richard w.

used a groupon. they were full and might have been short handed. sangria was delicious chicken was good, sauce was not spicy or interesting enough. fried plantain with chocolate and ice cream was very good. looks like family run business from guatemala. that is a plus. tacky tourist posters, that is a small minus. we will go back and get a pitcher of sangria and fried banana dessert. some advice: hire another wait staff if you're so tired that you can't smile, you are working too hard. go home, do something fun, you're just chasing valuable customers away. offer a menu that explains what the food is. what is mole? what is it made from? people come back to little places like this because they feel it home like, your home, build on that.
(3)
John M.

This place is one of my wife and my favorites. I especially recommend the Puerco Alemendrado, Sangria, and Mole de Plantano Dulce. Everything is amazing--the Alemendrado is delicious and unlike anything I've ever had (remember: Guatamalan is not Mexican food), the Sangria is super fresh, and the Mole is one of the most exotic and tastiest desserts I've ever had (fried plantains, chocolate mole sauce with spices and a hint of spicy peppers).
(5)
Anthony C.

Went in here on a Groupon deal just to try it and was pleasantly surprised! The food was fresh and flavorful. The staff could have been a little friendlier but the place was understaffed so I'm not dinging it too much for that. As for the decor, it could definitely use a good spruce up as well. The pitcher of sangria given as part of the deal was a very nice touch! Try it, you'd like.
(4)
Tabor T.

Maya Quetzal has been one of my favorite Tucson eats for years now. Unfortunately, we don't get there often because it's not close but tonight we made the trip and were sorry we did. We always love the chile relleno and I've been craving one for a few days now. Sadly, tonight it was soggy, bland, and covered in a red sauce that would make Ragu look good. I hope they were just having a bad night as we've loved eating there over the years. We'll definitely give them another chance and I hope I can recommend them again next time.
(2)
Susan O.

Late June, 2011: Pollo en naranja, avocado, limonada, water, and platanos fritos for dessert. Somehow, the selection seemed too similar to Mexican choices, which probably shouldn't surprise me given that the countries are adjacent and the cultures overlap. I didn't know if the music in the background was representative of Guatemala or was Mexican. Anyway, the limonada was delicious, as were the platanos fritos. The avocado arrived as a peeled avocado, period. The main dish arrived on a plate where the naranja sauce had slopped over the edge so it was messy. The service was so-so. Would I return? No.
(2)
Cristina L.

This is a good place to go to try something a little different. I had the Plato Quetzal with an enchilada with mole and (potato) pache. I liked the mole a lot and the pache was very good too. We also had quesadillas and pupusas for appetizers. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy and the temperature got pretty warm...but if you're looking for some cuisine that's a little off the beaten path, it's worth a try. -Note, they will not separate checks if you have a large party.
(4)
Michelle K.

I like trying new foods so when a Groupon came up for Mayan food I pounced on the deal. It took the waitress ten minuets after seating us to come and take our order. Ordinary I wouldn't hold this against a busy restaurant, which it was at the time, but the first words out of the waitresses mouth were a grumpy "What do you want?" She seemed angry and annoyed that we were there. Maybe she resented the fact we had a Groupon. I don't know. We ordered a pitcher of sangria and our meals. The sangria came out twenty minuets after we had our meal. The food was bland and the sangria was so sweet it gave me a stomach pain. We had to get our desert to go. The service was terrible, the food was underwhelming and the drinks put me in physical pain for two hours. I will not go back there nor recommend this place.
(1)
Andrew L.

This place is phenomenal and Ive traveled all over the country eating Mexican. The Mole sauce is not to be missed
(5)
Maria P.

I guess I should have read all these reviews before purchasing my Groupon and trying to use it there last night. The front dining area was completely EMPTY. The owner was just absolutely rude, short tempered, unpleasant and unhelpful. We ordered the first thing we saw on the menu (so we can get out of there fast) which was the vegetarian chile relleno....AWFUL. They constantly have deals on Groupon, not sure if that should be a hint but if she doesn't like that then she shouldn't advertise there anymore. I certainly will not be going back....food and service were just awful.
(1)
Miguel C.

I purchased a groupon!!! And ohhhhh man wished I didn't .. Lady was extremely rude usually on the fine print the vender will indicate the specific hours for voucher, well she didnt. The owner had a sign on her window and no one can see it. She had no customers and she refuses to take our voucher till a specific time .. After all the Bit**n she said okay the food was okay the chicken was like she just re heated it in the microwave. Don't recommend it !!!!!
(1)
Ericka D.

I am Guatemalan and the pupusas at this place are excellent!! I purchased a Groupon deal and it was very well worth it, eventhough they have great prices. My bf had the mole and he was very pleased. I will come back soon.
(4)
R. H.

The food was good, but not great. Our kids had appetizers-- Papusas and the spinach fritters-- and they were better than the entres (mole and pork with green sauce). The horOur side of tortillas had been warmed in the microwave, and they all stuck together. The people were friendly, though, and the place has a nice ambience that reminded us of places were we ate in Guatemala.
(3)
Ramin S.

I immediately liked this place when I walked through the door. It does have a sort of Guatemalan atmosphere (as opposed to Mexican). The service were very friendly, and they had a nice variety of delicious food on the menu. It was maybe $1 more than other places on the street, and it was MUCH better. I have no complaints. I definitely recommend it.
(5)
Dale P.

It okay not great. Nice atmosphere and great location on 4th avenue.
(3)
Angela M.

I was excited to try this place while visiting Tucson, after reading the other glowing reviews. It had been a long day of travel (up at 4:15a eastern in order to make it to the airport), so I was ready for some good food before crashing. We started with the Tamarindo - a sweet, slightly citrusy beverage, which was very syrupy and concentrated - better when diluted with ice. The salsa and chips really whetted my appetite - nice and spicy salsa, and thick crunchy chips. I started with the media lunas - delicious tortillas filled with veggies and fried with cooked tomatoes on top. Bob started with the pupusas mixtas, and seemed to enjoy them very much. I opted for the pork mole. Everything seemed so varied and delicious by the descriptions that I really got my hopes up. However, after getting our dishes, and seeing the others around the room, there seemed to be a recurring theme: meat covered in sauce, with black beans, rice, and lettuce. The sides were all on the dry side (casualty of the climate?), so they appeared to try to make up for it by covering the meat in sauce. My pork was literally swimming in sauce. But instead of being tender, it was more like it had been stewed into submission - it was soft and dry and somewhat fatty, and didn't seem to have flavor itself. The mole itself was more sweet than spicy, so not my favorite. As I watched the veggie plate walk by, I was wishing I ordered it. The service was friendly, and I liked the laid-back feel. As we were walking out, the place was filling up. Perhaps Guatemalan just isn't for me.
(3)
Melissa D.

We came in at the end of the lunch hour, around 2:15. The owner was a little preoccupied with a fire inspection, but very sweet, and eventually got us menus and took our order. We were just after a mid-afternoon snack (and a beer), so my companion had the chicken mango quesadilla, and I had the loroco y queso pupusas. ...oh, my god. The pupusas were one of the best things I've put in my mouth in memory. Essentially, it was like eating Central American potato pancakes, only instead of apple sauce they had tomato sauce and a cabbage/carrot relish? slaw? (delicious!) The corn pupusas were AMAZINGLY delicious and a fantastic texture. The loroco was delicious and interesting -- a vegetable I'd never had before. The tomato sauce and cheese were delicious, too. A huge portion for an appetizer -- incredibly satisfying. I may dream of these things. YUM. Really sweet owners, too. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Zach B.

Great place for a relaxed night. Food is fantastic, with rich sauces and seasoning. Prices are good, location is good. Overall, a great place.
(5)
D V.

My family and I decided to come here after searching our mobile Entertainment book. We really didn't know where to go as we were just visiting for the day and were hungry after visiting the Titan Missile. We didn't want Mexican, pizza or the normal fare. I saw this place that said they had Guatemalan food. None of us have ever had this kind of food, which we are a combination of Colombian, Chinese and Black. This looked to be in part of the downtown of Tucson. The ambiance looked cool, clean and bright. Our server was super nice and recommended some traditional Guatemalan dishes. My husband and I both got chicken (pollo) dishes. Unfortunately, I don't exactly remember the names of the dishes, and I did not take pictures of the menu. My dish was maybe called Pollo En Crema. My husband's dish, I think, was Pollo De Pepian. Each of my husband's and my dishes were in the $11-12 range, I think. Both our kids had Pupusa dishes where one Pupusa was filled with chicharon & queso (pork & cheese) and the other with Loroco. I'm really not sure what Loroco is. The Pupusas are sort of like Colombian arepas, but not. The plates (not the appetizers) are around $10 each. My kids got horchatas to drink and my husband and I got fountain drinks. All are refillable. Our Entertainment coupon gave us 20% off, which made our meal about $46 before tip. The food was absolutely fabulous!!!! It was perfect and we pretty much gobbled up all the food. This place is very cute, small and our server was SUPER friendly. My husband is really picky about his Latin food, and he was very pleased. Thank you!!! If we are in the Tucson area, we'll come by again.
(5)
Andy S.

Unfortunately, we weren't terribly impressed by the Guatemalan and other Central American food served at Maya Quetzal. The thick, homemade, tortillas were surprisingly mediocre tasting, and neither of our lunches were at all memorable. Others have noted here that Guatemalan food can be somewhat bland, so perhaps it's just not to our taste. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't someplace we'd go out of our way to eat at again (especially given all the great restaurants in Tucson).
(3)
Gaciel A.

I passed by the place many times on our treks to 4th Ave, but we never really visited until we went a random Wednesday evening. The food was alright. It was a bit bland for my tastes, and we tried a few dishes. The best thing we had was their dessert mole. It was very unique and delicious. That alone would bring me back, but I don't even remember what I had for dinner as it was that forgettable.
(3)
Victoria C.

Maya Quetzal is one of my Tucson favorites. Their specialty is Central American soul food. Nothing pretentious or flashy - just some really tasty, savory, and filling home-cooked meals. MQ is reliably good - it's not a complete meal without rice, beans, and some slaw on the side. Their location on 4th is convenient. The restaurant remodeled not too long ago. Despite its humble appearance, it's clean and homey :) Endless chips and salsa, delicious horchata, and fast and friendly service are some of the perks.
(5)
Priscila B.

Delicious food, great atmosphere, just parking is a pain. Definitely recommended
(4)
Jessica H.

I really love Maya Quetzal, and I think it's a very special part of Fourth Avenue. This is very clearly a family owned business, and I really like it that way. The food is delicious, the decor unassuming, and the wait staff incredibly polite and helpful. I've tried a few different platters, but I personally love the mole and the pupusas de loroco. I know there are lots of other great options on Fourth, but I think Maya Quetzal is worth a shot!
(4)
Dr Tim L L.

I used a coupon so that removes some of the sting. The food was okay. Nothing that I would want to go back for. The menu looked exciting. The food was kind of funky and bland. Place is very simple and chilly on a cold day.
(2)
Cristina L.

Being Guatemalan myself, I was super excited to try this place out. I enjoyed my dish and it was a pleasant experience. It was a comforting environment and in one of my favorite areas of Tucson so I'll be coming back.
(4)
Erik G.

Maya Quetzal was a really cool hole in the wall, I had the 'pupusas' there, hoping they were like what I've had before, but unfortunately they weren't. They were fried and they skimped the chicharrÃ³n, but the curtido was great! I haven't tried anything but that, they were delicious even though it wasn't what I was expecting.
(4)
Jorge A.

One of the best taste Central America food restaurant in Tucson Az. The atmosphere is like in home, fine and courteous service. Food super fresh and incredible taste.
(5)
Cindy N.

We haven't been here in 20 years. Not sure why not. We used to come here years ago when we first arrived in Tucson. Been trying so many other places and 4th Ave. had not been on our radar for a long time. We had just come back from Tucson Meet Yourself and decided to go back and give it another try. We always like to try ethnic restaurants that are local and support them as much as we can. This is Guatemalan food and a bit different from the Mexican restaurants with their sauces and spices. I had a carne dish with a really wonderful Mole sauce with rice and a small cabbage salad. Hubby had the chili relleno which was a bit different stuffed with spinach and spices. Both very tasty. It's nice to see 4th Ave. busy with people walking around and taking the street car.
(3)
D T.

Guess I had higher expectations, so was disappointed. Food was bland, service was so-so. Tried it once, so now I know. Will keep looking for a good pupusa somewhere else. :(
(1)
K L.

Fantastic pupusas de loroco. And the chili relleno with spinach tasted just like in central America. Friendly and attentive service, good prices and a cute patio.
(5)
Art C.

The new owners are very welcoming, and so happy to have their very own restaurant. The menu will remain the same, with new additions:) Our table of 4 tried the fruit and nut stuffed pepper with a white sauce for an appetizer, and we all loved it. You can't beat the frosted beer mug, especially after a Meet Me At Maynard's Monday night walk.
(4)
Favery S.

We walked in here on a whim and I have to say I regret being spontaneous. The interior of the establishment was below average so i was expecting this to be one of those whole on the wall great food places. No. The service was good nothing out of the ordinary. The food however was below average at best. I wouldn't be so upset if the prices of the food matched the service and food quality. So overpriced for food that I wouldn't think twice about.
(2)
Ron L.

Late night Saturday, Groupon about to expire in hand. Risking throwing the money down the drain, the decision was easy...use it or lose it. I'm the type that is open minded, and Guatemalan food was one that I have never had before. If this is a representative of Guatemalan food, then sadly to say, I will have a hard time repeating it. Don't get me wrong, the deal was great. The drinks were great. The salsa and chili relleno was great. The chili verde was great. Pass on the side dishes, pass on the mole, and pass on the desserts. Groupon, you did it again. You sold me on a place that I normally would not go to, and I bit.
(2)
Breanna F.

