Meat on the Street co-founders and owners Matthew Alfaro and Alexa Alfaro announced today that, after months of thoughtful conversation, they have made the decision to dissolve their business, effective May 1, 2023.
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers and the Milwaukee community for supporting us over the years,” said Matthew. “It has been an incredible journey, and we are proud of what we have accomplished. However, it’s time for us to pursue new opportunities and challenges.”
“We will always cherish the memories and relationships we have built through Meat on the Street,” added Alexa. “It’s been an honor to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive community.”
A look back
The date was June 26, 2014 and it was Food Truck Friday at Red Arrow Park. As the trucks gathered, a brand new mobile eatery made its inaugural appearance, rolling through with a small menu of pinoy, rice and pancit.
The truck was operated by two young sibling entrepreneurs: Alexa Alfaro and Matthew Alfaro, both of whom – with support from their parents (Deb and Ray) – left their college careers behind to pursue an entrepreneurial food truck dream.
In doing so, the trailblazing siblings singlehandedly introduced and educated local consumers about Filipino fare and culture. [Listen as they tell their story in this episode of FoodCrush.]
Over the years, the business grew. What began as asingular food truck expanded to include a thriving retail location, a catering operation and multiple trucks. As the business expanded, it quickly became known for serving up creative dishes with bold profiles and authentic Filipino flavors. But the brand also made its mark through a commitment to serving the community in which it operated.
Even the pandemic couldn’t dispel the spirit behind the Meat on the Street brand, which persevered, participated in a variety of community initiatives, including feeding front line workers, and even gleaned international recognition for their inclusion in “The New Filipino Kitchen” cookbook.
In their announcement about the closure, both Matthew and Alexa noted that they hope the legacy of Meat on the Street’s memorable food and warm hospitality will live on even as they move forward to pursue new opportunities.
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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