The Bay View brunch scene has some new Mexican flair.
Axolotl Café, 3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., opened its doors to patrons the first week of November. Its menu features traditional Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles, molletes and quesabirria, as well as fusion dishes like berry dulce french toast and horchata pancakes.
The building formerly housed Blackwood Brothers from 2021 until February 2024, when owner Mario Malacara closed the global cuisine restaurant and transitioned to a Peruvian concept called Cholo Power.
Cholo Power opened March 2024, with former Triciclo Peru chef Mario Diaz Herrera at the helm in the kitchen. Cholo Power’s license was flagged for review in May 2024 after city officials received complaints about noise, trash and Diaz Herrera, who was convicted of disorderly conduct related to domestic abuse in November 2023. The restaurant subsequently changed its name to Inka Peru Cuisine and parted ways with Diaz Herrera before the city renewed its license.
That iteration of the restaurant lasted less than six months and in November 2024, Crave Kitchens ownership proposed to open a location in the space.
Jorge Trejo filed for food and liquor licenses in August to open Axolotl Cafe in the space. The Common Council approved the licenses Nov. 4, and the business held its soft opening the second weekend in November. Trejo did not respond to requests for comment about the new restaurant, but the cafe posted a thank you message on social media on Nov. 9 for patrons who dined there during its opening weekend.
“Huge thank you to everyone who stopped by for our first weekend! You made us feel super welcome in the community,” the post said. “We are amazed by the turnout and honestly weren’t expecting that much love and support for our little family-owned spot. Thank you for being patient with us while we’re still figuring things out. We want to make sure we give you all the best experience possible.”
Axolotl Cafe is open 7 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday- Sunday. For more information, follow the cafe on Facebook or Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Milwaukee brunch spot Axolotl Café opens in former Blackwood Brothers space in Bay View
Reporting by Angelika Ytuarte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
