A West Allis corner tavern that has changed hands more than once now belongs to Manny Godoi, whose Manny's Bourbon Grill & Pub has turned the space at 6300 W. Lincoln Ave. into a Mexican-fusion bar and restaurant serving Cajun, Mexican and American food and drinks. The family-run spot blends bourbon bowls, birria egg rolls and $1 wing Wednesdays under one roof, giving the longtime bar address its latest identity.
Manny's Bourbon Grill & Pub opened in West Allis with a mix of Cajun and Mexican cuisine, according to bizjournals.com.
A Corner With a Complicated Past
The building has a history that long predates Manny's arrival. Johnny Hammer's was previously associated with the address.
JD's Pub & Grill was another predecessor at the address.
Manny's daughter, Deisy Godoi, a real estate agent who ran the restaurant during her father's vacation, told OnMilwaukee that the space was formerly occupied by Jonny Hammers and had a strong reputation for wings. She said customers have been kind and appear to enjoy the food, a sentiment echoed by independent reviewers who tested the kitchen themselves.
Wings, Bourbon Bowls and a Side of Birria
Manny's offers traditional, breaded and grilled wings with 20 different sauces, including Honey BBQ, Korean BBQ, regular BBQ and Honey Mustard, according to a review from milwaukeewings.com. At regular menu prices, wings run $11 for six, $17 for a dozen and $24 for 18 — but on Wednesdays, the price drops to $1 apiece. The site's reviewers stopped in on a dollar wing night and found the wings a bit inconsistent, with varying temperature and saucing across their order, though portions skewed average to small.
Despite the inconsistencies, the review declared Manny's a Milwaukee Wings Certified Wing Joint, calling it a solid wing night overall. The same review noted the bar was formerly occupied by JD's and Johnny Hammer's, and that Manny's current offering didn't quite live up to the legacy of either predecessor in their heyday — a comparison the reviewers made explicit given the building's wing-centric reputation.
Beyond wings, the bourbon bowls are a signature dish, combining onions, peppers and a choice of steak, chicken or shrimp served over white rice or jambalaya, alongside a large square of housemade cornbread. The menu also includes parrillada, birria ramen, a chimichanga plate and birria egg rolls served with a dipping broth, plus tacos and fajitas, burgers, chicken wraps, chicken sandwiches and appetizers.
Drinks and Space
The bar pours tequila, bourbon, beer and cocktails, including margaritas, cantaritos, palomas and mojitos. Cantaritos include tequila, grapefruit soda and citrus juices. The building itself seats 90 people indoors and up to 30 more on the patio, with a two-sided bar, booths and high tables, and multiple televisions that primarily show sporting events.
Manny's also hosts mariachi bands, DJ sets and sporting event watch parties, according to a visitstallis.com listing, and has a food truck available for events. West Allis Mayor Dan Devine visited the restaurant's grand opening and continues to eat there, according to OnMilwaukee's profile, which described Manny's as the Godoi family's new home in the community.
Manny's Bourbon Grill & Pub is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
