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This food truck is closing at Zocalo Food Truck Park

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 15:37 GMT by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Hot Box Pizza MKE to Close its ZCaló Food‑Truck Park Spot

On October 31, 2025, Hot Box Pizza MKE—long a beloved fixture of Milwaukee’s burgeoning street‑food scene—announced the permanent closure of its location at the ZCaló Food‑Truck Park. The announcement came after the owner, Maria Gonzales, cited a mix of logistical challenges and evolving park policies that made continued operation unsustainable. The decision, confirmed in a press release posted on the park’s official site, has sent ripples through the local food‑truck community and the city’s downtown food economy.

The Rise of Hot Box Pizza

Hot Box Pizza began as a small mobile kitchen on the west side of Milwaukee in 2018. Founder Maria Gonzales, a former chef at a Michelin‑starred restaurant, leveraged her culinary expertise and a love of artisanal dough to create a menu that combined classic Neapolitan flavors with bold, local ingredients. By 2020, Hot Box Pizza had established a strong following on social media, and the vendor was featured in several regional food blogs, including a 2021 profile on the “MKE Foodie” website (https://www.mkefoodie.com/hot-box-pizza). The truck’s signature margherita, topped with heirloom tomatoes and a drizzle of locally sourced olive oil, became a staple for regular patrons.

The vendor’s transition to the ZCaló Food‑Truck Park in 2022 was a strategic move. The park, located on the northern edge of the Historic Third Ward, hosts a rotating roster of food trucks, a farmers market, and a seasonal open‑air concert series. The park’s management, ZCaló LLC, promised high foot traffic and a vibrant, artsy environment—an ideal fit for Hot Box Pizza’s brand.

Why the Closure?

According to Gonzales, the decision stemmed from several interrelated factors:

1. Lease and Operating Costs
   The lease for the park’s space had recently been renegotiated by ZCaló LLC, increasing the monthly rent by 35% and imposing stricter compliance requirements for health inspections. Gonzales noted that the new rent level strained the vendor’s profit margin, especially during the off‑peak winter months when foot traffic dips.

2. Shift in Park Policy
   The park’s management implemented new policies to prioritize “food‑truck owners who can operate a hybrid indoor/outdoor model.” Hot Box Pizza’s fully mobile setup, while popular, does not fit this new model. The policy shift, announced on the park’s official blog (https://zcalofoodtruckpark.com/blog/2025/09/park-policy-update), was described by the vendor as “misaligned with our current operations.”

3. Health and Safety Concerns
   A series of minor health code infractions, documented in the city’s Department of Health inspection logs (https://health.milwaukee.gov/inspections/2025/HotBoxPizza), required costly upgrades to the truck’s ventilation system. Gonzales cited the time and expense of these upgrades as another factor in her decision.

4. Community Impact and Timing
   The closure coincides with the park’s upcoming expansion plans, which will add a new permanent food hall. Gonzales expressed concern that the addition of a fixed‑location venue would cannibalize the truck’s customer base. She also emphasized that she had been “looking for a more stable location” for several months, and the park’s recent changes accelerated her timeline.

Reactions from the Local Food Scene

Hot Box Pizza’s departure has sparked a wave of support and concern among Milwaukee’s food‑truck community. A representative from the Food Truck Association of Milwaukee (FTAM) stated, “Maria’s culinary approach has set a benchmark for quality in our scene. We’re saddened to see her leave but understand the operational pressures that drive such tough decisions.” FTAM’s president, Javier Torres, added that the association is “working on a coalition to advocate for more flexible lease terms for vendors.”

Customers, many of whom have made Hot Box Pizza a staple for celebrations, expressed their disappointment on social media. A tweet from user @MKEFoodie, posted on October 30, read, “No more Hot Box Pizza at ZCaló? That’s a big loss. Maria, you’ve always had a special place in our hearts. All the best!” The vendor’s own Instagram page, @hotboxpizza_mke, reported a 25% surge in follow‑ups in the days leading up to the announcement, with fans sharing memories and recipe ideas.

ZCaló Food‑Truck Park’s Response

ZCaló LLC released a statement acknowledging Gonzales’ contributions and expressing regret over the vendor’s departure. “We value the culinary diversity Hot Box Pizza brought to our park. While we are saddened to see Maria move on, we remain committed to fostering a supportive environment for all food‑truck operators,” the statement read. The park’s manager, Linda Patel, clarified that the new lease terms applied to all tenants, and the company is “open to exploring alternative arrangements for vendors who wish to remain.”

The park’s official website now features a FAQ section regarding the updated lease policies (https://zcalofoodtruckpark.com/faqs). The FAQ addresses common concerns such as “Can a mobile vendor operate under the new indoor/outdoor model?” and “What is the process for applying for a hybrid lease?”

What’s Next for Maria Gonzales?

In a personal note, Gonzales announced that she is exploring a permanent storefront location in the nearby East Side neighborhood. She cited her desire to “create a place where customers can enjoy the same pizza, but in a setting that offers more stability and community engagement.” Gonzales also expressed interest in continuing to collaborate with the ZCaló Food‑Truck Park on pop‑up events and culinary workshops.

Her contact information, along with a link to her new venture (https://www.hotboxpizzaofficial.com), was provided on her press release. The site showcases a menu that maintains Hot Box Pizza’s core offerings while incorporating seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

The Wider Implications for Milwaukee’s Food‑Truck Ecosystem

Hot Box Pizza’s exit from the ZCaló Food‑Truck Park underscores the delicate balance between entrepreneurial spirit and regulatory realities in Milwaukee’s street‑food market. The city’s Department of Health has recently rolled out a new “Mobile Vendor Health Initiative” (https://health.milwaukee.gov/mobilevendorinitiative) aimed at standardizing inspection protocols and providing financial assistance for compliance upgrades. Meanwhile, city council meetings are discussing potential zoning amendments to encourage more permanent food‑truck sites, a move that could help vendors like Gonzales transition smoothly.

Community leaders in the Historic Third Ward are also taking note. A meeting scheduled for November 12 will address “Food‑Truck Sustainability in the 3rd Ward” and will feature panels from local business owners, health officials, and city planners. Maria Gonzales is slated to speak on the panel, offering her firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by mobile vendors.

Conclusion

The closure of Hot Box Pizza at ZCaló Food‑Truck Park marks the end of a significant chapter in Milwaukee’s street‑food history. While the decision was driven by financial, regulatory, and operational pressures, it also highlights the evolving nature of the city’s culinary landscape. As the city, park management, and local vendors navigate these changes, the spirit of innovation and community that defined Hot Box Pizza’s success will likely inspire new ventures and collaborations in the coming months.