The tradition of Sunday hot ham and rolls is as ubiquitous as the Friday night fish fry. But at least one Bay View spot has taken it to another level entirely.
Head to Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery, 3216 S. Howell Ave., and you'll find the cafe's signature glazed ham and homemade biscuits; but you'll also find the Mexican equivalent to the Sunday brunch tradition.
“When I was a kid, we’d stop at El Rey on Sundays and picked up a quart of barbacoa de cachete, tortillas and all the fixings,” says Chef Francisco Sanchez, “So this brings home all the memories for me.”
Meats, all of which are available for purchase by the pound include barbacoa cachete (tender shredded beef cheeks slow roasted with beer, onion, garlic and herbs); carnitas (tender shredded pork roast); or hand-carved brown sugar and bourbon glazed ham. All meats are $10 per pound.
But guests can also add affordable accouterments like a six-pack of cheddar biscuits ($3); a dozen corn or flour tortillas ($2-3); taco toppings (cilantro, onion and lime, $2); and housemade salsas (mild chile verde or spicy chile de arbol, $2).
And yes, there are also sweets. Thanks to an expanded bakery selection at the cafe, including offerings like orange crunch coffee cake, apple fritters, scones and chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, guests can also add on items like a four-pack of giant cinnamon rolls ($19), Danish or slices of pie.
Sanchez says that offerings for the Hot Meat Market are made in limited quantities (and they have been selling out), so customers are encouraged to preorder online for pick-up on Sunday to ensure they can get exactly what they want. Sunday meat market and bakery orders can be placed online here.
Stay for brunch
Of course, guests are always welcome to stop by Sabrosa for breakfast, lunch or brunch at the art-filled cafe, which features dishes like a classic ham and cheddar omelet; spiced apple and brie French toast; or tasty Mexican staples including huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Warming lunch options like Sabrosa’s pot roast soup (or the soup of the day) and panini are also available.
In addition to seating in the dining room, guests can also enjoy Sabrosa’s enclosed patio space, which is cozy as can be thanks to wall-mounted heaters and a gas fire pit, where guests are invited to sit back, relax and even roast marshmallows.
Sabrosa is currently open Wednesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended; Delivery is also available through DoorDash.
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.
