For months I had been keeping an eye on Maizal. There were signs on the windows saying they were coming...but for a long time, there was no work being done. Finally, they opened...wonder what took so long... We were here on a very recent Sunday around 4:30 p.m. At that time, we were the only customers in the place. As someone else pointed out, it was confusing as to where one goes to place their order. We, too, walked down the center aisle only to get told that they start on the left hand side. Later, when we had our food and sat in a booth did we notice the area where one lines up to order. Before coming here, we both looked at the menu online and took notes as to what we planned to order. Looking back, that was a good idea. It made ordering so much easier. We both got bowls. First thing to put in the bowl is the "base". I chose chaufa rice. Then, on to the protein. I took a chance and ordered "spicy pulled chicken" as I'm leery when ordering anything spicy that it may be too spicy. Then came the add-ins (you can put up to 8 add-ins in your bowl). Even though online they did say "avocado" was extra, I added it. Turns out it's actually guac (why not just say so?). Also, I got plantains (I almost didn't see them because they, oddly enough, were cut into small cubes), pico de gallo and tortilla chips (which are actually "strips"). For my sauce, I chose chimichurri. My husband got one of their "curated" bowls" called "picante bowl". It consisted of: "romaine lettuce, cilantro rice, grilled steak, guacamole, roasted corn, spicy relish, pickled onions, sour cream, chimichurri, Habanero sauce & crispy jalapeno". As for how the food was---Overall, I found that I chose well when composing my bowl. The spicy pulled chicken was, indeed, quite spicy. There was one small piece that was tough which I removed from the bowl. They use dark meat. The guac turned out to be the perfect foil for that when eaten together as it tamped down the spiciness. The plantains were sweet and well sauteed. There was a small amount of finely chopped onions in the pico de gallo which was good as it didn't overwhelm the other flavors in it. The tortilla chips add a nice element of crunch to the bowl. Chimichurri was the right sauce (all sauces are served in small containers) as it was tame and added some moisture to the bowl. Chaufa rice was on the bland side, which I didn't mind. My husband did like his bowl. He liked the ingredients in it. The one thing he didn't care for was that the meat was overcooked and tough. Interestingly, he didn't find the Habanero sauce to be spicy at all! I got him to try the chimichurri and put in his bowl and he thought it did work well with the other ingredients. To drink, we got a bottle of Jarritos pineapple soda. Fortunately, the woman who made our bowl had a bottle opener at the register. Some things I wish they would change --- They need a sign that says something like "order here". Also, they need to label the various ingredients that are available. For example, good thing I asked about the plantains or I would have missed them. The place is popular. As we were eating our meal, several customers arrived in a steady stream. The dining area was clean. There are booths as well as tables and a communal table in the middle. We would go back. read more

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Chaos is why the score fell to a 2.... Menu is hard to understand if you're just looking at the board. Recommend you look at the online menu to understand your options... items not marked so unless you have a idea it's tricky to decide what you want.., that said also not helpful that the online menu doesn't list what's in the sauces.... When you walk in the line yo order is to the left.... Not clear as most folks start walking up the center! As I was waiting to order... another customer was trying to get a missing taco made... others were coming in looking for online orders... My order taken but it was clear the line folks don't understand either my English or what's on the menu... I asked for a side of plantains but she put the chopped plantains in a side container for husbands bowl... at this point I just wanted to get thru the line so I didn't even try to correct that I wanted the side order of plantains... not a ingredient on the side. Ohhh the guy looking for the taco is still trying to get it... Overall hubby liked the options on the bowl ... however on the steak it was very fatty with lots of grizzle plus there were also bone chips. More care needs to be taken on what they are cutting. My arepas was interesting... I just did one of their combos which was a spicy chicken... for $4 it was a great price and I liked the chicken but again lack of care as there was crunchy bits that should have been removed.... It was a mess due to the sauce on the chicken and other parts... so I basically sit it with a fork as opposed to as a sandwich At the register no option to add my phone number and while I asked for a printed receipt I didn't get one... by the time I realized that we were leaving so not going to try and retrieve as I expect tossed at this point. Hubby told manager that the ventilation needs looking at as it is hot and stuffy in here... Manager said put it in your review... Food wise I think there are interesting tastes... just unfortunate that chaos reigns currently.... I'll let them work on this and if still here will visit in a month or two to see if things corrected! read more

