Maizajo — Restaurant in Mexico City

Update: 2025 #23 (CDMX #23; Tacos #4, Mexican #3): since my previous review, I have eaten at Maizajo at least four times (two special, pop-up Maizajadas and two times downstairs at the typical taco bar) and am reducing to 4 stars.

The hype (and prices) have grown too much. There's almost always a queue to get in and the service is always slow once you're inside. While it's a cool atmosphere, you are paying a lot of money to stand in a hot room. I also find it comical a tip is expected here when the only waiting that's really done is to ask if you want another overpriced beverage.

With all that said, the food is quite good and that's why this is still four stars versus three. I recommend going for lunch or avoiding weekends if you can help it. I will likely return as many of my friends love eating here. Maybe my next meal will make my next update less grumpy 😅

Previous review: #22 Chin Chin Tlacuachin (cafe, Roma Norte) Next review: #24 Super Mikasa (Japanese, Roma Norte)

CDMX Eats 2024 #62, Mexican #10, "Nice" #7, Maiz Criollo #2: I had been wanting to eat here for a few months, and I am happy to report it exceeded expectations!

Maizajo is 1/3 tortilleria, 1/3 taqueria, and 1/3 restaurant. While I had come to pick up items from their tortilleria, I had never had the chance to eat here.

We came to dine at Maizajo's upstairs restaurant on a Friday evening. If you plan to eat here on Friday or Saturday, please make a reservation. As we arrived, a group in front of us was checking in the hostess and they had been waiting 90 minutes. She told them if the 8pm reservation didn't show up, they could have the table. Spoiler alert: we were the 8pm reservation.

I had perused Maizajo's taco bar menu many times and quickly noticed the upstairs drink menu was (more or less) completely different. There's a proper cocktail menu, extended wine list, and extensive spirits/trago menu. While they do carry the beers and mezcal from downstairs, they are sold at a higher price in the restaurant.

We started dinner with 3 cocktails (mezcalito, sotol y cilantro, and xipa) and a Cascahuin añejo. Of the 3 cocktails (~$200/ea), the xipa was by far my favorite. It was bitter and boozy. I appreciated they had Cascahuin on hand as it's one of my favorite tequilas.

For food we ordered the tacos camarones, tuna tostada, pork belly, and pescado zarandeado. Pictures of the tacos camarones and tuna tostada are what sold me on coming here, and after we ordered each, we ended up doing two more orders of tacos and another tuna tostada (because they were so good!).

If you are more than 2 people, I recommend ordering enough tacos so that each person has their own. We initially did one order (2 tacos) for four people, and they kind of got ruined when we cut them in half.

I had recently seen a video on IG of their pork belly and as my FIL loves samgyeopsal, it was a no-brainer to order it. The pork was cooked very well, but the sauce was the star of the show. I couldn't stop eating it. It was so savory and tasty with the perfect amount of acidity.

Lastly, the pescado zarandeado arrived. This was a dish I didn't plan on ordering, but my partner and FIL were most excited about this when they saw the menu. The fish came with fresh, warm blue corn tortillas, a salad, and frijoles de olla. The tortillas were probably the best I have ever had (and the first standout corn dish of the night ironically). The unassuming salad was absolutely delicious, and I found myself fighting my table-mates for more of it. The fish was the star of the whole meal. Its skin was so crunchy, but the fish itself was so perfectly moist and tender. This would be the thing I come back for.

In the meantime, I plan to return to try the downstairs bar. I'm super bummed I've missed their last two collabs (Maizajada #4 & #5). For those living there, I highly recommend following them on IG to be abreast of...

