Tulum Tacos Bringing Third Location To Long Beach

LONG BEACH, NY — Long Beach residents are no stranger to a view of the Atlantic, but a new taco spot is aiming to give them a taste of a different seaside locale: Tulum Tacos & Tequila, which plans to open its third location, “Hacienda Tulum” this month.

The restaurant is targeting a mid-September opening at 180 Boardwalk, and currently has a pop-up open at the address to give passersby a glimpse of what will be on offer once the space is completed.

When it is completed, Hacienda Tulum will be a 200-seat restaurant with steaks, whole fish, seafood and a beverage program just steps from the sand. That location just off the water, sources close to the restaurant said, was a key selling point when owners Nicolas Geeraerts and Tommy Mitsios were choosing where to put their restaurant’s third location.

“The Long Beach community is absolutely amazing,” Geeraerts said. “It’s a whole different level than anywhere else. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. For us to be a part of it, I’m super excited.”

Geeraerts began his hospitality career at his family’s restaurant in Belgium, working with the Patina Group, Jean-Georges, Todd English, Delmonico’s Restaurant Group and JF Restaurants before launching Tulum Tacos & Tequila, with locations in Mineola and Baldwin preceding the Long Beach opening.

As for the menu at the Long Beach restaurant, Chef Eduardo Salgado has built a menu around five different moles, 12 to 14 dishes, eight cuts of meat and six to eight whole fish selections, and plans to keep a raw bar selection including ceviches, aguachiles, east and west coast oysters and showstopping seafood towers.

Currently, guests at the Tulum pop-up will be able to order previews of that menu, including duck carnitas flautas, smoked tuna paté tostadas and several cocktail options.

“We are talking about tastes you can only get in Mexico City,” Geeraerts said. “It won’t be Americanized. Not Cancun, not Cabo. I’m talking about real, traditional Mexican fare.”