I love it, my kids love it. A better Chipotle, homemade and delicious. Nice people, clean restaurant, moderately priced. It's... read moreI love it, my kids love it. A better Chipotle, homemade and delicious. Nice people, clean restaurant, moderately priced. It's our "go to" in Times Square! read less

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

When it comes to enchiladas, I consider myself a concierge. May I say, BEST enchiladas in town! Everything is just... read moreWhen it comes to enchiladas, I consider myself a concierge. May I say, BEST enchiladas in town! Everything is just right, the sauce, the amount of filling, the rice and pico that comes on the side. Hands down the best enchiladas I've had.
I order from Blue Maiz often while at work, and after telling my coworkers about them, they order from them now as well.
Their guac is also pretty good, and I enjoyed the chips with chipotle crema dip. This place is definitely a perfect substitute for Chipotle, and after I had Blue Maiz I haven't been back to Chipotle since. I would love to see Blue Maiz expand into other parts of Manhattan. read less

The best thing about Blue Maiz is there they are not stingy when it comes to the toppings!!
So. Much. FOOD.
This... read moreThe best thing about Blue Maiz is there they are not stingy when it comes to the toppings!!
So. Much. FOOD.
This place is similar to Chipotle, but BETTER to me! Blue Maiz offers bowls that you can create with your favorite meats and veggies and they give you PLENTY OF IT.
My naked burrito bowl included shredded chicken, fajita veggies, onions, lettuce, sour cream, corn salsa, guacamole, and cheese. I'm happy that I was able to get elotes as well!
Took me two times to eat and I still didn't finish! read less

So tasty. Fast, friendly service. I asked for everything but they left out beans. Had a lot of trouble making... read moreSo tasty. Fast, friendly service. I asked for everything but they left out beans. Had a lot of trouble making an online order so that should be improved. But was so delicious that I will go back! read less

such a good, authentic mexican spot near times square! the online ordering process is so easy and my order was... read moresuch a good, authentic mexican spot near times square! the online ordering process is so easy and my order was ready when I got there. the staff was very welcoming. if you are dining in, it is set up as a build your own mexican dish, much like chipotle or qdoba, but authentic. the portions are sizeable. I will definitely be coming back! read less

Fresh ingredients. Food in minutes. Reasonable price. Steak desmenuzado burrito with chipotle sauce was huge and very delish.

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

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

Great food! Meats were cooked right in front of you and the condiments were all fresh! The salsas ranged from... read moreGreat food! Meats were cooked right in front of you and the condiments were all fresh! The salsas ranged from mild to extremely hot-- really hot I needed some water for that kind of spice. Chips were also perfectly salted and crispy. Overall, awesome fast serve Mexican food experience. read less

The big sign outside of the establishment caught my attention and the food kept it.
The restaurant is very colorful and... read moreThe big sign outside of the establishment caught my attention and the food kept it.
The restaurant is very colorful and I feel that it appeals both to traditional Mexicans (as my Mexican friend mentioned) and to tourists alike. The LED lights and Mexican-oriented decorations made the space very inviting. The workers are also very friendly and helpful, especially to those who prefer service in Spanish. I ordered the enchiladas verdes and a Jarritos soda for about $20.
I really enjoyed looking at the meal as I received it because the presentation was spot on: the portions were plentiful and organized, the sauces and cheeses brought it all together, and the colors of it all made it very attractive.
The rice and beans are usually very standard sides, but here they were a bit more than that. The brown rice was extremely moist (in a good way) and it held the flavor of everything around it for dear life. I was able to grab the flavors of the enchilada sauce, the bean sauce, and the juices of the pico de gallo in one forkful along with the taste and texture of the rice. The beans were also prepared very well. They had their sufficient seasonings and the warmth of it all improved the texture immensely. The bean sauce certainly struck me with its flavor, which hasn't been very common to me.
The enchiladas were top tier to say the least. The tortillas weren't hard shell, but they had a bit of crunch or crack to it which made them ideal for holding the chicken and for providing essential texture under the abundance of enchilada sauce. The enchilada sauce had me hooked from the start with its subtle spice and potent flavor. I've always asked myself whether I preferred verde or mole and this meal answered the question for me. The chicken wasn't neglected at all: on its own it held flavor but it didn't necessarily compete with the flavors of the rest of the meal. The overall taste reflected great seasoning control at the hand of the chef.
My friend bought some churros for the group (thank you Perry!) and they put the icing on the cake for me. They were prepared fresh and they almost melted in your mouth as you chew them. The sweetness was just right and the caramel sauce (which tasted like they came from those small caramel candies that all of our parents and grandparents came to love) provided not only additional flavor without excessive sweetness, but a bit more texture to the churros.
In the end, I can definitely say I enjoyed the experience and I would love to return and recommend. read less

