Guacamole Maya is exceptional! My favorite Mexican place in the area. The only one I've found that has Mexican pasta which is excellent too. read more

I got food poisoning from this place. I was so sick. I usually don't write this negative review, but I had to warn. read more

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It is a welcome addition to to the area real deal Mexican I felt like I was back in Dallas we opted for take away and it was packed with goodness I had the choio polo and I was not disappointed fresh hot and just like home they packed a bag of fresh chips and salsa only caveat was the salsa was very midwest as to heat oh well considering the local I give them a break on that It was decorated like a real deal Mexican place and the staff is real deal as well very good place great people read more

El Maya has the best STAFF and FOOD! Never had a bad meal and service is always on point!

While ordering from a full menu that was moderately priced $$ and very authentic with a Southwest Arizona flair, I decided upon Enchiladas Mexicanas which had three chicken enchiladas topped with melted cheese and salsa--delicious.The big strips of chicken was tender with well seasoned spices that parlayed down your throat. The refried rice was tasty but in a small sampling as well as the beans. The side order of Guacamole was mixed with fresh guacamole and a paste yet still seasoned well to make it taste authentic. The twenty or so patrons seemed happy as they enjoyed the aroma of various dishes in an environment that was full of satisfied customers. An excellent place to dine or out-- Andele! read more

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The food is always fresh and delicious, the service is top notch, there is plenty of space and it's very clean, highly recommend El Maya!!

The service was great and the food was even better! I also loved the atmosphere! I ordered the number 8 dinner combination and it was great! read more

El Maya Mexican Resteraunt - 8. 2 Beef Tacos, Rice and Beans Dinner Combination - Mexican Near Me - Norwalk, Iowa

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Good food, lousy service. We had to continually get up and ask for things like extra water because we were thirsty, extra napkins for the toddlers, and so forth. Plus the floor was sticking to my tennis shoes. In Sharp contrast, the food was good. read more

Located in a strip center El Maya offers a wide variety of Mexican food. However, the variety may be plentiful, execution needs moderate improvement. My companions nachos looked like a mess while large in quantity. She also said it tasted mediocre at best. I got the nacho grande. The chicken burrito lacked flavor and the beef one was greasy and bland. Service was fine. Ambiance was okay. I noticed the frozen margarita machine wasn't operating which I think is a bad sign. Overall I don't know if they care about the quality of food so the next time I want Mexican I will head down the street where my experience has been better. read more

Stopped in to avoid cooking on a Wednesday night. We were immediately greeted and lead to a booth. The waitress took our drink order and brought chips and salsa very promptly. Once drinks were served she took our meal order. Food came out very quickly. But once the food was out the waitress did not check back in with us until we flagged her down. It was not because she was busy. She was sitting at the bar watching tv and taking with other employees. Food was just okay. Very salty and no qualities that made it any better then any other Mexican restaurant. Margarita was a mix and didn't have great flavor. read more

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This restaurant just opened recently and we had heard mostly good things about it. We arrived on a Friday night around 6:30pm. The parking lot was packed so I feared we'd have a wait. The strip mall has other restaurants but pretty sure most of the cars were for El Maya. Luckily, there were tables open. The space has two "rooms" connected by and opening. When you enter, there's the front desk/cashier, with the large bar behind that. Seating is throughout both rooms and there's plenty of seating. There's also a fireplace in one of the rooms. The menu is large! Lots of options for any meal and even lots of options on the kid's menu. Something for everyone for sure! I went with the Enchiladas Hildago. My husband ordered the Choripollo. We got a cheese quesadilla and macaroni & cheese meal for our kids. While we waited for our food we enjoyed our chips and salsa. The salsa had a great flavor and wasn't spicy. Even our one year old son loved it! Our food took a little longer than most Mexican restaurants but I'm guessing they're still working through things being new. But the food was worth the wait! I really enjoyed the ground beef and the chicken enchilada that was part of my meal. They had great flavor. I often find ground beef enchiladas to be bland but this one had me smiling. My husband enjoyed his Choripollo and our kids gobbled up their meals. We were a satisfied family. We're very happy to have a good Mexican restaurant nearby! I'm sure we'll head here for our Mexican fixes. read more

Who vacations in The Midwest? I do! I grew up in Iowa but have live in Arizona for over 50 years. I'm spending time with an old girlfriend and if you told me Iowa has good Mexican food I'd laugh! However, things change and El Mayan Restaurant has very authentic Mexican cuisine! It seems like a family operation. I had Flautas but they were served in a creme sauce that was good but unfamiliar. The food was expertly prepared and the Staff was friendly. As I went to pay my check there was a very young Latina girl running the register! It is a beautiful aspect of a Culture that endears me- the kid's learning the parent's business. And she knew just what she was doing! read more

I love this place, the people who work there, and the food, of course! We're regulars and always have a great experience! Recommend the Camarones a la Crema. read more

Delicious (everything was perfectly seasoned), inexpensive, and fast! Portions were excellent for the price as well.

