Cempazuchi

I have been going to Cempazuchi for years and always had a great experience with the food, margaritas and service. After this past weekend’s visit I will never, ever, ever go back again. It was up there with the top three worst restaurant experiences I have ever encountered. My husband and my two sons visited this past Saturday night. It was somewhat busy but nothing unusual. Our first red flag was that the hostess told us it would be a 30 minute wait and then 2 minutes after we walked away she told us our table was ready. The waitress met us with a smile and was friendly. We ordered our drinks and some guacamole and we waited… and we waited… until my husband finally stood up and confronted the waitress. She came back with our drinks and was clearly very mad at us and it showed. She made excuse after excuse as to why the drinks took so long and never once apologized or offered anything for our wait. We should have walked out at the point and cut our losses. Our meals arrived and they were absolutely disgusting. All of our food was ice cold even the meat. We took it to the Manager and told him to take it all away. He brought our bill and not only did they not comp us for a single drink they actually overcharged us by two margaritas. Never again will we be back. There are too many amazing restaurants in Milwaukee who appreciate their customers and the money they spend with them. Adiós Cempazuchi!

The atmosphere here is fun and the salsa is delicious and different. The margaritas were also tasty with a healthy dose of tequila. Most problematic were the perch tacos. These tacos were very fishy tasting. So much so that I really couldn’t eat them. To me, this is unacceptable. Comparatively, I’ve never had a bad meal at corazon. So, I won’t be going back to cempazuchi.

Best Mexican food I’ve ever eaten. We have eight other friends go with us and they all ordered something different. I’ve tried most and everything is unique and full of flavor. It’s unlike your traditional Mexican restaurant. I had the duck tacos which had a fruit salsa. I did not think I would like the fruit salsa with that however impaired perfectly with the flavors in the taco. Your enchiladas are not your typical enchiladas either. They are not in wraps instead they’re in layers. I also got a dessert it was a no flour chocolate coffee raspberry cake and it was really decadent. With a lot of subtle flavors. I highly recommend this place.

Cempazuchi was one of the first places colleagues took me to after moving to the area. It is still one of the places I regularly return to after six years!
Favorites: house margaritas, chips and peanut salsa, tostadas florentina, sopa Azteca, torta Cubana, and salmon tacos.
The sides like rice and beans are consistently just okay… you can live without them!

I can’t believe it took us so long to experience the amazingness that is Cempazuchi!
Chips and salsa: Chips are fresh and crisp and come with two types of salsa, one is pretty zippy but flavorful and the other is a peanut salsa that will leave you begging for more. It’s probably the best salsa I have ever had.
Gucamole: Fresh, flavorful, delicious. I could eat 5 pounds of it.
Food: My fiancée and I both had Enchilada Oaxaquenas — I had chicken and he had tinga (chicken and pork mix). LOVE! These enchiladas are stacked and have wonderful red sauce; the meat was perfectly seasoned.
We went on a Friday evening, around 5:30pm. It got pretty busy around 6:15pm so I recommend coming before 6 on a Friday. They had a $ 5 margarita special — which was awesome and they were delicious. They also offer a variety of flavored margaritas, which we were told changes daily.
Our service was attentive, efficient, and just all-​around awesome.
Everything on the menu sounds amazing (you can view the menu online) and I cannot wait to return!!!

Horrible experience tonight after coming there regularly since they opened (20 years ago?). We asked our waitress to split the check between cash and our credit card which it APPEARED had happened until we got home and checked our account. Turns out they double charged us on the credit card and the charges won’t be reversed immediately according to their manager. This was one of our favorite places in Milwaukee but we won’t be back. If you go here, you might consider paying only cash!
We tried it again tonight and had a great experience. The shrimp tortas and mushroom tacos were excellent, as were the house margaritas! No problems with the bill this time.

