Finally, the holy grail of assembly line style Mexican restaurants. Over the years, chains like Chipotle and more recently, Dos... read moreFinally, the holy grail of assembly line style Mexican restaurants. Over the years, chains like Chipotle and more recently, Dos Toros have become massively popular, but unlike its more trendy counterparts, Blue Maiz is a single, standalone shop, which I think helps it maintain a higher quality standard. I should add that the food also feels more real, contrasting with the homogenized ingredients that you find in chains.
The first thing I noticed was how much larger the portions are. For something during busy lunch hours, I'm used to seeing people throw a lazy scoop of meat onto your order and calling it a day, but here, you can expect at least once full scoop, if not 2-3, which really makes me feel like I'm getting a good bang for my buck. The rest of the ingredients are added with simailar levels of generosity, which ultimately creates an order that you'll find quite heavy in your hand. You might have to be a bit more proactive while ordering through the line if you want something extra, but I appreciate the efficiency of their service, and I can't blame them for trying to handle the Midtown lunch train.
The other thing I really appreciate is the diversity of options. As a big chorizo fan, I was ecstatic to find that this place offers chorizo (and it's pretty good), as well as some more authentically marinated and shredded meats. They also offer nachos that get pretty well loaded, and their quesadillas are far superior to anything I've seen at Dos Toros. There are also a few more options for sides and drinks that resemble stuff that you'd see at a more traditional Mexican restaurant (no horchata though), which I'm a big fan of.
Given the expanded options, improved quality, and huge portions, I don't see myself ever going back to Dos Toros or Chipotle, as all three of these restaurants compete within a couple block radius. My only regret is not discovering this place a lot earlier, as I think I would have saved myself from many sad burritos. Maybe I'll update this after I've sampled more options, but for now, I'm already pretty confident that this is it. read less

My favorite lunch spot! It's a short walk away and there's always a long line during the lunch hour; sometimes... read moreMy favorite lunch spot! It's a short walk away and there's always a long line during the lunch hour; sometimes it even goes out the door! But that's because the food is so good!! I always get the flautas and they're the best I've ever had. The workers are always very friendly and the service is quick. Save yourself the headache of a long line and order ahead through Ritual. Highly recommend for great Mexican food! read less

Excellent food. Chipotle style, but authentic and fresh ingredients. Nice environment, great menu and friendly staff! Blue corn tacos, amazing... read moreExcellent food. Chipotle style, but authentic and fresh ingredients. Nice environment, great menu and friendly staff! Blue corn tacos, amazing street corn, multiple salsa options and inexpensive prices. Chorizo had great seasoning too. One of the better meals we had in New York, without spending a fortune. Try this place out, everyone who was with us enjoyed it and we ate for under $12 per person. read less

Chipotle who? This place rocks!!! Delicious fresh ingredients and definitely a huge portion for what you pay. You don't get... read moreChipotle who? This place rocks!!! Delicious fresh ingredients and definitely a huge portion for what you pay. You don't get that ugh I feel gross and I hate myself feeling after eating it at all. I love the options that they have and it's awesome that they even have Elote! Of course guacamole is extra but cmon when isn't it extra?! It's delicious - it's worth it- can't wait to go back again! Just hate the location but hey very convenient if you're going to watch a broadway play! read less

This is the best Mexican food I have ever had. The enchiladas are incredible. The staff is great. Every time... read moreThis is the best Mexican food I have ever had. The enchiladas are incredible. The staff is great. Every time I am in New York I make an effort to go here. read less

OMG is this the best quick serve Mexican. Super fresh. Super tasty.
Guacamole is perfection.
Eat here !

This was an accident. Running around looking for a totally different restaurant. It smelled good.Walked in and got one grilled... read moreThis was an accident. Running around looking for a totally different restaurant. It smelled good.Walked in and got one grilled chicken birrito and a carnitas to go. To share w son Krishnan (not all for myself). They were exceedingly good. The chips and sauce were good enough to merit a mention. If you are walking down NYC anywhere near. Make this a stop. read less

