Welcome to Café El Sol
Café El Sol, nestled within the United Community Center in Milwaukee, is a culinary treasure that beautifully blends Puerto Rican and Mexican flavors. With its vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff, this restaurant offers an array of dishes, including crispy tostones, hearty enchiladas, and their famous Friday fish fry buffet. Each meal is a celebration of home-cooked goodness, enhanced by delightful live music that adds to the ambiance. Patrons rave about the refreshing margaritas and unique offerings, making Café El Sol a must-visit destination for those seeking a flavorful escape and a sense of community. Discover this hidden gem and savor the experience!
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1028 S 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, United States Hotline: +1 414-384-3100
Welcome to Café El Sol, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Milwaukee at 1028 S 9th St. This vibrant eatery is more than just a restaurant; it’s a cultural experience that delights the senses and warms the soul. Tucked away in the basement of the United Community Center, it's an unexpected find for both locals and newcomers. To reach this culinary treasure, simply enter through the main door of the community center and ask for directions — a little adventure that leads to unforgettable flavors!
Café El Sol specializes in a blend of Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisines, offering an array of dishes that carry the essence of home-cooked comfort. Here, you can indulge in Botanas Appetizers such as the famous Mofongo — a mouthwatering mix of plantains, roasted pork, and an abundance of garlic. Don't miss the Sizzling Fajitas Al Gusto, perfectly grilled with your choice of proteins and a delightful mix of vegetables, served with all the traditional accompaniments, or the delectable Flautas, crispy tortillas filled with chicken or ground beef, topped with fresh toppings and a special green salsa for dipping.
- Must-Try Appetizers:
- Mofongo - $3.95
- Guacamole and Chips - $6.50
- Nachos Café El Sol - $6.95
- Signature Entrees:
- Sizzling Fajitas Al Gusto - $9.95
- Chimichanga - $6.95
- Enchiladas Al Gusto - $7.95
- Soups to Savor:
- Caldo De Camaron - $9.95
- Caldo De Pollo - $4.95
The atmosphere at Café El Sol is lively and welcoming. Customers rave about the attentive staff, the delightful live music that often accompanies your meal, and the fun ambiance that makes every visit feel special. As Phil Solbrig shares, the restaurant presents a unique fish fry experience every Friday, featuring a tempting buffet that combines traditional fried cod with Puerto Rican sides — a meal not to be missed!
Don't be fooled by its hidden location; this café has garnered glowing reviews from those willing to explore. Patrons like Wayne Kinzie and Mark P. Behar highlight not only the delectable food but also the engagement with the community, making it a lively spot for dinner out or celebrating the end of a work week in high spirits.
So whether you’re here for the famously refreshing margaritas or to savor a bite of the extraordinary, Café El Sol promises a culinary journey that transcends the ordinary. Good food, great ambiance, and warm hospitality await you at this authentic culinary haven.
It was a little odd getting into the restaurant, but they have a great fish fry/buffet. Margaritas are definitely worth it. The staff was extremely nice and attentive, and the live music was fantastic.
Hidden Gem Alert! This place is connected to a school (UCC) it’s open to the public. I was so hungry I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of my meal, but I was able to capture my fiancés lunch. He went for their famous Friday Fish Fry!
This place is a hidden gem.Go on a Friday for the buffet. The food is outstanding. Nice crowd.The staff was attentive to our needs. The prices are reasonable,especially the margaritas.They were absolutely delicious. We danced to a live band. And had a great time. We'll definitely be going back!!!
Went for the Friday Fish Fry. It includes a buffet of fried and baked fish, and French fries. Plus several Mexican / Puerto Rican dishes: Rice, beans, salad, cheese enchiladas and chicken. The rice and beans were Puerto Rican style and delicious. The fish appeared to be hand breaded, very light and with just a touch of spice. Overall, a fun and unique fish fry experience. The regular menu is not available Fridays, once the fish fry / buffet has started (5:00 pm). So, we'll be back to try their breakfast and other regular menu items. BTW, the Cafe El Sol is located in the basement of the United Community Center. Enter through the front door of the United Community Center. Ask at the front desk for directions or you may not find it!
Cafe El Sol is a hidden gem on the lower level of a south side community center. Frozen margaritas were perfect (mango and strawberry), both rich and flavorful with just enough ice. All you can eat buffet with my absolute favorite -in-town purple coleslaw (with celantro, lime, jalapeno and maybe something secret?), rice, breaded fried cod (flavorful, deliciously distinctive from others who served great fish fries in Milwaukee). Several other items on buffet which I regret not sampling, but ohh! The fish, slaw & rice were so-o good! Chips & salsa served as well! Tonight, the live entertainment included flamenco dancers along with Funcion Flamenco, a great musical treat! The only thing missing were castinets!
What a great way to wind up a work-week: wonderful freshly prepared home-cooking with lots of fresh vegetables. The music was fun. Ambiance 5 on a scale of 1-5. Hospitality and service, 5. A new happy place for me
I had won gift certificates. We went twice. Second time we ordered soup. We didn't know it was 7.95a bowl.yikes. But the fish fry was good as well as the first time we went. The people are very nice from the time you walk in the door. …
Friday fish fry was a great deal. Good live music. Every worker was extremely kind and polite. Also, check out art gallery on main floor. Was very cool.