I was visiting for a weekend and was informed that I had to come to this restaurant for the bloody marys - and food. But most importantly, I wanted a bloody mary that would rock my socks off. Roll my soul. The kind you write home about. It is true. Now, I've been told that Milwaukee holds many places that serve a mean bloody mary - but who among them also serves vegan Salisbury steak? It was had some kind of hazelnut crust that was absolutely fantastic, with great veggie sides and a healthy portion. I downed two bloody marys and this steak in an hour's worth of joy and excitement. The restaurant itself is also really swanky - I like the design, because it is quite large but doesn't feel as open. It's not closed off either - you feel as though you're in a small diner at each table. It makes socializing and chatting much easier, because there are less distractions and sounds. The people at the restaurant were cool too - a few were eating and playing cards at the same time, what looked like a weekly tradition. That's some awesome stuff. This restaurant came so highly recommended and fulfilled every desire I had. I miss it and cannot wait to come back in order to order from them again. read more

The ladyfriend loves this place. I'm somewhat less enthusiastic about Comet, but I still think it's an alright place. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't think it's bad. Some of the offerings are interesting (compact turkey dinner, bacon pancakes), but I just...I don't know. My complaint about Comet is similar to my thoughts on the Lulu/Centraal/Honeypie family of Milwaukee restaurants (okay..so I actually really like Honeypie and don't mind the others terribly, but I'm making a point here, so shut it). It seems like there's been a real effort put into making the menu quirky and interesting and fun that they end up being very similar and something falls by the wayside. I feel like these places try to be everything to everyone, and end up being mostly mediocre with a couple of real gems on their menu. I don't have the experience with Comet to say for sure that that's the case, but it's my perception. Rant over, as far as specifics... I stopped in recently for lunch. I've generally avoided Comet because this place gets so packed for brunch. I ordered a reuben--one of my go-tos in gauging general quality of a restaurant where it's offered--it certainly wasn't the worst I've ever had, but it wasn't the best either, by a long-shot. The corned beef was a little leathery, they went very light on the dressing and kraut. All-in-all, it was very dry for a reuben, and that's just not anything to write home about, you know? I'd be willing to give them another chance to live up to the hype, but so far I'm kinda in the "meh" camp. read more

I've heard so many amazing things about Comet Cafe. My friends swear by it and love it to death. Whenever I've tried to stop in, there has ALWAYS been a wait for a table regardless of day of the week or meal time. So, with all of this hype I had very high expectations. Sadly, they weren't really met. As a starter, we ordered the duck confit poutine. It was as awesome as it sounds. I really enjoyed it and thought the gravy was very flavorful without being too heavy. For my main course, I ordered the infamous Mac and Cheese. I have a friend who drives a considerable distance just to have this dish. When I took my first bite I wondered if I had tasted something wrong. After the second and third, it was totally evident that the dish was totally wrong. Someone must have overcooked the roux or something, but it tasted awful: like cheap cheese melted over butter and noodles. Mac and Cheese out of a box tastes better in my opinion. I'm really sincerely hoping that this was just a fluke from the kitchen because I can't see how people can adore this dish and I couldn't even stomach it. And trust me, I LOVE Mac and Cheese. I had to send it back (something I despise having to do) and subsequently ordered a BLT. I wanted to try a dish that seemed more unique to the location but I was hungry and was scared of striking out again. The BLT was super delicious and the fries were very scrumptious. Also, I have to commend our server. She was a sweetheart throughout the whole meal and was very accommodating when I sent my dish back. I'll definitely give Comet another try, but I was definitely disappointed with this visit. For a restaurant that gets as much hype as it does, I shouldn't have to send a single thing back. read more

Items Selected: Duck Confit Poutine with Fontina Cheese and Beer Gravy AJ's Compact Turkey Dinner - Beer Battered Slow roasted Turkey, Sage Stuffing, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Creamy Tomato Soup and Sauteed Zucchini Sourcream Pancake Blueberry Pie Having come to terms with the fact that 'hipster' service has spread from coast-to-coast and even managed to infest much of the Midwest I was admittedly forewarned not to expect much from my 'experience' at Comet Café but with rumors of excellent upscale comfort food and some of the region's best pies I decided I could stomach a bit of feigned disinterest before departing for Madison, the resultant meal providing exactly what I was promised from the moment I sat down until the second I settled the tab. Every bit the trendy space with exposed ceilings and reclaimed wood surrounding skinny jeans, plenty of ink, plus a menu dotted in words like "craft," "seasonal," "scratch," and "local" it was only after declining a beer and waiting for water that I put together my order and requesting items to be coursed out appropriately it would not be long before my first plate arrived, the crispy confit melded with cheese decidedly delicious while thin ' gravy' rendered all but the highest piled fries into a soggy mess of hops and starch. Moving next to the clever "turkey dinner," which was joined by soggy squash and a cup of impressive tomato soup, it was just under forty minutes after sitting down that Comet Café finally took flight and with each golden ball sporting a surprisingly light coating atop a nearly molten core one really couldn't help but smile, the tender turkey melding seamlessly with stuffing and potatoes amidst the sort of gravy quick to rouse memories of Thanksgivings back home. Unable to pass up pancakes, particularly at a place known to be a curator of comfort foods, it was onward to a large flapjack moistened with sourcream, butter, and plenty of pure maple syrup that my meal progressed and although I should have liked to have eaten the whole hubcap-sized thing I instead showed restraint, a half of it returned to the kitchen so that I could instead indulge in a seasonal slice of pie so stuffed with fresh blueberries atop a pure butter crust that I nearly ordered another to go, my substantial dining plans just a few hours later the only thing holding me back. read more