If you are looking for a delicious and healthier alternative to chipotle. This is the place for you. This place... read moreIf you are looking for a delicious and healthier alternative to chipotle. This is the place for you. This place has amazing food with just the right amount of seasoning on their items. I always get the naked burrito with the tortilla on the side. The ingredients are always so fresh and flavorful. I have been there a handful of times and to be honest every time I visit the food just gets better and better. The guacamole is so fresh and delicious and my favorite part is there chipotle crema. It has the right amount of tangy and spice. Let's not forget the staff in there. EVERYONE IS GREAT WITH AN AMAZING ATTITUDE. It makes you want to come back. They treat you like family there. They are always smiling, always willing to answer questions and explain what the items they sell are. They also rrecommend things you should try based on what you order which is cool too. I don't know why this place has a 4 star and not a 5 star because they truly deserve 10 stars. Thank you very much for the delicious food and continue providing the best customer service to the people that visit this establishment! You guys are doing an amazing job!!! read less

We were staying at a hotel close by and we're craving nachos about 8 pm. We had Grubhub deliver the... read moreWe were staying at a hotel close by and we're craving nachos about 8 pm. We had Grubhub deliver the chicken nachos and shredded beef quesadilla. They were both absolutely delicious!!! Fresh, delicious and hit the spot! read less

Very fresh and amazing food. Real Mexican flavors in an otherwise area filled of tourist traps.
Great variety of choices,... read moreVery fresh and amazing food. Real Mexican flavors in an otherwise area filled of tourist traps.
Great variety of choices, generous portions, amazing seasoning, and authentic Mexican taste.
I rarely eat chicken when I dine out, but their pulled chicken is in my opinion, one of the best I have tried (it reminds me of my grandma's cooking). But also the pulled pork is amazing, and just about everything else I have tried here.
I love their salads and the salad dressings, from mild to spicy. So many choices!!!
The first time I tried the food I thought I just got lucky that day, but the quality is always consistent, and it has been now over a dozen of visits where I always leave full and happy to go there.
Attentive and kind staff, great food, clean place in the heart of Times Square. Almost impossible to believe. If you are in the area don't think twice to eat here. read less

Friendly, quick, clean service. Tastier then Chipotle; alot fresher in my opinion. Ample seating and generous portions for the price.... read moreFriendly, quick, clean service. Tastier then Chipotle; alot fresher in my opinion. Ample seating and generous portions for the price. I ordered the vegetarian quesadillas for 10$. Will 100% return here to try the other dishes :) read less

Great for a cheap and quick eat! We went here on our first evening in NYC as it was around the corner from the hotel we were... read moreWe went here on our first evening in NYC as it was around the corner from the hotel we were staying at and we were tired so just wanted something quick. It was great, we got a burrito bowl and a burrito! The burrito bowl was huge and really nice. Fast cheap and nice food. read less

Blue Maiz is one of my favorite, authentic Mexican spots in the heart of Midtown. With all of these chain... read moreBlue Maiz is one of my favorite, authentic Mexican spots in the heart of Midtown. With all of these chain Mexican, grab and go type spots popping up (Chipotle, Dos Toros, etc.), It's great to have an authentic style cuisine.
In the past, I have ordered chicken and steak quesadillas as well as chicken tacos, burritos and bowls. Their meats taste amazing - grilled to perfection. They make a to die for guacamole to top it off. I always top my order off with guac and chips.
Their food is moderately priced based on the location and surrounding competitors. Typically, lunch for me is north of $10 and south of $15 depending on what I order.
On a rare occasion, I will order a quesadilla and it will be sloppy - meaning it is dripping from the ingredients (from the onions and peppers). This generally happens when they're short handed, but it would never stop me from going back!
And, on top of that, they have such a friendly staff. The woman that works on Saturdays at the register is such a kind soul. She is very helpful and always in a good mood.
I definitely recommend Blue Maiz for authentic Mexican cuisine! read less

Fresh Mexican bursting with flavor! It's a similar style as Chipotle, but tastes more authentic. Love the choice of sauces... read moreFresh Mexican bursting with flavor! It's a similar style as Chipotle, but tastes more authentic. Love the choice of sauces and salsas. Great value for the huge size portion and it's a nice bright addition to the neighborhood right outside Port Authority. read less

Great food for the price. There's a Chipotle across the street and there is a reason this place is able... read moreGreat food for the price. There's a Chipotle across the street and there is a reason this place is able to stay open using almost an identical business model. The food is definitely more authentic than Chipotle. I had a shredded chicken burrito which was huge and reaallllyyyy good. My girlfriend had the same and loved hers. We also had the street corn which was good, not sure if I would order again though. read less

