Positive Vibes Only: Q+A with Dominic the Food Reviewer

Dominic the Food Reviewer didn’t start as “an influencer.” He started as a high school student who wanted to get better at writing—and kept showing up, one review at a time. Now he’s built one of Milwaukee’s most feel-good food platforms, guided by a simple rule: positive vibes only.

In this Q+A, Dominic shares advice for young people trying to find their passion, why kindness can actually push restaurants forward, and how places with deep roots—like Jack Pandl’s — change the way he tells a food story. We also get into Milwaukee’s can’t-miss seasonal traditions (Irish Fest, State Fair, and the Night Market), his North Shore essentials (Solly’s is basically a love language), and what’s next—including dream collaborations with local media and podcasts. Spoiler: you’ll leave hungry, optimistic, and probably craving potato-crusted fish fry.

You started as a high school student to practice on writing. Now you’re one of Milwaukee’s top food influencers. What would you tell other young people who want to find their passion? 

I would give super positive advice to more kids and individuals to always start following your passions and hobbies one step at a time wherever it may take you. Please spread your passions and strengths that you have with your families and best friends. 

Your ‘positive vibes only’ rule is what sets you apart. How do you think your positive approach actually helps restaurants improve versus criticism? 

I love to bring so much upbeat vibes to what I do. I love to make it a positive experience, and not one that makes anyone nervous. People are always friendly and welcoming because I like to just do positive things that help lift people up. 

The interior of Jack Pandl’s

When you walk into a place like Jack Pandl’s that has so much more history, does that change how you approach your review? Do you feel like you’re preserving Milwaukee’s dining heritage? 

They might tell me historical fun facts that I had absolutely no clue about while having a back and forth conversation. It feels way different than a normal casual local restaurant. I like to focus more on the history when I do a review of a place that is old or has an interesting background. I think people love to hear stories they might not know about in the places they eat. 

For someone who’s never experienced an ‘Old Milwaukee’ supper club, how would you describe what makes Pandl’s special compared to newer restaurants?” 

I would say that Jack Pandl’s has a lot of history that goes way back. you can’t make that history up, it’s a part of the building and I think it’s super uplifting to know that a place has been around for so long and Maybee your own grandparents and great grandparents had the Friday fish fry their and you can have a fun talk about history. Jack Pandal’s has a next level Friday fish fry. It is potato crusted which I was super curious about. While I had the privilege to try it for my first time while I ordered a side of potato pancakes the combination had an extra crispiness and it was hands down one of the best Friday fish fry’s I have had in quite a while. 

The German Pancakes at Jack Pandal’s is legendary. What makes it stand out, and how do you help your younger followers understand these classic dishes that their grandparents grew up loving? 

As my first experience trying the potato pancakes which is a Wisconsin staple that goes very well and is full of scrumptiousness with Friday fish fry’s are the golden brown colors, the sweet and savory together goes so well. The potato pancakes are scratch made in house and you can really tell the freshness of the dish. 

You’ve covered The Bavarian Bierhaus during Oktoberfest at Old Heidelberg Park. With such a massive festival atmosphere, how do you navigate reviewing the food versus reviewing the experience? 

In my super exciting opinion my all time favorite is watching the roasted chicken spin over the hot coals. That has always stood out to me watching the roasted chicken cook. You have so many different artistically presented dishes that you can share. I like to focus on the food first but then add the atmosphere into the food reviewer. 

Milwaukee has amazing seasonal food events that include Oktoberfest, Friday fish fry’s, summer festivals. Which seasonal tradition do you think visitors absolutely have to experience? 

I would highly suggest taking your family to Irish fest. This is one of my favorite festivals for the food and the music. The Wisconsin State Fair is super important I think for families to visit that might be coming from out of the state, and they should share the Sporkies and Drinkies which are different more out of the box and creative dishes every year. I also love the Milwaukee night market that takes place in downtown Milwaukee on Wisconsin Ave which includes many food trucks and a really fun time. 

Best burger on the North Shore? 

The best burger for me is either Solly’s or Crave cafe. 

The legendary Solly’s butter burger

If you could only eat at one North Shore restaurant for one year, which would it be? 

