We went after seeing the rave reviews of the lunch buffet. The ambiance of this restaurant and bar puts you in a mood for some great Mexican food. The chicken was my favorite thing on the buffet. There was a great variety of food on the buffet including pork, steak, chicken dishes. The Fajitas was a combo meat mix that included shrimp! The made fresh tortillas were thin and excellent. Guaca Maya caters well to people who like seafood. I didn't think the rice and beans were seasoned well, but they had a bunch of shakers to help spice things up a bit. I got the feeling this place could be hopping at night with the gigantic bar, dance floor area and party rooms. The service was great, we never had our used buffet plates sit very long and refills came without needing to ask. This place didn't wow me with excellent food, but did have great service and came with decent value. I'd try something else out here.
(3)
Mark C.
All you can eat Mexican buffet for less than $10.00 at lunch is pretty good Restaurant is large and fairly spacious. Decorated with various items from Mexico with the waiters and waitresses dressed in authentic garb Good quick service. The buffet had 4 to 5 different meats to include pork, couple types of beef, chicken, etc with a variety of rices and fried taquitos and such Also had a salad bar along with 4 or so types of dessert Worth the trip
(3)
Brittany S.
This place is amazing. We go here way to often. It is the place to go when we are celebrating anything. We always get the Solderdia And The botaña platter appetizer. The services it great even when it is busy. The food is very very authentic so don't come her if your favorite restaurant is Carlos o Kelly's! The tortillas are homemade and cooked to order in front of you. The servings are also enough to take home for another full dinner for 2 if you get their platters for two. I would recommend stepping out of your normal comfort zone that you would order at a Mexican joint this whole Menu it amazing.
(5)
Will S.
I've been to Guaca Maya twice now and have to say it's A-OK. By day, it's a family-friendly restaurant, decked out in a historic Mexico-themed, complete with servers wearing throwback uniforms. Kind of weird, if you ask me. By night, it's a dance club that has a sketchy reputation. But no matter, the food is made fresh on site and it's on par with the many taquerias nearby. I especially love the fact that there is someone making tortillas of all shapes and sizes right in front of guests as they walk in. (And I have to say the corn tortillas from my asada tacos were among the freshest I've ever tasted.) We were there during the lunch buffet, but opted out of paying $9.50 to stuff ourselves silly. Instead were ordered entrees that were about $6-$8 a plate. My two asada tacos came with a healthy side of rice and beans, as did my wife's enchiladas. And I have to say I'm not a huge fan of the rice/beans thing -- I'd of rather had a third taco. And even for $6-$8, a meal at Guaca Maya is still more than you'd pay for a similar meal at a lot of nearby places. While Guaca Maya is the type of authentic Mexican restaurant you can take your grandparents to, next time around I'd personally opt for something a little more adventurous, especially in South O.
(3)
Elena M.
We liked the food. We loved the music playing and my daughter loved watching the group practicing their dance.
(4)
Noah C.
Ordered some amazing fajitas for dinner. The atmosphere was great. The building is huge and decorated to look authentic. Even the workers were dressed appropriately. A lady was making torillas at a grill for all to see during the whole time. I heard they have a dance floor or such but did not get the chance to experience that. The service was great, prompt, and helpful. The food was also very good! The fajitas were amazing. Alot of food.
(5)
Brandy V.
My favorite Mexican. Inside is amazing. Traditional everything. Very nice taste. Horchadas are the best. Fresh fresh fresh.
(5)
Karina G.
Visiting omaha I was looking some althentic mexican food And This is the best tasting most affortable food i have had!! I loved there lunch buffet the food was delicious.They have alot of options to pick from enchiladas , carnitas, flautas ,etc. When visiting omaha I will defiantly be back. If you love enchiladas these are the best I have ever had !!!
(5)
Tonya B.
Huge restaurant. Everything we had was great! Smells outside due to being close to meat plant.
(4)
Chris B.
It's pretty unique and cool inside. I'd recommend mixed fajitas or enchiladas. It's not a bad bang for your buck either. It's one of the few Mexican joints I frequent and I would recommend the place. There is a lunch buffet as well but the offerings change. I would be sure to go see what's available before you order it.
(4)
Kristine N.
When you walk into this place it looks like a huge, cheesy, mexican inspired restaurant but the food is actually pretty authentic and delicious. You get so much food for the price you're paying. We ordered the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. It came with saltines and the cocktail had shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It was soooooooooo good. I definitely recommend that. I ordered the griddles whole red snapper in garlic sauce. It was huge, crispy, with a subtle hint of garlic. There's no way one person could eat the whole thing. Come with a salad, rice, and beans. Yum, I'm still thinking about that fish. A coworker ordered the steak and shrimp. Said everything was cooked perfectly and had delicious marinades. Service is friendly, loved the girls in their dresses. Their food is never precooked so be prepared to wait about 20 minutes for your main dishes to arrive. Trust me, it's worth it!
(4)
Julie S.
The food is very good, great atmosphere and service is excellent. A lot of food for your buck!
(5)
Kaeli N.
I have eaten here twice now and have extremely enjoyed the food and the service. The atmosphere is very nice and is very family friendly. It was somewhat hard to find as I am not familiar with Omaha at all but it sure was a great find! I can not wait to go back.
(5)
Mark G.
Mexican buffet done right, can't beat that. I haven't came across too many of them. Food is good, seasoned and spiced well, which isn't always a guarantee in my experiences. More on the authentic side, has some dishes you may not see at your typical Midwestern spot, give this one a try , more than likely will enjoy the food.
(4)
Reed N.
A Mexican buffet? Yes! God help me. Surrounded by meat packing plants, you may want to steer clear of beef items here. lol Or just dive right in... what the hell! The buffet had beef enchiladas, chicken mole, at least 5 pork dishes including rib tips done two different ways. There was plenty of protein available. I would say the items were mostly 3 star, but to have a Mexi-centric buffet is worth the extra star. And service from the ladies roaming in nice Mexican dresses was excellent!
(4)
Tom K.
Very good food. Very, very cheap. Excellent parking situation. Very authentic.
(4)
Taylor N.
You cannot beat this place for good, authentic Mexican food and a lively, homestyle atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable and they offer a buffet during the lunch hours. The buffet I would say is a "steal" for the quantity and quality of food you get!
(4)
Jenny B.
Guaca Maya has a fun atmosphere--the place is huge, has multiple rooms including a bar and pool tables, and there are lots of fun decorations. Any time I have been there were people playing mariachi or guitar music. They have a large variety of food apart from your "standard" Mexican fare, including seafood. My favorite thing I've had here is the (freshly made) guacamole.
(3)
Ramon B.
Proof that you cannot judge a book by its cover, depending which direction you approach this place from you will think you are looking at a meat packing plant or something that goes with the industrial surroundings. It isn't till you get up to the restuarant that you see that it is just that. Once inside, though, the memory of what was your first impression will melt away because the inside is quite a sight. A mixture of an authentic mexican dining setting, coupled with the bright flair of a hip gay bar. I like the blending of styles just because I'm easily distracted by shiny things. As for the food, the menu is large and has variety. Everyone will find something on this menu from its traditonal plates to the monstrous platters that can slay a large family! I won't say its the freshest seafood in Omaha but if you want some good "south of the border" seafood in abundance here is your place! My personal favorite is hitting them up between 11am-3pm for their lunch buffet. 2 people getting fully loaded for $14 is what I'm talking about! Its all pretty good, convenient and cheap! So the outside does take away a bit from it and MOST the food is pretty good, but the service is good, the inside is interesting and the buffet is my happy spot. I'd recommend this place to anyone. Eat up Minions!!
(4)
Dino O.
