Bites Nearby: FoxBay Cinema Grill Offers a Different Twist on Theatre

Combine a 1950s diner, the smell of your grandmother's basement and the uniqueness of an establishment that feeds you, and satisfies your thirst while watching a movie - and you've got the

This restaurant and cinema, located at 334 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay, is a bit of a trip back in time, but that historical twang gives it a flavor you can't find many other places. From the front entrance, lined with glass cases featuring old movie reels, to the theater with tiered, diner-style tables, Fox Bay Cinema Grill is to say the least, clever.

Once you purchase your movie ticket ($9.50 for adults), patrons are asked to wait in a small lounge, complete with a full bar and aged, slightly understuffed chairs. After a brief wait, you're escorted to the theater.

But before the flick begins, patrons take their seats in a tiered, stadium-style set up with the same slightly understuffed chairs found in the lounge. It's like sitting at a bar or at an old-school diner with one massive table stretched parallel to the screen.

And just before the previews, a waitress comes to take your order. Popcorn, onion rings, roasted garlic hummus and buffalo wings are just a few of the preview items ($3 to $13). Fox Bay also has nearly a dozen pizza options ($11 to $13), a kids menu and a plethora of dinner entrees, including chicken pesto, grilled yellow filet tuna and the Italian hogie ($8 to $10).

I opted for the hot Italian beef for $9.89. Seven inches of hoagie roll loaded with fresh au jus dipped Italian beef, fried green peppers and onions, topped with melted provolone cheese and served with a side of au jus.

I had the option of fries or a salad, and the salad came in its own small plastic container. It kind of reminded me of a picnic.

The cinema features four different movies, usually a mix of adult and children's movies. We chose to see "Limitless," which was amazing, by the way.

So, while the facility has potentially seen better days physically, the dinner and a movie combo for a fair price is unique to the North Shore at Fox Bay, and the food is pretty good, too.

Hours

Call for 414-906-9999 for showtimes. The lobby area closes after the last movie of the day starts.