In a press release this morning, Thomas Hauck, chef and owner of c. 1880 and Karl Ratzsch restaurant, announced that Karl Ratzsch has closed permanently. The final day of service for the restaurant was April 1.
"It was my greatest hope that I could take this restaurant into the future and take it to a new generation, without it being lost," stated Hauck in the release. "Unfortunately due to many factors I am no longer able to sustain keeping Karl Ratzsch open.
"We put everything we had into this dream and it is with a heavy heart I have to let this go. I am incredibly grateful for everyone that helped to try to make this dream come true. Thank you to all of the patrons who have supported and dined at Karl Ratzsch during my ownership. I still firmly believe in Milwaukee, and will continue to focus all of that energy through c.1880."
The release also noted: "We had deeply wished that we would be able to give people time to say goodbye to this restaurant that means so much to so many people over the years. We were proud to be a part of this history, if only but for a brief time."
Karl Ratzsch has been a part of the Milwaukee food scene since 1904. Read more in this homage to the restaurant and its history.
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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