These dishes help make Hispanic Heritage Month delicious in Milwaukee

Jessica Rodriguez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

Milwaukee has a lot of ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the monthlong celebration recognizes the diverse cultures within the Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S. It's timed to also celebrate countries that gained independence from Spain on dates within the month, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.

Locally, the celebration includes events like Latino Arts' Noche de Gala on Sept. 30 and Milwaukee Film’s Hispanic Heritage Month series.

But, of course, food is another great way to connect to cultures, and Milwaukee has plenty of options that span Latin America. Here are a few of them:

Pupusas

Pupusas resemble thick tortillas and are made of white corn flour. They're traditionally stuffed with a combination of cheese, beans and beef. Then they're topped with curtido, a lightly fermented mix of cabbage, onions and relish.

Pupusas are originally from El Salvador and western Honduras but are popular in many Central American countries.

Where to get them: Pupuseria Los Angeles, North Avenue Market, 5900 W. North Ave.; El Salvador Restaurant Milwaukee, 2316 S. 6th St.

A baleada is a thick flour tortilla filled with refried beans, Honduran cream, eggs, crumbled cheese and sometimes avocado.
A baleada is a thick flour tortilla filled with refried beans, Honduran cream, eggs, crumbled cheese and sometimes avocado.

Baleadas

Baleadas are traditionally a Honduran dish. A baleada is a thick flour tortilla filled with refried beans, Honduran cream (which resembles sour cream), eggs, crumbled cheese and sometimes avocado.

This dish is also served at El Salvador Restaurant, which has a number of Central American dishes besides those popular in El Salvador.

Where to get them: El Salvador Restaurant Milwaukee, 2316 S. 6th St.

Ropa vieja

Ropa vieja, which is Spanish for “old clothes,” consists of shredded beef slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers and olives. The dish is typically served on a bed of white rice with sides like beans, sweet plantains or tostones (fried green plantains).

The dish originated in Cuba and is referred to as “old clothes” because it resembles shredded fabric.

Where to get it: Cubanitas Milwaukee, 728 N. Milwaukee St; or Cubanitas Oak Creek, 7973 S. Main St., Oak Creek

A corn and cheese empanada is served with cilantro sauce at the now-closed Triciclo Peru in Milwaukee. A handful of Milwaukee-area restaurants serve empanadas, which can be stuffed with a variety of fillings.
A corn and cheese empanada is served with cilantro sauce at the now-closed Triciclo Peru in Milwaukee. A handful of Milwaukee-area restaurants serve empanadas, which can be stuffed with a variety of fillings.

Empanadas

Empanadas are fried or baked pastries stuffed with a variety of fillings from cheese and vegetables to chicken and beef. Most Latin American countries have their own take on empanadas.

Where to get them: La Masa Empanada Bar, 1300 E. Brady St.; La Cocina del Sur, 701 E. Keefe Ave.; and other Milwaukee-area restaurants

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Hispanic Heritage Month can include these delicious dishes