By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jul 02, 2015 at 1:02 PM

The opening of Bumstead Provisions -- that crafty new restaurant/shop that's moving into Bay View -- is still a number of months off, but I was curious to get to know the guys behind the idea a little bit better.

So, I sat down with owners Devin Eichler and Mike Bodow at Honeypie Cafe, just down the street from the Bumstead’s site, for a chat.

OnMilwaukee.com: Why Milwaukee?

Devin Eichler:  We really fell in love with the area by just living and eating out here. There are a lot of great concepts here in Milwaukee, but still a lot of room to grow.

Mike Bodow:  Agreed. Milwaukee is an amazing city – both culinarily and with a growing cocktail scene and beer scene. And the more we got to know people here, the more we wanted to be a part of it.

OMC: What's your favorite Wisconsin beer?

DE: Black Husky Howler, amazing on tap.

MB:  Central Waters Boubon Barrel Stout and Barley Wine.

OMC: Do you have a favorite Milwaukee restaurant?

DE: That’s the most difficult question you could ask. Right now it’s wherever I’m currently eating. Bavette has some of the best meat cuts I’ve ever eaten. And Morel… really great.

MB: It’s tough, but it’s a fun question to answer. I could give you my top 10. Wolf Peach, Goodkind, Odd Duck. Vanguard, Honeypie… they’re all awesome.

OMC: And favorite Bar?

DE: Burnheart’s. Every time we go there, we always see like 10 people we know.

MB: No question, Burnhearts. And then there’s Vanguard and Sugar Maple – those are two more favorites. Swinging Door is also pretty cool.

OMC: What's one thing you haven’t been able to find in Milwaukee?

DE: Ecuadorian food. There was a place in Minneapolis, Chimborazo, that I seriously drive straight to, whenever I’m there.

MB: Sweetbreads, I haven’t been able to find them anywhere. I see them on menus, but they’ve been elusive when I’m actually at the restaurants.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.