The Brick Pub & Grill: A Family Legacy Reborn in Glendale

The Brick Pub & Grill isn't just a neighborhood restaurant—it's a 60-year family story brought full circle. When Tim Hren opened this Glendale gathering spot in October 2015, he fulfilled a childhood dream of reviving his grandfather Louie Hren's beloved restaurant legacy that began in 1961. Today, The Brick stands as the North Shore's quintessential community hub, raising over $100,000 for local causes while serving Friday fish fry made from Grandpa Louie's original recipe. For families seeking an authentic Wisconsin pub experience with kid-friendly accommodations and genuine neighborhood warmth, this cream-city-brick-wrapped gem delivers.

Three generations of Glendale hospitality

The Hren family's restaurant roots run deep in this exact corner of Glendale. Louie Hren first opened Wren's in 1961 on the corner of Green Bay Avenue and Mill Road (where a Kletzsch Park softball diamond now stands), quickly becoming a community pillar known for offering free coffee and soup to city workers during harsh Wisconsin winters. In 1981, Louie took over "The Trestle" restaurant across the street, renaming it Wren's II and building a loyal following for steaks and fish fry.

Tim Hren started helping his grandfather clean the restaurant at just six years old. When Louie retired and sold Wren's II in the mid-1990s, Tim harbored dreams of one day reclaiming the family business. That opportunity arrived in December 2014 when the building—which had operated as Mini's Italian restaurant until its June 2014 closure—became available. Over nine months, Tim and his wife Chelsea, both Glendale natives, gutted and rebuilt the space with help from friends, family, and local contractors, preserving one crucial element: the original horseshoe-shaped bar, now refurbished with Milwaukee cream city brick salvaged from an old chimney on the property. This distinctive brick gives the restaurant its name and serves as a tangible connection to the building's history.

Extensive menu

The Brick offers a comprehensive menu that balances Wisconsin comfort food traditions with modern dietary accommodations—unusual for a pub and grill.

Appetizers ($8-$11.50) anchor the menu with standouts including the Jumbo Pretzel ("the North Shore's largest soft pretzel") supplied by Milwaukee Pretzel Company with homemade queso and honey mustard ($10.50), Reuben Rolls featuring house-made corned beef ($9), Irish Nachos on waffle fries ($11), and Wisconsin cheese curds with pretzel breading ($9). The Carnivore Tots—loaded with bacon, pulled pork, and melted cheese—epitomize the indulgent pub spirit at $9.

Burgers and sandwiches ($9-$12) showcase The Brick Burger as the signature dish: hand-pattied Angus beef topped with pepper jack cheese, avocado, haystack onion strings, and house-made southwest ranch ($11.50). The Billy honors Wren's legacy with sliced in-house tenderloin, mushrooms, and grilled onions served with au jus ($12). All burgers can be substituted with black bean patties or turkey burgers at no charge, and gluten-free buns are available for $1.50 extra.

Entrées ($14.50-$15+) include Grown Up Mac 'n Cheese with customizable add-ins, Chicken Marsala with homemade wine sauce, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes. The French Onion Soup ($3 cup) receives particularly effusive praise from reviewers, described as having "actual nuanced flavors" and "great ratio of onion to broth, cheese and bread."

Weekly themed specials transform the dining experience throughout the week:

• Monday: $2 tacos and fajitas (after 4pm), $4 house margaritas

• Wednesday: Build Your Own Pasta (after 4pm), live music 7-10:30pm

• Thursday: Homemade pizza (after 4pm)

• Friday: The Famous Wren's Fish Fry—cod (2pc $9.50/3pc $12), perch (2pc $11/3pc $13.50), walleye, and bluegill, all using Grandpa Louie's original 1961 lightly-breaded recipe (notably rare in Wisconsin's beer-batter-dominant culture)

• Saturday: Fried Chicken Dinner (after 4pm), $1 sliders, live music 8-11:30pm

• Sunday: Brunch 9am-12pm featuring build-your-own omelets, eggs Benedict, skillets, and monthly specials

Designed for families and game-day crowds

The physical space accommodates diverse needs through distinct zones. The main horseshoe-shaped bar wrapped in cream city brick serves as the social hub, surrounded by 14 TVs (including three on the patio) that make it a premier game-day destination. A separate dining room provides family-friendly seating away from bar activity—a feature reviewers specifically appreciate when visiting with children. The four-season sunroom accommodates 20-person groups, while two outdoor patios with TVs and heaters extend the space seasonally.

Reviewers consistently describe the atmosphere as a "Cheers-like" neighborhood pub with "warm homey touches" and "fresh, up-to-date" décor. Framed newspaper clippings about Louie Hren hang throughout, and patio tables were crafted from wood upcycled from the building's original deck. Noise levels remain moderate even during packed Friday fish fry nights, and the overall vibe balances lively energy with comfortable dining.