I really love this place... Fantastic food!!! Every dish is served with black beans, rice, and a vinegar cole slaw... Seriously amazing :) I will definitely be going back :)
(4)
Monica F.

I must preface this review by saying Maya Quetzal used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson. I've been telling people for years that their rellenos were the best in town, but I hadn't eaten here in a while, and now I feel like I may owe a lot of people apologies. We specifically wanted rellenos and came in on a Thursday night when there weren't many people. One woman was working as hostess, waitress, busboy, cashier. After a few moments waiting, she came out and told us to sit anywhere. Nachos arrived quickly. They were stale. I know things don't keep as well during the monsoon, but stale nachos is really a cardinal sin in this town. Throw them in the oven, at least! The salsa, however, is really good. Very spicy. We got an appetizer, which was a plantain dough filled with cheese. It was disappointing. It looked as if it ought to be crispy, but it was soggy. It was also drizzled with a mayonaise based sauce that was unpleasant to me, but I managed to scrape most of that off. The flavors just didn't go together, and the texture was off. There was a small cabbage salad on the plate, which was not bad. The rellenos arrived fairly soon, but they were not the rellenos I have been recommending. They were visibly soggy: greasy to the eye and the touch. The breading was soft and mushy. The filling was spilling out everywhere: half the relleno wasn't even wrapped in pepper. The tomato sauce tasted like it came from a can. The plate also includes more of the cabbage salad, some plain rice, and some plain black beans. Maybe the thermostat on their fryer needs to be checked? What happened to the amazing rellenos they used to serve here? If this is their new standard, the whole place could use some revamping.
(2)
Kristen C.

I went in here a little skeptical and I'm glad I went anyways. The food was great. The staff wasn't too friendly but there wasn't a moment all night where I didn't have my glass of water filled. They were on top of everything! I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)
C B.

I honestly love this place. The food is basic: same sauces with different meat options which works perfectly for them cause it lets them focus their culinary skills on just a few dishes and techniques. It pays off. I've had just about every option on the menu and have had almost not bad experience with the food itself. Its also a nice hole in the wall, sparse but colorful. The service on the other hand could be better and it sucks having to pay for each refill for limonade. I don't know where there aren't more customers, considering how good the food is.
(4)
Christina L.

First went here after getting a restaurant.com gift card and decided to try it out. Well worth it! In a city like to Tucson, it is nice to find cuisine with a latin flare that is different from everything else. The warm flavors of the corn and pumpkin they use are fab! Very small place on 4th ave, maybe 10 tables total...but really fun for a casual date since you are right in the middle of all the querky-ness of 4th ave. My Faves: Chiles rellenos, sangria
(4)
Jennifer L.

Well, it was okay. Not bad, but nothing special. I love supporting local businesses (ok, ok, Starbucks too) and I was excited to try the Guatemalan cuisine. We had the sangria (sweet, but okay), queso pupusas (tasty), chicken tacos (typical rolled taquitos, nothing special), beef pipian (tasty), chili relleno (also tasty) and a tamal negro (a little too dense and too sweet). Glad we gave it a try but just did not have the wow factor I was hoping for.
(3)
Rachael W.

One of the things I love about Tucson is all the different kinds of restaurants we have here--and this Guatemalan place is a great example! The appetizers are pretty good, entrees are okay, and the desserts have never been that impressive. Whatever you do, upgrade your regular rice to the special rice. It involves lots of cheese. Just do it. You won't be sorry. They have a perpetual Groupon offering, which is a lot of food, but a reasonably good deal. Coming here is worth it with the groupon, but I'm not sure I'd pay full price.
(3)
Isabella J.

This is definitely an interesting little place to visit, especially if you're on the search for something new or international. I'd never tried Guatemalan food before, so I have nothing to compare this experience to, but I enjoyed everything I ate. We started off with a round of pollo quesadillas and cheese pupusas. Well, I never eat tried the quesadilla because I couldn't stop eating the pupusa! It was delicious. I would describe it as mix between an arepa and a sope but the maize is much softer and but perfectly crispy on the outside. I will be back for more pupusas...yum! By the time my entree came, I was quite full. I ordered the puerco pepian which was braised pulled pork in a mole sauce served with rice and coleslaw. It was quite tasty; very mild in flavor and spice but good. The service was somewhat slow but not a deal breaker. It appears to be a family run place with only our server and her aunt working the floor. So if you go in for dinner keep in mind that the service will mostly likely be slow, you can't have separate checks, and you pay at the counter after dinner. It's nice to have a different variation of a tortilla in Tucson.
(4)
Kent W.

We don't live in TUcson but heard from a friend this is interesting food. We had eaten there last spring and decided to visit again when we returned to Tucson. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we were shopping across the street at the Co-op. An unpretentious little place near the U district with wonderul food reasonably priced wit ha Salvadoran twist. We ordered: - Plato Tikal with Chile Rostizado and Media Luna. Luna ok. Rostizado fabulous. - Plato quetzal. Mole enchilada and potato Pache. The enchilada tasty. the Pache, Meh! Then for desert we had Mole de Patlatanos Dulce. The plantains were deliciious. We will be back
(4)
Philip S.

A fun little place. Really good food and service but a bit untidy.
(3)
Rosanne C.

Maya Quetzal is a restaurant you want to embrace with open arms--the servers are always friendly, the sangria pitcher is fun to share, the specialty rice--cheese and corn goodness--is also a must, and they have an amazing appetizer with plantains that is to die for. The ambience is fun. The walls are warm, with murals of exotic birds. Several tourist images of Guatemala, photos that look like they were taken in the 80s, also line the walls. The air is a little warm in there--they have the A/C too low for my liking in AZ. The main dishes are where the big ding comes in, and this is why I gave the restaurant only three stars. The entrees always seem to lack flavor. My last meal here was a fried torta with pork in it, but it just tasted dry, with little pork, I may add. I've had several chicken dishes before too, and the meat is always over-cooked. One time, I got the vegetarian spinach and walnut torta--also kinda gross. The chips they served us with the salsa were also over-cooked, too crispy for my liking. We had the Groupon, which was for four meals, sangria, and an appetizer--it's a great deal! My friend really likes this place, and keeps buying the deal--though, I am unsure if I would go again without his insistence.
(3)
Josephus F.

Wonderful food, so delicious. Had a big ole plate of beans and special rice and pork with this amazing pumpkin seed sauce. Apparently this place hasn't been getting enough business which is a shame. I'm a picky little b@&)($ of an eater and I highly recommend this place.
(5)
nancy a.

I'm a huge fan of Maya Quetzal. Huge fan of Guatemalan food in Guatemala too. This is the best Guate food I've ever had outside that beautiful country. Go!!! Go to Maya Quetzal!!!! Love it!
(5)
Olive S.

I entirely enjoy the family run feel I get when I enter this establishment. I can tell the owners put their heart into their business. At times the service can seem iffy, but I think it may be because they are busy or perhaps it's just me. I have not tried too many items here, but the ones I have had have been yummy. The specialty rice is absolutely amazing. It would be on the buffet table for my last meal for sure. The tortilla soup is good as is their salsa. The entrees fall off from there a bit for me, but I'll certainly admit I'm an appetizer loving lady. I will return here as long as the specialty rice remains the same! P.s....It's a delicious sour creamy, corny, concoction of pure joy.
(3)
Kristy N.

I've never heard of this place until Groupon so I bought it and hoped I would find a new favorite place as I love to try new ethnic foods. I should have known better when we walked inside and the place is empty but lots of people were on 4th Avenue and other restaurants were hopping. I was glad I had a Groupon otherwise the $48 lunch would have really been overpriced. We will never go back. The food is very bland and I'm not sure about how clean everything is there. The waitress was just so so.
(2)
Richard H.

I was also given a Groupon th this place. we walked in to an empty front dining room, I should have known this wasn't the best place then as the place should have been packed, being that the 4th avenue Street Fair was going on and had a huge amount of people walking by. I went to the back asking for some assistants, as no one was in the front. when i found a lady i asked if they where open. She started yes please sit anywhere. As soon as I mentioned the Groupon, ohh no you can't use that today. I asked why she stated look outside its the street fair. Keep in mind her dining room was EMPTY at 530pm. After stating that the Groupon didn't say that anywhere in the fine print. The lady said fine sit down. I asked for a manager the lady then stated I'm the owner so no manager. I must say the food was great. However the wait staff is not very personable not even almost friendly. Keep in mind this is a Guatemalan restaurant so they should expect the customers to have questions. Not role there eyes like they could not understand why i don't know what half the menu items where. Ohh and at the end they charged me an extra $10 for taxes. Over all I will never go back to this place. Stay away its one of those places that make you wonder how they're still open.
(1)
Kamryn C.

Just tried Maya Quetzal for the second time and they've really got something special going on here. As a vegetarian, menus can be limiting, but here there are several delicious sounding options. The first time I went, I had a chile relleno stuffed with spinach, cheese, and savory sauce. I'm a big chile relleno person, and this one was different than I'm used to, but extremely delicious. Tonight, I had the "tortitas de espinacas" patties of spinach and spices smothered in tomato sauce. Also very good. The beans and rice are fairly average, but I do appreciate that black beans are their norm. The complimentary salsa is very good though, tangy with a mild amount of kick. My friend got the horchata and it was authentic, rich, and dreamy. I am definitely going to go back to try the pupusas and other menu items. All in all, I'm very pleased with my first foray into Guatemalan food.
(4)
Lucy F.

Slow as hell... Food below average... Built-in 20% tip is BS... You can do MUCH better even on this block.
(1)
Diana M.

NEVER GO HERE!!!! My friends and I really wanted pupusas so we found this restaurant on line. When we got there the restaurant was hot and our waitress was very unfriendly. We all ordered pupusas. We all started eating and my friend SAW A BUG ON HER FOOD!!! We quickly told our waitress which she didn't even say anything and just took the plate. When she came back she didn't even apologize all she did was say I know that didn't come from our food it was a mosquito. What do you want me to do?! Make you another one?! I guess I can give it to you for free?! Obviously my friend didn't want another one and the rest of us couldn't even finish our food. It really bothered me how she handled the situation she never apologized and was defensive all the time. Plus the food wasn't that great either. WILL NEVER BE RETURNING
(1)
Anatola I.

I have been coming here for over 20 years and love the food, the atmosphere and the family-run feel. The same people have been serving this delicious food for the entire time I've been coming. Some of my vegetarian family's favorites are the Media Lunas (deep-fried spinach-stuffed tortillas), the potato and carrot taquitos and the Specialty Rice. We love sitting on the back patio and the large, colorful murals on the walls of the indoor portion really make it feel like a Guatemalan place. The prices have seemed to go up considerably over the years, which makes it harder to visit often, but we will always be regulars here. I know there have been times in which they've struggled to stay open, especially during the 4th Avenue construction. On the subject of the staff seeming rude/unwelcoming that I've seen other reviewers mention: My take on it is that they're understaffed and overworked and sometimes get a little stressed out. Like I mentioned previously, the same people have been here for the entire two decades I've been coming and my guess is that they're probably exhausted. Being a family business, I think they don't do much hiring-out and that might explain the overworked aspect. And it is also a fact that they are very kind and gracious sometimes, too. They've known my children for their entire lives and always greet them with a warm smile, and when we've come here for my children's birthdays, they've surprised us with treats and small Guatemalan toys. Really made us feel like part of their family.
(4)
Tory H.

The food at Maya Quetzal is fantastic and worth the frustration of the other drawbacks. I went there with a Groupon and they were not very friendly. I'm not sure if they weren't friendly because we had the Groupon or for some other reason. The service was slow and impersonal. I would say that the food makes up for these things. I got a wonderful spinach patty which had a great flavor and was well made. We split an appetizer which was wonderful and the dessert was great. The food is definitely different from Mexican food that I am used to and I really enjoyed the change.
(3)
Jessica G.

Ate here Friday night with a friend. Food was good, service was super super rushed and curt (even though we were one of only four tables). They have lots of vegetarian options which is very nice and I saw a lot of comments on here about everything being healthy but I think 90% of the items on the menu are breaded, battered and/or fried- so I'm not on board with the idea that it's a super healthy dining option. I had the chile relleno & chicken taco combo platter, the chile relleno was very good but a bit on the greasy side. the tacos were almost empty of filling they were more like taquitos. My dining partner had the chicken quesadilla which had yummy chunks of mango inside. We also shared a deep fried ball of delicousness that I can't remember the name of- it was green plantain dough stuffed with some veggies and topped with a chipolte cream sauce (very good!) and then finished with the fried plantains & ice cream dessert which was also very good. All in all, the service could probably be reminded that the place is not on fire- we were asked if we were ready to order 3 times within 5 minutes of sitting down and then once the food was on the table (they brought everything even the dessert & check at the same time) we never saw them again. Drink refills would have been nice. We were there at the end of the night, but there were several tables that sat after us so we weren't the ones keeping them "stuck at work" though we felt rushed to order, eat and pay.
(3)
Mike E.

We've been planning to go here for a very long time. Now, with the road torn up on 4th for the trolley - just threatening to kill the businesses, it's even more imperative so we forged our way through the dusty construction zone. So glad we did. I had a hard time making up my indecisive mind over three different puerco platos. The waitress was very helpful and I finally decided on chipotle. It was a little spicy as she warned and to me it was perfect. I'd love to have a chimi made from this, I'll have to introduce their chef to a Sonoran chef. The other order at the table was chile rellenos and well worth ordering.
(5)
Alexis G.

