Takeout-Focused Hmong Buffet Planned for Milwaukee
Asian H Express would serve ready-made meals near the intersection of 76th Street and Capitol Drive.
Site of future Asian H Express, 3902 N. 76th St. Photo by Sophie Bolich.
A new restaurant proposed on the Northwest Side would make it easy to grab a heaping plate of roast duck, noodles and spring rolls in just a few minutes.
Sam Vang and his partner, Choua Lor, plan to open Asian H Express at 3902 N. 76th St., bringing new life to the shuttered Jackie’s Cafe space, while continuing their family’s presence in Milwaukee’s dining scene.
The “H” in Asian H Express stands for Hmong, which will represent the majority of dishes at the all-day restaurant, though Thai and Lao cuisine will also be offered.
Vang said the business will emphasize efficiency, offering a broad range of ready-made foods. Customers will select their preferred items, which will be plated, priced by weight — $12.99 per pound, according to Vang — and packaged for carryout. Dine-in service will not be available.
“We’ll just cook a whole bunch of dishes, trying to put out as much variety of food as possible,” he said. “Then people can come and pick whatever they want.”
The restaurant will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a consistent menu throughout the day. Featured dishes will likely include brisket, steamed fish, pork belly, sausages, grilled and fried chicken, egg rolls, fried rice, laab, papaya salad and more.
“A lot of Hmong people like to eat early,” Vang said. “It’s not always strict breakfast, lunch and dinner — people will eat whatever’s on the menu throughout the day.”
The venture will be Vang’s second in the 76th Street building. He previously ran Jackie’s Cafe for years before selling it to new owners. The business is now marked temporarily closed, though the current operators said the business was in the process of relocating in 2025.
After selling Jackie’s, Vang headed to the South Side, where he launched ChueYee’s catering at 3800 W. National Ave. Now, he’s revisiting his first business. “I decided to come back and reopen this one again,” he said.
In addition to accepting walk-in orders, the restaurant also hopes to partner with third-party delivery services, further streamlining the process for customers.
Pending final inspections and plumbing and electrical work in the building, Asian H Express is slated to open as soon as mid-June, Vang said.
World INV Group LLC owns the 5,067-square-foot, multi-tenant building, according to city assessment records. The structure is also home to a laundromat and a check-cashing service.
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