Roadside Wire
One man’s diner fantasy
- Published on Tuesday, 03 January 2012 16:30
Way back when, we published a Countertop piece about our ideal diner. I doubt that Mr. Jacobson ever read it, but he’s echoing my sentiments almost perfectly.
The (future of the) diner on the corner
Posted By Brian Jacobson
There is a place. In the empty retail space on the corner of E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Broadway Street, there lies the potential for something great. All it would take is a ton of capital, buckets of sweat equity, a love for Americana and food, social media savvy, endless stamina, and the will of the people to become faithful customers.
I’m writing here from a viewpoint of advocacy and the hope that lightning could strike twice. I’m also writing as a hopeless romantic.
When the Michigan Street Diner [2] closed its doors in late 2011, it left the metro Milwaukee area without a real diner or lunch counter. That slightly misleading statement needs to backed up. Yes, there is still a tiny George Webb’s on Third Street and there are two Real Chili locations. However, there is no life or love in that Webb’s, and the chili joints are just that — there is no room for a larger variety on the menu [3] than hot dogs, cheeseburgers, and salad. (Did you know they have salad? It’s true.)