This is a great little restaurant tucked into the strip of 4th Ave. Charming, down home decor and delicious, flavorful food. I had the chile relleno, which was different from the Mexican sort, but was just as-if not more-delicious. I plan to stop in again when I'm in the neighborhood!
(4)
Casie B.

It was pretty good, but a little overhyped in my opinion. I got the chicken enchiladas and they were good, but the sauce was too sweet for me. The service was really great tho. The deserts were not good at all, my boyfriend and I each tried one and it was gross. But the food was good, I would definitely go back!
(3)
Joyce C.

We discovered Maya Quetzal while working our way down Fourth Avenue -- hugging the thin stripe of shade on the sidewalk for dear life -- in the 90+ degree heat yesterday (the second day of the Spring Fourth Avenue Fair). "Guatemalan food?" I said to my husband. He poked his head inside, "There's nobody in there!" he reported. Air conditioning and a respite from the crowds were reason enough to duck inside for lunch. We were charmed by the friendly service and simple decor. The room could be on a side street of Antigua. In fact, we pretended it was because Guatemala is high on the list of places we want to visit. When we couldn't decide what to have, our waitress insisted on bringing us small dishes of each sauce that we tasted while sipping our tall glasses of sweet jamaica. My husband is a mole aficionado, so his choice was obvious. Mole recipes, like family meatloaf recipes, vary, and the mole here is on sweet side. While not his favorite, it rates high. My mom and I chose a savory sauce called "pepian" (I think? We chose by taste not ingredients) to smother our shredded chicken. Our meals came with whole black beans and fresh lettuce. Fresh and filling. If I had one complaint it might be that prices seemed a tad high. But there's no doubt about it, we will return to sample the pupusas all you Yelpers rave about .
(4)
Jessica S.

I don't know why this place got such decent reviews... This place is pretty shaby, the lady was not very nice (however, in her defense she was not rude either), and the food is no good! I ordered pupusas, and let me tell you I am a huge fan of pupusas, but these came far from satisfying. The tomato sauce tasted a bit like.. throw up. Yep, no joke. And it came at a whopping 7.50$ (my favorite pupusa place in San Diego charges 2.50$). The horchata was too sweet. And the chicken quesadilla was mediocre. Nothing tasted fresh in my opinion. I do not recommend this place. I feel terrible leaving a bad review but I think people should know this before going in thinking its a 3.5 star worthy place.. Tucson is in need of more good food =(
(1)
Morgan C.

I first came here for dinner with friends because we bought a groupon. It is also conveniently located downtown on 4th ave. My dinner was very good and would return again! The food was different than the traditional Latin cuisine we see around here which was pleasant. The service wasn't the best in the world but it was fair. I hope this restaurant thrives!
(4)
Marina M.

I am a little conflicted with this place because the simple flavors often border on bland. I had chile relleno the first time I was here and it was good, but how can it not be since it's filled with so much cheese? This week I had the hilachas, shredded beef in a tomato sauce. They totally skimped on the beef and the sauce was too runny. The sauce tasted like tomato and not much else and just looked like an opened can of tomato sauce. And we were the only ones in the whole place when we dropped by early afternoon and the service was sooo rushed. I don't get it. On the bright side, my bf's mole was good and so were our horchatas (even if a tad too sweet). And their rice and beans are great-they totally keep it simple when it comes to them. Maybe I will just stick to these goodies when frequenting this place.
(3)
John M.

We were given a Groupon for this place. We were seated in the quiet - empty - front dining room with chips and salsa. No music. No service. After walking back to the kitchen to get a menu we then had to walk back again to order. Another couple came in and sat down in the front dining room then got up and walked to the back. After about 15 minutes, the first waitress came up and asked, "what do you want." I asked a question about a couple of items and was told that "this one is stuffed with spinach and that one is stuffed with raisins." I ordered a tortilla stuffed with pork, my wife ordered pork with a sauce. We got up and saw that there was a back patio (any place was better than the front dining room). We then walked back to the kitchen to ask if we could move. Now at the patio, a different waitress (this one with a smile), bringing our food. I ordered an ice tea and more chips and salsa. A few minutes later the tea arrives. We again asked for chips and salsa. The food was the blandest that I've had in a long time. The sauce on my wife's dish had a subtle hint of flavor. My stuffed pork tortilla had lots of tortilla and little tiny pieces of pork. No waitress ever returned to ask for drink refills and ask if we wanted anything else. My wife finally went to the kitchen to ask for a "to go" container and the bill. The bill and a container arrived shortly. We waited. Then went back to the kitchen to ask if we could pay the bill. "Pay the bill up front." was the answer. At the cash register, I offered the Groupon and a credit card. The first waitress said, "you didn't tell me you had a Groupon! You could have gotten ....." She was angry and went back to the kitchen. When she returned we paid the bill and vowed never to return. Once I was back at my computer I looked up the Maya Quetzal on Groupon. We were suppose to be given an appetizer, a pitcher of Sangria and a desert. It was partly Groupon's fault for not including that on the print-out. Still, a good restaurant would have given us the chance to redemm the missing items.
(2)
TJ M.

You've heard the phrase, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Well, that can certainly be said about Maya Quetzal. In common experience with other reviewers, we also had a Groupon, which led us to check out this establishment. Similarly, we walked into an empty dining room, which foreshadowed our overall experience. I must say, the food was, in a word...bland. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. It was simply mediocre. We had four in our party, so we ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees, and everything was average, at best. The primary reason for a ONE star rating is the service. We were waited on by the owner, and similar to other reviewers, we were treated as though we were a burden. When I narrowed my selection down to two potential entrees, I asked for a simple recommendation, to which she rolled her eyes and said, "I don't know what you like, and it's my food, so it's all good." Wow! Yes, it is true she doesn't know me, but this was not an unusual question, especially when trying a new type of food. For those reviewers who state that they are understaffed, overworked and exhausted, I would mention that we were only one of two parties in the entire restaurant that evening. Additionally, if the owner is unhappy with people using Groupons, why offer them? And finally, if they are stressed out because they "struggle to stay open," their extremely unfriendly service will guarantee their demise. Needless to say, we will NEVER be going back to Maya Quetzal. Their strategy of using Groupon is bound to fail; they DID successfully manage to get us to TRY their establishment (at discounted prices), but they failed miserably at giving us a reason to ever return. Once again, you never get a second chance to make a first impression; And this first impression is one that I will never forget.
(1)
Dailoc N.

Another on the must checkouts of Tucson, this place is located just down from the university. A small unassuming storefront made me almost miss finding the place altogether. Walking in, the aroma ensured me I had made the correct choice. Never having eaten guatamalen food before, I just picked some items at random off of the menu. The snack/appetizer came comprised of a corn pancake with cheese inside, topped with what looked like sauted onions and some other veggie I didn't recognize. I was hoping for more of a corn flavor but it was just a little bland, but maybe that's how this dish is supposed to be. I'll pass on it next time since the main dish was more than filling. The pork mole I ordered, on the other hand, was awesome. I figured a chocolate sauce could turn out really bad, or really good. Luckily it was the latter for me. Lightly sweet, the pork was fall-apart tender and was nicely complimented by the rice and black beans. I usually don't like my food swimming in sauce, but this time it was ok since I just mixed it into the rice and beans. For me, it would have been better if it were a little spicy, but that's just my preference. Check this place out. You won't be sorry.
(4)
OMARA G.

My dining experience was this past Saturday with my friend on a mother daughter day. Our little group was a mix of Mexican and Central Americans so we know good latin flavor and love supporting local family owned businesses. We were ready to grab some good ol' latin soul food. NOT the case unfortunately. Here's my breakdown: Ambiance: The main dining area in the front is very very dim even with the natural afternoon sunlight it was quite dark. My suggestion would be that they maybe open up a skylight during the day so that the hand-painted artwork on the walls are more nicely displayed. In the night time maybe it's much better? We dined in the back "patio" of the place. One word. DUSTY. Dusty fake plants, dusty statues, dusty dusty dusty. The back door to the storage area was left open and we could see the guys tossing the trash away(not pretty). Basically it felt like we were dining in someone's backyard. Which I can totally appreciate IF the food was good. That leads me to... Food: Items ordered-Mango Chicken Quesadilla, Pupusas Mixtas, and Spinach Frittatas with Rice and black beans. The Good: Mango Chicken Quesadilla, The warm chips and salsa and Freshly made Tamarindo Beverages. The OK: Everything else I wouldn't say the food was BAD but having had pupusas before in many other places (not in Tucson) These fell WELL below average, the tomato sauce that was poured over the pupusas and the spinach frittatas was VERY acidic and lacked spice and flavor, it tasted seriously like Ragu spaghetti sauce, the beans were bland and the rice just ok. Service: Was good, the food came out promptly and the waitress was accommodating. The bathrooms were sparkling clean and so was the restaurant in general. Everyone who has reviewed Maya Quetzal seems to love the mole, maybe that's the best meal to have...I might give them another chance and try that next time.
(3)
Melissa C.

very nice staff that offered a family feel. The food was a little blan for my tastes and I found myself wanting to douse my plate in salsa. However I am native to AZ and love spicy foods. If you prefer the opposite than you might enjoy this place.
(3)
Keopu R.

A friend of mine took us here because we wanted to try some new places around town. We'll definitely be going back. The food was delicious and so filling. I got the artichoke and mushroom quesadilla appetizer which filled me to the brim. Partner got the chicken mole and finished the whole plate. The price was very nice, especially for the 4th Ave./Downtown area. Partner and I ate for under $20 before tip. Both of us left full too! Service was okay, but there were times we went without water, chips, and salsa after we had asked for them. Overall it was a pleasant setting for a great price. I'm definitely going back and recommending it.
(5)
Michael S.

How do you judge Guatemalan food if you've never had it anywhere else? I'm not sure, but until I know better this place gets a big five stars. The vegetarian platter is die for. Some kindof stuffed spinach pocket with delicious beans, and cheesy rice. One of my favorite meals and a huge bargain at the prices they charge. This place could definitely use some love in terms of a bigger budget to give it some touch-ups, but it will continue to be a staple of my Tucson diet even as is.
(5)
Danielle C.

"Oh yeah! Maya Quetzal..." Maya Quetzal is just uber yummy and uber healthy. A place where my mind goes "Mmmmmmm" and my tummy feels good. When I can't reach Little Cafe Poco Cosa I like to go to this little restaurant on 4th ave. Its about the same pricing as Little Cafe Poco Cosa and sometimes it even tastes better, which is really hard to believe. It comes across as very quaint, and maybe even a little too quaint. But you will definitely enjoy it if you come with friends. There is a back patio area for a nice cool Tucson evening to have dinner and then you can also dine in. My favorite is to take out... they're usually pretty quick. I love their chicken mole enchiladas!!!!!! Tres bien! Oh, that's not Mayan speech for out of sight?!?! 2nd best is their vegetable and nut stuffed chile rellenos. The food is the best of both worlds... taste and balance. Plus there isn't a ton of salt or a lot of artificial flavoring so those who have a sensitive gastric system will find this place to meet your expectations. This too is another family run restaurant. I love it, because when I place my order to go, I can go down 4th avenue and visit a bookstore, go buy a dress, or pick up on some homeless crack addict! Its wonderful... all while I wait for my food. I also like this location because if someone doesn't like Maya Quetzal (which is unheard of) I can buy a meal at one of the many 4th ave. eateries. I really like this place! I really don't have more to add to this discussion other than what every other fan has to say.
(5)
Mel S.

We took my parents here for their 40th anniversary and wish we would have gone just about anywhere else instead. At 6:30 there was only one other couple in the entire place and it was so hot and humid inside, we decided to sit outback on the 'patio' which wasn't much better. Our waitress seemed like it was a chore to give us menus, water and chips and we had to move an extra table ourselves to accommodate the six of us. When we didn't know what we wanted to order right away, she seemed rather annoyed with us and when my husband asked what she recommended, she replied, "I don't know what you like" and wouldn't help him decide. We had to ask for more chips, more water, extra silverware (only got four sets for the six of us to use) and extra glasses. It was ridiculous! If I want rude service and bland food, there are many other restaurants I can go to. The food was okay but definitely nothing special that I would want to eat again. The sangria was nice but got watery quickly since they fill the entire pitcher with ice before adding the wine to it. All in all, it is a place I will never go to again.
(1)
Michael L.

Granted, I only got papusas, but they were not the best I've ever had. Not enough filling and tasted too much like the dough. Friendly service though! Wish I had time to go back and try the mole.
(3)
Bernadet G.

Just FYI- Guatemalan food is "bland" by Western standards because we don't like to overwhelm our food with spices. I feel I need to clarify this to all of my friends who aren't from there. lol
(4)
Refugio J.

Here's a little story for you. Over fifteen years ago, a little Mayan / Guatemalan hole-in-the-wall restaurant opened up on fourth avenue in Tucson. I was one of the first patrons to explore that wonderful little place. This is in the dark ages before Yelp. You'd be surprised to know that Maya Quetzal still survives and while the menu may have one or two fewer items that I so loved, returning to this unique eatery was like coming home. So what made it special back in 1994? Well back then they offered up a Guatemalan Tamale made of potatoes, corn maza, and turkey - all wrapped up in a banana leaf. Out of this world! Now I'm a vegetarian and I've bragged about this place to my cousin Laura for a while. So we finally showed up on a day other than Monday, when they're closed. There were four in our group and each craved something different from the menu. We started with a double order of Media Lunas (corn tortilla fritters stuffed with spinach). When I ordered the green chile plate, I expected a chile relleno, but I got this tasty creation stuffed with mushrooms with black beans / Spanish rice. The pluses: - A little taste of Guatemala in Tucson (the only in America?). - Inexpensive at less than $10.00 per person - Nice 4th Avenue location - Serving since the Bill Clinton took office (nice run for Tucson) Overall, if you want something a bit different than typical Mexican food then try this little gem. You'll be grateful for it. Disfruta!
(5)
Trianna O.