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After hearing the constant rave reviews, I finally tried Comet. And it was just alright. Went at noon on a Sunday for a late brunch. In winter, the line is a bit rough since you're basically standing on top of the patrons that are already eating. But in our case, it went pretty fast and for two we only had to wait about 15 minutes at that time of day (for counter seating). In the summer when you can wait outside I'm sure it's better. Brunch menu features the staples. I went with Kelly's Scramble, which ended up not really being scramble and was lacking in certain ingredients. The Veggie Sausage was surprisingly good though (convinced me it was meat). The toast was actually just standard white bread that they let look at the toaster and then gave back to me - aka not toast. My boyfriend had the breakfast burrito, which arrived with a message written across it in sauce which was a cute touch (it was something to the effect of "you're cute" - so if your fellow bruncher is the jealous type, caution). We didn't opt for any cupcakes, but they definitely looked delicious. The staff was friendly and the menu has a good amount of vegan/vegetarian options. Plan to try it again to see if Comet can't change my mind and make me a believer too. read more

Comet Cafe - Kelly's Scramble - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I think it should be acknowledged that comet is the only place in MKE where breakfast/brunch can be a 3 course meal without going super fancy. We got there super early on a Sunday and there was a line. No worries, we got a seat right away. I recommend getting there early, or being prepared to wait. It's a fact of Comet. I started with a Booze-a-Latte. Delicious! A little on the sweet side, but I should have been prepared for that. And this was a strong beverage as well! Then there was food. I got the breakfast burrito (delicious!), a side of fruit, and bacon. All very good. Don't go to Comet and not get the bacon... they cook it just how I like nice and crispy. I tried my friends bacon cakes, they were delicious. I might have to get those next time. I ended my meal with one of their giant cupcakes. The chocolate raspberry was perfectly moist. The red velvet was delicious as well. My only complaint is there was a lot of frosting, but that is easily remedied with a knife. I like Comet. I need to remember to come to Comet more often. read more

This is a fun place to go! I really enjoy the atmosphere. The food is always pretty good, with fair prices most of the time. The service, however, isn't always the best- I've been left waiting for about 15-20 minutes before a server even came to say hi/take drink orders. read more

Service was deplorable. We were sitting at the bar, right where service staff walk by every 2 seconds, but I couldn't manage (with much effort, waving for a waiters attention and blatantly being ignored.) to get a water refill. The servers were able to fill their own personal coffees (2 sugars and soy milk) right in front of my face tho. Hmmmmm... My boyfriend's lunch was awful (cold, soggy, flavorless). I felt bad. My spinach salad wasn't much better. It was so sweet it felt like dessert. After waiting 3 years to get it I didn't much care how bad it tasted, I was eating it anyway. Nobody seemed to care if I was enjoying it or not. To make matters worse this seems to be a hipster hangout. Ughhh. read more

This place is on point! Had perfect timing on this one and grabbed two seats at the bar right before a huge line formed. The service is great, very friendly. Very satisfied with my drink (crab ass) and sandwich (leghorn). It was a tough choice between the sandwich and the chilaquile special which also sounded really good. Would definitely stop in again next time I find myself in Milwaukee. Also make sure to check out the trading card drink menu!! read more

