52 Restaurants is sponsored by Educators Credit Union. April marks 21 years of Financial Literacy Month in the U.S.! Check out their exciting new initiative that will grow your financial empowerment.
It’s as important as ever to support the amazing local restaurants we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants to guide you on your journey. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2025.
Zócalo Food Park
636 S. 6th St., (414) 433-9747
zocalomke.com
Food Trucks
$-$$
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Craving choices? You’ll find them in spaces – along with a liberal dose of community – at Zócalo Food Park, an ever-evolving food truck park in the swiftly developing 6th Street corridor of Walker’s Point.
It’s a casual dining experience unlike any other in the city. But even more than that, it’s a place that raises up food entrepreneurs, encourages community and works to make our city a better, more inclusive place.
Relax with a hand-crafted cocktail, beer or seltzer from the tavern while enjoying an ever-changing assortment of dishes (from tacos and arepas to soulful Puerto Rican fare, pizza or even sushi) from the food park’s collection of food trucks.
If the weather is chilly, make a reservation for one of their heated outdoor huts (they’re very affordable, especially for groups). They’re warm, cozy and perfect for gathering with friends.
Recommended: Hotbox smoked wings; Los Virellas’ pernil mofongo bowl; Modern Maki ramen (or sushi burritos); a bowl of bibimbap from Ikigai Izakaya; Anytime Arepas' pork arepa; a torta from Mazorca; a scoop of something delicious from Scratch Ice Cream; a rosemary sea salt bagel (or a breakfast sandwich) from Ruby’s bagels (weekends only)
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