I went back to Guaca Maya last night. The place is stunning, and servers are dressed to the 9's and very friendly. We had the #5 meal for two. It is kind of a build your own meal. I loved it. I LOVED IT!. It was $24 and had homemade soup, best fresh salsa and chips. The platter comes out on a table barbecue. It had a cheese fondue I would have been happy to pay $24 for. Beef, pork, chicken, potato's, and rice. Handmade flour tortia's. Left overs for days! Best of all the service. Perfect. Fast, Friendly, pretty, and we did not need to ask for a thing. My Iced tea was full but she carefully dropped of a new glass without interruption of conversation. This place is one of Omaha's best. Definitely the best service in Omaha. This is the perfect date place. Get the #5!! I am dreaming of my next return. Once you walk in- you are no longer in the mid-west but topical get-a-way. One of my favorite places to go.
(5)
Lianna N.
Shimmery streamers hanging from the ceiling, full bar, pool table and Mexican music playing in the background. If this sounds homey and familiar, you will love Guaca Maya. The restaurant is huge, and the portions are fair. Is it strange that I always comment on portion sizes within the first few sentences? Anyhow, the lunch buffet didnt look my style so I went with the enchiladas and chile relleno. Tasty, but just average to me, nothing I would rush back for. Ive had some better mexican down south 24th street. If only I could speak spanish and have some memory of the names... then i could possibly review them. usually I go by the colorful signs and landmarks nearby when going there. The wait staff was nice and obliging, wearing colorful traditional looking dresses (if they are not traditional, dont get your knickers in a bunch, I apologize). My boy got did buffet and claims he liked it lot, with the exception of a few pieces of dry-ish meat. good variety with the buffet and only 7 bucks. The fresh chips and salsa were my favorite part of the meal. Would go again, but probably not soon.
(3)
John L.
The food is always good and the staff has always been very friendly and timely.The decor is ok.I go for the food though.Can't wait to go there again.
(4)
Joe T.
From the land of 24 hours taco shops and Spanish being the primary language in some areas, I was surprised how good the food was here. I thought for a moment I was back home instead of Omaha. Definitely worth a stop if you want good Mexican food.
(4)
Shawn G.
I need to stop going to so many tasty places. My good reviews are starting to outweigh the bad ones! Guaca Maya was delicious. All I ate was the Alfredo-Spaghetti-Shrimp-Plantain concoction that I'm told is actually quite popular in parts of Mexico. It cost around 30 bucks and was a veritable mountain of flavor that provided us with two dinners and two more lunches thereafter. My fellow diners had steak fajitas that I'm told were equally delicious. If you haven't guessed from reading other reviews, the place is in an old meat packing plant. Don't let that discourage you, though, the interior is clean and neat, and the food is well worth the trip.
(4)
Liz W.
Pleasantly surprised at the variety available at the lunch buffet. Buffet included Pozole (hominy & pork) and menudo (tripe) soups, charro beans, about 6 meat dishes including goat, carnitas, & pork rinds in a spicy green chile sauce. We asked for a mix of flour & corn tortillas, both were made on the spot & were perfect. Worth a visit!
(4)
Matthew M.
Customer service was quick and on point. The food was all fresh and home made including the corn tortillas they bring to the table. The only thing I didn't like as someone from the south is they don't offer sweet tea but I can't hold that against the north.
(5)
William T.
Lately ive been craving different Mexican restaurants to try here in Omaha. I've tried this place once before but it was a few years ago and during lunch. They offer a pretty good size buffet during the week and remembered it being good, I think its always good to see local Mexican Americans inside eating the food. The server brought out free chips and salsa. The salsa was good but could be better. The server i think was new to this position or just not that out going. Service was slow. I ordered the steak Fajitas with a house taco and beans and rice, Smelled great when it came to the table. Good taste and I took most of it home because of the portion size. I left feeling full which is always a good sign. The kids menu had some different options that i haven't seen on other Mexican restaurant menus. The kids had steak strips with beans and rice. They said they liked the taste. I really try to get the kids to try something different so they can experience the Mexican cuisine, I think all in all id return and try it again, maybe stop by for lunch on a day off to see what they offer on the buffet. The decorations were pretty cool inside. Dance club connected? Nice part of town, Thanks
(4)
Kevin C.
I was at Guaca Maya for our weekly post-volleyball dinner with our teammates. It was a Tuesday night, and not busy at all. For starters, this place is huge! There is a dining area, a dancing area, and what appeared to be a game area with pool tables. It seems like it would be a good place to host an event, based off of the amount of space. However, looks can be deceiving. We sat down and three of us immediately ordered margaritas on the rocks. As it's a Mexican restaurant - and in South Omaha - I expect it to at least have a DECENT margarita. Boy was I wrong. The drinks got to the table and we all took a drink, looked at each other, and realized that something was missing...There was NO tequila in our drinks. Now, I'm not talking about the kind of drink that you "can't taste the alcohol, but will have a hangover in the morning." No. There was definitely no tequila in the drink. The drink actually tasted pretty close to water. When the waiter stopped by, we asked him how the drink was made, and he explained that they he put tequila in, added their homemade sour mix, and then added orange juice and lime. When we mentioned that our drinks didn't taste right, he swore that he made the drinks himself and did everything correctly, including the tequila. He never offered to get us something else, or to even remake our drinks. So, we sat for the rest of the meal with full margaritas on our table. As for the food, while it was nothing to write home about, it wasn't bad by any means. I had the chorizo torta, and my wife had the steak burrito. Both had good flavor, but certainly not the best in South Omaha. In an area of town with so many great Mexican places, I probably wouldn't come back. When it came time for our checks, our margaritas were still on each of our bills. We explained to the waiter that we would appreciate them being taken off, as none of us touched our drinks. He then went and spoke to his manager, and took the drinks off of our checks, which was appreciated. Overall - it's really not much to write home about. It appears from the other reviews that folks really like the lunch buffet, so maybe stick to that, and definitely stick to a beer.
(2)
James K.
I truly do love this place. Very unique menu compared to all other Mexican restaurants. Very spacious and very open feeling. Nice atmosphere and very good food. I have been here several times for the lunch buffet and it's very delicious and fresh. Always a good crowd. They bring you fresh, homemade tortillas with it in your choice of flour or corn. I've also ordered several items off the menu as well. Steaks and fajitas are very delicious. Shrimps guaca maya are an explosion of flavor that explode in your mouth!!!!!! My go to meal is the molcajete azteca. It is almost like a stew with cactus, chorizo, carne asada and fresh cheese. Soooooo flipping good. Most of the meals are what I look for in a restaurant, ones I could not duplicate. Service is great. Always a hostess ready to seat you. Plenty of attentive wait staff to take orders promptly and keep those drinks filled. Waitresses are all dressed in what I would describe as Chiquita señorita outfits. Waiters are in all black. The chef even wears one of those huge chefs hats. EPIC!!!! Go early for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays though, it turns into a dance club at 9. Do expect a unique dining experience. Do not expect a taqueria or anything Americanized. It's what I would call Mexican fusion.
(5)
KC M.
Best Mexican food in town. Everything is fresh and flavorful. Try the Molcajete Azteca. The decor is beautiful and charming. Since it is in the meatpacking district, it can smell funky in the parking lot, but the inside is clean and smells wonderful.
(5)
Melissa F.
This is some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Everything was great. The restaurant is huge, and decorated beautifully. I had the 2 beef enchiladas platter. I was full before I cleaned my plate, but I wanted to keep eating because if how good it was! My husband had fajitas, and loved it. I highly recommend trying this restaurant.
(5)
Ashley D.