Comet Cafe - Leghorn - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We showed up at 1:30p on a Saturday. And I was about to deduct a star because my wife and I wanted to have the dinner menu--not the brunch menu. Sorry tatooed hipsters, we were not hung over jonesing for some grease and starch. We just heard that it was creative, well-prepared food. And yes, that douche Guy Fieri did shoot an episode here, which I viewed only after being chained to the sofa a while back. Whatever, the promise of tasty, inventive food gets me in the door. 30 minute wait to get seated. It was packed and noisy. Not an upsetting noisy, just a boisterous one. It's a cool place to eat and be--I get it, groovy hipsters! Nice beard, grizzly. Here's a razor! Occupy Milwaukee! Then your bathroom! Got to look at the beer/drink menu, brunch menu and a few of the dishes therein while we waited. The missus had the Rocket Platter because it had bacon and a pancake. I had the Meat-n-Eggs because it had, well, meat. Meatloaf, in particular. Hash browns and toast, too. A couple of sizable eggs. Although I do recall the mention of a beer gravy that takes 3 days to make and is used only for the meatloaf. I was hoping for this. To my disappointment, this is not available during brunch. That's why I wanted to take a star out just on principle alone because of this much ballyhooed sauce...but I digress. Instead the meatloaf was topped with sausage gravy (yes, biscuits and gravy gravy). I was wary, but I was looking forward to this fabled meatloaf. No 3 day gravy? Ah, what the hell... Everything came out in a couple of minutes. Drink refills provided promptly. It's diner food, so I don't expect any parsley or twisted orange slices. I wasn't surprised with the presentation. Just a good, sizable mound of food. The meatloaf came out an inch and a half thick and charred--broiler charred--not burnt. Bacon topped and wow--really good. Diced onions, peppers...I gotta tell you I really only like my mom's meatloaf. Even the sausage gravy worked. This was one fine loaf of meat. Wasn't greasy, either. My wife was equally pleased. Her pancake (they only gave you one, but you could have another if you wished because the thing's about 10 inches in diameter) was fluffy and tender. Again, really well made. Hash browns, eggs, bacon slices all cooked to perfection. Really, other than not ordering off the dinner menu (which was my oversight), the meal was fantastic. And for not liking anybody else's meatloaf but my mom yet raving to her later on that even she needs to try it... Yeah, it was that good. Just ignore the hipsters like we did. read more

Hands down one of the BEST places in Milwaukee. And that's saying something, because Milwaukee has fantastic food. Bacon wrapped meatloaf. Deep-fried compact turkey dinner. Amazing mac n' cheese. Need I say more? I may not need to, but I will! Dessert is always amazing and fresh, whether you get a cupcake or slice of pie. Comet Cafe does comfort food the way it was meant to be done. We took many friends and family members from out of town to visit Comet and all of them wanted to go back again and again. This place is usually very busy and is rather small, but it is totally worth the wait. read more

Love, love, love the Comet Cafe! I've been out to eat maybe 10 times since I moved here in September, and half the time I end up coming here. This is the kind of place that makes everything homemade, including, very importantly, the sauces and dressings! I'm a vegetarian, recently turned vegan, and the veggie friendly stuff here is so, so delicious. Not like "delicious for vegan food," but delicious, period. I've had the veggie burger, veggie pulled pork sandwich, vegan deep fried ribs and vegan rib sandwich, and all were off the chain. The veggie pulled pork sandwich with apple coleslaw was literally lingering in my mind for days after I ate it. And they have this vegan chive mayo stuff that is even more delicious than regular mayo. Anyways, I can't speak to all their cheesy, meaty stuff, but everyone I've been out to eat with loved their meat sandwich, potatoes and gravy, fish fries, etc. too. Also, the food comes out quick, and the service is incredibly friendly in a very genuine way. read more

Superb comfort food in a casual place with a cool vibe. The wife had the meatloaf omelet - she said it was amazing, I had the chicken in a biscuit - absolutely delicious. Great bloody marys too. Thanks read more

About three years ago I enjoyed coming to Comet for bite to eat. I still enjoy going here, but perhaps not as much so. The place is quintessential East Side of Milwaukee. When I first walked in the place, I remember the interesting assortment of characters both working and dining at Comet. Comet was a unique establishment; there was as much art work on the bodies of the patrons and staff as there was on the walls. Very arty in a kind of unkept way, but it was fun. Half the reason for going to the comet was to check out the interesting characters. If you were drunk and horny by the time you left, you could also grab a condom out of glass jar sitting next to stack of Shepherd's express magazines in the corner. So what about the food? The beer selection is awesome, and if you are on a budget you could grab a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon which is kind of nice. Back in the day they were selling Pabst for a buck a can. Now that was cool, but more recently they jacked the price up to $2.50. Selling for a buck a can was kind of novelty and if lent itself to the oddball charm of the place. Wish they would bring that back. Other favorites were the free baskets of bacon (I mean what the hell?) when you bought an alcoholic drink. This was clever gimmickry. Not that much has changed over the years; the menu is pretty much the same. One Yelper described it as "stoner influenced." I can see that. Many of the staffers look like stoners who sobered up. The food is mostly comfort food like meatloaf and chili. They also add a little variety with vegan meals for those opposed to eating dairy and eggs. One of the best things on their menu is a sandwich called the triple decker club. They take very good wheat or white bread, lather it in chive mayo, stack on some turkey, some American cheese, peppers and go it all over again, giving you a triple decker sandwich. The fries are good too, as they are steak variety and you can splash on a little malt vinegar. Other notable mentions include the breakfast burrito covered in Sirachi sauce. But lately things have not been the same. You go in at lunch, you have to wait an eternity to get a table. Yes, I am glad the place is popular, so why not expand or something? And as much as I like the place, I think a lot of people take advantage of the rebel, carefree atmosphere and choose not to shower or try to look as freaky as possible. Me, I have grooming standards. And sometimes the reverb from Minor Threat blasting from the speakers does not exactly mesh well with the rhythm of eating your meatloaf. So, yeah I would go back, but I really think the place needs to get back to basics if they want a fourth star. Maybe have a tattoo contest or something. read more

