Chapter 18 – Return to Forever

Judy's On North – 2207 E. North Ave., Milwaukee

I titled this article with a phrase that I then remembered was a band back in the Seventies, though I didn't buy their records then; naturally they're still together—it's Chick Corea's jazz-fusion band. Oh well, I like the name, and it came to me while thinking about how this restaurant was open long before I moved to Milwaukee in 2000, as Jalisco's, but in the last year changed its name to Judy's On North—and regardless of the name, we can only hope it outlives us all. It's pretty much the same place—the odd triangular space (my favorite kind of space), but big, spacious (except for the men's toilet), welcoming, warm, clean, and comfortable (except for the men's toilet). Really, is this not the epicenter of Milwaukee? It's a short walk to Bradford Beach, the indispensable Oriental Theatre, and cornerstones Von Trier, Beans & Barley, Ma Fischer's, and the East Library. It's the kind of area you could imagine sprouting a Whole Foods (and then the Whole Foods sprouting a bar). Also the location of my biggest regret—moving here after the demise of the legendary Oriental Pharmacy. My first Milwaukee apartment was a block away, as well. Judy's is on the ground floor of this amazing old Clock Tower Building (it just occurred to me that I must rent an office upstairs, when I start my detective agency). I'm sure the longtime fans didn't go away with the name change—it's still open to 4 AM on weekend nights—I remember after-hours visits years ago—though I've only eaten here a handful of times over the years. I have two observations, and one is that I seem to remember mosaic tiled tables, but seeing how I have over 14,000 photos on my phone, it might take me awhile to confirm this. The booths have been remodeled, are basic brown, and so I miss those old tables—but anyway, the seating couldn't be any more comfortable, so you've got that. And based on a couple visits and a faulty memory, I'm going to say that the quality of the food has gone up. I had my current usual, Huevos a la Mexicana, and it was a delicious version, along with rice and beans, and a very spicy red salsa. It even comes with a corn tortilla and cheese quesadilla. They are open late, and for lunch, every day, but closed Sunday, which is probably a sound decision, since you can't compete with the brunch hot-spots or the Packers. You can drink here, if you want to, and they have some of those ingenious Margarita Slurpee machines. I find it comfortable and comforting—it could be my home away from home, or second office, for eating, drinking, and meeting clients—just downstairs from Ray Speen, Investigations.