Papa Luigi’s 2 in South Milwaukee makes great food fun.

Papa Luigi’s Pizza made a very good impression on us.

My wife does not care too much for eating out. Usually, we eat at restaurants only when she’s had a hard day and doesn’t feel up to cooking. Otherwise, she would rather eat her own cooking (she is an amazing cook). It’s not often when she will tell me at a restaurant that she would like to come back some day. Sometimes she will say the food is pretty good, which is a very rare complement from her. While I really like pizza, she usually just tolerates it. I was really surprised when she asked me if we could go back come back to Papa Luigi’s in South Milwaukee just after we had their pizza.

Look close at the upstairs windows - tonight it's not a basketball court.

We had a great pizza on a Friday at Papa Luigi’s.

We then went back for a non-pizza dinner the following Tuesday (which happened to be a Valentine’s Day that year). Both times, my wife enjoyed her meal as much as I did. Papa Luigi’s has been added to our very short list of favorite places to eat when we decide on no cooking.

A pizza place with a bowling alley instead of the other way around

Papa Luigi’s is an interesting pizza place.

I’ve seen my share of “different” pizza places. In Milwaukee, there pipe organ pizza places. We’ve all seen the pizza with the creepy animatronic mouse. I’ve even been to a pizza place in Chicago that seemed to have every square inch covered in graffiti.

Who is this man? The polar bear is very impressive.

Papa Luigi’s II is the first pizza place I’ve seen with it’s own basketball court. It also has a bowling alley and an arcade. Instead of a creepy animatronic mouse, Papa Luigi’s Pizza has a big stuffed polar bear (it’s huge too). Then there is the guy in the white suit (I’m guessing that is Papa Luigi). I’ve driven past and seen the Papa Luigi’s sign enough to know that there is always something going on there. I’ve seen wedding announcements, comic book toy sales, and I think wrestling on the sign. There was a dart club meeting when we were there.

It is a casual place to eat.

You won’t feel out of place in a nice T-shirt and jeans. There are a couple of flat screen TV’s in the dinning room with sports on (first time my wife saw Jeremy Lin). There is also a screen over the fireplace next to the polar bear where there is a nice couch for those waiting to be seated. None of the TV’s were loud and unlike some places, it was easy to talk quietly to each other. Even with the bowling alley in the next room. It’s casual, and fun where you can take the kids, but still nice enough for a night out with your better half.

Is it the best pizza in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

Maybe, but there is a lot to choose from in the area. My wife loved the pizza. They had a special dinner on Valentine’s Day that consisted of a juicy steak, skewered shrimp, vegetables, and the most amazing mashed potatoes I’ve ever tasted. It’s a shame it’s not on the normal menu. However, they do specialize in pizza, and Italian dinners. It might not be fair to everyone else if they take over the steak dinner business too.

Service was the best I have ever witnessed at a restaurant.

It’s nice when your soda is refilled by your waitress. This was the first time I’ve had a waitress from another table stop by and refill before our own waitress had a chance. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. When we were going to order a 12″ pizza our waitress pointed out a 14″ was just a dollar more and you get garlic bread too. We went with the 14″ pizza and enjoyed it.

Always something going on at Papa Luigi's

You’ll love Papa Luigi’s 2 in South Milwaukee.

The food is exceptional. The service is great. They have a great thing going on there. No matter if you are taking the kids out or it’s a date night, it’s a great place to eat out. They also do carry out and delivery too.

Phone for Papa Luigi’s II in South Milwaukee:

Address for Papa Luigi’s 2

Website for Papa Luigi’s 2 in South Milwaukee:

www.papaluigis2.com

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Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee, WI

Hidden deep along the along the shores of Lake Michigan, Grant Park Beach is a treasure that is nearly undiscovered.

Lake Michigan sunset at Grant Park Beach

Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee is never crowded. Even if the parking lot were full, there is more than enough room for everyone. It is a large beach. You can walk north from Grant Park Beach and enjoy the shore nearly all the way to the Port of Milwaukee. It is easy to find a fairly secluded, yet sand spot to enjoy the lake.

