When Judy’s on North sustained a kitchen fire in December of 2023, the damages were severe enough to shutter the restaurant. To stay afloat, co-owner Kevin Lopez launched the Judy’s on North food truck, which parked regularly on the East Side.
Lopez also started looking for a new location. When he heard that plans had fallen through for the proposed Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant in the former Simple Cafe, he took a look.
In May, he signed a lease on the space at 2124 N. Farwell Ave., where the restaurant reopened softly in late August.
The space is open and bright with a convivial bar and plenty of parking both on the street and in the lot next to and behind the restaurant.
The Judy’s Cantina menu is nearly identical to the menu at Judy’s on North, offering Mexican staples like tacos, burritos, flautas, enchiladas, tamales, fajitas and entrees including bistec and milanese. Guests will be able to access the full menu soon at judyscantina.com.
“While we were working on the new space, we closed the food truck to focus on the restaurant,” says Lopez. “And over the last month we’ve been rebuilding our audience. We’re finally settled in and we’re planning our grand opening for October 19.”
Grand opening details
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Judy’s will host an all-day grand opening celebration. From noon to 2 p.m. guests can peruse and purchase items from artisans selling Mexican crafts during an outdoor market. The Judy’s food truck will also be on hand selling $2 tacos.
There will also be live music all day. From noon to 2 p.m., guests can enjoy tunes from JC Muniga Music and from 4 to 6 p.m., dine-in guests can enjoy Mariachi Milwaukee. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Diego will be performing Latin saxophone. Judy’s will also offer food and drink specials all day long.
During the event, guests can also score a lifetime of free margaritas. Just purchase a Judy’s Cantina t-shirt for $35. Every time you wear the shirt to the restaurant and make a purchase, you’ll get your first margarita on the house. There is a limit of one free margarita per day.
Additional ongoing specials at Judy’s include:
Monday: Mojitos for $6
Tuesday: $1 off tacos, $6 Palomas
Wednesday: $1 off beer
Thursday: $7 house margaritas
Happy hour: $5 house margaritas Monday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Judy’s Cantina is also planning to host a Halloween party. Watch Judy’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.
Judy’s Cantina is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Guests can take advantage of full service in the dining room until 11 p.m. Carry-out is available from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Judy’s on North food truck is available for events. Email judysfoodtruck@gmail.com for additional information.
Judy’s Cantina to host grand opening celebration on Oct. 19 at new Farwell location
During the event, guests can score a lifetime of free margaritas.
When Judy’s on North sustained a kitchen fire in December of 2023, the damages were severe enough to shutter the restaurant. To stay afloat, co-owner Kevin Lopez launched the Judy’s on North food truck, which parked regularly on the East Side.
Lopez also started looking for a new location. When he heard that plans had fallen through for the proposed Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant in the former Simple Cafe, he took a look at the space. In May, he signed a lease on the space at 2124 N. Farwell Ave., where the restaurant reopened softly in late August.
The space is open and bright with a convivial bar and plenty of parking both on the street and in the lot next to and behind the restaurant.
The Judy’s Cantina menu is nearly identical to the menu at Judy’s on North, offering Mexican staples like tacos, burritos, flautas, enchiladas, tamales, fajitas and entrees including bistec and milanese. Guests will be able to access the full menu soon at judyscantina.com.
“While we were working on the new space, we closed the food truck to focus on the restaurant,” says Lopez. “And over the last month we’ve been rebuilding our audience. We’re finally settled in and we’re planning our grand opening for October 19.”
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Judy’s will host an all-day grand opening celebration. From noon to 2 p.m. guests can peruse and purchase items from artisans selling Mexican crafts during an outdoor market. The Judy’s food truck will also be on hand selling $2 tacos.
From 4 to 6 p.m., dine-in guests can enjoy mariachi and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. there will be live music from a Latin saxophone player. Judy’s will also offer drink specials all night long.
During the event, guests can also score a lifetime of free margaritas. Just purchase a Judy’s Cantina t-shirt for $35. Every time you wear the shirt to the restaurant and make a purchase, you’ll get your first margarita on the house. There is a limit of one free margarita per day.
Additional specials at Judy’s include:
Mojito Monday: Mojitos for $6
Taco Tuesday: $1 off tacos, $6 Palomas
Wednesday: $1 off beer
Happy hour takes place Monday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. and features $5 margaritas
Judy’s Cantina is also planning to host a Halloween party. Watch Judy’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.
Judy’s Cantina is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Guests can take advantage of full service in the dining room until 11 p.m. Carry-out is available from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Judy’s on North food truck is available for events. Email judysfoodtruck@gmail.com for additional information.
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.
