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Reno
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Reno
8.2
Reno is an all-day Logan Square standby built on wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, pizzas, and pastas in a casual, kid-welcoming space with a patio. Parents lean on it for easy breakfasts, slice-focused lunches, and relaxed dinners where everyone at the table—from picky kids to vegans—can find something.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet Steve Pizza with pear and vegan tofu ricotta, Rigatoni with vegan vodka sauce and whipped tofu ricotta, Montreal-style wood-fired bagels
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Bagels, pizza, and pasta under one roof with genuinely family-friendly pacing.
Who should go: Parents juggling kids, vegans, and carb-lovers at one table.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early dinner for easier seating with kids.
What to order: Sweet Steve pizza, rigatoni with vegan vodka sauce, a bagel sandwich.
Insider tip: Aim for patio seats when the weather cooperates and mix pizzas with a pasta to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Milwaukee and nearby residential blocks; can be competitive during dinner and weekend brunch — arrive a little early to allow time to find a spot.
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are common.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak hours but generally manageable for family conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak early-evening family hours; faster after 7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait outside of school-break and summer patio days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong coverage — multiple pizzas, pastas, and salads can be made meat-free.
Vegan options: Good flexibility — vegan sauces and substitutions available on select pizzas and pastas.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some menu items can be modified, but wood-fired dough is not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure meetups than a romantic first date — the vibe is relaxed, family-oriented, and focused on comfort food rather than ambience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — most visits are walk-in based. Arrive earlier for brunch or early dinner to avoid a wait, especially if you need a larger table or patio seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, flexible menu options, quick pacing, and a patio make it comfortable for toddlers through grade-schoolers; earlier dinner hours are the easiest.
Best For
Better for: Families who want reliable pizzas, pastas, and bagels in one casual setting with options for picky eaters and plant-based diners.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet date-night atmosphere, upscale Italian, or a menu with extensive gluten-free offerings.
Reno
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Brunch Bliss Spots
Quick Bites Champions
Reno is a high-energy Logan Square spot known for wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and bagel sandwiches served from morning through late night. With hundreds of reviews and constant crowds, it’s a workhorse option for casual Italian-leaning comfort, especially for groups who want beer, pies, and a lively room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-fired sausage and pepper pizza, Brussels sprout and bacon pizza, Bagel breakfast sandwich with egg and provolone
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A loud, all-day pizza and bagel operation where the wood-fired oven and long hours make it a neighborhood staple.
Who should go: Groups and casual dates who want pizza, beer, and a crowd.
When to visit: Weekend brunch for bagels or early evenings before the biggest rush.
What to order: One classic sausage-and-pepper pizza, a seasonal veggie pie, and a pasta or salad to share.
Insider tip: If you’re planning to linger, aim for earlier time slots; peak hours can mean long waits and tighter service pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking — metered spots along Milwaukee/California with competition during peak hours; neighborhood side streets can be easier earlier in the evening. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday attire are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Lively to loud during peak dinner and brunch hours; conversation is workable at off-peak times but can require raised voices when the room is full.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours, especially 6:30–8:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait outside the busiest brunch-adjacent times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple pizzas, pastas, and salads are naturally vegetarian or easily modified.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-focused items and possible modifications, but pizzas and bagels are mostly dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Limited — no dedicated gluten-free pizza crust; some salads and non-pasta items can work, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure dates than intimate ones — the room is energetic and loud, which suits relaxed hangs more than conversation-forward dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s primarily a walk-in setup. Arrive early for the shortest waits; peak weekend times may require putting your name on the list and waiting nearby.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families, especially earlier in the evening and at brunch — plenty of shareable pizzas and bagels, but noise and crowds can be intense later at night.
Best For
Better for: Casual group outings, brunch-with-bagels that rolls into pizza and beers, and flexible all-day dining with a lively, social vibe.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic dinner; need extensive vegan or gluten-free options; or prefer polished, reservation-driven service over a bustling walk-in scene.
Reno
7.8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Reno is an all-day Logan Square fixture known for wood-fired pizza, housemade bagels, and casual counter service on a busy stretch of Milwaukee. Locals lean on it for breakfast sandwiches and coffee in the morning, then thin-crust pies and salads later in the day.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Pizza, Cowboy Killer Breakfast Sandwich, Wood-Fired Pizza with Seasonal Toppings
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: An all-day bakery-pizza hybrid where bagels, breakfast pies, and wood-fired pizzas share the same ovens.
Who should go: Neighbors wanting casual breakfast or low-key pizza nights.
When to visit: Mornings for bagels or early evenings before the dinner rush.
What to order: Breakfast pizza, Cowboy Killer sandwich, and a seasonal pizza to split.
Insider tip: Treat early-morning visits like a bakery stop—grabbing bagels and coffee is often faster than sitting for a full meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Milwaukee and nearby residential blocks; availability can be limited during peak brunch and dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual — most guests come in everyday wear, including jeans and hoodies.
Noise level: Moderate during weekdays, louder during weekend brunch; conversation is possible but can require raised voices at peak times.
