8 longtime Milwaukee restaurants that closed in 2022, including Polonez, Rock Bottom, Milwaukee Ale House
A restaurant that lasts two decades is likely to be a local institution, with loyal customers and visitor appeal.
Yet the churn continued in the restaurant industry in 2022 as COVID-19 continued to affect dining habits and workers remained hard to find. More than 90,000 U.S. restaurants have closed since the pandemic struck, according to the National Restaurant Association, although spending at restaurants rose in November for the fourth straight month.
In Milwaukee, amid this struggle, several longtime restaurants said farewell in 2022.
More:New Milwaukee area restaurants that opened in 2022
Benno's Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Marty and Suzie Weigel closed the business June 5 after 41 years, saying they're ready to retire and travel. The bar-restaurant was known for Benno Burgers, Friday night fish fries, Super Tacos and craft beer.
In a sign of its local appeal, Mayor Dan Devine signed a proclamation declaring June 7 to be Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill Day in West Allis and presented a plaque to the Weigels.
The couple lived above Benno's, and they planned to sell the property.
"It really has been a hell of a ride for us," they posted on Facebook. "See you on the other side (of the bar)."
Jackson Grill
3736 W. Mitchell St.
This steakhouse closed for repairs March 3, and then on March 28 the owner announced it wouldn't reopen. Co-founder Heidi Schmidt blamed high prices for meat, produce and power, as well as difficulty finding workers. The restaurant had been open for 20 years.
She opened the restaurant with her husband, the late Jimmy Jackson. He died Feb. 11, 2021, at age 66.
Jackson Grill had a classic neighborhood-restaurant atmosphere, with a bar in the front and dining room in the back. Some people thought of it as a supper club.
But the Jackson Grill is likely to reopen under new ownership.
In August, Milwaukee restaurateur Andrew Radjenovich, who opened Saloon on Calhoun, said he was purchasing the restaurant and hoped to reopen Jackson Grill by early 2023.
Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St.
The Ale House was a major attraction along the Milwaukee River for 25 years. It closed Sept. 11, saying its lease was up.
The Ale House was the home of Milwaukee Brewing Co., with popular beers such as Louie's Demise, MKE IPA and Outboard. Milwaukee's Eagle Park Brewing bought the brand in September, but it did not take up the lease at the Ale House.
On Facebook, the Ale House said "hopefully, it’s not goodbye forever, it’s just goodbye for now," keeping open the option that a new location could materialize.
Milwaukee Ale House at 1208 13th Ave. in Grafton remains open, but it was sold to new owners in 2011. It still carries Milwaukee Brewing Co. beers.
Polonez
4016 S. Packard Ave., St. Francis
The Milwaukee area's only Polish restaurant closed Sept. 25, with a full dining room in its final weeks. The owners, Aleksandra and George Burzynski, were ready to retire.
The restaurant was a longtime favorite in the Polish community and beyond, open since 1983. The Burzynskis kept it personal: He cooked and she made the rounds talking to customers.
"We have so many great relationships," Aleksandra Burzynski said before the closing. "I cry every day. You know why? When I am responding to all the emails. People have so many memories. They are so kind."
A play space Taxi and Tide hopes to open in the space by February.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
740 N. Plankinton Ave.,
Rock Bottom opened 25 years ago in a plum location on the RiverWalk in downtown Milwaukee. In mid-November, it closed, and the large restaurant space at in River Bank Plaza was listed for lease with Colliers commercial real estate company.
Rock Bottom was among the early major restaurant and nightlife destinations to open along the RiverWalk after the city expanded pedestrian access along the river in the mid-1990s.
The Milwaukee location was the only Rock Bottom restaurant in Wisconsin, but the company lists locations in eight states.
Soup Brothers
209 W. Florida St.
The restaurant closed in July after 24 years in Walker's Point.
"In the 24 years I've been here, Walker's Point went from tumbleweeds rolling down the street to them completely redoing Second Street and adding condos and reusing the factory spaces," owner Richard Regner said.
Regner cited the struggle for staffing and customers after years of the COVID pandemic. He also said the building needed updates and he was ready to retire.
He still owns the nearby Boo-Boo’s Sandwich Shop, 405 S. Second St.
In December, breakfast-and-lunch restaurant Hen's Deli opened at the site.
Sussex Inn
N64-W23300 Main St., Sussex
The Sussex stalwart closed Oct. 30 after 26 years. The owners said they wanted to spend more time with family.
"We look forward to finally being able to spend more time together as a family and welcoming our first grandchild in December," they said on Facebook, and later posted: "Who knows, maybe you'll see US out having a fish fry some Friday evening."
Sussex Inn was known for its Friday fish fry, plus pizza and Saturday steak nights.
Tosa Bowl and Bun
7212 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
The restaurant closed in late July; it opened as Venturi's Market in 1997. Under the same owners, it later changed themes. It drew its name from the bowling alley that used to be in the basement.
"We raised our kids here, and they both worked for us, and I think it's just time; these last few years have been kind of brutal, and we survived all of that, which is amazing, but it just came time," said Sue Venturi.
Restaurateurs Jeremy Maggio and Andy Fries quickly announced plans to open Maggio’s Wood Fired Pizza at the site, a nearly 100-year-old building. Since 2015, Maggio has been catering part-time from a trailer.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 8 longtime Milwaukee restaurants that closed in 2022
