As of this week, Milwaukee has lost another classic. Chez Jacques, the French restaurant at 1022 S. 1st St., has closed. The last day of business for the restaurant was Sunday, Oct. 30.
Owner Jacques Chaumet says he's had a good run, but it is time for him to move on.
"Business has been good, excellent," he says. "But I'm not getting any younger. And I'm tired. It's time for a change. And I'm going to release my place to some of the young, new talent in the city."
He says he plans to remain in Milwaukee, but will use his newly-found free time to pursue travels around the world.
Chaumet, a native of Le Puy-en-Velay in France, opened Chez Jacques in 2001 on South 2nd Street where he became one of the first restaurants in the now-booming Walker's Point area.
In 2010, Chaumet moved the restaurant to its current location on South 1st Street, where it became known for its traditional French fare, including sweet and savory crepes, steamed mussels and classic dishes like boeuf bourguignon and coquille Saint-Jacques.
Watch OnMilwaukee for additional information about the location as details develop.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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