A new Italian deli serving sandwiches is set to open in downtown Milwaukee’s 3rd Street Market Hall on Friday.
Fonzarelli’s Italian Deli ― named for the sitcom character immortalized as Milwaukee’s Bronze Fonz ― is moving into the former home of Cajun restaurant Yummy Bowl at the market hall at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Yummy Bowl exited the market hall in August. The new deli will be located between Shuckers Crab Shack & Oyster Bar and WOK Downtown, near Dairyland.
According to a news release, Fonzarelli’s pays homage to the “classic, Italian-style sandwich shop that has deep roots in Milwaukee’s Italian-American food scene.” All sandwiches will be served on locally baked Sciortino’s bread and served with potato chips. Fonzarelli’s says its menu is “built around handhelds,” but it will also offer appetizers, baked pastas and traditional Italian desserts.
This will be the second restaurant in 3rd St. Market Hall for Fonzarelli’s co-owners Greg Kiekbusch and Tim Szuta. The pair also owns Rod & Makk, a neon, ’80s-themed spot selling unique flavors of macaroni and cheese ― like Elote Makk, Cajun Lobster Makk and Hot Cheeto Makk. The restaurant also serves the iconic foot-long “Lightning Rod” mozzarella sticks from Alphonso’s The Original Pizzeria.
Kiekbusch and Szuta met in high school and have been involved in the Milwaukee restaurant scene for a long time, according to their bio on the 3rd St. Market Hall website.
“We’re excited to add Fonzarelli’s to the lineup at 3rd St. Market Hall,” Kieckbush said. “We know this concept is going to fill a need at the Market Hall and are excited for this expansion of our footprint in the hall; Rod & Makk is going great and we’re believers in this great hub for local food and beverage operators to grow while exploring creative, fun concepts.”
Fonzarelli’s is the third new restaurant to come to the market hall in four months. In July, the hall welcomed two new restaurants: Milwaukee staple Pizza Shuttle and Goodland Greens ― a health-focused restaurant serving salads, wraps, smoothies and juices. Pizza Shuttle replaced Paper Plane Pizza, and Goodland Greens moved into the former home of salad and sandwich spot Greenhouse and Make Waves, which served acai bowls and smoothies.
Milwaukee’s 3rd St. Market Hall opened in January 2022 at the former site of the Grand Avenue Mall. It’s home to 19 vendors; all but one sell food or drinks. The market hall offers a wide variety of options including ramen, sushi, BBQ, Venezuelan arepas, tacos and frozen custard.
Fonzarelli’s Italian Deli menu
Here are a few menu items highlighted in the news release:
The Classic Italian sandwich: Capicola, pepperoni, salami, lettuce, tomato and onion covered in Ma’s Italian oil, vinegar and seasonings.Italian Beef sandwich: Italian beef slow-cooked with “Secret Italian Seasonings” served with “DA JUICE.”Papa’s Meatball sandwich: Meatballs, “DA SAUCE,” basil, mozzarella and parmesan.Vegetarian Roasted Pepper Melt: Garlic cheese bread topped with roasted red and green peppers, onions and “DA SAUCE.”Baked Mostaccioli: Mostaccioli tossed in “DA SAUCE;” baked with mozzarella and parmesan.Italian Potato ChipsCannoliTiramisu
More: Foot-long mozzarella sticks and mac and cheese are coming to 3rd St. Market Hall and it all looks amazing
Dining and Cooking