Again, an absolute gem in MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN (I know, right?). Seriously, this place is amazing. We waited about 10 minutes for a table. Once seated, we agonized over what to order more than any other restaurant I've been too-- so many awesome and appetizing choices. After much debate, we settled on the following feast: Sugar Snap Pea & Mint Soup: It sounds so weird. It looks like Slimer from Ghostbusters has been pureed. But it was freaking awesome. A flavor that I can't describe, but highly recommend you experience. Meatloaf Sandwich: A HUNK of meatloaf wrapped in bacon served with mashed potatoes on rye bread with BEER GRAVY. Everything about this screams Midwest. The loaf itself was a little bland for me, but with the bacon and potatoes and gravy, who cares. It was fantastic. A.J.'s Compact Turkey Dinner: I will have a very hard time not ordering this every time I return to Comet (which I hope is often). Turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, beer battered and deep fried. I've died and gone to heaven. I cannot wait to try to make these at home and maybe add a little dried cranberry to up the flavor. Seriously though, pure brilliance. Mexican Chocolate Cupcake: We had no business ordering any kind of dessert, but I'm glad we did. Moist, rich, and....vegan?? Whatever...it was awesome. read more

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When I walk into an establishment, I like to be greeted by a human being, not a clipboard. Here is a typical brunch experience...You walk into Comet, you write your name on the clipboard, and you stand there waiting with your group halfway inside/halfway outside the restaurant. Servers hurry past without making eye contact with you. In their opinion, you are not a "customer" yet. This is the first impression Comet has chosen to make. The food is not very good. I've had some luck with the chef specials. But by and large, Comet's food is bland. You can cover anything with cheese and bacon and it will taste decent, which seems to be the culinary philosophy here. "They're Wisconsinites, maybe they won't notice!" Come on, Wisconsin, you deserve better! I have given Comet's brunch a few chances and the service has always been horrible. Last time, it took my boyfriend 15 minutes just to get an iced tea. Were they steeping it fresh for him? Somehow, I doubt it. The cupcakes suck. I'm skeptical about the over-priced-cupcake craze in general. If I'm eating one of these fancy expensive cupcakes, they'd better be the best damn cupcakes I've ever had in my life. Don't be deceived by the appearance of Comet's cupcakes. All frosting, no personality. The two stars are for the weeknights I've gone to Comet. Definitely not as frantic and far better service. Kirsten, the waitress, is sweet and great at her job. She always remembers us and even waves to me when I'm walking by the restaurant. The bartenders are also pleasant, friendly, polite, and generally seem to be embarrassed by Comet's reputation for poor service. read more

Forever will be one of may favorite Milwaukee cafes! I have never been disappointed by food or by service. They offer a vast variety of local brews which can warm anybodies belly :) I believe that they also use all local ingredients in their food menu, but I am not 100% sure on that statement... so don't quote me on it. On Sundays they offer a free basket of bacon with any purchase of $2.50 or more... that is if that appeals to you. But get there early!!! Sunday's are jam packed! For those of us Veg heads though I highly recommend the Veggie Chili! I've been hooked for years!!! Back when Comet was my beloved coffee and sandwich shop it was love at first bite, I was ecstatic to find out that they kept it on the menu when they turned over to the amazing restaurant they are now!!! Another great staple to try is the Vegan Salisbury Steak!!! I'm in love. read more

