Sibling owners Alexa and Matt Alfaro of Meat on the Street have partnered with The Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St., to assume operations for the museum’s cafe and coffee kiosk, both of which are open to the public (no admission to the museum is needed). 

The move marks a significant step forward for the small family business, which the Alfaro’s launched in 2014 as an homage to their Filipino culture. What began as a single food truck has since grown to include multiple trucks, catering services and a brick and mortar location.

To accommodate the new location, Meat on the Street will be closing their location at Eleven25 at Pabst, 1125 N. 9th St. after service on Friday, Feb. 24. However, they will continue to operate their food trucks as well as offering catering services. 

"We are impressed by their approach to ingredient selection, food preparation and the diversity of their menu options,” noted Rebecca Ehlers, the museum’s vice president of marketing, communications & visitor experience in a statement. “This is an exciting opportunity to enhance Museum visitors’ dining experiences and support local entrepreneurs as they take this next step in growing their business."

On the menu

The full menu for the museum cafe has not been finalized, but it will include a variety of traditional Filipino dishes, including kabobs, egg rolls and lumpia; American food options like hot dogs and hamburgers; and Mexican staples, from taquitos to burritos. The kiosk will serve a combination of traditional coffee drinks along with a few Filipino beverages and a selection of grab-and-go breakfast foods.

“What makes Filipino food so unique is that it is a blend of both Asian and Spanish ingredients,” Matt said. “Our menu also prioritizes health; everything is made in-house and we cater to all dietary preferences, whether you like meat, vegan or gluten-free.”

Even more, the food the Alfaros prepare comes from a place of love, an inheritance passed down from their father, who grew up in the Philippines and shared their heritage through recipes which had been passed down through the generations.  [Listen to the Alfaros talk about their experience on the FoodCrush Podcast]

“It’s come full circle,” Alexa said. “My dad came here, got to live the American dream, provide a better life for his kids, and now we’ve opened a food business that he’s always dreamed of for us.” 

The current vendor will continue to operate the Museum cafe through Feb. 28, with Meat on the Street assuming operations in March. 

Museum cafe hours are Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coffee is available at the kiosk Wednesday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.