Yum. This fresh, authentic, Mexican place did not disappoint. Loved the tacos, the burrito was huge! My daughter only ate... read moreYum. This fresh, authentic, Mexican place did not disappoint. Loved the tacos, the burrito was huge! My daughter only ate about half. Cheese quesadilla was very delicious as well. Love that they have Seniorial sangria. It's my fave. Try it, you won't be disappointed. read less

I was helping my work out in New York and came across this great Mexican restaurant. The tacos were my... read moreI was helping my work out in New York and came across this great Mexican restaurant. The tacos were my favorite but watching everything they made, it all looked good to eat. read less

I walked in today after reading a few reviews on Yelp and looking at their food options. I... read moreI walked in today after reading a few reviews on Yelp and looking at their food options. I have to admit that my wife and I really enjoyed our meal here. I had the naked burrito and was very satisfied. Portions are big, customer service is good, food is delicious, and prices area not too steep. I enjoy whole nutritional foods and this was just right for me. Will definitely return. read less

I LOVE this place! SO much better than chipotle. I wish there were more locations but I'm lucky enough to... read moreI LOVE this place! SO much better than chipotle. I wish there were more locations but I'm lucky enough to have them near my office There are so many menu options to choose from, depending on your hunger level. I typically get chicken tacos (3), sometimes Mexican corn (it's okay but its no cafe Habana). The chicken tortilla soup is very much worth the midtown price. I've heard the salads and quesadillas are tasty as well. The food is fresh and filling--no complaints here. read less

Excellent Mex food. Quesadillas delicious!! Tortillas homemade and guacamole was great. Staff friendly. Great little hidden treasure.

Okay this is THE BEST build your own place in town. Blue Maiz is my favorite Midtown lunch spot. It... read moreOkay this is THE BEST build your own place in town. Blue Maiz is my favorite Midtown lunch spot. It is consistent as heck and SO MUCH better than Chipotle. The staff is so sweet and helpful. The portions are huge! I have nothing negative to say about this place and I tell all my friends to visit. read less

Love their service and food! Authentic mexican food with great flavors and a ton of sauces to choose from! This... read moreLove their service and food! Authentic mexican food with great flavors and a ton of sauces to choose from! This my go-to spot, portion is huge! read less

This is my favorite place in the city to grab dinner.. hands down. The staff is amazing, the food is... read moreThis is my favorite place in the city to grab dinner.. hands down. The staff is amazing, the food is always on point, and very flavorful. All of the ingredients are very high quality and you can not go wrong with anything you order. If you're around the time square area, you must go here, no questions about it.
My favorite is the grilled chicken bowl, pinto beans, with jalapeños, guacamole, and there cilantro lime sauce. Just thinking about it makes me hungry.. oh and not to mention the food is very very healthy. This is a must try restaurant!!! read less

Finally!!! Nachos done right. The chicken nachos were delish! And the street corn omg so good. My new fav mexican... read moreFinally!!! Nachos done right. The chicken nachos were delish! And the street corn omg so good. My new fav mexican spot. After living in Hell's Kitchen for 10 years I have finally found Great nachos. Almost like chipotle but better. read less

Awesome food, I get it 2-3 times a week. I would much rather have Blue Maiz than Chipotle any day.

Stopped in for a late Saturday evening dinner, expecting a Chipotle/Qdoba experience. I was pleasantly surprised. The freshest ingredients, most... read moreStopped in for a late Saturday evening dinner, expecting a Chipotle/Qdoba experience. I was pleasantly surprised. The freshest ingredients, most flavorful rice and carne asada ever, and their chipotle crema was the perfect addition to my naked burrito. Despite the chaos of Times Square, we had no problem grabbing a quiet table and enjoying dinner and conversation. We'll definitely be back. read less

Excellent food, like chipotle but way better. Nice environment, great choices, great staff!

Super great food for such a great price. The portion size was pretty big as well. I've tried so far... read moreSuper great food for such a great price. The portion size was pretty big as well. I've tried so far the quesadilla and the naked burrito (burrito bowl) and both are super filling and great . read less

Freshest most authentic Mexican in the area. It blows Chipotle out of the water. Service is quick and friendly and... read moreFreshest most authentic Mexican in the area. It blows Chipotle out of the water. Service is quick and friendly and the place is extremely clean. Definitely recommend! read less

Amazing food, a far superior version of Chipotle! Prices are same as chipotle but guac and a lot more sauces... read moreAmazing food, a far superior version of Chipotle! Prices are same as chipotle but guac and a lot more sauces are included, and ironically, their chipotle sauce is definitely worth a try!! read less