After five years serving nourishing plant-based fare at their location at 4905 S. Packard Ave. in Cudahy, Twisted Plants owners Arielle and Brandon Hawthorne have made the decision to close their inaugural location. Instead, they will focus their energy on operating their East Side eatery at 1233 E. Brady St. and their West Allis location at 6202 W. Lincoln Ave.
Their final day of service in Cudahy will be Saturday, Sept. 27.
They shared the news yesterday on Instagram. Brandon Hawthorne confirmed today by text that he had no additional news to share.
“The End of a Chapter
Running a restaurant is no easy road —early mornings, late nights, endless paperwork, repairs, insurance, hiring & firing, even a hallway fight with an ax man. Some days tears, some days forced smiles…iykyk.
“But through it all—the love from our day ones, fellow business owners, and every single customer old and new kept us going. For that, we say THANK YOU.
“After five unforgettable years, our first brick & mortar—opened in the middle of a global pandemic—will close its doors September 27th @ 8 PM.
“You’ve got two weeks to come Get Twisted before we say goodbye to Cudahy. Stay tuned… the journey continues!”
5+ amazing years
It was May of 2019 when the Hawthornes launched their food truck, Twisted Plants. Just one year later, they successfully made the transition from mobile food operation to restaurant, launching curbside pick-up at the former Cudahy Burger Joint.
The two made a name for themselves with popular vegan dishes like the "Up In Smoke", cauliflower bites and cake shakes.
Since then, the Hawthornes have successfully expanded their business to include locations on Brady Street and West Allis in 2024. Over the years, they’ve had the privilege of serving their delicious fare at the Wisconsin State Fair and sharing their success story with a variety of audiences. In 2024, they were honored with a nomination for Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
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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