Maria Bonita the Authentic Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Independence Township

We were excited to have some quality Mexican Food, and the food was delicious... but... it took nearly an hour to see it. If you have ever had a 3yr old, you know where this is going. We regularly go out to eat with our 3 yr old, we employed all the tricks, games, toys, more games, chinese fire drill seating, take a trip to the car for reset, even the last line of defense, you tube videos. But an hour is just too long for a hungry toddler to sit. To compound the problem, after 20 minutes waiting for the appetizer she tells us they are out of a key ingredient, we accept it without it, it eventually came, but the waitress neglected to bring plates for the appetizer. She did eventually ask if we'd like more drinks for our empty cups (of course we would, we have been there long enough to drink 4 drinks at this point.). Then we're sitting while several large families leave waiting for food, and still sitting, and still sitting. She doesn't ask if we'd like more beverages (we would have, or so we thought) meanwhile we've gone through the first 4 layers of Dante's inferno with our son devolving into an unfed monster of pent up energy. Eventually Youtube videos, the last line of defense has failed, my wife is 1/3 into her meal, and gives up, she's headed to the car to put the monster someplace he won't wake the dead and make it a true cinco-de-mayo experience for this restaurant. I'd be 1/3 into my meal too, but the waitress forgot the tortillas ... for my fajitas. Also the kitchen ran out of beans and rice, but they are making more, we just have to wait for them .... we ended up taking it all in to-go in boxes. The final nail in the coffin was the $15 it cost to have 4 small diet cokes and a child's lemonade. Because obviously, people waiting for 45+ minutes for food asked if they'd like more drinks from the tap would assume these are going to be an addiotional charge. Just kidding, no one actually thinks that. $93 later for two adults and a toddler, it was an unforgettable experience, the first time we've ever had to bail on dining with our son....

Service was slow, food wasn’t good and I was really put off by all the fees/gratuity at the bottom of the bill.

This was my third time here, and I probably won’t be back. I ordered shrimp tacos and when they came out I almost sent them back (I now wish that I had). First off, They were bland as hell. The shrimp were steamed I think, and smothered in a weird tomato-y sauce that had no flavor. No other side dishes or condiments. I was expecting something…anything. Maybe some cilantro and onion like an authentic Mexican restaurant? Lettuce and cheese like what white people think is authentic Mexican? My friend ordered chicken tacos (that were also bland, unseasoned shredded chicken) and despite her dish being cheaper, it included a side of rice and beans as well as cotija cheese, onions and lettuce on top. I asked our server Jessica for lettuce and cheese and was charged $2.50 for about an ounce of cheese and $2.95 for a small plate of iceberg lettuce. You can get a head of lettuce for less than that. The beer I ordered never came and the waitress seemed to forget about us once she dropped off the check. We stood there for about 15 minutes with our cards out. Probably could have left the restaurant without her noticing, lol. I was about to flag down a bartender when we spotted our server by a computer towards the entrance. She totally had forgotten about us, cool.

The bill…there was a $1+ “fee.” No explanation for what the hell that was. There was also a gratuity charge that seemed odd given it was just the two of us. We asked another server what this charge was, and she confirmed that they add automatic gratuity when the party is 6 or more. Fair enough. This automatic charge represented 15% of the total bill, which is fine, because there was no way I was going to leave anything more than that. The server didn’t even seem to care when it was pointed out to her by her colleague. A great way to ensure you won’t get more than a 15% tip is to erroneously tack on a charge like that. Overall very...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Fabulous Mexican Dining Experience! I recently visited Maria Bonita and was blown away by the entire experience! From the moment I sat down, the vibrant atmosphere set the tone for a delightful meal. The decor, with its colorful decorations and festive vibe, made it feel like a true celebration. The food was absolutely fabulous! I started with a refreshing margarita, served with a perfectly salted rim and a fresh lime wedge—crisp, tangy, and the ideal way to kick off the meal. For my main course, I had a sizzling plate of fajitas loaded with tender steak, grilled peppers, and onions. The flavors were bold and authentic, with just the right amount of seasoning. The accompanying sides of guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream were fresh and complemented the dish perfectly. I also tried their quesadilla, which was packed with gooey cheese and savory fillings—pure comfort food! For dessert, I couldn’t resist the churros, which were crispy, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. It was the perfect sweet ending to an already amazing meal. What really impressed me was how fast the service was. Despite the restaurant being busy, our food arrived quickly, and the staff was attentive and friendly throughout. The prices were also very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes—I felt like I got great value for my money. To top it all off, they had live music playing during our visit, which added such a fun and lively energy to the evening. It truly enhanced the whole dining experience and made it feel like a mini fiesta. I can’t recommend this Mexican restaurant enough! Whether you’re craving flavorful food, a festive atmosphere, or just a great night out, this place has it all. I’ll definitely be...