Czech Out Moldau Restaurant In Brookfield: Bites Nearby

If you grew up hearing phrases like “Make you strong like bull” or “It’ll put hair on your chest” then you are probably already familiar with hearty dishes such as breaded pork, duck, dumplings, gravy, beef noodle, and sweet and sour cabbage. Oh, and kolache too.

Moldau (refers to the longest river in the Czech Republic and a classical song dedicated to it) has been operating at 9310 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield for 35 years.

For the past 13 years, current owners Wendy and Miles (last name withheld) have been dishing out traditional Bohemian meals using the same recipes from their native Prague as the original owners.

"Of course the restaurant was established when we came here, so we wanted to follow the recipes the customers were accustomed to,” Wendy explained.

Miles, Wendy and their staff arrive at Moldau six mornings each week at 5:30 a.m. (they’re closed on Mondays) to prepare homemade specialties—even the rye bread and kolache are made fresh everyday. Making fresh food is paramount.

“We don’t buy anything prepared,” Wendy said. “If we can make it, we do.”

Moldau’s most popular items are roasted duck with gravy, homemade dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, sauerkraut, roast pork, breaded pork tenderloin, goulash and dumpling soup.

Desserts offered in addition to kolache include fruit dumplings, cinnamon twists, and strawberry and peach slices.

The menu lists items such as hamburgers and chicken fingers for younger guests, as well sandwiches and fried chicken.

Wendy noted that some of their patrons have been frequenting Moldau’s for decades, bringing children and grandchildren.

Longevity in the restaurant business can be tough at times—business at Moldau’s has been down a little, but as Wendy notes, “So has everyone else’s. You just hang in there.”

Moldau’s hours are Tues.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Catering for special occasions is also available.