restaurant of the month - march 2010

Beanie’s in Port Washington for food and fun

PORT WASHINGTON IS KNOWN for gorgeous lake views, a picturesque downtown and an expansive harbor, but it’s also the home of Beanie’s Mexican Restaurant. Here, delicious food is served up in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

When you spot the giant tree spreading it’s branches over the bar, and the rope swings that double as bar stools, it’s clear that fun is on tap here – as well as several Mexican beers and lots of tasty margarita options.

Bright colors and whimsical touches like chili pepper lights hanging from paper mache cactus add to the party atmosphere, The friendly, knowledgeable wait staff help warm-up your day, whatever March’s fickle weather brings.

While owners Marcia Endicott and Joanie Nigrelli celebrated the restaurant’s 20th anniversary in 2009, they are delighting diners in 2010 with some great new offerings. What they’ve recently rolled out has made dining here an even better value.

The lunch menu has been expanded, so that everything on the dinner menu is available at lunch. In addition, there’s a fabulous Taco and Mexican Food Bar at noon that’s earned devoted fans.

In response to requests, all of the former “Daily Specials” are served every day of the week. The Beanies’ folks are especially proud of seafood selections such as Mango Tilapia, Pescado with lime and capers, Grilled Fish Tacos, Mahi Mahi Veracruz and Ahi Tuna. Marcia and her husband Skip travel regularly to scout out tantalizing new dishes. They don’t ignore the basics here at Beanie’s, though, and that shines through in the great salsa and chips, made fresh daily.

Beanie’s treats the younger than 12-years-old set with the best kids’ menu we’ve found. Choices range from tacos, “Loco Pollo” sliced grilled chicken, “Loco Carne” sliced steak, enchiladas, nachos or quesadilla to hot dog, hamburger or cheeseburger, chicken tenders and fish &chips. Also welcoming children are complementary coloring sheets and crayons.

While the appetizer menu here boasts a number of tempting options, the Crab Quesadilla or Trini’s Queso (cheese) Dip feature genuine Blue-Fin Crabmeat.

On the salad side, find a grilled Mahi-Mahi version or an Island Salad incorporating lightly blackened chicken, tilapia or Ahi tuna. There are five chili/soup options here, including Sizzlin’ Chicken Chili (not for the timid) and Lime Soup (chicken soup garnished with crisp tortilla strips and lime).

Find creative versions of tacos, burritos and chimichangas, and we love that you can order Huevos Rancheros (two eggs topped with salsa ranchero) anytime. But it’s the house specialties where that special Beanie’s touch shines through. Cochinita Pibil is an authentic Mexico City recipe of spicy marinated shredded pork; Camarones el Chipotle combines sautéed shrimp with chipotle cream sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese and Los Cabos features beef tenderloin sautéed with bacon, sliced shitake mushrooms and tender grilled shrimp served in a béchamel sauce.

There is live Mexican music Saturday evenings, 6-8 p.m. For more information, phone 262-284-7200 or visit www.beaniesmexican.com. Port Washington is a quick 30 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee. Take I 43 north to the Port Washington/Saukville Exit #96, right (east) on HWY 33 into Port Washington to 102 E. Grand Ave., one block west of Lake Michigan.