The restaurant has a history rich in tradition. When John and Anna Pandl bought the Whitefish Bay Inn in 1915, the surrounding area was farmland rather than the beautiful homes that stand there today.
The restaurant serves a variety of German-American cuisine and is famous for its Friday Fish Fry, Whitefish and Schnitzel. Make sure to save room for the home made soups and desserts too! In the summer the outdoor patio is beautifully landscaped.
Intimate space with outdoor seating for classic German & American dishes, with Friday fish fries.
Luke
German-themed neighborhood restaurant with good sized fairly diverse menu and drink selection. We had the Rueben and clubhouse sandwiches, the broccoli cheddar soup, and the chocolate mousse pie. All were very good. Complementary bread chips were a unique offering, great tasting, and refilled without having to request.
Hostess and waitstaff were prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable. Water refill service was frequent.
The restaurant itself is an older building with extensive decor, on the inside. The only negative is the bathrooms are very small and dated.
… moreAmro
Traditional and cozy experience. This is no surprise, as it is one of the oldest continuously run restaurants in the Milwaukee metro area. The place does a good job maintaining its early 20th-century style and vibe.
Food was good. I had the Friday fish fry (breaded cod), and it was good. I tried a few appetizers, and all were modest at best. High-quality food, but very conservative with the flavor. I will make sure to try the potato-crusted cod next time I visit.
The place is very cozy inside and gets crowded very quickly. Walking to and from the restroom can be a challenge. You also sit very close to other people, since the space is very limited. My seat was next to a radiator heater, and it was a bit difficult to get comfortable. Overall, this is not an issue for me, but it is something you should know.
… moreKariLynn Husslein
I use to visit this place very frequently when I was available for dinner. What I did like was the hot bacon Dressing they had. Today I had my unusual dinner it was the barbecue ribs. Unfortunately they were not very tender I couldn’t cut the meat off the bone. I had two bites I decided that it wasn’t worth the effort to continue eating these undercooked ribs. I told the server tell the chef that if he wanted them to fall off the bone he should cook them in a little bit of vinegar and water This is how they should be cooked so they do fall off the bone and are tender. I left them on the plate. I told the server that they were not tender. He just handed me the bill.
Instead of taking them off my bill he didn’t care. I am left with a little bit of sour taste.
I prefer the steak and Lobster
But one thing has never changed is the fact that this won’t be my last time coming here.
The seafood soup was absolutely delicious.
Plus the fact that the chef made me hot bacon dressing for my dinner salad
… moreBrady
Wow just wow. Booked a reservation at 6 got seated 40 minutes go by and we barely have drinks. That’s fine they’re busy it’s ok. We order then we have to wait over a hour for our main dishes to get there. No updates, no refills nothing. When we finally get our food it’s dry and not worth the 42 dollars for duck. Finally we order dessert, the only good part. Pie was really good. But then 3 hours after we had been seated we finally get the check. We tipped 100 dollars which for how slow the service was generous. Then the server comes back and says the tip is too low. What? How are you complaining about the amount of money you received? Then looking at my credit card statements they had charged an extra 100 dollars which was not included at all. They are lucky we aren’t suing . Never going back.
… moreMozelle Beasley
Hard to believe I’ve never eaten at Pandls before now. I was born and raised in MilTown so no excuse. That being confessed I’m glad to say that I’ve righted that wrong and will be a regular customer from now on. I called in for a Pick up order and spoke to the owners sin. He was very congenial and welcoming. I initially wanted to try the Sample platter just to get a feel of the menu items but the Friday fish was suggested so I ordered perch as suggested plus my original Sampler order. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING was Perfection! I tasted the Clam Chowder first and am hooked on it. Riblets were slightly sweet and succulent. The mushrooms and onion ring were quite tasty and filling. From the excellent customer service given by the owner’s son to the easy pick up to the most enjoyable meal I’ve had in quite a while, I’d say Pandls is going to be my number one restaurant going forward. I highly recommend everyone give them a try. You will not be disappointed. Guaranteed‼️
… moreBella Perrone
A Cozy German Gem in Whitefish Bay, this steakhouse is an absolute treasure! The traditional German menu offers an authentic dining experience, and the cozy, welcoming atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The decor is charming, with beautiful Tiffany lamps and nostalgic photos of the Whitefish Bay neighborhood that make it feel like a true community centerpiece.
The food was outstanding—my beef rouladen exceeded all expectations! Portions are generous, so come hungry. Our large group had made a reservation in advance, and the staff was incredibly accommodating and efficient. Every dish came out perfectly, and the extensive beer menu was a highlight for our table, only topped by the best desserts we’ve had I a long time.
The service was exactly what you’d expect from a top-notch steakhouse: knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. This spot is a must-visit for anyone who loves great food, warm vibes, and an authentic, memorable dining experience. Highly recommended!
… moreBear Oldcastle
The food was amazing, absolutely gourmet from the bread to the weinershnitchzel I had. My water cup was virtually never empty. The waiter even boxed the to go meal. Try and get a reservation, or expect to wait a bit at the bar. Surprisingly kid friendly.
… moreDaily Driver
Comfy little place, with nice seating. Unfortunately it doesn’t look ADA compliant for the entrance, there’s two little sets of steps and the men’s room was tiny, so there’s no way a wheel chair can fit in there. Decor felt slightly dated and had the sight smell of moth balls light my grandparents house. The food was prepared well, and was perfect in portion sizes. The lamb shank tasted a bit unusually gamey, but was still pretty good. The Jaeger Schnitzel was absolutely amazing and tender, cooked absolutely perfect. Worth a try if you’re in the area!
… moreAmber J.
So this place has some pretty amazing food. I chose a beef Rinderroulade and it was very good. I think the table side crostini needed some cheese spread or something and the choice of seeded focaccia with the salad was interesting but also tasty. Definitely old fashioned style. Priced upscale but so are the flavors. There are a few things that could be better… but good place for both tasty eats and a comfortable dining ambience with old world style.
… moreBSW
This is a cozy heart warming place! Feels like you’re back in time at your Grandmas house for Christmas! The food is comfort food. Like a warm hug to your stomach! Service is great as you can see how much they hustle to serve the customers. Brian the bartender is exactly what you want! Friendly, attentive, funny, great drink maker and has a great memory. Can remember past customers and engages with the locals. He’s a real treasure to Pandls!
… more