Mex Avenue, the Wauwatosa eatery which opened its first location at the Mayfair Collection in the fall of 2022, is expanding its reach to include Milwaukee’s East Side.
Beginning Jan. 11, the Mexican restaurant will open its second location at Crossroads Collective in the stall that formerly housed Dia Bom.
The concept, founded by second-generation Mexican American, Melissa Escobar, will offer a menu of traditional Mexican fare including tacos, enchiladas, burritos and flautas.
Guests can also expect modern twists on classic flavors in the form of MEX fries, birria ramen, quesabirria tacos and churro pancakes. The Crossroads location will also serve up a menu of margaritas and agua frescas.
Escobar, who says she takes inspiration from her father, grandmother and time spent in Mexico, grew up in the restaurant world. As a teenager, she worked as a server in her father’s Milwaukee-based restaurants.
Even as she branched out to pursue her own career in business, she says she found herself drawn back to the service industry. Before opening Mex Avenue, she operated a food truck, serving guests at various events throughout Milwaukee for the better part of two years. She says that her goal is to remain true to her roots in every decision she makes for her business.
Escobar will join a growing collective of restaurants at the East Side food hall including Kawa Ramen & Sushi, Nute’s Cafe, Scratch Ice Cream, Noodle Me, Ready to Roll, Temple Goddess and Adonis Burger Co. and The Pharmacy Bar.
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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