A popular barbecue restaurant in South Milwaukee has unexpectedly closed. Find out why.
The smell of Tennessee barbecue is fading in South Milwaukee as Atwood Hwy BBQ has suddenly shut down its smoker and closed its doors.
There were “a multitude of factors” behind the decision, according to owner Donteah Morehouse.
The business, known for its ribs, brisket, pulled pork and pork rinds, was having some staffing issues with Donteah and his wife, April Morehouse, spending more and more time in the kitchen.
“It was just getting to the point where summer’s approaching, we’ve got different catering things that happen and it’s hard to keep the restaurant open and do everything else,” Donteah Morehouse said.
Another main reason behind the shutdown was so he and his wife could focus more on family time, as well as their food trailer, the Atwood Hwy BBQ Shack.
The Morehouses have eight kids with four still at home. They found themselves missing games and other events their kids were involved in and they decided it was time for a change.
From opening in 2022 and a sudden closure announcement on Facebook
The culinary couple opened the restaurant in March 2022 at 925 Madison Ave. and were met with so much success they expanded into an outdoor space just three months later.
Their barbecue food trailer was also a staple at the South Milwaukee Farmers Market.
A Facebook post made by Atwood on May 2 announced that would be the business' last day open. Mayor Jim Shelenske commented on the post, saying he was sad to hear the news and the business "will be missed.” He questioned if the owners would still be at the South Milwaukee market in their trailer.
“Yeah, I’ll be at the Farmers Market every Thursday," Morehouse told the Journal Sentinel. He plans to post a schedule to his Facebook page soon with additional dates in Menomonee Falls, Thiensville, Butler and possibly the Kenosha area.
Originally, the business targeted May 11 as its final day, but "other things" came up that led to the quick closure.
“It wasn’t a planned thing," Donteah Morehouse said of the sudden shutdown. "I just couldn’t commit to the days being open until the 11th and it was a bummer on us.”
Might be moving home
While the upcoming food truck season is booked, it could be the last for the Atwood Hwy BBQ Shack because Morehouse said he and his wife have been considering moving to Tennessee. Morehouse grew up there on a farm near Atwood Highway and he said the couple has been feeling drawn south.
“We love South Milwaukee, we appreciate it," he said. "(We've) just been thinking it might be nice to move back to Tennessee."
Nothing is decided, however, and Morehouse said it may be possible to run a restaurant in southeastern Wisconsin even if the move happens.
“We’re not done yet, we just need to take a break, get out of the restaurant and into the trailer," he said.
Atwood expanded into Milwaukee’s Crossroads Collective in April 2023 but closed that location just before Labor Day last year. Donteah Morehouse said at the time of the closure the business had been operating with a temporary occupancy permit and “an occupancy issue” with his smoker and a new hood system led to the closure.
Morehouse had been working to bring an ice cream vendor to the South Milwaukee space and wanted to launch a wine label.
When Morehouse moved into the South Milwaukee location, he had to cut a hole in the wall to get his smoker inside. He thought that was the last time he'd be moving it.
He was wrong. And it was just as difficult taking it out over multiple days.
"She whupped me again," Morehouse said, laughing.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Atwood Hwy BBQ in South Milwaukee abruptly closed. Here's why.