Great Mexican restaurant. Food is excellent! Ambiance was comfortable. Staff was very friendly and attentive to our needs. Can't go wrong with the food! It's scrumptious and I've never had a bad meal there. Great addition to Norwalk! read more

My boyfriend and I have come here almost every weekend for the past year and a half and every time it just gets better and better every time. The staff is absolutely amazing, the service is incredibly fast and the drinks are the best you'll find. read more

This quaint little place in Norwalk is quite the little hidden gem. I was meeting up with a girlfriend Brandi she and I enjoyed this little establishment while talking about our years in high school. Great little place for a happy hour or a family dinner. We had the chimichanga Norwalk style! It was fantastic would highly recommend this place if you're in Norwalk or just traveling through read more

This is the ONLY Mexican restaurant in Norwalk my family and I will go to. The food is so good! The drinks are fresh. My kids love eating here! the staff is so kind and always in good spirits. read more

Traveling in Des Moines and close to the airport. The chips were very hearty and not typical corn chips which was a pleasant surprise and also the salsa was very good. I asked for some spicy salsa and it was the same recipe just with more spice and peppers, not one of those Mexican restaurants that just bring you a bowl of chili sauce. I ordered the Choripolo, a thinly slicked chicken breast covered in chorizo and melted cheese served with refried beans and Mexican rice and the choice of corn or flour tortillas. It was very good and I would recommend it to anyone who likes chicken and just a little bit of spice.. The chicken was cooked perfectly and I believe the tortillas were not homemade, but they were still very good. Washed it down with a cold Modelo. Their margaritas looked really yummy, but it was a beer night for me. The restaurant was extremely clean and the service was extremely punctual. I had my beer chips and salsa with a few minutes of sitting down and the food probably only took 5 to 7 minutes overall, I say it's like most Mexican restaurants food but I'll definitely go back. read more

Was not too impressed. We had a little wait which was understandable, they were a little busy. We got our chips they were cold we did say something and they brought out fresh. Instead of one waitress I think we had three waitresses so we weren't too sure who to tip. I ordered my regular that I usually get at a Mexican restaurant and this order was a lot smaller, was OK tasting but it was quite a bit smaller portion. Other than that not too Bad, but I prefer ElDorado in Norwalk. Just my preference read more

Terrible. Beef if the tacos was Mystery meat, grey cat food. Absolutely terrible. It made me want to gag, I love good Mexican, this wasn't even an attempt at decent food. Chips were straight from a bag like you'd get at the ball park. None of us at the table could choke it down, it was like ground beef liver paste. Yuk. Went to McDonalds after to get the taste out..... that's saying something. read more

The best Mexican in the Des Moines area, hands down. Awesome food, to die for queso and salsa, and the margs are pristine! My only suggestion would be with people ordering food to go, make sure to get appropriate containers for queso and salsa. They're a big oddly shaped/smaller in size. Regardless, I highly recommend! read more

Great tamales and chile relleno. Really enjoyed the queso cheese and chips. Seafood enchilada was good, a little salty. read more

All the food was amazing, very expensive but tasted great. I got a margaritas drink and it was so salty I couldn't drink even half of it it was a mangonada I believe.. I like the flavor of the drink itself but the seasoning inside the drink was not good.. read more

Very good food. Excellent service. I love the fajita nachos. It was large enough to share and still take some home. The jalapeño margarita is fantastic. We have also tried the enchiladas and the cheese dip. I will be back often! Glad to have them in town! read more

Small-ish Mexican place in a strip-mall and I cannot believe it is not PACKED! The food choices are extensive as well as the drink menu. The margaritas are superb and the food is delicious! It is authentic Mexican at a reasonable price. I wish we lived closer so we could come more often! Food came out quickly and when the waitress forgot one item we had ordered it was brought out in 3 minutes! The ONLY downside was the guacamole lacked flavor. You had to mix it with the salsa for it to taste good. But other than that, no complaints and would definitely dine here again! read more

