be respectful and keep your politicized jargon...