Buen Provecho! I have now been to Maya Quetzal a few times and it is definitely one of my favorite restaurants on fourth. The food is 100% Chapin and the simple and fresh flavors reminded me of my trip to the country of eternal spring. The thick homemade pupusas are riquÃsimas and the sauce for the pollo pepiano has just the right amount of spice. The staff is friendly, courteous, and you never wait long for a meal. Maya Quetzal is a great find!
(4)
Alex M.

I went here with my ladyfriend before she departed to work on a farm here for the next six months. I frankly wasn't in good shape to review this place but the food was pretty good. I never in a million years would have thought to combine cheese and corn as a side dish. It was kind of a revelation. Their sangria though was terrible. Maybe it was a bad batch or they make it differently in Guatemala but it was not good at all. Still, I would suggest this place if you're hanging out on 4th in Tucson.
(3)
A K.

Plato veretariano. Get it even if you are a meat eater. Cheesey, corn and rice, black beans, and a corn cake with chile roja ( I'm sorry, but I don't know what that's part of the dish is called) is amazing.
(4)
John B.

Had trouble ever finding a time when this place was open. Must have tried going on 5 seperate occasions and they were randomly closed for one reson or another. Well they were finally open on our last attempt and thank the Lord, this place is legit. Great chicken mole!! Also really liked the authentic music.
(4)
Danielle K.

This place is kind of awesome. Not necessarily if you're on a strict budget, but if you're looking for [what I'd imagine to be] authentic Guatemalan fare (not that I have any authority over what exactly authentic Guatemalan food tastes like), I'd drop by here. The food is solid...the pollo en naranja = mmmmm good! Not to mention that the staff is super friendly, albeit just a tad on the slow side. When I came here, one of my friends somehow forgot her purse at the restaurant. We were staying in Mexico, and by the time we realized it was lost (and traced it back to the restaurant), we were already on the other side of the border. After calling the restaurant, they kindly said that she did indeed leave her purse. And they held it for her until we could get back to Tucson to get it. Now that's what I call five-star service.
(5)
Eva Z.

This is another restaurant we tried based on the Yelp recommendations! Once again, you guys were right!!!! The food was very good- the mole sauce is something I would love to have again! You must try it. During our visit there was a large party of hippies at the table across the room. One of them began playing a flute in an interesting way. Ironically, it enriched the experience and was very entertaining. The restaurant owners didn't seem to mind.
(4)
Molly H.

The best thing here were the pupusas, which are impossible to find in Tucson. I come from a city where there are pupusarias on every street corner, and I seriously needed a fix. I was disappointed because they were really overpriced. Everything else on the menu was reasonable, in the 8-9 dollar range. I also liked the chipotle pork. The orange chicken was pretty good, not too sweet. I didn't care much for the chicken enchilada with mole sauce. Another strange thing was the addition of the "salad", lettuce and cabbage on the plate with no dressing. Boring as far as I am concerned and does nothing with rice and beans, so what is the point? I agree with all the other reviewers Maya Quetzal it is a nice distraction in a town of mexican food overload.
(3)
Dave J.

Not a bad place to eat, but certainly not 4.5 stars. If you were to sum up the reviews, I think they're pretty accurate: 1) You will get rice, black beans, and some kind of meat in a tasty sauce. 2) Your "salad" will be lettuce and shredded cabbage with vinegar as the dressing. 3) The prices are fair. 4) Salsa and chips are good. Overall, OK.
(3)
Erica H.

I used to go here a lot in my vegetarian days of college. It was pretty decent food for the price. They always treated us with welcoming arm and a smile at the door. It's a quiet place and you can request just about anything. Strong drinks too!
(3)
Danielle L.

Thanks Yelp! We were visiting from Connecticut, and were looking for an authentic hole in the wall type of place that was also reasonably priced (because we were eating all meals out on our trip). I've never had a pupusa before, and I enjoyed my mole. Tasty all around. Like other reviewers stated, the service was a bit slow, but it kind of worked here since the place overall has a laid-back feel.
(4)
Ally A.

have you ever seen the movie "the birdcage"? you know how the gay butler/maid guy who can't wear shoes ("dey make-a me fall down") states that armand is intimidated by his "watamalaness"? his what? his "watamalaness, his natural heat"? well, his insanely strange self with his hilarious accent is all that this monkey knows of guatamala, apart from the fact that it is in south america and is prolly not a place i would want to go without updated vaccinations. i guess it goes without saying (or with a long intro) that this was my first guatamalan meal. i went with a roomie and we had a great time. it's a cute lil hole in the wall on 4th ave, with random guatamalan woven shirts and pics of their native land. i dig it. the mural on the wall makes me want to wash shirts in a river...srsly. plus i dig anyplace that plays shakira songs en espanol. but enuf about the unimportant shit... we got the quesadilla with mango, chicken and peppers and the pollo en naranja, which was chicken in an orange sauce, rice and beans. the quesadilla was savory AND sweet...the mangoes were lil sweet punches of flavor. it was also kinda thin, which i like...i didn't feel like an uber-fatass after eating it. two thumbs way up for the quesadilla. the pollo en naranja was GOOD. 1.5 thumbs up. it was wicked sweet, but the rice and the pile of lettuce on the side helped detract when it got overwhelming. the chicken soaked up the flavor nicely. and all of this for only 20 bucks...WITH tip! i'll be going back..i would prolly even wash shirts in a river for this meal...after i got my vaccinations updated.
(4)
Claire H.

I had a groupon and no problems with service or otherwise, per past reviews. This is not Mexican food, so try not to compare. On another yelp review, it raved about the pupusas, so we tried the cheese. Where is the cheese? Not my thing, and my husband also meh. I tried the vegetarian plate, also raved about on yelp from a non-vegetarian, and enjoyed the cheesy rice (found cheese here :), but so-so on the rest. My husband tried the pork dish with a sauce made from raisins, etc. and that was the ticket. Wish I'd just stuck with the old meaty standbys, then perhaps there would have been another star. I'd come back to try more of that.
(3)
Jennifer H.

Different food...but amazing. I would go here again.
(4)
Sylvian F.

Authentic & delicious. This place has soul. Sit facing away from the window and forget you're on fourth avenue for a bit - enjoy this portal into South America.
(5)
Adam B.

I have to admit that I am very finicky when it comes to good food. I asked what was best and was told the pork followed by a name i couldnt pronounce. There were two options... mild green sauce, or spicy red and she said the red was better. The sauce was tasty and definitely had a homemade flavor. The pork was tender but since I don't ever choose to eat pork, I cant compare it to others. Rice and beans were fine and the salad reminded me of lunch from elementary school. I liked this place, however with all the options where I live, I'm not sure if I would return.
(4)
Saadi N.

The Chicken Mole is the best!!!
(5)
Roving S.

Oh wow, I loved this place the first, second, third, and after today, I can't tell a kinder story. Like alot of the businesses on 4th, and in AZ, they have had hard times. Today I had very difficult news, I had been denied SSI, have progressed worse in illness, and was left without any family support today. It was a hard day, besides the sad story that came about the little children in CT. Around a time of giving it is so hard for so many people who are having to give their children less, and the times are sad for many. This place, has brought me love so many times, it is delivered even in the food, but the family who brings the food, bring you love as well, and they mean it. I was pretending to be ok, but was so hurt by my father, so scared for myself, and was hoping the food would heal me, and hope and my faith in the world, would heal my broken heart. The owner sat down and held my hand, and when I started to cry she hugged me, do you know what that means? I looked up and she was crying too. What a lovely person. People entered the restaurant, and she attended each one, and cooked beautiful food. And when her niece arrived, she remembered our conversation from a year ago, and was smiling. How lovely these people are. She refused money she I am sure could have benefited from, and in those amazing acts of kindness, I felt the love of this planet, and was suddenly not afraid. I know we all want variety, and we are so involved in our lives, our families, our thoughts, and our jobs, but if you can, now construction is now past, come here for lunch, for dinner, please do. The food is healthy, it's so wonderful, and the people who run this place, bring you love with your dish, and the heart of kindness...please give it back by bringing as many friends and parties and events as you can to this lovely restaurant. And share this story, rate them here, rate them on google, like their facebook page...be kind and give back to people who give so much:)
(5)
Edda B.

Lovely little place with authentic guatemalan food.
(4)
Carolyn B.

Stopped by this place on the way out of Tucson on vacation without much of an idea of what to expect. So this is just a one-time experience, but it was a fantastic one. The place was almost empty when we came in for lunch. We sat outside, in a nice little enclosed patio. My boy got the puerco mole and I got the puerco chipotle. Both dishes were essentially pieces of tender pork swimming in sauce on one half of the plate, then rice, black beans and lettuce on the other half. It was DELICIOUS. My chipotle sauce was rich and just a bit spicy and sooo good but even it paled in comparison to my boy's mole sauce. There are no words for how good that sauce was. We were dipping pieces of lettuce in it just to soak up every drop. Go. Get the mole. It will make you happy.
(5)
d m.

We had a gift certificate for Maya so we went downtown for a change. The food was AMAZING. If the surrounding atmosphere was not such a liberal ooze fest with stinky armpits & unshaven jobless idiots we might go more often. Move the location & we would visit frequently!
(4)
Olga T.

This is one of my favorite restaurants!!! The food is unique, delicious, and quite reasonably priced. I love the environment and it is family owned!!
(5)
Ryan S.

Ambience: 3/5 (It's a hole-in-the-wall, a little run down, but they try to compensate for that with festive colors and wall decorations. I wouldn't bring a first date here, but maybe a 3rd or 4th date) Food: 4/5 (the food is good, but I agree with another reviewer in that, while there seems to be a good variety on the menu, in reality they are almost all variations of the same thing: meat covered in too much sauce + rice + black beans) Service: 2/5 (we were the only customers there, but it took quite awhile for the server to address us, take our order, and deliver our food; this is probably due to the laid-back atmosphere, which was evident in the fact that the server was having a phone conversation during the entire meal--no joke, she spoke on the phone even as she delivered our food to us, which is simply unnacceptable.) Value: 4/5 (reasonable portions, reasonable prices, good food) Verdict: Other Yelpers have this place so highly rated that I came in with high expectations. I left satisfied, but under the impression that it is over-hyped. Bottom line is that it's a good restaurant with good food, but it's nothing spectacular.
(3)
Doug W.

Great food, very affordable, kindly service! Moles and pupusas were a real find! A real break from the wasteland that is 4th Ave.
(4)
Kaboom J.

Best mole I've had in Tucson in a loooooong time, not to thick/dark/rich, amazing horchata!
(5)
Amir M.

My friend suggested we go here because I love chile con carne or chile en chipotle as it's listed on the menu. He said it was some of the best he ever had and I could not agree more. If you haven't had it, I do highly recommend it. I must try more dishes though.
(5)
Layne M.

It was ok. I had the vegetarian plate. The cheesy rice was good at first but after several bites the flavor became... too much of the same thing. The small spinach deep fried thing had very little flavor and the tomato sauce on top of it had no flavor at all. The salsa was good with the chips. I might try it again and try the mole, because I've heard it is tasty, but I would not try the vegetarian plate again. The price was a bit too high for what I received and it wasn't very flavorful.
(3)
Vincent P.

Thank you yelp Yeah a night off in Tucson. Wanted something new, something difrent, who sould I ask but Yelp to help find such a place. Entered in and a scary "theres no room at the inn" expression on the helps face. didn't relize that they close at 8:30 on sat... First thing I tried I loved... there signature Rice and cheese and sweet corn thing... good stuff... had the Chili Reanos?.. and then this vegetarian little cool taco like thing...the food continually grew on me. really liked the little setting right on 4th across from the Surly wrench pub. great old big red doors and some volcano mural thingy. the salsa was pretty spicy but other then that pretty mild. great vegetarian options, well priced. good stuff. that's different.
(5)
Surranna V.

F-in delicious. Love the shit out of this place. Family owned, small , overlooked. Everything on the menu is ggggreat. It is different than any fair I have had, lots of nuts and sauces, not as spicy as other latin fair. If you love food and like to try new things go check this place out. Sabroso!
(5)
Brian C.

Came here to day after receiving such poor service up the road at a restaurant staring with a D! Did not know what to expect, but its all good. Had a starter that was a corn empanada with spinach and pine nuts in it. Wow very good! Next I had the two chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, also very good. Would I go back, yes! It is easy to miss but right across the street from the Surly Wench.
(4)
Emily K.

Unique, smoky flavors. Great veg. options - grab the stuffed poblano w/ mushrooms and potatoes. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Doug C.

I no longer live in Tucson, and Maya Quetzal is one of the things I miss most about the city. Extraordinarily tasty, lovingly prepared, and casual 4th Ave atmosphere; perfect for dining on a cool Tucson evening.
(5)
Adam S.

Overlooked and underappreciated. I always leave with a smile on my face.
(5)
Brian M.

Authetic Guatemalan Food. Earthy wholesome eats.
(5)
Victoria C.

