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*​Photo by Nicole Sova

Local Yellowbellies Food Truck Owners Bringing New Restaurant to Port Washington

10/26/2018

16 Comments

 
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Port Washington residents, and the owners of the popular Yellowbellies Food Truck, Michael and Siobhan Mesenbourg, with their two children, McKenna and Emmerich, are set to open a new restaurant in downtown Port Washington this February.

By Mary Boyle

Eighteen years ago, two twenty-somethings met while working at Rock Bottom Brewery in Milwaukee and became fast friends; the restaurant world was their world, and they thought it would be cool if someday they opened a restaurant together.  Seven years later, they became Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Siobhan Mesenbourg.  Fast forward to 2013, and the couple had two kids and opened their very first restaurant...on wheels: the Yellowbellies Food Truck.  Finally, this February, they'll make their original dream a reality when they open the Fork & Tap in the Harbour Lights building in downtown Port Washington.

Michael went to MATC for Hospitality Management, but it was while he was a Manager at the Chocolate Factory in Cedarburg that he realized he wanted to be on the food side of the business instead of the management side.  "I liked making simple food look good," he explained.  Instead of going back to school, Michael took a position as a chef at the Grafton Sendiks, which is where he got used to making food in large quantities.  

In the meantime, Siobhan went from being a supervisor at Louise's in downtown Milwaukee to the Events Manager at iPic in Bayshore Mall, but what she really wanted was to work with Michael and own their own place.  The Food Truck was trending, and the couple saw it as an inexpensive way to get started on their dream, so they found a truck, left their jobs, and never looked back.

"The best thing about a food truck," Michael said, "is that it's just yourselves, and the worst thing about a food truck is that it's just yourselves — you don't have to employ a team, but you also have nobody else to fall back on."  Not only that, but the truck breaks — a lot— and, unlike a brick and mortar restaurant, when the truck breaks, it's over.  Weather, too, is a constant problem, and it keeps the truck basically closed from December through March.  Then, there's  the parking...

"Parking it is a nightmare," Siobhan interjected.  "I have to fight to go to work almost every time we take the truck out."

Still, they love their restaurant on wheels, and their menu, consisting mainly of a variety of pulled chicken sandwiches (the name "Yellowbellies" comes from the yellow belly of a rotisserie chicken) on flatbread has developed quite a following, and though their new restaurant will offer a different menu than their food truck, they know that people who like the truck will probably like the restaurant; in fact, the food truck inspired the name of the new restaurant.  Each Yellowbellies sandwich is served with their trademark yellow fork, and since they are also focusing on Wisconsin craft beers at the restaurant, they decided on the name that combines the two: the Fork & Tap.

The new restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, and will have a casual, fun, family-friendly atmosphere.  "The menu is inspired by memories of holidays and family meals," said Michael, "So there will be a lot of 'shareables' — things like Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and chicken and biscuits."  Because the couple has many friends and family with dietary restrictions, they will also offer gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, including a gluten-free fish fry. 

Once the food truck closes for the season, work will start in earnest in their new place, putting months of planning into action.  "We love entertaining and having people over," Michael said, "and the restaurant is an extension of that."  An extension that happens to have an excellent view of Port's harbor and Lake Michigan, as well as a large outdoor patio for dining, which the couple hopes will be a popular place this summer.  "This is what we love to do," Michael said,  "and we love the instant gratification that comes from seeing people happy with what you do."
 

16 Comments
Sarah
10/26/2018 07:32:14 pm

I’m so excited to visit this restaurant!! My husband and I and all our guests LOVED Yellowbellies food truck at our wedding and I can only imagine how great the restaurant will be!

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 06:51:32 am

Thank you so much Sarah! Hope to see you in Port soon:)

Reply
Carolynn Mawhinney
10/27/2018 07:56:11 am

Congratulations! I'll be looking forward to dining at The Fork & Tap. I wish you all the best. God Bless You!

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 06:52:15 am

Thank you so much!

Reply
Eileen
10/27/2018 08:34:18 am

So happy to hear the good news! Two, truly inspired people working hard to make their dream a reality. Cannot wait for the opening!

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 06:53:35 am

Thank you so much! Hope to see you in May:)

Reply
Jeannie
10/27/2018 09:43:24 am

I've heard wonderful things about the Yellowbellies food truck! I can't wait to try out your restaurant! Wishing you tons of success!

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 06:54:04 am

Thank you for the kind wishes!

Reply
Natasha Loos
10/30/2018 09:56:21 am

This is so exciting! We can not wait to be regular's at Fork & Tap!

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Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 06:54:48 am

Yeah! Cant wait to hang with you at the LAKE!!!

Reply
Melody Ehrlich
11/8/2018 05:33:47 pm

What about breakfast? Port is missing a breakfast place.

Reply
PortFish link
4/8/2019 03:06:51 pm

We had communicated about buying some local food, greens, but I misplaced your email.

If you still have interest, come for a visit.

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 05:33:02 pm

No worries on the name! Its a hard one to spell, but you will never forget it now:)
We will be in touch in the next few weeks as we are finalizing our vendors

Reply
Tonya D.Kanyuh
4/24/2019 10:55:16 am

I walk @lovely Rotary Park daily(depending on weather)😉& just seen your sign & am thrilled to see a new fab.restaurant opening with such beautiful views of the Lake👌I also see you're hiring which I'm so interested in having life-long experience in the restaurant/supper club biz as grew up in our family biz doing All aspects of such. There wasn't anyone there&I couldn't find another way to contact y'all, so I'm so hoping to reach here!?🙏PLZ contact me re.if so☺

Reply
Siobhan Mesenbourg link
4/25/2019 05:32:51 pm

Let me say, you had me at "y'all! Lets connect!
[email protected]
Talk to you soon!

Reply
Nancy A Matecki
6/25/2019 01:49:02 pm

When will you post a copy of your menu and when are you opening to the general public?

Reply

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