Habanero’s

Aficionados of scallops will love the El Parador at Habanero’s. Chefs grill several large scallops and jumbo shrimp, then serve them in a light sauce flavored with chile de arbol. The scallops are sweet, tender, juicy and perfectly matched to the sauce. The shrimp adds additional flavor to the dish, but the real stars are the scallops. I found so much seafood on my plate that I felt obligated to share with my lunch companions, a rare show of generosity when scallops are involved.

We started with Habanero’s Signature Guacamole en molcajete, a tableside display that took the combination of jalapeno, onion, tomato, cilantro, lime and avocado to new heights of epicurean pleasure.

Actually, everything that came to our table surpassed our expectations — even the common red salsa that had just enough heat to make it interesting without leaving a painful afterburn.  This heat comes from the habanero chile, a potentially addictive flavor when used in moderation.

Our second entrée, fajitas — chicken sautéed with onion, tomato and pepper — came with a side plate of refried beans, guacamole, lettuce and sour cream. It sizzled as promised and one order easily fed two hungry customers. 

The dishes listed on the menu draw from many parts of Mexico. For example, Habanero’s serves cervice from the south, red snapper or huachinango from Veracruz, a Mexico City Street Salad and several Tex Mex specialties, the usual tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

Based on one lunch, I’d try anything on the menu — even if I couldn’t pronounce it. – Cari Taylor-Carlson

Habanero’s is at 3900 W. Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer (414) 355-5680