Cocina Filipina is the name of a brand new woman-owned Filipino food truck that will be rolling out in the next couple of weeks.

Behind the new concept is Marilupe Moreno, who also owns the food truck Modern Maki. She says the idea for the truck was inspired by the recent closure of Meat on the Street.

“I’ve always looked up to Alexa, as a fellow female business,” says Moreno, who got to know Alexa through their work with Let’s Talk Womxn. She’s accomplished a great deal, and I’ve always admired her for her work in bringing Filipino fare to Milwaukee”

When she heard the news that Meat on the Street was closing, she realized she could offer employment to a number of their former employees. Among them is Bailey (Billy) Bush, who served as Meat on the Street’s longtime general manager.

A new concept is born

Moreno says that, as she thought through the situation, she realized that she could do more than provide employment. She could create a new concept that could assist in filling the void that Meat on the Street had left behind.

“Whenever a business closes, the city loses something,” Moreno says, “In this case, it was one of the city’s only broad representations of Filipino cuisine. The more I contemplated things, the more I realized that we could carry on what they started by serving Filipino food in Milwaukee.”

When she presented the idea to Bush, it met with wholehearted approval.

“I have fallen in love with Filipino food over the past three years while working for my former employer,” says Bush. “I’ve always admired Lupe’s work ethic and her involvement in the community, so it seemed like an ideal match – and honestly a no-brainer – to work alongside another powerful female entrepreneur.”

What to expect

Cocina Filipina will feature a menu filled with familiar Filipino favorites including adobo, pancit and lumpia, as well as inventive new fusion dishes.

Guests can watch for the food truck at summer food truck festivals and local events, including Food Trucks in the Park in Thiensville on May 18. Cocina Filipina will also be available for catering services.

“Our main goal is to share the unique and delicious flavors of Filipino cuisine with everyone,” says Moreno. “And in doing so, we hope to keep the MOTs legacy alive for generations to come.”

For more information and updates follow Cocina Filipina on Instagram and Facebook. Catering inquiries can be emailed to cocinafilipinamke@gmail.com.