Mallard's Southern Kitchen: Southern Flavors at Bayshore

Mallard's Southern Kitchen has arrived on the North Shore, and it's exactly the kind of gathering place families have been craving. This family-owned restaurant opened at Bayshore in late 2024, bringing award-winning Cajun seafood, authentic Southern comfort food, and genuine hospitality to Glendale. Whether you're craving a New England-style lobster roll, Nashville hot chicken and waffles, or homemade key lime pie, Mallard's delivers elevated comfort food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—feel right at home.

A Kansas City family's dream lands in Wisconsin

The story of Mallard's begins with David and Gail Suddath, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, where Southern hospitality isn't just tradition—it's a way of life. David spent nearly 30 years in the restaurant industry, starting as a dishwasher at Perkins and working his way up to general manager positions at Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory before becoming regional vice president at Buca di Beppo. That hospitality-focused background shaped everything about how Mallard's operates today.

In 2013, the Suddath family turned their passion into reality, opening the first Mallard's at a marina on Minnesota's St. Croix River. The concept was simple but powerful: serve the foods David discovered during his travels across the country—from San Francisco seafood to Texas Cajun to Florida Key lime pie—all prepared fresh, from scratch, with recipes often pulled straight from family history. The slow-braised beef comes from David's mother's Sunday pot roast recipe. The pickles on the sandwiches follow his grandfather's handwritten recipe. The key lime pie is David's own creation that has become legendary.

The Bayshore location represents the family's first venture into southeastern Wisconsin, and the connection felt natural from the start. As Zach Suddath, who serves as Director of IT and Marketing alongside his siblings Olivia and Blake, explained after visiting Glendale: "It felt like home. People were so nice. And it wasn't that they were nice to me because I was opening a restaurant. It was just like, these are my people."

Southern comfort with Midwest heart

What sets Mallard's apart is its unique fusion of Lowcountry, Gulf Coast, Cajun, and classic American comfort food—a combination rarely found in Wisconsin. The kitchen operates on one principle: everything made fresh, from scratch, using high-quality ingredients.

Signature dishes and crowd favorites include the chilled Lobster Roll served Boston-style on a warm New England bun with mayo and melted butter ($25.99), the Jambalaya featuring chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage in Cajun butter with risotto ($19.99), and the Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles—spicy chicken fingers atop cornbread waffles with maple syrup and honey butter ($18.99). The Elote Corn Fritters have developed a devoted following: crispy house-made corn cakes with roasted corn salsa and avocado lime crema ($10.99). And don't skip the famous homemade Key Lime Pie ($7.50)—it's the dessert that built a reputation.

Seafood lovers will find plenty to explore. The Shrimp and Grits delivers blackened tail-on shrimp over cheesy grits with Cajun cream sauce ($18.99). The Blackened Fish Tacos feature local walleye with fresh cabbage and avocado cream ($16.99). For special occasions, the Shrimp and Crab Boil feeds two with pounds of shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage ($69.99). The simply prepared fish options let you choose your catch—barramundi, mahi mahi, salmon, or Canadian walleye—prepared blackened or pan-seared with your choice of sauce.

Comfort food classics round out the menu with items like Gammy's Meatloaf with sweet tomato glaze ($17.99), Surf and Turf pairing filet mignon with shrimp ($28.99), and the Peanut Butter Jalapeño Smash Burger—a surprisingly addictive combination of smash patty, American cheese, peanut butter, and candied jalapeños ($14.99).

Breakfast and brunch bring Southern mornings

Hot Chicken & Waffles

Sunday brunch at Mallard's runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features standout Southern breakfast dishes. The Big Griddy loads up your plate with homemade maple sausage, smoked bacon, two eggs, sourdough toast, cheesy hash browns, biscuits, and gravy ($15.99). The Ship Wreck smothers cheesy hash browns, peppers, scrambled eggs, and bacon in sausage gravy ($12.99). For something lighter, the Smoked Salmon Toast pairs toasted baguette with lemon dill cream cheese, capers, and honey-smoked salmon ($16.99).

