Gordo Burger opens in Bay View with falafel, kofta patties and burgers
Drawn by the Bay View location, a veteran restaurateur has opened Gordo Burger, selling sandwiches made with falafel patties, chicken kofta patties and more, in addition to hamburgers.
Owner Marwan Otallah opened Gordo Burger at 2301 S. Howell Ave. on New Year’s Day. That was the site most recently of Little Duck Catering and Hello Falafel.
Otallah, who was born in Brazil and came to Milwaukee in 1980 with his family, said the restaurant’s name is for the burger’s size. Gordo means fat in Portuguese. “It is a half-pound burger, so it’s going to be a chubby burger,” he said.
Otallah also owns Milwaukee Classic Pizza at 3929 S. Howell Ave.. Previously, he owned the Middle Eastern restaurant Yum Yum and Quick Wok Chinese restaurant, takeout spots that both operated out of 4125 S. Howell (now Iron Grate BBQ Co.).
The restaurant also makes its own falafel patties, and it grinds the meat and seasons it for the chicken kofta and lamb-beef kofta. (The chicken and lamb are zabiha halal, slaughtered according to humane practices.)
He acknowledged that the pandemic is a daunting time to open a restaurant. “This is probably the worst time since I’ve been alive to open a business,” he said.
“If you’re going to do anything, this is going to be the best spot,” he said.
Besides, he has roots in the area, and his sister was an assistant principal at Bay View High School, he said.
Gordo Burger’s menu of specialty sandwiches ($10) includes the Gordo (half-pound beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato onion and special sauce) and the Freaky Greeky (beef, feta and tzatziki sauce). The falafal patty’s toppings include pickled turnips and tahini.
Customers also can design their own burgers and other sandwiches, choosing between Wagyu and Angus for the beef. The vegan Impossible burger is another patty option, and gluten-free buns are available.
Gordo Burger has appetizers and sides ($5) such as fried cheese curds, waffle fries and onion rings; it also has several desserts, such as strawberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse ($5).
The counter-service restaurant has a few distanced tables inside, seating about 15, but most customers take their food to go, Otallah said.
Gordo Burger has online ordering at
gordoburgerbv.com, but customers also can walk up to the counter or order by calling (414) 885-1118. Customers can request curbside pickup.
Delivery within a 3-mile radius is expected to start later.
Gordo Burger hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.