Leff's Lucky Town: A Mecca for area's sports fans

There's more than meets the eye at Leff's Lucky Town in Wauwatosa.

Tosans might think of it as a local sports bar. It is, but it's more than that. Driving by, you might think it was a fancy filling station thanks to the Reinke's sign that still stands since the 2008 expansion. And Leff's is way larger inside than it appears from the outside.

Owned by Chris Leffler, Leff's Lucky Town (named after a Springsteen song), was opened in 1994 in a building that housed a former silent movie theater. Since then, it has been a State Street landmark for sports fans or anyone who likes to gather for a casual good time. The business' hallmark is service. No matter how crowded Leff's gets (and, believe me, it can get really crowded), the service is always impressive.

Leff's is a comfortable place for a casual meal, even if you're not there to watch a game.

The food at Leff's is most definitely pub fare. Their signature menu items include their burgers ($4.50 to $8.50), which are especially popular on Mondays when it's "Build Your Own Burger" day. Also popular are the wings ($8.25), which are offered in varying degrees of heat, and the giant pretzel ($9.

The best way to appreciate Leff's is to go on a game day - whether it's Packers, Brewers, Badgers or Marquette. Inside you'll find televisions everywhere. If the weather is nice, their patio is charming and includes wide screen TVs. And when nature calls, you'll get a chance to see something Leff's likes to brag about - two of the largest urinals in town. (Ladies, we'll have to take their word for it - they're big.)

The Basics

NAME: Leff's Lucky Town

ADDRESS: 7208 W. State St., Wauwatosa

PHONE: (414) 258-9886

WEBSITE: Leffs.com

FARE: pub food

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday (bar open later), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

PRICE RANGE: $4.50 to $9.25 (approximate)

RESERVATIONS: No, but tables for group parties or special occasions can be reserved.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS: yes

LOOKING TO 'GRAB A BITE'?

"Grab a Bite" is an informal look at the food scene in the Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove area by freelance writer Karen Waldkirch. Whether you're looking for a place for a date night or a casual spot for lunch, Waldkirch will be out and about scouting eateries for you. If you have a suggestion for a column, e-mail her at kmwaldkirch@yahoo.com.