Maria's Cafe

Found Maria's Cafe and glad we did! The staff was warm and helpful. Loved the "homey" ambiance and so many different "off-menu" options they already had- many more than I ever would have considered. I didn't choose any this time (but I will) and went off-off-menu with my 1/2 carne guisada 1/2 barbacoa and chorizo, papas, eggs & cheese. They were amazing on lightly toasted great flour tortillas. We'll be back for sure!

I've wanted, and was meaning to try this place for many years. It is a much lauded place in our city. The New York Times did an article on it. Thus reinforcing its place in the lore of our city. Its seemingly "Hole in the wall" sensibility has people buzzing about it. But alas time waits for no one, thus the opportunity finally came to try this place. Firstly parking is pretty sparse. Lucky for us we went early and found a spot. Inside the place, it is really small. All over the restaurant are memorabilia: a photo of Elvis, automotive placards, a Willie Nelson bust, signage of all sorts, etc. It felt too excessive for me. People have chimed in that it feels like you're at someone's house. To me the way you decorate your house and a business are two different things.We sat ourselves in a booth next to party who were as loud as an AC/DC concert. To carry on a conversation was next to impossible. For that matter, its small interior ensures everybody's conversation is front and center. A server brought a menu with its array of "crazily crafted tacos." Some of the items are named after customers or local dignitaries. One is cleverly named "The Ron" after the mayor. Filings of all sorts, weenies, eggs, gravy and carne guisada close to topple the menu over. There's a taco with the aforementioned fillings. But they can make any taco you want, with whatever you like. I'm a simple man. I ordered a carne guisada(absolutely no cheese!) and a bean & cheese taco.Surveying the place, again I can see maybe why The New York Times mentioned them. My question is was the write-up based on irony or a legitimate liking of their food? I will say the owner is a hoot, which probably propelled the writer to come to their conclusion. When the food arrived I was kind of perplexed. The tacos were skimpy, definitely not in keeping in this area. The carne guisada and bean & taco were good. However, there are good tacos everywhere to be found in the city. In addition the food was not cheap. I suppose the pricing either reflects the reality of its location, the NY Times write up or inflation. The very next day we bought the same items elsewhere at a much lower price I know people absolutely laud this place and my review is not to rebuke nor chide them. However living in this city an aeon I've experienced taco palaces whose names are never mentioned. But writers and patrons alike can be lulled by the trappings of a culinary piece. If Maria's were in Maine the argument would be valid. But in Taco City, SA the competition is too fierce to empirically confer any spot. This place was just "okay" for me. While I'm not against a place that by design is kitschy or campy. I need at least an assemblage of a memorable experience. I did appreciate the owners personal touch but that's where my affinity ends.

When you want to feel like family come here! The food is delicious and the people are friendly. Someone will talk to you. The owners will be there and will customize your order to make sure you get what your heart desires. They have a regular menu and the wall menu. I once wore my Conjunto tshirt and that sparked a conversation like none other. So much history can be found here. I learned something new about the music and musicians and ate some good food. Puro San Anto!

Small nostalgic restaurant located on the corner of a neighborhood street with very limited parking. This place can get busy with limited seating. They don't serve chips with salsa and the service can be very slow. The Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas, carne guisada and fideo loco are some of the best around. They have a really good spicy salsa verde, refried beans and rice are also very good. The brisket taco was disappointing with shredded brisket lacking any condiments, can't say much for the flour tortillas either. Garcia Mexican Restaurant not far away is still best for brisket tacos. We also tried picadillo which would be considered average. Overall this is a good little restaurant I'd recommend when in the area.

This place is definitely 5 's! It's definitely a mom and pop place where you actually get to meet the mom and pop! Maria and her husband were super welcoming and friendly!This place is small so expect a wait. We had a grande taco and two regular sized tacos and left so full!!! The sweet tea was very sweet so if you are sensitive to overly sweet tea get a half and half. The coffee was good. You can get ANYTHING customized the people had a bowl of charro beans with rice that looked amazing....for next time. Because there will definitely be a next time!

The service was phenomenal! We were greeted outside, welcomed in, and were given a fun rundown on the restaurant.It's very small, maybe seats about 30 people, if even that much. The menu itself is literally all over the place. As in an actual menu, menus on the walls, windows, and anything you can imagine in your head.The tacos were delicious, the brisket was amazing (and at 10:30 we got the last two brisket tacos, that's how fast they sell) and the carne guisada was perfection. I wasn't crazy about the fideo but it wasn't awful, just meh.The one thing I would be mindful of is that since the "menu" is kind of all over the place is that somehow we spent over $50 on 5 tacos, one cup of fideo, and a Mexican Coke. :-/

What a hidden gem. Doesn't look like much from the outside or the inside but it works. Delicious food. The corn tortillas are the best ever.

Having sampled other Mexican restaurants in the area, Maria's Cafe hands down is the best. Simple dishes done with heart, expertise, and a love of cooking. The restaurant is small but so welcoming and homey. Today is I was in dire need of menudo and coffee to cure my "crudo". The menudo here puts others to shame, wonderfully spicy but not hot and with an incredible depth of flavor. And of course the tortillas are fantastic, fluffy, buttery, and standard dishes like huevos rancheros and carne guisada are heads and shoulders above other establishments.

This little hole in the wall is definitely going to be our next breakfast place for tacos! The chilaquiles were delicious and the tortillas de harinas were amazing! The service was great and very quick! It was also very cozy inside! Muy rico!

Had flour tortilla tacos. 1 carne guisada with cheese taco. 1 chorizo and egg taco and a bone in pork chop taco. These tacos are second to none. Especially the carne guisada. The recipe for the carne guisada I found is a closely guarded secrete, according to Maria (owner).