Riley’s Bar + Burger officially opened June 3, bringing burgers and cocktails to Bay View.
The opening was originally planned for May 30, but it was pushed back after a last-minute kitchen hood malfunction.
Riley’s owners John and Jessica Ludwig pivoted to a temporary outdoor kitchen, which is serving wagyu smashburgers and black bean burgers. Its bar is fully operational, serving seasonal cocktails and craft beer.
The new concept is the latest iteration of Riley’s restaurants, which started as a dog-friendly sandwich spot in Shorewood (now closed), then grew into Riley’s Social House, a bar and restaurant in the Third Ward.
The restaurants are all named after the Ludwigs’ 17-year-old dog, Riley.
“Riley’s has always been everything we like. We opened in Shorewood in February 2021 because we love sandwiches and want to bring our dog everywhere,” John Ludwig said.
Ludwig said burgers were another favorite of theirs, which was the inspiration for the new spot.
Once the kitchen at the new restaurant is restored, it will continue to serve smashburgers and black bean burgers, along with burritos and dips like queso, guacamole and onion. Riley’s Bar + Burger also is partnering with local food spots for other menu items, like tater tots from Tots on the Street and mac and cheese lumpia by Lumpia City. It also will have breakfast items on the weekends and a specialty burger of the week.
It has 15 craft beer on tap, along with nitro cold brew on draft, and a seasonal cocktail menu.
The new 3,100-square-foot restaurant at 100 E. Montana Ave. cannot accommodate dogs inside, but it does have a 2,400-square-foot outdoor patio where dogs are welcome, plus a walkup window to order food and drinks.
Riley’s Bar + Burger also has dart boards inside and outside, pull tab machines and more.
Riley’s is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the kitchen closing at 10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Riley’s Bar + Burger now open in Bay View with dog-friendly patio
Reporting by Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
