Urban Beets: A Plant-Powered Family Destination in Brown Deer

Milwaukee's beloved vegan cafe Urban Beets brings fresh, made-to-order juices, hearty plant-based meals, and a kid-friendly atmosphere.

Housed in a creatively converted gas station at 5091 W Brown Deer Road, Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery stands as the sole surviving location of a local chain that once spanned three Milwaukee-area spots—and it's worth the drive. For families seeking quality dining that's both health-conscious and genuinely delicious for all ages (yes, even picky eaters), this woman-owned gem delivers far more than smoothies and salads.

The essentials

Urban Beets sits at 5091 W Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223, with a phone number of (414) 206-4899. The converted gas station offers something rare for a health-focused cafe: ample free parking in an on-site lot, making the loading and unloading of strollers, diaper bags, and energetic toddlers remarkably stress-free.

Hours of operation favor weekday families: Monday through Friday, doors open at 6:30 AM (perfect for grabbing pre-school smoothies) and close at 7:00 PM. Weekends bring a slightly later 8:00 AM start, with closing at 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.

The space boasts full wheelchair accessibility—accessible entrance, parking, restrooms, and seating—making it welcoming for grandparents, strollers, and anyone with mobility needs. Inside, the atmosphere is bright, airy, and decidedly casual, with a mix of table seating and bar-top spots. There's also a beautiful outdoor patio for pleasant weather, and here's a game-changer for parents of young children: a drive-thru window lets you grab smoothies without ever unbuckling a car seat.

Kids menu

Unlike many health-food establishments that leave families scrambling to customize adult dishes for little ones, Urban Beets offers a thoughtful dedicated kids menu priced between $4.05 and $5.72. Every kids meal comes with orange slices—a small touch that shows they understand the parenting struggle.

The kids' lineup features familiar favorites reimagined in plant-based form:

• Kids Mac & Cheese ($5.20) — a crowd-pleaser among young diners

• Buttered Noodles ($4.05) — the ultimate picky-eater fallback

• Kids Grilled Cheese ($5.72) — comfort food, vegan style

• Kids Cheese Quesadilla ($5.20) — always a safe bet

• Kids PB&J English Muffin ($5.72) — classic and reliable

• Kids Strawberry Banana Smoothie ($4.95) — a healthy treat that feels like dessert

For beverages, there's Kids Hot Chocolate ($4.91), Kids Chocolate Milk ($4.91), and a particularly nutritious option: Kids Orange & Carrot Juice ($5.20) for little ones ready to explore beyond apple juice.

Inventive plant-based cooking

The full menu at Urban Beets extends far beyond typical "vegan cafe" territory. Everything is 100% plant-based, yet the flavors and textures satisfy committed carnivores and vegans alike. Reviewers consistently note that non-vegans are surprised by how much they enjoy the food.

Breakfast items ($5.25-$7.50) range from the hearty Sunrise Sammie—house-made kidney bean sausage with harissa hummus and spinach on an English muffin—to indulgent French Toast featuring rotating weekly flavors like blueberry. The Bacon Avocado Toast ($5.25) uses coconut bacon, delivering that smoky-salty crunch without the meat.

Lunch and dinner entrees ($13-$15) center around house-made burger patties crafted from beets, black beans, chia, flax, and oats. The Classic Burger ($15) reigns as the most-ordered item, while the Thai Peanut Burger earns raves for its "just right" level of heat. The legendary Beet Reuben ($13) features tender oven-roasted beets on marble rye with sauerkraut, Swiss, and Russian dressing—a signature dish that converts skeptics.

Bowls ($14.50-$15) offer colorful, Instagram-worthy meals like the Sweet Bean Buddha Bowl (sweet potato, marinated chickpeas, quinoa, tahini dressing) and the Coconut Curry ($14.50) served with basmati rice and flatbread. On Fridays only, the cafe serves a Fish Filet Sandwich ($13) made from breaded heart of palm—a nod to Wisconsin's Friday fish fry tradition.

The juice bar showcases made-to-order fresh juices ($5-$7) including the popular Kale Aid (kale, cucumber, pineapple, apple, mint) and immune-boosting Ginger Shots. Smoothies ($6.50-$7.50) like the Mango Lassi (with optional turmeric) and Give Me a Beet (beets, strawberry, banana, hemp seeds) offer filling, meal-worthy options. Valentine coffee drinks, specialty lattes, and even a small bar with local craft beers and sake cocktails round out the beverage program.

A unique, family-welcoming space

The building's quirky origin story—a former gas station transformed into a sleek, contemporary cafe—results in a surprisingly spacious interior. Owners incorporated abundant natural wood in the decor, with lattice wall accents, an attractive wooden bar, and stunning inlaid wooden tables that multiple reviewers describe as "classy" and "very urban."

