Yes. You read that right – we’re getting MEXICAN FOOD IN BRUSSELS!!! Yipppeeee!! Not just “any” Mexican, either. We’re getting real Mexican food, California style. Burritos! Bowls! Tacos! Salads! YUM! I couldn’t be happier. My stomach couldn’t be any happier! My heart flutters at the thought of Mexican food in Brussels … we are so so SO excited. And guess what! They open, for real, on 29 March! So. Soon.
Many of you know my affinity for tradition. You also have seen me eat a fair amount of Thanksgiving turkey in Brussels over the last few years with the American Club of Brussels. 🙂 It is because of the American Club that I met Palmer Colamarino and I couldn’t be happier, as he has become one of my dearest friends in Brussels. He’s opening CHEZWaWa, the newest kid on the block, surely to make many an expat and plenty of Belgians happy (*once again). I know that the one food item I miss the most when I am in Brussels is Mexican food. And no one, and I mean no one, in Brussels could hold a candle to real Mexican food before now. Certainly not that yucky chain place that will remain nameless or that weird place in Cimetière d’Ixelles, which will also remain nameless. We had Mexigo once upon a time, but their kitchen closed and now they only do “rarely-open” shop days. Otherwise, we have had nothing in Brussels that even remotely resembled Mexican food. Enter CHEZWaWa!
Meeting new people, sharing traditions and discovering connections are Palmer’s passions, just as they are mine. So, I want you to know that I am so happy to finally be able to officially announce that he’s about to wow all of you with his amazing talents and superhuman ability to welcome you, “hug” you and feed you an amazing meal all at the same time! I’ve had to keep this secret under wraps for too long now. Like, tortilla wraps! I am bursting at the seams! The burrito seams!
CHEZWaWa, located at Rue américaine, 91, just off Chatelain in Brussels (Ixelles), at the corner of Rue du Page, will offer a variety of options – including vegetarian and gluten-free! – made with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients, all locally-sourced, so you know that when you dine with Palmer, you dine with as much 100% Belge as possible. Coupled with this is a designer’s touch – the guys have been working day and night to bring you the centerpiece of this fantastic new renovation. No one else can give you this in Brussels, and it’s something you HAVE to see for yourselves!
Touting a fast-casual approach to dining, CHEZWaWa will be the next best thing to hit your cravings for something crunchy and tasty. With a super cool counter service set up, they’ll have fresh chips for takeaway or dine-in, and an incredibly easy ordering process – choose the Meal of the Month (a MoM for those in the know 😉 ) or choose a Roll Your Own Way: pick your base (burrito, bowl, tacos, salad), then your protein (poultry, pork carnitas, beef barbacoa, tofu or veggies), then rice and beans, your salsas (two!) ranging from spicy to mild, add your extras and then voila! You’ve got your meal, your way, with your tastes, unique every time.
And as if that weren’t enough, CHEZWaWa will also have smaller options like appetizers and plenty of sides, Belgian and Mexican beers, and homemade desserts, smoothies, margaritas and sangria. With Meal Packages, foodies of all levels will have a hard time deciding, so don’t be afraid to make a decision now and make a new one later … or convince everyone at your table to share a little of everything! You won’t be disappointed, really. And, because Palmer understands the plight of the starving Belgian students who have to cook their own meals during the week until the weekend arrives, a student discount, just for you! It’s a win-win!
I am so proud of Palmer and I am so happy that I have been able to be a part of the design, planning and execution of CHEZWaWa. While I will not be there for the grand opening, you can bet your next paycheck that I will be visiting a whole bunch when I return in the fall. But, dear readers, please let me live vicariously through you! You gotta eat, so go see Palmer at CHEZWaWa and tell him that HumidFoodie sent you. Then, check back in here and leave a comment or rate CHEZWaWa on Facebook and tag me, telling us just how amazing your experience was … you just might get a surprise. 🙂
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CHEZWaWa’s mission is to introduce Brussels to a new style of farm-to-counter California-style Mexican dining. Roll Your Own Way = Fresh, fast, flavorful and made-to-order, just as the customer wants it.
La motivation CHEZWaWa, c’est d’offrir à Bruxelles un nouveau style de restauration californienne-mexicainedans un esprit « de la ferme au comptoir ». Roll Your Own Way = frais, rapide, délicieux et préparé à la minuteselon l’envie du client.
CHEZWaWa’s doel is om in Brussel een nieuwe restauratie van Californische-Mexicaanse stijl «van boerderij tot toonbank» bekendte maken. Roll Your Own Way = fris, snel, lekker en op maat, volgens de keuze van de klant.
Many thanks to everyone for your kind words and overwhelming support on the recent Brussels attacks. As noted in my previous post, I was in New Orleans when the attacks happened. I suspended this post about CHEZWaWa out of respect for those who lost their lives or who were affected by the attacks, and there are edits in the post, noted by an asterisk (*). My heart and mind stay with my many friends and colleagues in Brussels. Love you guys. xoxo
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