Fit Check, Food Check: Milly Tamarez on Slaying and Dominican Sushi
Milly Tamarez makes comedy look easy. The Dominican-American writer and performer has been a mainstay in New York City standup for years. These days, she performs with the likes of Marcello Hernandez, teaches Intro to Standup classes at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade, and co-hosts the pop culture podcast Go Touch Grass, which she launched with longtime collaborator Alise Morales in 2023. On the show, the duo unpacks everything from current events to TikTok trends with such humor and clarity, each episode feels like the perfect cross between a news broadcast and a Netflix comedy special.
On Dominican Independence Day, Tamarez took us to Carneval Brooklyn, where we shared Dominican fusion dishes like the KLK Roll, a sushi roll coated in Doritos and filled with maduros, chicken tempura, and mozzarella cheese. Between bites of sushi and sips of Tajín-rimmed cocktails, we discussed her childhood in South Florida, her passion for comedic storytelling, and how her heritage informs her taste.
Read on for more about Tamarez’s podcast, her sense of style, and one-liners that will leave you laughing out loud.
Fit check: How has South Florida influenced your fashion sense?
Being Dominican, but also from the Miami area, it’s always bright and loud. I don’t shy away from color, and I don’t shy away from showing skin. I’m kind of the opposite, where I have to cover up sometimes [laughs]. I grew up very Dominican. My mom owns hair salons, I would go back to DR all the time, and I lived in a very Dominican area — but I also grew up Buddhist. My parents always raised me with a respect for eastern culture, and I feel like that influenced that global aspect of being pushed outside your box and not just doing the things you’ve always done. I feel like that’s an interesting way to approach life, but also style: constantly trying new things.
Food check: Can you give me some insight on the Dominican sushi phenomenon?
I’m a global girl. Dominican roots, but we’re trying everything. It’s not a flavor combination you expect for sushi, but it doesn’t need to be. I think it started in Washington Heights at this place called Mamasushi. They really started experimenting in the center of Little Dominican Republic. The owner actually started his own restaurant group in South Florida, and now there’s a few locations. So Nobu, watch out.
Do you think growing up at your mom’s salons shaped how you love yourself?
I worked with my mom. I’ve always worked in her salon, since I was 11 or 12, washing hair and sweeping and checking people out. Hair is very tied to Dominican identity — it is something that people come to the U.S. and do — but what I get really inspired by is that she emphasized that her employees should get an education. Her passion, her desire to always learn the latest trends, the latest techniques. She’s always experimenting with new products. I think that passion, that fulfillment my mom gets with her career, it was cool to see. That’s definitely how I approach comedy, my career, and my life. There’s a curiosity and an openness, which I think is important for any creative career. It’s loving yourself and your passion enough to never coast, always wanting to get better and improve.
Speaking of love: Would you rather honeymoon in Punta Cana or Santo Domingo?
Punta Cana. Even if it’s basic, it’s beautiful. You just have to go to the right hotel. With the resorts, you get what you pay for. Santo Domingo is fun, though. I went in December. My cousin lives in the Zona Colonial, and she lives a fun life. She rents an Airbnb and goes to the beach with her friends on the weekends. It’s a cool life. I could live there, but for a honeymoon, it’s Punta Cana.
Would you believe I’ve never been to the Dominican Republic? You’re making me want to visit!
Have you been to Puerto Rico? I hear that the Dominican Republic is like Puerto Rico on hard mode. You’d have a great time. It’s fun to go to different cities because all of the cities have different vibes. I would do Santo Domingo and another coastal city. That’s what I was trying to do in December, a trip to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Santiago. Santiago is like the Nashville of DR; it’s like tropical fincas. But I like a beach.
What aspects of Go Touch Grass have been most exciting for you lately?
We did a live event for Galentine’s Day. Live events are so important, and as we get more AI and everything gets more saturated, people are yearning for in-person connection. Especially women connecting with women and empowering each other. There’s really not that many spaces out there. If we recorded our podcast live, we might only get the big, diehard fans, which is fine if you have five million downloads, but we’re still starting out. Since me and Alise are both performers, we wanted something that everyone could come to, even if they’re not necessarily fans, for a curated experience. We want our audience to walk away with an experience.