Maiz: User Reviews

Great food but maybe a touch pricey for the neighborhood
By bmike2000 from lakeview, October 4, 2008

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really great food. gorditas were amazing for an appetizer. i guess the food is appropriately priced for the quality, but portions are small but perfect for us. The drinks are definitely a little pricey for humboldt park. They were good but margeritas were $7.50 and beer was $5

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Not like other mexican restaurants
By cck from wicker park, June 29, 2008

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while and my only disappointment is that we didn't go a long time ago. Tried for the first time tonight and loved it. If the food is always this good we will back again and again. The salsas were fresh, interesting, and packed some heat (good thing). I can't remember the name but got the corn tortilla dipped in bean puree with steak/onions. Looked icky and tasted wonderful - something I hadn't seen or tried before. My boyfriend got the steak sopes and raved - everything super fresh and homemade. Neither of our dishes had chunks of fat in the steak like most lower cost mexican restaurants. Server wasn't super-attentive but seemed to know his stuff and was helpful when needed. While not 5 star service, a very pleasant experience considering entrees with a side of rice/beans are under $10. We had 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, rice/beans, 2 beers, and 2 sodas for under $40. I can't wait to go back as there were 10 other things on the menu that sounded great.

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Such a dissapointment...
By couplexyz from Burbs, June 5, 2008

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We were so excited to try it out, especially since most of the reviews were favorable. Anyway, we went on a Friday night, showed up around 7 PM, no one greeted us until we flagged a server/waiter down. He offered us a table in the back of the restaurant, it literally felt like they wanted to shove us in a corner. Not to mention that it seemed like the whole back was filled with families w/kids. We showed up w/no kids. We told them we preferred to wait, so we did. Took a walk around the neighborhood and when we got back he offered us the same spot, except this time the table was smaller. We finally gave up and accepted. Hubby ordered a michelada and I ordered a sangria, his was good, mine tasted like white wine with fruit juice. Not so good. We wanted to sample a couple plates and we told our waiter we would start out w/the chorizo tamal and a new tamal (can't remember the name), the food came out fast and it was definitely good. We finished and our waiter was nowhere to be found. We sat there waiting for someone to take our plates and take our second order... 15 minutes later my hubby flagged him down. He took our order and our menu's, brought the order of quesadilla of huitlacoche and enchiladas. Huitlacoche had a really bad taste, like perfume or something limey. The enchiladas were very good. Again our server dissapeared. We were never offered a second drink and overall we felt ignored. The worst part is, they weren't even busy at the front, by the time we left the restaurant was almost as empty as our spirit. I don't know if we will ever go back, it was too dissapointing. Hopefully they can get better service and attention to clients w/their new restaurant.

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Excellent Value and quite tasty
By MJ from West Bucktown, April 7, 2008

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Heard about this place from a friend and decided to try it. The margartas were very good. I had a decent buzz off just one of them. The salsas they give you definitely have a good amount of heat. The food was simply plated but really good. You can't beat the prices. The servers were always present but not overbearing. All in all, I was really happy with the whole experience. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer to sit outside. I intend to become a regular!

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Different? Yes!
By toldyaso from humboldt park, December 29, 2007

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Don't compare this place to your favorite greasy burrito shop because it just ain't the same. The food here goes above and beyond it's unassuming size and location. The menu is a treasure map with many Xs. I've been to Maiz many times and my favorite is the shrimp quesadilla while my friend swears by the pablano empenada. I'm still learning how to pronounce some of the other things i like there, let alone try to spell it. The service is always friendly (while not always super fast) and I love that they're spicing up Humboldt Park.

P.S. The Clipper makes a great after dinner stop across the street for live music.

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This is truly an owner...
By Laura K from Chicago, IL, August 23, 2007

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This is truly an owner run and operated restaurant - and it shows, Carlos has been there every visit. The quality and freshness of the food is FAR superior to other Mexican restaurants. Be open to sampling different things...that's what Anojitos means. The various queso fundidos are AMAZING! And try their specialty drink "the bull" - quite the concoction. Also the horchata's (sweetened rice drink - non-alcoholic) to die for!

Stopped in because I heard...
By Chicagogal from Chicago, IL, July 13, 2007

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Stopped in because I heard and saw good reviews. I definately loved it!! The restaurant is very clean (including bathrooms!!). We sat in the outdoor area which was great. I felt the portions were good. My guest and I had a chicken tamale, chicken empanadas and another item (cant think of the name)that was steak. The tortillas are homemade and very tasty. All the food was nicely presented. You can taste the freshness of homemade Mexican food. If you want to try something different that tacos and burritos, definately stop here! The margaritas and sangria where really tasty!! will come back very soon. No credit cards accepted. bring enough cash to sample the vast menu!

We love this place! We...
By r & d from Chicago, IL, June 8, 2007

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We love this place! We were seated at the one of their outdoor tables. Excellent food and margaritas; great service; prices very reasonable. There were tons of vegetarian options. The food is very flavorful. Reminds me of the dishes my grandmother used to make back in Mexico City. One thing--we wish they took credit cards.

This place is awesome. Everything...
By CZ from Chicago, IL, May 8, 2007

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This place is awesome. Everything is so fresh and very authentic. Not sure why anyone would write a review stating otherwise. This is a must try. For dessert try the crepas. Yummy!

This is yuppie food, all...
By LB from Chicago, IL, March 27, 2007

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This is yuppie food, all presentation, no quality. The food actually tasted bad. The tamales were dry and powdery. Not real food.