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The kitchens of the Motor restaurant and the Café Racer will be firing like a pair of V-Twin cylinders when the museum opens its doors July 12 in downtown Milwaukee, Wis. The two restaurants offer dishes designed to invoke memories of the open roads of America.

Designing a menu that embraces the Harley-Davidson legacy is one of the most fun and gratifying challenges I could take on, says Robin Rosenberg, master chef of both Motor and Café Racer. Theres a rich heritage in Harley-Davidson. To have a chance to bring that culture to life through food is one of the greatest things Ive ever been a part of.

The menu of the 150-seat Motor features regional signature dishes from across America such as Georgia-inspired peach cobbler, Little Rock-style BBQ ribs and Kansas City strip steak. The Motor Companys hometown is also well-represented with Milwaukee bratwurst, Wisconsin cheddar, Lake Michigan walleye and locally-brewed beer.

Motor also offers fare tinged with Harley-Davidson hallmarks such as flatbreads representing tire skidmarks and a triple-portion Reuben-on-potato pancake dish named after the familiar sound of a V-Twin engine: Potato Potato Potato.

Living up to its name, the Motors seating area is divided into sections with design elements and artwork made from actual Harley-Davidson engine parts.

Communal tables and horseshoe-shaped bars are designed to encourage interaction between diners while 100 outdoor seats offer views of the museum grounds and the nearby Menomonee River.

For a quick refueling stop, the Café Racer offers lighter fare for grab-and-go eating. The menu includes items such as breakfast burritos, Bobber Brat, Kick-n-the-Pants Buffalo chicken sandwiches, the hand-held Clutch pie and the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a layer of potato chips between the PB and the J.

Those choosing to eat in at the Café Racer can take in the racing-inspired décor featuring Harley-Davidson and Buell racing pictures and a racing stripe color palette.

After a ride, bikers often gather to share stories of the days journey the Harley-Davidson experience is made of those moments of connection, says museum director Stacey Schiesl. From the menu selection to the space design, Motor and Café Racer offer bold flavors of the open road in a space that fosters the camaraderie Harley-Davidson is known for.

Motor is open for lunch and dinner while Café Racer provides breakfast, lunch and light dinner. Diners do not need a museum ticket to eat at either restaurant.

Motor and Café Racer will certainly wow visitors to our museum, Schiesl. And theyre sure to be local favorites for people who like good American food with a bold spin that will keep them coming back again and again.

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