Riverwest Co-op & Café

I was in Milwaukee for Gay Pride and staying at an Airbnb property just up the sleep. I was thrilled to wake up bleary eyed and find this place as I was looking for coffee. Great coffee and amazing vegan/​vegetarian breakfast sandwiches and good conversation on the sidewalk with the neighbors.

The food at Riverwest Co-​Op is so comforting and delicious. I rode my first century to Milwaukee from Chicago, straight to the co-​op because my vegan pals all spoke highly of it and I knew I wanted to treat myself after 100 miles of trail. In two days, I fit in three perfect meals — all equally delicious. Vegan Reuben, fried chix tofu, and the vegan tuna melt. All of them were on point. I would really have liked to try everything on the menu, to be honest. It didn’t seem like anything there could ever be disappointing! I also got the vegan coffee milkshake!

I frequent the café often due to its proximity to my work. I really do love the food, especially the vegan blt, reuben, sweet potato sandwich, and all of the soups. I’ve tasted the fried «chicken» sandwich, but it was too bland and greasy for my taste. The tofu breakfast bagel has too much mustard in it and needs way more seasoning. The vegan mac and cheese is gross as well. It has a bad after taste and is weirdly served cold. The green machine smoothie is quite good, but outrageously expensive for how small it is. They also serve their sandwiches with stale tortilla chips that are straight up nasty. They need to offer a dip or find another side to pair with it. Or offer options or like 50 cents off for not getting it? Something — anything! I throw them out each time, because they are inedible.
The issue I have is with the terrible service. I had to wait quite a bit, while being ignored, for creamer to be replaced. I get they are busy, but there’s really no excuse for them just to stare at me after I asked. One said hold on as he was about to take something out of the oven. I get that. However, one girl just stood there by the sink and was doing nothing. Why couldn’t she replace it? And why don’t they check on it periodically? Meanwhile, my takeout sandwich got cold. It was bad customer service and rather rude.
Also, this place is too small for checking out, so I have waited upwards of 15 minutes to check out for my carry out item. The old machine also takes a long time too, and quite often, the two cashiers talk to each other and basically ignore you. My sandwiches I get for pick up are always lukewarm, and I can tell they’ve been sitting there a bit despite me coming when they say to come. They use a flimsy foil to help, but it does not suffice.
Luckily, the food (outside the bad ones to avoid) is fast and good enough to somewhat make up for it. I wanted to give 3 stars due to these issues, but the quality vegan food they have is keeping them at a four. Not many places make it as good as them or offer as any options. I might come back and give a 3 if the issues don’t resolve.

Delicious food. So hard to decide what to eat with all the tasty vegan options. My husband and I got the Philly seitan and the BBQ tofu sandwich and they were both very good! It’s a cute little area to eat. A few tables, water out with cups to serve yourself, very nice laid back staff. Definitely will be back if I’m in the area. Already recommended it to my mom.

I have so much love for this place! Definitely a favorite spot of mine. You can sense the commitment it holds for the betterment of the Riverwest community. The co-​op provides primarily local and organic products, seasonal produce, and has a really good bulk section (the co-​op granola is stupid delicious).
If you’re looking to connect more with the neighborhood and save some money, I definitely suggest volunteering. 3 hours a week gets you 10% off the co-​op side of things, 15% if you’re also a member, and you can add that to the additional deals they have during the week.
The café food is all sooooo good! Great vegetarian and vegan options, and consistently some of the best soups I’ve found in the city. You can’t go wrong.

One of my absolute favorite places in the city! I can’t recommend becoming a member and, if you have the time, volunteering enough. The selection on the grocery side is top notch and the menu on café side is to die for. The bibimbap is fantastic and ever changing with a blend of the freshest, in season vegetables. Sandwich-​wise, I’m really into the Port O’ Milly and their Bahn Mi. More of a breakfast fan you say? Well, a plate full of delicious biscuits and gravy ought to do the trick! Please, do yourself a favor and stop on in!

