Food trucks in downtown Milwaukee to remain open for now

Downtown Milwaukee food trucks will remain open past 10 p.m. for now after a judge delayed a decision on the food truck curfew during a court hearing Friday in the case of Abdallah Ismail v. City of Milwaukee.

This lawsuit blocked the ordinance that was passed in an effort to address late-night violence along Water Street and the entertainment district downtown. The measure would require downtown food trucks to close by 10 p.m.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, on behalf of Ismail, filed a lawsuit in May seeking to block the curfew from taking effect. A temporary injunction was granted while the case proceeded. Attorneys representing Ismail argue that the ordinance would infringe on his constitutional right to earn a living.

“It will impact my business a lot because this is the first location, also, the most profitable one,” said Ismail, the owner of Fatty Patty.

During Friday’s hearing, attorneys for the City of Milwaukee argued that crowds gathering around food trucks have been connected to multiple shootings over the past year. City attorneys referenced three shooting incidents, including two that occurred one day apart on July 26 and July 27 of 2025, as well as another incident that took place in March of this year.

A public safety officer from the Milwaukee School of Engineering also testified on behalf of the city, stating that recent violence has made it more difficult to recruit and retain staff. During testimony, the official was asked whether staffing challenges had increased over the past three
to four years.

“Yes, it has. Partly because of the views on policing and public safety. Also because of the crime that is taking place on campus and adjacent to campus. That would include Water Street,” said Billy Fyfe, the director of Public Safety for the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Following Friday’s hearing, Judge Jean Kies said she would issue a decision within the next seven to 10 days. Until then, downtown food trucks will continue to operate until 1 a.m.