Daddy's on Blue Mound Now Open In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI—For restaurant owners Angela and Bennie Smith, an opportunity knocked on more than one occasion.

The owners of Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille in Milwaukee have opened a second restaurant, Daddy’s on Blue Mound, in Wauwatosa, 6108 W. Blue Mound Rd. A soft opening was held on Monday but not with the full menu. The full menu will be unveiled in the middle of March.

Angela Smith, co-owner of Daddy's, told Patch the opportunity presented itself after George Webb's went out of business. A friend who owns a hair salon nearby mentioned the vacancy.

"We looked at the place and it was a perfect fit," Smith told Patch.

Smith felt they could bring breakfast back to the area. She said places like George Webb's offer a convenient place to grab a nice reasonably priced breakfast.

It was important for Smith that the prices be reasonable to keep people returning more than once a month.

"If you don't know how to cook or need a nice meal you can get it without breaking your budget," Smith said.

The difference between the Grille and Daddy's on Blue Mound is the breakfast and food menu in Wauwatosa is made-to-order. The dinner menu will be similar to their other restaurant where food will be ready and it can just be picked up or eaten inside.

Some of the menu items include:

Uncle Mike’s Omelette with a choice of meat plus peppers, mushrooms, onions and spinach ($8.99 with hash browns); or biscuits and gravy featuring two biscuits, sausage gravy, two eggs and hash browns ($7.99).

Mama’s Down Home with two fried catfish filets, two eggs, grits or oatmeal, hash browns and bread ($9.99).

Daddy’s Down Home featuring a choice of meat (bacon, turkey bacon, sausage); two eggs; grits or oatmeal; hash browns and bread ($8.99).

Other items include pancakes, build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, and other food options.

'Opportunity knocks'

The couple first opened their restaurant in 2014 at 754 N. 27th St.

"An opportunity was presented to us," Smith said.

Smith and her husband Bennie had their own catering business when a person suggested they go into business and mentioned a vacant retail space.

They used family recipes they were raised with to create a menu of soul food and southern-style cooking. Food such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and collard greens. She said it is the way they make their cabbage and how they fry the catfish.

Bennie who attended culinary school for fine cuisine wanted to make stuffed chicken breasts and other fancy dishes.

"We knew what we wanted to sell to thrive and make money," Smith told Patch.

Smith said the food was a perfect fit for the market and location of the restaurant. She added they wanted to offer what people would eat every day.

"Some of our customers come 4-5 times a week because they don't cook," she said.

Last fall they expanded the location from about 1,700 to 4,400. They were in the middle of expanding when the pandemic hit.

"We had just signed the lease for the Bluemound location. We held in there and it all worked out," she said.

Daddy’s on Blue Mound’s is now open. Both dine-in and carry-out are available. For more information on menu items visit their Facebook page.