Maize Mexican Grill simply perfect
On a whim, my man-date, editor John Steinbacher and I, left Carmon's after a sensational meal to try out Maize Mexican Grill, the newest offering on the corner of First and Green, on the cusp of Midtown Champaign. What was once Ye Olde Donut Shoppe, and then Derald's failed Brick and Mortar restaurant, is now, without question — yes, even after one visit — the best Mexican food you will find anywhere even close to Champaign.
Leave me to my hyperbole; I am still buzzed.
This location has been marred by failure. Poor attempts to utilize the super small space with great location have made this particular building into a running joke locally — a place where restaurants go to die.
But this time, it's different. And in no uncertain terms, the reasons are simple: they make everything — and I mean everything — in house.
The salsa, sure. But the corn tortillas? Affirmative. What about all the sauces? Yes. Every cut of meat, is broken down, spiced, and cooked in the kitchen. Even the goddamned tortilla chips are, despite being bought in a bag, deep fried in house. Award for best in town still goes to Mas Amigos, but the salsa, which is made with roasted jalapenos, is good enough to eat like a gazpacho.
We were greeted with such warmth, and everything we asked about the menu was answered with great detail. The owner, Armando, was finishing up a long day, sweeping the parking lot, and eyes half closed from getting his ass kicked from another day of service. That's a good thing, because people need to eat this food, and eat it now.
We didn't even get to try the al pastor or the house made tomatillo salsa because they had simply run out.
When I asked Armando how he planned to keep up with demand, he simply said that he wasn't sure yet. He was clear: he won't compromise his product, so he's in the process of working out the kinks and hiring more staff to handle demand.
From the basic taste of the menu that we had this evening, my guess is that they won't have any trouble keeping their 8 seats and standing room only counters filled throughout the day.
I leave for NYC tomorrow, and won't be back for two weeks, so for now, I only have a few phone pics and the sweet taste of perfectly homemade Mexican food rumbling in my belly. But you can be sure that when I come back, I will get the whole story of why Armando came down from Chicago to bless us with this gift. It's something that Champaign has needed for a very, very long time.
And, oh yeah — they serve huitlacoche. Don't know what that is? You should. Click the link and try to realize: what might seem disgusting is actually unbelievably full of flavor, natural, and a wonderful vehicle for all things taste. I am currently in heaven.
Leave me to my hyperbole; I am still buzzed.
Author's note: I tend to leave off basic info such as open hours, prices, phone numbers, etc etc in my reviews, simply because I don't find it to be all that relevant to what I am trying to impart to our readers: pics of the food, how I felt about it, and how it tastes. The website is linked, and if you are curious, go out there and have a bite. In 2011, and what with the Google and all, I am feeling confident that you can figure all that out on your own. — S.F.
5 comments
If I can be hyperbolic as well, our waiter/bartender at Carmon’s was a Sex God.
Also, the tlacoyo I had at Maize was excellent. Fresh, slightly doughy and not too heavy.
However, my search for (good) local chicken tinga continues . . .
Hoolia
How perfect! I read about huitlacoche last week and was planning to see if I could track some down.
Q-Tips
All right—I read the note at the end and went to the restaurant’s Web site. No hours are listed.
I get it—we’re not listing those in the piece for some reason. And obviously eating at a restaurant requires going there. But I don’t drive to this area frequently, and I assume parking is limited at best. I’d still like to know when the place serves.
Tried to go there today. It has 6 spaces—-all full. We hit up Mas Amigos instead.
Charley Tran
I always just go and get takeout for dinner, at least for the two times I’ve been here. They have free wireless and are not so busy after 7 PM, it seems.
I love how friendly the service is, and how casual the ambiance is in general. Walk in, place your order and ask any questions you have (assuming they’re not inundated) and wait. The food has been excellent so far as well - I really recommend anyone who isn’t vegetarian/vegan to try the tacos de lomo (ribeye).
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it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
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High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.