The tourists may flock to downtown Milwaukee's upscale German restaurants, but the same great German experience can be found for half the price at Kegel's, just minutes away.

The Scene:
Originally an ice cream parlor before becoming a speakeasy in the 1920s, this family-run restaurant is a true diamond in the rough. The antique bar, stained glass, rugged wooden tables, and hand-painted murals give Kegel's an authentic gasthaus feeling. The menu is loaded with German specialties, and the veal schnitzel, roast pork shank, and sauerbraten are all first-rate. The slow roasted duck is placed in the broiler after cooking to render the fat and crisp the skin; served with red cabbage and a potato dumpling, it's one of the best values in town at $9.95. The Friday-night fish fry is also a city favorite.

If you order one thing:
The boneless roast duckling is superb.