Went back and decided that I'm completely sold. Again - great service, great food. The thing to get is the platter to share, which is a heated plate they serve at your table with tortillas. Each one is different and both that we've tried were just delicious. I can't wait to go back and continue to explore the menu.
(5)
Sarah I.
The best Mexican food I've had since leaving San Antonio. I had some amazing fajitas in view of the lady making tortillas. The only negative was the deafening mariachi band that gave me a headache.
(5)
Katrina B.
I went here with my family after reading good reviews on Yelp. The place is massive and lacking windows. That may be part of a strategy to make people feel like their really in a Mexican resort. The food was ok. We didn't order the guacamole because it was over 9$, which I think is insane. All of the food was good, but not exceptional. My husband specifically asked about what kind of cut a steak item on the menu was, and was misled (not intentionally, mistakenly) about what kind of cut it was. My caldo de camaron was more cabbage soup than shrimp soup. Everything was good, but not awesome or remarkable.
(3)
Savanna F.
Finally decent Mexican food in Omaha. Hit the spot. My picky BF enjoyed it too.
(4)
Ryan t.
Guaca Maya is a unique Mexican joint for a couple of reasons. As in many places and with many different types of ethnic food, to get really good and authentic food, there is a sacrifice in terms of the decor and atmosphere. The food is really good and the place is a dive or the food is really average with a nice dining area. Guaca Maya is a nice restaurant with exceptional and authentic food and excellent service. They make your tortillas at a grill that is fully visible to most of the dining room while you wait for your food, so you know their warmth isn't from a microwave or someone's armpits. If you're looking for a nice place to eat good Mexican food cooked by people from Mexico, Guaca Maya is worth a shot.
(5)
James F.
This place has one of the most decent buffets I've been to. The food is delicious and always fresh. The service has always been wonderful and they even have Prince there. The enchiladas are great as are the desserts!
(4)
Daniel Z.
Terrible! Lunch buffet had nothing on it I wanted to eat.
(1)
Jim B.
I have heard good things about Guaca Maya, especially the lunch buffet, and I recently got to try it. I love all the little authentic restaurants on 24th St. that I have tried, and I had high expectations. I was let down. Everything I tried was bland, except something with good spicy red sauce that had no label so I have no idea what it was. The tortillas were also good, but that was it. There also were not many options for a buffet. This is not the quality of food that I have found elsewhere in South Omaha.
(2)
Justin F.
Huge place, decent mexican food that's more authentic than your standard americanized joint. Wasn't blown away with the flavors and the prices are a bit higher than I expected. Not much else to say.
(3)
Rosalina R.
Well let's see, so far this is THE ONLY dease MExican restaurant in the O - Their lunch buffet was killah...Lengua (Beef tongue) and Nopales (cactus) were up there- Stop eating weak ass tacos and crappy enchiladas and go eat some REAL Mexcian food.
(4)
Andy L.
Wow. Hands down the best Mexican food restaurant I have been to! And trust me, I've lived in many cities in the U.S including Los Angeles, San Fran, etc. The food is authentic and you will never leave that place without being STUFFED! The absolute BEST time to go is for their lunch buffett. They have numerous dishes, cold and hot including salad and soup. They have authentic stuff like carnitas and even beef tongue. Tortillas are warm and freshly made and they even have fried tacos if you like them. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated and clean. I havent even mentioned the best part yet, the buffett is $6.99!!!! I love this place!! Go check it out.
(5)
Paula S.
I really disliked / hated the food at this restaurant. It may be because I'm from San Diego and I'm used to a different type of Mexican food, but I doubt that was it. We ordered a Botana 'Plazera" as an appetizer, everything on this plate tasted exactly the same, bland. I also ordered a combination plate with 2 beef tacos rice and beans. I tried to order my tacos with shredded beef, but they don't serve shredded beef tacos here, so I asked if I could have steak tacos instead, my waiter was happy to make this substitution for me. My tacos came in a cold flour tortilla, I was expecting a hot fried corn tortilla, the steak was cut into minuscule pieces that tasted like rubber. The beans were OK, not refried, the rice was just warm, not hot and very ordinary. I couldn't eat anything except the chips and salsa that were served when we first sat down. I have to say the chips we very good, but the salsa was border line at best. I gave my dinner to my husband (he'll eat anything) and made the mistake an ordered a margarita, thinking how could they mess up a margarita. Well they can and did. My margarita tasted as though it were made from tepid ocean water, very salty and not just from the rim of the glass, it also could have used more ice. The ambiance is nice enough and so was the waiter staff, but the food... NO La Buena Comida!!!!! As you can probably tell, I will not be going back to Guaca Maya. If you want excellent mexican food in Omaha, I highly suggest you give Hector's restaurant a try, you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for something quick and extremely casual I suggest Alvarado's. Their food is wonderful, authentic and very inexpensive.
(1)
mario l.
i'm mexican, so i know about mexican food i know almost every state in this country (usa) and i never tasted better food than in guacamaya i loved the molcajete, with nopales and chorizo and believe, in mexico i hated the nopales hahaha i loved the ground beef soup, its tasty... somepeople says that has not really good flavor, but mexican food must have lots of spieces in usa most mexican restaurants cook insipid, i mean, no flavor food or think like taco johns or cali taco is mexican food only guacamaya has really mexican food of course, cookers are mexicans hahaha love it ohhh and they close at 9 or 5 minutes before because they have the disco-dance mexican baile parties after 9 on weekends yyyyeeeeeeyyyyyyy i love those parties
(5)
Anthony C.
Coming from Chicago where you can get some of the best of any type of food you could want... I'll have to admit this was really tasty and is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Omaha. The meal started with the traditional chips and salsa and they were so-so. The salsa was heavy in tomato flavor and had almost no heat. The chips were basic restaurant chips. Not bad but not great. As far as the meal goes... the beans were flavorful, the rice was cooked perfectly with great flavor, and the chicken tacos were juicy and also full of flavor! The flour tortillas were soft and slightly chewy just like I like. Over all I really enjoyed my meal! Everyone I was with enjoyed their food as well. My S/O had the chicken fajitas and they were perfect. The little one had chicken fingers and there were no complaints from her so they had to be delish! We had a few a piña coladas with dinner and they were nothing to write home about. they were tasty but filled with ice pieces that made it hard to drink. The grenadine at the bottom didn't add much to the drink either. There was a fair amount of alcohol in the drink but not enough to ruin the flavor! All in all I really enjoyed the food, the service, and the ambiance! I finally found a place to go where I can quench my very finicky Mexican food thirst!
(4)
William G.
The place smelled kind of bad. The servers were dressed in "traditional" Mexican dresses which was strange. The glass they brought for my beer was dirty. The menu had way too many items on it and was overwhelming. Maybe they could focus more on a few things. They had some unconventional items - like some dish that involved spaghetti. I had a deep fried Cornish game hen. Something I've never seen at a Mexican restaurant. It was good. It was cooked well. The beans and rice were decent. The food was okay. Nothing special. But it didn't make me sick.
(2)
Matt M.
Went here for the lunch buffet - all I can say is WOW - gotta be the best deal in Omaha. I tried pretty much everything on the buffet and it was all very good - fajitas, al pastor, pork ribs with green chile sauce, roasted chicken, enchiladas and even the tongue was fantastic. It also includes soup, salad bar and a few wonderful desserts. Great service and great food. Forgot to mention the fresh tortillas brought to the table at the beginning - wonderful.
(5)
C R.