The water temperature is usually too cold for much swimming.

While there is usually a few brave souls who will challenge the cold temperature and wade out a bit into Lake Michigan most come to enjoy the sun and sand. Swimming is best left for later in summer when Lake Michigan’s water temperature has had a chance to warm up a bit. Even then, it is usually very cold. An eastern wind can make the water much warmer and much more enjoyable to swim and play in.

Lifeguards are no longer on duty at Milwaukee County Beaches.

You swim at your own risk. Make sure you keep an eye on children playing near the water. At one time, there were lifeguards and Grant Park Beach resembled a scene from Baywatch on summer morning with Lifeguards practicing drills.

Grant Park in Spring

Sunrise on Lake Michigan at Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee can be beautiful.

It is a great time to take a walk along the beach and enjoy the first light of day. Often, there is a fisherman on the jetty in the early morning. You may find yourself with the drive down to the beach closed if you come too early or during the winter months. You can still get access to the beach by parking at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club. There is a footbridge for pedestrian and bike traffic that will take you to the beach from there.

Occasionally, sunsets can be beautiful too.

While the sun setting in the west will be block by the high ridge that makes it a step hill down to the beach and shore along this section of Lake Michigan the Lake is still beautiful. After a storm near sunset cloud will often catch the orange glow of the sun and contrast with the blue of the water.

Grant Park Beach as several amenities.

There is a beach house for changing if you do not want to wear your swimsuit to the beach. There are usually concessions available during summer months. There is a full playground at the beach. There are some picnic tables available also. There is no longer boat ramp access at Grant Park Beach. The public boat launch was moved south to Bender Park in Oak Creek, leaving much more parking space for beach visitors.

Grant Park Beach is well hidden in Grant Park.

Grant Park itself can be hard to find as it is part of the Oak Creek Parkway and many signs refer to that instead of Grant Park. It is also surrounded by the City of South Milwaukee. Unlike much of the Lakefront to the north, no main roads are near the Lakefront at Grant Park Beach. Just park roads, although Lake Drive does boarder the northern part of Grant Park.

Grant Park Beach is a great place to take the kids on a hot afternoon.

No matter how hot, it is always more pleasant at the beach. The cool water usually provides just the right amount of cooling. If not a quick dip will rinse the sweat off for quite a while. You can enjoy the sun while the kids enjoy the water and sand.

Winter can also be an interesting time to visit.

A walk along Grant Park Beach in winter

The area is beautiful when there is a fresh snow. Ice along the lake can make it seem like a trip to the arctic.

Phone numbers for Grant Park Beach:

• For beach closings call the Pool Hotline 414-645-4806
• Milwaukee County Parks 414-257-7275

The address for Grant Park Beach is:

• 100 South Hawthorne Avenue
• South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53172

Map to Grant Park Beach South Milwaukee, WI

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Grant Park Beach related Websites:

• Milwaukee County Parks
• Beach Health Website

China Chef South Milwaukee, WI

China Chef is a gem for South Milwaukee.

It may be one of the best Chinese restaurants in the state. The food is definitely above most Chinese restaurants including those in Chinatown Chicago, Ill. This is the first Chinese restaurant that my wife (who is Chinese) admitted the food was as good as hers.

Sherry and her husband Chef Wang provide a Chinese menu that is above most others.

Chef Wang was a professional chef in China. He also won a top 10 chef competition in China. The food demonstrates his ability. Their motto is “Let the food talk.”

China Chef of South Milwaukee used to be named Great Shanghai.

The name was changed when they purchased their own building and move a few block to their present location on Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee,

Wisconsin. They did a great job of decorating the new location. Bamboo plants are everywhere in the dining room.

The prices are very reasonable.

You will get your money’s worth. You will also probably be taking some home as the plates are served full. The lunch buffet is also well priced.