Came here for lunch with co-workers on a start to the holiday weekend. Our waitress was kind and attentive. The group of employees worked as a team to serve our group and they were quick too! I had a lunch special with included a taco & chile rellano. It was AWESOME! The chile rellano was on point. It was delish. The salsa they give you is pretty mild but that's typical because we're in the center of Iowa ;) The guac is fresh and you can taste the cilantro, definitely homeade. I've since went back to order chile rellanos for my lunch and it was just as good as the first time. This place is good. It's nothing fancy, but they try their best and to me, that's good enough! I love supporting local restaurants and this is one not to overlook. I've had Hispanic friends tell me their carnitas are on point also. I lived in Chicago for years so I appreciate real, authentic Mexican food and I know what it is. This place has it!! Give this place a chance--its worth it! read more

Always love dining at El Maya .. very quick service , yummy food , large portions and always friendly

This is one of our regular spots! Good food, fast and friendly service. They also do a really good job with takeout food!

Best Guacamole, chips and salsa! So glad they have whole black beans instead of only retried ones. The rice is great! My friend had the pollo loco and it was very good, especially with the tortillas. Chicken wasn't overdone and it was well prepared. Would love to come back! Service is spectacular and they're so friendly ! read more

El Maya Mexican Resteraunt - the front of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Norwalk, Iowa

Not authentic at all, steak was grey. Went with a large group and half of us didn't eat our food. I can't believe all the previous good reviews, no one's plate was edible. Meat must have been bad not fresh. Very disappointing. read more

Best place for Mexican in Norwalk. I totally love their food. Super courteous staff. Great margaritas! I highly recommend this spot.

Update. Had a great take-out meal with amazing homemade guacamole and chips and great tacos and enchiladas all of it was nice and hot freshly made and made right on time for takeout great service great flavor. Update. My best meal yet. And on a cold snowy slow evening. Had the two chimichangas meal. One chicken and one ground beef both were great but I favor the chicken. Better flavor. Beans were perfect. Not runny at all and the Spanish rice tased great. All served on record time. Hot and fresh. Tequila shots were great. El Maya Mexican restaurant has an extensive menu everything from individual tacos and enchiladas to full Mexican style meals. Service was fast and the food was hot and fresh especially liked the chicken and it was very clean. Try it you'll love it. I would recommend trying their margaritas too. Update. Fast service hot fresh food. Great flavors. Good value. Very happy with 4 visits in last 3 m read more

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It's funny to see Mexican's not make good Mexican food. To those of you living in Norwalk, this is BAD Mexican... it is not good. It's more like Tex-Mex. Terrible food and very bad wait staff. Will never go back. read more

Awesome every time! Perfect for our family! The staff remembers my kiddos and treats them to candy when we are leaving! Love this place! Best Margaritas anywhere! Staff treat you like family! read more

We picked up dinner to go and not only was it ready in 15 minutes but it was so good! We can't stop talking about it and my father in law (who is a chef) is blown away! Awesome place read more

Service was spotty. Waiter was immediately there when we sat down to take drink and food order but then was never around. Cleared plates when done but never brought the check. We just went to the front counter after waiting about 10 minutes. Definitely need to do server training. The food quality was mixed. Carnitas sala Verde. Pork was nicely trimmed and cook tender. Just right with nice flavor. Sala Verde had a nice flavor but was spicy hot. Rice was good. Beans were kind of watery. There was a good amount of sala Verde (good) but it mixed with the beans creating a soupy mixture on the plate when delivered. Need to work in the plating of the food. Everything was dumped on the plate. No presentation. Probably the worst I have seen. The food should look appetizing on the plate. The steak enchiladas were a failure. Sauce tasted like it was straight out of a can. The small pieces of steak were over cooked and dry. Presentation of the food was poor. So there are a few positives but more negatives. read more

We came here for our mother's day lunch and the food was wonderful and plenty of it. It 2as also a great surprise to have the mom's get a dessert for their special day. Definitely a place to come back to when we're in town again read more

This spot is is amazing! Food is delicious and drinks are to die for! Mango margarita are a must!

I recommend this place this is my favorite place to go to when am hungry I recommend the choripollo it's so good its my favorite and the burritos the so big stuffed with meat read more