Crave Cafe: Shorewood gem serves Milwaukee's best burgers

This unassuming Oakland Avenue spot has earned a reputation as one of Milwaukee's premier burger destinations, with Asian-fusion flavors, incredible value, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for families. What looks like a simple fast-casual spot from the outside conceals culinary creativity that has food critics raving and earned it the #1 restaurant ranking in Shorewood on TripAdvisor. At around $10-15 per person, it's an affordable treat that won't break the family budget—and even picky eaters will leave satisfied.

Crave Cafe is located at 3592 N. Oakland Avenue, Shorewood. The phone number is (414) 204-8778, and you can order online at cravecafe.carry-out.com. Find them on social media at Facebook.com/CRAVECafeMKE and Instagram @cravecafe_.

Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (closed Mondays). The restaurant offers dine-in seating, takeout (the most popular option), and delivery through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Pro tip for families: call ahead for takeout orders during busy periods, as the single phone line can get tied up and everything is made fresh to order.

Parking is street parking along Oakland Avenue—there may be a spot or two in an adjacent lot, but don't count on it. The space is wheelchair accessible and high chairs are available for little ones.

A multigenerational Shorewood success story

The story of Crave Cafe is inseparable from Shorewood's history. Owner David Wu is a Shorewood native who grew up working in his family's East Garden Chinese Restaurant, which has operated at 3600 N. Oakland Avenue since 1983—directly across the street from where Crave now stands. David's parents, Sikkin Wu and Wendy Lee Wu, are immigrants who met at Brigham Young University in Hawaii after arriving from China and Taiwan respectively.

David attended Shorewood High School, where he ate lunch at East Garden every day. After earning his degree in Supply Chain Operations Management from UW-Milwaukee, he worked at restaurants on the West Coast before returning home to take over East Garden in 2014. Two years later, in October 2016, he opened Crave Cafe in the 1,450-square-foot space formerly occupied by Runaway Meatball.

Wu's vision was to merge his Asian heritage with American comfort food. "I took the traditional flavors of Korean barbecue and put it into a burger," he explained in interviews. "We've been very appreciative of the community—I know the community well and I know what people like flavor-wise and price point." That community knowledge shows in every aspect of the restaurant.

A menu that defies expectations

Don't let the word "cafe" mislead you—this is a burger-focused restaurant, and the menu reflects Wu's creative fusion of Asian and American flavors. All burgers feature 1/3 lb. 100% all-natural Angus beef cooked to a perfect medium on toasted brioche buns.

Signature items that customers rave about include:

• The Crave Burger ($10.75) — The namesake star featuring Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, and white truffle aioli. Milwaukee Magazine named it the #3 best burger in Milwaukee for 2025, praising it as "elevated but not froufy" with "a juicy inch-thick patty" and "fluffy, shiny-topped brioche, well-buttered and toasted."

• Soft Shell Crab BLT ($12.95) — A unique creation with two crispy soft shell crabs, bacon, arugula, tomato, and garlic aioli that you won't find anywhere else in the area.

• Korean BBQ Burger ($9.75) — American cheese, Korean BBQ glaze, spicy mayo, kimchi, and cabbage slaw.

• Japanese Katsu Burger ($9.75) — Panko-breaded pork loin with garlic aioli, cabbage slaw, and authentic katsu sauce.

For simpler palates (hello, picky kids!), the basic Hamburger ($6.95) and Cheeseburger ($7.75) are excellent choices. The Grilled Chicken sandwich ($8.75) and Shroom Burger ($8.75)—a vegetarian option with grilled portobello, cheddar, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli—offer great alternatives.

The fries are legendary. Served in adorable Chinese takeout containers as a nod to Wu's heritage, they come in multiple seasonings: Standard, Ranch, BBQ, Cajun, and Cheddar (starting at $3.25). The Cajun fries are the fan favorite. Fish and chips ($12.75) round out the options, and Crave participates in Wisconsin's beloved Friday fish fry tradition.

Beverages include standard soft drinks, coffee, and unique offerings like Taiwanese Apple Cidra and Hey Song Sarsaparilla—fun options to introduce kids to international flavors. Note that Crave does not serve alcohol due to local licensing.

