When a Utah-based burger concept opens its first out-of-state location in Bay View and immediately racks up 17 five-star reviews on opening weekend, you know those hand-formed patties and crispy skin-on fries are hitting Milwaukee exactly right. 🍔
Patty Shack opened in October 2023 at 2121 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue when franchisees Desmond and Kaylynn Jimerson—a husband-wife team with combined 27+ years in the restaurant industry—brought founder Justin Newbold’s simple-but-perfect concept to Wisconsin. ✨
The Jimersons connected with Newbold through years of industry friendships—they were even neighbors in Utah before life took them to Texas, then Milwaukee, where they managed Crumble Cookies locations before craving independence.
The restaurant’s 4.7-star rating on Uber Eats with customers declaring “best burger I’ve ever had” and “easily my new favorite burger place” proves Newbold’s concept translates perfectly from Salt Lake to Lake Michigan. 💙
With Lovefood naming Patty Shack among “US restaurants bringing back old-school burger recipes,” this Bay View gem delivers the kind of straightforward quality that burger purists dream about.
How Patty Shack won Milwaukee hearts
The secret to Patty Shack’s success lies in founder Justin Newbold’s simplicity philosophy—learned through years at Arctic Circle, KFC, and Five Guys: “Focus on one thing and keep it simple to have a consistent product. We just want to do burgers and fries really well.” 🌟
When customers ask why they don’t add chicken or shakes, Newbold’s answer is direct: “We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. That’s when people start selling mediocre food.”
The hand-formed fresh beef patties are never frozen, cooked to order on a flat-top that produces a slight char flavor customers specifically notice and appreciate.
Customer reviews consistently praise the crispy skin-on fries that stay crisp even during delivery—Newbold tested 20 different fry types with Idaho manufacturer Lamb Weston to find ones that wouldn’t go soggy. 🍟
The fry sauce has earned special devotion—”the fry sauce is perfect pair! I haven’t had anything I haven’t liked there” and “the fry sauce is fire🔥” customers write repeatedly.
Speaking of toppings, over 20 different sauces and toppings including grilled onions, mushrooms, fresh jalapeños, lettuce, and tomatoes are available at no extra charge—each burger custom-built to order.
The Patty Daddy triple with bacon AND pastrami has become the signature indulgence—three juicy patties piled high with melted American cheese and crispy toppings that one customer “stuffed some onion rings in” for good measure. 🥓
Fox6 Milwaukee featured Patty Shack for National Cheeseburger Day, highlighting how their hand-formed patties and skin-on fries became “an instant hit” within two years of arriving in Wisconsin.
The extremely friendly staff earns consistent praise—owner Kaylynn personally responds to reviews and the counter staff makes everyone feel welcome from the moment they walk in.
One Indianapolis visitor declared “Burgers? Immaculate. Fries? Even better. Ranch? Please give me the recipe”—high praise from someone who’s “eaten many hamburgers in her life.” 💛
Food Highlights
Bacon Cheeseburger: The #1 most liked item featuring hand-formed fresh beef patty with crispy bacon, American cheese, and your choice of 20+ free toppings—customers rave about the juicy patties “packed with flavor” and perfectly seasoned 🔥
Patty Daddy Triple: The towering signature creation with three juicy patties, bacon AND pastrami, melted American cheese—for when you need maximum burger satisfaction at $18 with fries
Pastrami Cheeseburger: Hand-formed patty topped with tender pastrami and nicely seasoned beef that one reviewer described as “delicious”—the unexpected addition that elevates classic cheeseburgers 🥩
Double Cheeseburger: Two quarter-pound patties that multiple reviewers compared favorably to Five Guys—”if someone left Five Guys it would be the Patty Shack” with better prices
Maddie Melt Veggie: Elevated grilled cheese loaded with mayo, extra lettuce, pickle, tomato, grilled onions, and grilled mushrooms on a toasted bun—the vegetarian option that doesn’t compromise on flavor 🧀
Skin-On Fries with Fry Sauce: Crispy, perfectly seasoned fries with a crisp shell and soft center that stay crunchy even during delivery—paired with house fry sauce customers say “is fire”
Atmosphere
The fast-casual setup exists in that perfect sweet spot—not a full sit-down restaurant, but noticeably higher quality than typical drive-thru fast food, with prices that feel reasonable for lunch. 🏛️
The clean, nice-looking space features pinball machines, a racing video game, claw machine for candy, and pull tabs—entertainment for kids and adults while waiting.
Counter ordering with table delivery means food arrives quickly—one reviewer noted their burger came within minutes of ordering, perfect for busy lunch crowds.
The Bay View Commons location on Kinnickinnic Avenue puts Patty Shack in the heart of one of Milwaukee’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Bottom Line
Hand-formed fresh beef patties never frozen, cooked to order with that perfect slight char from the flat-top that customers specifically notice.
20+ free toppings and sauces allowing complete customization of every burger without nickel-and-diming like other chains.
Fries that stay crispy even during delivery—specifically engineered after testing 20 different types with Lamb Weston to solve the soggy fry problem.
Utah’s 2023 & 2024 Best Burger winner now bringing that award-winning quality to Wisconsin’s first location in Bay View.
27+ years combined industry experience from the Jimerson family who prioritize customer service above everything else. 🏆
Address: 2121 S Kinnickinnic Ave #8, Milwaukee, WI 53207
📞 (414) 988-0113
🕔 Open Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat, 10:00 AM–9:15 PM; Sun 11:00 AM–7:00 PM; Closed Thu