I went here with my boyfriends family and the environment was awesome. Bright lights, bells, sombreros, everything. As another user mentioned, the menus were kind of annoying to read. I did notice they tried be humorous about their titles though lol. Like for example the kids menu was labeled, 'For The Little Monsters' which I thought was really cute. Anyways I'm going to say that a 2 star review for a Mexican place is excellent coming from me because I actually hate Mexican food. I can't stand it at all. Foods are bland, fattening etc., and they do not appeal to me at all. The only reason I ate here is because my boyfriend was desperate to try it. I don't want to sound like a complainer but the food I got was actually kind of cold. I had the cheese enchiladas and some coffee and the cheese enchiladas were nothing but a mushy grease fest and the coffee was lukewarm at best. I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the food, but I might give it another chance and update this review at a later date.
(2)
Sarah G.
The lunch buffet was awesome and changed significantly even in the time we were there, I almost couldn't keep up (because of course I had to try everything). A constantly rotating variety of new and different dishes unlike any 'typical' Mexican restaurant. Plus desserts. But I seem to always forget that the lunch buffet is $9.50. Pretty pricey for the area... Monday's they run a special on it for $4.50, so that'd be the time to check it out. And today service was slooow, so I probably won't be back for a while.
(3)
Logan Y.
I took my parents here for dinner based on the reviews of some other on Yelp. The place was kind of hidden, but once you see it you can't miss it. It's a huge place, and it has a very cool ambiance. Their food is a mixture of authentic and tex-mex, but still very affordable. Some of their dishes are downright cheap, and very tasty. Will definitely be back!
(4)
C.M. C.
Good Margarita and Chips & Salsa. The dishes aren't fresh but from a can. What I like to call Mexi-Canned food.
(3)
Jamie L.
I like Guaca Maya - it's fun, and the waitresses dress up and the place is HUGE. The service is always friendly and efficient. Their tacos are very good, but my favorite dish is the posole - only served on the weekends, and a perfect lunch when topped with the cabbage, cilantro, oregano and lime they bring you. They also have some tasty desserts on their lunch buffet, although I skip the buffet and generally order off the menu.
(4)
Lucero V.
Unless you're not mexican, then it's pretty obvious that the food IS NOT authentic or good at all. The food is literally garbage. The ambiance and decor are great, but not worth sacrificing my taste buds for. The buffet is a good deal price wise, but I would not recommend the food to anyone. The cooks definitely need some cooking lessons.
(1)
AD H.
Stopped in a few days ago with my Lil Man and GF, they start you out with their free chips and salsa, which I may say the salsa is bangin' lol its very good, next we decided to get margaritas, well rewind I wanted to try a different drink, but the waiter stated there wasn't a bar tender there and the only thing they knew how to make were margaritas, go figure!! My gf ordered a lime margarita on the rocks and I ordered a blended strawberry margarita, not a SLUSHY, uggg....its really not that hard, it was the worst margarita ever, but watev. So I ordered the mixed fajita which consisted of shrimp, chicken, and steak, I must say it was quite tasty, my partner ordered the enchilada taco meal, with a beef tostada on the side, lol way too much food, btw everything is supposedly made fresh here, I can believe that for the most part , but the enchilada did look a lil old, lol, but the best meal was lil man's meal, he had a chicken quesadilla, OMG so good. Next time I go here I'm ordering off of the kids menu lol so serious. O yea the decor sucks, they really need to update it.
(3)
D C.
Mmmm. Very good 'Real' Mexican food. Grew up in southern california and this is pretty close to the joints they have out there. It has all the mexican food you could want, and everything is called the right things [ie Polla, Carnites, Carne Asada] That and most of the people are not Grinos like me, which is a good thing. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Oscar G.
I went here for the first time for a solo lunch. First impression was that the restaurant is very big and clean. I did the lunch buffet, and was fairly impressed. The choices were many and all were very tasty. My only gripe is that you initially get three tortillas (based on one person), but they charge an extra .79 if you want more. Whatever, it is what they charge for tortillas (and the corn ones are homemade and awesome). The service is also good. So are their churros.
(4)
Erica J.
I took my relatives here and they loved it... I'm used to eating in hole-in-the-wall taquerias so I wasn't overly impressed, but they have a few things going for them. First off, this place is very gringo-friendly. The staff almost all (if not all) speak English that you can understand. The decor is flat out awesome: bright colors, piñatas, all the ladies in traditional Mexican dresses, the person making tortillas while you eat. etc. The food is decent... not the best I've had but certainly not the worst, either. I just can not stand their menu, though. It's incredibly difficult to read with the fonts and pictures and everything just scrambled together. Seriously, it takes me forever to decide what to eat because it takes me that long just to read the menu. The service was very timely and friendly, and they were willing to make accommodations to our requests.
(3)
Matt J.
Went here on a Friday night. Got there and the door was locked @ 8:55PM. They close 9:00PM even on the weekends... I was highly disappointed since the place was packed out but the front door was locked. WTF? We had drove across town to go here and the place was already "closed". I didn't even get a chance to eat here but it really kind of ticked me off they close so early. I mean seriously... 9:00PM on weekends? I'll update my review if I ever get a chance to eat here... If I ever decide to go back.
(2)
Patrick W.
I've never been to the restaurant but I've heard much about it. So when I went back to Taste of Omaha for a second day on Saturday and saw that they had a booth, I decided to finally give it a try. I ordered a beef taco and a beef enchilada for a total of 8 tickets ($5). The taco shell was crunchy and very tasty. It may have been friend. The beef was seasoned and the other ingredients were pretty standard (lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes). Not very authentic, not sure if that's because of the environment or if its always that way. I will say its a pretty good taco. The enchilada wasn't as good, however. It lacked taste and there wasn't much sauce. If in the neighborhood, I would definitely give it a chance.
(3)
Lori K.
Good food. Had the buffet. Would have been great if there were labels on the food so we didn't have to guess. Nice service.
(3)
Diana C.
The lunch buffet is excellent. Great food, good flavors. The past few years, I had only been to Guaca Maya for lunch and it is well worth the trip. If you are in a rush, make sure to ask for your bill early on and try to pay before a line forms. Paying the bill will take quite a bit of time. Don't wait until the last minute. We finally decided to try the restaurant for dinner. As for dinner, I was rather disappointed in the meal. I ordered the fajita trio. The tomatoes and bell peppers on the skillet were fresh and just about as perfect as you could get. The meat...well...not one ounce of seasoning. No salt, no spices...just plain meat. I was rather disappointed. The salt and salsa at the table did not add enough flavor. The plate that came with it had a tablespoon of sour cream and guacamole, a few spoonfuls of rice and beans, and nothing else. My daughter's kid's taco had meat and a tiny bit of cheese. They could have added something. She had fries with the taco. The service was incredibly slow. If you have a crowd and plan to do a lot of talking, that may not be a bad thing. I was with an 8 year old and the wait was too long for the two of us. The hostess was on the phone about half of the time we were there talking to her friends. She would disappear at times and we stood at the counter for 5 minutes waiting to pay. The decor is fun and there is always something interesting to look at around the restaurant.
(3)
James U.
We went to this place because my sister had to write a 'cultural report' for some class. I had heard that it was super authentic and a fun place to go. Strikes on both accounts. As for the fun-ness, it is brightly decorated and there are lots of lights and stuff, but it's pretty kitchy. I guess that 'authentic mexican decorations' would be like 'authentic american decorations' AKA, whatever the owner likes. The mariachi band was good, so that was fun, but they wouldn't come over to the table of white folks until my sister offered them money. The food, however, is really good mexican. I like that the lady who makes the tortillas has a little station right out front, so you can watch her make tortillas if you don't want to talk to your family. Overall, I think that the food is good, but if you aren't into the kitch factor, you are better off with someplace like El Alamo at 24th and L.
(3)
Cory B.
I've only been here for lunch. I had the buffet both times and for $7 you cannot beat it. Authentic traditional Mexican dishes, nothing Americanized here.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Seth R.
