Two of my favorite things at Maize are the mole wings and potato flautas, and I don’t have to choose between them because they’re both on the appetizer sampler at The Station location. With three other tasty things (pico de gallo, guac, and fried mini quesadillas, too), the platter has delicious fried chicken wings bathed in a from-scratch mole and a pile of crispy flautas filled with cheese and potatoes. A meal with several different yummy bites is superior to one with the same yummy bite over and over. I love that this sampler serves so many tastes: hot, cold, fried, fresh, crispy, saucy, cheesy, meaty, savory.
These flautas are seriously amazing. Stuffed with what is essentially cheesy mashed potatoes, the tortillas are then fried until golden and crunchy. And in my opinion, there’s no flaw in hot, cheesy, fried potato and tortillas.
And Maize’s mole wings are so good. That sauce has a great spice, and the chicken’s crispy skin holds up under the thick, delicious mole. Usually, the chicken wings appetizer comes as a plate of ten, but this sampler has four. Four is a perfect amount to nibble (and maybe share one I suppose) but still have room to enjoy other bites. I like the chunky guac, and I love the fresh flavor of the pico’s diced tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
On weekdays, Maize has happy hour drink specials and half off appetizers — including this $21 five-app sampler, so if dining during then, this platter of wings, flautas, quesadillas, guac, and pico costs $10.50.
Maize at The Station
100 N Chestnut Ave
Champaign
M-F 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sa 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Su 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
