Brace yourselves. Maria’s Pizza (5025 W. Forest Home Ave.) – closed since June 2022 – is coming back! Local bar owner Brian Francis confirmed that he and his wife just closed on the ownership deal and plan to reopen the much-loved pizzeria just as it was, paneled walls, red checkered tablecloths and all. In fact, he kept saying he doesn’t plan to change anything: “We’re just the next torch bearers,” he says.
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Francis – who has operated Mulligan’s Irish Pub & Grill in Franklin since 2009 – says he hopes to reopen in December. For the “first month or so,” Maria’s would do carryout only. Once they “make sure it’s the quality people expect,” they’d open the dining room. He also hopes to enlist the quality control services of Maria Story, granddaughter of the founder, who currently lives in the Maria’s building.
Maria’s amoeba-shaped pies have been featured in Milwaukee Magazine many times over the years, most recently in our 2021 roundup of best area pizza places.
