Mama Mia's is coming back to Germantown. Not that it was gone for very long.

While the previous owners closed it at the end of September, Chaz Hastings and Scott Carleton — who also own Wisconsin Big Boy in Germantown — are reopening the classic favorite restaurant. 

Mama Mia's opened in 1954 at 49th and North in Milwaukee. The Germantown location opened in 2019, said Hastings. 

Hastings said he will operate two restaurants at the Mama Mia's location at N112 W16344 W. Mequon Road. The first will be Mama Mia's when it reopens. The second is slated to be a Mexican restaurant, Veracruz. Hastings said a wall divider will separate the two restaurants.

He said both restaurants will be open by November.

Mama Mia's will have a shortened menu, will be smaller and will "absolutely" have Mama Mia's traditional favorites, Hastings said. Jodine Paulson, daughter of one of Mama Mia's owners, Al Fernandez, will be operating the restaurant.

"We will definitely have the garlic bread," said Hastings. He said lasagna and pizza also will be served and that other select menu items will be decided in the next few days.

He said that Mama Mia's will have dine-in and carry-out and will have about 20 to 30 seats.

Veracruz, said Hastings, should also open at the same time. He said that it will have dine-in and takeout and will seat about 60.

"It will be vibrant," he said of Veracruz.

He said that the restaurant will be similar in menu items as Tekila, a restaurant he opened in Sussex in December 2021.

Tekila, however, temporarily closed on Oct. 2 and will reopen in the spring, said Hastings.

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"Salsa was big there (at Tekila)," he explained. He said that popular favorites such as the burrito, enchilada and the shrimp avocado salad will also be on its menu. He added that there will definitely be a soup of the day and fresh-made margaritas.

"I am very excited, and we will have a nice patio when the weather is nice," he said. He also said he plans on being a ghost kitchen for Nathan's Famous, a hot dog specialty restaurant.  

He added that Mama Mia's and Veracruz will also be a ghost kitchen for MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant featuring all-American food with a menu that operates out of established local restaurants.

Nathan's Famous and MrBeast Burger items will be available through online ordering and apps such as Door Dash and Uber Eats. 

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.