I have been to Chinese restaurants where all the food tastes the same.

At China Chef, you will be able to taste the difference between Mongolian Beef and Hunan Beef. Both are delicious also. The appetizers are also wonderful.

Restaurant hours:

• Monday-Thursday 11:00am-9:30pm
• Friday-Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm
• Sunday 12:00 noon-9:00pm

Lunch Buffet Hours

• Monday-Friday 11:00am-2:00pm

Phone numbers for China Chef South Milwaukee, WI

• 414-764-1966
• 414-764-2148

Address for China Chef Chinese Restaurant

• 1224 Milwaukee Avenue
• South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53172

Map for China Chef South Milwaukee, Wisconsn

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China Chef has a Website that is currently under construction.

• smchinachef.com

Let the food talk at China Chef!

Donn Powers Jeweler South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Donn Powers Jeweler is “Your Hometown Jeweler.”

That is the motto on the side of the building in downtown South Milwaukee. Donn Powers himself is one of the most positive small business men I have met. He also regularly travels to Antwerp, Belgium himself to personally select the diamonds he sells. While Donn is a Master Goldsmith and Master Watchmaker, he has a talented team that works for him. It is a great place to buy jewelry.

Donn Powers Jeweler is a full service jewelry store.

Engagement rings, wedding ring and bands, necklaces, and chains for sale are available. They also specialize in custom jewelry and one of a kind pieces. They have loose diamonds, pearls, and other precious stones. A full line of quality watches is also available from makers like Seiko, Pulsar, Citizen, and Colibri.

All repairs are done in the shop at Donn Powers Jeweler.

Watch repair is done by Donn Powers himself, a Certified Master Watchmaker. Jewelry repair likewise is done in the store. They also provide custom remounting of Jewelry.

Phone Number for Donn Powers Jeweler

• 414-762-2106

Address for Donn Powers Jeweler:

• 2110 10th Avenue
• South Milwaukee WI 53172

Map for Donn Powers Jeweler South Milwaukee, WI

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Website For Donn Powers Jeweler

• www.DonnPowersJeweler.com

The City of South Milwaukee, WI.

South Milwaukee is a small suburb of Milwaukee. It is actually separated from the City of Milwaukee by several other cities and communities.

Only a portion of the City of Oak Creek is farther south in Milwaukee County.

South Milwaukee, WI is a nice community to live in.

Crime is low. In fact, some residents still do not lock their doors. It is close to the City of Milwaukee and there is easy access to the freeway and commutes are short. South Milwaukee also has some very nice parks and one of the best beaches on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan.

South Milwaukee has a somewhat unique point from other cities in Milwaukee County when it concerns street numbers.

The streets in South Milwaukee are number differently than most other cities and suburbs in Milwaukee County. 13th Avenue in South Milwaukee is different from the 13th Avenue in the nearly all the rest of the county. South Milwaukee is farther east than much of the county and it’s street numbers start with 1st near Lake Michigan just like the City of Milwaukee. This can be a bit of an obstacle for local businesses to overcome. Also, some addresses in South Milwaukee are duplicated in Oak Creek. If you are visiting friend for the first time in South Milwaukee, make sure you are at the right address in South Milwaukee and not another city.

Some statistics for South Milwaukee, WI.

South Milwaukee has a population of 21,363. The average household income is $48,214. The average price of a home sold in South Milwaukee is $108,012.

Some important phone numbers for South Milwaukee:

• Emergency 911
• Fire (none emergency) 414-768-8191
• Police (none emergency) 414-768-8060
• South Milwaukee City Hall 414-762-2222
• South Milwaukee City Clerk’s Office 414-762-2222
• South Milwaukee Association of Commerce 414-762-2222 ext.141

The South Milwaukee City Hall address is:

• 2424 15th Avenue
• South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53172

Map of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin City Hall

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Some important South Milwaukee, WI Websites:

• City of South Milwaukee
• South Milwaukee Association of Commerce
• South Milwaukee Public Library