Sad news about Hot Dish Pantry, plus a Battle of the Chefs and a buzzy Malay restaurant

Raining on our parade to start this episode is Hot Dish Pantry — or, more accurately, the folks who own the building that Hot Dish Pantry calls home. HDP owners Laura Maigatter and Nathan Heck explained on social media that a recent real-estate decision to open a new restaurant gave them a push toward something they had been thinking about for a little while now.

“To be very clear, we are not being forced out,” they shared. “We had been weighing this decision for some time and the circumstances lined up to make our decision a little easier. We are excited for the new owners to begin this journey and wish them nothing but the best. We know the neighborhood will welcome them with open arms.”

The Milwaukee area will have just a couple weeks to enjoy wonderful pierogi, pork-tenderloin sandwiches and Lucy Goosey burger. Hot Dish Pantry will be open until 8 p.m. every day between now and their final service Sept. 28.

In happier news:

• Tickets are on sale now for the eighth annual Battle of the Chefs MKE, which goes down Oct. 6 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club.
• Ann rounded up a fresh batch of Dining Tidbits for the magazine, including a new donut shop in Sheboygan and an elixir that might come in handy after a late night out.
• Mom’s Kitchen is opening on Lincoln Avenue. Not your mom’s kitchen, though, unless your mom is Aseya Osman.

Produced and Edited by Marcus Doucette