The Crab Cake Benedict elevates brunch with fresh crab cakes on buttermilk biscuits topped with hollandaise ($17.99). Banana Caramel French Toast features a cornflake crust, candied pecans, and Jack Daniel's caramel sauce ($12.99). Bottomless mimosas are available for $14.99.

Family-friendly dining that actually delivers

Mallard's explicitly welcomes families, and the details back it up. The kids' menu keeps things simple and affordable at $6.99 per item including a drink, fries, and fruit. Options include mac and cheese, sliders, grilled cheese, hand-breaded chicken tenders, fish fry, and PB&J (listed as "Malachi's favorite" on the menu).

The atmosphere strikes the right balance—modern yet cozy, upscale enough for date night but casual enough that you won't stress about kids being kids. At 9,313 square feet with an outdoor patio, there's room to spread out. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with designated parking, accessible entrances, and accessible seating throughout. Two private event spaces can accommodate groups up to 100+ people, making it ideal for birthday parties, family reunions, or larger gatherings.

Smart timing tips for families: Weekday lunches and early weekday dinners tend to be calmest. Sunday brunch is family-oriented but popular—reservations help. Weekend dinner and happy hour windows get busy. And fair warning: the Nashville Hot Chicken is genuinely spicy—order mild options for heat-sensitive kids.

Budget-friendly specials

Mallard's runs happy hour Monday through Friday from 2-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close, plus all day Sunday. During those windows, expect $4 margaritas, $5 appetizers and drinks, $2 off starters and wine, and half-price tap beers.

Weekly specials sweeten the deal further. Monday and Tuesday bring half-price wine bottles. Wednesday features half-price whiskey drinks and chicken wings all day. Thursday means crab legs starting at $29.99. These specials make Mallard's accessible for families watching their budgets while still wanting a quality meal out.

Price ranges to expect: Appetizers run $7.99-$16.99, sandwiches and handhelds $9.99-$25.99, seafood entrées $16.99-$69.99, and specialty entrées $17.99-$48.99. Most families will spend $20-$50 per person for a full dinner with drinks.

Everything you need to plan your visit

Address: 5689 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale, WI 53217 (located next to The Yard at Bayshore)

Phone: (414) 509-5555

Website: mallardsmn.com

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch served until 4 p.m. Sunday hours run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekends and holidays. Book online through OpenTable or call directly. Walk-ins are accepted but waits may occur during peak times.

Parking: Free parking is available in the Bayshore parking garages, including the Lydell Garage and Port Washington Road Garage. EV charging stations are available on the second floor of the Port Washington garage. Accessible parking is available throughout the complex.

Social Media: Find them on Facebook at Mallard's Southern Kitchen and on Instagram and TikTok at @mallardssouthernkitchen.

Why Mallard's deserves a spot on your rotation

What makes Mallard's worth the trip comes down to three things: the food is genuinely excellent, the hospitality is authentic, and the experience hits that sweet spot between special and comfortable. This isn't a chain churning out reheated dishes—it's a family pouring decades of restaurant expertise and personal recipes into every plate.

The Glendale location has already earned attention from local media including FOX6 Milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, OnMilwaukee, and BizTimes Milwaukee. OpenTable reviews consistently praise the warm atmosphere and flavorful dishes, with the restaurant frequently showing as "booked" throughout the week.

The restaurant also demonstrates community commitment. Their grand opening benefited St. Francis Children's Center, signaling the kind of neighbor they intend to be on the North Shore.

As Zach Suddath described the Mallard's philosophy: "At its heart, Mallards is a casual place, but the food and the experience is definitely elevated. We definitely put passion and love into the food that we cook. Everything coming out of the kitchen is made fresh."

For North Shore families seeking something beyond the usual options—a place with real character, food worth craving, and an atmosphere that welcomes everyone—Mallard's Southern Kitchen at Bayshore delivers exactly that. Make a reservation, bring an appetite, and save room for the key lime pie.

Visit Mallard's Southern Kitchen 5689 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale, WI 53217 (414) 509-5555 | mallardsmn.com