Foxhole Craft Beer Shop & Kitchen Brings Southern Charm

Shorewood's Oakland Avenue corridor gained a unique gathering spot in early 2024 when Foxhole Craft Beer Shop & Kitchen opened its doors at 4144 N. Oakland Avenue. This isn't your typical taproom—it's a Carolina-style bottle shop where families can enjoy scratch-made Southern comfort food, grab craft beers to take home, and let the kids play giant Connect Four on the patio while parents catch up over a pint. Owned by Shorewood residents Dan Gillespie and Terri Blahnik, Foxhole has quickly evolved into exactly what its name suggests: a temporary retreat from the outside world that welcomes neighbors of all ages.

A Southern concept takes root in Shorewood

The Foxhole story begins in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Dan Gillespie and Terri Blahnik discovered their love for the "bottle shop" concept. North Carolina's restrictive liquor laws created a unique hybrid business model—retail stores with bars inside them, where customers could purchase craft beer to enjoy on-site or take home. One of their favorite spots was Salud, which combined pizza with a beer shop atmosphere. When the couple returned to the Milwaukee area and settled in Shorewood, they wanted to bring that same convivial neighborhood energy to their community.

The space at 4144 N. Oakland Avenue—previously home to Hiya Taco—underwent a transformation before Foxhole's soft opening on February 1, 2024. The name itself carries dual meaning: it represents the establishment as a "temporary retreat from the outside world" while also nodding to the frequent fox sightings that Shorewood residents know well. The grand opening celebration landed on February 29, 2024—a Leap Day beginning that only happens once every four years.

What's on the menu at Foxhole

Foxhole's food philosophy centers on scratch-made Southern-inspired fare designed to pair perfectly with craft beer. Menu architect Trent Knutson developed offerings that emphasize quality preparation—chicken is hand-breaded and brined for two hours before hitting the fryer.

The signature Fried Chicken Sandwich at $17.50 features pickle-brined chicken breast topped with creamy slaw and pickles, earning devoted fans among regulars. The Foxhole Cubano ($16) layers pulled mojo pork with beer-braised pork shank, Swiss cheese, grain mustard, and pickles. For burger lovers, the Foxhole Burger ($15.50) delivers a 1/3-pound Certified Angus Beef smash patty with American cheese and Foxhole mayo. Vegetarians can opt for the Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich ($16.50), while the BBQ Pork Tacos ($14.50) offer a gluten-free option.

Shareable starters include the house-favorite Foxhole Potato Balls ($12.50)—baked potatoes loaded with mozzarella and garlic, served with roasted red pepper Foxhole mayo. You'll also find fried pickles, pretzel bites, and a roasted jalapeño spinach artichoke dip among the appetizers. All sandwiches come with house kettle chips, with fries available for an additional $3.

The craft beer experience

True to its bottle shop roots, Foxhole maintains retail shelving along its entrance flanked with rotating Midwest craft beers available for on-site enjoyment or take-home purchase. The emphasis falls heavily on Wisconsin breweries, with New Glarus Spotted Cow always on tap—a non-negotiable nod to the state's beloved favorite. You'll find offerings from Milwaukee's Eagle Park Brewing Company, Madison's Young Blood Beer Company, and Eau Claire's The Brewing Projekt among the rotating selections.

What sets Foxhole apart is its deliberately non-pretentious approach. As Dan Gillespie told local media, "We don't want to be pretentious. We felt like some bartenders have taken beer away from people. Beer is for everybody." True to that philosophy, Foxhole stocks domestics like Miller High Life, PBR, and Coors Light alongside rare craft offerings. The full bar also serves cocktails including both a Foxhole Old Fashioned and a traditional Wisconsin-style brandy version, plus four wines by the glass and non-alcoholic options including Athletic Brewing's dark near beer.

