By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Sep 29, 2015 at 11:20 AM

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, El Comedor Restaurant will hold a grand opening celebration at its location at 11th Street and National Avenue in Milwaukee.  

The brick and mortar restaurant began as a food truck, which owner Natalio Perez launched in autumn 2014. Thanks to the support of the community, as well as his former employers, Perez was able to transition from food truck to brick and mortar business within just one year’s time.

"It was always Natalio's dream to open his own restaurant." said Five O'Clock Steakhouse Managing Partner Stelio Kalkounos.  "Being family owned and operated ourselves, it is an honor to lend our support the Perez family as they expand El Comedor from a food truck to a thriving business."

Perez, who has over 20 years in the restaurant industry, specializes in Oaxacan cuisine, including steak, chicken and chorizo tacos and tortas, burritos and tostadas along with soup and sandwiches. Breakfast items include huevos rancheros and omelets.

El Comedor serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  More information can be found on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

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.