I've lived in Milwaukee for a few years now and I can't believe I waited this long to try Comet Cafe. I think I had a fear of there always being a long wait for a table but it really isn't always like that. I've been by this place many times on weekends to see large groups of people waiting outside and now I know why... YES! It is THAT GOOD. To avoid the idea of a wait, we checked out Comet on a Wednesday night. I'm very glad we did as they had whiskey specials (just what I needed on hump-day). Everything on the menu sounded good so we had a pretty hard time deciding what to order. We ended up with a good mix, going a little heavy with the Duck Poutine and a little lighter with the Bride of Turkenstein. Both options: incredible. I am a HUGE poutine fan and by huge I mean I could probably eat the stuff everyday. The duck was tender and flavorful, the gravy was just right in flavor and thickness, SWISS CHEESE, and hearty thick fries to hold up to all the toppings. Off to the other plate, the Bride of Turkenstein... This was one of the best turkey sandwiches I've ever had. All sorts of textures and flavors happening in one "simple" sandwich. Turkey, bacon, cheddar, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, and a spicy mayo all inside two slices of sourdough. Basically the turkey sandwich of your dreams. Oh yeah.. I'll be back for this again. Overall, amazing food, cozy decor, super friendly and attentive staff. Also, I'd recommend coming on a weekday if you don't want to worry about waiting. read more

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Visited Comet on a recent trip to Milwaukee. The beer selection was creative, and the food was delicious. I ate the meatloaf sandwich. But I have to only give two stars for a couple of reasons: 1) Service. A bit on the cold and and apathetic side. Attention to detail is important. Our server double charged us for a cupcake. He fixed the error, but still - attention to detail. 2) FLIES - Everywhere. I can understand a fly or two in the summertime. But this place was so overloaded with flies that it basically ruined my dining experience. The problem is that with so many flies, I call into question the overall cleanliness of the restaurant and kitchen. If you walk into this place and it's still loaded with flies, don't eat there. They're not clean. read more

Caveat: Now, if you don't like to wait, and you don't like street parking this place might not be for you. It is as busy as any cafe might be in LGA, ORD, LAX, or SFO. I am so cool I know the airport codes! I suppose my point is that if you find cooler-than-cool people and servers annoying, you will be annoyed. But, if you can put up with the BS, and love good food, good drinks, you will love this place. Ok, so that's out of the way. Go in, put your name down, wait, and get ready for great food: I went to this place back in 2008 and it was busy, but not crazy busy like it was when I went here the week after Christmas. Man, we gave up on a booth because two nice ladies let us take their seats at the bar. As was the case back in 2008, the place has a hipster, yuppie, rich kid, hippy kid, guy in a band vibe to it, but as was also true in 2008, the place has amazing food, amazing drinks (top notch locally roasted coffee, and excellent bloody Mary's), They have great cupcakes in the display and I suggest getting one on the way out. My friend and I had eggs. I had the sandwich, and he had the burrito. Both were out of this world amazing. We sat next t some very cool women who were downing bloody Mary's with beer chasers (they serve what we used to call High Life "short-boys" as chasers!). I just loved watching these girls drinking the Mary's and downing the high life's. As a Cream City native, I was nostalgic for the days people's mom's drank short boys and the dads drank beers in returnable bottles in 24 pack rigid cardboard boxes (great for sitting on round a fire). Ah, those were the days, Milwaukee, and this was America then! OK, I am getting all nostalgic. Sorry... play Happy Days soundtrack here, or Laverne and Shirley. :) What rocks about this place? The options. Eat meat? Fine. No one is going to call you a Babe killer. Don't eat meat? Your options are good as well. Almost all meats have veggie substitutes. So, meaties and veggies are both welcome here. Have a hang over (see bloody Mary mentioned above). I have never been here at night, but I hear they mix up some amazing drinks a-la the mixology craze that has hit the big cities. Thanks Milwaukee, thanks Comet Cafe, I will drive from the south side past Bay View and the 3rd Ward to check you out. read more

Always busy and great hipster atmosphere. I lived a block away and would come here for drinks monthly at night and food every now and then. They are always packed for Brunch but have damn good bloody marys. I would say go with the SconnieMosa. It has cherry wine in it and is delicious. All the food is comfort food that is pretty filling yet they do have a good amount of vegetarian options. Who can forget about chalkboard where you can buy anyone a drink for future use. You can buy a beer for a buddy that you know will be there in the next couple of days and it is written who buys it and for whom on the chalk board. Always a fun thing to check. read more

