Cocina Filipina – which began its life in food truck form back in 2023 – has waited a long time for a home base. And as co-founder Marilupe “Lupe” Moreno describes its new setup, it almost couldn’t be more ideal: the storefront at 3801 W. Vliet St. previously occupied by Lisa Kaye Bistro and, prior to that, Triciclo Peru. Close to Washington Park, Cocina Filipina’s new digs have Pete’s Pops as a neighbor.
The brick-and-mortar is also close to making an opening announcement, Moreno says. That was the kind of good news she and her partner Edu Aragon Guzman have needed after a rough last six months. In December 2025, a fire destroyed Cocina Filipina’s commercial kitchen, and they’re still rebuilding from that loss. “I don’t know if [the Vliet Street space] was destiny or just the light at the end of the tunnel following our fire and all these things that have happened to us,” she says.
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Destined or not, Cocina’s new home allows them to expand their menu, showcasing “a bit more of the Mexican fusion with the Filipino culture,” Moreno explains.
For the past few summers, the truck has racked up the mileage, hitting events in Milwaukee and the surrounding counties. Their roving menu has featured rice bowls, lumpia (Filipino fried rolls) and churros, among other things they plan to continue at the brick-and-mortar. Moreno says to expect more ube-flavored dishes (ube Mexican flan has been on their food truck menu). With plans to serve lunch and dinner, there’s so much potential: “We’re just super-pumped,” she says.
Meantime, the Cocina food truck is back in service – appearing this weekend at Firefly Friday in Wauwatosa tonight, Morning Glory Art Fair at the Marcus Center tomorrow and Locust Street Festival in Riverwest on Sunday.
