Milwaukee-area restaurants that closed in 2023
Jordyn Noennig
Noble
704 S. 2nd St.
The Noble, a respected Walker's Point restaurant known for its ever-changing dinner menu, quirky decor and Monday service-industry brunch, has closed after nearly 12 years in business.
The news of the closing spread by word of mouth and over social media. Noble had not made an official closing announcement, but left hints with their final brunch on August 7, with drink names that included The Last Lunch-able Bloody, We are so Sad to Go-gurt Mimosa and Do-nut Forget Me Honey Coffee.
Owners David Kressin and April Woelfel opened the Noble in the fall of 2011, focusing their menu on seasonal ingredients that could be sourced locally, with no standard menu.
Stonefire Pizza Co.
5320 S. Moorland Road, New Berlin
The kid-friendly pizza place announced May 16 that it had closed, without giving a reason.
"You have made this a staple landmark for almost two decades," Stonefire said in a statement on its website. "We wish you all a wonderful, safe and enjoyable future with tons of fun and great adventures."
In addition to serving pizza, Stonefire entertained children with such amenities as bumper cars, mini-bowling and an arcade.
Lazy Susan
2378 S. Howell Ave.
The Bay View restaurant closed on April 8, exactly nine years after opening. Lazy Susan was on the Journal Sentinel's top 30 list and was known for its Sunday brunches, dinners and gluten-free foods.
Owner and chef AJ Dixon cited the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the high cost of items.
"None of us thought (the pandemic) would last as long as it did or the ripple effects," she said. "It's like starting from scratch. I'm tired. I'm burnt out."
Albanese's Roadhouse
2301 W. Blue Mound Road, Waukesha
The Italian American restaurant closed March 31 after more than 40 years. Joseph Albanese, who owned the restaurant with his late father, said he was looking forward to retirement and spending time with family.
. "You were always welcomed as soon as you came in," said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly. "They made you feel like family."
A car wash is planned at the site.
Randy's Neighbors Inn
6922 W. Becher St., West Allis
The longtime bar and restaurant known for its fish fries closed in mid-March. In a Facebook post, the owner said it was time to retire.
Randy's was open for 45 years, and the City of West Allis declared March 21 "Randy's Neighbors Inn Day." The proclamation says Randy Katzuba's father started the bar-restaurant in 1978, when Randy was 18, and he eventually took it over.
Sisu Cafe
2121 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
The Bay View cafe closed in February, eight months after opening. The cafe was owned by Frank Sanchez and Ruben Piirainen, who also own the nearby Sabrosa Cafe. They said the space had attracted other interest.
"We were looking at the numbers, and we decided it wasn’t performing up to our expectations, and someone approached us about taking over the lease and we jumped at it," Sanchez said.
Some menu items will now be served at Sabrosa.
Smoke Creek
10166 S. 27th St., Oak Creek
The barbecue restaurant closed Feb. 24 after being open for two years. A Facebook announcement did not give a reason. The restaurant had a custom-built wood smoker and featured such items as ribs, smoked turkey breasts and burgers.
The restaurants owners also have a food truck, Rollin Smoke, but they said the future of that venture is uncertain.
Catrina Café
118 W. Broadway St., Waukesha
The Mexican coffee shop closed Feb. 28 after just over a year in business. In a Facebook post, the owners said one reason for shutting down was a construction project that would limit access.
The post said the business would continue at farmers markets and offer catering.
Flannery's
425 E. Wells St.
The longtime downtown restaurant and bar closed Jan. 29, a few months after its building was sold. Its lease was not renewed, said co-owner Steven Smith. A new restaurant, a second location of People's Park, is planned at the site.
Smith said it was sad to see Flannery's close after 25 years in business. "In this business, the biggest thing is you miss the staff and loyal customers and events, whether it's Jazz in the Park or Bastille Days," Smith said.
The owners will continue to run the Flannery's at Fire Ridge Golf Club, 2241 County Road W. in Grafton, Smith said.
Wahlburgers
322 N. Broadway
The burger, shake and homestyle food restaurant closed in mid-January. The restaurant was owned by Hy-Vee supermarket company, which is shifting its strategy toward putting Wahlburgers only in its supermarkets. A Wahlburgers at the Corners of Brookfield continues to operate.
The Wahlburgers franchise began in 2011 with an A&E reality show by Chef Paul Wahlberg along with his famous brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg.
City Market Café & Bakehouse
527 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay
City Market closed Jan. 6 after being open in downtown Whitefish Bay for 12 years. In a Facebook post, City Market said the site would be rented to Stone Creek Coffee, which could open there by midyear.
The company has two other locations: in Shorewood, at 2205 E. Capitol Drive, and in Wauwatosa, at 8700 W. Watertown Plank Road.
"This change will not impact The City Market's philosophy of the past 26 years, that our guests deserve baked goods and dishes handmade from scratch, with premium ingredients," the Facebook post said.
The Fire Pit Sports Bar and Grill
1721 W. Canal St., in Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
The casino quietly closed the restaurant at the start of 2023. The restaurant had a sports bar atmosphere with lots of TVs, and it served bar foods such as burgers, fries and fish fries.
Casino officials said the spot will be turned into a poker room as part of the casino's expansion and renovation.