El Tsunami Taqueria y Mariscos softly opened in November at 130 W. Layton Ave., following the closing of Pizza de Brazil, which occupied the space for just under a year.
Behind the restaurant is chef and co-owner Misael Mazaba and his brother, who opened the first Tsunami location at 2001 W. Lincoln Ave. six years ago, followed by a second location at 2222 S. 13th St. just one year later.
Their success, says Mazaba, has been largely due to the restaurant’s scratch-made fare – which includes details like handmade corn and flour tortillas – along with creative seafood-based dishes.
Peruse the menu and you’ll find a mix of housemade Mexican staples, including tacos ($2.25 to $3 each), burritos ($8-$9) and fajitas ($18-$21) along with dishes like bistec en chile de arbol ($16.99).
But Tsunami also offers laundry list of specialty seafood dishes including ceviche ($14.95-$17.50) seafood cocktail (choose from shrimp, squid and oysters for $15.95-$19.95); along with whole grilled or fried tilapia and red snapper ($14-$19) and a wide variety of shrimp and octopus dishes, including al mojo de ajo (Mexican style garlic shrimp), $19.99.
Among the highlights is their Paella Mexicana, a take on the traditional Spanish dish featuring a generous serving of shrimp, clams, blue crab and green-lipped mussels served with seasoned rice ($20.99).
Guests will also find options like molcajete (featuring chicken, steak and shrimp, $21.99). and the El Tsunami Special, jalapeno peppers stuffed with shrimp and wrapped in bacon ($20.95).
Lunch specials are offered Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include offerings like tacos, mini burritos and chimichangas, enchiladas and chicken fajita salad for $10.50 to $11.
Currently, Tsunami offers a variety of non-alcoholic drinks including soft drinks, NA micheladas made with house mix and agua frescas, including housemade horchata, jamaica and tamarindo.
However, if all goes well, the restaurant will have a full liquor license by mid-December, after which they will offer a menu of both Mexican and domestic beers along with a selection of cocktails including micheladas and margaritas.
Tsunami is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 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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