Food Review: Casa Maya

By Jesse Drucker

Walk through the door of Casa Maya, and the smell of chili, cilantro, and salsa immediately greets you. From the outside the restaurant is not especially inviting: a cement building with red mini-lights located in a strip mall along Central Avenue. However, the indoor décor makes you feel as if you have just walked in to an authentic Mexican restaurant, with sombreros and Mayan tribal masks hung on the wall and potted cacti on display.

Upon walking into Casa Maya, we were immediately welcomed and told there would be a fifteen-minute wait. We removed our coats and sat down at the bar. Five minutes later, after snacking on some complimentary chips and salsa, we were brought to our table. The wood booths and chairs that line the restaurant weren’t the most comfortable way to dine but were roomy enough and added to the casual feel.

The restaurant seemed fun for all ages and the atmosphere was very festive. The crowd was diverse; young and old couples dining together, college age guys sitting at the bar watching hockey and basketball, a group of older women grabbing a quick bite before heading down Central Avenue to the movies, and a few families with young children. Casa Maya is only a 10-minute drive from Scarsdale, located next door to an Italian restaurant, Spiga, under the same ownership.

We were barely settled in when a waiter brought over more extra salty chips and freshly mixed salsa and poured us water. The menu was extensive, offering traditional Mexican dishes such as quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas and burritos, while also including a variety of different hamburgers. For younger diners, Casa Maya makes several flavors of non-alcoholic daiquiris such as mango, strawberry, banana, and peach as well as a tangy pina colada.

The wait staff is almost entirely Mexican, although our friendly and upbeat waiter hailed from Guatemala. He offered many suggestions, and recommended the chicken fajita as his personal favorite. Within 15 minutes of the waiter taking our order, the food arrived.

The chicken fajita, served on a sizzling cast iron skillet, was perhaps a bit less flavorful then expected but was complimented well by rice, beans, and various toppings. We also ordered the chicken quesadilla, which was fried and oily.

One of my friends, a total carnivore, devoured her skirt steak, also highly recommended by the waiter. With the addition of salt and some Mexican hot sauce, it became the most enjoyable dish at the table.

For desert we ordered The Maya almond flan, a moist and creamy chilled dish that went down well with a cappuccino.

Casa Maya, which serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, costs about $17 a person for a meal. It’s a great place to go out with your friends or family if you’re looking for a truly traditional ethnic meal with a fun yet authentic staff and environment.