Solly’s Grille. I could eat and go for the super famous smashed Wisconsin butter burgers that melts right into your mouth and has an extra Wisconsin butteriness added to it at Solly’s Grille. Those butter burgers with a side of onion rings or crinkle cut French fries. You can’t go wrong with that. 

What’s the most underrated menu item at a North Shore restaurant something people walk past bud shouldn’t? 

I would say the ribs at Bavarian Bierhaus. Most people get the sausages or the schnitzel, but the ribs are delicious too. 

What are the must-try times at the Bavarian Bierhaus during Oktoberfest that people might miss if they just stick to beer and brats? 

Last year in October of 2025 my best friend and I came across loaded Doner Kebab. My best friend and I had the opportunity to share it with each other and we thought that the lamb and red cabbage salad combined with each other was next level. Spatzle is one of my all time numbered dishes while having a different experience at German fest every single year 

Old Heidelberg Park has such a unique communal outdoor setting. How important is atmosphere to a food experience for you? 

Can a great vibe make schnitzel taste even better? I think the atmosphere definitely adds to the taste of the food. It’s so much fun there during octoberfest, and listening to the music and hanging out with friends is really special. 

For families with kids looking for a great meal in Shorewood or Whitefish Bay, what are your top picks that work for everyone from toddlers to grandparents? 

My top list of super popular restaurant establishments that toddlers and grandparents to get altogether under one roof and try maybe for their first time include Dr. Dawg, Hubbard Park Lodge, The Bavarian Bierhaus, Solly’s Grille, Crave Cafe, and the Milwaukee BratHouse. 

Dominic at Bawi Korean BBQ in Mequon, one of his top 7 picks of 2025

The North Shore has a lot of casual spots like Harry’s Bar and Grill. What makes a good neighborhood restaurant versus just another bar and grill? 

I think the people working is what sets a place apart. If the people really love to be there and love what they are doing, it creates a great atmosphere. 

You interviewed the owners of The Cheel after their devastating fire. That’s heavier than typical food content. What did that experience teach you? 

No matter what’s happens you can get up and continue following your passions and hobbies that you enjoy doing always. 

You’ve worked with FreshChef Meal Prep, the Munching Around Milwaukee Podcast and even collaborated on menu items at The Eleanor Room. How did you make the jump from reviewer to collaborator? 

Throughout the years I have been continuing to follow my passion’s wherever it takes me one step at a time. I have been wanting to reach out to more local chefs, owners, food influencers, and broadcasting news stations to see if that would be interested in mentoring me. It is such an honor to work on a lot of unique, hands on projects, and learning from each other what their passions and hobbies are to do in their daily lives. 

You’ve built this incredible platform. What’s next for Dominic the Food Reviewer? Any dream collaborations or projects? 

I want to give you a humongous shout out for your thoughtful feedback! I’m hoping to collaborate with more podcasts that include Milwaukee Uncut Podcast Station, Radio Milwaukee, Riverwest Radio, and News radio 620 WTMJ4 in the future. Those are large main goals that I’m hoping to do this year and in the near future that would be totally right up my neck of the woods. 

In your book ‘Top 105 Places to Eat’, you cover the whole metro area. What neighborhoods outside the North Shore are having the biggest food moments right now?” 

The friendly outskirt neighborhoods that I feel like are expanding a lot with welcoming hidden gems and for the culinary scene are West Allis metro and Wauwatosa neighborhoods. Those suburban neighborhoods are truly getting built up which I enjoy seeing every single time. 

Any else to add? 

I wanted to add that I have a passport book that has a total of 111 local restaurant and places to try from all over Southeastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee outskirt neighborhoods. In my opinion I think my coupon book with over 105 local restaurant establishments to try from hidden gems, modern friendly, and historical supper clubs is perfect to give as a perfect Christmas gift or birthday gift during the holidays. I just wanted to let everyone know that it is only valid to December, 2026 and that you can get $10 off a $40 bill or more at each local restaurant that you are having a special experience at for your first time as a surprising example. This is a passion project and I have been collaborating with the Wisconsin Supper Club Chasers and Venture Wisconsin which offers Wisconsin Friday fish fry, sweet ice cream, coffee, and Supper Club passport books throughout the whole entire state. I would say to many  individuals to continue following their passions.