This Is The Oldest Place You Can Possibly Go In Milwaukee And Its History Will Fascinate You
By E Jamar|Published March 17, 2018
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E Jamar
Author
E Jamar is a published writer based in Milwaukee, WI. Despite being a Midwesterner at heart, you can often find them trekking throughout the states and discovering new hidden gems. When they're not traveling, you can find them discussing disability issues, cuddling their pug puppy, and checking out new local spots.
Milwaukee is known for its rich history, and nowhere throughout the city will you find more history than our restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a giant pretzel, German sausage, or a boot of beer, this restaurant has it all — and it also happens to be the oldest restaurant in Milwaukee and one of the oldest places in the whole city! The story behind this historic establishment will have you appreciating all that Milwaukee has gone through, and that it’s still here today.
Welcome to Mader's Restaurant, Milwaukee's oldest restaurant.
When it was founded, Mader's was a bar and restaurant where you could get a porterhouse steak for 20 cents — or six for a dollar! The majority of Milwaukeeans at the time were German immigrants, and beer was their drink of choice. When Prohibition began in 1920, Mader's took a hard hit.
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Charles Mader's wife, Cecilia, had to keep the restaurant afloat even during Prohibition times.
She spent her time perfecting rustic and authentic German dishes from their homeland to keep the place alive despite the ban on brews. The wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and crispy pork shank had to hold up without the pairing of a stein. In 1933, when Prohibition ended, Mader's was there to serve the first legal brew and announce the break of the ban on Milwaukee's public radio.
Whether you're looking for a traditional German dinner, or just a stein and a pretzel, Mader's has it all, and this place has become a staple for all true Milwaukeeans.
Mader's is now famous for their food, their boots of beer, and their giant pretzels!
Mader's has grown exponentially since Prohibition times. They've remodeled quite a bit since 1902, and have added dining spaces such as the "Jaeger Stube," featuring this famously huge chair. Whether you're there for their famous Sunday Viennese Brunch, a traditional dinner for the whole family, or simply enjoying a beer while looking around at all the antiques, Mader's will make you feel right at home. Mader's also takes over the City of Festivals in the summer, and you're sure to see them at German Fest. Grab their famous bratwurst wherever you can find them, but make sure to stop back into the building that's filled with history.
If you stop in their bathroom, you can see all of the famous guests who have dined here and fell in love with the restaurant throughout the years.
