Restaurants in Whitewater

Spitfire Pub & Grill hums with the sounds of trivia questions and live music from local bands and artists on open-mic nights. Amid the lively atmosphere, guests swig local beers and wine while devouring hot-dog sliders, fish 'n' chips, and shredded-beef flatbread with a smoky barbecue glaze. They relax at hardwood tables inside or beneath the blue umbrellas dotting the expansive outdoor patio, which plays host to numerous flat-screen TVs broadcasting the Brewers game or an intense staring competition.

In 1957, Chuck’s Supper Club suffered its first fire. The second would come 10 years later as a blaze that completely demolished the building. The twice-rebuilt eatery then operated without incident until closing in 2000, lying dormant for 10 years before it became Burke’s Lakeside Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant’s owners renovated its interior, decking the walls in dark cherry accents and building a stone fireplace as the room’s centerpiece and an alternative entrance for hungry chimney sweeps. Inside the banquet room, a hardwood dance floor sprawls in front of a live-music stage, and outside, a wraparound deck overlooks the shores of Silver Lake.

At the bar, servers pour more than 17 wines and 10 draft beers. In the kitchen, chefs blend regional American recipes to craft dishes such as grilled 16-ounce steaks, Pabst Blue Ribbon–braised ribs, and cast-iron-seared salmon with avocado relish and jalapeño corn. They also design their own takes on international dishes such as shepherd’s pie, almond-crusted brie and berry compote, and lobster and shrimp wontons.

At Ed Debevic's, every house burger, hot dog, and diner entree shares a not-so-secret ingredient: sass. The servers welcome guests to the vintage venue with tongue-in-cheek remarks and paper deli hats, seating them next to vibrant examples of what Centerstage calls "smart-aleck decor": fake autographs, old-timey ads, and signs that carry proverbs such as "Eat Now…Pay Waiter." The mischievously retro tone is cultivated in homage to one of the owner's favorite restaurants, Lill's Homesick Diner. Back in the '50s and '60s, Lill acquainted Ed with the classic flavors of comfort food cooked from scratch, showcasing the spirited moxie that made her a standout in the short-order world.

Ed chose to emulate both her classic cooking and feistiness at his own diner. Many of his menu items are housemade, including the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, the desserts, and the blue-cheese sauce on top of the Ed's Blue Moon burger. Milk shakes and malts pair well with a variety of hot dogs and sandwiches, especially when counterbalancing the effects of Atomic Mix: a blend of diced jalapeños, onions, and tomatoes that garnishes certain plates. The staff stays in comically impudent character throughout these meals. And every now and then, the servers pause to put on countertop dance numbers that are almost as exciting as the time your grandpa turned the lazy Susan into a zoetrope.

German-born chef Mike Richie surrounds his culinary stylings in the upscale environment of The French Country Inn on the Lake, a history-rich haven with ties to the Chicago World's Fair and gangsters of yore. The seasonal menu merges elements of European cuisine and contemporary American traditions to forge dishes that complement the dining room's rustic décor and view of Lake Como, which reflects the stars at night to keep them out of guests' soup. In fine weather, diners can enjoy their continental fare amid an all-natural symphony on the lakeside patio, while the music schedule regularly features manmade melodies to entertain those on the inside.

Carefully balancing starter platters stacked with housemade cornbread and frozen margaritas, the servers at Casa del Sol wind their way through the tables on the outdoor deck overlooking the water. As diners dig into burritos, the flavors of chicken or carnitas meld with garnishes of mango and pineapple or with ingredients from one of four other unique burritos. Meat dishes span many styles, from pork-loin medallions with garlic-adobo sauce to enchiladas verdes with a choice of meat or cheese filling. The inside dining area's bright yellow and purple walls adorned with paintings of whirling dancers complement the bright flavors of the dishes, often delicately evoked by cilantro, poblano chili pepper, or guacamole.

Like many Mexicans, owner Antonio Estrada considers himself a Mestiza, which means that his lineage consists of both European and American Indian people from many different regions. To pay homage to this eclectic heritage, he not only draws upon traditional family recipes from his own family, but from culinary traditions all around Mexico. Using fresh ingredients, the chefs at La Mestiza craft a lineup of classic dishes, including poblano and cheese quesadillas and juicy carne asada steaks. To add to the authenticity, they make their own homemade tortilla chips and tamales the old-fashioned way—forging them in the searing, cauldron-like trumpet bells of ancient Mariachi bands.

The festive dining room’s warm orange and yellow walls serve as roosts for pieces of art, which gaze down at flower-topped tables illuminated by hanging lights.