As Randy’s Neighbor’s Inn wraps up service this month after 45 years in business, there are shiny new plans in the works for the longtime bar and restaurant at 6922 W. Becher St. in West Allis.
Archie’s Flat Top, a new counter service restaurant serving burgers, brews and ice cream, will be taking over the space with an opening projected for early June.
Behind the new bar and eatery is Mark Lutz, the business owner behind the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe, Becher Meats, The Bake Sale and Station No. 6, who purchased the property in November of 2022. He has partnered with Miles Patzer, the operator for Station No. 6, who will oversee the day to day operations at Archie’s.
“We do so many pop-ups at Station No. 6, and one of our most popular has been the smash burger pop-up,” says Lutz. “Based on that, along with the overall lack of burger restaurants in West Allis, and we figured it would be a really nice fit for the space.”
What to expect
The new bar and restaurant, which is expected to accommodate seating for about 50 guests, will occupy both of the storefronts currently used by Randy’s Neighbor’s Inn. The northern side will house the bar and restaurant, with the southern side accommodating a dining room and small ice cream shop operated by Scratch Ice Cream.
Both storefronts will have their own entrances; but the buildings will be conjoined so that guests can easily move back and forth between the spaces as desired. That will help to streamline the eatery's casual, counter service style by which guests will order food via QR code or at a counter by the bar. When the food is ready, it will be delivered to the guests’ tables.
The name Archie’s Flat Top, Lutz says, was inspired both by the 50s comic book character and his daughter’s Sheepadoodle, which goes by the same name.
In keeping with its retro-inspired name, the restaurant will be transformed to reflect what Lutz describes as a “diner car feel.” Cosmetic changes will include the installation of retro flooring, pendant lights and quilted steel facing on the bar.
The exterior of the building will also be upgraded. Some siding will be removed and windows will be installed to give the space a brighter, more open feel.
On the menu
As for the menu, Lutz says it will be simple with a focus on housemade smash burgers made with custom-blended beef ground fresh daily at Becher Meats. Guests can choose from a single or double burger or order up the burger special, which will rotate in and out on a regular basis.
A vegan burger option will also be available, as well as fries, onion rings and a small dessert menu composed of pie slices and cookies made fresh at The Bake Sale.
Meanwhile, the bar will offer a collection of popular domestic and international beers, and possibly a small menu of alcoholic shakes made with Scratch Ice Cream.
The ice cream shop, which will operate as a scoop shop inside the existing restaurant, will offer scoops, cones, shakes and potentially a case of grab and go items including pints, ice cream cakes and ice cream sandwiches.
Once open, Archie’s Flat Top is likely to keep dinner hours from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, with expanded hours from 11 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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