Kids menu and family accommodations

The Brick explicitly welcomes families with a dedicated kids menu offering eight options at $6-$7 each (including a drink): Hot Dog Basket, Bratwurst Basket, Mac 'n Cheese, Beef Slider Basket, Chicken Tender Basket, Cheese Quesadilla, Grilled Cheese Basket, and the Glendale Little Leaguer (corn dogs). Parents appreciate the separate dining room from the bar, allowing meals with children in a comfortable environment. The back patio features cornhole games for restless kids, and staff earn consistent praise for being "patient and engaging" with young diners. Sunday brunch draws families for omelets and benedicts in a more relaxed setting.

Accessibility features include wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, restroom, and seating. The restaurant is also noted as "very dog friendly" on the outdoor patios for families with four-legged members.

Location, hours, and practical details

Address: 6343 N. Green Bay Avenue, Glendale, WI 53209—located directly across from Kletzsch Park on Milwaukee's North Shore.

Hours:

Day Kitchen Bar Monday–Thursday 11am–10pm 11am–2am Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm 11am–2:30am Sunday 9am–8pm 9am–2:30am

Contact: (414) 797-0710 | brickpubandgrill@gmail.com | www.thebrickpubandgrill.com | Facebook: facebook.com/brickpubgrill

Parking: Spacious lot available, though it fills quickly during Friday fish fry and game days. Neighboring lot overflow sometimes necessary on peak nights. Wheelchair accessible parking available.

Price range: Moderate ($$ - $$$), with most items between $9-$15. A family of four can expect to spend $50-$75 for a full meal with appetizer. Note: A 3.4% credit card fee applies to all card transactions; cash avoids this charge.

Service options: Dine-in, carryout (call ahead), curbside pickup, outdoor seating, catering, and private event hosting (20-100+ guests).

Deep community roots and charitable impact

The Brick's community involvement isn't marketing—it's foundational philosophy. Owner Tim Hren summarizes: "You can be greedy, but in the end, without your community, you've got nothing." Since 2015, the restaurant has contributed over $100,000 to local causes through a systematic giving program.

Signature annual events include:

• Brick Golf Outing (September): Benefits Glendale Police Department K9 Unit; raised $100,000+ through sponsors and raffles

• Paws on the Patio (May): Kicks off summer with adoptable dogs, live music, and silent auctions benefiting Milwaukee-area dog rescues

• Charity Cornhole Tournament (September): Benefits Brown Deer K9 Unit with team competitions and proceeds donation

• North Shore Fire Department Chili Cook Off: Annual community tradition

Weekly "10% nights" donate a portion of Wednesday sales to rotating local nonprofits, from Cub Scout troops to little league teams. The menu includes items where $1 goes directly to listed organizations. Winter gear drives exchange donated coats and hats for restaurant gift cards.

Ratings and reputation across platforms

Platform Rating Reviews Google 4.5/5 ~2,500 reviews TripAdvisor 4.0/5 45 reviews (#4 of 43 restaurants in Glendale) Yelp ~4/5 166 reviews Facebook 4.2/5 Multiple reviews

Recognition: The Brick won "Best New Restaurant" from local media, earned TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award, and received Restaurant Guru's "Best Atmosphere" designation for 2024. In November 2024, it was featured on America's Best Restaurants (ABR) Roadshow, selected based on customer reviews, menu quality, social media presence, and community involvement.

Reviewers consistently praise the Friday fish fry ("the absolute best perch fish fry I have ever had in Milwaukee"), French Onion Soup, Brick Burger, and eggs Benedict at brunch. Tim Hren personally greets new customers and shares the restaurant's history, creating what reviewers describe as a "great atmosphere—felt like you were among family."

What makes The Brick genuinely special

Several factors distinguish The Brick in the Glendale dining landscape:

• Authentic family continuity: Not a themed nostalgia concept but an actual third-generation Hren family operation using original recipes

• Recipe preservation: The lightly-breaded fish fry represents Grandpa Louie's 1961 technique—increasingly rare in Wisconsin's beer-batter-dominated scene

• Intentional family/bar balance: Distinct spaces allow families with children and game-day crowds to coexist comfortably

• Vegetarian accessibility: Unusual for pub-style restaurants, with black bean burger substitutions, dedicated veggie options, and gluten-free accommodations

• First responder focus: Major fundraising specifically benefits police K9 units and fire departments

• Physical authenticity: The cream city brick and preserved horseshoe bar provide genuine historical character rather than manufactured ambiance

Conclusion

The Brick Pub & Grill succeeds by honoring its past while serving its present community. For families considering a visit, it offers that increasingly rare combination: genuine neighborhood character, accommodating kids' needs without feeling like a chain family restaurant, and food that locals genuinely recommend rather than merely tolerate. The separate dining room from the bar, patient staff, dedicated kids' menu, and Sunday brunch create specific family-friendly touchpoints. But what makes The Brick truly notable for a family-focused spotlight is the story behind it—Tim Hren's lifelong dream realized, his grandfather's recipes revived, and a community that has responded by making it their gathering place. The $100,000+ raised for local causes since 2015 demonstrates this isn't just a restaurant serving Glendale; it's a restaurant that genuinely serves Glendale.