Mayan Kitchen — Restaurant in Chattanooga

Disappointing Experience at Mayan Kitchen in Downtown Chattanooga

I recently dined at Mayan Kitchen in downtown Chattanooga and unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. There were a few factors that contributed to my disappointment.

First and foremost, the waitress failed to inform us that refills for the strawberry lemonades were not free. It would have been helpful to know this before ordering, as we would have opted for fountain drinks instead. The waitress should have communicated this to us when we placed our order, but we were only made aware of the charge when we asked for a refill. This lack of transparency was quite frustrating. I did mention to the waitress and she was very nonchalant with her response of “ok”.

Furthermore, the service was subpar. It took the waitress a minimum of 5-7 minutes to come to our table initially. This delay in attending to customers is certainly not ideal, especially when the restaurant wasn't particularly busy at the time. Additionally, when she finally arrived, she informed us that we couldn't order from the lunch menu despite arriving before lunch hours were over. This inconsistency in their policies was confusing and left a negative impression.

Lastly, I found it disappointing that there was a $4.50 charge for chips and salsa. Most Mexican restaurants typically offer this as a complimentary item, so this additional charge at Mayan Grill felt unnecessary. It is possible that this charge was implemented post-Covid, but it still seemed excessive for a basic item that is commonly provided for free.

Overall, while Mayan Kitchen used to be my go-to Mexican restaurant in downtown Chattanooga, this recent experience has left me uncertain about returning. The lack of communication regarding charges, slow service, and unexpected fees have significantly impacted my opinion of the establishment. I hope that the restaurant takes customer feedback into consideration and makes improvements to ensure a more satisfactory dining experience...

Overall, the food was good. I ordered the bean soup (your website menu seems different from the menu we had in the restaurant and so I forget the name of the soup) and fish tacos. My husband ordered the desayuno típico. As a Mayan restaurant, I expected a few things that are very basic to the Mayan region (in my experience), first and foremost, freshly made, thick corn tortillas typical of Guatemala. Every "desayunos típicos" that I ever had in the region included both fresh corn tortillas as well as a few slices of queso fresco. It did come with plátanos fritos, which was great! My husband enjoyed the food but was disappointed by the lack of tortillas and the food wasn't plated thoughtfully (also, the beans were not frijoles negros volteados, which would have been amazing on fresh corn tortillas with queso fresco). I think the lack of tortillas made it feel incomplete. Though my fish tacos were good, they were with flour tortillas instead of corn. Had I known they came with flour tortillas (my fault for not reading carefully, I think?), I would have opted for something different. Additionally, for the fish tacos, I had to request lime slices and cilantro, neither of which came with them. They also did not come with a sauce - the sauce that came with the fried yuca was actually perfect (and seemed like the traditional fish taco sauce) - Management, please take note! The soup was delicious, but again, it needed corn tortillas to dip into it. Also, I wanted to order horchata but changed my mind when the waiter informed me it was made with dairy milk.

Overall, we enjoyed the food well enough and might return again to give it another try. But I do hope that when we return to Chattanooga for a visit and check out Mayan Kitchen's menu again, it has updated to at least include fresh Guatemalan style corn tortillas, which are so so so amazing!

Note: I'm giving a 4 star rating because I can't give a 3.5 star rating and...

Mayan Restaurant's Chicken Strawberry Salad and Flan - An Exceptional Dining Experience

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Mayan Restaurant, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality and flavors of the dishes I tried. In particular, the Chicken Strawberry Salad and the Flan dessert were both standout items that left a lasting impression.

The Chicken Strawberry Salad was a delightful blend of fresh ingredients. The greens were crisp and vibrant, providing the perfect base for the juicy, grilled chicken. The strawberries were ripe and bursting with sweetness, offering a perfect contrast to the savory chicken. The dressing, which had just the right amount of tang, tied all the flavors together seamlessly. This salad was not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying and well-balanced in terms of taste.

But the real showstopper of the meal was the Flan dessert. The custard-like texture was smooth and creamy, with a subtle caramel flavor that lingered on the palate. The presentation was impeccable, with a delicate caramel glaze drizzled over the top, adding a touch of elegance to the dish. Every bite was a pure delight, a perfect way to end the meal on a high note.

The service at Mayhem Restaurant was also worth noting. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely eager to ensure that my dining experience was exceptional. The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting and well-suited for both casual and more formal occasions.

Overall, I highly recommend Mayhem Restaurant, especially for the Chicken Strawberry Salad and the Flan dessert. The combination of high-quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and excellent service makes this establishment a must-visit for anyone seeking a truly memorable dining experience. I'll definitely be returning to Mayhem...