Taking tacos and tequila to the next level an upscale Mexican steakhouse hits the Long Beach boardwalk

A new Mexican steakhouse has opened in Long Beach.

The Details

The Long Beach boardwalk has been graced with a fresh culinary face with the recent debut of Hacienda Tulum, a new upscale Mexican steakhouse, is the latest concept from longtime friends and hospitality partners Nicolas Geeraerts and Tommy Mitsios.

This comes on the heels of their two successful taco establishments, Tulum Tacos & Tequila, a Long Island restaurant brand founded in 2022. The pair aspired to take their “tacos and tequila” to the next level, envisioning an elevated dining experience that focuses on fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, modern Mexican cuisine, superior steaks, and a refined mezcal- and tequila-based cocktail menu — all honoring the rich flavors of the Yucatán with a distinct urban approach.

“Most people think of tacos and margaritas only in the summer months, and we were looking for more of a year-round concept,” said Geeraerts. “It’s also hard to find good, traditional Mexican food, and steakhouses are making a big comeback, so I thought, why not infuse the elements of a fine steakhouse with an exclusive Mexican experience?”

With decades of industry prowess under his belt, Geeraerts brings considerable wisdom and passion to the table. He started his culinary journey at his family’s restaurant in Belgium, going on to work with prominent chefs and hospitality groups including Patina Group, Jean-Georges, Todd English, Delmonico’s Restaurant Group and JF Restaurants. Though he’s no longer in the kitchen, Geeraerts’ heart and soul are still deeply entrenched in every aspect of his establishments.

Steering Hacienda Tulum’s culinary program is Culinary Director Eduardo Salgado, a native of Metepec, Mexico. Salgado is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and is chef of ’Emat in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. His career has taken him to Barcelona and New York, where he worked at David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar, Masa Takayama’s Kappo Masa and Lola Taverna in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. He was recognized as Best New Chef by Food & Wine en Español in 2025.

Together, Geeraerts and Salgado painstakingly devised a menu (it took over three months of sampling and perfecting) that harnesses the depth and authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine while weaving in influences outside traditional recipes. Their offerings span premium steaks, whole fish, inventive compositions, ceviches, aguachiles, complex moles, chiles, and marinades. The kitchen sources ingredients from seasonal LI produce, local seafood and premium meats, including selections from Pat LaFrieda’s Prime 850 Club.

Signature offerings include Pat LaFrieda sliced rib-eye tacos with an Oaxaca cheese crust, pickled onions and salsa macha, along with chochoyotes, a masa-based preparation served with pistachio, pumpkin seed and cilantro pesto. The raw bar features East and West Coast oysters and other fresh seafood selections.

Hacienda Tulum’s drink program features an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal along with a wine list and specialty cocktails, which include faves such as the Piloncillo Passionfruit Mezcalita and Prickly Pear Champagne Margarita.

The interior space is meticulously outfitted in furnishings, lighting, and artwork all sourced from Mexico, an endeavor planned and executed by a collaboration between Mexico-based designer Paulina Moran, Valeria Lotero and Geeraerts himself. The vision was to create a space that was sophisticated and elegant yet captured a coastal feel and the warm spirit of a Mexican hacienda. The team took the mission so seriously that after three months, they tossed the initial approach and went back to square one, working tirelessly until they nailed the character and design they were seeking.

“I came to the States 22 years ago, and fell in love with Long Beach when I visited,” said Geeraerts. It’s such a beautiful, special place,” Geeraerts said. “I wanted to ensure we represented the easy breezy feel of the ocean while including luxurious details.”

The ambiance is set by handcrafted wooden community tables, a glass-fronted, climate-controlled wine room, a custom installation above the bar, oval clay pendant lights, and a discernible jaguar motif.

The restaurant also offers valet parking and an attached parking garage under the restaurant with elevator access. A private dining room and patio are also available for events, corporate gatherings, and celebrations, while a boardwalk-facing Tulum Taco Stand gives a casual option to beachgoers. For those seeking a cocktail-sipping sanctuary, the upcoming Cemelle will house an intimate 24-seat agave bar within the restaurant.

Guests should look out for the launch of their happy hour in the coming weeks, with weekend brunches at the start of the new year.

Hacienda Tulum is located at 180 Boardwalk in Long Beach. For more information, visit haciendatulum.com.

For more food and drink coverage, click here.

All comments are subject to our

Community Guidelines. Schneps Media does not endorse the views shared by readers in our comment sections.