Laughing Taco, FreshFin Poke, Iron Grate BBQ and Palermo's-inspired pizza coming to Bucks arena

James B. Nelson | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Yes, there will be beer, brats and fried cheese curds. But the new Milwaukee Bucks arena will also offer healthy poke bowls and specialty tacos that you can't find anywhere — much less an NBA arena.

The Bucks say they are taking special care to make the food at the $524 million arena unique to the venue and a central part of the fan experience. That's especially important because the Bucks retain all revenue generated in the arena as part of the deal tied to $250 million in taxpayer support.

The plan is to feature large and small local food companies ranging from made-to-order pizzas developed by Palermo's to offerings from The Laughing Taco. The building also will include a unique variety of Klement's sausage crafted especially for the Bucks, and an array of MillerCoors products and local craft beers. (There also will be big national brands such as Coca-Cola products and Absolut vodka.)

It's a golden opportunity for the local businesses — some of which are very small — to have their names and products showcased before thousands of fans and national and international television and online audiences.

Drone video of the Bucks arena progress Drone video of the Bucks arena shows it's near completion as well at the progress on the entertainment area next to the stadium.

The Bucks didn't seek a financial commitment from any of the local companies, said Justin Green, vice president for hospitality.

"We're excited to give them a platform to build their businesses upon and grow."

Bucks Executive Chef Kenneth Hardiman and his staff visited the local restaurants to understand their cultures and adapt their products to the challenges of quickly serving large numbers of people. Both Hardiman and Green work for Levy, the Bucks food service contractor.

"We're building 'Wisconsin' and 'local' into the arena to the best extent that we can," Hardiman said.

Key local food offerings at the new building include:

Canal Street Pizza

Best known for frozen pizza, Palermo's has worked with the Bucks to develop a fresh-made pizza, said Giacomo Fallucca, the company's CEO, who is also part of the team's local ownership group.

The arena includes three deck ovens around the building that allow pizzas to be par-baked until they're about 80 percent cooked. Customers will order their slices — three or four varieties will be available — and they'll finish the baking on the spot.

"The slices will only take two or three minutes," Fallucca said. "They're going to get really great, hot out of the oven pizza with a crispy crust."



The arena pizza name is a nod to Palermo's headquarters on Canal Street in the Menomonee Valley. The company's development team worked on the fresh pizza dough and sauce, but doesn't have a stake in the concession operation, Fallucca said.

"We want them to come out of the arena — whether it's a win or a loss — and say that the pizza was amazing," he said.

Among the first offerings: a brat and beer cheese pizza.

The Laughing Taco

The Bucks tap into the local foodie scene by partnering with the operators of the tiny taco shop at 1033 S. 1st St.

Owned by Lucia Muñoz and her husband, fine dining chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent and Red Light Ramen, the restaurant features tacos like marinated pork called trompo, inspired by Muñoz's roots in northeastern Mexico.

"In terms of volume, it's going to be a lot different," Muñoz said. "It's an arena, not a restaurant."

"These guys know how to deal with that — keeping the flavors and the profiles we maintain at the restaurant," she said. "They want to make sure that the culinary scene of Milwaukee is represented."

"For the Bucks to think of us for this new project is very exciting."

FreshFin Poke

Operators of the fast-growing restaurant group featuring variations on the raw Hawaiian fish dish believe presence in the new arena could spur further growth, said co-owner Andrew Foster.

The popularity of poke showed that "dining preferences are trending toward more healthy," Foster said.

"We made sure we did our homework," he said. "We're hoping that it's an easy transition into the new arena."

Involvement in the community is a crucial part of the company's mission, said Foster, who praised the Bucks for sharing their values.

He said the Bucks showed interest in "great food and bringing in local vendors to give them that 'Milwaukee' experience."

MillerCoors

The big brewer with Milwaukee roots will have three bars at the new arena and is one of the Bucks "founding sponsors," corporations with the deepest commitments and ties to the team.

"There's a renaissance in the city, no doubt about it, and the Bucks are at the epicenter of what's going on," said Jim Kanter, MillerCoors general manager for Wisconsin. "There's a lot of energy and it's a great place for us to showcase our products."

Kanter predicted that 80 percent to 90 percent of the draft beers sold in the arena will be a Miller product.

"Miller Lite seems to be in the DNA of this city," Kanter said. "We feel like we have options for everyone."

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Klement's Sausage Co.

Klement's will create two sausages for the Bucks that will only be found at the new arena, said CEO Tom Danneker.

"That's not something that a big company would do," he said.

Klement's sausages and hot dogs will be found at two stands and several kiosks.

"It fits perfectly with our brand — hanging out with friends and family," Danneker said.

Iron Grate BBQ Co.

Offerings such as chopped chicken and chopped beef sandwiches and pork belly inspired by the Bay View-based restaurant will be served throughout the arena.

Hardiman fired up the arena's smoker this week and sounded delighted. He said meat from the smoker would be used for a variety of arena food offerings throughout the building.

Sargento Cheese

The company's products will be offered in the concession stands and hospitality suites and will be included on menu items such as sandwiches, burgers, pizza, mac and cheese and a selection of appetizers including fried cheese curds.

Drink Wisconsinbly

The Walker's Point bar and "lifestyle brand" will have its name on three bars featuring Wisconsin craft brews.

Sobelman's

The burger restaurant will be at three stands.

Other local names that will be found at the arena include Collectivo Coffee, Cedar Crest ice cream, Gold Rush Chicken and Milwaukee Pretzel.

The arena will also include a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Jim Fraiser, owner operator of the chain's Brookfield store, will run the chicken sandwich stand, and it will be the only arena establishment that will be staffed by a company other than Levy.

"We want to serve them quickly and with hospitality," Fraiser said. "We're up for the challenge."

Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed Sundays due to the owner's religious beliefs. For Sunday events at the arena, the slgns will be flipped over and the space converted into a "loaded chip and fry stand" for that day, Green said.