The owners behind Taqueria El Toro say that community support in West Allis is driving their latest expansion ‒ a new family-friendly sit-down restaurant and bar at the former Fifty Seven Bar property on Burnham Street.
“He feels the city is behind them,” lead architect and El Toro partner Raul Arteaga said while translating for owner Toribio Martinez. “They feel supported by the city and the people.”
The El Toro project would convert the first-floor space at 5632 W. Burnham St. into a dine-in Mexican restaurant with a bar.
According to Arteaga, the West Allis Common Council approved the project in May, and he and Martinez are awaiting the building permit, which would mark the final approval stage before construction begins.
Arteaga said construction could begin within the next few weeks once permits are finalized.
Why West Allis?
During an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Arteaga translated portions of the conversation for his business partner Martinez, who primarily speaks Spanish.
Arteaga said Martinez decided to continue expanding in West Allis after seeing strong support from both residents and city officials following the success of Taqueria El Toro’s existing location at 8322 W. Lincoln Ave.
According to Arteaga, Martinez hopes to create a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere at the new Burnham Street location.
“He wants something safe and welcoming for families,” Arteaga said.
About the owners
Martinez, 53, is originally from a small community in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he began working in restaurants making tacos at age 15.
After moving to the United States at 21 years old, Martinez settled in Seattle, Washington, where he worked harvesting cherries, apples, asparagus and grapes. He later moved to Milwaukee and worked factory jobs, Arteaga said.
About eight or nine years ago, Martinez opened his first restaurant. Since then, the business has expanded to include multiple restaurant locations and four active taco trucks throughout the Milwaukee area, according to Arteaga.
Martinez is also the owner of the Toros Sports Complex, an indoor recreation, event space and restaurant development planned at 6014 W. Madison St. The project was approved by the Common Council on Feb. 10, according to city documents.
Arteaga said the business is also planning a food truck park in Milwaukee and expanding outside Milwaukee with new restaurant projects planned in Burlington and Lomira.
Transforming the former bar and apartment space
Arteaga said the biggest challenge in redeveloping the former Fifty Seven Bar property has been making the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Construction involves removing portions of the former apartment floor system and lowering sections of the interior floor to align with the rest of the building, allowing for accessible entry throughout the restaurant.
The redesigned area will feature an open-concept layout with a kitchen, small bar area, counter-service space and new seating areas for customers.
Arteaga, who earned his architecture license about two years ago after more than a decade working with BMR Design Group, said he looks forward to seeing how customers eventually interact with the completed space.
“I like to see how people interact with the space,” Arteaga said. “When I design something, I want to make sure that it’s usable.”
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Taqueria El Toro owners transforming former Burnham bar in West Allis
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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