East Town is finally getting its steakhouse mojo back. Until Mae, a new spot named for the owner's late mother, is set to open in August 2026 in the long-vacant former Louise's space on Jefferson Street. Restaurateur Jessica Orr is behind the project, aiming to pair classic steakhouse comforts with personal touches that nod to the building's past. The opening brings a major restaurant footprint back to a stretch of downtown that has been waiting for a big dining tenant.
As reported by Milwaukee Business Journal, a plaque with the name "Until Mae" was slated to be installed the week of June 29, with the restaurant targeting an August 2026 debut. The outlet notes that Orr chose the name to honor her late mother and plans to resurrect a beloved menu item from the original Louise's, a move clearly aimed at longtime diners who still remember the former tenant.
From plans to plates
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, early plans for the space surfaced back in 2024 under the working title "801 Restaurant," with Orr listed as the registered agent for the project. That earlier coverage detailed renovation work by design firm RINKA and outlined an ambitious, high-end steakhouse menu featuring items like tomahawk cuts and Japanese Wagyu, positioning the concept squarely among downtown Milwaukee's established steakhouses. Urban Milwaukee also pointed to a liquor-license application and noted that the property is owned by Cathedral Square Limited.
What to expect
Orr's strategy blends heartfelt tribute with calculated business move. The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that she intends to honor her mother through the restaurant's name while reviving a signature dish that regulars from the Louise's era still talk about. Coupling that nostalgia with an elevated steakhouse menu sets Until Mae up to appeal both to sentimental locals and to the downtown event and business crowds. If the schedule stays on track, the restaurant will be stepping into an already competitive but lucrative East Town steak scene.
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, the project is part of a broader reshuffling inside the building, including a planned relocation for Electric Lime Taqueria, and reflects a fresh push to bring long-empty restaurant spaces back to life downtown. That coverage also underscored the location's proximity to other steakhouse heavyweights and the role of city approvals in clearing the way for a full-service concept. With a nameplate going up on the corner and an August opening on the horizon, Until Mae is shaping up to be one of the key late-summer restaurant debuts on Milwaukee's dining calendar.