We went after seeing the rave reviews of the lunch buffet. The ambiance of this restaurant and bar puts you in a mood for some great Mexican food. The chicken was my favorite thing on the buffet. There was a great variety of food on the buffet including pork, steak, chicken dishes. The Fajitas was a combo meat mix that included shrimp! The made fresh tortillas were thin and excellent. Guaca Maya caters well to people who like seafood. I didn't think the rice and beans were seasoned well, but they had a bunch of shakers to help spice things up a bit. I got the feeling this place could be hopping at night with the gigantic bar, dance floor area and party rooms. The service was great, we never had our used buffet plates sit very long and refills came without needing to ask. This place didn't wow me with excellent food, but did have great service and came with decent value. I'd try something else out here.
(3)Mark C.
All you can eat Mexican buffet for less than $10.00 at lunch is pretty good Restaurant is large and fairly spacious. Decorated with various items from Mexico with the waiters and waitresses dressed in authentic garb Good quick service. The buffet had 4 to 5 different meats to include pork, couple types of beef, chicken, etc with a variety of rices and fried taquitos and such Also had a salad bar along with 4 or so types of dessert Worth the trip
(3)Brittany S.
This place is amazing. We go here way to often. It is the place to go when we are celebrating anything. We always get the Solderdia And The botaña platter appetizer. The services it great even when it is busy. The food is very very authentic so don't come her if your favorite restaurant is Carlos o Kelly's! The tortillas are homemade and cooked to order in front of you. The servings are also enough to take home for another full dinner for 2 if you get their platters for two. I would recommend stepping out of your normal comfort zone that you would order at a Mexican joint this whole Menu it amazing.
(5)Will S.
I've been to Guaca Maya twice now and have to say it's A-OK. By day, it's a family-friendly restaurant, decked out in a historic Mexico-themed, complete with servers wearing throwback uniforms. Kind of weird, if you ask me. By night, it's a dance club that has a sketchy reputation. But no matter, the food is made fresh on site and it's on par with the many taquerias nearby. I especially love the fact that there is someone making tortillas of all shapes and sizes right in front of guests as they walk in. (And I have to say the corn tortillas from my asada tacos were among the freshest I've ever tasted.) We were there during the lunch buffet, but opted out of paying $9.50 to stuff ourselves silly. Instead were ordered entrees that were about $6-$8 a plate. My two asada tacos came with a healthy side of rice and beans, as did my wife's enchiladas. And I have to say I'm not a huge fan of the rice/beans thing -- I'd of rather had a third taco. And even for $6-$8, a meal at Guaca Maya is still more than you'd pay for a similar meal at a lot of nearby places. While Guaca Maya is the type of authentic Mexican restaurant you can take your grandparents to, next time around I'd personally opt for something a little more adventurous, especially in South O.
(3)Elena M.
We liked the food. We loved the music playing and my daughter loved watching the group practicing their dance.
(4)Noah C.
Ordered some amazing fajitas for dinner. The atmosphere was great. The building is huge and decorated to look authentic. Even the workers were dressed appropriately. A lady was making torillas at a grill for all to see during the whole time. I heard they have a dance floor or such but did not get the chance to experience that. The service was great, prompt, and helpful. The food was also very good! The fajitas were amazing. Alot of food.
(5)Brandy V.
My favorite Mexican. Inside is amazing. Traditional everything. Very nice taste. Horchadas are the best. Fresh fresh fresh.
(5)Karina G.
Visiting omaha I was looking some althentic mexican food And This is the best tasting most affortable food i have had!! I loved there lunch buffet the food was delicious.They have alot of options to pick from enchiladas , carnitas, flautas ,etc. When visiting omaha I will defiantly be back. If you love enchiladas these are the best I have ever had !!!
(5)Tonya B.
Huge restaurant. Everything we had was great! Smells outside due to being close to meat plant.
(4)Chris B.
It's pretty unique and cool inside. I'd recommend mixed fajitas or enchiladas. It's not a bad bang for your buck either. It's one of the few Mexican joints I frequent and I would recommend the place. There is a lunch buffet as well but the offerings change. I would be sure to go see what's available before you order it.
(4)Kristine N.
When you walk into this place it looks like a huge, cheesy, mexican inspired restaurant but the food is actually pretty authentic and delicious. You get so much food for the price you're paying. We ordered the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. It came with saltines and the cocktail had shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It was soooooooooo good. I definitely recommend that. I ordered the griddles whole red snapper in garlic sauce. It was huge, crispy, with a subtle hint of garlic. There's no way one person could eat the whole thing. Come with a salad, rice, and beans. Yum, I'm still thinking about that fish. A coworker ordered the steak and shrimp. Said everything was cooked perfectly and had delicious marinades. Service is friendly, loved the girls in their dresses. Their food is never precooked so be prepared to wait about 20 minutes for your main dishes to arrive. Trust me, it's worth it!
(4)Julie S.
The food is very good, great atmosphere and service is excellent. A lot of food for your buck!
(5)Kaeli N.
I have eaten here twice now and have extremely enjoyed the food and the service. The atmosphere is very nice and is very family friendly. It was somewhat hard to find as I am not familiar with Omaha at all but it sure was a great find! I can not wait to go back.
(5)Mark G.
Mexican buffet done right, can't beat that. I haven't came across too many of them. Food is good, seasoned and spiced well, which isn't always a guarantee in my experiences. More on the authentic side, has some dishes you may not see at your typical Midwestern spot, give this one a try , more than likely will enjoy the food.
(4)Reed N.
A Mexican buffet? Yes! God help me. Surrounded by meat packing plants, you may want to steer clear of beef items here. lol Or just dive right in... what the hell! The buffet had beef enchiladas, chicken mole, at least 5 pork dishes including rib tips done two different ways. There was plenty of protein available. I would say the items were mostly 3 star, but to have a Mexi-centric buffet is worth the extra star. And service from the ladies roaming in nice Mexican dresses was excellent!
(4)Tom K.
Very good food. Very, very cheap. Excellent parking situation. Very authentic.
(4)Taylor N.
You cannot beat this place for good, authentic Mexican food and a lively, homestyle atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable and they offer a buffet during the lunch hours. The buffet I would say is a "steal" for the quantity and quality of food you get!
(4)Jenny B.
Guaca Maya has a fun atmosphere--the place is huge, has multiple rooms including a bar and pool tables, and there are lots of fun decorations. Any time I have been there were people playing mariachi or guitar music. They have a large variety of food apart from your "standard" Mexican fare, including seafood. My favorite thing I've had here is the (freshly made) guacamole.
(3)Ramon B.
Proof that you cannot judge a book by its cover, depending which direction you approach this place from you will think you are looking at a meat packing plant or something that goes with the industrial surroundings. It isn't till you get up to the restuarant that you see that it is just that. Once inside, though, the memory of what was your first impression will melt away because the inside is quite a sight. A mixture of an authentic mexican dining setting, coupled with the bright flair of a hip gay bar. I like the blending of styles just because I'm easily distracted by shiny things. As for the food, the menu is large and has variety. Everyone will find something on this menu from its traditonal plates to the monstrous platters that can slay a large family! I won't say its the freshest seafood in Omaha but if you want some good "south of the border" seafood in abundance here is your place! My personal favorite is hitting them up between 11am-3pm for their lunch buffet. 2 people getting fully loaded for $14 is what I'm talking about! Its all pretty good, convenient and cheap! So the outside does take away a bit from it and MOST the food is pretty good, but the service is good, the inside is interesting and the buffet is my happy spot. I'd recommend this place to anyone. Eat up Minions!!
(4)Dino O.