I would absolutely LOVE to give this place a 5. But sadly, I can not. It was our first time here and we were dying to try this place out. Besides seeing it on TV and hearing about it from friends, it smelled sensational when you walked in. First and foremost, we walk in and write out name down. The hostess comes by and says something to us. I assume it is friendly because she smiled but she was walking so fast we could not understand her. I know they were busy but do not give a half hearted greeting, it just looks rude. We were able to get seated immediately and our server walked over to us to see if we needed anything. When I asked her what the soup of the day was, her response: I don't know. Not: "I can go find out" or perhaps she should have already known. Little things people, little things make the difference. The saving grace of the restaurant? The food! I had the cheesy beef. Wow. Thick slices of roast beef seasoned to give maximum flavor without overpowering the meal. Even the bread choice was fantastic. It gave enough crunch on the outside and it was not too chewy. Accompanied with my meal, the best cup of cocoa I have had in a while. They steam the milk and add chocolate syrup for a light taste of chocolate. It comes in an over sized mug that makes you feel like you are in Central Perk with the cast of Friends. The extensive wine, beer and specialty drink list will satisfy anyone's pallet. My fiance got the baked Mac and Cheese. I am not a huge fan of that kind of meal but honestly, it looked sensational. I have been searching long and wide for a restaurant with heart and substance. I would absolutely reccomend this to everyone looking for a good meal. The cost of two meals, one cocoa and a beer? With tax $24.00. That is hard to pass up. Happy eating. read more

We first visited Comet about 3 years ago, and my family and I have been hooked ever since. I have tried a variety of items here, but I have to say that the bloody mary's and the mac & cheese are phenomenal. If you are in the mood for even more comfort food, be sure to try the meatloaf dish, as its wrapped in bacon and topped with mashed potatoes. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are also a ton of vegan friendly dishes here. I have tried the hummus and its rich and creamy-a great starter. Their breakfast granola, fruit and yogurt dish is also great. Leave a little room at the end, as you will for sure be eye-ing the pastry case in front. The cupcakes and pies are homemade and creative. Comet is a Milwaukee staple for me. read more

I feel bad giving Comet two stars, I like Comet - for no reason in particular really, yet I do. I'd say this is more of a 2.5 star review. I've eaten here a few other times before, (not sure what I had) and I don't remember much, but I remember I always wanted to go back. Then finally last night I did go back... and had a very mediocre experience. First, we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip. It was okay as far as taste goes, but the cheese was literally so hard we had to cut through it with a fork and knife :( The cheese on spinach and artichoke dip should easily break/melt/bend with the bread its served with so I don't know what was going on here but it was sad. Also it was advertised as having jalapenos and stuff but yet, I didn't taste jalapenos at all... also sad. I had high hopes for that dip and it was just okay. Then I ordered the Roast Beef sandwich. It was good... but not really. It was just blah. All I really tasted was bread. The roast beef was really light in color which was kind of unappetizing. I got mine with a side salad and I hated the balsamic... it just tasted way weird, almost like horseradish... conversely, my bf liked it so who knows - maybe its me! I ended up not eating it. Boyfriend had the reuben and fries. Looked okay, I have never met a French fry I didn't like... until I ate these.. I was not a fan. They weren't terrible, I just was able to eat 3 and then stop... lets just leave it at that. Overall, my favorite part of the meal was my beer. One last note, we asked our server a few recommendations and it was so clear he wanted to recommend whatever we wanted and didn't really have/or care to think of an opinion on his own. Don't take this the wrong way, It wasn't a problem because it was honestly just really funny to me. He still was a fine waiter. As I read this review, I realize its pretty obvious I don't like comet that much, but I refuse to admit that to myself. read more

I feel like it's difficult to make a tomato soup and grilled cheese anything but average, but comet cafe somehow makes such a simple meal better with each bite. In my dream world I'd be swimming in their tomato soup and floating on slices of grilled cheese sandwiches. read more

If you're looking for fancy, fussy, or fast, Comet probably isn't going to impress. But, if you're looking for a fantastically cozy neighborhood spot with impressive comfort food fare, you've come to the right place. One of the first things you'll notice about Comet is that it's not a large space. You will, most assuredly, need to wait for a table. But, there's a good reason they arrive early and stake out their spots on the waiting list. Comet's food is worth waiting for. Their emphasis on locally sourced fresh ingredients is a draw for the locavore crowd. But, their expertise in down-home comfort food is what keeps all of their clientele coming back. Their standard menu is filled with carnivorous comfort food favorites like turkey sandwiches, meatloaf, and macaroni & cheese (with options for customization). It's also smattered with delicious vegetarian options like the artichoke melt and the buttafuoco -- a deliciously warm sub roll stuffed with melted mozzarella and provolone cheeses, fresh tomatoes and red onions, and dressed with with Italian herbs, olive oil, and spicy giardinara. That said, you might want to venture off the menu and try one of Comet's delicious daily specials. How about that coffee rubbed pork belly served with delicously creamy grits, pan gravy, and house-made pickle relish? Or how about a Maple Leaf Farms duck breast, shaved fennel, market apples, mixed greens and pomegranate vinaigrette? Hop over for brunch on the weekend, and you'll find an inspiring list of inventive breakfast specials (think farm fresh omelette filled with arugula, ham and gruyere cheese and topped off with a creamy beet sauce), as well as classic favorites like the Stendler -- a grande flour tortilla packed full of hashed brown potatoes, corned beef, swiss cheese, creamy scrambled eggs, and a drizzle of Siracha. And don't forget to order a bloody mary -- made with vodka, a hint of Guiness., and garnished with olives, mushrooms, and strip of bacon -- this drink comes complete with its very own tiny Miller Lite as a chaser. A small-but-stellar wine list, classic cocktails, and a fantastic selection of microbrews (with an emphasis on local) round out the experience at Comet -- a restaurant that showcases comfort food at its best. read more

