Nino’s Southern Sides, a beloved Shorewood-based restaurant known for its hearty Southern comfort food, is preparing to expand to Fox Point. The new location, set to open in the Riverpoint Shopping Center by the summer of 2025, marks a significant milestone for the restaurant after surviving tough years, including the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeffery Carter, the director of operations for V&J Food Holding Companies, which operates Nino’s and several other fast-food franchises, expressed that this expansion is a triumph for the business. The restaurant, which was hit hard by the pandemic, faced immense personal and financial struggles. Co-founders Odell and Gloria Robinson, who were high school sweethearts, saw their lives change dramatically when both contracted COVID-19. Tragically, Gloria passed away in April 2020, just after being hospitalized for the virus. Gloria, who had been Nino’s kitchen manager, was a vital part of the business and is fondly remembered by her family, friends, and staff as a “bright light.”
Following Gloria’s death, Odell stepped away from the business, seeking to close a painful chapter in the family’s history. Despite these setbacks, Nino’s Southern Sides persevered by continuing to serve its signature Southern dishes, such as fried chicken, fried catfish, and collard greens.
Now, the restaurant is on the path to recovery and growth. The business has already received partial approval from Fox Point’s Plan Commission to open the new location at 8775 N. Port Washington Road, a space previously occupied by Così, a fast-casual restaurant chain. The location has been vacant since 2019 when Così closed its doors after filing for bankruptcy.
The new Fox Point location will be Nino’s Southern Sides’ third restaurant, joining the original Shorewood spot, which opened in 2014, and a second location, Nino’s Express, which operated on King Drive until 2018. The new restaurant will feature the same Southern-inspired sides, including mac and cheese, collard greens, fried corn, pinto beans, yams, mashed potatoes, and more. Popular entrees like catfish fillet, pork chops, turkey legs, meatloaf, and shrimp will also be available, along with desserts like sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, and banana pudding cheesecake. However, unlike the Shorewood location, the Fox Point restaurant will not serve breakfast or lunch.
The restaurant is expected to employ 20 people and operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Future plans include seasonal outdoor seating and interior enhancements. In addition to its upcoming expansion, Nino’s Southern Sides will be a vendor at the 2025 Summerfest Music Festival, showcasing its cuisine to a wider audience.
Carter emphasized the goal of positioning Nino’s as the leading Southern cuisine brand in Wisconsin, further solidifying the restaurant’s commitment to growth and community engagement.
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