I went back to Guaca Maya last night. The place is stunning, and servers are dressed to the 9's and very friendly. We had the #5 meal for two. It is kind of a build your own meal. I loved it. I LOVED IT!. It was $24 and had homemade soup, best fresh salsa and chips. The platter comes out on a table barbecue. It had a cheese fondue I would have been happy to pay $24 for. Beef, pork, chicken, potato's, and rice. Handmade flour tortia's. Left overs for days! Best of all the service. Perfect. Fast, Friendly, pretty, and we did not need to ask for a thing. My Iced tea was full but she carefully dropped of a new glass without interruption of conversation. This place is one of Omaha's best. Definitely the best service in Omaha. This is the perfect date place. Get the #5!! I am dreaming of my next return. Once you walk in- you are no longer in the mid-west but topical get-a-way. One of my favorite places to go.
(5)Lianna N.
Shimmery streamers hanging from the ceiling, full bar, pool table and Mexican music playing in the background. If this sounds homey and familiar, you will love Guaca Maya. The restaurant is huge, and the portions are fair. Is it strange that I always comment on portion sizes within the first few sentences? Anyhow, the lunch buffet didnt look my style so I went with the enchiladas and chile relleno. Tasty, but just average to me, nothing I would rush back for. Ive had some better mexican down south 24th street. If only I could speak spanish and have some memory of the names... then i could possibly review them. usually I go by the colorful signs and landmarks nearby when going there. The wait staff was nice and obliging, wearing colorful traditional looking dresses (if they are not traditional, dont get your knickers in a bunch, I apologize). My boy got did buffet and claims he liked it lot, with the exception of a few pieces of dry-ish meat. good variety with the buffet and only 7 bucks. The fresh chips and salsa were my favorite part of the meal. Would go again, but probably not soon.
(3)John L.
The food is always good and the staff has always been very friendly and timely.The decor is ok.I go for the food though.Can't wait to go there again.
(4)Joe T.
From the land of 24 hours taco shops and Spanish being the primary language in some areas, I was surprised how good the food was here. I thought for a moment I was back home instead of Omaha. Definitely worth a stop if you want good Mexican food.
(4)Shawn G.
I need to stop going to so many tasty places. My good reviews are starting to outweigh the bad ones! Guaca Maya was delicious. All I ate was the Alfredo-Spaghetti-Shrimp-Plantain concoction that I'm told is actually quite popular in parts of Mexico. It cost around 30 bucks and was a veritable mountain of flavor that provided us with two dinners and two more lunches thereafter. My fellow diners had steak fajitas that I'm told were equally delicious. If you haven't guessed from reading other reviews, the place is in an old meat packing plant. Don't let that discourage you, though, the interior is clean and neat, and the food is well worth the trip.
(4)Liz W.
Pleasantly surprised at the variety available at the lunch buffet. Buffet included Pozole (hominy & pork) and menudo (tripe) soups, charro beans, about 6 meat dishes including goat, carnitas, & pork rinds in a spicy green chile sauce. We asked for a mix of flour & corn tortillas, both were made on the spot & were perfect. Worth a visit!
(4)Matthew M.
Customer service was quick and on point. The food was all fresh and home made including the corn tortillas they bring to the table. The only thing I didn't like as someone from the south is they don't offer sweet tea but I can't hold that against the north.
(5)William T.
Lately ive been craving different Mexican restaurants to try here in Omaha. I've tried this place once before but it was a few years ago and during lunch. They offer a pretty good size buffet during the week and remembered it being good, I think its always good to see local Mexican Americans inside eating the food. The server brought out free chips and salsa. The salsa was good but could be better. The server i think was new to this position or just not that out going. Service was slow. I ordered the steak Fajitas with a house taco and beans and rice, Smelled great when it came to the table. Good taste and I took most of it home because of the portion size. I left feeling full which is always a good sign. The kids menu had some different options that i haven't seen on other Mexican restaurant menus. The kids had steak strips with beans and rice. They said they liked the taste. I really try to get the kids to try something different so they can experience the Mexican cuisine, I think all in all id return and try it again, maybe stop by for lunch on a day off to see what they offer on the buffet. The decorations were pretty cool inside. Dance club connected? Nice part of town, Thanks
(4)Kevin C.
I was at Guaca Maya for our weekly post-volleyball dinner with our teammates. It was a Tuesday night, and not busy at all. For starters, this place is huge! There is a dining area, a dancing area, and what appeared to be a game area with pool tables. It seems like it would be a good place to host an event, based off of the amount of space. However, looks can be deceiving. We sat down and three of us immediately ordered margaritas on the rocks. As it's a Mexican restaurant - and in South Omaha - I expect it to at least have a DECENT margarita. Boy was I wrong. The drinks got to the table and we all took a drink, looked at each other, and realized that something was missing...There was NO tequila in our drinks. Now, I'm not talking about the kind of drink that you "can't taste the alcohol, but will have a hangover in the morning." No. There was definitely no tequila in the drink. The drink actually tasted pretty close to water. When the waiter stopped by, we asked him how the drink was made, and he explained that they he put tequila in, added their homemade sour mix, and then added orange juice and lime. When we mentioned that our drinks didn't taste right, he swore that he made the drinks himself and did everything correctly, including the tequila. He never offered to get us something else, or to even remake our drinks. So, we sat for the rest of the meal with full margaritas on our table. As for the food, while it was nothing to write home about, it wasn't bad by any means. I had the chorizo torta, and my wife had the steak burrito. Both had good flavor, but certainly not the best in South Omaha. In an area of town with so many great Mexican places, I probably wouldn't come back. When it came time for our checks, our margaritas were still on each of our bills. We explained to the waiter that we would appreciate them being taken off, as none of us touched our drinks. He then went and spoke to his manager, and took the drinks off of our checks, which was appreciated. Overall - it's really not much to write home about. It appears from the other reviews that folks really like the lunch buffet, so maybe stick to that, and definitely stick to a beer.
(2)James K.
I truly do love this place. Very unique menu compared to all other Mexican restaurants. Very spacious and very open feeling. Nice atmosphere and very good food. I have been here several times for the lunch buffet and it's very delicious and fresh. Always a good crowd. They bring you fresh, homemade tortillas with it in your choice of flour or corn. I've also ordered several items off the menu as well. Steaks and fajitas are very delicious. Shrimps guaca maya are an explosion of flavor that explode in your mouth!!!!!! My go to meal is the molcajete azteca. It is almost like a stew with cactus, chorizo, carne asada and fresh cheese. Soooooo flipping good. Most of the meals are what I look for in a restaurant, ones I could not duplicate. Service is great. Always a hostess ready to seat you. Plenty of attentive wait staff to take orders promptly and keep those drinks filled. Waitresses are all dressed in what I would describe as Chiquita señorita outfits. Waiters are in all black. The chef even wears one of those huge chefs hats. EPIC!!!! Go early for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays though, it turns into a dance club at 9. Do expect a unique dining experience. Do not expect a taqueria or anything Americanized. It's what I would call Mexican fusion.
(5)KC M.
Best Mexican food in town. Everything is fresh and flavorful. Try the Molcajete Azteca. The decor is beautiful and charming. Since it is in the meatpacking district, it can smell funky in the parking lot, but the inside is clean and smells wonderful.
(5)Melissa F.
This is some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Everything was great. The restaurant is huge, and decorated beautifully. I had the 2 beef enchiladas platter. I was full before I cleaned my plate, but I wanted to keep eating because if how good it was! My husband had fajitas, and loved it. I highly recommend trying this restaurant.
(5)Ashley D.
