Restaurants in West Allis

Casa Di Giorgio's elegant dining halls have more than enough space to accommodate the abundance of diners seeking the kitchen's renowned gnocchi and pasta dishes. Glimmering chandeliers shower visitors in soft light, and vibrant Italian oil paintings hang on walls that are red and ornate, like the Arizona Cardinals' antique-furniture room. In the kitchen, chefs labor over veal, steak, and seafood, whipping up authentic northern and southern Italian dishes that have been lauded by reporters from Express Milwaukee. Servers deliver plates to the dining room along with bottles of fine wines, which they expertly coax open by whistling a few bars of Italian opera.

Each night at Tokyo Sushi & Grill Japanese Steakhouse, chefs fire up six hibachi grills and flip shrimp, scallops, and swordfish atop the sizzling iron griddles and directly in front of guests. In addition to the hibachi chefs' flashy knife work, the casual eatery showcases more subtle Japanese culinary traditions. At the sushi bar, experts gingerly roll up fresh seafood, and in the kitchen, chefs swathe shrimp in crispy tempura batter with the same level of care a NASA scientist takes when coating the Space Shuttle’s flameproof resin on the base of his cigar.

Since 1981, the ovens of Michaelangelo's Pizza have produced piping-hot pizzas piled with a variety of toppings. Sausage, pepperoni, olives, and pineapple arrive on delectable thin crusts. Meanwhile, pasta sauces coat lasagna, spaghetti, and ravioli. Steak sandwiches, hamburgers, and meatball sandwiches pair well with beers such as Peroni, Heineken, and Miller.

Owner Carl Anderson conceived Between Boutique Cafe & Lounge as an homage to his wife Lu Lu, a strong believer in the communion of tapas-style dining. Executive chef Jose Victorio draws from his Peruvian roots and lures culinary elements from the Amazon and Asia into a distinct menu of Peruvian small plates. Amid magenta booths and feathered light fixtures, morsels of shrimp, tilapia, and prawn complement stir-fried noodles, and trademark pisco cocktails elevate conversation without the faux pas of inviting an auctioneer to dinner. Ideal for late-night lounging, the eatery invites patrons to enjoy a wide array of wines and martinis with expertly prepared tamales or savory lamb dishes.

Originally branded as the Top Hat Drive-In, Sonic didn’t acquire its nationally recognized name until 1959—six years after its inception in 1953. Today, the franchise operates out of 3,500 locations across the country, making it the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants. Sonic specializes in made-to-order American classics—including burgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, and Ford Thunderbolts—which customers order and receive without ever having to leave their cars. Unique menu items include toaster sandwiches stacked on thick slices of texas toast as well as the brand’s signature tots and fresh limeades.

Sonic’s numerous awards include a 2011 Zagat survey ranking it among the top five fast-food restaurants in three categories: best value menu, best milk shake, and best drive-thru. The benevolent eatery has also donated more than $2 million to public schools throughout the country through Limeades for Learning, which helps to fund educational projects and retirement plans for classroom guinea pigs.

Beneath the glow of warm lights, Casa Tequila delights taste buds with the vivacious flavors of authentic Mexican dishes. Chefs draw on fresh ingredients and produce exclusively, ensuring that every dish is free of packaged sauces and Lincoln Logs. Sauciers prepare guacamole before tables, and the restaurant's many flat screen TVs fill the space between bites with UW Badger and Green Bay Packer games. A full bar, replete with imported beer, margaritas, and daily specials, keeps spirits merry and coasters employed.