Family-friendly features

While Foxhole is fundamentally a craft beer establishment, the owners have intentionally cultivated a welcoming atmosphere for families—a stance that strengthened after listening to their neighbors. "We listen to the neighbors," Terri Blahnik explained. "When they wanted it more kid friendly, we added ice cream and outdoor games, along with more seating and tables."

The wrap-around patio now features giant yard games including oversized Connect Four and Jenga, perfect for keeping kids entertained while parents relax by the fire pit. Ice cream joined the menu specifically for younger visitors, and the hand-breaded chicken tenders serve as a reliable kid-pleasing option. FOX6 Milwaukee notably described the atmosphere as "a place to hang out with friends and family that's not too loud"—a genuine rarity in the bar-adjacent dining scene. TripAdvisor lists Foxhole among Shorewood's kid-friendly restaurants.

The establishment seats approximately 60 indoors across a 19-seat bar and 41 dining spots, with the patio adding another 30-plus seats when weather permits. Garage doors open to connect the spaces, and the dog-friendly outdoor area means the whole family—four-legged members included—can join in.

Hours, happy hours, and wallet-friendly deals

Foxhole opens at 4 PM Monday through Friday, staying open until 11 PM on weeknights and midnight on Fridays. Weekend hours extend to 10:30 AM for brunch and lunch service, with Saturdays running until midnight and Sundays wrapping at 9 PM. The kitchen closes at 9 PM nightly across all days.

Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 4-6 PM, featuring $4 High Life bottles, $4 PBR tall boys, and $10 chicken tenders with fries—making it one of the better family-friendly early dinner deals in Shorewood. A Late Night Social runs Monday through Thursday from 9 PM to close with $1 off all tap beers.

Daily specials sweeten the deal throughout the week. Mondays bring the $16 "Moo & Brew" combining a Foxhole Burger, fries, and Spotted Cow. Tuesdays offer $9 spinach artichoke dip alongside $4 rotating tap pours. Wednesdays feature all-night happy hour pricing. Expect wine deals on Thursdays ($8 glasses) and bucket specials on Fridays (five PBR or High Life for $20).

Community events bring neighbors together

Foxhole has established itself as a genuine community gathering point through regular free programming. Free trivia runs every Monday at 7 PM, with gift card prizes for first place ($20), second place ($15), and best team name ($10). Tuesday bingo starts at 7 PM with $15 gift cards awarded each round.

Perhaps most unique is Foxhole's role as the home base for the North Shore Pub Run, a Wednesday evening 5K that welcomes "all ages and abilities" and specifically encourages "runners with strollers." The run starts and ends at Foxhole, with a social gathering afterward. The establishment also participates in Shorewood Winterfest and hosts a Santa's letter mailbox outside during the holiday season in partnership with local businesses.

Practical details for your visit

Foxhole Craft Beer Shop & Kitchen is located at 4144 N. Oakland Avenue, Shorewood, WI 53211, at the corner of Oakland and Wood Place. Street parking is available along both streets, and the Metro Market parking structure across the street (floors 2-4) provides additional options for Shorewood village visitors.

The establishment maintains a 99 out of 100 health inspection score according to Yelp's Health Department data. Contact is primarily through email at info@foxholeshorewood.com—no phone number is publicly listed. Online ordering is available through Toast for those wanting to grab food to go.

The bottom line for North Shore families

Foxhole fills a genuine niche in the North Shore dining landscape: a place where craft beer enthusiasts and families with young children can coexist comfortably. The owners' commitment to adapting based on community feedback—adding ice cream, outdoor games, and expanded seating when neighbors requested more family-friendly options—demonstrates the kind of responsive neighborhood business that strengthens a community. Whether you're stopping by for Monday trivia, grabbing a quick burger and Spotted Cow during happy hour, or letting the kids tire themselves out with giant Jenga while you enjoy the fire pit, Foxhole delivers on its promise of being a welcoming retreat for Shorewood neighbors of all ages. Just know the kitchen closes at 9 PM, so plan accordingly for family dinner timing.