MILWAUKEE — Downtown Dining Week in Milwaukee is making a winter debut and offering take-home options for the first time.
Normally Downtown Dining Week is held in the summer, but organizers saw a new opportunity to encourage people to support restaurants at a time when they really need it.
"Particularly during this season it's important for us to remind people that this is a prime time to support your downtown restaurants," said Erica Chang, the Marketing and Events Director for Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21.
Special prices apply for both dine-in and take-home offers: $13 for lunch, and $25 or $35 for dinner. Some are also offering drink kits or family-style options.
"Come out, check out some new restaurants, check out some old restaurants, check out new items we’re usually always testing usually this time of year anyway," said David Gawlick, who runs Oak Barrel Public House, Who's on Third and Third Street Tavern.
You can choose from more than 20 downtown restaurants that offer plenty of variety: at Buckley's Restaurant and Bar you can get a three-course meal, and at Third Street Tavern you can enjoy comfort food.
Organizers say they are proud of how restaurants downtown have adapted to the pandemic.
According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurants have been hit harder than any other industry during the pandemic, and they still have a long road ahead. But owners say it's their customers who will get them there.
"Everyone we met I've made a personal mission to talk to them, invite them back, make sure they had a good time," said Jack Roman, who owns Third Street Tavern.
"In the beginning, it was like saying hello to people through their car windows, and people who live in the neighborhood would walk over, they were knocking on the window just to let you know they’re there," said Britt Buckley of Buckley's Restaurant and Grill. "So the support of our guests and our regulars has been amazing through this whole process."
Organizers say don't forget to tip!
You can find more information at downtowndiningmke.com.
