Puerto Rican Food Meets Sushi: Escobar Kitchen Shakes Up Orlando
Escobar Kitchen is fusing Puerto Rican food flavors and sushi and we’re here for it. After more than two decades managing food and beverage services at the World Center Marriott, Lewis Escobar has always been dedicated to creating memorable dining experiences. When the COVID-19 pandemic led to his furlough, Escobar used the time to explore his passion for sushi and Puerto Rican food.
Combining Flavors Of Puerto Rican Food With Sushi
Determined to combine the flavors of Puerto Rican food with his love for sushi, Escobar began perfecting his skills by watching online tutorials. He launched a small, home-based restaurant with just six tables, and his family pitched in—his nieces and nephews helped with deliveries as demand grew for his unique fusion cuisine.
It became clear that Escobar needed a bigger space, and the opportunity came when he secured a spot at Bravo Markets in Lake Nona. Here, Escobar Kitchen took off, serving sushi with a Puerto Rican twist. His creative dishes drew large crowds, eager to experience the fusion of two beloved cuisines.
Opening A Second Location
This success led Escobar to open a second location in downtown Orlando, bringing his innovative take on Puerto Rican food to a new audience. The latest Escobar Kitchen is now open in the Camden Thornton Park building, with a grand opening scheduled for September 6. Sharing a space with Wine and Corks, diners can pair their sushi with a selection of wine and cocktails.
One standout dish that showcases the fusion of sushi and Puerto Rican food is the Escobar Roll. This specialty features Spanish yellow rice, shrimp tempura, churrasco, and cream cheese, all topped with avocado, sweet plantains, chimichurri, eel sauce, and spicy mayo—a flavor-packed tribute to Escobar’s Puerto Rican heritage.
Escobar’s dream of opening this restaurant almost didn’t happen, but with encouragement from his daughter, he pushed through. Thanks to that determination, Orlando now has Escobar Kitchen—a place where Puerto Rican food meets sushi in the most delicious way possible.
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