Nino’s Southern Sides has been serving up a menu of craveable Southern staples since 2014 at its Oakland Avenue location in Shorewood. But as of April 1, there’s another place to get your fix.
The second location for Nino’s is now open at 8775 N. Port Washington Rd. in Fox Point’s Riverpoint Shopping Center. That’s the space formerly occupied by Cosi, the New York-based salad chain, which closed in 2019.
Jeffrey Carter, Lead Concept Officer for V&J Foods, the company behind Nino’s Southern Sides, says Fox Point was an easy choice for a second location.
“Fox Point, River Hills and the greater North Shore community represent not only a prime location for business growth, but also a vibrant and engaged customer base,” Carter says. “As we evaluated the landscape, we recognized a unique opportunity created by the recent closure of several establishments in the area. This shift revealed a gap in the market, specifically for high-quality, home-style cuisine that delivers both comfort and consistency. We believe our concept is well-positioned to meet that demand while becoming a valued part of the community fabric.”
An upgraded space
Among the upgrades at the Fox Point location is a larger footprint, with an expanded ordering area (the concept is still counter-service) and a dining room that seats more than 60 guests.
Seating is flexible, with a mix of banquettes and freestanding tables that can accommodate groups of varying sizes. Festive artwork brightens the space and a photo booth offers a playful way for guests to capture the moment.
On the menu
For now, the menu at the new Nino’s showcases the restaurant’s signature Southern-inspired sides, including mac and cheese, cabbage, collard greens, okra, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, yams, mashed potatoes, fries, red beans and rice and coleslaw…