Maria's Mexican Bistro
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 638-2344
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- Directions:
- N, R at Union St
- Best of Citysearch:
- Margarita 2005, Mexican Food 2005
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm
Editorial Review for Maria's Mexican Bistro – by Dana Bowen
The Scene
Sangria sippers and guacamole dippers arrive early to score a sidewalk table at Maria's, the one fun spot along Union Street's drab residential stretch. Inside, the tiny brick-wrapped room is candlelit, with wine glasses on wood tables, sepia-toned photos and a corner bar where tireless bartenders mash mint for mojitos all night. Attentive servers replenish chips, salsa and spicy sauteed mussels, while bouncy Mexican pop fuels a feel-good vibe.
The Food
The menu isn't as upscale as the setting--and that's a good thing. Simply prepared Mexican classics, like gooey cheese-stuffed poblano rellenos, fresh enchiladas and cocoa-spiced grilled chicken mole, are fantastic with rice and bean sides. Paella is a more refined success, stocked with shrimp, buttery scallops, chicken breast and chorizo. Elaborate diversions can disappoint. Chunky onions overwhelm the seviche; jamon serrano can be too dry; and casserole-baked red snapper, though moist and fresh, arrives smothered with bland tomato-onion sauce.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyFrom 4pm to 7pm, diners revel in $4 mojitos and margaritas, both prepared to order and dangerously delicious.
The ExtrasFor a deal purchase the $2.50 tamales and hot chococate.
User Reviews for Maria's Mexican Bistro
05/20/2008 Posted by zaranoff
I've eaten there several times over the past several years and my overall experience has been good to very good, depending on which dishes I had (and the company I've been with..). The service has always been decent/good (although many reviewers will disagree with me..), the food tasty and reasonably priced, portions are generous, and the atmosphere casual and down to earth (one might call it "homey"). Their "El Molcajete Norteņo" (a steak & shrimp dish served on hot lava rock) is one of their signature dishes and is actually (very) good. I remember their Chiles Poblanos dish being very good too. The Tortilla soup is pretty spicy and good, although it has too much tortilla for my taste (they should cut it to smaller strips). As others have written, the guacamole is prepared fresh, in front of your eyes (but I haven't tried it so I can't vouch for it). Is this the best Mexican place in the city? I'm not sure there IS one, but this is a really decent choice, especially in the "very reasonable" price category, and certainly one of the best in Park Slope and probably in Brooklyn in general.
Pros: Tasty (esp the steak and seafood dishes), generous, good ambience
Cons: Tardy service
04/19/2008 Posted by xena59
this was probably the worst service i have ever had. i work in a restaurant and i couldnt even tolerate the blatant rudeness and ignoring of our party. we waited 45 minutes after ordering guacamole to be told that they just ran out. they filled us up with chips and delivered our food 1.5 hrs after we ordered it. we werent even hungry anymore. dont waste your time on a saturday.
