Mexican cuisine-inspired seafood spot opens in Johnson County. Here’s what it serves
Three partners set out to open a new seafood restaurant in Olathe, inspired by Mexican cuisine.
Rudolf Demeter, a commercial contractor, would do the build-out and then be a silent partner while the other two operated the restaurant.
It didn’t turn out that way.
His partners dropped out about a month before the late February opening. Now, he’s stepped in as bartender at the new El Maviri Seafood Bar & Grill. His wife, Simona, is manager.
So far, their most popular dishes have included oysters, the Molcajete Maviri with raw and cooked shrimp, octopus, scallops and clams, and the Siete Mares soup with shrimp, basa, calamari, clams and a crab leg.
Other menu items include: the Camarones a la Cucaracha with whole fried shrimp and house-made salsa; seasoned whole snapper stuffed with peppers, onions and tomatoes; fried tilapia with rice and black beans; and shrimp plates.
They also have nachos (with a choice of chicken, steak or crab), quesadillas, tacos, and fajitas, along with a children’s menu.
“This is more of a weekend place, for date nights or families. We’ve had families on the weekend of eight to 12 people,” he said.
He plans to add more lunch items such as hamburgers for weekday customers.
The former Sheridan’s Frozen Custard spot, 2055 E. Santa Fe St., has been remodeled and seats 92 in the dining area and nine at the bar. The Demeters plan to open the patio soon.
They kept the drive-thru window so customers can preorder and pick up their meals to take home.
The couple worked in television in their native Romania and moved to Chicago in 2000. But they came to Johnson County in 2004 for a “better lifestyle, including better schools” for their two children.
Until he can find more restaurant help, Demeter works on his contracting business in the mornings, coming to the restaurant at about 10 a.m., and on Mondays when the restaurant is closed.
A sign on the front door says: “Hiring now. Manager, bartender, server, cook.”