I had read great reviews of this restaurant on Yelp, and I wasn't disappointed when I went there. I ordered... read moreI had read great reviews of this restaurant on Yelp, and I wasn't disappointed when I went there. I ordered the naked burrito with grilled chicken, and the portion was generous + the food was so fresh and delicious! This is a great, convenient and relatively quick place to eat if you're near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. No margaritas served, but I noticed they sold canned sangria, bottled Mexican sodas, and fountain sodas. I had a diet Pepsi. read less

I swear I can't get enough of this place. I finally tried their burrito and it was just as good... read moreI swear I can't get enough of this place. I finally tried their burrito and it was just as good as the bowl. If you are in the area go go go. read less

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

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

Came here on a Saturday afternoon... Not much seating, but was not that much crowded when I went... Just like... read moreCame here on a Saturday afternoon... Not much seating, but was not that much crowded when I went... Just like Chipotle, you can pick what you want in your burrito/burrito bowl... The food is very good... Will def be coming back the next time I'm in town. Will bring family and friends... read less

I highly recommend this Cuisine, really good food and friendly staff. I'll be back for sure.

The restaurant is clean simple and most importantly the food actually taste amazing! When I tell it's really good and... read moreThe restaurant is clean simple and most importantly the food actually taste amazing! When I tell it's really good and tasty it's because it is! You can tell the meat has been resting with the seasoning for a while because it tastes so good). Their sauces are to die for! My favorites are the green sauce with sour cream and a bit of the guajillo sauce! So delicious! read less

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

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

This has been my go-to Mexican spot ever since Chipotle started having problems with their produce and these guys have... read moreThis has been my go-to Mexican spot ever since Chipotle started having problems with their produce and these guys have been consistently awesome. I would not compare this place to Chipotle. That would be like comparing your grandma's food to McDonald's. Both have certain appeal but I think most would see my point.
My favorites here are the grilled chicken quesadillas and steak burrito bowls (called naked burritos.) The chicken has a very satisfying smokiness to it and the steak is juicy and tender. All of their salsas are very flavorful and fresh (Beware: their hottest salsa is super hot and super good if you're into that.) The guacamole is also pretty good. The staff is always polite and the pricing is on point. 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

Very good! Burritos, tacos, and naked (i.e., burrito bowl). Very sizeable portions, fresh ingredients, fast and friendly service. The 10%... read moreVery good! Burritos, tacos, and naked (i.e., burrito bowl). Very sizeable portions, fresh ingredients, fast and friendly service. The 10% check-in discount definitely didn't hurt, although prices were reasonable. Choice of salsas was great, larger than a certain franchise located across the street. The franchise across the street has a certain distinct flavor that I don't like, and Blue Maize just tasted like its ingredients, the way I'd expect it to. I didn't feel it was greasy and I'd definitely come back when I'm in the city. read less

Tasted Better than chipotle...happened to just walk by one night. It did not stand out among all the other shops... read moreTasted Better than chipotle...happened to just walk by one night. It did not stand out among all the other shops and restaurants but they should get more signage...very under rated. Food tasted freshly made not fatty. Came here 2 days in a row ha read less

We ordered delivery. Food was delicious and hot. I ordered the tortilla chicken soup and it had tons... read moreWe ordered delivery. Food was delicious and hot. I ordered the tortilla chicken soup and it had tons of chicken and spicy broth. I also had the deconstructed burrito bowl and added additional protein. It came with tons of chicken everything had tons of spice. read less

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

We really enjoyed our meal. The choices of meat and sauces were excellent. All was very tender... read moreWe really enjoyed our meal. The choices of meat and sauces were excellent. All was very tender and well cooked. We are in town for a week and enjoyed it so much we went twice. Would highly recommend if your in the area. read less

A while back I stumbled into Blue Maiz looking to just step off the noisy street for a moment. As... read moreA while back I stumbled into Blue Maiz looking to just step off the noisy street for a moment. As a result? I have found a quiet haven in Blue Maiz the last 3 times I've taken a bus from Port Authority. Never too crowded, with plenty of seating, always quick and friendly service and good sized burritos. Prices are (fairly) decent for the area. Would highly recommend over the overcrowded fast food chains in the area. read less

This food was sooooo good. I enjoyed it so much better than Chipotle and everything tasted fresh. Quick and great... read moreThis food was sooooo good. I enjoyed it so much better than Chipotle and everything tasted fresh. Quick and great customer service read less

This is probably the best authentic Mexican lunch I have ever had in Manhattan, of course queens is even better... read moreThis is probably the best authentic Mexican lunch I have ever had in Manhattan, of course queens is even better but so far I just love this place.staffs are friendly & place is super clean.I ll bring more friends here to try out this gem ! read less