It’s been nearly a year and a half since Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery closed its doors at 753 N. Water St. But the doors won’t be shuttered for much longer. A new restaurant called The Angry Taco is on the way, and could open as soon as July.
Behind the concept is Robert Montemayor, owner of the Monterrey Food Market, 3014 S.13th St., and Burrito Express at Southridge Mall.
Montemayor, whose family hails from Monterrey, Mexico, says The Angry Taco will specialize in authentic Mexican tacos, as well as burritos, quesadillas, nachos and a variety of specials that will be offered throughout the week.
"Our goal is to bring really authentic tacos Downtown for people to appreciate," he says, noting that his 18 years of experience in the grocery business have given him access to both high-quality meats and ingredients, including specialty spices imported directly from Mexico.
"We want to give people a quick, high-quality lunch at an affordable price in a very efficient timeline," he says.
On the beverage side, the restaurant will serve a variety of Mexican sodas, as well as two beers that will be custom-brewed by Explorium Brewpub.
As for the name, Montemayor says it stems from the restaurant’s theme, which will capture the spirit of Lucha Libre, Mexico’s colorful, raucous and drama-filled wrestling tradition.
"I grew up in the 1970s and 80s watching the Lucha Libre," he says. "I’m not a big fan of the WWE, but the Lucha Libre in Mexico is awesome. My wife and I went to a taco shop in San Diego, California called Lucha Libre, and we just loved the concept. We didn’t want to take the name, but we really loved the idea."
The theme will play out in the restaurant with colorful accents and decor that captures the spirit of the tradition.
Montemayor says that they’re currently working on an app for online ordering, as well as a loyalty program for the restaurant.
He says that initially the restaurant will focus on hours that accommodate Downtown lunch traffic, but he expects that service could be expanded to include breakfast or dinner depending on the response from customers.
Tentative hours will be Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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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