Overview
- A Milwaukee County judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday that blocks the city's new food truck curfew until June 10.
- The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed the suit Thursday for Abdallah Ismail, owner of Fatty Patty, arguing the rule infringes the right to earn a living and treats mobile vendors differently than restaurants.
- City officials defend the ordinance as a safety measure for downtown entertainment areas like Water Street, and a city attorney said trucks draw crowds that can lead to violence, a view Milwaukee police support.
- Operators say the late-night window is crucial for revenue, with Ismail estimating 50% to 80% of some days' sales come after 10 p.m., which he says could force him to leave his Water Street spot.
- The curfew, approved 14–0 in April to move closing from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. downtown and 11 p.m. near Burnham Park, is on hold while the court considers the challenge at a June 10 hearing.