Maiz, on South Angell in Providence, feels like you're walking into a small party that has already started without you and is super happy that you showed up. Papel picado hangs overhead in every color. Little lamps and Mexican skull shaped candy jars sit on worn wooden tables. Plants lean out of corners and windowsills. Salsa plays in the background, loud enough that you move your legs but not so loud that you have to shout. It feels like a place that expects you to stay a while. And you want to. Maiz started in South Kingstown with a focus on corn, masa, and real Mexican home cooking. The Providence spot carries that same spirit into an East Side dining room. Most people still come for tacos, bowls, and plates, which makes the pizza section on the menu feel almost like a dare. You see it, pause for a second, and then decide to find out what they can do with that dough. We ended up with two pies on the table. An al pastor that had the more adventurous adults properly excited, led by the private chef in our crew who picked it out in about three seconds. And a "kids" cheese pizza (same size) that was supposedly for the twelve year old who was with us, but everyone at the table knew it was really for me, the grown man who still wants a plain pie to see what a place can actually do. The first thing we noticed about the al pastor was the color. It was bright and loud in the best way. Green crema, red tomatoes, yellow pineapple, fresh herbs, all set over bubbling cheese. It looked fresh and alive, like a really good taco had sprawled out on a small pizza and made itself comfortable. Some of us were skeptical about how it would eat. Sauce, cheese, braised pork, pineapple, onions, tomatoes, herbs. There are a lot of ways that can go wrong. Instead everything lined up beautifully. The crust was thin on the bottom with a thicker rim that cracked when people picked it up and then settled into a good chew. The tomato sauce tasted bright and stayed in balance. The cheese browned and stretched without swallowing up the other flavors. The toppings did the real work. The pork was rich and tender with little caramelized edges and a gentle heat. The vegetables still tasted fresh instead of overcooked. The herbs cut through the fat. Pineapple became the surprise of the night. Most of the adults at the table are firmly anti pineapple on pizza, and they said so out loud. On this pie, those small cubes turned into sharp bursts of sweetness and acidity that cut straight through the richness of the pork and cheese. Bite after bite, people kept saying the same thing in different ways. It tasted like the right kind of al pastor taco and a traditional pizza had met in the middle and figured it out. The "kids" cheese pizza did not have a story built into it, which was the point. No tricks. Just dough, sauce, and cheese. It held up. The base stayed crisp all the way through the meal. The crust edge had that clean, satisfying tear where you finish every last bit. The tomato sauce tasted zesty instead of sugary. The cheese had flavor and enough salt to stand on its own. It felt like the kind of pie you want from a neighborhood place. The one you bring home on a Wednesday when nobody wants to cook. If Maiz sat around the corner from my house, that would be a regular order. The service matched the room. The staff were warm and attentive without hovering. Drinks stayed full. Food came out at an easy pace. Nobody seemed rushed. In the back, the pizza cook worked the dough to the rhythm of the salsa overhead, smiling and laughing with the rest of the crew. That kind of energy has a way of sneaking onto the plate. Maiz is still a Mexican restaurant first. The menu leans into corn, chiles, slow cooked meats, and bright sauces that taste like they were made in the kitchen that afternoon. The pizza does not feel like a gimmick added for attention. It feels like a natural extension of what they already do so well. Same ingredients. Same respect for flavor. Just a different canvas. If you care about pizza and you like Mexican food, the al pastor pie at Maiz is worth crossing town for, even if someone at your table is hiding behind a kids cheese pizza. It will not end any debates about what belongs on pizza. It will just land on the table, hot and messy, and have everyone quietly counting how many slices are left. read more

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Not sure what happened in the last few months but definitely went so far down hill that they fell off the earth. They had the best nachos and now they were just sitting in a pool of broth which made them soggy. In my early review my only complaint was that the wait staff wasn't very attentive. Well it looks like they took that and doubled down. We now have to get up and order at the bar. I will not go to a restaurant where I have order my food at a counter unless its fast food and even then I'll do drive through. I go to a sit down restaurant for the food and service and when I'm not getting one I won't go back. read more

We returned to dine once again a couple of months ago - now a belated review! A cheerful place with good service. We shared two enchiladas - Queso, Salsa Roja - guacamole and chips, a Tonga taco, and flautas de papa. We drank a Margarita, a Dos Equis Amber and a Diet Coke. The check came to $112 for the three of us. It was an enjoyable experience. read more