Weekend wait: Typically short to moderate for counter service, but seating can take 20–40 minutes during busy periods.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, aside from brief lines at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas, salads, and breakfast items can be ordered vegetarian or adapted.
Vegan options: Limited — some salads and vegetable-focused items may be adaptable, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some salads and non-bread items may work, but pizzas and bagels are wheat-based with no dedicated gluten-free program.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meetup than a formal first date — counter service, shared tables, and a lively atmosphere keep it relaxed rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and first-come, first-served. During busy brunch or dinner periods, expect to wait for an open table after ordering.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common, especially during daytime hours. The menu is approachable for kids, but seating can feel crowded during peak brunch.
Best For
Better for: Casual neighborhood breakfasts, bagels, and affordable wood-fired pizzas in a come-as-you-are setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, polished sit-down dinner, table service, or extensive vegan and gluten-free options.
Reno
8.2
Reno is a casual corner spot built around wood-fired bagels and pizzas, with weekend brunch focused on bagel sandwiches, eggs, and pastries. It works as much for a quick sandwich and coffee as for a longer sit-down with cocktails on the Milwaukee corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Bagel Breakfast Sandwich, Cheddar Biscuit, Homer Simpson Doughnut
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Wood-fired bagels and breakfast sandwiches give brunch a pizzeria-adjacent personality.
Who should go: Brunchers who love bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and casual energy.
When to visit: Weekend late mornings for full menu; earlier for pastry selection.
What to order: A wood-fired bagel sandwich, cheddar biscuit, and a doughnut.
Insider tip: Order pastries first—favorites often sell out before noon on busy weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along Milwaukee Ave and nearby residential side streets; metered spots fill during brunch rush and can be difficult late morning on weekends.
Dress code: Casual and laid-back — jeans, sneakers, and weekend brunch attire are all appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak brunch; conversation is possible at most tables but expect bustle and some crowd noise.
Weekend wait: Not a dinner-focused restaurant; evenings are typically quiet with little to no wait.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal or no wait, though small queues can form during peak lunch/brunch crossover hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several egg-and-cheese sandwiches, veggie toppings, and pastries work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — a few build-your-own bagel or vegetable-leaning options, but many items rely on dairy and eggs.
Gluten-free options: Limited — menu is bagel- and dough-forward with no dedicated gluten-free prep area; cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual, low-pressure daytime date — it’s relaxed, upbeat, and works well for a quick coffee-and-bagel meetup rather than a long, intimate meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s primarily walk-in; expect a short queue during busy weekend brunch hours, with faster turnover for counter orders and patio seating when weather allows.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, quick service, and approachable food make it good for families; busiest times can feel crowded for strollers, so earlier visits are more comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Bagel-centric brunch, quick sandwich-and-coffee runs, casual patio seating, and wood-fired breakfast flavors you won’t find at standard café brunch spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet, lingering sit-down brunch, extensive vegan or gluten-free options, or a white-tablecloth dining experience.
Reno
7.8
Reno is a casual all-day spot pairing wood-fired pizzas and bagel sandwiches with coffee, cocktails, and a steady laptop crowd along Milwaukee. Prices sit a notch above grab-and-go, but splitting a pie or sticking to breakfast sandwiches keeps it comfortably in Cheap Eats territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fennel sausage wood-fired pizza, Egg and bacon bagel sandwich, Seasonal vegetable pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: All-day cafe where wood-fired pizzas and bagel sandwiches share the same oven.
Who should go: Groups or solo diners wanting pizza, coffee, or cocktails together.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before the dining room fills.
What to order: Fennel sausage pizza, egg and bacon bagel, a seasonal veggie pie.
Insider tip: Sit near the front windows for people-watching and slightly quieter noise levels.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Milwaukee Ave and nearby side streets; availability can be tight during peak brunch and dinner hours and there is no valet or private lot.
Dress code: Casual and laid-back — jeans, sneakers, and everyday cafe attire are standard.
Noise level: Moderate and lively during peak hours; you can hold a conversation, but it’s not a quiet space.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes during peak early-evening windows; shorter waits later at night.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, aside from a brief counter queue during the lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas, salads, and breakfast sandwiches can be ordered vegetarian or customized easily.
Vegan options: Limited — a few veg-forward items and possible modifications, but many menu staples include cheese or eggs.
Gluten-free options: Limited — salads and some sides work, but there is no dedicated gluten-free pizza dough and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates — it feels relaxed and informal, better for a conversational coffee or shared pizza than a formal night out.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served; expect a short wait at peak brunch or early-evening times, but most visits don’t require planning ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual service, shareable pizzas, and daytime hours work well for families, though space can feel crowded during busy brunch periods.
Best For
Better for: Casual all-day meals, solo laptop sessions, and groups splitting affordable pizzas or breakfast sandwiches in a relaxed cafe setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, formal dinner, upscale service, or strict gluten-free/vegan dining with extensive accommodations.
Hours
Monday4pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday4pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday4pm - 9:30pm
Thursday4pm - 9:30pm
Friday4pm - 10:30pm
Saturday4pm - 10:30pm
Sunday4pm - 9:30pm