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: that building on Humboldt and North is still gonna be a food truck park.
• Back in September 2021, big plans were announced for the long-vacant Humboldt Gardens building at 2249 N. Humboldt Ave. (You know, that building on the corner of Humboldt and North that used to be a Schlitz tied-house tavern and a bunch of ’80s clubs, and that used to have a neon sign in the top window that said “Please Be Civil.”) Developer Clarence Morse said he intended to turn the building and adjoining lot into a food truck park called Humboldt Gardens Gourmet. “It would be very optimistic to catch the tail end of summer [2022],” Morse said of the sorely needed renovations to the building. “I think it’s going to take us a good year to get this thing habitable.”
Well, more than two years have passed since that initial announcement, and still no Humboldt Gardens Gourmet. But the plans are still alive! Earlier this week, the city’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee gave Morse’s project a thumbs-up, with the developer saying he was “really excited to get started so that we can bring [the building] back to life.”
Rendering: Yasmine Ogul Designs
So what are Morse’s plans again? OnMilwaukee explains:
Morse’s plans for the property include an outdoor food park on the south side of the building, which would accommodate food trucks, trailers and/or other food vendors, as well as outdoor seating and a stage for live entertainment.
A bar, eatery and coffee shop are slated for the first floor of the building, along with a commercial kitchen space in the basement, which would serve as home base for food vendors and aspiring entrepreneurs.
While Morse awaits final Common Council and mayoral approval, he plans to submit a proposal to have the building listed with the National Registry of Historic Places. [OnMilwaukee]
• More food truck news! Back in December 2023, Judy’s On North—a.k.a. the former Jalisco Mexican restaurant at 2207 E. North Ave.—suffered a devastating fire. But don’t fret, East Side Mexican food fans and Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s employees—Judy’s On North owners Judith Figueroa and Kevin Lopez are launching a food truck outside their business. The truck is “expected to make its debut at the start of February, but could be up and running even earlier.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• In more East Side news, Vier North—a.k.a. the new bar in the old Vitucci’s spot, 1832 E. North Ave.—is open. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• In even more East Side news, Sunday brunch is BACK at Lake Park Bistro, 3133 E. Newberry Blvd. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• And, yes, in even MORE East Side news, a new restaurant called L’Incontro is coming soon to the former Tavolino at 2315 N. Murray Ave. Tavolino abruptly closed in October 2023. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• A new bakery called Casera Cafe & Bakery is coming to the corner of 1st and Becher in Bay View this summer. [OnMilwaukee]
• A new Korean noodle joint called Sinabro is coming to the old Fool’s Errand and Fauntleroy space at 316 N. Milwaukee St. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Colorado-based sushi chain Awi Sushi plans to open a Milwaukee location at 755 N. Water St.—a.k.a. the former site of Angry Taco, a Dogg Haus, and a Bruegger’s Bagels. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• It’s been [0] days since another bubble tea place opened in the Milwaukee area. Need proof? Big Straw Cafe recently opened at The Shoppes of Miller Park Way in West Milwaukee. [OnMilwaukee]
• A new bar and restaurant called Yari’s is coming to 3501 N. 6th St. The new joint will replace House of Soul Lounge, “which operated for less than two years at the address.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• R.I.P. Baby Boomers at 182 E. Lincoln Ave. (That sign was glorious.) Long live the new Satchmo’s at the same location! [OnMilwaukee]
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