Where do I even begin?! For starters, Jules is the best. She took care of us so well! I went with Meg M, and between the two of us we have some annoying allergies. She didn't even bat eye and accommodated us. I had a spicy margarita that was delicious and my friend had an espresso martini which is made with their own horchata! We also tried the hibiscus iced tea which was very refreshing and not too sweet. We had nachos, which they did with no beans for my friend! We also had flautas de papa, which is mashed potatoes inside homemade tortillas and fried! It comes with a tomatillo type sauce on the bottom and typically has cheese on top, which they put on side to accommodate my allergies. Not gonna lie... I am still dreaming about this dish! We also tried shrimp, fish, and pastor tacos. The tacos are delicious and the homemade tortillas just knock it out of the park! The decorations inside are so beautiful and it's an open kitchen! I love an open kitchen. Parking is always easy over there too. I can't wait to come back! I hear they make amazing pizza too... yes you read that right... pizza! read more

Wow! What a fun little spot! It was on the best pizza RI competition list, which I thought was odd because I had been to the sisters location, that just had tacos! Well this deserves to be on the list for sure! The chicken rings pizza was out of this world. Its uniqueness was so cool and honestly reminded me of something I would get back in NY! I also had a drink special, the mezcal pina colada which was different and very tasty! How clever! The restaurant is colorful and fun! I really loved the space and would certainly come back. The kid that took my order was nice and helpful. The cool checked that I liked the pizza, which was appreciated. What a cute a lot! I love how it's a bit eclectic too! read more

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Our second stop on our Saturday Taco crawl took us to Maiz. The shop was decked out for the Halloween season. Inside the place reminds you of a Mexican cantina. Brightly colored flags adorning the ceiling contrasted the sand colored wall. Our server was very nice, letting us know what our options were for the fight. I chose to upgrade mine to pastor tacos as they are my favorite type. My friends got a Birria taco, a shrimp taco and the carnitas taco. It didn't take long before our food arrived. Fresh and hot, we quickly dived in. The pastor was flavorful, a slight char taste that made the whole thing sing a symphony for my taste buds. The shrimp taco was particularly good as well. The shrimp was succulent and the addition of the pineapple took it to the next level. The Birria meat was tender and juicy. The carnitas was a solid choice as well. Their homemade hot sauce, mild or spicy, on the side. All washed down with ice cold Mexican coke. Another taco spot in the books as a place to return. We only live 9 minutes away so it's a sure thing for us! read more

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Visited yesterday with a friend and ordered chips & salsa, 4 different types of tacos, rice, a carnitas tamale, black bean soup, and house margaritas. Service was excellent and all of our food and drinks were delivered to us in a timely manner. Maiz is decorated very nicely - loved all of the bright colors and the display outside was pretty as well. When I first perused the menu, the high prices jumped out at me. $9 for a taco without sides is pretty pricey. However, the tacos were filled with meat, the tortillas were freshly made, and the food was all high quality. My carnitas tamale was a little wetter than I would have liked, but it was still tasty and there was plenty of meat. Rice was average - pretty much what you would expect at a Mexican restaurant. It was fine, but didn't stand out in any way. My friend enjoyed his soup. Our margaritas were good, but kind of on the smaller side. All in all, we enjoyed our experience at Maiz. The restaurant is pleasant, clean, and the service is great. The food was good, but I don't believe it is worth the high price tag. I'd go back, but with so many other outstanding Mexican restaurants around, I would probably prefer to go elsewehere. read more

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These are the best carnitas tacos I've ever had in RI! They are a bit pricey but they are worth it!! The carnitas are delicious and the soft tacos are toasted on the grill to give them a little extra crisp, so good!! We visited for a few tacos early on a Saturday afternoon and there were only a few other customers present. The waiter was friendly and efficient. The food came out quickly. Overall, an excellent experience. They do have brunch options on Saturday and Sunday, which were intriguing. We will be back soon! read more

Maiz - Tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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The tacos were delicious! We split a guac for the table, which wasn't as good though. It was mostly made of tomatoes and didn't have a ton of flavor. I would return and just eat the tacos! The server was friendly and helpful. We thankfully went on a cooler day; they had the fan blowing and it was still a little warm inside. Not sure if it gets too hot on the warmer days. read more

Maiz - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Enchiladas were soo good (with an amazing kick to them). My friend loved her bowl. A little pricey but still would highly recommend. Will definitely come back if in the area. The chairs are a bit uncomfortable though. read more