Cempazuchi was bookmarked for the longest time, so I was excited to try it out.
Whenever I walk down Brady Street, I always see this place packed, so the boyfriend and I decided to come during a quieter time. We dined in the late afternoon, which is also known as the short and awkward time period between lunch and dinner. Or as I like to call it, «the anti-social’s golden hour». With floral tablecloths, colorful walls and a banner of papel picado hanging about, the atmosphere was loud, proud and vivacious.
The restaurant was relatively empty with a few patrons scattered here and there, so we were quickly seated. We were given a basket of tortilla chips and two kinds of salsa. If I remembered correctly: one was a peanut salsa and the other– I’m not 100% positive– was the roasted tomato. The peanut salsa was pretty good. It tasted like a mix between Thai curry and spaghetti sauce, which surprisingly is a good combo. The boyfriend especially liked it. As for the roasted tomato salsa, I can take it or leave it. It was alright but after eating the peanut salsa, it definitely took a backseat.
The food was honestly kind of let down. I ordered the Salmon Tacos and I have a few issues with my meal. For one, the black beans were submerged in a bowl of black liquid. Yes, there were a few little ones drifting afloat, but if this bowl was a public pool, it’d be shut down because all the children would’ve drowned. However, the rice was really good, but the bucket of chipotle mayo got in the way of every thing. I didn’t get a lot of rice so when I had to lift the chipotle mayo off my plate, you can imagine my sullen face when I saw a fourth of my rice stuck onto the bottom of this atrocity of a bucket. Which brings me to my next point: why would anyone need this much chipotle mayo? Can you not feel? Is your butt made of out titanium?! Please, Cempazuchi, take out half the amount of chipotle mayo, and double your portion of rice. A lot of the world’s problems could be solved with more rice.
As for the Salmon Tacos itself, they were alright. The texture was enjoyable, but the flavor was a little lackluster in comparison to the other salmon tacos I’ve had in the past. I didn’t get a lot of excitement from eating them. The boyfriend ordered the Lamb Tacos, and they were alright, as well. The flavor in the Lamb Tacos were a little better but I still wasn’t getting that excitement. For me, what missed the mark was the fact that the spices and sauces weren’t meshing well together. I think that was what really threw me off.
The service was polite but we felt a little rushed. Our waters weren’t being refilled even though I finished my glass well before our meal came. Our server also didn’t check up on us throughout the meal, and since we were in the back corner, we couldn’t find any other servers. And it’s odd because when we came in, there were so many more servers than there were patrons. Maybe they were all preparing for the dinner rush. I don’t know. Given, when our server was present, he was courteous, but I honestly felt pretty ignored.
Overall, I’m giving Cempazuchi three stars. The peanut salsa was nice. The tortilla chips were crunchy. But our actual entrees weren’t enough for me to come back. I think the problem with Cempazuchi is that they reply a smudge too much on their location rather than their food and service. Even though this place seems like a lot of fun late at night, I think I’m going to have to take a pass.

Everything we ate was really good… And we ate EVERYTHING!!! A bit of a birthday meal, for me, we had quite an experience… And quite a lot of drinks. And courses. And drinks. And loudly laughing and yelling and causing a scene. It was amazing, as was course after course of Mexican delights like I’ve really never tasted before. What I can remember is it was fantastic!
(I’m currently asking my fiancée what we actually ate, cuz I WAS really drunk.)
Apparently we had the ceviche, mushroom empanadas, duck tacos and blue-​corn fish tacos, and like 30 other things, and 3 desserts and more drinks.. .
I’ll be back for a more observant experience, hopefully soon.
Later that night, I almost got kicked out of The Rave.
Derp!

I never seen a shrimp fajita that comes in a ball! And has no flavore.
Sorry but i didnt like it

Really this is best salmon tacos i have ever had!
Fish fillet was so delicious!
They can still increase the spicy levels of dipping sauce!
Order was taken a bit later! That’s okay!
Overall it was good!

Food was below average. Doesn’t beat the numerous south side Mexican restaurants. I give it a three for the atmosphere and location and interesting salsas but average food. Inside décor pretty and authentic.

Officially my new favorite place. We went a little later in the afternoon so it wasn’t too busy. The food didn’t take long but I’ll get to main in a second.
The music was kinda interesting in that I heard an obscure Billy Idol cover. Pretty much all the music was a weird cover. Not bad, just interesting.
So, we get our chips and the salsas. Plural. Two.
A yellow dish and a red dish.
Neither of which are inherently spicy, but the more I ate the more heat I picked up. Very tasty. And the chips must be made there and were awesome!
For drinks we had a margarita of the day and this time it was a spicy watermelon. Delicious! They are small and bit pricy but super tasty.
Then the main came. I can’t tell you the name without butchering it but it equates to a pot roast. Really good veggies, potatoes, roasted then braised pork all under an awesome red sauce. Light sauce though, not like an enchilada.
Everything was really good.
As mentioned in a few other reviews the price is a little high but after tasting everything I can see why. Quality ingredients and mucho delicious.
Stop in here to have some real Mexican food!

A flight attendant friend recommended Cempazuchi because it was Oaxacan-​run (my partner is from Oaxaca, Mexico). We had to see this for ourselves: Can it be any good?
Not bad, Milwaukee. Not bad at all.
The service was cute. The décor was mostly «just like Mexico.» The drink selection was great — my personal favorite was the Mezcal flight. I haven’t seen such a selection outside of NYC/​Mexico. The margaritas were also good.
The food was ok — the braised skirt steak was good but not exactly what we envisioned. The pipian was also good (my partner makes better).
Overall, satisfied. Until the next.

