Café Corazón — Restaurant in Brown Deer

August 2025

I've been to Cafe Corazon, probably 100 times over the last 8 years in Milwaukee. Its a place I'm always happy to go - enchiladas, palomas, chips and salsa. In my book, you can't go wrong! We've seen people come and go, but usually replaced with other like minded employees. Lately, all the summer kids are gone - and long time employees have moved on for one reason or another.

You see - I feel like Corazon is the neighborhood restaurant - where you know the staff, they know you - and that there is a special kind of camaraderie. I've met many people sitting at the bar, and patio - who have become friends - or acquaintances. The same with the staff - many cool conversations with the college kids, and staff as time has gone on. We always bring people visiting for a meal here. Is it the most authentic, no. But it's always ON point.

Lately, the whole vibe has shifted. There has been the exodus of staff (which I understand happens) - but the new leadership of the Brown Deer restaurant seems out of touch with the truly special environment that Wendy and George have built. The last two times we dined, she was outside smoking by her car- meanwhile the restaurant is in the weeds and needs help.

Tonight, we dined - and it was a total cluster - a new bartender (Tracy) who was super nice, dirty tables everywhere, no de facto leader and a busy full house. The Paloma's were not good (too much lime) so I know the new bartender hadn't been properly trained (not her fault). The bar was neglected, because she wasn't prepared to run service bar and wait on the bar at the same time. She was hustling!

Bottom line. We love Corazon. Don't ruin all the amazing things with the wrong leadership. Try and hold on to the staff who has been here a while (and who have established so many relationships) and find more people that align with the amazing place that has been created in all of the Corazon locations.

Note: The photo is from August 5.

Early 2025 We have loved Corazon since they were at Public market and they were always worth the drive from Glendale. We’ve gotten to know Hannah at the bar and anytime she is working and we come, we are so excited. She is a rare gem who is an asset to the restaurant. We’ve seen many people come and go, some good and some we wish had stayed- but she is our constant.

We

1st time trying this place and we were very pleasantly surprised! They obviously spent a lot of time and money bringing this old A&W back to life and giving it new life with quality Mexican fare. You can usually get a feeling of a place by their chips and salsa, both VERY good, so much so, we had to get a small side of guacamole which also checked the box, it was fresh homemade and delicious. I got the taco plate with steak taco truck style, no radish and the meat had amazing seasoning, you could taste a touch of char from being grilled YUM. I can not handle to much spice/heat but this was on the top end of what my stomach can handle with flavor so it should be a good heat level for almost anyone. The queso fresco was actually chihuahua cheese, just as good! The rice I believe was Puerto Rican style (had peas and green beans in it) very good flavor, the refried beans had good consistency, slightly different flavor, but not bad. I had the mango lemonade, I finished it but i wasn't a fan of it. It was my first time having that type of drink so it could have just "not been my thing" I will be back to try others! My other half had the enchilada plate and he was equally impressed (although next time he wants a plate of tacos like mine! Lol) and he was eyeballing other players coming out that he had added to his must try list! He believes this is the best place for Mexican that isn't near national Ave (his 2 favorite places are down there). The wait staff was pleasant and service was well timed and quick. Entering is a narrow walkway/hall but still should accommodate a wheel chair, walker, or stroller. The place inside is not terribly large, maybe 4 tables that seat 4 and about 6-8 that seat 2 with a bar that looks to seat about a dozen or so. There is however outdoor seating and what looks like a serving area that opens up to it. We will definitely be back to try more dishes and the...

Food is always just Ok, need more variety, options get bland and outdated. Also never seasoned enough, really bland lately. I’ve been going to Corazon for years throughout different properties they have had and this one in particular has been a favorite of mine until recent. Staff is always engaging from host to bartenders to servers. The issue lies with management, or should I say new management. I’ve been going to this location through various changes in management from Kayle and Marco (sorry if that’s wrong) this new lady who I have yet to learn her name seems like she has really rocked the boat, she doesn’t have the guest presence that previous management has had, I could always look past the food issue because my wife loves this place and the management at the time made up for it with their hospitality. We went in about 2 or so weeks ago looking to meet the new manager and was informed she had been off property to take her child to get a haircut, at that point as we were informed it had been about 3 hours, we stayed for about an hour without sight of her. I assumed she had taken the day off, but as we were getting ready to leave she appears, without even the. Chance to introduce ourselves she was already in her car leaving again. Seems like staff is frustrated at this new “manager”. We have been in multiple times since and have seen her outside smoking cigarettes on the phone more times than she’s actually in the restaurant even when we have observed the restaurant to be very busy. Not sure who is in charge of hiring this level of employee but maybe that person needs to be retrained in reading a person before offering them a position within a busy restaurant. To this day, we still have no idea what...