Hubby loved their biscuits and gravy and hash browns. I loved the vegan/vegetarian choices. I had the chilaquiles and I wasn't too excited about the sauce - it tasted too sweet to me. My hubby thought it was 'too tomatoey' - lol. Hash browns were awesome and the coffee was great. Hubs loved the Bloody Mary. Quirky atmosphere but it is the East side and we loved it. Great service, very friendly. We'll definitely be back! read more

The person I was with recommended we give this place a try - a co-worker of his suggested it they had been a regular for along time, before the DDD episode. It has a great little atmosphere inside and even some outdoor sidewalk seating. The service was prompt and friendly which starts the visit off on the right foot! They have a huge beer selection but again the wait staff was able to answer a number of questions about the selections. We split their Akimbo (sp?) burger that is not on the menu, more for fun than anything else. Split is the main word here! It's one of those crazy burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches for the buns, onion rings, bacon a spicy sauce and of coarse the burger itself. The combination, although messy, was really tasty! The other person had the basic Mac and cheese which was really good as well. If I'm in the area again I will definitely explore not only the rest of the food menu but the beer menu as well. read more

I think television has killed Comet for me. Before DDD, you could get a table at Comet, you may even see your waiter, and the prices are reasonable. Now? If you are lucky enough to get a table, you barely see you waiter, the prices are through the roof, and you feel crowded and cramped. The last time I went there our meal was good but our drinks were not refilled a single time (2.00 for a small glass of soda with no refill? Unacceptable), our waitress charged me for extra sauce which I never received, and the whole time we ate we had a hungry 10 year old eyeing us down. There is no standing room, so people just cram in wherever possible. What can Comet do to help? Hire more help. I realize they may want to keep the restaurant as its always been, but the quality and presentation of the food has gone down, as well as the quality of the service. read more

Ahhh, I am still fantasizing about the vegan gyro...so yummy and satisfying, and the cucumber sauce was awesome. This combined with a lovely side salad that was accompanied by the best damned ginger dressing I've ever tasted made for the best restaurant lunch I've had in a while. Service was great, cute young fella working at the counter was friendly, attentive and quick--even to a middle aged broad like myself that was eating alone. I used to hang out on the east side "back in the day", probably before most of the kids that work here were born, but I felt perfectly comfortable at Comet since it was a nice mix of folks, ranging from some gentlemen in their 60's to young east side hipsters. I can't wait to go back. read more

We went here for dinner a few times during our visit to MKE. Dinners we enjoyed: Grilled cheese, tomato soup, seasoned fries (spicy!!), burger w onions, bacon, cheese, compact turkey dinner, drunk brussel sprouts (beer-welcome to WI), grilled cheese w cripsy bacon, chili w works (minus noodles), regular fries, root veggie soup. Favorites were the grilled cheese (so perfect blend of cheeses & perfectly done crispiness) & root veggie soup (wonderful veggie mix, nice change-up from the tomato), but all was good. Very interesting-got-to-try the compact turkey dinner. just cuz. Cupcakes we tried: vegan red velvet, chocolate almond, Mint chocolate, dbl chocolate. Favorite was the mint chocolate, but all very good & very artistic. Drinks we enjoyed: cafe mocha, mint hot chocolate. Dessert in a cup! Perfect mocha, wish sbux could do as good. Mint hot chocolate (non-alcoholic) is like the peppermint patty's my dad used to make me. Staff was awesome, friendly & efficient. Cool vibe, and interesting people watching. Only bummer was the parking. We managed to find spots a block down (for a couple hours) no pay and side street no pay. Metered in front. read more

