By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Oct 31, 2024 at 4:17 PM

’Tis Dining Month, the tastiest time of year! This means we’re dishing up fun and fascinating food content throughout October. Dig in, Milwaukee! OnMilwaukee Dining Month is served up by Potawatomi Casino Hotel

Both the cheel, 105 S. Main St., and Daily Taco & Cantina, 105 W. Freistadt Rd. in Thiensville will close their doors following service on Saturday, Nov. 9.  

Guests are invited to enjoy a final meal at both restaurants. Daily Taco is first-come, first-served. But reservations are recommended at the cheel and can be made online.

In addition to the news shared on social media, we also spoke to Chef Barkha Limbu about the closing.

"Our decision to close was not easy in any way, shape or form. And it has been a personal one," she says.

"Our circumstances are very different from when we decided to rebuild the cheel. We’re in a different place, personally, professionally and economically. And right now, closing the restaurant is the best decision for us at the moment.  

"We have so much gratitude for our hardworking team. So many of our employees stayed with us after the fire and have continued to work for us. Right now, we have over 50 team members. They are loyal and qualified, and I want to make sure that each one of them is able to find a new job.

"I’m also so very grateful that we’ve had the opportunity to expose so many different flavors to our community and beyond. I would love to see our customers for a last time before we close, so I hope that everyone will consider paying a visit and enjoying a final meal with us.  

"I have so much gratitude for everyone who has supported us for the past 10 years, and I want everyone to know that their support has meant a great deal to me.

"I’m staying positive that there might be another opportunity to bring the flavors of our food back again someday. But right now, I need to take a pause to focus on my son and myself. Thank you for understanding and for giving us the space that we need."

Social media message

Here is the news shared on social media on Wednesday, Oct. 30:

"Dear Friends,

With full hearts and deep gratitude, we reach out to thank each and every one of you. Over the years, the cheel and Daily Taco have been much more than places to only dine or grab a drink—they have been establishments filled with laughter, friendship, celebration, and community. You, our patrons, have made that possible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and it has been our absolute privilege to serve and share in your lives.

Today, with a heavy heart, we share some difficult news: next week will be our last week of service. While our passion for creating special moments remains, unfortunately, we cannot continue operations at this time.

We invite you to visit us for a final toast, enjoy your favorite and memorable dishes, and connect with the incredible staff who have worked so hard to make your visits memorable. We would love to celebrate with you once more and express our deep appreciation in person.

From all of us, thank you for being a part of our story and for allowing us to be a part of yours. You have been the heart of everything we do, and we’ll carry those memories forever.

With all our gratitude,

Barkha"

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

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.