For the 10th straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee, presented by the restaurants of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, dining guides, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as voting for your "Best of Dining 2016."
Today is the last day of business for a classic Milwaukee pub.
According to a sign posted on the restaurant's door, John Hawks Pub, 100 E. Wisconsin Ave., will not renew its lease for its Riverwalk location.
John Hawks has a long history in Milwaukee.
Founder Robert Bell opened the pub in 1971 in the lower level at 607 N. Broadway, where it was expanded in 1986. It moved to its current location in 1990. In 2011, the restaurant was sold to Brian Ward, owner of Point Burger Bar and Ward's House of Prime. In January 2015, the concept was sold again. This time, it was turned over to Sonni Islami – owner of Blue Bay Family Restaurant in Mukwonago and Porticello restaurant in Oconomowoc – who has been the managing partner ever since.
Islami was not available for comment this morning.
Watch OnMilwaukee for details about new plans for the space as they develop.
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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