Samantha Sandrin is so close to opening the brick-and-mortar home for Midwest Sad at 601 S. 6th St. in Walker’s Point — she can practically taste it. She even hoped to throw open the doors this weekend.
But as any seasoned sandwich-slinger will tell you: construction timelines are a myth.
So, instead of a soft opening, Sandrin is serving up the next best thing: a glorious, flavor-packed menu preview at her current pop-up digs (770 N. Jefferson St., yep, that cozy basement cafeteria in the Jefferson building) on Friday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sell-out); Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sell-out); and Sunday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or sell-out).
You won’t get to peek at the cool new space just yet. But you will get to taste the goods AND help keep the Midwest Sad dream alive while the finishing touches are added in Walker’s Point.
This is your official invitation to stock up, snack hard, and support local.
Can't make it? Throw a bit of something at their GoFundMe.
On the menu
- State Fair Smash – pulled ham, cheddar, mustard aioli, and sweet corn relish on a potato bun
- The Cheese Head Melt – garlic herb ricotta, roasted cherry tomatoes, house pesto, and fresh mozzarella on toasted sourdough
- The Burger – two smashed patties, caramelized onion, white cheddar, and roasted tomato on a potato bun
Salad, but make it sexy
- Veggie Picnic Stacker – kale, sunflower honey vinaigrette, roasted zucchini, bell peppers, pickled red onion, and sunflower seeds
- The BLT – romaine, basil-buttermilk dressing, bacon, roasted cherry tomatoes, and sourdough croutons
- Caesar Killed the Chicken – kale, house Caesar dressing, crispy chickpeas, red onion, and parmesan
Let’s get baked
- Cookies: fluffernutters, chocolate chip, almond matcha, funfetti & more
- Bars: Oreo brownies, classic brownies, carrot cake blondies, blondies-blondies, and shortbread
Carb party central
- Stuffed Breads: cheddar bacon ranch, chili oil and parm, French onion, pesto monkey bread, cinnamon monkey bread, pizza bread
- Milk Bread Rolls: cinnamon, banana bread, cookies & cream, raspberry lemon
TLDR: You can’t sit in the new space just yet, but you can eat like you’re already there. Show up hungry, leave happy and feel good knowing you’re supporting a dream that’s this close to coming true.
Midwest Sad will be open special hours this weekend on Jefferson Street:
Friday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sell-out); Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sell-out); and Sunday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or sell-out).
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.
