New Mexican Restaurant for Downtown

Eleven25 at Pabst. Photo from Eleven25 at Pabst website.

Lucky’s Spitfire, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in a fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, is opening its third location in the former Pabst complex in downtown Milwaukee. The restaurant will open in the Eleven25 building’s food court and could open as soon as January 11. Biztimes’ Maredithe Meyer reports:

It’s the third Lucky’s Spitfire location (owner Andrew) Jacobsen has launched in the past two years. However, it will be one of two locations, including Muskego, open for business following the recent closure of its flagship location in Kenosha as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, the Kenosha location had become the business’ catering hub, landing several corporate catering gigs throughout the Milwaukee area, Madison and Chicago suburbs. Much of that business was lost when office buildings emptied this spring.

Jacobsen, who also owns Lucky’s at the Lodge bar-restaurant in Muskego, sees the Milwaukee location as a “strategic point” for catering business if and when downtown activity returns. The biggest draw, he said, was the expansive back kitchen, ideal for large orders.

Lucky’s Spitfire serves a fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, including bowls, tacos and nachos. Earlier this year, the restaurant added poke to its menu. The new Milwaukee location will offer delivery through Door Dash and Grub Hub.

E&F Pizzeria is Now Open

Previously, Urban Milwaukee reported that E&F Pizzeria, an offshoot of the popular Egg & Flour pasta restaurant, was coming soon to Crossroads Collective, the East Side food hall located at 2238 N. Farwell Ave. On December 28, E&F Pizzeria opened for business and is offering an assortment of fresh pizza pies. OnMilwaukee’s Lori Fredrich reports:

The new micro-pizzeria … (occupies) the vacant vendor stall adjacent to Egg & Flour, acting as an extension of the pasta bar’s popular brand.

Like its pasta bar sibling, E&F pizzeria (uses) high quality ingredients chosen with care to create pies that are both unique and approachable. The pizzas will feature a hand-tossed, pliable crust – not unlike a New York style pie – that bakes quickly (in about 7 minutes in a 700-degree oven).

The menu (includes) three signature pies available every day, plus one specialty pizza which will change out daily, weekly or as inspiration hits. All (are) available as both full sized 16” pizzas, as well as large quarter-pie slices.

New South Side Sports Bar Opening

La Perla Tapatia Sports Bar, a south side bar that will offer food and drinks and feature a stage set up for bands and DJs, is planning to open at 2758 S. 35th St. In the Layton Park neighborhood. The bar would replace Milwaukee’s Firehouse Pub. Urban Milwaukee’s Ethan Duran reports:

A menu included with a license application lists pub food like pizza and chicken wings.

The bar, located just south of W. Forest Home Ave., originally was set to open in October 2020 according to a license application. The application is still pending before the Common Council.

When reached by phone, (owner Daniel) Mora declined to comment on his proposed business. The new tavern’s prospective operating hours are from 4 p.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday to Saturday. There are no plans to change the floor plan according to the application.

The new bar has no known connection to the now-closed La Perla restaurant in Walker’s Point.

Firehouse Pub, owned by Colleen Cathy Rueda and Francisco Rueda, has been open for over 15 years.

The 2,218-square-foot, one-story building was built in 1890 according to city records. A patio is included behind the building. A limited liability company, which lists Colleen Cathy Rueda as its registered agent, has owned the property since 2006.

Goodbye Rogues Gallery, Hello… Mojo MKE?

Rogues Gallery, an art-themed nightlife destination, will soon be replaced by a new bar being opened by Mojo MKE, LLC, a new venture that was started in October. Todd Wargula, the name behind Mojo MKE, is leasing the building at 134 E. Juneau Ave. for 10 years. We’re guessing but not certain the bar will be called Mojo MKE. Duran reports:

Like Rogues Gallery, Mojo plans to sell drinks, pay disk jockeys to spin music and let patrons dance on the patio outside. According to the license application, instrumental musicians, amusement machines and an amplified sound system will be included in the new sit-down bar located across the street from Trinity Three Irish Pubs and McGillycuddy’s.

The tavern won’t sell food, but Ian’s Pizza is just down the street and the herd of weekend food trucks are never too far from the intersection of Water St. and Juneau Ave. Mojo MKE will pay for the stock and fixtures of the current business and has not applied to change the old bar’s floor plan.

Rogues Gallery has not announced whether it will close or how soon that might happen. It is primarily known as a pregame spot with a diverse and friendly atmosphere. The bar has hip interior decorations and some modern art pieces collected by the current owner. On Monday nights, it serves drinks half off to service industry workers. It was also known as a spot to play darts or cornhole, but it’s unknown whether the new bar will have the same attractions yet. Rogues opened in late 2011 under owner Nathan Showers.

Wargula has not responded to Urban Milwaukee’s voicemail asking for comment.  The application for new license is subject to approval by the Common Council.