By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Jul 17, 2023 at 11:04 AM Photography: Lori Fredrich

Sweetgreen, the Los Angeles-based chain specializing in “farm to table fast food” will officially open its first Wisconsin location at 310 E. Buffalo St. on Tuesday, July 18.

Guests will find the former Hudson Business Lounge utterly transformed with elements like white tile, local art and a spacious dining area. Outdoor sidewalk seating will also be available overlooking Broadway.

The plant-forward menu, which changes seasonally, features salads, warm and cold grain bowls and plates, sides like roasted sweet potatoes, hummus and focaccia, plus desserts and beverages. Kids’ meals are also available.

If you're among the first to try the new restaurant, you can feel good about your decision. On opening day (July 18) from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sweetgreen will be donating one meal to Milwaukee's own Hunger Task Force for every meal purchased at the Third Ward store.

Guests can also stop by on Saturday, July 22 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., to experience a "Build Your Own Flower Bar" by Marius Bell Floral, and free Sweetgreen Crispy Rice Treats and hats for the first 100 guests. The grand opening celebration will also include music by DJ Bizzon, complimentary Avocado Popsicles from Pete’s Pops, candles by Milwaukee Candle Co. and Sweetgreen totes (while supplies last).

On the menu

Guests can expect the menu at the Buffalo Street locaion to be largely the same as that at other Sweetgreen locations, with the exception of a few select ingredients, which will be sourced from Wisconsin. That includes Organic Valley blue cheese, parmesan from Schuman Cheese, LaClare Farms goat cheese, bread and foccaccia from Breadsmith and zucchini from Harmony Valley Farm.

In addition to popular core items like kale Caesar salad and Hot Honey Chicken Plate (blackened chicken, sweet potatoes, quinoa, slaw, almonds and hot honey mustard sauce), Sweetgreen's summer offerings will include the Peach & Goat Cheese bowl with peaches, cucumbers, basil, mint, goat cheese, roasted almonds, spring mix, shredded kale and balsamic vinaigrette; and a BBQ Chicken salad with romaine, kale, cilantro, red onion, cabbage, tomato, tortilla chips, apples, blackened chicken, green goddess ranch and honey BBQ sauce. All are priced in the $9-$13 range.

Sweetgreen Third Ward will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A second Wisconsin location at The Corners of Brookfield is slated to open on Aug. 15.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

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.