Charlie’s Barbecue has quietly slipped onto Milwaukee’s Northwest Side, firing up the grills at 7870 W. Appleton Ave. and sending Texas-style smoke down the block. The walk-up spot comes with a fenced patio and a menu built around slow-smoked ribs plus charcoal-grilled standbys. Owner Jeffrey McCloud, freshly back from Texas with a new smoker in tow, is aiming squarely at the neighborhood crowd. Hours run 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, McCloud summed up his approach with a simple line: “Up here we grill our food,” adding, “I want to service everybody.” He previously spent six years at the helm of Grill N Cafe before heading south, and he is currently posting updates on his personal Facebook page while he finishes a website for the new venture. The Urban Milwaukee profile also includes a photo of McCloud at the counter taken May 26.
Building Ownership and Licensing
City records list Thromenta Anderson as the owner of the Appleton Avenue building, according to the City of Milwaukee. The city’s temporary food license roster also names Jeffrey McCloud and “Charlies on The Go Barbecue,” per a filing from the City of Milwaukee. Those documents indicate McCloud is running both a walk-up window and a mobile concession under local licensing rules.
Previous Tenant and Court Records
Until 2025, the storefront was home to Fully Loaded Eatery. Online court records show the former tenant now faces an eviction lawsuit alleging late rent payments and other damages. The eviction appears in public filings, and Wisconsin Circuit Court Access lists the case number and basic claims. Fully Loaded’s owner has said the restaurant plans to reopen elsewhere and has reportedly applied for occupancy at 4941 W. Fond du Lac Ave., according to Urban Milwaukee.
What to Order
The menu leans into smoke and char. Slow-smoked choices include ribs, rib tips and wings, while the grill turns out sandwiches such as Philly cheesesteaks, turkey burgers and fried Polish sausage. Classic sides share the spotlight, with macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, fries, onion rings and okra giving the lineup a familiar Midwestern comfort feel. The counter-service format keeps things quick for takeout, and the patio offers a spot for anyone who wants to dig in right on Appleton Avenue.