Maya Quetzal is one of my Tucson favorites. Their specialty is Central American soul food. Nothing pretentious or flashy - just some really tasty, savory, and filling home-cooked meals. MQ is reliably good - it's not a complete meal without rice, beans, and some slaw on the side. Their location on 4th is convenient. The restaurant remodeled not too long ago. Despite its humble appearance, it's clean and homey :) Endless chips and salsa, delicious horchata, and fast and friendly service are some of the perks.
(5)
Gaciel A.

I passed by the place many times on our treks to 4th Ave, but we never really visited until we went a random Wednesday evening. The food was alright. It was a bit bland for my tastes, and we tried a few dishes. The best thing we had was their dessert mole. It was very unique and delicious. That alone would bring me back, but I don't even remember what I had for dinner as it was that forgettable.
(3)
D V.

My family and I decided to come here after searching our mobile Entertainment book. We really didn't know where to go as we were just visiting for the day and were hungry after visiting the Titan Missile. We didn't want Mexican, pizza or the normal fare. I saw this place that said they had Guatemalan food. None of us have ever had this kind of food, which we are a combination of Colombian, Chinese and Black. This looked to be in part of the downtown of Tucson. The ambiance looked cool, clean and bright. Our server was super nice and recommended some traditional Guatemalan dishes. My husband and I both got chicken (pollo) dishes. Unfortunately, I don't exactly remember the names of the dishes, and I did not take pictures of the menu. My dish was maybe called Pollo En Crema. My husband's dish, I think, was Pollo De Pepian. Each of my husband's and my dishes were in the $11-12 range, I think. Both our kids had Pupusa dishes where one Pupusa was filled with chicharon & queso (pork & cheese) and the other with Loroco. I'm really not sure what Loroco is. The Pupusas are sort of like Colombian arepas, but not. The plates (not the appetizers) are around $10 each. My kids got horchatas to drink and my husband and I got fountain drinks. All are refillable. Our Entertainment coupon gave us 20% off, which made our meal about $46 before tip. The food was absolutely fabulous!!!! It was perfect and we pretty much gobbled up all the food. This place is very cute, small and our server was SUPER friendly. My husband is really picky about his Latin food, and he was very pleased. Thank you!!! If we are in the Tucson area, we'll come by again.
(5)
Jessica H.

I really love Maya Quetzal, and I think it's a very special part of Fourth Avenue. This is very clearly a family owned business, and I really like it that way. The food is delicious, the decor unassuming, and the wait staff incredibly polite and helpful. I've tried a few different platters, but I personally love the mole and the pupusas de loroco. I know there are lots of other great options on Fourth, but I think Maya Quetzal is worth a shot!
(4)
Dr Tim L L.

I used a coupon so that removes some of the sting. The food was okay. Nothing that I would want to go back for. The menu looked exciting. The food was kind of funky and bland. Place is very simple and chilly on a cold day.
(2)
Cristina L.

Being Guatemalan myself, I was super excited to try this place out. I enjoyed my dish and it was a pleasant experience. It was a comforting environment and in one of my favorite areas of Tucson so I'll be coming back.
(4)
Erik G.

Maya Quetzal was a really cool hole in the wall, I had the 'pupusas' there, hoping they were like what I've had before, but unfortunately they weren't. They were fried and they skimped the chicharrÃ³n, but the curtido was great! I haven't tried anything but that, they were delicious even though it wasn't what I was expecting.
(4)
Jorge A.

One of the best taste Central America food restaurant in Tucson Az. The atmosphere is like in home, fine and courteous service. Food super fresh and incredible taste.
(5)
Cindy N.

We haven't been here in 20 years. Not sure why not. We used to come here years ago when we first arrived in Tucson. Been trying so many other places and 4th Ave. had not been on our radar for a long time. We had just come back from Tucson Meet Yourself and decided to go back and give it another try. We always like to try ethnic restaurants that are local and support them as much as we can. This is Guatemalan food and a bit different from the Mexican restaurants with their sauces and spices. I had a carne dish with a really wonderful Mole sauce with rice and a small cabbage salad. Hubby had the chili relleno which was a bit different stuffed with spinach and spices. Both very tasty. It's nice to see 4th Ave. busy with people walking around and taking the street car.
(3)
D T.

Guess I had higher expectations, so was disappointed. Food was bland, service was so-so. Tried it once, so now I know. Will keep looking for a good pupusa somewhere else. :(
(1)
K L.

Fantastic pupusas de loroco. And the chili relleno with spinach tasted just like in central America. Friendly and attentive service, good prices and a cute patio.
(5)
Art C.

The new owners are very welcoming, and so happy to have their very own restaurant. The menu will remain the same, with new additions:) Our table of 4 tried the fruit and nut stuffed pepper with a white sauce for an appetizer, and we all loved it. You can't beat the frosted beer mug, especially after a Meet Me At Maynard's Monday night walk.
(4)
Favery S.

We walked in here on a whim and I have to say I regret being spontaneous. The interior of the establishment was below average so i was expecting this to be one of those whole on the wall great food places. No. The service was good nothing out of the ordinary. The food however was below average at best. I wouldn't be so upset if the prices of the food matched the service and food quality. So overpriced for food that I wouldn't think twice about.
(2)
Ron L.

Late night Saturday, Groupon about to expire in hand. Risking throwing the money down the drain, the decision was easy...use it or lose it. I'm the type that is open minded, and Guatemalan food was one that I have never had before. If this is a representative of Guatemalan food, then sadly to say, I will have a hard time repeating it. Don't get me wrong, the deal was great. The drinks were great. The salsa and chili relleno was great. The chili verde was great. Pass on the side dishes, pass on the mole, and pass on the desserts. Groupon, you did it again. You sold me on a place that I normally would not go to, and I bit.
(2)
Breanna F.

I really love this place... Fantastic food!!! Every dish is served with black beans, rice, and a vinegar cole slaw... Seriously amazing :) I will definitely be going back :)
(4)
Monica F.

I must preface this review by saying Maya Quetzal used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson. I've been telling people for years that their rellenos were the best in town, but I hadn't eaten here in a while, and now I feel like I may owe a lot of people apologies. We specifically wanted rellenos and came in on a Thursday night when there weren't many people. One woman was working as hostess, waitress, busboy, cashier. After a few moments waiting, she came out and told us to sit anywhere. Nachos arrived quickly. They were stale. I know things don't keep as well during the monsoon, but stale nachos is really a cardinal sin in this town. Throw them in the oven, at least! The salsa, however, is really good. Very spicy. We got an appetizer, which was a plantain dough filled with cheese. It was disappointing. It looked as if it ought to be crispy, but it was soggy. It was also drizzled with a mayonaise based sauce that was unpleasant to me, but I managed to scrape most of that off. The flavors just didn't go together, and the texture was off. There was a small cabbage salad on the plate, which was not bad. The rellenos arrived fairly soon, but they were not the rellenos I have been recommending. They were visibly soggy: greasy to the eye and the touch. The breading was soft and mushy. The filling was spilling out everywhere: half the relleno wasn't even wrapped in pepper. The tomato sauce tasted like it came from a can. The plate also includes more of the cabbage salad, some plain rice, and some plain black beans. Maybe the thermostat on their fryer needs to be checked? What happened to the amazing rellenos they used to serve here? If this is their new standard, the whole place could use some revamping.
(2)
Kristen C.

I went in here a little skeptical and I'm glad I went anyways. The food was great. The staff wasn't too friendly but there wasn't a moment all night where I didn't have my glass of water filled. They were on top of everything! I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)
C B.

I honestly love this place. The food is basic: same sauces with different meat options which works perfectly for them cause it lets them focus their culinary skills on just a few dishes and techniques. It pays off. I've had just about every option on the menu and have had almost not bad experience with the food itself. Its also a nice hole in the wall, sparse but colorful. The service on the other hand could be better and it sucks having to pay for each refill for limonade. I don't know where there aren't more customers, considering how good the food is.
(4)
Christina L.

First went here after getting a restaurant.com gift card and decided to try it out. Well worth it! In a city like to Tucson, it is nice to find cuisine with a latin flare that is different from everything else. The warm flavors of the corn and pumpkin they use are fab! Very small place on 4th ave, maybe 10 tables total...but really fun for a casual date since you are right in the middle of all the querky-ness of 4th ave. My Faves: Chiles rellenos, sangria
(4)
Jennifer L.

Well, it was okay. Not bad, but nothing special. I love supporting local businesses (ok, ok, Starbucks too) and I was excited to try the Guatemalan cuisine. We had the sangria (sweet, but okay), queso pupusas (tasty), chicken tacos (typical rolled taquitos, nothing special), beef pipian (tasty), chili relleno (also tasty) and a tamal negro (a little too dense and too sweet). Glad we gave it a try but just did not have the wow factor I was hoping for.
(3)
Rachael W.

One of the things I love about Tucson is all the different kinds of restaurants we have here--and this Guatemalan place is a great example! The appetizers are pretty good, entrees are okay, and the desserts have never been that impressive. Whatever you do, upgrade your regular rice to the special rice. It involves lots of cheese. Just do it. You won't be sorry. They have a perpetual Groupon offering, which is a lot of food, but a reasonably good deal. Coming here is worth it with the groupon, but I'm not sure I'd pay full price.
(3)
Isabella J.

This is definitely an interesting little place to visit, especially if you're on the search for something new or international. I'd never tried Guatemalan food before, so I have nothing to compare this experience to, but I enjoyed everything I ate. We started off with a round of pollo quesadillas and cheese pupusas. Well, I never eat tried the quesadilla because I couldn't stop eating the pupusa! It was delicious. I would describe it as mix between an arepa and a sope but the maize is much softer and but perfectly crispy on the outside. I will be back for more pupusas...yum! By the time my entree came, I was quite full. I ordered the puerco pepian which was braised pulled pork in a mole sauce served with rice and coleslaw. It was quite tasty; very mild in flavor and spice but good. The service was somewhat slow but not a deal breaker. It appears to be a family run place with only our server and her aunt working the floor. So if you go in for dinner keep in mind that the service will mostly likely be slow, you can't have separate checks, and you pay at the counter after dinner. It's nice to have a different variation of a tortilla in Tucson.
(4)
Kent W.

We don't live in TUcson but heard from a friend this is interesting food. We had eaten there last spring and decided to visit again when we returned to Tucson. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we were shopping across the street at the Co-op. An unpretentious little place near the U district with wonderul food reasonably priced wit ha Salvadoran twist. We ordered: - Plato Tikal with Chile Rostizado and Media Luna. Luna ok. Rostizado fabulous. - Plato quetzal. Mole enchilada and potato Pache. The enchilada tasty. the Pache, Meh! Then for desert we had Mole de Patlatanos Dulce. The plantains were deliciious. We will be back
(4)
Philip S.

A fun little place. Really good food and service but a bit untidy.
(3)
Rosanne C.

Maya Quetzal is a restaurant you want to embrace with open arms--the servers are always friendly, the sangria pitcher is fun to share, the specialty rice--cheese and corn goodness--is also a must, and they have an amazing appetizer with plantains that is to die for. The ambience is fun. The walls are warm, with murals of exotic birds. Several tourist images of Guatemala, photos that look like they were taken in the 80s, also line the walls. The air is a little warm in there--they have the A/C too low for my liking in AZ. The main dishes are where the big ding comes in, and this is why I gave the restaurant only three stars. The entrees always seem to lack flavor. My last meal here was a fried torta with pork in it, but it just tasted dry, with little pork, I may add. I've had several chicken dishes before too, and the meat is always over-cooked. One time, I got the vegetarian spinach and walnut torta--also kinda gross. The chips they served us with the salsa were also over-cooked, too crispy for my liking. We had the Groupon, which was for four meals, sangria, and an appetizer--it's a great deal! My friend really likes this place, and keeps buying the deal--though, I am unsure if I would go again without his insistence.
(3)
Josephus F.

Wonderful food, so delicious. Had a big ole plate of beans and special rice and pork with this amazing pumpkin seed sauce. Apparently this place hasn't been getting enough business which is a shame. I'm a picky little b@&)($ of an eater and I highly recommend this place.
(5)
nancy a.

I'm a huge fan of Maya Quetzal. Huge fan of Guatemalan food in Guatemala too. This is the best Guate food I've ever had outside that beautiful country. Go!!! Go to Maya Quetzal!!!! Love it!
(5)
Richard H.

I was also given a Groupon th this place. we walked in to an empty front dining room, I should have known this wasn't the best place then as the place should have been packed, being that the 4th avenue Street Fair was going on and had a huge amount of people walking by. I went to the back asking for some assistants, as no one was in the front. when i found a lady i asked if they where open. She started yes please sit anywhere. As soon as I mentioned the Groupon, ohh no you can't use that today. I asked why she stated look outside its the street fair. Keep in mind her dining room was EMPTY at 530pm. After stating that the Groupon didn't say that anywhere in the fine print. The lady said fine sit down. I asked for a manager the lady then stated I'm the owner so no manager. I must say the food was great. However the wait staff is not very personable not even almost friendly. Keep in mind this is a Guatemalan restaurant so they should expect the customers to have questions. Not role there eyes like they could not understand why i don't know what half the menu items where. Ohh and at the end they charged me an extra $10 for taxes. Over all I will never go back to this place. Stay away its one of those places that make you wonder how they're still open.
(1)
Olive S.