Went back and decided that I'm completely sold. Again - great service, great food. The thing to get is the platter to share, which is a heated plate they serve at your table with tortillas. Each one is different and both that we've tried were just delicious. I can't wait to go back and continue to explore the menu.
(5)Sarah I.
The best Mexican food I've had since leaving San Antonio. I had some amazing fajitas in view of the lady making tortillas. The only negative was the deafening mariachi band that gave me a headache.
(5)Katrina B.
I went here with my family after reading good reviews on Yelp. The place is massive and lacking windows. That may be part of a strategy to make people feel like their really in a Mexican resort. The food was ok. We didn't order the guacamole because it was over 9$, which I think is insane. All of the food was good, but not exceptional. My husband specifically asked about what kind of cut a steak item on the menu was, and was misled (not intentionally, mistakenly) about what kind of cut it was. My caldo de camaron was more cabbage soup than shrimp soup. Everything was good, but not awesome or remarkable.
(3)Savanna F.
Finally decent Mexican food in Omaha. Hit the spot. My picky BF enjoyed it too.
(4)Ryan t.
Guaca Maya is a unique Mexican joint for a couple of reasons. As in many places and with many different types of ethnic food, to get really good and authentic food, there is a sacrifice in terms of the decor and atmosphere. The food is really good and the place is a dive or the food is really average with a nice dining area. Guaca Maya is a nice restaurant with exceptional and authentic food and excellent service. They make your tortillas at a grill that is fully visible to most of the dining room while you wait for your food, so you know their warmth isn't from a microwave or someone's armpits. If you're looking for a nice place to eat good Mexican food cooked by people from Mexico, Guaca Maya is worth a shot.
(5)James F.
This place has one of the most decent buffets I've been to. The food is delicious and always fresh. The service has always been wonderful and they even have Prince there. The enchiladas are great as are the desserts!
(4)Daniel Z.
Terrible! Lunch buffet had nothing on it I wanted to eat.
(1)Jim B.
I have heard good things about Guaca Maya, especially the lunch buffet, and I recently got to try it. I love all the little authentic restaurants on 24th St. that I have tried, and I had high expectations. I was let down. Everything I tried was bland, except something with good spicy red sauce that had no label so I have no idea what it was. The tortillas were also good, but that was it. There also were not many options for a buffet. This is not the quality of food that I have found elsewhere in South Omaha.
(2)Justin F.
Huge place, decent mexican food that's more authentic than your standard americanized joint. Wasn't blown away with the flavors and the prices are a bit higher than I expected. Not much else to say.
(3)Rosalina R.
Well let's see, so far this is THE ONLY dease MExican restaurant in the O - Their lunch buffet was killah...Lengua (Beef tongue) and Nopales (cactus) were up there- Stop eating weak ass tacos and crappy enchiladas and go eat some REAL Mexcian food.
(4)Andy L.
Wow. Hands down the best Mexican food restaurant I have been to! And trust me, I've lived in many cities in the U.S including Los Angeles, San Fran, etc. The food is authentic and you will never leave that place without being STUFFED! The absolute BEST time to go is for their lunch buffett. They have numerous dishes, cold and hot including salad and soup. They have authentic stuff like carnitas and even beef tongue. Tortillas are warm and freshly made and they even have fried tacos if you like them. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated and clean. I havent even mentioned the best part yet, the buffett is $6.99!!!! I love this place!! Go check it out.
(5)Paula S.
I really disliked / hated the food at this restaurant. It may be because I'm from San Diego and I'm used to a different type of Mexican food, but I doubt that was it. We ordered a Botana 'Plazera" as an appetizer, everything on this plate tasted exactly the same, bland. I also ordered a combination plate with 2 beef tacos rice and beans. I tried to order my tacos with shredded beef, but they don't serve shredded beef tacos here, so I asked if I could have steak tacos instead, my waiter was happy to make this substitution for me. My tacos came in a cold flour tortilla, I was expecting a hot fried corn tortilla, the steak was cut into minuscule pieces that tasted like rubber. The beans were OK, not refried, the rice was just warm, not hot and very ordinary. I couldn't eat anything except the chips and salsa that were served when we first sat down. I have to say the chips we very good, but the salsa was border line at best. I gave my dinner to my husband (he'll eat anything) and made the mistake an ordered a margarita, thinking how could they mess up a margarita. Well they can and did. My margarita tasted as though it were made from tepid ocean water, very salty and not just from the rim of the glass, it also could have used more ice. The ambiance is nice enough and so was the waiter staff, but the food... NO La Buena Comida!!!!! As you can probably tell, I will not be going back to Guaca Maya. If you want excellent mexican food in Omaha, I highly suggest you give Hector's restaurant a try, you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for something quick and extremely casual I suggest Alvarado's. Their food is wonderful, authentic and very inexpensive.
(1)mario l.
i'm mexican, so i know about mexican food i know almost every state in this country (usa) and i never tasted better food than in guacamaya i loved the molcajete, with nopales and chorizo and believe, in mexico i hated the nopales hahaha i loved the ground beef soup, its tasty... somepeople says that has not really good flavor, but mexican food must have lots of spieces in usa most mexican restaurants cook insipid, i mean, no flavor food or think like taco johns or cali taco is mexican food only guacamaya has really mexican food of course, cookers are mexicans hahaha love it ohhh and they close at 9 or 5 minutes before because they have the disco-dance mexican baile parties after 9 on weekends yyyyeeeeeeyyyyyyy i love those parties
(5)Anthony C.
Coming from Chicago where you can get some of the best of any type of food you could want... I'll have to admit this was really tasty and is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Omaha. The meal started with the traditional chips and salsa and they were so-so. The salsa was heavy in tomato flavor and had almost no heat. The chips were basic restaurant chips. Not bad but not great. As far as the meal goes... the beans were flavorful, the rice was cooked perfectly with great flavor, and the chicken tacos were juicy and also full of flavor! The flour tortillas were soft and slightly chewy just like I like. Over all I really enjoyed my meal! Everyone I was with enjoyed their food as well. My S/O had the chicken fajitas and they were perfect. The little one had chicken fingers and there were no complaints from her so they had to be delish! We had a few a piña coladas with dinner and they were nothing to write home about. they were tasty but filled with ice pieces that made it hard to drink. The grenadine at the bottom didn't add much to the drink either. There was a fair amount of alcohol in the drink but not enough to ruin the flavor! All in all I really enjoyed the food, the service, and the ambiance! I finally found a place to go where I can quench my very finicky Mexican food thirst!
(4)William G.
The place smelled kind of bad. The servers were dressed in "traditional" Mexican dresses which was strange. The glass they brought for my beer was dirty. The menu had way too many items on it and was overwhelming. Maybe they could focus more on a few things. They had some unconventional items - like some dish that involved spaghetti. I had a deep fried Cornish game hen. Something I've never seen at a Mexican restaurant. It was good. It was cooked well. The beans and rice were decent. The food was okay. Nothing special. But it didn't make me sick.
(2)Matt M.
Went here for the lunch buffet - all I can say is WOW - gotta be the best deal in Omaha. I tried pretty much everything on the buffet and it was all very good - fajitas, al pastor, pork ribs with green chile sauce, roasted chicken, enchiladas and even the tongue was fantastic. It also includes soup, salad bar and a few wonderful desserts. Great service and great food. Forgot to mention the fresh tortillas brought to the table at the beginning - wonderful.
(5)C R.
