It was 2014 when Devin Eichler opened the first location for Crafty Cow in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Since then, the craft beer and burger bar has evolved, adding two additional locations in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa and upping its game in terms of its sourcing for ingredients, its commitment to eco-friendly practices and the benefits it offers for employees.
This week on the FoodCrush Podcast, we’re sitting down with Eichler to talk about the lessons he’s learned over the past eight years, the changes he’s made to the family owned business and the goals he’s set for keeping the brand fresh, even as the food scene continues to expand.
Along the way, he shares his personal journey as a young business owner, the challenges of opening his first restaurant at age 23, and the benefits of caring more, engaging with the community and pursuing a constant evolution for the Crafty Cow brand.
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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.
