A New Downtown Tacqueria

3rd Street Market Hall.

Kompali Taqueria on Brady St. could soon have a satellite location inside of the 3rd Street Market Hall. Kompali Tacos & Tortas, which would offer Kompali’s best selling tacos and tortas, could open in the downtown food hall by the beginning of May. Lori Fredrich reports:

The menu for Kompali Tacos & Tortas will feature a selection of best-selling tacos, including asada (seasoned steak,cilantro and onions); Argentinian steak (marinated skirt beef with chimichurri sauce); al pastor (marinated, spit-roasted pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, onions and cilantro); grilled chicken with pico de gallo and soy chorizo and quinoa.

There will also be a menu of Mexican tortas, including milanese (chicken or steak) and Argentinian steak, along with sides like chips and salsa, guacamole and rice and beans.

Guests can also purchase soft drinks including Jarritos, Coke products and housemade agua frescas in flavors including tamarindo, pina, jamaica and mango.

Maru Reopens on East Side

A traditional Korean restaurant is reopening on Milwaukee’s East Side after shutting down operations during the pandemic. Maru Sushi, located at 2150 N. Prospect Ave., originally opened as a second Kanpai location in 2018. In March of 2019, the restaurant pivoted to an all-you-can-eat sushi format, changing its name to Maru Sushi. Now, the restaurant focuses on traditional Korean dishes, often playing K-pop and other Korean music on the speakers — creating a comfortable environment for Korean students at UW-Milwaukee. Maru is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Carol Deptolla reports:

Menu items include grilled main dishes such as beef bulgogi or eel; bibimbap made on hot stone; soups and stews including spicy soft-tofu stew, beef soup, army base stew with Spam and duk mandoo soupwith rice cake and dumplings; and noodle dishes such as jap chae, the sweet potato noodles.

It also has appetizers, including Korean fried wings, vegetable or pork fried dumplings, and pancakes with onion, green onion, carrot, zucchini and red bell and serrano peppers.

Three or four banchan, the side dishes, are served before entrees; the lineup changes, but staples are kimchi and cucumber kimchi, with pickled radishes, fried zucchini and shredded carrots among the rotating banchan.

New Soul Food Restaurant Opening

A new restaurant specializing in soul food is making its way to 8665 W. Brown Deer Rd. Named Bellagio Soul Food, the plans for the space originally included a hookah lounge. That concept was dropped after a meeting with the Licenses Committee, when Alderwoman Chantia Lewis expressed excitement for the food, but not the smoking aspect. Jeramey Jannene reports:

A proposed menu includes southern fried chicken, baked chicken and turkey legs, meatloaf, smothered pork chops, catfish fillets and beef short ribs. The business would also have a full bar.

The new business would be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. An occupancy permit has already been issued for the space.

With a capacity of 150, (Owner Darryl) Simmons’ Bellagio could host comedy acts. Simmons said it could also be rented for private events.

Smoked Turkey Legs and Live Entertainment

The older crowd in Milwaukee could soon have a new hangout. Mr. B’s is a new restaurant aiming to bring smoked stuff turkey legs and live entertainment to Milwaukee’s Northwest Side. Owner Jennifer Garcia also owns Kiss Ultra Lounge, a nightclub that draws a younger crowd. Garcia hopes to try something new with Mr. B’s, hoping to cater to folks ages 28 and older. Jannene reports:

Mr. B’s would host neo-soul, R&B and jazz music acts and comedians while serving up lunch and dinner at 8617 W. Brown Deer Rd.

(Owner Jennifer Garcia) said the turkey legs are popular in Texas and she has visited and toured a number of restaurants to understand how to bring the idea to Milwaukee.

The Mr. B’s menu would also include chicken wings and fried fish, which she said are northside Milwaukee staples. A full liquor license is also included.