Maria's Mexican Restaurant

Been living in Simi Valley since 2011 and finally someone recommended this place to us. And I’m glad they did. I don’t know when they actually opened, but I’m sure we were missing out for a little while. Food was great, and the restaurant is a good size and simple. Don’t be late to this one like we were.

We went twice in one week. The first visit had terrible service. We arrived around 11:50 a.m., ready for lunch, and I basically had to beg for chips and salsa. It’s lunchtime. The server said she would only bring them since we ordered from the lunch menu. After that, she rarely checked on us. We had to flag her down for basic things like drink refills and napkins, and her attitude was noticeably sour. I honestly wouldn’t have gone back if my husband hadn’t really liked the food. On our second visit, we had a much nicer young server, but she was very inattentive. No drink refills, and she didn’t come back after the food was brought out. Another server came over when my daughter moved to a neighboring seat, which felt unnecessary since we were the only customers and the restaurant was empty

Simi Valley has no shortage of great Mexican restaurants, and Maria’s stands tall among the best. A true David among some well-known Goliaths. The service was impeccable during my first visit. I barely finished saying “I’d like a Pacifico” before an ice-cold one was placed in front of me. The complimentary salsa and chips were perfect—until I knocked the salsa bowl over like an amateur. No judgment, just a fresh bowl delivered with a smile. The fish tacos, rice, and beans were all spot on. I wish I could recreate that flavor at home. Honestly, the meal was so filling, I could’ve wandered the desert for 40 days without needing another bite. Moses highly recommends Maria’s.

Maria's is a solid little local Mexican cafe. It's cozy and inviting and hearty enough. In an unassuming little storefront in a plaza off Sycamore, it doesn't look like much - but the interior is actually pretty roomy, decorated with tile and papel picado. The service is fine, and it's the kind of place you can get in and get out or have a long, relaxed meal with a group. The food itself is probably the weakest point. The seasoning is a bit off across the board, the eggs are tough, the tortillas are a bit stale, the ingredient prep is a little sloppy - but it's all serviceable. It's not bad and it's clearly made from scratch, and sometimes that's all it needs to be.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve gone out for breakfast at Eggs N Things, Firehouse Cafe, and occasionally Egg House. Today, we wanted to celebrate family birthdays over breakfast. Finding a table for 12 at popular breakfast spots isn't easy, so we decided to look for an alternative, and that’s how we found Maria’s. What a pleasant surprise! If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like someone is cooking you an exceptional meal in their own home, all in a quaint and welcoming environment, I highly recommend Maria’s. I ordered the tamale and egg breakfast with flour tortillas, while another in our group chose a traditional French toast breakfast. The ability to choose between Mexican or American-style breakfasts, both with generous portions and excellent quality was truly impressive