Brunch culture in America is part ritual, part performance, and part comfort food therapy session — and this place understands all three.
Set in Milwaukee, WI, Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
- Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup
- Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
- Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
- Steel-cut oats with brown sugar, toasted nuts, and stewed fruit
- Huevos rancheros with corn tortillas, refried beans, and salsa verde
- Croque madame with béchamel, gruyère, and a fried egg
- Bottomless mimosa flight (90-minute limit, weekends only)
It's a tight room, with maybe a dozen tables and a handful of counter seats facing the open kitchen, where you can watch the line cooks work.
The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.
If you're a group of four or more, call ahead. They sometimes take small reservations for parties of four-plus, even when the website says walk-in only.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Milwaukee, Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. It's the kind of brunch that reminds you why we made brunch a tradition in the first place.
Tips from the regulars
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company.
- Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
- Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
- Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.
- If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.
Hours
| Mon | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
| Wed | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
| Thu | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
| Fri | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
| Sat | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
| Sun | Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00 |
Frequently asked questions
What time does Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company open for brunch?
Posted hours are: Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 08:00-23:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.
Does Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Milwaukee are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company kid-friendly?
Yes — Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company serve?
It's classified under cafe — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Milwaukee.
Is there outdoor seating at Hangout MKE Café & Lounge Company?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at 1819 North Farwell Avenue. Coordinates: 43.0544, -87.8911. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.