After announcing a brick and mortar location in Muskego Milk Can Hamburgers & Custard brand is expanding its reach yet again, bringing not only its signature burgers and custard to Greendale, but also a full service all-day diner.
Milk Can Diner is slated to open in April 2021 in the former home of Ferch’s Malt Shoppe & Grille, 5636 Broad St., which closed in October.
Behind the concept are Milk Can partners Ryan Oschmann, Lori Oschmann, Andy Meinen, Jared Eggener as well as new operating partner Richard Busalacchi, a former 18-year resident of Greendale who remains involved in a variety of commmunity organizations including serving as President of the Greendale Lion's Club and Foundation. Busalacchi is also current Executive Director for MATC’s West Allis campus and former administrator for the MATC Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts programs.
“It’s been great seeing what Ryan has done at Bass Bay Brewhouse,” notes Busalacchi, “And when he shared this project with me, it struck me as such a great fit for the Greendale community. For 30 years, Ferch’s served the Historic Downtown area with a similarly nostalgic eatery, and we’re excited to expand upon that concept with the addition of breakfast, lunch, dinner and bakery.
It’s a concept that he says not only marks the evolution of the Milk Can brand, but also provides added value for the community, making it a destination for guests from the surrounding area.
Milk Can burgers and more
Construction is slated to begin soon on the building, which will transform the existing malt shop into a more open, dine-in friendly environment. Additions will include expansion of the kitchen and the addition of a bakery space, which will produce a variety of items for the diner, including pies and cookies.
The kitchen, which will remain partially open, will overlook an 1950s-era dining area (comprised of the former dining room and private party room), complete with a large u-shaped counter that allows a birds eye view of custard assembly and production, as well as full-service coffee and beverage service.
The family-friendly diner will offer a combination of walk-up ordering and full-service sit down dining with a menu that not only features Milk Can classics (burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, fries, cheese curds and custard), but also a full complement of breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings that riff on of diner classics.
As plans move forward, the partners also hope to secure a full liquor license that would allow them to serve craft beer, mimosas, bloody marys and boozy shakes, along with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
Milk Can Diner is expected to open daily at 7 a.m. with hours that run through dinner and likely until at least 10 p.m. on the weekends.
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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