Where else can I get an amazing, freshly prepared, plant based meal? I'm still trying to find my "to-go" dish but the folks behind the counter were patient with my numerous questions, which I appreciated. Restaurant can do better informing customers of unavailable ingredients and offer suggestions for substitutions. read more

Maizal - veggie delight bowl - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

Despite the reviews I still tried this place out. The set up is nice and clean. I got the Curry Chicken empanada and steak empanada. It was filled with protein, potato, and black beans. It was flavorful and made fresh. I would try this place again read more

Maizal - Menu - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

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I have been looking forward to this restaurant coming here for over a year when I first knew they were coming to this location. But I was disappointed in the upcharge I wasn't aware of until after the fact when I got to the register to pay. Upcharge for guacamole, upcharge for a protein, both should have been posted or known. Plus this is a new location and the staff should have been asking if this was our first time there, which they did not. The bowl was good, not great and I wasn't expecting cold plantain. I'll go back since it is right around the corner from me but I will order online and pick up so I know what the prices are as I enter the order. I will say, their guava juice is really good and seems pretty authentic. read more

Disappointing lunch. The tacos were watery and way under seasoned. The Empanada was decent, but badly needed a sauce which they didn't serve it with nor did they have house sauces available anywhere. Lastly, arepas weren't available despite being on the menu. Nice space, but poor substance. read more

Maizal - Carne Asada and Pollo Loco Tacos. Steak Arepa - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

This place it's a version of CAVA , same process Same procedure just with a twist of Mexico style flavor read more

Maizal - This place it's a version of cava. Same process, same great taste, fresh ingredients with a little twist of Mexico flavor. - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

The arepas are great, I recommend the steak one. The spicy chicken quesadilla also had good flavor. My wife got the shrimp tacos and she said they were as good as Taco Bamba. The yucca was also good with the garlic cream sauce. Overall a solid spot and we had really good service. We made a few modifications and the worker came out to our table to clarify to ensure he got it right. We ordered from the kiosk vs the main line. read more

Food is great! Fresh and super tasty. Favorite Mexican place in Reston. I get the corn tortilla tacos and all the meats are super tasty. Can't recommend enough. read more

Reston and the rest of nova haven't been blessed with a Latin "street food" joint ever. It's either Mexican, Peruvian, or Salvadorian. I came for the soft open where it was fantastic. Now nearly 3 weeks removed I came back. Ordered the Inka arepa. Taste: great, Quantity: bit low, presentation/integrity of an arepa; hella low. Queso fundido: ehhh... are yall even using queso Oaxaca or something similar? There's an odd taste to it. I dropped in around 8:30p. Pretty slow. Delivery of food, great. However, I know... it's late, but the staff looked DREADFUL and looked super judgey of my order. Overall... it grazes that "itch". read more

Maizal - La Inka - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

Decided to get take-out for dinner from Maizal. The restaurant was clean but empty at 6pm on a Monday night. I ordered the pollo bowl, arepas, and street corn. Unfortunately, everything was lacking flavor. I felt like I could have made most of the food myself. Even my wife, who is Latina, felt the food was flavorless. I doubt we will be going back just because there are so many better places in Reston to get Mexican food. read more

I would give this place 0 starts if i could. Clearly no sort of management on hand. I placed a $50 order and went to pick up the order, only for the employees to refuse to make it. It was 7:30 and there was plenty of food on their line, they just looked like they were done cooking for the day, despite closing at 9:00. I asked the cashier/manager on shift to refund me, they just said "call the company" and the number lead back to their location. Tried going on their site to submit a email form, and of course the form didn't work either. Pathetic excuse of a "business" if you want to call it that read more

Was looking forward to ordering fr them after seeing all the ads and it was big disappointment. Food was cold and tasted pretty average. I ordered fr Grubhub so not sure if it was a driver issue or what. On top of that we have missing items that were never delivered. So disappointed! read more

I ate here yesterday for the 1st time. Food was decent, but portion sizes were too small for the price. Staff did not know what went in the pollo bowl I ordered & could not answer any of my questions. Likely won't be going back. read more