Why families love this spot

Yelp officially labels Crave Cafe as "Good for kids," and the reviews back this up. One TripAdvisor reviewer shared: "My picky 7 year old son even says they make the best burgers." Another noted visiting "3 or 4 times when visiting our grandkids" because the burgers are so good.

The casual, no-fuss atmosphere is ideal for families who don't want to worry about kids being too loud or messy. The quick counter-service model means you won't be waiting forever with hungry children—typical carryout orders take about 10 minutes. The affordable prices (most burgers under $10) make it easy to feed the whole family without splurging, and portion sizes are generous.

The fun Chinese takeout boxes for fries are a hit with kids, and the variety of seasonings lets everyone choose their favorite. For adventurous young eaters, exploring the globally-inspired menu can be a mini culinary adventure—and the Taiwanese sodas are a unique treat.

Small space, big flavors—what to expect inside

Crave Cafe is intimate, with indoor seating for only about 12 people across a handful of small tables. The vibe is clean, casual, and unpretentious—think quality fast-casual rather than fine dining. Local artwork decorates the walls, and an LED menu board displays the offerings above the counter.

A small outdoor patio offers additional seating in warmer months, though it faces west and can get sunny. The honest truth: most customers opt for takeout, and that's by design. The focus here is on exceptional food, not elaborate ambiance. As one reviewer put it: "Don't judge this place by the exterior... Just order 'The Crave Burger' and thank us later."

The noise level is moderate, making conversation easy. For families, the relaxed environment means you won't feel stressed if the kids are being kids.

Impressive ratings and recognition

Crave Cafe has earned remarkable acclaim for such a small operation:

Platform Rating Google 4.7/5 (642+ reviews) TripAdvisor 4.6/5 (#1 of 11 restaurants in Shorewood) Yelp 4.5/5 (229 reviews, 99/100 health score) Facebook 4.8/5

The restaurant has been featured in Milwaukee Magazine's "Best Burgers in Milwaukee 2025", FOX6 Milwaukee, OnMilwaukee, Shepherd Express, Edible Milwaukee, and numerous local food blogs. The Shepherd Express called the burgers "some of the most creative and memorable in town." MilwaukeeInsider listed Crave among the "12 Best Burgers in Milwaukee," noting it's "consistently rated as the best burger in Milwaukee."

Rooted in the Shorewood community

The Wu family represents over 40 years of investment in Shorewood, with two restaurants on the same block of Oakland Avenue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Crave adapted by adjusting hours and applied for the Shorewood Community Development Authority's business relief grant, demonstrating their commitment to weathering challenges alongside their neighbors.

David Wu's deep roots in the community—from Shorewood High student to local business owner—infuse every aspect of the operation. The restaurant is featured on Discover Shorewood and participates in the Shorewood Business Improvement District. With 117 "Faves" on Nextdoor, the neighborhood support is clear.

Practical info for planning your visit

Price range: Budget approximately $10-20 per person for a burger, fries, and drink. This is exceptional value for the quality.

Best for: Families seeking a quick, delicious meal; burger enthusiasts; adventurous eaters who want to try Korean BBQ or Japanese Katsu variations; takeout dinners.

Consider elsewhere if: You need extensive vegan options, want alcohol with your meal, are dining with a large group (seating is limited), or prefer a more formal atmosphere.

Ordering tips: The phone line can be busy—consider ordering online through their website for pickup. During peak times, expect a short wait since everything is made fresh to order. Tuesday through Thursday tend to be less crowded than weekends.

What's NOT on the menu: Despite the "cafe" name, Crave does not serve breakfast (opens at 11:30 AM), has no baked goods or pastries, and offers only basic coffee—this is a burger restaurant through and through.

Conclusion

Crave Cafe exemplifies what makes the North Shore special: a family-owned business with deep community roots, offering something genuinely excellent at an accessible price point. David Wu has created a space where his Asian heritage meets American comfort food, resulting in burgers that stand among Milwaukee's very best. For North Shore families, it represents that perfect combination of kid-friendly atmosphere, affordable pricing, quick service, and food worth seeking out. Whether you're grabbing takeout for a busy weeknight or sitting down for a casual family meal, Crave Cafe delivers an experience that will have your whole family craving more.