Stumbled upon this quaint Mexican restaurant while visiting the Paper Nautilus. Staff is friendly and attentive. The burrito and birria taco were great. I would pass on the black bean soup- it was bland. The prices reflect the location, the East Side tends to be pricey. I would stop in again if I were in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way to drive there. read more

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Super small little East Side establishment. It was a Friday night and we were able to slip right in. We were here for the RI Taco Fight 2025. My husband wet with a shrimp taco and I went birria. Overall a good taco but not worth $9 a piece! It was oozing meat everywhere. Too much. Super messy. Super cute place, nice staff and I Super appreciated the day of the dead altar outside. read more

Maiz - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

This place is lovely. The staff is kind, the salsa Verde is so fresh, the tortillas were warm, and the flan was so decadent. The owner opened this restaurant in homage his family's cooking, and you can tell it was made with love. read more

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I stopped in for RI Food Fights 'Taco Mania!'. Everything was fantastic! The tacos were delicious. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable. Our server was very helpful and friendly. Stop in, you won't be disappointed! read more

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Rating: 3.8 We decided to try this place after yelp event since it was across the street. We did try out the other Maiz in South Kingstown which may be related to this place. It's a Mexican restaurant located in providence. Compared to the other location, the inside was much larger and spacious with nice seatings and ambiance. We were sat down quickly as it was not too busy. I ended up ordering shrimp burrito. The shrimp burrito was pretty thick and filled with nicely grilled shrimps. Came with side of chips and salsa and was offered hot sauce to pair with burrito. The burrito was pretty flavorful and delicious. The chips were good but was kind of sad since it only came with few chips compared to a bag full that was given at the other location. Hot sauce given was also chunky and was hard to pour because it was solid which i found it weird. The service was good as waiters were always checking in and was helpful. Overall the place was good but I think I liked the other location better even though it's further away. Definitely better location and inside seatings but lacked the quality and quantity while pricing I believe was higher compared to the other location. In general though there are other Mexican restaurants competitors that offer better quality food and much more affordable pricing in the area. Not sure if I will return here. read more

Maiz - Shrimp Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Very cozy place serving up yummy tacos. The shrimp tacos were my favorite and very flavorful. The cod tacos were good with a squeeze of lime over them. Service was friendly and food came quick. read more

Maiz - Cod and shrimp tacos - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Maiz has opened a second location in the Wayland Square section of PVD with their other location in Wakefield. This cute and colorful restaurant and bar serves up Mexican fare for lunch and dinner and a Saturday & Sunday brunch menu. The bar offers a few draft beers, bottle beers, vino, cocktails, mixed drinks, tequila, and bloody marys. The pricing is moderate here. The dining room has rows of tables and high top tables with colorful overhanging Mexican party décor, potted plants, & art on the walls. The bar area is very cozy with 5 chairs at the bar. I stopped by Maiz recently for takeout and was greeted by the friendly staff. I decided to get one of their signature Mexi pizzas (10"). My pizza was all set in about 15 minutes. I ordered The Pastor ($15.75 plus tax) which was topped with pizza sauce, tender marinated pieces of pastor, onion, cilantro, pineapple, aguaioli verde, and melted cheese on a soft chewy crust. This pizza was loaded and had an interesting and tasty mix of ingredients. I thoroughly enjoyed this pizza and I will have to return back for their fish (cod) burrito with appetizers. read more

Cute clean place, Enjoyed shrimp taco and pork taco. Everything was very well seasoned and delicious. Fast service, has brunch till 3 weekends. Didnt love the green salsa, but guacamole was fabulous. read more

Maiz - Shrimp Taco. - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I was hungry after a cheese event and this place caught my eye! Flashy bright blue and yellow letters and light around the sign~ it was very clean and plenty of seating inside this restaurant. Mexican music playing i the background and immediate seating and prompt service by the staff. I ordered agua fresca hibiscus, flautas de papa and street elote! I advise the staff that k prefer no cheese or crema, and it was very kind and reliable that it was followed by my request! The elote was delicious and tasted authentic and freshly hot! Wish I had the option to add more spice! I ordered flautas de papa, which just has the filling of potatoes and it was ok. The salsa and toppings really added to the flavor. Wish I tried something with more impactful flavors~ The location was in the nicer end of Providence, and I can tell they cater to individuals who aren't use to a blast of condiments and spices. I've been to the Maíz location in Kingston, and I did like the larger portions and spices over there~ I did enjoy it overall. read more

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Great spot in Wayland Square--food and drinks were both very tasty and the server/bartender were super friendly and accommodating. Not huge portions for the price or a ton of selection but will definitely be back for margarita Monday! read more