I went here with my boyfriends family and the environment was awesome. Bright lights, bells, sombreros, everything. As another user mentioned, the menus were kind of annoying to read. I did notice they tried be humorous about their titles though lol. Like for example the kids menu was labeled, 'For The Little Monsters' which I thought was really cute. Anyways I'm going to say that a 2 star review for a Mexican place is excellent coming from me because I actually hate Mexican food. I can't stand it at all. Foods are bland, fattening etc., and they do not appeal to me at all. The only reason I ate here is because my boyfriend was desperate to try it. I don't want to sound like a complainer but the food I got was actually kind of cold. I had the cheese enchiladas and some coffee and the cheese enchiladas were nothing but a mushy grease fest and the coffee was lukewarm at best. I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the food, but I might give it another chance and update this review at a later date.
(2)Sarah G.
The lunch buffet was awesome and changed significantly even in the time we were there, I almost couldn't keep up (because of course I had to try everything). A constantly rotating variety of new and different dishes unlike any 'typical' Mexican restaurant. Plus desserts. But I seem to always forget that the lunch buffet is $9.50. Pretty pricey for the area... Monday's they run a special on it for $4.50, so that'd be the time to check it out. And today service was slooow, so I probably won't be back for a while.
(3)Logan Y.
I took my parents here for dinner based on the reviews of some other on Yelp. The place was kind of hidden, but once you see it you can't miss it. It's a huge place, and it has a very cool ambiance. Their food is a mixture of authentic and tex-mex, but still very affordable. Some of their dishes are downright cheap, and very tasty. Will definitely be back!
(4)C.M. C.
Good Margarita and Chips & Salsa. The dishes aren't fresh but from a can. What I like to call Mexi-Canned food.
(3)Jamie L.
I like Guaca Maya - it's fun, and the waitresses dress up and the place is HUGE. The service is always friendly and efficient. Their tacos are very good, but my favorite dish is the posole - only served on the weekends, and a perfect lunch when topped with the cabbage, cilantro, oregano and lime they bring you. They also have some tasty desserts on their lunch buffet, although I skip the buffet and generally order off the menu.
(4)Lucero V.
Unless you're not mexican, then it's pretty obvious that the food IS NOT authentic or good at all. The food is literally garbage. The ambiance and decor are great, but not worth sacrificing my taste buds for. The buffet is a good deal price wise, but I would not recommend the food to anyone. The cooks definitely need some cooking lessons.
(1)AD H.
Stopped in a few days ago with my Lil Man and GF, they start you out with their free chips and salsa, which I may say the salsa is bangin' lol its very good, next we decided to get margaritas, well rewind I wanted to try a different drink, but the waiter stated there wasn't a bar tender there and the only thing they knew how to make were margaritas, go figure!! My gf ordered a lime margarita on the rocks and I ordered a blended strawberry margarita, not a SLUSHY, uggg....its really not that hard, it was the worst margarita ever, but watev. So I ordered the mixed fajita which consisted of shrimp, chicken, and steak, I must say it was quite tasty, my partner ordered the enchilada taco meal, with a beef tostada on the side, lol way too much food, btw everything is supposedly made fresh here, I can believe that for the most part , but the enchilada did look a lil old, lol, but the best meal was lil man's meal, he had a chicken quesadilla, OMG so good. Next time I go here I'm ordering off of the kids menu lol so serious. O yea the decor sucks, they really need to update it.
(3)D C.
Mmmm. Very good 'Real' Mexican food. Grew up in southern california and this is pretty close to the joints they have out there. It has all the mexican food you could want, and everything is called the right things [ie Polla, Carnites, Carne Asada] That and most of the people are not Grinos like me, which is a good thing. Will definitely be back.
(4)Oscar G.
I went here for the first time for a solo lunch. First impression was that the restaurant is very big and clean. I did the lunch buffet, and was fairly impressed. The choices were many and all were very tasty. My only gripe is that you initially get three tortillas (based on one person), but they charge an extra .79 if you want more. Whatever, it is what they charge for tortillas (and the corn ones are homemade and awesome). The service is also good. So are their churros.
(4)Erica J.
I took my relatives here and they loved it... I'm used to eating in hole-in-the-wall taquerias so I wasn't overly impressed, but they have a few things going for them. First off, this place is very gringo-friendly. The staff almost all (if not all) speak English that you can understand. The decor is flat out awesome: bright colors, piñatas, all the ladies in traditional Mexican dresses, the person making tortillas while you eat. etc. The food is decent... not the best I've had but certainly not the worst, either. I just can not stand their menu, though. It's incredibly difficult to read with the fonts and pictures and everything just scrambled together. Seriously, it takes me forever to decide what to eat because it takes me that long just to read the menu. The service was very timely and friendly, and they were willing to make accommodations to our requests.
(3)Matt J.
Went here on a Friday night. Got there and the door was locked @ 8:55PM. They close 9:00PM even on the weekends... I was highly disappointed since the place was packed out but the front door was locked. WTF? We had drove across town to go here and the place was already "closed". I didn't even get a chance to eat here but it really kind of ticked me off they close so early. I mean seriously... 9:00PM on weekends? I'll update my review if I ever get a chance to eat here... If I ever decide to go back.
(2)Patrick W.
I've never been to the restaurant but I've heard much about it. So when I went back to Taste of Omaha for a second day on Saturday and saw that they had a booth, I decided to finally give it a try. I ordered a beef taco and a beef enchilada for a total of 8 tickets ($5). The taco shell was crunchy and very tasty. It may have been friend. The beef was seasoned and the other ingredients were pretty standard (lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes). Not very authentic, not sure if that's because of the environment or if its always that way. I will say its a pretty good taco. The enchilada wasn't as good, however. It lacked taste and there wasn't much sauce. If in the neighborhood, I would definitely give it a chance.
(3)Lori K.
Good food. Had the buffet. Would have been great if there were labels on the food so we didn't have to guess. Nice service.
(3)Diana C.
The lunch buffet is excellent. Great food, good flavors. The past few years, I had only been to Guaca Maya for lunch and it is well worth the trip. If you are in a rush, make sure to ask for your bill early on and try to pay before a line forms. Paying the bill will take quite a bit of time. Don't wait until the last minute. We finally decided to try the restaurant for dinner. As for dinner, I was rather disappointed in the meal. I ordered the fajita trio. The tomatoes and bell peppers on the skillet were fresh and just about as perfect as you could get. The meat...well...not one ounce of seasoning. No salt, no spices...just plain meat. I was rather disappointed. The salt and salsa at the table did not add enough flavor. The plate that came with it had a tablespoon of sour cream and guacamole, a few spoonfuls of rice and beans, and nothing else. My daughter's kid's taco had meat and a tiny bit of cheese. They could have added something. She had fries with the taco. The service was incredibly slow. If you have a crowd and plan to do a lot of talking, that may not be a bad thing. I was with an 8 year old and the wait was too long for the two of us. The hostess was on the phone about half of the time we were there talking to her friends. She would disappear at times and we stood at the counter for 5 minutes waiting to pay. The decor is fun and there is always something interesting to look at around the restaurant.
(3)James U.
We went to this place because my sister had to write a 'cultural report' for some class. I had heard that it was super authentic and a fun place to go. Strikes on both accounts. As for the fun-ness, it is brightly decorated and there are lots of lights and stuff, but it's pretty kitchy. I guess that 'authentic mexican decorations' would be like 'authentic american decorations' AKA, whatever the owner likes. The mariachi band was good, so that was fun, but they wouldn't come over to the table of white folks until my sister offered them money. The food, however, is really good mexican. I like that the lady who makes the tortillas has a little station right out front, so you can watch her make tortillas if you don't want to talk to your family. Overall, I think that the food is good, but if you aren't into the kitch factor, you are better off with someplace like El Alamo at 24th and L.
(3)Cory B.
I've only been here for lunch. I had the buffet both times and for $7 you cannot beat it. Authentic traditional Mexican dishes, nothing Americanized here.
(4)