This Bites

Radio Milwaukee
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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.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    SapSap, kebabs, broasted chicken and more

    A diverse food scene is an interesting food scene. Without it, we’d all be stuck in some dystopian future where every restaurant is a Taco Bell. Luckily, Milwaukee is worlds away from that scenario because of how global our city’s flavors are. In this episode, we touch on two recent examples that bring tastes from two distinctly different regions to Milwaukee. First up is a name familiar to the area’s food lovers: SapSap. Chef Alex Hanesakda’s excellent food truck has been just one of the reasons to brave the cold at Zócalo Food Park since it nestled into a parking spot earlier this year. As of last week, you don’t need to worry about the weather because SapSap has a new location at the 3rd Street Market Hall. Just like the Zócalo version (which will continue cooking), SapSap’s stall in the former Grand Avenue Mall will serve Chef Alex’s signature Lao-American offerings, including his Mama’s Eggrolls and brisket fried rice. According to Ann’s always-informed reporting, the new location will also expand its menu to include a few more Southeast Asian options. Our second globally flavored news item spins the globe to Germany’s take on a street food that originated in Turkey: döner kebab. Ray and Elma Ramic opened a fast-food joint of the same name in Hartford back in 2023, sending curious eaters up I-43 to wolf down the gyro’s European cousin. They shortened the commute by opening a second Döner Kebab at 138 E. Capitol Dr., and Ann stopped by as part of her most recent Dining Tidbits. Also in this episode, you’ll hear us flap our wings (or mouths) about: Broasted chicken, the unsung hero of the supper club. Milwaukee’s latest batch of James Beard Award semifinalists. A former convenience store on the South Side that will transform into a destination for Mexican seafood.

    25 min

  2. 23 JAN

    Bad Piggy, Mother's, Honeybee Sage and more

    This week’s flavorful updates start with some exciting Puerto Rican news: the Bad Piggy food truck is officially moving into a brick-and-mortar location on South Howell Avenue late this February!  Known for staples like mofongo and the “La Combi Completa” — a massive platter featuring roasted pork, garlic tostones, and sweet plantains — the previously food-truck-only establishment will be able to expand its offerings in the new space, which will include a full bar. Unifying the entire experience: a communal atmosphere that owner Roberto Silva Lopez hopes will bring together guests from many cultures around Puerto Rican food and drink. From Howell Avenue we go to South KK in Bay View, where Mother’s has quickly established itself as a standout new restaurant (with a James Beard-approved chef/owner) in Milwaukee’s food scene. For her recent review, Ann got the chance to sample a unique menu featuring Madeira mushrooms and an unforgettable queso birria lasagna, which quickly won her over.  We wrap things up by bouncing over to the Third Ward and the refreshing vibe that Honeybee Sage has brought to its new home, complete with a cheerful yellow theme and craft mocktails. Then it’s a quick hop to Walker’s Point for a preview of Radio Milwaukee’s newest neighbor: Allende Cocina Mexicana, a family-run gem in the making that’s slated to open just in time for Valentine’s Day.

    18 min

  3. 9 JAN

    Cassis opens, Bavette closes, and soup is on the menu

    Our weekly round up food news includes the usual “good news, bad news” of openings and closings, but let's start with something that’ll warm the heart (and the stomach) during these chilly times. Soup is a classic example of a dish that can satisfy a lot of different purposes and flavor profiles. It can be savory, spicy, sweet, hot, cold, spoon-fed, sipped, slurped — it’s versatile, is the point. It’s also tailor-made for this part of the calendar, fueling your inner furnace to help you push through the colder months. Ann clearly had that timeliness in mind when she published her list of the best soups in Milwaukee, which adopts a worldly perspective by focusing on soups from around the globe. She highlighted seven bowl-worthy options, four of which we talked about in this episode: Broccoli Cheddar from Loup in Wauwatosa Khao Poon from Vientiane Noodle Shop on National Avenue Chicken in the Pot from Benji’s Deli in Fox Point Brazilian Seafood Chowder from Amaranth Bakery & Cafe on Lisbon Avenue You can find the full list of seven, including descriptions and Ann’s mini-reviews, over at Milwaukee Magazine. That’s also where you’ll find a couple of the other news items we covered in this episode: Ann dipped into her knowledge of Silver City and Burnham Park to share her top restaurants in both neighborhoods. A few months after eliminating dinner service, Bavette la Boucherie announced that Jan. 17 will be its last day. Milwaukee will add another restaurant Jan. 20 with the opening of CASSIS, a more casual concept from Birch owners Kyle and Meghan Knall.

    17 min

  4. 12/12/2025

    Tough times, bakery booms, relish trays and holiday pop-ups

    It's a "good news, bad news" kind of episode, and we start by ripping off the Band-Aid to talk about the difficult spot Milwaukee restaurants are in currently.  Within just a few days, city institutions Beans & Barley and The National both announced plans to close, and several others have publicly pleaded for support as the traditionally slower winter months loom. We do our small part in the podcast by sharing a few important ways you can support the local ecosystem --- from gift cards to positive online reviews to simply visiting more often. On the more positive side of things, Ann dives into Milwaukee's recent "bakery boom," which afforded her the opportunity to sample delightful treats from recently opened spots like Poppy, Matilda and Midwest Sad. She also leans into her Wisconsin native-ness by revealing the secret to a perfect relish tray (hint: it involves a surprising grilled fruit). Finally, you'll hear about the holiday happenings coming up in Milwaukee, including “Noël à Paris” from Charles E. Fromage, a Charles Dickens-themed dinner at the Grain Exchange and a pair of events at Lupi & Iris with pretty distinct tones: a Charlie Brown Christmas and a Laurent-Perrier champagne dinner. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

