Chef Paz’ Peruvian Restaurant Will Bring You Back For More

Chef Paz Restaurant

9039 W National Ave,

West Allis, WI 53227

414-574-5123

Business Hours:

Monday 11AM–8PM

Tuesday 11AM–8PM

Wednesday 11AM–8PM

Thursday 11AM–8PM

Friday 11AM–9PM

Saturday 11AM–9PM

Sunday 12–6PM

Cuisine type: Peruvian

Price per entrée: $10.00-$15.00

Attire: CASUAL

Reservations: NO

Payment: CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

If you’re looking for food that has flavor that will fill up your taste buds, Chef Paz is the place to dine. They have their restaurant hours set up for lunch and dinner time but they are open 7 days a week. Chef Paz is one of three Peruvian restaurants in Milwaukee but compared to the others the price and the taste will bring you back in for more.

I had training for work in West Allis where two of my fellow co-workers, who happen to be Peruvian, joined me for lunch. I talked to them about Chef Paz and we were all interested in trying out their food to see if it was truly authentic to their cultural background. During the lunch period the restaurant wasn’t as busy in the beginning but by the end of our hour lunch each table was filled. The restaurant offers outdoor seating but we went in the early spring so the patio was closed due to weather. There is a small bar seating area that fits about 6 seats and 8 other tables in the restaurant so the seating is limited. I would advise visiting at a non-traditional hour to be attended to and really experience the great cuisine. There is not a waiting area to sit so if all the tables are filled you will not have a place to stand, rather stand awkwardly over other guests.

We started off with the chicken empanadas for an appetizer. The crust was hot and fresh, with a flaky texture and the chicken was well seasoned and satisfied us until the entrees came out 15 min after the apps were served. I ordered the Beef Stew with Cilantro Sauce which on the menu is described as “Tender pieces of beef slowly cooked for hours with Inka’s chili and Jora beer. Served with delicious pinto beans and white rice” for me the tenderness of the beef with the cilantro sauce sent my mouth on an overload of amazing, warm flavors. I am always afraid that non-traditional restaurants may have bland food because they want to accommodate all people however; Chef Paz does an excellent job at seasoning the food with the right spices.

The owner, Maritza Paz, is a native from Iquitos, Peru who has opened 14 restaurants from Peru, to Florida to Wisconsin. She came to the US with a Visa and began as a dishwasher but quickly moved her way up to consulting and cooking for other restaurants. She was highly involved at a local restaurant in West Allis that did not work out for her but she soon received a letter from the mayor of West Allis asking her to return to open a restaurant of her own in the La Parihuela building which had closed shortly after she left.

Paz moved to West Allis and opened Chef Paz on July 27, 2012. She also opened the restaurant in Peru, which is run by one of her sons, also a chef.

I have returned to Chef Paz on a first date that went well, mostly due to the food (Thank you Chef Paz). I am most excited in try the all you can eat buffet, that is the second Sunday of every month – January through September – Paz serves a $12.99 all-you-can-eat Peruvian buffet. Reservations are required.