New Mexican Restaurant for Harbor District Wins Key Approval

Lincoln Warehouse, 2018 S. 1st St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

The Harbor District’s Lincoln Warehouse, home to three breweries, a distillery, a chocolate shop and a sourdough bakery, may soon add a Mexican restaurant to the mix.

Miguel Herrera plans to open Jalisco’s Cantina at 2018 S. 1st St., taking over a vacant space that was most recently occupied by MOR Bakery & Cafe.

With a background in restauranting — his parents are longtime owners of the South Side’s Jalisco Restaurant — Herrera aims to carry on the family legacy with his own twist.

“My mother and father have owned a lot of restaurants,” Herrera told Licenses Committee members on Tuesday, referencing the eatery at 1035 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr., which they’ve run since 1987.

“Last year, I decided to branch out on my own and found a great spot here at the Lincoln Warehouse.”

After brief discussion — including enthusiastic support from Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic‘s office — Alderman Peter Burgelis moved approval for the restaurant’s food and liquor licenses. The Milwaukee Common Council will take a final vote on the matter at its March 6 meeting.

Once open, the restaurant plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to a proposed menu that features Mexican offerings such as tacos, burritos, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. Herrera would also showcase house specialties like steak Milanesa, beef tongue with salsa verde and spicy steak with chile de arbol.

A beverage menu includes aguas frescas, licuados and other non-alcoholic options, as well as cocktails like margaritas, palomas, pina coladas and micheladas. Beer, both domestic and imported, will also be served.

Herrera said the 1,963-square-foot restaurant will include 15 tables, with additional seating at the bar. A floor plan shows an outdoor patio with several tables located on the northwest side of the building.

With new and proposed apartments in the immediate area, Herrera said he feels the neighborhood is “a great spot” for the upcoming eatery.

Jalisco’s Cantina has not yet announced an opening date. Its proposed hours of operation are Sunday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Friday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The warehouse building is home to existing businesses including Component Brewing Company, Torzala Brewing Co., New Barons Brewing Cooperative, Bust-N-Stuff rage room, Melt Chocolates, Ltd. and Twisted Path Distillery, along with a handful of office and studio spaces.

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