Mequon's Best Places for Lunch

Lunch in Mequon is a real decision. One day you want a blur of brisket tacos at Korner-Q’s, the next you’re cracking the sugar top on crème brûlée at Mr.

B’s. I hit both this week, plus a dozen spots in between, and I’m still full.

The city runs on roundabouts and good appetites. That’s fine by me.

Reading this list will cost you an hour and a long nap. Consider yourself warned.

Highland House

Highlights
Fresh guacamole, crispy chips
Blackened ahi tuna sandwich
Generous fajita portions
Huge indoor, outdoor space
Quick, flavorful service

I walked into Highland House and the fresh guacamole hit the table before I finished sitting down. Crispy chips, good salt. The blackened ahi tuna sandwich had a nice sear and cool slaw. Fajitas arrived steaming, portions generous enough for two meals. The space is huge, indoor and out, so you can spread out. Service moved quick without rushing me. That matters at lunch. I left full, satisfied, and already planning my return for a patio seat.

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Steny’s North Shore

Highlights
Impressive interior design
Great vibe overall
Excellent Backyard Bama sandwich
Delicious mac and cheese
Improvements since opening

Steny's North Shore surprised me. The interior design catches your eye immediately, all dark wood and clean lines. The vibe is great, relaxed but polished. I ordered the Backyard Bama sandwich and it did not disappoint, juicy, tangy, piled right. Mac and cheese on the side, creamy with a crispy top. They have clearly made improvements since opening. The place feels settled now. Friendly staff, solid food, a comfortable spot for a weekday lunch. I will be back.

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Korner-Q's

Highlights
Brisket tacos out of this world
Ribs with great bark
Baked beans with ground beef
Warm, welcoming owners
Worth the drive

Korner-Q's is worth the drive, hands down. The brisket tacos are out of this world. Tender meat, good smoke, soft tortillas. Ribs came with a great bark, sticky and peppery. Baked beans had ground beef mixed in, a hearty touch. The owners greeted me like an old friend. Warm and welcoming, they made the whole meal feel personal. This is real barbecue, no shortcuts. I ate too much and regretted nothing. A definite stop for lunch.

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Mequon Public Market

Highlights
Diverse food stands
Excellent Greek options
Hardworking night staff
Worth a return visit

Mequon Public Market feels like a maze of good choices. Diverse food stands crowd the space, each one tempting. I went Greek and the options were excellent. Fresh pita, tangy tzatziki, well-seasoned meat. The night staff worked hard, keeping lines moving and tables clean. I watched them handle a busy rush without breaking stride. This place earns a return visit. You can try something new every time. I already have my next order planned.

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Kha Sushi Land

Highlights
Best sushi in area
Astonishing presentation, amazing taste
Generous sushi portions
Welcoming staff, spotless space
Crab rangoons are essential

Kha Sushi Land sets the bar for sushi in this area. The presentation astonished me, each roll arranged like art. Taste matched the look. Fresh fish, perfect rice, generous portions that fill you up. The staff welcomed me warmly and the space was spotless. I ordered crab rangoons on a whim. Essential. Crispy shells, rich filling, no greasy aftertaste. This is my new go-to for a lunch that feels special without being stuffy. I left impressed.

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Boca Rica

Highlights
Guacamole with lime kick
Pork belly tostada layers
Labeled hot sauce tray
Soup flight options
Happy hour margarita deal

Boca Rica starts strong with guacamole that has a real lime kick. Bright and fresh. The pork belly tostada stacked layers of crunch and tenderness. A labeled hot sauce tray lets you pick your heat level, a smart touch. I tried the soup flight, three small bowls, each distinct and comforting. Happy hour margarita deal sealed the deal. Sip, eat, repeat. Service kept pace with my appetite. This place brings flavor and fun to lunch. I will return.

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Bixenberg Tavern

Highlights
Incredible smash burgers
Best cheese curds
Fresh salt and vinegar chips
Fast, friendly staff
Excellent beer recommendations

Bixenberg Tavern nails the basics. The smash burgers are incredible, thin edges crispy, center juicy. Best cheese curds I have had in a while, squeaky and golden. Fresh salt and vinegar chips arrived warm, a pleasant sharp bite. Staff moved fast and friendly, even during the lunch rush. They recommended a beer that paired perfectly with the burger. No fuss, no pretense. Just solid food done right. I left with a full stomach and a happy mood.

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Zarletti Mequon

Highlights
Exceptional service and staff
Delicious spinach artichoke dip
Great meatball appetizer
Amazing signature ragu
Beautiful upstairs event space

Zarletti Mequon delivers on service. The staff anticipated my needs before I asked. Spinach artichoke dip came warm and creamy, perfect for scooping. The meatball appetizer surprised me, tender and rich. Then the signature ragu, deep flavor, generous over pasta. I peeked at the upstairs event space, beautiful and bright. The whole meal felt polished. Not rushed, not slow. Just right. I will bring friends for a long lunch here.

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Remington's River Inn

Highlights
Generous bartender, perfect serve
Great steak, amazing fries
Beautiful cabin aesthetic
Friendly despite late arrival

Remington's River Inn has a beautiful cabin aesthetic. Wood beams and warm light. I arrived late, past the usual lunch hour. The bartender greeted me with a generous pour, perfect serve. I ordered the steak and it came out great, cooked to order. Fries were amazing, crispy and salted well. Despite my timing, the staff stayed friendly. That says a lot. I felt welcome, not like a bother. Good food and better hospitality. I will be back.

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Mr. B's - A Bartolotta Steakhouse - Mequon

Highlights
Creme brulee highly recommended
Service wonderful, attentive staff
Upscale ambiance, dark lighting
Steak was excellent quality
Good wait time for meals

Mr. B's Mequon sets a mood. Dark lighting, upscale ambiance, the kind of place where you lower your voice. Service was wonderful, attentive without hovering. I ordered the steak and it was excellent quality, cooked exactly right. The wait time for meals felt reasonable, not too long. Then the creme brulee. Highly recommended. Cracked top, smooth custard. Worth every bite. This is a lunch spot when you want to slow down and feel special. I left impressed.

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PJ Piper Pancake House

Highlights
Best banana foster ever
Friendly, comfy dining room
Great selection and food
Efficient table notification system
Worth the short wait

PJ Piper Pancake House serves the best banana foster I have ever had. Warm sauce, soft bananas, just the right sweetness. The dining room feels friendly and comfy, like a neighborhood spot. Great selection on the menu, from pancakes to sandwiches. The table notification system worked efficiently. I waited only a short time, and they texted me when my table was ready. No hovering around the host stand. Food arrived hot and quick. Worth the wait, easily.

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Union House Cedarburg | Restaurant & Bar

Highlights
Tuna seared perfectly
Bang Bang Salmon wins
Festive Christmas decorations
Small plates, big variety
Drinks all winners

Union House Cedarburg impressed me from the start. The tuna seared perfectly, crisp outside and rare inside. Bang Bang Salmon wins the day, sweet and spicy with a nice crunch. Small plates mean big variety. I tried several, each one solid. The drinks all winners, well mixed and refreshing. Festive Christmas decorations added cheer to the room. Service kept things moving. I left full and happy. This place works for a relaxed lunch with friends.

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