By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 17, 2023 at 11:31 AM

OnMilwaukee is proud to highlight Black History Month in Milwaukee and beyond. Our goal is to highlight even more Black-owned businesses and stories – so for starters, click here to learn more about awesome Black-owned restaurants and businesses around town!

Atwood Hwy BBQ Company is slated to open its doors this April at Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave.

Operated by Donteah and April Morehouse, Atwood Hwy BBQ opened its first brick and mortar location in South Milwaukee in March of 2022. But soon, the East Side will have the opportunity to get a taste of not only their BBQ, but their family-driven hospitality.

“Atwood Hwy BBQ is all about family,” note the Morehouses. “We both learned to cook watching family members in the kitchen, and food has always been something that brings our families together. We put a lot of love into each dish we make, and it’s because when we serve food we’re really welcoming you into our family.”

Both owners have roots in the South. April spent years working at her father’s restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. And their name – Atwood Hwy BBQ – references the highway in Tennessee where Donteah grew up. In fact, both owners aspire to bringing the flavors they grew up with to the table here in the Midwest.

“Good food helps people connect and feel at home with one another,” remarks Donteah. “It’s not fussy or overcomplicated. We’re just creating a place where our customers get to know us, where they know that our staff is excited to see them, and they feel the love that goes into every bite.”

Guests will be able to get their first taste of Atwood Hwy BBQ’s Southern staples, including burnt ends, pork skins, brisket, pulled pork, ribs and sides starting on Monday, April 10. 

The new BBQ restaurant will occupy the space which formerly served as home for HotWax, which announced that they will be serving up their menu of sandwiches and sides through March 12.

In the meantime, you can give Atwood Hwy BBQ a follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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.