LTH Wisconsin: Ono Kine Grindz -- now June 9

I'm hoping that LTH's Wisconsinites and regular visitors will join us at Ono Kine Grindz in Wauwatosa, Wis. This is a fun little Hawaiian storefront, about as different from anyone's preconceived idea of "Wisconsin food" as it can be. Prices top out under $10, and it's BYOB.

The place is tiny, so I'm limiting this dinner to 10 or 12. I'd like to let the restaurant know definitely how many by Wednesday, June 6. We can order off the menu, and they'll do separate checks.

Ono Kine Grindz
7215 W. North Ave
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
(414) 778-0727
http://www.okgrindz.com

6 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Attending:
LAZ
RheS
exvaxman
Cathy2 + 1
Glennpan + 2

Arrghhh. I'm going to be moving to O'ahu in August, and Ono Kine Grindz has been high on my list to try before I go since reading about it here, but I have a friend's birthday on the 19th. Please post about the dinner afterwards, so I know what to be sure to try when I do make it up there.

HI,

This is the perfect weekend to be away from Chicago.

Unfortunately, I will be in Ann Arbor for Jan Longone's lecture on her relationship with Julia Child.

I would be interested to go another time.

Regards,

I would be there except for a retirement party I am going to that day. In my few visits there, Ono has become a favorite place.

Since I have now heard back from several people in Wisconsin and in Chicago saying they're interested but not on this date, and from no one who wants to come on the proposed date, I'm going to postpone this event.

Does either June 9 or 16 work for anyone?

Hi,

I could do either date in June.

Regards,

June 9 or 16 is fine but I would much prefer a lunch.-Dick

I would prefer the 16th. This sounds neato and it appears they have sodie in bottles!

The weekend of the 16th I'm taking several Boy Scouts to an "order of the arrow" campout up by the MI border. Otherwise, just teh 10th is out due to a birthday party for one of my scouts.

Might we plan a Cheesehead-a-thon? Perhaps meeting at 3:30 or 4:00 and stopping at four/five/six interesting places. I'm not sure that I am up for a long drive for Hawaiian alone, but four or five might be ideal.

I would love an excuse to buy cheese.

Hi,

Why not begin at noon?

Watts Tea Room?
House of Corned Beef?
A Soul Food Restaurant?
European Homemade Sausage?
Spice House and seconds table at Usinger's?

Regards,

If noon, the 9th works for me. Not the 16th, but I could join up at 3 or so.

I would likely be in for the 9th. 16th is out for sure though.

I like GAF's idea of a cheesehead a thon. There are so many good places and places I would like to try up that way. Have never been to Speed Queen or Kopps either which wouldn't be bad additions to such an outing.

glennpan wrote:Have never been to Speed Queen or Kopps either which wouldn't be bad additions to such an outing.

I had Speed Queen on my original list as an alternative for soul food, though Kopps or other soft serves are always on the hidden agenda.

Regards,

I talked to the restaurant, and they can do June 9, so I've edited the original post.

That's Mr. Pie's birthday, so I'm pretty sure I won't be going. But put me down for a tentative yes anyway, in case he has plans to celebrate another day.

If anyone would like to meet earlier and go around town, I would be interested - I can fit three in my small car (wife & kid staying at home) if we want to combine and end up at Ono at 6.

Hi,

In parallel I was planning an event at the Elmhurst Historical Society. They gave their approval today, which means I am in Milwaukee no earlier than 3 pm.

exvaxman - I'm glad you can join us. I want to hear all your war stories!

Regards,

If someone would like to suggest an itinerary from 3 p.m. until we meet at Ono Kine Grindz, I would be willing to join you.

A thought for an early take off -
I can take people "up nordt" from Milwaukee to a few interesting places.
I was thinking about a fish smoker in Port Washington, my favorite butcher & brats (Meisfield's Sheboygan), a very interesting hmong/bosnian/greek grocery (Toy's), depending on time Newton Meats (they close at noon though), depending on what people want, Pine River cheese, hennings cheese for some of the world champion colby (2012), back through plymouth for gas (on me), another cheese outlet though expensive, and then a few places in Milwaukee. Maybe a stop at the old wisconsin outlet though they are now fairly expensive.

I think that I will probably join up when you reach Milwaukee, perhaps around 3.

exvaxman wrote:A thought for an early take off -
I can take people "up nordt" from Milwaukee to a few interesting places.
I was thinking about a fish smoker in Port Washington, my favorite butcher & brats (Meisfield's Sheboygan), a very interesting hmong/bosnian/greek grocery (Toy's), depending on time Newton Meats (they close at noon though), depending on what people want, Pine River cheese, hennings cheese for some of the world champion colby (2012), back through plymouth for gas (on me), another cheese outlet though expensive, and then a few places in Milwaukee. Maybe a stop at the old wisconsin outlet though they are now fairly expensive.

Hi,

I think we need to plan a Milwaukee-Region-athon with you. Go for a solid Saturday to all your favorite haunts.

You are full of great (and many I have not heard of) ideas.

Regards,

exvaxman - I'm glad you can join us. I want to hear all your war stories!

I'm sure that the stories you want to hear are more my father's

Do we have a count?
I was thinking since this is a midwest get together, I would bring bottles of the east coast soda elixir called "Moxie" for everyone to try.
It is a "love it or hate it" sort of thing. I might bring Kentucky mixers as well

Perhaps before we get a count, we get a plan. If the plan is to go to Omo Kine Grindz at 6 (and nothing else), I will stay in Chicagoland. However, if we have a day planned, say from 3 to 8, I will join you. It is a long drive just for Hawaiian food (although I have to admit Moxie does up the ante). (A decade or so ago I went to a soda fountain/grocery in Lisbon, Maine that was Moxie central and had a fine time).

I can take three folks in the car, the issue is timing. If we have a morning group I am running around up north, or if we have a 3:PM group that I will have to put together some agreed places due to timing....

We can do both - I do a morning run "up nordt" with a couple of folks, then we meet somewhere mid-afternoon for a brief look at the northern side of Milwaukee before going to dinner. I will have to put together a list to see who is interested though..... After Ono I will have to go home and rest due to a birthday party the next day where one of my cub scouts since kindergarten is getting close to Eagle scout.

I'm open, just trying to promote my adoptive (if hugely taxed) state

I'm an afternooner.

GAF wrote:Perhaps before we get a count, we get a plan. If the plan is to go to Omo Kine Grindz at 6 (and nothing else), I will stay in Chicagoland. However, if we have a day planned, say from 3 to 8, I will join you.

Why not make a list of places you want to go and see if others wish to join you?

I am only planning the dinner. If anyone wants to make a day of it, there are certainly plenty of possibilities.

I'm not familiar enough with Milwaukee to make that list. Obviously Kopp's or some other custard place would be on the list. But I am hoping that someone will be sufficiently knowledgeable as to suggest a plan.