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.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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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