Looked for a good veg spot while traveling and found one. Good food, good people, good cause. Can’t get much better than that. Thanks again for making lunch items to-​go while it was still breakfast hours.

Every time I get to travel up to Milwaukee I hit this place up. The café has some of the best made to order vegan food I’ve ever had! Great service. Tiny little hole in the wall of awesomeness.

O.M.G.
I love this place.
Even if it takes me almost 45 mins to get there — it’s ALWAYS worth it. The atmosphere is great — everyone is so happy to be there and be a part of it. The food, which can be completely vegan, is out of this world. Recently spent a weekend in Milwaukee and ate everyday here.
Highly recommend the pancakes — huge and delish.
Highly recommend the Philly cheez steak — a vegan masterpiece!

The café’ has a great menu and something for everyone. The folks behind the counter making food and taking orders are always friendly. I have never had a bad dish.
The store is well stocked with varied health food offerings, coffee, tea, vegan, gluten free etc faire. My only qualm is having to walk to the store counter with your ticket after dining.

Went to the café and the food was amazing. The service however was a different story. They were a little ride and fairly slow. However with food as fresh and delicious as it was I think I’ll be able to over look the service.
Also was very reasonably priced for such fresh and natural foods.

Loved this place! So cozy and sweet. The café had a cute little store attached with fresh veggies and fruit. Very natural! Food was good and service was nice! Loved how they compost the scraps and recycle. Can’t wait to go back!

I have only been here once, but I was impressed with the vegan options and the vibe. I love the restaurant and the store! The food wasn’t mind blowing but it was great to find a Vegan, GF, refined sugar free option, the only meal of this sort that I have found in Milwaukee! I hope to be back!

The café has really tasty options whether you’re already a vegetarian or vegan, thinking about going vegetarian or vegan, or simply just like good food. All the food at the café is vegan (unless you opt to add dairy cheese to it) but all of my meat-​eating friends enjoy this place as much as I do. I’ve tried the black bean burrito, the chix fried tofu, the port o’ milly, and the philly… never been disappointed. They also have really great foods and some chilled dishes that you can buy in bulk and bring with you.
The coop, although small, has lots of stuff that can be hard to find anywhere else, however I don’t think it would be practical to do all my grocery shopping there. Lots of great odds and ends there and I’m always surprised with what I find. Prices aren’t outrageous, but it is a small mostly organic coop so you can’t expect it to compete with pick n save or Walmart.

I stopped at the Café for a takeout lunch. The staff had a hard time understanding our order, though asking for a quarter pound of a by-​the-​weight salad shouldn’t be confusing. We asked for the (vegan) mac and cheese to be heated up, and they had trouble understanding that we wanted to have it heated up but still be a takeout order. The staff weren’t friendly, bordering on surly, apathetic, or both.
In the end, our food was adequate in flavor but it wasn’t something I’ll crave or look forward to eating again. Given the rather edgy, confused service we had, I don’t plan to go back.
(Perhaps ordering ahead and picking up the order would be smoother? I saw people doing that and minimizing interaction is probably the best way to go.)

We ordered the peanut pizza (super yummy), black bean burritos (yummy wholesomness), smoothies (which I’ve been dreaming about) and the chocolate chip cookie (OMG). An assault of vegan goodness.
Very fresh, wholesome ingredients. There’s an attached store if you want to bring home a decent selection of food. All fresh produce looked very fresh.
Highly recommended.

