One Social Food Hall opened earlier this month, and general manager Icksoo Choe said business has been picking up each day.
“This past Friday, we had a musician here,” Choe said. “This place was packed. Every single seat was filled. People were huddling in corners because there was nowhere to sit.”
One Social Food Hall, located at 123 E. Wilson St., features four food vendors, a bar, events like Friday’s live music and a view of Lake Monona.
Choe said so far, the Maine lobster roll at Real Seafood Co. has been a hit with customers, becoming one of One Social’s biggest sellers.
“Real Seafood Company has the highest sales out of all the food vendors,” Choe said.
The sole local vendor in the food hall, Señora Machetes, is owned by the daughter of Señor Machetes’ owners. That downtown restaurant is known for its giant machete, a long, open-faced quesadilla. Señora also offers 12- and 16-inch machetes along with Mexican staples like enchiladas and street tacos.
Owner Glenda Garcia and her husband, Jeovani Perez, said the community has responded well to the food hall.
“We’ve seen a lot of movement, and especially because there are several options,” Garcia said, adding that weekends and lunch time have been busy.
Garcia said the venue is also kid-friendly, and she has seen many families show up to eat and play board games. She noted the live music was set up by the hall’s events manager, and more events like trivia are planned.
There is still room for three more food vendors in the hall. Choe said he couldn’t say too much, but he expects the other vendors to be cooking at the beginning of next year.
Adjacent to the food hall, across a courtyard with Lake Monona views and outdoor seating, One Prime steakhouse and Blue Jack cocktail bar opened today.