I entirely enjoy the family run feel I get when I enter this establishment. I can tell the owners put their heart into their business. At times the service can seem iffy, but I think it may be because they are busy or perhaps it's just me. I have not tried too many items here, but the ones I have had have been yummy. The specialty rice is absolutely amazing. It would be on the buffet table for my last meal for sure. The tortilla soup is good as is their salsa. The entrees fall off from there a bit for me, but I'll certainly admit I'm an appetizer loving lady. I will return here as long as the specialty rice remains the same! P.s....It's a delicious sour creamy, corny, concoction of pure joy.
(3)
Kamryn C.

Just tried Maya Quetzal for the second time and they've really got something special going on here. As a vegetarian, menus can be limiting, but here there are several delicious sounding options. The first time I went, I had a chile relleno stuffed with spinach, cheese, and savory sauce. I'm a big chile relleno person, and this one was different than I'm used to, but extremely delicious. Tonight, I had the "tortitas de espinacas" patties of spinach and spices smothered in tomato sauce. Also very good. The beans and rice are fairly average, but I do appreciate that black beans are their norm. The complimentary salsa is very good though, tangy with a mild amount of kick. My friend got the horchata and it was authentic, rich, and dreamy. I am definitely going to go back to try the pupusas and other menu items. All in all, I'm very pleased with my first foray into Guatemalan food.
(4)
Lucy F.

Slow as hell... Food below average... Built-in 20% tip is BS... You can do MUCH better even on this block.
(1)
Diana M.

NEVER GO HERE!!!! My friends and I really wanted pupusas so we found this restaurant on line. When we got there the restaurant was hot and our waitress was very unfriendly. We all ordered pupusas. We all started eating and my friend SAW A BUG ON HER FOOD!!! We quickly told our waitress which she didn't even say anything and just took the plate. When she came back she didn't even apologize all she did was say I know that didn't come from our food it was a mosquito. What do you want me to do?! Make you another one?! I guess I can give it to you for free?! Obviously my friend didn't want another one and the rest of us couldn't even finish our food. It really bothered me how she handled the situation she never apologized and was defensive all the time. Plus the food wasn't that great either. WILL NEVER BE RETURNING
(1)
Kristy N.

I've never heard of this place until Groupon so I bought it and hoped I would find a new favorite place as I love to try new ethnic foods. I should have known better when we walked inside and the place is empty but lots of people were on 4th Avenue and other restaurants were hopping. I was glad I had a Groupon otherwise the $48 lunch would have really been overpriced. We will never go back. The food is very bland and I'm not sure about how clean everything is there. The waitress was just so so.
(2)
Anatola I.

I have been coming here for over 20 years and love the food, the atmosphere and the family-run feel. The same people have been serving this delicious food for the entire time I've been coming. Some of my vegetarian family's favorites are the Media Lunas (deep-fried spinach-stuffed tortillas), the potato and carrot taquitos and the Specialty Rice. We love sitting on the back patio and the large, colorful murals on the walls of the indoor portion really make it feel like a Guatemalan place. The prices have seemed to go up considerably over the years, which makes it harder to visit often, but we will always be regulars here. I know there have been times in which they've struggled to stay open, especially during the 4th Avenue construction. On the subject of the staff seeming rude/unwelcoming that I've seen other reviewers mention: My take on it is that they're understaffed and overworked and sometimes get a little stressed out. Like I mentioned previously, the same people have been here for the entire two decades I've been coming and my guess is that they're probably exhausted. Being a family business, I think they don't do much hiring-out and that might explain the overworked aspect. And it is also a fact that they are very kind and gracious sometimes, too. They've known my children for their entire lives and always greet them with a warm smile, and when we've come here for my children's birthdays, they've surprised us with treats and small Guatemalan toys. Really made us feel like part of their family.
(4)
Tory H.

The food at Maya Quetzal is fantastic and worth the frustration of the other drawbacks. I went there with a Groupon and they were not very friendly. I'm not sure if they weren't friendly because we had the Groupon or for some other reason. The service was slow and impersonal. I would say that the food makes up for these things. I got a wonderful spinach patty which had a great flavor and was well made. We split an appetizer which was wonderful and the dessert was great. The food is definitely different from Mexican food that I am used to and I really enjoyed the change.
(3)
Sylvian F.

Authentic & delicious. This place has soul. Sit facing away from the window and forget you're on fourth avenue for a bit - enjoy this portal into South America.
(5)
Adam B.

I have to admit that I am very finicky when it comes to good food. I asked what was best and was told the pork followed by a name i couldnt pronounce. There were two options... mild green sauce, or spicy red and she said the red was better. The sauce was tasty and definitely had a homemade flavor. The pork was tender but since I don't ever choose to eat pork, I cant compare it to others. Rice and beans were fine and the salad reminded me of lunch from elementary school. I liked this place, however with all the options where I live, I'm not sure if I would return.
(4)
Saadi N.

The Chicken Mole is the best!!!
(5)
Ramin S.

I immediately liked this place when I walked through the door. It does have a sort of Guatemalan atmosphere (as opposed to Mexican). The service were very friendly, and they had a nice variety of delicious food on the menu. It was maybe $1 more than other places on the street, and it was MUCH better. I have no complaints. I definitely recommend it.
(5)
Dale P.

It okay not great. Nice atmosphere and great location on 4th avenue.
(3)
Erica H.

I used to go here a lot in my vegetarian days of college. It was pretty decent food for the price. They always treated us with welcoming arm and a smile at the door. It's a quiet place and you can request just about anything. Strong drinks too!
(3)
Danielle L.

Thanks Yelp! We were visiting from Connecticut, and were looking for an authentic hole in the wall type of place that was also reasonably priced (because we were eating all meals out on our trip). I've never had a pupusa before, and I enjoyed my mole. Tasty all around. Like other reviewers stated, the service was a bit slow, but it kind of worked here since the place overall has a laid-back feel.
(4)
Surranna V.

F-in delicious. Love the shit out of this place. Family owned, small , overlooked. Everything on the menu is ggggreat. It is different than any fair I have had, lots of nuts and sauces, not as spicy as other latin fair. If you love food and like to try new things go check this place out. Sabroso!
(5)
Brian C.

Came here to day after receiving such poor service up the road at a restaurant staring with a D! Did not know what to expect, but its all good. Had a starter that was a corn empanada with spinach and pine nuts in it. Wow very good! Next I had the two chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, also very good. Would I go back, yes! It is easy to miss but right across the street from the Surly Wench.
(4)
Emily K.

Unique, smoky flavors. Great veg. options - grab the stuffed poblano w/ mushrooms and potatoes. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Doug C.

I no longer live in Tucson, and Maya Quetzal is one of the things I miss most about the city. Extraordinarily tasty, lovingly prepared, and casual 4th Ave atmosphere; perfect for dining on a cool Tucson evening.
(5)
Adam S.

Overlooked and underappreciated. I always leave with a smile on my face.
(5)
Brian M.

Authetic Guatemalan Food. Earthy wholesome eats.
(5)
Jessica G.

Ate here Friday night with a friend. Food was good, service was super super rushed and curt (even though we were one of only four tables). They have lots of vegetarian options which is very nice and I saw a lot of comments on here about everything being healthy but I think 90% of the items on the menu are breaded, battered and/or fried- so I'm not on board with the idea that it's a super healthy dining option. I had the chile relleno & chicken taco combo platter, the chile relleno was very good but a bit on the greasy side. the tacos were almost empty of filling they were more like taquitos. My dining partner had the chicken quesadilla which had yummy chunks of mango inside. We also shared a deep fried ball of delicousness that I can't remember the name of- it was green plantain dough stuffed with some veggies and topped with a chipolte cream sauce (very good!) and then finished with the fried plantains & ice cream dessert which was also very good. All in all, the service could probably be reminded that the place is not on fire- we were asked if we were ready to order 3 times within 5 minutes of sitting down and then once the food was on the table (they brought everything even the dessert & check at the same time) we never saw them again. Drink refills would have been nice. We were there at the end of the night, but there were several tables that sat after us so we weren't the ones keeping them "stuck at work" though we felt rushed to order, eat and pay.
(3)
Mike E.

We've been planning to go here for a very long time. Now, with the road torn up on 4th for the trolley - just threatening to kill the businesses, it's even more imperative so we forged our way through the dusty construction zone. So glad we did. I had a hard time making up my indecisive mind over three different puerco platos. The waitress was very helpful and I finally decided on chipotle. It was a little spicy as she warned and to me it was perfect. I'd love to have a chimi made from this, I'll have to introduce their chef to a Sonoran chef. The other order at the table was chile rellenos and well worth ordering.
(5)
Alexis G.

This is a great little restaurant tucked into the strip of 4th Ave. Charming, down home decor and delicious, flavorful food. I had the chile relleno, which was different from the Mexican sort, but was just as-if not more-delicious. I plan to stop in again when I'm in the neighborhood!
(4)
Casie B.

It was pretty good, but a little overhyped in my opinion. I got the chicken enchiladas and they were good, but the sauce was too sweet for me. The service was really great tho. The deserts were not good at all, my boyfriend and I each tried one and it was gross. But the food was good, I would definitely go back!
(3)
Joyce C.

We discovered Maya Quetzal while working our way down Fourth Avenue -- hugging the thin stripe of shade on the sidewalk for dear life -- in the 90+ degree heat yesterday (the second day of the Spring Fourth Avenue Fair). "Guatemalan food?" I said to my husband. He poked his head inside, "There's nobody in there!" he reported. Air conditioning and a respite from the crowds were reason enough to duck inside for lunch. We were charmed by the friendly service and simple decor. The room could be on a side street of Antigua. In fact, we pretended it was because Guatemala is high on the list of places we want to visit. When we couldn't decide what to have, our waitress insisted on bringing us small dishes of each sauce that we tasted while sipping our tall glasses of sweet jamaica. My husband is a mole aficionado, so his choice was obvious. Mole recipes, like family meatloaf recipes, vary, and the mole here is on sweet side. While not his favorite, it rates high. My mom and I chose a savory sauce called "pepian" (I think? We chose by taste not ingredients) to smother our shredded chicken. Our meals came with whole black beans and fresh lettuce. Fresh and filling. If I had one complaint it might be that prices seemed a tad high. But there's no doubt about it, we will return to sample the pupusas all you Yelpers rave about .
(4)
Jessica S.

I don't know why this place got such decent reviews... This place is pretty shaby, the lady was not very nice (however, in her defense she was not rude either), and the food is no good! I ordered pupusas, and let me tell you I am a huge fan of pupusas, but these came far from satisfying. The tomato sauce tasted a bit like.. throw up. Yep, no joke. And it came at a whopping 7.50$ (my favorite pupusa place in San Diego charges 2.50$). The horchata was too sweet. And the chicken quesadilla was mediocre. Nothing tasted fresh in my opinion. I do not recommend this place. I feel terrible leaving a bad review but I think people should know this before going in thinking its a 3.5 star worthy place.. Tucson is in need of more good food =(
(1)
Morgan C.

I first came here for dinner with friends because we bought a groupon. It is also conveniently located downtown on 4th ave. My dinner was very good and would return again! The food was different than the traditional Latin cuisine we see around here which was pleasant. The service wasn't the best in the world but it was fair. I hope this restaurant thrives!
(4)
Marina M.

I am a little conflicted with this place because the simple flavors often border on bland. I had chile relleno the first time I was here and it was good, but how can it not be since it's filled with so much cheese? This week I had the hilachas, shredded beef in a tomato sauce. They totally skimped on the beef and the sauce was too runny. The sauce tasted like tomato and not much else and just looked like an opened can of tomato sauce. And we were the only ones in the whole place when we dropped by early afternoon and the service was sooo rushed. I don't get it. On the bright side, my bf's mole was good and so were our horchatas (even if a tad too sweet). And their rice and beans are great-they totally keep it simple when it comes to them. Maybe I will just stick to these goodies when frequenting this place.
(3)
John M.

We were given a Groupon for this place. We were seated in the quiet - empty - front dining room with chips and salsa. No music. No service. After walking back to the kitchen to get a menu we then had to walk back again to order. Another couple came in and sat down in the front dining room then got up and walked to the back. After about 15 minutes, the first waitress came up and asked, "what do you want." I asked a question about a couple of items and was told that "this one is stuffed with spinach and that one is stuffed with raisins." I ordered a tortilla stuffed with pork, my wife ordered pork with a sauce. We got up and saw that there was a back patio (any place was better than the front dining room). We then walked back to the kitchen to ask if we could move. Now at the patio, a different waitress (this one with a smile), bringing our food. I ordered an ice tea and more chips and salsa. A few minutes later the tea arrives. We again asked for chips and salsa. The food was the blandest that I've had in a long time. The sauce on my wife's dish had a subtle hint of flavor. My stuffed pork tortilla had lots of tortilla and little tiny pieces of pork. No waitress ever returned to ask for drink refills and ask if we wanted anything else. My wife finally went to the kitchen to ask for a "to go" container and the bill. The bill and a container arrived shortly. We waited. Then went back to the kitchen to ask if we could pay the bill. "Pay the bill up front." was the answer. At the cash register, I offered the Groupon and a credit card. The first waitress said, "you didn't tell me you had a Groupon! You could have gotten ....." She was angry and went back to the kitchen. When she returned we paid the bill and vowed never to return. Once I was back at my computer I looked up the Maya Quetzal on Groupon. We were suppose to be given an appetizer, a pitcher of Sangria and a desert. It was partly Groupon's fault for not including that on the print-out. Still, a good restaurant would have given us the chance to redemm the missing items.
(2)
TJ M.