The atmosphere runs cozy without feeling cramped, with reviews consistently describing it as "bright and inviting," "calming," and "airy and open." Noise levels remain moderate—quiet enough for remote workers yet energetic enough that kids' voices won't draw stares. The open-air concept provides ample room for maneuvering strollers, and while specific high chair availability isn't confirmed, the wheelchair-accessible layout suggests accommodating families with young children.

Ratings tell the story: Google reviews average 4.4 stars (86+ reviews), DoorDash shows 4.7 stars (100+ ratings), and Yelp lands at 4.6 stars with the notable "Good for Kids" designation. The cafe earned a 96/100 health department score.

A mission-driven business

Urban Beets' story began when founder Dawn Balistreri opened the first location in downtown Milwaukee in January 2016, though the business was founded in 2015. A vegan for over 20 years who previously operated a colon hydrotherapy wellness practice, Balistreri built much of the original cafe herself to keep startup costs manageable.

The business philosophy centers on a simple statement: "We went vegan for the animals, stayed for the health benefits, and we sustain for the love of our natural world." The menu emphasizes whole-food, made-in-house ingredients rather than heavily processed meat alternatives. At its peak, Urban Beets operated three locations—downtown Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and Brown Deer—but parking challenges and financial pressures led to closures. The Brown Deer location now stands as the sole remaining outpost, making it a destination worth supporting.

Co-operator Jason Massman works alongside Balistreri. The team maintains an active Instagram presence (@urbanbeetscafe with 4,500+ followers) and runs an SMS loyalty program offering exclusive discounts and first access to new menu items—worth signing up before your visit.

Ordering flexibility fits busy family schedules

Families have multiple ways to get their Urban Beets fix. Dine-in service runs at a casual, order-at-counter pace. The drive-thru works beautifully for quick smoothie runs with kids in car seats. Takeout orders can be placed online through Toast, and delivery arrives via DoorDash and Uber Eats (the DoorDash listing shows $0 delivery on first orders).

For larger gatherings, Urban Beets offers catering through ezCater, with options including sandwich trays (10 or 20 halves), a fajita/taco bar, and boxed lunch packages. Contact dawn@urbanbeetscafe.com for custom catering requests.

Standout dishes

Customer reviews reveal consistent favorites that hold up across dozens of opinions:

The Classic Burger and Beet Reuben top savory mentions repeatedly, with reviewers noting that even meat-eaters are impressed. The Cauliflower Street Tacos ($13) earn specific praise from vegetarians and curious omnivores alike. Nachos arrive with toppings packaged separately to prevent sogginess—a thoughtful detail. The Thai Peanut Burger and BBQ Burger (on pretzel bun) generate enthusiastic all-caps reviews ("DELICIOUS!").

For drinks, the Mango Lassi Smoothie ranks as the second-most-ordered item, and the Kale Aid juice comes in third. Coffee lovers highlight the Iced Rose Maple and specialty lattes. And don't skip dessert: if the Red Velvet Cookie is available, reviewers insist it's "incredible."

Occasional criticisms mention slightly higher prices (budget $10-$25 per person) and that some portion sizes run small—but the consensus holds that ingredient quality and freshness justify the cost.

Combine your visit with nearby attractions

The Brown Deer area offers several family-friendly destinations that pair perfectly with an Urban Beets meal.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park sits just 1.3 miles away at 9009 N. Deerbrook Trail, featuring a dedicated Toddler Zone, foam pits, and Saturday morning "Little Leapers" sessions for ages 6 and under. The park earns 4.8 stars on Groupon and makes an excellent energy-burning stop before or after lunch.

Brown Deer Park (7835 N. Green Bay Ave) sprawls across 362 acres of Milwaukee County parkland, offering a children's play area, fishing lagoon stocked with trout and bass, disc golf, picnic shelters, and connections to the Oak Leaf Trail for family bike rides. Winter brings sledding hills and cross-country skiing.

For shopping, Bayshore in nearby Glendale (roughly 3-4 miles south) provides an open-air retail experience with Target (Wisconsin's largest), Barnes & Noble, an Apple Store, and family restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen. The Bayshore Art Walk offers a self-guided sculpture experience kids enjoy.

Closer to Urban Beets, Algonquin Park features a playground with swings, slides, and a wading pool for warm-weather visits.

Conclusion

Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery offers North Shore families something genuinely valuable: a health-forward restaurant where everyone—vegans, vegetarians, curious omnivores, and skeptical kids—can find something to enjoy. The dedicated kids menu removes the guesswork from plant-based family dining, while the creative adult options make parents feel like they're eating out rather than just feeding the children. The converted gas station provides ample parking, stroller-friendly accessibility, and even a drive-thru for chaotic mornings. At roughly $40-$60 for a family of four (less if kids eat from the kids menu), it represents solid value for whole-food, made-from-scratch cooking. Combined with nearby attractions like Sky Zone and Brown Deer Park, it anchors a satisfying North Shore family outing.