Kansas City area Mexican seafood restaurant opens in former American bar and restaurant
Veronica Palomares’ new Mexican seafood restaurant may have just opened in Kansas City, Kansas, but this isn’t her first go-round.
Six years ago, she opened Rincon Tarasco at 7534 Raytown Road in Raytown. Then, she opened Al Chile three years ago at 11200 Johnson Drive in Shawnee, as well as the La Jefa food truck.
Now, it’s time for Palomares and her husband, Jose Melendez, to celebrate Playa & Mezcal at 4601 Shawnee Drive. After quietly opening last weekend, they’ll welcome a DJ, live singer and “lots of mezcal,” Palomares said, at the grand opening at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov 23.
In the meantime, Playa & Mezcal is serving authentic Mexican seafood — no Tex-Mex.
“I would really like for people to taste what real Mexican cuisine is,” Palomares said.
The restaurant opened in the old Deep Roots American Restaurant and Bar, which closed over a year ago. It has a deck for outdoor seating, when the weather improves.
La Jefa food truck is now parked in the parking lot, serving tacos and other traditional Mexican dishes.
Palomares is from Michoacán, Mexico, in the center-west of the country. The state is known for its diverse Indigenous population and cuisine, she said.
She and her husband decided to focus on seafood at the restaurant because of their love for the dishes: ceviche de pescado, oysters, seafood towers, tilapia fillets and more.
For breakfast, Playa & Mezcal will serve dishes like breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros and papas con chorizo.
A full bar will also serve a variety of cocktails: margaritas, piña coladas, palomas and more.
Palomares said she loves meeting new customers, many of whom are tasting beloved dishes from home. She encouraged others who haven’t tasted Mexican seafood to try it for the first time.
“We cook with a lot of love and care,” she said. “We really care about what we’re giving out.”
The restaurant will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Another seafood restaurant, Mariscos KC, opened in Shawnee this month at 6505 Nieman Road.