You've heard the phrase, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Well, that can certainly be said about Maya Quetzal. In common experience with other reviewers, we also had a Groupon, which led us to check out this establishment. Similarly, we walked into an empty dining room, which foreshadowed our overall experience. I must say, the food was, in a word...bland. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. It was simply mediocre. We had four in our party, so we ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees, and everything was average, at best. The primary reason for a ONE star rating is the service. We were waited on by the owner, and similar to other reviewers, we were treated as though we were a burden. When I narrowed my selection down to two potential entrees, I asked for a simple recommendation, to which she rolled her eyes and said, "I don't know what you like, and it's my food, so it's all good." Wow! Yes, it is true she doesn't know me, but this was not an unusual question, especially when trying a new type of food. For those reviewers who state that they are understaffed, overworked and exhausted, I would mention that we were only one of two parties in the entire restaurant that evening. Additionally, if the owner is unhappy with people using Groupons, why offer them? And finally, if they are stressed out because they "struggle to stay open," their extremely unfriendly service will guarantee their demise. Needless to say, we will NEVER be going back to Maya Quetzal. Their strategy of using Groupon is bound to fail; they DID successfully manage to get us to TRY their establishment (at discounted prices), but they failed miserably at giving us a reason to ever return. Once again, you never get a second chance to make a first impression; And this first impression is one that I will never forget.
(1)
Dailoc N.

Another on the must checkouts of Tucson, this place is located just down from the university. A small unassuming storefront made me almost miss finding the place altogether. Walking in, the aroma ensured me I had made the correct choice. Never having eaten guatamalen food before, I just picked some items at random off of the menu. The snack/appetizer came comprised of a corn pancake with cheese inside, topped with what looked like sauted onions and some other veggie I didn't recognize. I was hoping for more of a corn flavor but it was just a little bland, but maybe that's how this dish is supposed to be. I'll pass on it next time since the main dish was more than filling. The pork mole I ordered, on the other hand, was awesome. I figured a chocolate sauce could turn out really bad, or really good. Luckily it was the latter for me. Lightly sweet, the pork was fall-apart tender and was nicely complimented by the rice and black beans. I usually don't like my food swimming in sauce, but this time it was ok since I just mixed it into the rice and beans. For me, it would have been better if it were a little spicy, but that's just my preference. Check this place out. You won't be sorry.
(4)
richard w.

used a groupon. they were full and might have been short handed. sangria was delicious chicken was good, sauce was not spicy or interesting enough. fried plantain with chocolate and ice cream was very good. looks like family run business from guatemala. that is a plus. tacky tourist posters, that is a small minus. we will go back and get a pitcher of sangria and fried banana dessert. some advice: hire another wait staff if you're so tired that you can't smile, you are working too hard. go home, do something fun, you're just chasing valuable customers away. offer a menu that explains what the food is. what is mole? what is it made from? people come back to little places like this because they feel it home like, your home, build on that.
(3)
John M.

This place is one of my wife and my favorites. I especially recommend the Puerco Alemendrado, Sangria, and Mole de Plantano Dulce. Everything is amazing--the Alemendrado is delicious and unlike anything I've ever had (remember: Guatamalan is not Mexican food), the Sangria is super fresh, and the Mole is one of the most exotic and tastiest desserts I've ever had (fried plantains, chocolate mole sauce with spices and a hint of spicy peppers).
(5)
Anthony C.

Went in here on a Groupon deal just to try it and was pleasantly surprised! The food was fresh and flavorful. The staff could have been a little friendlier but the place was understaffed so I'm not dinging it too much for that. As for the decor, it could definitely use a good spruce up as well. The pitcher of sangria given as part of the deal was a very nice touch! Try it, you'd like.
(4)
Tabor T.

Maya Quetzal has been one of my favorite Tucson eats for years now. Unfortunately, we don't get there often because it's not close but tonight we made the trip and were sorry we did. We always love the chile relleno and I've been craving one for a few days now. Sadly, tonight it was soggy, bland, and covered in a red sauce that would make Ragu look good. I hope they were just having a bad night as we've loved eating there over the years. We'll definitely give them another chance and I hope I can recommend them again next time.
(2)
Susan O.

Late June, 2011: Pollo en naranja, avocado, limonada, water, and platanos fritos for dessert. Somehow, the selection seemed too similar to Mexican choices, which probably shouldn't surprise me given that the countries are adjacent and the cultures overlap. I didn't know if the music in the background was representative of Guatemala or was Mexican. Anyway, the limonada was delicious, as were the platanos fritos. The avocado arrived as a peeled avocado, period. The main dish arrived on a plate where the naranja sauce had slopped over the edge so it was messy. The service was so-so. Would I return? No.
(2)
Cristina L.

This is a good place to go to try something a little different. I had the Plato Quetzal with an enchilada with mole and (potato) pache. I liked the mole a lot and the pache was very good too. We also had quesadillas and pupusas for appetizers. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy and the temperature got pretty warm...but if you're looking for some cuisine that's a little off the beaten path, it's worth a try. -Note, they will not separate checks if you have a large party.
(4)
Michelle K.

I like trying new foods so when a Groupon came up for Mayan food I pounced on the deal. It took the waitress ten minuets after seating us to come and take our order. Ordinary I wouldn't hold this against a busy restaurant, which it was at the time, but the first words out of the waitresses mouth were a grumpy "What do you want?" She seemed angry and annoyed that we were there. Maybe she resented the fact we had a Groupon. I don't know. We ordered a pitcher of sangria and our meals. The sangria came out twenty minuets after we had our meal. The food was bland and the sangria was so sweet it gave me a stomach pain. We had to get our desert to go. The service was terrible, the food was underwhelming and the drinks put me in physical pain for two hours. I will not go back there nor recommend this place.
(1)
Andrew L.

This place is phenomenal and Ive traveled all over the country eating Mexican. The Mole sauce is not to be missed
(5)
Maria P.

I guess I should have read all these reviews before purchasing my Groupon and trying to use it there last night. The front dining area was completely EMPTY. The owner was just absolutely rude, short tempered, unpleasant and unhelpful. We ordered the first thing we saw on the menu (so we can get out of there fast) which was the vegetarian chile relleno....AWFUL. They constantly have deals on Groupon, not sure if that should be a hint but if she doesn't like that then she shouldn't advertise there anymore. I certainly will not be going back....food and service were just awful.
(1)
Miguel C.

I purchased a groupon!!! And ohhhhh man wished I didn't .. Lady was extremely rude usually on the fine print the vender will indicate the specific hours for voucher, well she didnt. The owner had a sign on her window and no one can see it. She had no customers and she refuses to take our voucher till a specific time .. After all the Bit**n she said okay the food was okay the chicken was like she just re heated it in the microwave. Don't recommend it !!!!!
(1)
Ericka D.

I am Guatemalan and the pupusas at this place are excellent!! I purchased a Groupon deal and it was very well worth it, eventhough they have great prices. My bf had the mole and he was very pleased. I will come back soon.
(4)
Angela M.

I was excited to try this place while visiting Tucson, after reading the other glowing reviews. It had been a long day of travel (up at 4:15a eastern in order to make it to the airport), so I was ready for some good food before crashing. We started with the Tamarindo - a sweet, slightly citrusy beverage, which was very syrupy and concentrated - better when diluted with ice. The salsa and chips really whetted my appetite - nice and spicy salsa, and thick crunchy chips. I started with the media lunas - delicious tortillas filled with veggies and fried with cooked tomatoes on top. Bob started with the pupusas mixtas, and seemed to enjoy them very much. I opted for the pork mole. Everything seemed so varied and delicious by the descriptions that I really got my hopes up. However, after getting our dishes, and seeing the others around the room, there seemed to be a recurring theme: meat covered in sauce, with black beans, rice, and lettuce. The sides were all on the dry side (casualty of the climate?), so they appeared to try to make up for it by covering the meat in sauce. My pork was literally swimming in sauce. But instead of being tender, it was more like it had been stewed into submission - it was soft and dry and somewhat fatty, and didn't seem to have flavor itself. The mole itself was more sweet than spicy, so not my favorite. As I watched the veggie plate walk by, I was wishing I ordered it. The service was friendly, and I liked the laid-back feel. As we were walking out, the place was filling up. Perhaps Guatemalan just isn't for me.
(3)
Melissa D.

We came in at the end of the lunch hour, around 2:15. The owner was a little preoccupied with a fire inspection, but very sweet, and eventually got us menus and took our order. We were just after a mid-afternoon snack (and a beer), so my companion had the chicken mango quesadilla, and I had the loroco y queso pupusas. ...oh, my god. The pupusas were one of the best things I've put in my mouth in memory. Essentially, it was like eating Central American potato pancakes, only instead of apple sauce they had tomato sauce and a cabbage/carrot relish? slaw? (delicious!) The corn pupusas were AMAZINGLY delicious and a fantastic texture. The loroco was delicious and interesting -- a vegetable I'd never had before. The tomato sauce and cheese were delicious, too. A huge portion for an appetizer -- incredibly satisfying. I may dream of these things. YUM. Really sweet owners, too. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Zach B.

Great place for a relaxed night. Food is fantastic, with rich sauces and seasoning. Prices are good, location is good. Overall, a great place.
(5)
Andy S.

Unfortunately, we weren't terribly impressed by the Guatemalan and other Central American food served at Maya Quetzal. The thick, homemade, tortillas were surprisingly mediocre tasting, and neither of our lunches were at all memorable. Others have noted here that Guatemalan food can be somewhat bland, so perhaps it's just not to our taste. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't someplace we'd go out of our way to eat at again (especially given all the great restaurants in Tucson).
(3)
Priscila B.

Delicious food, great atmosphere, just parking is a pain. Definitely recommended
(4)
OMARA G.

My dining experience was this past Saturday with my friend on a mother daughter day. Our little group was a mix of Mexican and Central Americans so we know good latin flavor and love supporting local family owned businesses. We were ready to grab some good ol' latin soul food. NOT the case unfortunately. Here's my breakdown: Ambiance: The main dining area in the front is very very dim even with the natural afternoon sunlight it was quite dark. My suggestion would be that they maybe open up a skylight during the day so that the hand-painted artwork on the walls are more nicely displayed. In the night time maybe it's much better? We dined in the back "patio" of the place. One word. DUSTY. Dusty fake plants, dusty statues, dusty dusty dusty. The back door to the storage area was left open and we could see the guys tossing the trash away(not pretty). Basically it felt like we were dining in someone's backyard. Which I can totally appreciate IF the food was good. That leads me to... Food: Items ordered-Mango Chicken Quesadilla, Pupusas Mixtas, and Spinach Frittatas with Rice and black beans. The Good: Mango Chicken Quesadilla, The warm chips and salsa and Freshly made Tamarindo Beverages. The OK: Everything else I wouldn't say the food was BAD but having had pupusas before in many other places (not in Tucson) These fell WELL below average, the tomato sauce that was poured over the pupusas and the spinach frittatas was VERY acidic and lacked spice and flavor, it tasted seriously like Ragu spaghetti sauce, the beans were bland and the rice just ok. Service: Was good, the food came out promptly and the waitress was accommodating. The bathrooms were sparkling clean and so was the restaurant in general. Everyone who has reviewed Maya Quetzal seems to love the mole, maybe that's the best meal to have...I might give them another chance and try that next time.
(3)
Melissa C.

very nice staff that offered a family feel. The food was a little blan for my tastes and I found myself wanting to douse my plate in salsa. However I am native to AZ and love spicy foods. If you prefer the opposite than you might enjoy this place.
(3)
Keopu R.

A friend of mine took us here because we wanted to try some new places around town. We'll definitely be going back. The food was delicious and so filling. I got the artichoke and mushroom quesadilla appetizer which filled me to the brim. Partner got the chicken mole and finished the whole plate. The price was very nice, especially for the 4th Ave./Downtown area. Partner and I ate for under $20 before tip. Both of us left full too! Service was okay, but there were times we went without water, chips, and salsa after we had asked for them. Overall it was a pleasant setting for a great price. I'm definitely going back and recommending it.
(5)
Danielle C.

"Oh yeah! Maya Quetzal..." Maya Quetzal is just uber yummy and uber healthy. A place where my mind goes "Mmmmmmm" and my tummy feels good. When I can't reach Little Cafe Poco Cosa I like to go to this little restaurant on 4th ave. Its about the same pricing as Little Cafe Poco Cosa and sometimes it even tastes better, which is really hard to believe. It comes across as very quaint, and maybe even a little too quaint. But you will definitely enjoy it if you come with friends. There is a back patio area for a nice cool Tucson evening to have dinner and then you can also dine in. My favorite is to take out... they're usually pretty quick. I love their chicken mole enchiladas!!!!!! Tres bien! Oh, that's not Mayan speech for out of sight?!?! 2nd best is their vegetable and nut stuffed chile rellenos. The food is the best of both worlds... taste and balance. Plus there isn't a ton of salt or a lot of artificial flavoring so those who have a sensitive gastric system will find this place to meet your expectations. This too is another family run restaurant. I love it, because when I place my order to go, I can go down 4th avenue and visit a bookstore, go buy a dress, or pick up on some homeless crack addict! Its wonderful... all while I wait for my food. I also like this location because if someone doesn't like Maya Quetzal (which is unheard of) I can buy a meal at one of the many 4th ave. eateries. I really like this place! I really don't have more to add to this discussion other than what every other fan has to say.
(5)
Mel S.

