Butch extends reputation for steaks to two locations

BUTCH SCHETTLE knows what Milwaukee residents and visitors like in a restaurant. After all, he has been cooking steaks and seafood for generations of Milwaukee residents and visitors.

Long known for Butch’s Old Casino Steakhouse at 555 N. James Lovell (Seventh) St., Schettle last year opened a second location to bring back the name of the place where he got his start as a chef. Butch’s Clock Steakhouse and Martini Bar at 800 N. Plankinton Ave. carries the reputation Butch established at his Old Casino Steakhouse and the name of the popular Clock Lounge, once one of the city’s most popular spots for dining and entertainment.

Butch’s Casino gave the chef and restaurateur a deserved reputation as a specialist in hand-cut steaks, cooked exactly to the customer’s taste. Butch’s new Clock Steakhouse and Martini Bar continues to offer the same aged steaks offered at Butch’s Casino. But the new location also emphasizes truly giant Guayama shrimp from Brazil; pork, lamb and veal chops in a variety of presentations; scallops and special seafood dishes. “A lot of people think we only have steaks, but we have broadened our menu to meet changing tastes,” said Schettle, who occasionally steps out of the kitchen to chat with diners.

Both of Butch’s establishments maintain another Milwaukee tradition. No diner is allowed to go away feeling short changed because every entrée comes with a generous relish tray, plenty of fresh bread, a salad or bowl of soup and side dishes that include large Idaho baked potatoes or crisp, thinly sliced cottage fries.

The Clock’s dark woodwork allows Schettle to showcase more than 50 of his antique clocks, creating a setting that is ideal for intimate evening for two or groups. Diners can choose booths or tables, or can eat in a more casual setting adjacent to the well-stocked bar and in view of a television tuned to the evening’s athletic events.

From the bar, martinis are the specialty of the house, but again the emphasis is on whatever the customer desires – traditional and specialty drinks, domestic and imported beers and an extensive list of wines available by the glass as well as bottle.