By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Sep 28, 2024 at 11:30 AM Photography: Lori Fredrich

Join us in celebrating local restaurants and their international cuisines during this year's North Shore Bank Southside Dining Week September 28 – October 5.‹

Check out a tasty variety of signature dishes from 50+ restaurants throughout Milwaukee's southside.

Find more info about who’s participating at www.southsidediningweek.com

After three successful years, North Shore Bank’s Southside Dining Week is back for another round.

The week-long celebration of international cuisine will take place Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, with 50+ restaurants offering signature dishes for $20 or less throughout the week.

Kick off at Zócalo Food Park

The festivities will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 28 with the family- friendly Live Band Kick Off presented by Mastercard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zócalo Food Park, 636 S. 6th St.  The event will feature live performances from Kerensa DeMars, Clayton and Septeto Charambo as well as 20+ vendors selling clothing, art, jewelry and more in partnership with 414Flea

For the first time, North Shore Bank’s Craft Cochera will offer kid-friendly art projects and activities. Meanwhile, guests can also watch as local artist Michael Cerda highlights Milwaukee’s vibrant community and culture with live mural painting, transforming the building next to the food park. 

And yes, there will be plenty of food and beverages from Zocalo vendors including Anytime Arepa, Hot Box Pizza MKE, Ikigai Izakaya, Las Virellas, Mazorca Tacos, Modern Maki, Pallino Burger, Ruby’s Bagels, Sandu and Scratch Ice Cream. 

The first 50 guests will receive free ice cream from Scratch Ice Cream and churros from Mazorca. 

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the restaurants and community members on the south side for the fourth consecutive year,” said Alfredo Martin, area branch and community engagement manager for North Shore Bank. 

“This year, we are excited to showcase a range of new restaurants and diverse flavors that the south side has to offer, while also bringing family and friends together to enjoy culinary delights and a strong sense of community spirit. We have some amazing new additions to our Live Band Kick Off, so we encourage everyone to join us to celebrate the week.”

Participating Restaurants

But the fun doesn't end there. From Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, guests can visit more than 50 South Side restaurants and experience their signature dishes for $20 or less.

With so many delicious choices, it's the perfect time to branch out and try a number of new dishes. With so many choices, there's no reason not to eat well all week long!

Here's the full list of participating restaurants and their featured offerings: 

  • Anytime Arepa: Beef Arepa
  • Asadero Fiesta Garibaldi: Ribeye in broth
  • Benny’s Pizza: Lasagna
  • Black Sheep Milwaukee: Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
  • Braise Restaurant: Humba
  • Café Corazon: Best Burrito
  • Café El Sol: Shrimp in Chipotle Sauce
  • Carnitas De Rafa Restaurante: Tortas Ahogadas
  • Chicken Palace: Mexican Empanadas
  • Cielito Lindo Restaurant: Huevos Cielito Lindo Especial
  • Del Valle Oaxaqueno: Mole Oxaqueno
  • Don Chetos Tacqueria (Food Truck): Taco Garancha
  • Egg & Flour Pasta Bar: Pesto Bucatini
  • El Atoron Mexican Restaurant: Tostada de Ceviche
  • El Caramanchel Nica: Carne Asada Nica
  • El Local Restaurant: Oysters in lemon sauce
  • El Tlaxcacteca: Tacos de Birria
  • El Tsunami: Shrimp Enchilada
  • Faklandia Brewpub: BAM Burger
  • Gold Rush Chicken: Four Piece Chicken
  • Guelaguetza Restaurant: Tlayuda Oaxaquena
  • Hot Box Pizza MKE: Jumbo Smoked Chicken Wings
  • JC Kings Tortas: Torta Cubana
  • Johanna’s Café: Puerto Rican Rice, roasted pork and salad
  • Karma Café & Smoothie Bar: Loaded Protein Waffle
  • La Caribena: Bandeja Paisa
  • La Casa De Alberto: Beef/Chicken Fajitas
  • La Finca Coffeehouse: Oaxaca Pour Over
  • La Poncena: Arroz Chino Boricua con carne Roja
  • La Salsita Restaurant: Bistec Encebollado
  • Lulu Café & Bar: Sesame Chicken Pita
  • McKiernan’s Irish Pub: Gene’s Grilled Reuben
  • MobCraft Beer: Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Modern Maki Sushi: MKE Burrito
  • O’Lydia’s Bar and Grill: Reuben Sandwich
  • Purple Door Ice Cream: Ice Cream Flight
  • Restaurant y Taqueria La Esperanza: Stir Fry Camaron
  • Restaurante La Salsa: Pollo Loco
  • Ricanmex Frappes + Grill: Pastel Dinner
  • Ruta’s Fresh Indian Fare: Goa Pork Rice Bowl
  • Sabor Tropical: Caribbean Nachos
  • Shalom Puerto Rican Restaurant: Jibarito Plate
  • Tacos Gemelos Restaurant: Barbacoa De Res
  • Tacos Guelaguetza Food Truck: Alambre
  • Taqueria El Toro: Papa Relleno
  • Taqueria Los Gallos: Combo #8 Quesadilla, Rice and Beans
  • Taqueria La Sierrita: Sudaero/ El Pastor + Cecina Tacos with Mexican Rice
  • The Bridgewater Modern Grill: Artichoke Dip
  • The National Café: Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich
  • Todo Postres: Pasteles Les De 3 Leches
  • Tres Hermanos Restaurant: Tampiquena Arrachera
  • Tsanami Cuisine: Mojarra A La Diabla
  • Tulum Latin Gastropub: Lomo saltado, ceviche, peruanol, ceviche mexicano, enchiladas de mole
  • Vientiane Noodle Shop: Pad Thai with chicken and vegetables in a savory sauce

As an added bonus, North Shore Bank will be providing a $5 statement credit to its banking customers when they spend $15 or more at participating restaurants during Southside Dining Week using their North Shore Bank Debit Mastercard®. Restrictions may apply.

Participating neighborhoods for 2024 Southside Dining Week include: Silver City, National Park, Mitchell Park, Clarke Square, Walker’s Point, Harbor View, Jones’ Island, Burnham Park, Muskego Way, Historic Mitchell Street, Clock Tower Acres, Layton Park, Forest Home Hills, Lincoln Village, Baran Park, Bay View, Fernwood, Jackson Park, Southgate, Polonia, Alverno, Harder’s Oaks, Mount Olive, South Point, Morgandale, Saveland Park and Tippecanoe.

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.