The dining scene in West Allis has grown exponentially in recent years, boosted by more recent openings including The Fatty Patty, Flour Girl & Flame, The Bread Pedalers and more.
Soon, the city can add one more eatery to its docket, as Twisted Plants plans to bring their comfort food inspired menu of plant-based burgers, sandwiches and sides to a third location in the former Fratelli’s at 6202 W. Lincoln Ave.
The new counter service spot, which could open before the end of 2023, will showcase many of the comfort-driven offerings for which Arielle and Brandon Hawthorne’s business have become known. That includes sandwiches, cauliflower bites, loaded fries, freshly squeezed lemonade and indulgent shakes.
“We really weren’t looking for another location,” notes Brandon Hawthorne. “But Tyrone Brown, who manages our food trucks, lives in the area and took note of the vacant building."
After speaking with the property owner, they made the decision to negotiate a lease on the former pizzeria and Italian beef shop.
"We know we haven’t fully tapped the market at this point. Our truck has done well at events like Food Truck Fridays in West Allis, and we already have guests who come for our food from New Berlin and Menomonee Falls, so the location would be far more convenient for them as well.”
Hawthorne says that the location is in need of some cosmetic updates, as well as new equipment in the kitchen; but he says that once that's completed, guests can expect the West Allis shop to have a similar aesthetic to their other locations: bright, casual and filled with mural work from local artists.
They also plan to make use of the gas-fired oven which currently exists in the space. Currently, they are consulting with a chef and suppliers to explore the possibilities, but it's likely that they will expand their offerings to include plant-based pizzas.
The couple also hopes to expand the seating for the restaurant, which currently accommodates indoor seating for about 12-15 guests. If possible, they would like to build a four seasons pergola-style patio adjacent to the restaurant along 62nd Street.
Hawthorne says that service hours are still tentative, but they expect the West Allis location to offer both lunch and dinner with hours between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
In the meantime, fans can continue to get their fix at both Twisted Plants brick and mortar locations in Cudahy and on Brady Street. The Twisted Plants food trucks will also have a presence at multiple events this summer including The Rock'N Food Truck Rally every Thursday at the ROC Sports Complex in Franklin, Food Truck Fridays at the West Allis farmers market grounds on National Avenue and at select locations for the traveling beer gardens.
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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