My girlfriend and I drove up from Chicago for lunch at Cempazuchi and here’s what we experienced:
Wonderful Brady Street neighborhood walking distance to the stunning park along the lake
Beautiful restaurant, smallish, with ample outdoor seating to take in the culture
As we were seated for lunch the bus boy delivered water and a strange message: «I can’t take your order, but I highly recommend the brunch menu,» looking at me, saying, really, you want the brunch menu
As it was my first time there, I ignored his tip and went for the full menu knowing this restaurant specializes in rare moles
The ceviche starter was epic as were the house margaritas. Really, really good
My GFF got the enchiladas suizas, I the mole plate of the day. Hers was really good. Mine, well, very substandard: the plate included turkey drenched in a wonderful mole sauce, with a small dollop of rice and a large helping of steamed vegetables. They were quite tasteless and looked like a filler item. The buried turkey was tasteless and as tough as a shoe sole
It was a Sunday seating so that may have been the problem. But later, after settling back home in Chicago from our drive to Milwaukee, it occurred to me: was the busboy telling me something to which I should have listened?
Will probably not go back, sorry to say. The mole was dreamy but the overall plate was not worth $ 15, and the tough turkey mystery inexcusable to serve
Wait staff, very good, drinks and starters very good, but not worth a journey sorry to say

This is some of the best food I’ve had in Milwaukee.
When I came in I had my mouth set for enchiladas. The salty scent of seafood was thick inside this joint, however, and I opted instead for the best fish tacos I have ever tasted.
The fish was fried perfectly, with blue corn incorporated into the batter, and the tangy sauce that is served with it is incredible.
The salsa they served too, was delicious.
The one drawback is that the service was a bit hard to come by. Our table sat for awhile without a refill on our waters.

I’ve eaten here many times over the years and everything I’ve ordered was always delicious. They have the best original margaritas on the rocks, just the right amount of tartness.

I joined a family of four here (amigos, not strangers) and shared a good meal. First of all, the décor was fun – various paintings and a small Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead, celebrated just after Halloween) alter.
We arrived at about 9 or 9:30 pm on a Saturday night, got a table right away, and great server came soon thereafter and ably described the dishes to us and stopped by just the right amount of times during the meal to check in on us.
«Enough about those less important factors,» you say. «What about the food?» Well, let me tell you, it was delicious. The fifteen-​year-​old with us had tried the ceviche with family friends. Are you «kid“ding me? Could a teenage kid really have enough life experience to recommend the ceviche? Precocious kid. It was fantastic – delectable even.
One dish on the menu beckoned my tongue: Pipian. It promised «Pre Hispanic style sauce of roasted pumpkin seeds, peanut, sesame seeds, and chiles.» You could get it with pork or with chicken; I chose the swine.
My first impression was that it didn’t look like much – those seeds and nuts made for a pretty beige sauce. But don’t judge a dish by its khakis. the sauce had a depth of flavor that moseyed across my tongue.
We had had a bit to drink before arriving; so we didn’t look for a cerveza sommelier. But I did get an horchata to wash it all down, which was mighty tasty as well.

I eat at Cempazuchi at least once a week. It’s my jam.
Why do I love Cempazuchi so much? Let me break it down:
1. They have fantastic bartenders. Nine times out of ten, I’m sitting at the bar for this very reason. They’re good people.
2. The owner, Bryce, is a great guy. His tequila and mescal schools are very fun as well as being very informative (Saturdays 2 – 4, call ahead).
3. Tequila and mescal school (see above).
4. The food. Enchiladas suiza (vegetarian enchiladas), mixto salad, lamb tacos — OH MY GOD LAMB TACOS — all their dishes are creative, freshly made, and delicious.
When we decide to sit at a table, we only do so if Scott is working — tall guy, ponytail — because his knowledge of the menu and almost intuitive grasp of customer service is unparalleled and always on point. If he’s not working the floor, then we will eat at the bar.
Anyway, much love to Cempazuchi. xo

Cempazuchi has the best margaritas in town. Fresh and simple, how a margarita should be. In the summer i love to grab a table outside with a friend, have some chips & salsa, drink margs and people watch on Brady.
I always have great service except for one waitress who consistently messes up our orders and is unapologetic, almost to the point of making you feel like its your fault. That being said I’ve had superb service with every other employee every time. Also there is one waitress in particular who is just the best.
As for food, I’ve never really been disappointed. Tacos, enchiladas, fajitas — all great. There’s a salad with a spicy habanero vinaigrette and it’s wonderful! Also, the of the two salsas they provide, the peanut is delicious however I’m not a huge fan of the other salsa but thats ok.
Bottom line, Cempazuchi is my go to Mexican restaurant and their margaritas cannot be beat.

Whoa guys, YUM.
I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to eat at Cempazuchi. I have heard nothing but good things about it, have walked by it countless times, and I even live a couple of blocks away! But after just recently trying it, looks like I need to make up for lost time.
The salsa is out of this world, we had Thai peanut salsa and a garlic type salsa, neither of which I was really sure about to be honest, but were they tasty. Margaritas are on point and they only come on the rocks (which is personally just how I like my margs). A friend and I went around lunch time so we ventured to try the tortas which are not normally what I would go for at a mexican restaurant but I am so happy that we did. I got the cubanita and my friend got the pork lion and we split half and half. I honestly couldn’t decide which one I liked more, both were so good! As much as everything inside the sandwich was amazing, the bread really is worth noting, something about it was so splendid and really tied together all of the flavors.
I honestly cannot wait to go back and try more food.