Dino’s, 808 E. Chambers St., has been a staple in the Riverwest Neighborhood for over 50 years.
Leo "Dino" Dinon opened the neighborhood hangout in 1968. It was originally just a bar; however, thanks to his wife Rita's cooking, it soon became a cozy corner bar known for its delicious Italian fare. And that reputation continued under the ownership of Dino's grandsons, Anthony and Lawrence Lococo.
But the bar and restaurant will be closing up shop after a farewell party to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The venue shared the news last night with a farewell post on Facebook.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the last 50 years! We appreciate all the support from friends, family, and the RW community. We are officially closing our doors next Wednesday. Please stop in to get all the tasty food and beverages during the next week. We will be hosting a FARE THEE WELL party on Wednesday, August 28th. Music, food, smiles and friends will be in attendance. With love, we bid you goodnight!"
Details for the "Fare Thee Well Dino’s" closing bash are available on Facebook.
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.
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