Our recent family dinner at Maizal Restaurant in Staten Island was nothing short of spectacular. With a group of five, we were treated to a warm, welcoming atmosphere, impeccable service, and a meal that truly celebrated the richness of Mexican cuisine.
We started with a selection of appetizers that set the tone for the evening: the homemade guacamole was creamy, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. The stuffed sweet plantain with garlic shrimp offered a beautiful balance of sweet and savory, while the sartén de chorizo y queso was decadently rich—the kind of dish you dream about long after the meal is over.
Our medium plates—quesadillas and soft tacos—were equally delicious, each bite showcasing fresh ingredients and authentic flavors that transported us straight to Mexico.
The entrées were true highlights. The enchiladas de mole poblano were layered with deep, earthy flavor; the paella maizal was vibrant and generously portioned; the fajitas arrived sizzling and full of bold, grilled flavor; and the carne asada was tender and expertly seasoned.
To complement the meal, we enjoyed a round of margaritas—classic, mango, and jalapeño—each one perfectly mixed and refreshing, with just the right balance of sweetness and kick.
We capped off the night with a shared tres leches cake, which was moist, creamy, and absolutely divine.
A special shoutout to Chef Alejandro Santos, whose passion and creativity shine through in every dish. His thoughtful attention to flavor, presentation, and authenticity turned our family dinner into a true celebration. And we can’t say enough about the exceptional service from Miriam and Alejandra—both of whom were attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home. Their warmth and professionalism truly elevated our dining experience. ¡Muchas gracias!
Come hungry and come ready to share—ordering a variety of appetizers and entrées to split family-style is the best way to experience all the bold, vibrant flavors Maizal has to offer. Maizal is more than a restaurant—it’s a celebration of flavor, culture, and hospitality. We’ll definitely...
Read moreMy friend and I had an incredible dinner here and we’re still raving about it. Everything from the appetizers to dessert was flawless!
We kicked off with the Stuffed Sweet Plantain with Garlic Shrimp—absolutely delicious. For our main dishes, I had the Enchiladas de Mole Poblano with beef, and my friend ordered the Tequila Lime & Fired Shrimp Rice. Both were phenomenal—the mole was rich and velvety, and the shrimp had a bold, zesty flavor that really stood out.
What really impressed us was the authenticity of the flavors throughout the meal. From the layered complexity of the mole to the depth of the house-made sauces, you could tell this was real, thoughtfully prepared Mexican cuisine—not a watered-down version. Every dish felt rooted in tradition, with just the right creative twist.
To finish, we shared Tres Leches cake and two cappuccinos. The cake was moist, not overly sweet, and melted in the mouth—the perfect ending to our meal. And the cappuccino? A pleasant surprise. The coffee beans were clearly of high quality, with a smooth, robust flavor that felt authentic—none of that bitter, over-roasted taste you sometimes get. It had that deep, earthy aroma that only comes from a well-sourced bean.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We also tried the hibiscus and jalapeño margaritas—highly recommend both!
Maizal Restaurant has quickly become a favorite, and we can’t...
Read moreI went in and I asked if I can sit at the table which I pointed out to the host. I called him over asking where the restroom was and he thought I was ready to order, I don't know how that request that mixed up but I asked again and he pointed to the restrooms. I returned to be waited on , a lady came by ready to take my order. I asked her the price of the skirt steak entree since it wasn't on the menu and everything else was, it was $34 which let me too decide for the special instead since it brought more and it was $35 for the skirt steak special. The wait for the food was long so I suggest to order an appetizer cause the portions are small and they make it fresh so that's how come the wait too. Finally the food came, omg it's so delicious, fresh , my hats off to the chef who made this amazing meal. The ambience very relaxing, the food amazing, the service could be better though. The lady asked me how was the food when I was almost done with it and offered water when I was done paying the bill. The lady offered desert with the menu in her hand , usually a server asks if I would like dessert or a coffee if I say yes then I'll ask for the dessert menu. Overall place was very clean and the food is great. It's a hidden treasure in Staten Island but the service needs to improve to bring back customers, I'll still come back cause the chef cooked amazing, best yellow...
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