Absolutely terrible food and establishment. Please avoid ordering food from here they are scammers. Ordered a bowl with chicken and veggies just to get home from work and see a bowl with no chicken or veggies, just rice and plantains even though the receipt clearly states that I ordered chicken and veggies. I called numerous times and was told they cannot give me a refund because I ordered online which is completely false as I have worked in a restaurant and know restaurants can process refunds from their end. Horrible food, service, and establishment pls stay well clear of this place. I would give 0 stars if possible. read more

I popped in on a whim while heading home. I ordered the Latin Bowl, & Queso fundido vegetariano! And it was amazing, when I walked in & placed my order it was pretty fast. You can tell they are new location, but overall great customer service, nice location & the food is amazing! I highly recommend! read more

Maizal - a bowl of food and a bag of chips - Latin American Near Me - Reston, Virginia

Got the cartagena and buenos aires arepas; they were delicious - so many tasty fillings. Co-worker got the tinga arepa, they said it was great too. The folks there were friendly and cheery. There is a coke machine with 6 flavors, and some aguas frescas as well. Plenty of tables. read more

Would leave a zero star rating if I could. Horrible service as staff do not know the menu or how to prepare nachos appropriately. The nachos were soggy. Question was added on top of pico and guac...soggy chips...Shredded chicken mixed with grilled chicken. Yikes! I threw it away. Waste of money!!!! Churros were not well seasoned and under cooked --doughy. Unable to make/ring up a cheese quesadilla!!! Not worth the money!!! Overall very disappointed. I will not return and do not recommend. read more

I stopped by because it was close to my workplace. They did not have any empanadas! I was so disappointed. This was during lunch time. The chicken was very salty and they did not give me enough rice and greens so everything was just salty. I wouldn't come back. The customer service was also bad. When I ordered empanadas, the lady just gave me a look which is the reason why I asked if they were out of it. She didn't tell me directly. read more

Was looking forward to eating here. First problem, they had horchata on the kiosk so I ordered it. When food arrived they had given me a different drink. Asked for a horchata and was informed they didn't have any. One, why is it still on the menu and 2 why wouldn't you let me know instead of giving me a random drink. The orders sit at the front and they don't tell you the order is ready unless you go and ask. The service is not great and very disappointing for a newly opened restaurant. read more

Always FRESH and so inexpensive! Seems like authentic "street food). Love the fish tacos really any of their food is great! Also good for vegetarians. read more

At first they were good but I am lowering my rating because it seems impossible to follow basic instructions. Twice I ordered online and items are missing from my bowl. It is literally listed out how do you not put rice in a rice bowl!! At it wasn't even busy. They are convenient but I'll drive to chipotle read more

I've been wanting to try this place out. The food that I did receive was very good. I ordered a chefs curated bowl and cheese balls. I also ordered churros but they said they were out. Not a problem but it was a big struggle to get my refund for them since I already ordered them. The cheese balls were good but too cheesy. The chefs bowl was good but it is supposed to come with brisket and I got about two small pieces of brisket in the entire bowl. It was also supposed to come with plantains and there were none in the bowl. They also put bell peppers in the bowl which was not listed on the ingredients that I had to pick out. All in all, it was good but I wouldn't recommend this to my coworkers unless the portions are fixed and ingredients are accurate. read more

Went for arepas. They didmt have any fresh only and stale leftover ones. Also out of plantains which was one of the main reasons I went. Food we did get was under whelming. Servers were un-attentive, nor could I understand them. read more

Incredibly fresh and delicious. A zillion times better than Chipotle and also better than Taco Zocalo, the latter of which says a lot!

I work in Reston, and this is my new favorite place for lunch. I agree with other reviews that indicate it's hard to know what you are selecting from the wide variety of bowl choices. Much of them are new to me. Also, the staff is hardly friendly, maybe in part because they seem to neither speak nor understand English. On my first visit I couldn't understand the lady at all when I asked her about two of the selections. So you just have to take a chance. But I love the plaintains, corn choices and potatoes. I'm able to get a very large and satisfying bowl. Hopefully, customer service will improve. This Latin street food place has a lot of potential. read more

Food is incredible and the workers were very pleasant! Apparently there's an 85 character limit to reviews, so I'm typing more even though I said what I wanted to say... read more