    27 min

  5. 05/12/2025

    Von Trier, Brady Street Japanese and Milwaukee must-haves

    Amid the recent sad news about one East Side institution, we’re starting this episode on a much happier note from right up the street, as Von Trier continues its steady pace on the corner of Farwell and North avenues. As Ann pointed out in her Milwaukee Magazine tidbit, we didn’t have much to worry about when the nearly 50-year-old establishment changed hands earlier this year — primarily because those hands belonged to the city’s unofficial preserver of cocktail lounges, John Dye. The man has a demonstrated respect for history, and Von Trier’s first few months under his watch reflect that approach. You can get Ann’s full report (plus a healthy amount of sausage conversation) in the full podcast, which also sees us chatting about: The December 2025 cover story of Milwaukee Magazine, which reveals the area’s 51 can’t-miss food and drinks (according to Ann). The Hanukkah dinner being cooked up by chef Gregory León at Amilinda.  The Japanese restaurant set to take over Glorioso's Appetito space on Brady Street. Why hot pot just might be the best way to create a perfect communal Thanksgiving. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

    16 min

  6. 21/11/2025

    Red Light Ramen, Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, 1033 Omakase and more

    This episode kicks off with big news about the legendary Red Light Ramen, which returns for a special one-night-only pop-up on Nov. 28. Find out what's on the menu, including Tonkatsu ramen, Japanese curry and those famous boozy slushies. Next, we celebrate TrueMan McGee of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls! After pausing a national roll-out, McGee pivoted to the Funky Fresh Virtual Kitchen, now offering weekly online ordering for pickup, meal kits like Tuscan salmon, and exciting pizzas (hello, jalapeño elote!). We also cover the latest dining news, including the new Soban Korean Eatery, billed as Milwaukee’s first fast-casual Korean restaurant, with plans for a downtown location. Plus, the Curry Cat MKE food truck is setting up a permanent spot outside Red Maple, serving Asian-inspired comfort food like golden curry and beef bogey walking tacos. Ann also shares her long-awaited review of 1033 Omakase, the intimate 10-seat spot with a Japanese prix fixe tasting menu. Without spoiling the whole thing, there were 14 courses and a heavy serving of '90s rap. Finally, we discuss the importance of "third spaces" such as Haven Cafe and Serenity Lounge that transition from coffee houses to late-night bars, helping the community connect. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

    25 min

  7. 07/11/2025

    Thanksgiving, hidden restaurants, Mariano's closing and more

    We pride ourselves on our ability to cover a lot of ground within the confines of this podcast, and this episode might have pushed those skills to new heights as we went from Thanksgiving to food assistance to more secrets from Milwaukee’s dining scene and beyond. The Journal Sentinel’s excellent dining critic Rachel Bernhard thoughtfully gathered information about restaurants offering free assistance to SNAP recipients (the program is called FoodShare in Wisconsin) and then added a few more programs/events in her weekly newsletter. We highlight a few things, but please use those links to see all the ways you can give help or get help. In a much less critical part of this episode, we talk about five places where you can get a humanely raised turkey for your holiday meal. Top billing goes to Riemer Family Farm down in Brodhead, which is already sold out of their small whole turkeys but still has medium and large options available. Other nods go to local spots like Bavette La Boucherie and Becher Meats in West Allis, and the full list is available at Milwaukee Magazine. Also at the magazine, Ann put together a hush-hush collection of hidden restaurants around the area. The coolest one for my money is Azteca Bakery, which peddles items like Mexican pan dulce and richly delicious chocoflan from inside … the Piggly Wiggly on Oklahoma Avenue. She’s got three other options along those lines, all of which you can learn more about in her Milwaukee Magazine article. If two lists aren’t enough, you’re in luck. Going back to the upcoming holiday, Ann jumped to the end of the meal (or the beginning if you’re a nonconformist) to give you 10 places that’ll hook you up with the perfect pie for your Thanksgiving feast. Finally, with the weather turning, that means it’s time for Barnacle Bud’s to turn into Gene’s Supper Club. The flip happened earlier this week, but it looks like the temperature will dip in a big way starting this weekend, giving you all the more reason to visit the extended pop-up between now and Feb. 14. Stay warm, inside and out, as we move into the chilly season, and please find a way to help your community during this tough time. Even if our politicians get their act together, fighting hunger requires more than what our government gives. So give what you can. Thanks. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown's Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

    29 min

  8. 31/10/2025

    Secret menu items, a 'Wicked' pop-up, bistros, supper clubs and more

    This week, we reveal some of the secrets of our culinary adventures around Milwaukee. And by that we mean we're sharing a few of the city's fantastic secret menu items, including the hush-hush "Carolina" Negroni and off-menu Cacio E Pepe at Calenzo. We also reveal the location of delicious pork tacos at Cloud Red and the rotating "secret handshake menu" at Braise Restaurant. Find those and a few more over at the very not-secretive Milwaukee Magazine website. Something that's definitely not on the down low is the new Wicked-themed pop-up at Onesto (221 N. Broadway) from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1 (with a day off for Thanksgiving). This 21+ event features photo opportunities, appetizers, a chocolate fountain and cocktails like the popular Dubai chocolate espresso martini that "sparkle, smoke and shine." Plus, get ready for Mosaic International Bistro, which will replace Allure MKE and serve globally inspired tapas like Nigerian jollof rice. We also look forward to the launch of The Conroy’s modern supper club dining series, complete with Wagyu carpaccio, dry-aged meatballs, and a fancy "Bubbles and Bumps" happy hour (caviar and champagne); and then we say goodbye to Ouzo Cafe, which closed after 21 years but will continue its catering services. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown.

    17 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Radio Milwaukee
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    365
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
  • Show Website
    This Bites