Looking for a roundup of Milwaukee food and drink news? Then take a bite of our cleverly titled, bi-weekly Food/Drink Roundup! This week: local James Beard semifinalists!
• It’s that time of year again: the time of year when the prestigious food-celebratin’ James Beard Foundation announces the semifinalists for its annual James Beard Awards. As always, a number of Milwaukee chefs are in the mix—and have been in the mix before.
Six-time nominees Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of EsterEv are up for Best Chef Midwest. Odd Duck’s Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek were nominated in that category last year, and return this year. Ditto for Kyle Knall of Birch. Amilinda’s Gregory León, meanwhile, is once again nominated for the national Outstanding Chef award.
Remember those old “Shot For Shot With Chefs” videos we did years ago? Here’s one with the Dans:
And here’s one with León:
We never shot episodes with Bachhuber, Ek, or Knall, but here’s a photo of Bachhuber with a northern. SEE YOU AT THE 2025 TIGHT LINE CLASSIC, ROSS.
And oh yeah: Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge was nominated for Outstanding Bar, and Agency snagged a nomination for Best New Bar. Congrats, everyone! Finalists will be announced April 2. An awards ceremony is set for June 16 in Chicago. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• After more than seven years in business, vegan favorite On The Bus has closed its stall at the Milwaukee Public Market. “It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision, effectively immediately, to permanently close On The Bus and cease operations,” reads a sign from owner Emily Ware. [OnMilwaukee]
• Fancy downtown Bartolotta restaurant Bacchus is adding a fancy bar menu (complete with a “higher-end” burger), as well as bringing back an a la carte menu. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• So long, Old Skoolz bar (1100 E. Potter Ave.); hello, The House. [Urban Milwaukee]
• Buckle up, because there’s a new Starbucks on Brady Street. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• R.I.P. Tacos El Costeño on Mitchell Street. [Urban Milwaukee]
• R.I.P. that Pizza Hut in Bay View. [Urban Milwaukee]
• “End of an era” indeed. R.I.P. Marty’s Pizza in Brookfield, which has closed after nearly 70 years in business. (The Delafield location remains open.) Cue that radio jingle that will now be stuck in our heads again! [TMJ 4]
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