Each week on This Bites, dining critic Ann Christenson from Milwaukee Magazine and Radio Milwaukee’s resident foodie Tarik Moody dig into the city’s culinary and restaurant culture to help you find new spots, old favorites and the best ingestibles around Milwaukee.
We’ve had a run of good news to share on This Bites over the past several weeks: a Pho/B-Boy battle, Flavors of Africa, lobster rolls and expanded operations for Allie Boy’s. But the restaurant world is a harsh one, so it was only a matter of time before the clouds gathered.
Raining on our parade to start this episode is Hot Dish Pantry — or, more accurately, the folks who own the building that Hot Dish Pantry calls home. HDP owners Laura Maigatter and Nathan Heck explained on social media that a recent real-estate decision to open a new restaurant in the space gave them a push toward something they had been thinking about for a little while now.
“To be very clear, we are not being forced out,” they shared. “We had been weighing this decision for some time and the circumstances lined up to make our decision a little easier. We are excited for the new owners to begin this journey and wish them nothing but the best. We know the neighborhood will welcome them with open arms.”
They added a comment to the post indicating they might do a pop-up from time to time or maybe offer frozen versions of their dishes. For now, however, the Milwaukee area will have just a couple weeks to enjoy wonderful pierogi, pork-tenderloin sandwiches and Lucy Goosey burger. Hot Dish Pantry will be open until 8 p.m. every day between now and their final service Sept. 28.
In happier news:
- Tickets are on sale now for the eighth annual Battle of the Chefs MKE, which goes down Oct. 6 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club.
- Ann rounded up a fresh batch of Dining Tidbits for the magazine, including a new donut shop in Sheboygan and an elixir that might come in handy after a late night out.
- Mom’s Kitchen is opening on Lincoln Avenue. Not your mom’s kitchen, though, unless your mom is Aseya Osman.
Our weekly culinary chats are great for moms, dads, brothers, sisters, kids, friends, co-workers and just about anyone who digs food. Ann and I would love it if you’d share This Bites with any of those people, or even just drop a review or rating wherever you listen. Thanks.
