An Ecuadorian local who owns a local food truck plans to open a place to eat that offers empanadas, arepas and more in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood.
Pedro Tejada, owner of Pedro’s South American food truck, will open La Cocina Del Sur Empanada Bar at the former Riverwest fuel station, 701 E. Keefe Ave.
The new place to eat aims to debut between mid-December and early January, pending license approvals.
Tejada is running in the menu. It will showcase your food truck’s favorite dishes, adding empanadas, Colombian-style arepas, tamales, and South American dishes.
Tejada’s empanadas and harps, made from scratch, come with beef, pork, poultry or a vegetarian option.
Empanadas will offer “endless opportunities,” Tejada said. Theirs are encouraged through classic recipes and what locals appreciate.
The place to eat will also offer seasonal rotating empanadas, as well as gluten-free options.
While Tejada described his own arepa recipe as more traditional, he said his presentation had a twist. Their food truck menu describes the arepas as cheese-sweetened corn cakes and adding coleslaw, pickled onions, coriander, aioli and the customer’s protein selection.
Special parts will also be offered. ” It’s vital to keep other people satisfied with new things,” Tejada said.
The restaurant’s drinks menu will include South American-inspired cocktails, wine and beer.
Tejada, originally from Quito, grew up in the food business. His circle of relatives owned a French restaurant, where he began helping as a child.
After completing his studies, Tejada spent months traveling around South America, according to an earlier Sentinel Journal report. Empanadas were a staple wherever I went, as they were inexpensive and plentiful, according to the report.
After Milwaukee 17 years ago, Tejada said, he went on to paint in restaurants, from chef to chef.
“I love food,” Tejada said. I think it’s one of the ultimate vital things for humans to be healthy and happy. “
In 2015, he started his own business: Pedro’s South American Food, an empanada cart that would continue to climb tamales.
“I felt like Milwaukee was more exposed to South American cuisine,” Tejada said.
Two years later, Tejada introduced a food cart; It included arepas.
“When I was on the street serving empanadas with the food cart, other people would order the arepas,” he said. “Or when I was with the arepas cart, other people would order the empanadas. “
With a food truck, he said, he was able to merge the two menus and upload more. Pedro’s South American food truck debuted in 2020.
Tejada took the food truck to occasions in the Milwaukee area, such as the Milwaukee Night Market, the musical series Skyline and farmers markets.
“Every time I faint on the street, other people ask me if we have a restaurant, a brick and mortar,” he said.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, the Riverwest fuel station announced it will permanently close its doors after nearly a decade.
“I’m very proud of the food, the drinks and my space,” owner Bryan Atinsky told the Sentinel Journal. “And I’m very grateful to the consumers who have been unwavering with us. “
The restaurant’s food is ready from scratch, with influences around the world, according to an earlier Journal Sentinel report.
And do you know which growlers you fill with your favorite beers?Maybe it wouldn’t be doing that if Atinsky hadn’t worked with the city to replace some regulations to legalize growlers, according to the report.
Atinsky, the building’s owner, said he was happy with the planned new restaurant. It’s “very interesting” and the food is excellent, he said.
Tejada liked the idea of opening his restaurant in Riverwest, as it has been his home for “a long time. “
The restaurant area is “practically fit to use,” he said, but plans to make some adjustments to its décor.
The opening hours of the bar La Cocina Del Sur Empanada are being determined.
Tejada has also presented catering since its food carts exist. Organize weddings, parties, corporate lunches and other events.
Tejada plans to continue managing his food truck, food carts and food service. In the future, he hopes to cater to occasions at his restaurant.
Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah. kirby@jrn. com. Follow her on Twitter on @HannahHopeKirby.
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