By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Apr 25, 2017 at 3:59 PM

Baba Ghanouj, 1888 N. Humboldt Ave., has closed. 

The restaurant, which specialized in fresh Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, opened two years ago. However, it seems a series of hardships made the closure inevitable.

In early February, the restaurant indicated on Facebook that it would be closed for maintenance through Feb. 19.

Later in the month, it posted another message to its Facebook followers, indicating it would be closed temporarily.

"We have lost our cook recently and we are having a hard time finding a good fit for our restaurant," the message stated.

It further updated its status, indicating the closure would be permanent, earlier this month.

The small counter-service restaurant is now for lease.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.