Zoo food has gone upscale. Food trucks, beer garden and roasted corn stand now available to animal watchers

When the Milwaukee County Zoo added a food truck selling hand-breaded chicken tenders and spicy chicken sandwiches last year, it was not parked anywhere near the farm animals.

That way the chickens calling the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm home don't have to wonder, or worry, about their fate.

Whether a conscious decision or not, "The Coop" food truck is parked a fair distance away from the farm animal area and is located between the bears and harbor seals.

"No in-house chickens are used," said Stephanie Gray, general manager for Service Systems Associates, which handles food and catering services at the zoo. "Chicken tenders are always popular in zoos. We wanted to offer hand-breaded tenders and a better tasting chicken sandwich."

Food at the Milwaukee County Zoo has gone decidedly upscale with food trucks, a new beer garden and more offerings for people with food allergies. The transformation began last summer when the zoo's food concessionaire opened The Coop and Bean Sprouts, a café with walk-up ordering windows across from the playground in the farm area.

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This year, in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend, an Airstream trailer as shiny as a mirror has been transformed into a cheese-themed food truck dubbed "Ooz" -- that's zoo spelled backward. Parked next to the Bear Garden, Ooz offers three types of grilled cheese sandwiches, three varieties of mac 'n cheese and french fries, with or without cheese.

Next to the trailer is a billboard adorned with a huge, old-timey "Greetings from the Milwaukee County Zoo" postcard.

"We wanted the whole thing to feel like an ode to Wisconsin," Gray said.

Inside the trailer, four to five workers toil away at a standard-sized grill, six-burner stove, a hot box, cooler, freezer and a giant pasta maker that cooks pasta in 10 seconds, said Chef Matt Mathiak. 

Grilled cheese eaters can choose American, provolone or Cheddar on their sandwiches. Mathiak predicted the Mac Attack grilled cheese sandwich, featuring pulled pork and mac 'n cheese, will be a best seller.

Officials are hoping the offerings will entice visitors who normally pack a picnic or are sick of hot dogs and nachos. 

Noticing just how much Wisconsinites love roasted corn -- perhaps the long lines at State Fair and Summerfest were a tip off -- the zoo on Saturday is opening the Husk Haus. Adjacent to the harbor seals pool, Husk Haus features a large corn roasting grill and will also sell brats, hot dogs and beer. 

The menu board at Bean Sprouts boasts that its food has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and no antibiotics. Drinks include organic milk, juice and coffee. Sandwiches are served with veggie tots; gluten-free bread can be substituted.

Dishes, designed to attract kids, include a pizza called Under the Sea-Za with zucchini, red pepper and olives and looks like a fish bowl; the Do-Re-For-Me sandwich of sunflower butter and organic jam looking like piano keys; and the Flutter Bite, a turkey and cheddar sandwich cut to resemble a butterfly.

"Keeping up with the dietary needs of guests is ever-changing," said Gray.