Miss Katie's Diner — Restaurant in Milwaukee

As someone who not only met his wife at Miss Katie's Diner but has also frequented the diner since the day it opened, I strongly disagree with any negative reviews of the restaurant. I think some people are just looking for an avenue to complain .. on top of just becoming more and more difficult to please. I feel the need to write this insanely long review because anything negative about this place is FALSE.

Here is the real story:

Miss Katie's Diner is located on the corner of 19th and Clybourn, right in the heart of Marquette University’s campus. It is accessible by I-94 and is located only fives minutes away from downtown Milwaukee. They are a family owned business and operate accordingly (I actually used to bartend at Pitch's, the family's restaurant on the Eastside).

Although Miss Katie’s Diner is not considered five-star dining, it is great for a wholesome meal. They have the experience and tradition to back up their menu. The diner has been in business for more than 25 years, and some of the recipes have been passed down through the Picciurro family since 1942. The menu is fused with an assortment of American and Italian classics. Some of my favorites include the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, loaded cheeseburgers, their fish fry and especially the homemade chocolate malts.

Miss Katie’s also offers a completely unique dining experience that nobody else in Milwaukee offers. Service is friendly and attentive, and the bartenders are technically the best in town. You won’t have to hesitate to order a muddled brandy old-fashioned sweet or a perfect whiskey manhattan at Miss Katie's.

Historically, Miss Katie’s Diner has substantial experience in hosting large events, evident by their lengthy list of previous celebrity guests: President Clinton, Helmut Kohl, Rachel Ray, Hillary Clinton, the cast of Happy Days and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Miss Katie's is a fun and affordable location for any luncheon, get together, or event. Their renowned catering provides fresh, homemade food served for moderate prices compared to other caters in the city. We use Miss Katie's for all of our family's catering needs - especially our kids graduation parties from MU!

While some restaurants simply look at the business as an opportunity to make a great profit, Miss Katie’s Diner appreciates their customers. When you are there - you are family - and treated as such. Sure, as some of the other reviewers commented, you might catch a waitress on a bad day - but that is ANYWHERE you go. Get over it. You aren't a full time waitress to pay the bills.

On top of the classic service and delicious menu, Katie's has a shuffleboard table, jukebox, pinball machine, old cigarette dispenser, and dated bar stools will help transport you to the...

Never wrote a review before but this one needs it. The worst experience and food ever!!!! I’m a server and know the industry. None of this would be mentioned if not for the terrible service and food. To start, the grounds were full of trash, broken bottles, cans and the parking was rugged with potholes. We were greeted & seated.

There was a big table seated who already had there food. We were a table of three. We were the only other guests there when our order was taken. Our order was taken and there was confusion about who our server was because two people were at our table asking the same questions like they were trying to beat each other to it. Turned out one was the busser.

We placed our orders asked about a drink menu and was told there is a full bar. We were not asked for our drink order and ended up going directly to the bar to order because our server didn’t come back.

More customers came in, ordered, received their food prior to us, and some even walked out without receiving food. Not the biggest issue and we didn’t even mention it. We received our food with two dishes that were incorrect and the server actually blamed us instead of taking responsibility. Our $10+ skillets were actually small platters with a small portion of hash-browns that were oil soaked through; over easy eggs that were overcooked, rubbery, and oil soaked; paper thin, pre-made, microwaveable bacon. We ordered a 3 stack of pancakes for $10+ that were bland and tasked like raw bisquick powder. When asked how the food was I was honest and said not very good. Our server was very rude throughout and even more rude the, she did not respond, and walked away with an attitude. I definitely could not eat my food after that.

The busser returned; spoke to us; and made comments regarding issues he’s having with the server. He asked if we’d like boxes and I expressed my dislike for the food and the rudeness of the waitress. He was more caring, apologized for the food, and our server. He offered to get his boss. We accepted and waited. The server returned obviously more upset and started grabbing plates aggressively saying “you don’t like the food here so you can leave with out paying” amongst other things, all while waving her hand in my face. I explained we were waiting for her boss and to leave the plates. She then rudely stated that the boss knows and she then rudely questioned why we wanted to leave the plates if we didn’t like the food. Unbelievable experience, disgusting overpriced food, a very rude server, and a rundown unkept diner. I’m surprised they have any good reviews at all.

Their menu says food was enjoyed by Rachel Ray, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump. I wonder if they agree it was enjoyable? If they even ate...

The waitress we had did her best, I will say that! She was empathetic to the plight of vegans, but she said the chef would flip out if she tried to put in an order for a vegan brunch meal, and she absolutely refused to even talk to him about it. Here's what happened. There was too long of a wait at the diner we wanted to go to, so the only other place nearby was Miss Katie's. I figured any diner can serve up a plate of fried vegetables and hash browns, right? NOPE! My boyfriend orders a veggie omelette off the menu - no problem (and it was ok). I then ask for a side of hash browns (on the menu) and throw some grilled vegetables on top of that, whatever vegetables you want, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes - whatever you throw on other entrees will do. The waitress looks stricken and tells me, 'oh, no, I can't do that! My boss, the chef, will absolutely flip out if I ask for that. There's no way I can do that.' I said, fine, I'll just have a Bloody Mary and that will be it. Then she begins to feel sorry for me and says she'll try to secretly sneak a couple of grilled veggies onto a separate plate from the hash browns. And that's what she does. So good for her! I applaud her empathy and courage to serve a customer. She's risking who knows what, maybe her job, by offering something every diner in America should be able to do. I didn't ask for a souffle or Baked Alaska, I asked for the grilled veggies they make for every other veggie omelette - just don't put it on top of eggs - put it on hash browns. Why would a cook blow a gasket over that? I don't know, but vegans - beware! The simplest orders are sometimes...