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The future location of the Mediterranean restaurant, 753 N. Water St. Photo taken July 30, 2024 by Sophie Bolich.
Ender Elk has spent nearly his entire life in professional kitchens, from working in restaurants and hotels in his native Turkey during high school to internships as far away as Michigan, Amsterdam and New Orleans.
He eventually made his way to Madison, Wisconsin, where he teamed up with his brother Mustafa to open The Mediterranean Joint, showcasing recipes from his home country and nearby regions.
Elk’s next adventure will take him to Milwaukee.
The chef plans to open a second location with his Mediterranean concept in the former Angry Taco location at 753 N. Water St. The new location, called Mediterranean, will be larger than the Madison location and will allow for an expanded menu.
Elk said he was eager to introduce dishes such as Turkish adana kebab, made with ground beef, red peppers and a variety of spices, to Milwaukee.
“It’s a traditional Turkish dish, and we make it special in our Madison location,” he said. “It’s selling really well. A lot of people know about it, and others have tried it and love it.”
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The additional menu items will be similar to those offered at the Madison restaurant when it opens in August 2023.
Appetizers include baba ghanoush, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, and Haidari yogurt dip served with pita bread, while hearty mains include lamb chops with tzatziki sauce, chicken shawarma, falafel, gyros, and vegan options such as plant-based kofte and lentil soup.
For dessert, you can choose between walnut or pistachio baklava.
Elk prides himself on the quality of the ingredients he uses to create fresher, more flavorful dishes. “We never use frozen foods and we have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options,” Elk says. “We try to make all of our food from scratch, which is better for the taste and better for the customer.”
The restaurant doesn’t plan to serve alcohol, at least initially. “We intend to apply,” he said, but noted there’s no rush.
The expansion into Milwaukee comes after Elk and his brothers tried to open a second restaurant in Madison but found the demand for Mediterranean food in that city was saturate.
“When we researched the Milwaukee market, we didn’t find as many Mediterranean restaurants as we did in Madison or Chicago, so we decided to do something in Milwaukee…go out there and do something good.”
The brothers, who are Muslim, emphasized that their restaurant will be a welcoming environment for all.
“We are friendly to all religions, races and genders,” Elk says, “so everyone is welcome.”
