On the Bus, a new venue specializing in plant-based and "super food" offerings, is now open at the south end of the Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward.
The concept, adjacent to Thief Wine Shop & Bar and Kehr’s Candies, utilizes a renovated 1971 Volkswagen Bus as its focal point. The venue is operated by Emily Ware, who also holds a stake in the Green Kitchen operation at the market.
On the Bus will offer a variety of menu items, including a variety of smoothies ($4.95), date shakes made with house-made almond milk ($5.50), and acai bowls including a cacao berry bowl with acai, strawberry, almond butter, apple juice, cocoa nibs and hemp seed granola ($6.95) and a sunset bowl with acai, banana, pineapple, mango, orange juice, goji berries and coconut flakes ($6.95).
Sandwiches include melts like the vegan reuben ($8.50); BBQ tempeh with kale slaw, red onion and mayo on ciabatta ($8.50); and portobello truffle with marinated portobello mushrooms, tomato, red onion, arugula and mozzarella with truffle garlic aioli ($8.50). There are also deli sandwiches like the buffalo chickpea ($6.95), tofu egg salad ($6.95) and The Club with oven roasted seitan, cheddar, avocado, tomato, onion, spring mix, mayo and mustard on sourdough ($7.25).
Toasts, including avocado toast, berry toast with cashew cream cheese and almond toast with bananas, cinnamon and maple drizzle, will also be available for $3.95.
Among the many house-made items at On The Bus will be kale chips, cookies, granola bars and vegan ice cream available in over 13 flavors including salted caramel pretzel, birthday cake, pink peppermint, s’mores and espresso ($3 for one scoop, $4 for two and $5 for three). Waffle cones and sundaes are also available for $4.50 along with kids cones for $2.50.
"There have been hundreds of inquiries about the opening of On the Bus," said Milwaukee Public Market executive director Paul Schwartz. "It only proves there is a great demand for plant-based food products in the area, and I think Emily will do a fantastic job at filling that void."
On the Bus will be open during regular market business hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
