READ MORE FROM OUR “HIDDEN MILWAUKEE” FEATURE HERE.
Vinchi’s
INSIDE THE BUBBLER, 3158 S. HOWELL AVE.
This pizza-making treasure operates in the back of The Bubbler, a no-frills neighborhood bar in Bay View. Before moving there in 2012, Vinchi’s lived inside a different bar – The Sand Castle, which was at 16th and Morgan. Vinchi’s likes to fly under the radar. It has neither a website nor social media presence. It apparently doesn’t need it; people flock here for the flaky thin-crust pies, no skimping on the sauce or cheese.
Panaderia Azteca
INSIDE PIGGLY WIGGLY, 123 W. OKLAHOMA AVE.
Located inside a Piggy Wiggly in Bay View, this bakery has a terrific selection of fresh Mexican pan dulce (sweet breads), including churros and concha (a domed bread resembling a seashell). There are doughnuts, cookies, sandwich rolls and breads, tres leches cake, and a creation I first enjoyed last year: chocoflan, a rich dessert whose bottom half is chocolate cake and top half is flan.
Outlaw Oyster
INSIDE CRAFTY COW, 6517 W. NORTH AVE.
In February, Devin Eichler opened this oyster bar inside his Tosa restaurant Crafty Cow. It’s tiny, just a small bar and a few tables. Since then, the menu – still centered around fresh seafood – has taken on more of a creative tone, with additions like the octodog (octopus tentacle), “caviar & nuggs” (chicken nuggets) and a green goddess shrimp roll. And Outlaw has already expanded across town, as the second location was expected to open in September inside Crafty Cow in Bay View.
Taco Loco
INSIDE EL REY, BURNHAM STREET, CESAR CHAVEZ DRIVE AND OKLAHOMA AVENUE
The El Rey markets operate their own sit-down taquerias inside three locations – Burnham Street, Cesar Chavez Drive and Oklahoma Avenue. Tacos (from pastor to carnitas) are a fraction of the menu that includes breakfast plates, tortas, enchiladas, tamales, burritos and weekly specials like menudo and pozole. It’s authentic and delicious Mexican food.
