By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Oct 24, 2014 at 9:03 AM

For the eighth straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com, presented by Locavore, the newest restaurant at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2014."

Growing up, Omar Amin spent a lot of time in Downtown Milwaukee. This is, in part, why he decided to open his first restaurant in the neighborhood.

"A long time ago, my father used to take me to the Grand Avenue to go shopping. I have memories of it being a hustling, bustling place. The place to be. And then it changed. It wasn’t like it once was," says Amin. "I have taken it on as a personal goal to rebuild some of that, make the reality of Downtown more like my memories."

In May, Amin – along with cousin and business partner Alaa Musa – opened BB’s, 633 W. Wisconsin Ave. "BB’s" stands for "build a breakfast" and "build a burger." Build-your-own smoothies and milkshakes are also available.

The build-a-burger options include a 1/4- or 1/2-pound black Angus beef burger, a turkey burger or a walnut burger topped with choice of cheese, more than a dozen vegetables and served on a brioche, wheat, pretzel or gluten-free bun.

The burgers range from $7.50 to $9 and add-on toppings like turkey or applewood bacon, grilled pineapple, eggs and sauteed mushrooms are available for an extra $1.

The menu also features a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, wings, salads and soups – including a beer cheese soup.

The build-a-breakfast menu offers an omelet or burrito made with cage-free, antibiotic-free eggs and stuffed with a choice of ingredients from grilled chicken, chorizo, bacon, cheese, veggies and more.

Chicken and waffles, eggs Benedict, two kinds of hash (corned beef and chorizo), biscuits and gravy, waffles, French toast and pancakes – including PB&J pancakes – are also on the breakfast menu which is available daily until 3 p.m.

The most popular item on the burger menu is the "floating burger," a 1/2-pound burger topped with bacon, fried egg, two types of cheese, lettuce, tomato and a signature sauce. There’s also a floating pancake, which is actually a stack of cakes layered with hash browns, bacon and eggs.

Server and bartender Roberto Valdez has only seen three people finish the floating breakfast – one of whom was a woman.

"I think she was a runner. When I served it to her she said, ‘that’s a lot of food’ and then dumped syrup all over it and went to town. It was beautiful and scary at the same time. I was simultaneously intimidated and impressed," says Valdez. "And when she was done, I bought her a shot."

Prior to opening BBs, Amin traveled extensively, figuring out what he wanted to serve in his restaurant. He came to the conclusion that using fresh ingredients is the most important component.

"The only thing I use my freezer for is the French fries. Everything else is fresh – including the burgers which are always 100 percent Angus beef," he says. "Maybe it’s because I grew up in the restaurant, but I can taste when a burger has been frozen or food was prepped the day before. Nothing stays in my cooler longer than a day."

Amin’s family operates Casablanca, 728 E. Brady St. (his cousin Musa co-owns it) Amin grew up working in the restaurant as a busser, cook, server and bartender when it was still located on Mitchell Street and well after it moved to Brady Street.

"Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to own a restaurant and it finally happened," says Amin. "I also love burgers and wanted to do something unique."

BB’s is available for dine in, carry out or delivery. Soon, it will have a walk in, to-go section featuring sandwiches, muffins, pastry, fresh juices, coffee and milkshakes.

"We’ve been so slammed I have not had time to do it, but it will happen very soon," says Amin.

BBs also has a full bar, with a 2-for-1 happy hour Monday-Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. There’s also a back room with pool tables and TVs.

So far, Amin is pleased with how the restaurant is developing. His clientele comes primarily from hotels and offices, along with Marquette students and a solid brunch crowd from all over the city.

"I love every second of this," he says. "Whether it’s busy or slow or if problems arise – it’s all part of running a business."

BB's is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.