There’s a new breakfast and brunch spot settling into the former Zak’s Cafe at 231 S. 2nd St. And it sounds like it's going to be a hoot.
Toast is the name of the new venue, which will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week in a fun 1970s tie-dye-infused atmosphere.
The new restaurant – which could open as soon as the end of February or early March – will be operated by Gordon Goggin, owner and operator of the Stilt House, his wife Tricia Dooley and business partner Lyn Magnarini of Hector's in Wauwatosa. The partners are also behind Gordo’s, the taco project planned for the former Moto-Scoot building at 1652 N. Water St.
Goggin says plans are still moving forward for Gordo’s, but it will take a back burner for a bit while they get Toast up and running.
Goggin says he and his partners have pulled together an impressive staff to run the restaurant, including Courtney Bowers, who will handle front of house management, while Chef Alex Romero will take the helm in the kitchen.
"Between all of us, we have over 100 years of industry experience," Goggin remarks. He says the menu at Toast will feature "craveable classic breakfast and brunch favorites," along with craft cocktails and coffee drinks.
Among items Goggin is excited about are fresh hot doughnuts, which will be made daily and be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
"Who doesn’t love an awesome fresh doughnut in the morning?" he says.
Goggin says he’s excited to settle into the Walker’s Point neighborhood.
"It’s just a really cool space, and we saw an opportunity to act on a concept that we’ve been contemplating for a while now. And Second Street has really come alive. You’ve got so many great spots, and we have great neighbors. I’ve worked with so many people, including Casey [Rataczak] from Camino. It’s like being back in the neighborhood with the old gang."
Once open, Toast will keep hours daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 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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