We took my parents here for their 40th anniversary and wish we would have gone just about anywhere else instead. At 6:30 there was only one other couple in the entire place and it was so hot and humid inside, we decided to sit outback on the 'patio' which wasn't much better. Our waitress seemed like it was a chore to give us menus, water and chips and we had to move an extra table ourselves to accommodate the six of us. When we didn't know what we wanted to order right away, she seemed rather annoyed with us and when my husband asked what she recommended, she replied, "I don't know what you like" and wouldn't help him decide. We had to ask for more chips, more water, extra silverware (only got four sets for the six of us to use) and extra glasses. It was ridiculous! If I want rude service and bland food, there are many other restaurants I can go to. The food was okay but definitely nothing special that I would want to eat again. The sangria was nice but got watery quickly since they fill the entire pitcher with ice before adding the wine to it. All in all, it is a place I will never go to again.
(1)
Michael L.

Granted, I only got papusas, but they were not the best I've ever had. Not enough filling and tasted too much like the dough. Friendly service though! Wish I had time to go back and try the mole.
(3)
Bernadet G.

Just FYI- Guatemalan food is "bland" by Western standards because we don't like to overwhelm our food with spices. I feel I need to clarify this to all of my friends who aren't from there. lol
(4)
Refugio J.

Here's a little story for you. Over fifteen years ago, a little Mayan / Guatemalan hole-in-the-wall restaurant opened up on fourth avenue in Tucson. I was one of the first patrons to explore that wonderful little place. This is in the dark ages before Yelp. You'd be surprised to know that Maya Quetzal still survives and while the menu may have one or two fewer items that I so loved, returning to this unique eatery was like coming home. So what made it special back in 1994? Well back then they offered up a Guatemalan Tamale made of potatoes, corn maza, and turkey - all wrapped up in a banana leaf. Out of this world! Now I'm a vegetarian and I've bragged about this place to my cousin Laura for a while. So we finally showed up on a day other than Monday, when they're closed. There were four in our group and each craved something different from the menu. We started with a double order of Media Lunas (corn tortilla fritters stuffed with spinach). When I ordered the green chile plate, I expected a chile relleno, but I got this tasty creation stuffed with mushrooms with black beans / Spanish rice. The pluses: - A little taste of Guatemala in Tucson (the only in America?). - Inexpensive at less than $10.00 per person - Nice 4th Avenue location - Serving since the Bill Clinton took office (nice run for Tucson) Overall, if you want something a bit different than typical Mexican food then try this little gem. You'll be grateful for it. Disfruta!
(5)
Trianna O.

Buen Provecho! I have now been to Maya Quetzal a few times and it is definitely one of my favorite restaurants on fourth. The food is 100% Chapin and the simple and fresh flavors reminded me of my trip to the country of eternal spring. The thick homemade pupusas are riquÃsimas and the sauce for the pollo pepiano has just the right amount of spice. The staff is friendly, courteous, and you never wait long for a meal. Maya Quetzal is a great find!
(4)
Alex M.

I went here with my ladyfriend before she departed to work on a farm here for the next six months. I frankly wasn't in good shape to review this place but the food was pretty good. I never in a million years would have thought to combine cheese and corn as a side dish. It was kind of a revelation. Their sangria though was terrible. Maybe it was a bad batch or they make it differently in Guatemala but it was not good at all. Still, I would suggest this place if you're hanging out on 4th in Tucson.
(3)
A K.

Plato veretariano. Get it even if you are a meat eater. Cheesey, corn and rice, black beans, and a corn cake with chile roja ( I'm sorry, but I don't know what that's part of the dish is called) is amazing.
(4)
John B.

Had trouble ever finding a time when this place was open. Must have tried going on 5 seperate occasions and they were randomly closed for one reson or another. Well they were finally open on our last attempt and thank the Lord, this place is legit. Great chicken mole!! Also really liked the authentic music.
(4)
Danielle K.

This place is kind of awesome. Not necessarily if you're on a strict budget, but if you're looking for [what I'd imagine to be] authentic Guatemalan fare (not that I have any authority over what exactly authentic Guatemalan food tastes like), I'd drop by here. The food is solid...the pollo en naranja = mmmmm good! Not to mention that the staff is super friendly, albeit just a tad on the slow side. When I came here, one of my friends somehow forgot her purse at the restaurant. We were staying in Mexico, and by the time we realized it was lost (and traced it back to the restaurant), we were already on the other side of the border. After calling the restaurant, they kindly said that she did indeed leave her purse. And they held it for her until we could get back to Tucson to get it. Now that's what I call five-star service.
(5)
Eva Z.

This is another restaurant we tried based on the Yelp recommendations! Once again, you guys were right!!!! The food was very good- the mole sauce is something I would love to have again! You must try it. During our visit there was a large party of hippies at the table across the room. One of them began playing a flute in an interesting way. Ironically, it enriched the experience and was very entertaining. The restaurant owners didn't seem to mind.
(4)
Molly H.

The best thing here were the pupusas, which are impossible to find in Tucson. I come from a city where there are pupusarias on every street corner, and I seriously needed a fix. I was disappointed because they were really overpriced. Everything else on the menu was reasonable, in the 8-9 dollar range. I also liked the chipotle pork. The orange chicken was pretty good, not too sweet. I didn't care much for the chicken enchilada with mole sauce. Another strange thing was the addition of the "salad", lettuce and cabbage on the plate with no dressing. Boring as far as I am concerned and does nothing with rice and beans, so what is the point? I agree with all the other reviewers Maya Quetzal it is a nice distraction in a town of mexican food overload.
(3)
Dave J.

Not a bad place to eat, but certainly not 4.5 stars. If you were to sum up the reviews, I think they're pretty accurate: 1) You will get rice, black beans, and some kind of meat in a tasty sauce. 2) Your "salad" will be lettuce and shredded cabbage with vinegar as the dressing. 3) The prices are fair. 4) Salsa and chips are good. Overall, OK.
(3)
Ally A.

have you ever seen the movie "the birdcage"? you know how the gay butler/maid guy who can't wear shoes ("dey make-a me fall down") states that armand is intimidated by his "watamalaness"? his what? his "watamalaness, his natural heat"? well, his insanely strange self with his hilarious accent is all that this monkey knows of guatamala, apart from the fact that it is in south america and is prolly not a place i would want to go without updated vaccinations. i guess it goes without saying (or with a long intro) that this was my first guatamalan meal. i went with a roomie and we had a great time. it's a cute lil hole in the wall on 4th ave, with random guatamalan woven shirts and pics of their native land. i dig it. the mural on the wall makes me want to wash shirts in a river...srsly. plus i dig anyplace that plays shakira songs en espanol. but enuf about the unimportant shit... we got the quesadilla with mango, chicken and peppers and the pollo en naranja, which was chicken in an orange sauce, rice and beans. the quesadilla was savory AND sweet...the mangoes were lil sweet punches of flavor. it was also kinda thin, which i like...i didn't feel like an uber-fatass after eating it. two thumbs way up for the quesadilla. the pollo en naranja was GOOD. 1.5 thumbs up. it was wicked sweet, but the rice and the pile of lettuce on the side helped detract when it got overwhelming. the chicken soaked up the flavor nicely. and all of this for only 20 bucks...WITH tip! i'll be going back..i would prolly even wash shirts in a river for this meal...after i got my vaccinations updated.
(4)
Claire H.

I had a groupon and no problems with service or otherwise, per past reviews. This is not Mexican food, so try not to compare. On another yelp review, it raved about the pupusas, so we tried the cheese. Where is the cheese? Not my thing, and my husband also meh. I tried the vegetarian plate, also raved about on yelp from a non-vegetarian, and enjoyed the cheesy rice (found cheese here :), but so-so on the rest. My husband tried the pork dish with a sauce made from raisins, etc. and that was the ticket. Wish I'd just stuck with the old meaty standbys, then perhaps there would have been another star. I'd come back to try more of that.
(3)
Jennifer H.

Different food...but amazing. I would go here again.
(4)
Roving S.

Oh wow, I loved this place the first, second, third, and after today, I can't tell a kinder story. Like alot of the businesses on 4th, and in AZ, they have had hard times. Today I had very difficult news, I had been denied SSI, have progressed worse in illness, and was left without any family support today. It was a hard day, besides the sad story that came about the little children in CT. Around a time of giving it is so hard for so many people who are having to give their children less, and the times are sad for many. This place, has brought me love so many times, it is delivered even in the food, but the family who brings the food, bring you love as well, and they mean it. I was pretending to be ok, but was so hurt by my father, so scared for myself, and was hoping the food would heal me, and hope and my faith in the world, would heal my broken heart. The owner sat down and held my hand, and when I started to cry she hugged me, do you know what that means? I looked up and she was crying too. What a lovely person. People entered the restaurant, and she attended each one, and cooked beautiful food. And when her niece arrived, she remembered our conversation from a year ago, and was smiling. How lovely these people are. She refused money she I am sure could have benefited from, and in those amazing acts of kindness, I felt the love of this planet, and was suddenly not afraid. I know we all want variety, and we are so involved in our lives, our families, our thoughts, and our jobs, but if you can, now construction is now past, come here for lunch, for dinner, please do. The food is healthy, it's so wonderful, and the people who run this place, bring you love with your dish, and the heart of kindness...please give it back by bringing as many friends and parties and events as you can to this lovely restaurant. And share this story, rate them here, rate them on google, like their facebook page...be kind and give back to people who give so much:)
(5)
Edda B.

Lovely little place with authentic guatemalan food.
(4)
Carolyn B.

Stopped by this place on the way out of Tucson on vacation without much of an idea of what to expect. So this is just a one-time experience, but it was a fantastic one. The place was almost empty when we came in for lunch. We sat outside, in a nice little enclosed patio. My boy got the puerco mole and I got the puerco chipotle. Both dishes were essentially pieces of tender pork swimming in sauce on one half of the plate, then rice, black beans and lettuce on the other half. It was DELICIOUS. My chipotle sauce was rich and just a bit spicy and sooo good but even it paled in comparison to my boy's mole sauce. There are no words for how good that sauce was. We were dipping pieces of lettuce in it just to soak up every drop. Go. Get the mole. It will make you happy.
(5)
d m.

We had a gift certificate for Maya so we went downtown for a change. The food was AMAZING. If the surrounding atmosphere was not such a liberal ooze fest with stinky armpits & unshaven jobless idiots we might go more often. Move the location & we would visit frequently!
(4)
Olga T.

This is one of my favorite restaurants!!! The food is unique, delicious, and quite reasonably priced. I love the environment and it is family owned!!
(5)
Ryan S.

Ambience: 3/5 (It's a hole-in-the-wall, a little run down, but they try to compensate for that with festive colors and wall decorations. I wouldn't bring a first date here, but maybe a 3rd or 4th date) Food: 4/5 (the food is good, but I agree with another reviewer in that, while there seems to be a good variety on the menu, in reality they are almost all variations of the same thing: meat covered in too much sauce + rice + black beans) Service: 2/5 (we were the only customers there, but it took quite awhile for the server to address us, take our order, and deliver our food; this is probably due to the laid-back atmosphere, which was evident in the fact that the server was having a phone conversation during the entire meal--no joke, she spoke on the phone even as she delivered our food to us, which is simply unnacceptable.) Value: 4/5 (reasonable portions, reasonable prices, good food) Verdict: Other Yelpers have this place so highly rated that I came in with high expectations. I left satisfied, but under the impression that it is over-hyped. Bottom line is that it's a good restaurant with good food, but it's nothing spectacular.
(3)
Doug W.

Great food, very affordable, kindly service! Moles and pupusas were a real find! A real break from the wasteland that is 4th Ave.
(4)
Kaboom J.

Best mole I've had in Tucson in a loooooong time, not to thick/dark/rich, amazing horchata!
(5)
Amir M.

My friend suggested we go here because I love chile con carne or chile en chipotle as it's listed on the menu. He said it was some of the best he ever had and I could not agree more. If you haven't had it, I do highly recommend it. I must try more dishes though.
(5)
Layne M.

It was ok. I had the vegetarian plate. The cheesy rice was good at first but after several bites the flavor became... too much of the same thing. The small spinach deep fried thing had very little flavor and the tomato sauce on top of it had no flavor at all. The salsa was good with the chips. I might try it again and try the mole, because I've heard it is tasty, but I would not try the vegetarian plate again. The price was a bit too high for what I received and it wasn't very flavorful.
(3)
Michael S.

How do you judge Guatemalan food if you've never had it anywhere else? I'm not sure, but until I know better this place gets a big five stars. The vegetarian platter is die for. Some kindof stuffed spinach pocket with delicious beans, and cheesy rice. One of my favorite meals and a huge bargain at the prices they charge. This place could definitely use some love in terms of a bigger budget to give it some touch-ups, but it will continue to be a staple of my Tucson diet even as is.
(5)
Vincent P.

Thank you yelp Yeah a night off in Tucson. Wanted something new, something difrent, who sould I ask but Yelp to help find such a place. Entered in and a scary "theres no room at the inn" expression on the helps face. didn't relize that they close at 8:30 on sat... First thing I tried I loved... there signature Rice and cheese and sweet corn thing... good stuff... had the Chili Reanos?.. and then this vegetarian little cool taco like thing...the food continually grew on me. really liked the little setting right on 4th across from the Surly wrench pub. great old big red doors and some volcano mural thingy. the salsa was pretty spicy but other then that pretty mild. great vegetarian options, well priced. good stuff. that's different.
(5)
R. H.

The food was good, but not great. Our kids had appetizers-- Papusas and the spinach fritters-- and they were better than the entres (mole and pork with green sauce). The horOur side of tortillas had been warmed in the microwave, and they all stuck together. The people were friendly, though, and the place has a nice ambience that reminded us of places were we ate in Guatemala.
(3)

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Address : 429 N 4th Ave
Tucson, AZ, 85705
Phone (520) 622-8207
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Maya Quetzal

429 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85705

Maya Quetzal Menu

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