Maiz - Enchiladas with salsa verde - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Yummy! Cute interior but we decided to take 1 of the 2 tables out front since it was a gorgeous day. Nice staff. Had chips and guac (very good) and split the Birria Pizza (10/10!). Will go again for sure. read more

Maiz - The Birria pizza - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Went for lunch. Service was cheerful and excellent. The ambience, seating and decorations were pleasant. I don't know if I would have chosen rough sawn tabletops for a restaurant - seems like they will eventually be problematic to clean. But no issues at this point. I liked the cloth napkin but would be willing to trade that luxury for some of the missing amenities described below. I did not appreciate the note at the bottom of the menu that "A 3% kitchen appreciation fee will be added to all bills". I don't even see how this is legal. The prices are not low to begin with; if you need to appreciate the kitchen staff more, include it in the price. I had the carnitas burrito. It was greasy and not that flavorful, but fine. The fillings should have been distributed more evenly in the tortilla (a common problem with burritos). The (flavor, not grease) situation could have been improved if there had been a selection of bottled sauces available, but there was not. The burrito was served on a metal tray with six chips and a very small amount of undistinguished salsa verde. I would prefer a conventional plate. Given the absence of sauces, I did not know whether to use the salsa for the chips or the burrito. There was not enough for both. The menu note, small amount of chips and salsa, absence of table condiments and tin plate, created an overall impression of stinginess rather than abundance, despite the incongruous cloth napkin. I was hoping for more. read more

Maiz - Carnitas burrito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Really enjoyed the food. Great seasoning, subtle. Reasonably priced and generous portions.

I really, really wanted to like this place, but it fell so flat. The positives: the waitress was pleasant. That was the only positive. The wait for a drink was over 20 minutes, and the drink was mid and not what I ordered. The food was underwhelming and wildly overpriced. They charge $8-$10 for a single taco with no sides. We spent over $150 for a subpar meal that no one wanted to finish, and we ended up coming home and eating. Don't waste your time or money here, especially with Diego's across the street. read more

every single time I am in providence, I try to come to this magnificent restaurant. the staff are incredible (shout out to Rune who makes you feel so welcome) the ambiance makes an unforgettable experience as well. the food is amazing (the Relleno needs to stay). this kitchen knows Mexican food! please order the Birria in any form, and the guacamole is next level. read more

Too expensive and mediocre at best. Guacamole was not guacamole, watery and lots of tomatoes. Nine dollars for a single taco is ridiculous. I had some great ones in Silverlake today for three dollars each. Much better than these. read more

Delicious food! You can tell everything is very fresh. Flavors were great. Had the chicken taco, shrimp taco, carnita taco, chips and salsa and tortilla soup. Tortilla soup is a bit Smokey tasting for my liking. But still very good. Excellent service! Waiter was very attentive and friendly. But....this place is not cheap. So just be prepared to spend $20 for two tacos. No sides. Just tacos. Again, very fresh ingredients but a bit overpriced in my opinion. read more

Stumbled upon Maiz looking for a quick bite. Delicious, fresh food. The nachos were not your typical pub ones--- they were light with fresh ingredients and crema. We also ordered the enchiladas which were equally good. I'm a margarita snob but theirs was made with real lime and no mix. Perfect balance of lime to tequila. The staff was very friendly. I will definitely return. My only complaint was that it was pricey, but that's to be expected with quality ingredients. read more

Had the carnitas tamales, chips and guac, and tres leches. All delicious. Great mix of textures and flavors! The Mexican house red is also really solid. The ambiance and music were well curated and service was great. Will definitely go back. read more

I came early afternoon with a friend for lunch. using my RI Food Fight coupons for 2 free corn tacos off the regular menu. They were the smaller street size but stuffed with our selected proteins (shrimp, carnitas) and flavorful veggies and sauces. Guacamole was chunky and tasty with their chips, hich tasted freshly fried. We tried the pork and beef tamales, which were different from any I've had elsewhere, with mixed results. The fillings were fresh tasting and not greasy. The soft cornmeal casings were served broken open- a bit challenging to move to our plates and eat the delicate small bits without a spoon. We accepted the offer of red and green sauces. Even with those, it seemed they could have used some grease to add flavor and moisture. Other items on the menu looked interesting for a return trip. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. The space is attractive, welcoming and comfortable.We'll be back. read more

Second visit as good the second time as the first. Definitely a great addition to Wayland Square.