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Read the press release here.

Mahalo Opens Wednesday, Adds Beachy Vibe to Wicker Park's Restaurant Row

By Alisa Hauser | June 1, 2016 9:40am
 Mahalo opens at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Wicker Park.
Mahalo in Wicker Park, 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave.
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WICKER PARK —   A Hawaiian hangout offering poke bowls, skewers and tropical cocktails — among other island-inspired fare — plans to open Wednesday along a busy stretch of Milwaukee Avenue packed with restaurants just south of the neighborhood's main intersection.

Located in a two-story vintage building at 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the former Bom Bolla, Mahalo is owned by Brad Parker, whose Parker Restaurant Group also operates River North's nautical-themed Hampton Social and music lounge The Bassment.

Parker describes his latest venture as a casual neighborhood spot. The massive venue boasts a bar and dining area on the first floor and, on the second floor, an indoor beach bar and rooftop patio that seats 50.

Mahalo's rooftop on the northeast corner of Honore Street and Milwaukee Avenue will be the third along a three-block Milwaukee stretch, joining Taxim, which debuted its rooftop patio last summer and Whiskey Business, which opened its rooftop this spring.

Mahalo's corporate chef, Ryan Wombacher has concocted a lunch and dinner menu of Polynesian-Asian fusion cuisine (Pupu, poke, or fresh fish bowls, and salads), with highlights such as "Spam Meatballs" and North Shore shrimp.

Most dishes range between $7 - $18 and sides such as corn and sweet potatoes cost less, a spokeswoman said.

On the weekends, Mahalo will feature a brunch menu highlighting spam & egg sandwiches (charred pineapple, scrambled eggs, spam, Hawaiian bread); Royal Loco Moco (port wine braised short ribs, pandan lemongrass jasmine rice, two sunny-side up eggs, asparagus); and stuffed Hawaiian Bread french toast (coconut cream stuffing, koloa rum, whipped cream, macadamia nuts, Kauai coconut syrup).

The 10-tap draft beer options include four Hawaiian Kona brews, Ace Pineapple Beer, a cider brewed in California, and Ballast Point's Watermelon Dorado. Mai Tai cocktails made with rum and tropical fruit juices and wine round out the libations.

View the opening food and drink menu:

Mahalo, 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Tues.-Wed.; 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thurs.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Ph: 708-328-3091.  Follow Mahalo on Facebook for updates.

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