Since opening in late 2014, The Vanguard has quickly established itself as the pinnacle of tubed meat delicacies in Milwaukee. Beyond its everyday offerings that have wowed critics, lured professional athletes and visiting celebrities to dine in Bay View, and captured the hearts of both locals and Bill Burr alike, the popular bar and restaurant also likes to keep life interesting with things like its annual Halloween pop-up event, pro wrestling viewing parties, and (once) a surprise Kyle Kinane performance. The Vanguard also likes to shake things up at least once a year by changing its menu.
About six months after its last revamp, The Vanguard is changing its menu again. This time is a little different, however, as it’s the first menu modification under the direction of Patrick “Paddy” Joyce, who has been with Vanguard since the beginning, and promoted to head chef when Shay Linkus left the restaurant to open Snack Boys in January.
“I know I’m in charge now, but there’s a lot of Shay’s legacy that will always live on that made Vanguard what it is,” Joyce tells Milwaukee Record. “We’ve established something and I want to stick with that.”
Though much of the menu will remain the same, Joyce and his staff have created 10 new items that will be debuted when the restaurant opens on Wednesday, March 7.
“We’ve always had a strong Asian theme here, which I didn’t want to completely take away, but I wanted to try to go around the world and do traditional stuff,” Joyce says.
On top of new sausages (some served with interesting bun alternatives to cater to diabetics and people averse to carbohydrates), The Vanguard will offer a red chorizo torta, beer braised brussels sprouts, and a new brunch version of its popular Durty Burger.
Sadly, the implementation of these new items means other offerings will be retired or put on an indefinite hiatus. After being brought back from the dead last year, the Kilig is going away again, as is the popular and downright delicious Mitch, along with the woefully underrated Dry Fried Green Beans. If you want to get your last taste of a departing dish, tonight (March 6) is your last chance.
Here’s a full list of what’s leaving Vanguard’s menu and what is coming in its place. Celebrate or grieve accordingly, Milwaukee.
Leaving
Kilig
Pork, palm sugar, soy sauce with bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, chili sauce, hoison, and lime.
The Mitch
Pork, garlic, Dr. Pepper sausage topped with lime aioli, cotija cheese, arugula, and Mitch’s famed “dust.”
Vanguard’s tribute to Snack Boys chef Mitch Ciohon.
Turkey & Beer Berliner
A turkey and beet sausage with garlic, sumac, and lemon. Topped with curried tomato sauce and grilled green onion.
The Ribera
Already completely sold out!
Lou Albano
Italian sausage with lemon fennel slaw, sarvecchio, fennel fronds, and roasted red peppers.
Dry Fried Green Beans
Green beans with Szechuan oil, fried garlic, and ginger.
New
Librado Grillo
Italian sausage with Italian beef, marinara, sweet peppers, and mozzarella.
The Jinder Mahal
The Jinder Mahal
Chicken, coriander, and raisin sausage with roasted cauliflower rice, tomato cream sauce, apple-mint chutney, naan bread. (No bun.)
Cuban Linx
Pork, cilantro, garlic, and sour orange sausage blend topped with ham, Swiss cheese, Dijonaisse, and sour orange pickles on a french roll.
Veal Weisswurst
Veal, lemon, and parsley sausage with Bavarian sweet mustard and grilled onions on a pretzel roll.
Mouth Of The South
Blend of chicken sausage, beer, and smoke topped with white Alabama pimiento cheese, pickled red onion, fried okra.
Beer Braised Brussels Sprouts
With mustard vinaigrette and candied walnuts.
Red Mysterio Torta
Red Mysterio Torta
Red chorizo patty torta with habanero-carrot slaw, roasted poblano sauce, cheddar, cotija cheese, and pepitas.
Ho Kee Phed
A spicy pork, lamb, Thai chili, and Galangal sausage with green papaya salad, sweet potato puree. (No bun.)
Vanguard Full English
Breakfast banger topped with potato hash, roasted tomato and mushrooms, beans, and a fried egg. (Only served during brunch.)
Thee Durty Brunch Burger
Beer sausage patty burger topped with fried egg, sausage gravy, bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, and Velveeta. (Only served during brunch.)
Libardo Grillo