My rating is only for the restaurant. I was disappointed overall with my experience. For the atmosphere - it felt unsafe walking down the hallway to the restaurant stairs. The portion that is unlit is exactly where the tripping hazard is - seems like an easy fix but not done. Upstairs I appreciate the fresh tortilla off of the grill but the smoke from that grill and heat made the restaurant uncomfortably hot and my eyes were irritated. Service - my server was inattentive, long waits for menu items or even for him to check on me. I asked a ton of questions about the menu and found his answers didn't make sense. Also because I was dressed casually t-shirt and shorts (which was due to a wardrobe malfunction issue on my part not my preferred attire for fine dining) he decided I wasn't going to spend or tip a lot, which was the attitude I felt from the beginning. I ended up buying one drink a Paloma which was fine not amazing or exceeding expectations, an incredibly overpriced bottle of still water (you can buy 2L for 24 pesos and I paid 40 pesos for 500mL which makes me feel like the restaurant is intentionally marking up items for the sake of profit). For meal, I had two appetizers - the catch of the day tostada that was so spicy and heavily marinated that the "white fish" (according the server) looked like red tuna. Why have a catch of the day of a local regional fish if you can't even let your customers taste the fish? I also doubted that it was even a white fish because I don't know how the marinated fish would have matched that red tuna colour so perfectly. Shrimp tacos which wasn't as spicy but very little shrimp for the price. Plus the crispy tortilla roll was more chewy by the time I ate it due do the heavy sauce on the tortilla. Again why bother to crisp something up only to ladle so much sauce it becomes soggy? I was hungry but turned off my the poor quality of dishes I had I didn't want to order another main. Also the two appetizers took nearly 30-40min before I got them after ordering them. I looked around and saw everyone else also have a long wait time for their food. I think the kitchen must be prioritizing the taquerilla or other parts of the restaurant. I ordered the Dulce de leche cake with blue corn burnt husk ice cream as my final chance for this restaurant. The cake despite using blue corn tastes like a vanilla sponge you get in the grocery store sitting on syrup - the blue corn ice cream was the best bite of the night. The Dulce de leche flavour was mild but present in the syrup I guess.

Here are my suggested improvements; fix the lighting so your customers don't trip and sue you as that is a liability waiting to happen, get your servers have a better attitude to all customers not wealthy looking ones. My server refused my tip - I know I didn't offer much but I felt it was weird that he thought he was above what I did offer or maybe he thought I was so poor that I couldn't afford the tip either way all of it could have been handled better. Also servers should highlight the menu on what is heavily spiced or not so people understand what they are ordering, better ventilation on the roof top would be helpful especially when the grill gets going and finally fix the kitchen wait times for sending out food.

I was a tourist in CDMX and this restaurant was the last bite I had before flying home, and I wish it had lived up to my expectations. I was so disappointed that I had paid a lot for food/experience that left me hungry and I could have had much better for...

Maizajo's Mastery of Mexican Cuisine!

Tucked away in the heart of Condesa, Maizajo is a culinary haven that brings the soul of Mexican cuisine to life. This hidden gem, nestled amidst the quaint neighborhood and away from the hustle and bustle of main streets, offers a gastronomic experience like no other.

From the moment you step inside, you are welcomed into a symphony of culinary craftsmanship. The chefs and workers move with precision and grace, each at their station, contributing to the beautiful ballet of food preparation. In one corner, fresh corn is meticulously milled to create the perfect masa, forming the backbone of many of their exquisite dishes. At the front, a team efficiently takes orders, ensuring that each guest’s experience is smooth and enjoyable.

The two grills are where the magic truly happens. Here, the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of grilling, as the chefs expertly balance flavors and textures. The result is a menu that beautifully accommodates both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, ensuring that there is something delightful for every palate.

Maizajo has undergone a transformative renovation, morphing into a space that marries Mexican industrial kitchen aesthetics with a traditional color palette. The architecture (Diego) alone speaks volumes, creating an atmosphere that is both inviting and inspiring!!!

The heart and soul of Maizajo are undeniably the owner and head chefs. Their passion for the neighborhood and dedication to their craft are palpable, and it is clear that they pour every ounce of their love for food into each dish. They take the time to share their story, their journey, and their love for Mexican cuisine, making each bite a taste of their personal dedication and commitment to excellence.

In conclusion, Maizajo is not just a restaurant; it is a destination, a top spot in Condesa that beckons food lovers from near and far. Whether you are seeking a taste of authentic Mexican flavors, or simply in search of a dining experience that is as heartwarming as it is delicious, Maizajo is the place to be. Bravo to the team for creating a true culinary masterpiece!

Respectfully your friend

Zak From Los...