I couldn't help but think about the Eddie Murphy movie "Coming to America" as I walked past 1020 N. Water St. today. Why? Remember the restaurant chain in the movie? It was "McDowell's" a rip off, of course, of McDonald's.
In the movie, the restaurant is owned by Cleo McDowell (played by John Amos) and based in Queens, N.Y. It is under investigation from the McDonald's Corporation for allegedly copying their franchise. The logos and typeface are similar, including the names of the menu items. "Big Mick," anyone?
Anyway, the Cousins restaurant at 1020 N. Water St. in Downtown Milwaukee closed at the end of May but has recently become a restaurant called Subs on Water. Everything looks the same inside, just a bit more generic. According to Cousins, it was a franchised location and the owner chose to close it. But, maybe there are just too many many Cousins too close since earlier this year another Cousins restaurant opened at 789 N. Water St., just 2-1/2 blocks south of the 1000 North Water building.
My question is, though, will there be "better bread, better subs" at a place called Subs on Water?
Use the talkback feature to let me know if you've tried this "new" place.
Menomonee Falls-based Cousins Submarines Inc., by the way, has about 160 other locations in 10 states.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
