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Birria Bao at Pina Cocina & Cantina Photo taken by Sophie Borich on May 22, 2024.
A throng of reporters, bloggers and Milwaukee notables descended on Miller Lite Brew House at Henry Meyer Festival Park on Wednesday to admire the new food selection for this year’s Summerfest.
The aroma of warm tortillas and grilled burgers wafted through the air, and Pete’s Pops, holding its trademark rainbow umbrella, was clearly visible among the employees. In fact, the room was full of familiar faces, from Pizza Man to Dan Dan.
The latter, a Chinese-American restaurant run by Dan Van Wright and current “Top Chef” rival Dan Jacobs, is one of five new openings at this year’s festival. . Others include Fazio’s Popping Bubbles, Los Mariachis, Pina Cocina & Cantina, and Wokkin’ Roll.
The newcomers focus on East Asian and fusion cuisine, offering dishes like Japanese fried noodles with slices of beef rib at Wokkin’ Roll; dandan noodles, Sichuan pork dumplings, and egg rolls at DanDan; birria baos at Pina Cocina & Cantina and a variety of boba teas at Fazio’s Popping Bubbles.
This year’s Summerfest lineup will feature 34 new menu items, including quick and easy options for efficient snacking and cold treats to beat the heat.
Other specialties include La Masa’s cookie dough-filled empanadas, Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que’s smoked brisket rolls, and Los Mariachis’ Mexican street corn and proof hard ice cream.
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The ice cream, with flavors like Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Caramel Old Fashioned and Chocolate Espresso Martini, will be available at select concession stands in the festival’s Midgate Market, Dockside and American Family Insurance Amphitheatre.
The concession stand will also be adding Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers, Doritos Walking Tacos, Peanut Butter M&M’s and other new items this year.
New drinks announced for the 2024 festival include Happy Thursday Strawberry Spiked Refresher, Simply Spiked Limeade, Topo Chico Oasis Cherry Hard Seltzer and a range of cocktails.
Summerfest, presented by American Family Insurance, also unveiled new merchandise for the 2024 festival. The line will include official commemorative pins, graphic t-shirts, festival posters, Taylor Swift-inspired friendship bracelets, and more than 90 other products.
Throughout the festival, shoppers can browse and purchase merchandise at three Summerfest stores on-site.
Summerfest 2024 will be held over three weekends: June 20-22, June 27-29, and July 4-6.
A full list of food and drink options, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, can be found online. Fans can also use the official Summerfest app, sponsored by Pepsi, to find their favorite foods and drinks.