I am so happy that I found this place! On a trip from California, I wanted to do as the locals do, so I checked out the Milwaukee City Guide on design sponge. Comet cafe was recommended, so I went. Then I loved it so much I went again 2 days later. First, let me say that Wisconsin is probably the only place where somewhere specializing in all things bacon and unhealthy things will be called a "hipster place." I love it. I know they also have vegan options, but I saw many hipsters with a giant meatloaf sandwich. Speaking of meatloaf sandwich, that is what I ate. Both times. For those of you that don't know, it is 2 pieces of their salted rye, topped with a giant piece of bacon-wrapped meatloaf, bacon and chive mashed potatoes, fried tomato and onion, and homemade beer gravy that takes 3 days to prepare. I can't even describe how delicious this was. The meatloaf and the mashed potatoes on top are easily the best I've had in my life. I also tried the reuben sandwich, which was really good, especially with their homemade 1000 island, but I thought it could stand for a little more corned beef, and a little bit less fatty. The fries with this were pretty great. Apparently they also have bottomless bacon with the purchase of a beer on Sundays. I really wish I could have stayed for this. I liked the ambiance here, and the service was very friendly and attentive. I always ask for recommendations and they were really nice about it. It is street parking, but I never had trouble finding a spot and I never had to walk too far. You should go here. read more

Sounds hopelessly hipster-y to say this, but Comet Cafe is badass. I never thought I'd eat a turkey dinner at a mostly-vegan cafe in Wisconsin, but there you go - I did. The menu here has some vegan food as well as just normal grub. Not being anywhere close to identifying as a vegan, I ordered the compact turkey dinner, which consisted of three fried balls of turkey and mashed potatoes (together) and gravy. Verdict: it was ridiculous. Creamy, hot potatoes, tender turkey all in a crunchy fried cocoon of deliciousness and I devoured it all. It's also worth mentioning that they have a huge alcohol (mostly beer) selection, and I had an elderberry cider that was pretty good. Prices are decent and the food is great. Staff is super nice and service is solid to boot. Can't beat this place! read more

This has made it back into our weekly routine. We are able to find seats except on the weekend. On the weekend go before 9. Good, plentiful, comfort food with delicious vegetarian options. We love their Mac n cheese tuna or pulled pork. My son swears by the pulled pork. Their salads are bountiful. Cool, gritty vibe and friendly staff. read more

I went at 9pm on a Tuesday night and was surprised how packed it was. It took about 30 minutes to get a table... probably because the atmosphere compels people to stick around for another drink or two. But it was worth the wait! Once we got seated, it only took 15 minutes to get our food. I got the "Comet Cuban", and it was incredible. It was cooked perfectly, and I loved whatever mustard spread they used. read more

We went because of the diners, drive-ins and dives show. I am so glad we did. Although Sunday mornings has a special menu we loved everything we ordered. Bacon pancake...yummy, I had meatloaf with eggs and hashbrowns, the blody mary with bacon and a side beer was great. We ate outside and enjoyed a beautiful Sunday morning Will definitely go back read more

I am a vegetarian with a love for bacon, making Comet Cafe one of the best places for my strange diet in Milwaukee. Their brunch/breakfast is by far the best. They have a fairly large selection of unique dishes (I'm still intrigued by the bacon pancake). The waitstaff is more or less decent. When eating there, they are very helpful and prompt. However, if you're sitting at the bar for a few drinks, they're not as chipper. We asked if they do bar dice. I have not seen a stare so harsh about something as simple as bar dice. Overall, Comet is a very good place to dine. Prepare to wait and check out the beer menu before you go -- it's quite extensive! read more

The food here is tasty; however, we waited 1 hour for our food and the server was curt when we asked about the status. It was also overpriced and the menu was not very extensive. I would not recommend it unless you have 1.5-2 hours to spare read more

YUM. Went for brunch when we were in town last weekend with a group of 6. We had to wait for a bit, but service was great. Tip: go to the grocery store across the street and play some Pong on the huge Atari! Had the Leghorn Sandwich - pulled chicken, cream cheese, cucumbers, apricot jam on wheat bread. My god was it tasty. Light and delicious paired well with some crispy fries. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Looks like they have lots of vegan options. I am obsessed with the Alterra coffee. So good. read more

Comet is a constant in my life. I remember the days of mismatched furniture occupied by the local chess players, book dealers, and artists. I actually boycotted Comet when they made the switch from the quaint cafe that was known for their cheesy potatoes, to the totally hip and insanely crowded restaurant of today. I came to my senses eventually and for many years since, I have enjoyed many delicious occasions there. Among my favs are the totally amazing vegan pancakes that are so sweet, they don't even need syrup; the vegan Big Luck Burger (best veggie burger that exists!); the fruit bowl, which actually has strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries (most places just give you an assortment of melons...gross!); vegan cupcakes; vegan gyro (ask for a side of their delicious red pepper hummus); and their thick, bubbling over the side of the bowl, chili! The service is good, and fast despite how busy they are. We always do a drive-by first to see how many people are standing inside or outside the restaurant in order to evaluate the duration of the wait time. Most of the time, the wait is worth it. read more