As the winter chill sets in, it’s tempting to stay at home where it’s warm and cozy. But thanks to the addition of four beautifully upgraded heated huts at Zócalo Food Park, 636 S. 6th St., you can get out and enjoy a fantastic dining experience without compromising those cozy, indoor vibes.
Zócalo’s new winter huts are heated, ADA-compliant and perfect for enjoying an after-work happy hour, romantic date night or casual meal with friends. Even better, they allow you to enjoy a feast of delicious offerings (and well-crafted cocktails) from the food park’s collection of amazing vendors.
Even better, each hut comes complete with a dedicated staff member who can take your beverage order and bring you your food; so there’s no need to leave the comfort of your private dining room.
While you’re planning your trip, think about reserving a soothing pre-dinner sauna session with Hot Spell Sauna, which offers 75 minute sessions for individuals or groups of up to six people.
Tickets are also available online for upcoming events including comedy shows, sip and paint sessions and more. Check them out on cash.drop.
On the menu
When you’re dining at Zócalo, variety is part of the fun. In fact, you can make a meal of numerous dishes from any number of vendors. Options include Venezuelan arepas and snacks from Anytime Arepa; wood-fired pizza, smoked chicken drumsticks and macaroni and cheese from Hot Box Pizza; tacos, burritos and tortas from Mazorca; deli-style sandwiches, Nashville hot chicken and smashburgers from Meat & Co.; appetizers, sushi and ramen from Modern Maki; and delicious, housemade morning bagels from Ruby’s Bagels on the weekend.
Meanwhile, cocktails from the Zócalo Tavern include classics like old fashioneds and micheladas along with seasonal drinks like the Frigid Sunrise (Alander spiced rum, lime, black tea syrup and cranberry liqueur); the Oh’ Honey (Rehorst gin, lemon, apple cider, honey ginger syrup and ginger beer); the Pumpkin Mobster (vodka, Kahlua, pumpkin spice creamer) and an espresso martini (with a toasted marshmallow on top).
Full menus are available on cash.drop.
Rent your hut
Winter huts accommodate groups of up to 12 and are available to rent for 90-minute intervals. Pricing varies based on date and number of diners. To book a winter hut reservation, visit zocalomke.com.
Zócalo Tavern is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours for individual vendors vary; please check their social media for specific hours of operation.
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.