Was traveling through milwaukee and decide to stop here for some lunch. always try to go to local coops when I am in the area if they are available just to support a local business. The co-​op itself is small but cute seems reasonably priced as far as co-​ops go.
My only complaint is that I showed up at 12:45 p.m. On a Sunday. Despite having four people working in a very small kitchen and only one other customer they refused to make a sandwich for me and saying that they only serve brunch until two and then lunch thereafter. Although I do appreciate that they serve brunch late I was in the mood for lunch seems like a silly policy to me

The café: Love it love it love it love it. Brunch is my favorite with banana coconut pancakes or the Ranchero Plate. Lunch and dinner are also stellar and I love trying the specials. They take a little but of time to prepare the food but it is well worth the wait. My roommate and I partially decided to live where we do because of the proximity to this dream of a restaurant.
The Co-​op: I haven’t been especially pleased with the produce but there are tons of other great items to try. Everyone is always friendly and relaxed.

Love the store and frequent it often. I also know that a few staff members are very dedicated to this place and I commend you for what you do– and volunteers– thank you. I also don’t mind the higher prices because it’s convenient to shop here, I know the products I buy are going to be of better quality and it’s local.
Recently tried out the café and was extremely disappointed. I have no idea why I just paid 8 bucks for a lukewarm sandwich that tasted somehow of fish– maybe from rancid cooking oil? Served with some stale chips. My friend said after we left that he hopes he doesn’t get sick, so I am guessing we had a similar sandwich experience.
Also, i hate going to a place and feeling like I am bothering them. I felt like the people working in the café could give a f – k that I was there.
I do find that staff in the store has always been incredibly friendly so I was put off by this completely. I will continue to come in to the store, but stay away from the café.

Mmmmm, breakfast burrito served with a smile. I was brought to life when I visited the café this morning; a delicious Bahkti Chai and a philosopher’s bench to rest upon, I had the best brunch a service industry gal could have. So easy to leave this place satisfied! Also, I finally renewed my membership. I love the Clarke St. Co-​op!!!

Yummy little vegan café attached to coop grocery. Everything fresh& prepared to order. Everything on the menu is vegan but u can modify to be vegetarian/​lacto-​ovo.

I’ve fallen out of love with this place. Completely. I got more involved over the years of living in RW, and I became more and more disillusioned.
With the exception of a couple of people in leadership, the establishment does not operate from the values they purport to have. They do not care about racial or economic justice. All efforts to agitate for these are met with excuses, rationalizations or cancelled meetings to avoid the topic. Don’t get me started on the latest Annual Report.

I am actually considering moving closer to Riverwest (in Bayview now) just to be closer to the co-​op.
I love it that much.
Like seriously, its a vegan heaven filled with really nice, friendly volunteers manning the kitchen and the register.
If you visit, make sure to pick up some vegan tamales! Locally made and ridiculously yummy!

Upgrade alert: we’re going to DEFCON 5. Stars.
I’ve been spoiled with having the COOP in my ‘hood for years, and never really have I made a serious habit to go there. But today, while waiting on my vegan breakfast sandwich and perusing the wares of the coop, did it finally dawn on me how effing awesome this place is. Without doubt.
So many great things that are organically sourced or sustainably forged… fantastic and varied food options from the café side… and you’re supporting a great establishment in a fantastic neighborhood. Healthy, delicious options. Rishi Tea. Kombucha. Awesome honey. Flax. Granola. Salsa. Produce. Tons of veggie burgers. Anodyne coffee. Seriously. There’s nothing that’s not good about this place.
The black hair dying, punk-​ish, anti-​establishment, eff the man and eff society and I’m getting wasted all the time 22 year-​old me would most certainly hate and not understand the current me. She’d be so bummed that I now do yoga and own a crossover and have a job w/​health insurance. But I’ll be damned if my 27 year-​old self wouldn’t look right back in her face and be all… «Yeah? Well, I still give a damn. And in a more productive and tangible way. So there.» (See also: when you patronize places like this, everyone wins.) And then, my 22 year-​self and my 27 year-​old self would probably look at each other with a weird and palpable disdain… although maybe there’d be a mutual understanding? Ahck… who knows.
Whatever. Support this local and amazing gem in Riverwest. The COOP rules. Worthy of all five stars a Unilocaler can dole out.