Minneapolis-based, national award-winning burger, chicken, and ice cream concept Bebe Zito will officially open its doors at 3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., on Friday, Aug. 29, marking the fifth location for co-owners Ben Spangler and Gabriella Grant.
Since announcing their arrival in June, Ben and Gabriella have been transforming their new space into a playful, modern spot complete with fresh murals, updated lighting and eye-catching displays for their signature ice creams.
“We want to make a big, positive, and memorable first impression with our Milwaukee diners,” Gabriella says. “Attention to detail and exceptional hospitality have been our top priorities from day one.”
What to expect
Fans of indulgent comfort food will have plenty to sink their teeth into. Bebe Zito’s menu features the Bebe Burger (a beef-and-bacon patty with American cheese, special sauce, Grandma Connie's pickles, and lettuce), Honey Butter Chicken Sammy, Honey Butter Chicken Tendies and beer-battered white cheddar Cheese Curds served as squares.
But the sweet stuff might steal the show. Their scratch-made ice creams have been featured on the Food Network and include inventive flavors like Tres Leches Strawberry Snickerdoodle, made from three milks with a strawberry snickerdoodle cookie mix, and Marvelous Mrs. Hazel, a non-dairy chocolate-hazelnut base with generous cookie dough chunks, recognized as the 3rd best non-dairy ice cream in the country at ConeCon.
More to come!
Bebe Zito isn’t the only new face at 3rd Street Market Hall this fall. Fans of chocolate and sweets can look forward to two more exciting additions:
- Drip Chocolate, from the team behind Rod & Makk, is moving into a permanent home after delighting Milwaukee festival-goers this summer. Owners Tim Szuta and Greg Kieckbusch, alongside Jada Baake, will serve creative treats like Dubai Strawberry cups, Dipped Cheesecakes, Cookie Fries, and specialty frappes including a Dubai Chocolate Iced Coffee.
- Can-D Shop, a locally owned candy store, will offer handcrafted sweets, nostalgic favorites, and Wisconsin-made chocolates. Guests can even create their own custom candy mixes. Owner Darnell Williams says, “Every visit will bring back memories and create a magical experience.”
With Bebe Zito leading the way and two more sweet spots on the way, 3rd Street Market Hall continues to solidify its reputation as a downtown destination for both local entrepreneurs and delicious eats.
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.
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