The 5 O’Clock Club – Pewaukee, WI

5 O'Clock Salad

I have just wrapped up a day of meetings in the Pewaukee area and I am in the mood for a Fish Fry.  Unfortunately it’s Thursday night and I may be deprived of enjoying my favorite cardiovascular exercise.  Not to be discouraged I go to my iPhone and Google local restaurants and the 5 O’Clock Club in Pewaukee pops into my screen.  Even better, their on-line menu shows they serve a Friday Fish Fry Tuesdays – Fridays.  Life is good.  I grab my Fraternity Brother Joe and we head out in search of Perch and Martinis.

I have heard of the 5 O’clock Club (not to be confused with the 5 O’clock Steakhouse on State St.) which also operates the Delafield Brew Haus, both are family run operations that have been in business for over 75 years.  We arrive around 7:30 and they are relatively busy.  I told Joe that the décor reminded me of a restaurant that should be located in the Northwood’s, however, I did note that there were not any dead animals peering out from the walls.  I really hate having critters watching me eat parts of what could have been them at some earlier time.

5 O'Clock Perch

Our waitress takes our drink order and soon several ice cold Martinis appear in front of us.  I order the lake Perch and Joe has the Cod we both have a salad in addition to the Cole Slaw – hell you have to be healthy once in a while.  I take one lookat the Slaw and know it is good to be back home in the Milwaukee area where slaw is oil based as opposed to the creamy stuff they serve in the Northwood’s.  Our fish is served and as you can see by the accompanying photo it is a generous serving.  It has been awhile since I have had what I consider to be a really good Fish Fry.  The Perch was lightly breaded and flaky.  It literally melted in my mouth.  Also unique to the Milwaukee area is the rye bread with a salt crust.  I grew up on Grebes Rye rolls and still have a craving for this sweet treat.  I was not disappointed.  I would drive out of my way to have this again.  The Big Ragu give this a 4 outa 5.