The opening of Bumstead Provisions -- that crafty new restaurant/shop that's moving into Bay View -- is still a number of months off, but I was curious to get to know the guys behind the idea a little bit better.
So, I sat down with owners Devin Eichler and Mike Bodow at Honeypie Cafe, just down the street from the Bumstead’s site, for a chat.
OnMilwaukee.com: Why Milwaukee?
Devin Eichler: We really fell in love with the area by just living and eating out here. There are a lot of great concepts here in Milwaukee, but still a lot of room to grow.
Mike Bodow: Agreed. Milwaukee is an amazing city – both culinarily and with a growing cocktail scene and beer scene. And the more we got to know people here, the more we wanted to be a part of it.
OMC: What's your favorite Wisconsin beer?
DE: Black Husky Howler, amazing on tap.
MB: Central Waters Boubon Barrel Stout and Barley Wine.
OMC: Do you have a favorite Milwaukee restaurant?
DE: That’s the most difficult question you could ask. Right now it’s wherever I’m currently eating. Bavette has some of the best meat cuts I’ve ever eaten. And Morel… really great.
MB: It’s tough, but it’s a fun question to answer. I could give you my top 10. Wolf Peach, Goodkind, Odd Duck. Vanguard, Honeypie… they’re all awesome.
OMC: And favorite Bar?
DE: Burnheart’s. Every time we go there, we always see like 10 people we know.
MB: No question, Burnhearts. And then there’s Vanguard and Sugar Maple – those are two more favorites. Swinging Door is also pretty cool.
OMC: What's one thing you haven’t been able to find in Milwaukee?
DE: Ecuadorian food. There was a place in Minneapolis, Chimborazo, that I seriously drive straight to, whenever I’m there.
MB: Sweetbreads, I haven’t been able to find them anywhere. I see them on menus, but they’ve been elusive when I’m actually at the restaurants.
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.
