The Steerage Dining Saloon — Restaurant in Port Washington

This place has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants for brunch. It's best on a cold, dreary day because the atmosphere inside is absolutely cozy, much like the steerage of and old passenger ship must have been for the immigrants crossing the Atlantic Ocean. And that's exactly what the owners of The Steerage must have been going for when they decorated the interior of this restaurant. The entrance is adorned with old photographs of immigrants and steamships, and other maritime artifacts, which makes it feel like you are descending down into the hold of an actual old steamship. The rest of the dining area reminds me of an Irish Pub, with folk music, Irish Proverbs posted on the walls and other authentic photos and decor. The location in Port Washington on shore of Lake Michigan complements the restaurant perfectly. Aside from a great atmosphere, the food is what draws us back. The menu has an Irish and seafaring feel to it. But also great brunch items, sandwiches, soups, good drinks, and always fresh. My favorite is the Irish Breakfast, which comes with eggs, baked beans, a roasted tomato, excellent sausage, phenomenal smoked bacon, toast, and roasted spuds. It's always great and pairs well with a cup of hot coffee. They also make a variety of good sandwiches, and their Bloody Mary's are some of the best we've ever tried. No gawdy extras hiding an inferior pre mixed bloody. Just simply good ingredients including bacon, mozzarella ropes, pickled mushroom, and a well mixed recipe. They also use pink beet juice pickled eggs in the garnish, which are flavorful and unique. I've never seen them used anywhere else and makes the Steerage Bloody absolutely one of a kind. I hope this place sticks around for a long time to come because it truly is a treat for anyone looking for something wholesome and special. Makes a great date spot or a good place for family to gather on a Sunday morning. Our compliments to the owners for creating a special...

In a time when it’s hard to find anything great to say about most dining out experiences… I’m very happy to say this is the best place we’ve been to in the last two years by a mile. Yeah, it’s in a basement. Yeah, it’s kinda small. But I don’t think it would work as well in some “nicer” spot. The most expensive thing on the menu is 13$. But get the bloody! And the grill cheese sammich! Both very good and 11$. The soup was actually very good too, something mushroom and dill? Really, I can’t wait to go back. Great staff! Sue was great, very patient and had an actual personality. Such a rare find these days. Anders was our bartender, he too has a personality. They actually seemed happy to have us there instead of inconveniencing them. The high back booths are nice - private feeling and I guess “safe”. Certainly a lot better than plexiglass or weird cloth partitions I’ve seen in other places. Place was pretty busy, and I can see why.

Update 8/2023: Sadly, like all resturants in Port for some reason, The Steerage has kinda let it go now too. Now, that same pictured bloody and little chaser, with modest tip, is going to run you more than 22$. Without the chaser, and Titos, it was 16.34$. I know everything somehow magically costs more these days... but thats simply priced me out all together. 45$ for two bloodies? Yeah, thats just not what I'm looking for anymore and I can no longer recomend what was once the best place to go in Port. None of the staff work there any more, that prompted this review. Frankly, thats a damn shame. If you go here for a brunch with your significant other, you can fully expect to spend at least 80$. In Port. In a basement. Just over half that will get you an awesome experience on the lake in Milwaukee, or in a more "grandmas house" feel in Cedarburg. Probably still the best place to go in Port for soup and a sandwich - just expect to pay...

Relatively a cool location in a old Port washing haunt! Only many old-timers will remember this place! not the new comer's condo renter's! LoL! Ok first I /we feel terrible in arrival a elderly couple was trying to gain entrance to this NON ADA friendly location, sadly as we walked past to gain entrance by the time my fog induced brain had me go back upstairs to mention less / easy steps in the rear of the location in the Old A&P parking lot, they had left! 😟☹️ Ok the saloon bar tender we new from his previous job, that said! Food was served fast and wonderful! Definitely will return!I had the special lake Walleye, Mrs had the menu fish fry cod or haddock, with amazing small mini potatoes! fabulous! Prices are fair for having real fish vs antibiotics farm raised crap! Code words most miss! Service was spot on! Price's normal for the quality of food! Keeping the Luxenbergers On the far North side of town is a breath of fresh Air! For their crappy $10 fishfrys 😁😉 5:00 pm it starts filling up, we're lucky to arrive early on a Friday! Decorated mostly in ocean going pictures, but what the heck, guess our great lakes schooners didn't have steerage but some pictures of the side Wheeler Niagra lost several miles north with massive loss of immigrants now that lay at the abandoned Union cemetery that weren't recovered by family, or the Phoenix lost few miles north near Amsterdam loaded with dutch setter's

So great food, service, location, prices to show they are looking to pay the horrific rent requirements due to Port Washingtons incredibly high taxes, and landlords buying in at catastrophe high prices! And get a great loyal client base!...