Braun, Rodgers Take it to the Kitchen

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun are taking on a new venture and this time it is not on the field.

It’s in the kitchen.

Braun and Rodgers are opening a new restaurant, 8*twelve in Brookfield this month, SURG Restaurant Group announced Monday. Braun’s jersey number is eight and Rodgers’ jersey number is 12.

The new restaurant will be located at 17800 W. Bluemound Rd., in the former pan-Latin restaurant. Opening is planned for June. And — to the joy of fans — both players plan to stop by the Brookfield site for scheduled and unscheduled visits.

The menu will include American fare, burgers, steak and other grilled food.

The venture will be the second Braun-SURG partnership and the first for Rodgers. Braun partnered with SURG on Graffito on Water Street in Milwaukee.

"Wisconsin has the greatest fans in the country," Rodgers said. "This is an excellent opportunity for me to work with Ryan on a project that will create something for fans of the Packers, Brewers and sports in general, to take part in and enjoy."

Mike Polaski, CEO and co-owner of SURG, said he believed 8*twelve would be a winning combination of "amazing cuisine" and "two great players." He said plans for additional locations were being considered.

SURG co-owner Omar Shaikh said, "Aaron had expressed interest in the business after visiting Graffito a few times and with his friendship with Ryan, 8*twelve just fell into place. This will be great for the Brookfield area."

Other SURG restaurants include Carnevor, Distil, Mikey’s and Umami Moto.