This is one of those places that should not be changed. It has that lived in look both outside and inside which is the antithesis of the super scrubbed decidedly boring chain restaurants. Maria's has comfortable seating (all be it a bit tight seating) in a warm atmosphere. Service: Excellent with a wait staff that is prompt and friendly A+ Drinks: They pour a terrific drink; no cheap airport fills here. A+ Food: Really good and abundant. I personally would prefer a more scaled back portion but I suspect I am in the minority. The stuffed mushrooms were wonderful. The regular sized antipasti salad was enough to feed most of Braintree. I can not image what the large looks like. The eggplant parmesan was excellent. Bread was good but I wish they put olive oil on the table versus the ubiquitous plastic butter packets. A- Parking: Easy enough A Prices: More than fair A
(5)
Mindy L.
I came here with my husband, parents and sister after the place was recommended to me by my boss. I came forewarned that the exterior was lacking charm and the interior was outdated, but I was told that the food was delicious as well as affordable. I was not misled! If you need something modern, updated, sleek, elegant or trendy, just don't bother. The reviews reiterate this point over and over, so why visit full-well knowing what it's like, but then complain about it? You come here for the food. And in it's own way, the cheesy interior (complete with canal murals and faux Roman pillars) is kind of quaint. It makes you smile (unless you have a giant stick up your you-know-what)... Every meal starts with salad (Greek or Tossed) and a choice of pasta (spaghetti, angel hair, linguini or ziti). The portion sizes are huge. We have enough leftovers for dinner tonight! I tried the chicken parm and thought it was delicious. My Mom had the veal parm and eggplant. She said the eggplant was so good, she would order it on its own the next time. My husband enjoyed the gnocchi and my Dad had the shrimp in garlic lemon butter. The sauce for his shrimp was so good, we requested a second bread basket to sop it all up. The garlic bread does not come with the meal, so make sure you order some for the table. Well worth it. I also really liked their house malbec. My Mom had the chianti and said it was very good as well. We had a great experience here. The place was packed (and there were folks of all ages - even a table of family celebrating their 15 year old's birthday) for a Tuesday night. Oh, and the cannoli ... highly recommend saving some room!
(4)
Todd D.
If you like to cut into a chicken "tender" in your piccata only to have blood ooze out into your sauce, then this is your place. If you like wait staff who upon seeing bloody chicken on your plate say, "They normally get it right" and who then clears the table and brings the check without apology or having the manager drop by, then this is your place. I should have called the health department. There is no way that this boneless chicken reached a safe temperature for serving.
(1)
Rachel C.
Came here to celebrate a family members birthday. Ordered some pasta, but the cheese sauce was way too thick. I got full within five minutes of eating. Lots of kids and families in the restaurant, also making it really loud. It was pretty cold inside, too. When we mentioned the birthday girl, every staff member started to sing joyfully, they are all full of great energy and enthusiasm and had no problem helping us with our needs. There is very little space to move around. There is a decent amount but it still feels a bit cluttered inside. Decorations around the restaurant are very cute and go well with the Italian theme. Took a bit of my aunts fish and chips. It was amazing, and I would totally recommend it. Amazing restaurant, and will hopefully be returning. It was my first time there, and I had an amazing experience.
(5)
Stephen P.
Not the place it used to be (15 yrs ago). I don't enjoy their watered down sauce on their chicken cutlet with a slice of cheese, they pull off as Chicken Parmesan. Waitresses seem like they have been there since it's opened and not much of a good help if you want to "know their signature dishes". There is better Italian grub to spend your money on. Sorry
(2)
Dan R.
This weekend while in the Braintree area we decided to stop in at Maria's Restaurant to have some Italian cuisine. When we arrived it was an hour after opening and the place was empty. This would usually be great but the restaurant was so quiet that it made the dining experience slightly awkward. Since we came as a large party we were seated in their back room which had some very intricate artwork on the back wall. Our waitress was very sweet and professional but didn't check on us as often as we would have liked. A few different times some of the guys in the group needed refills and never got them. The food itself had mixed reviews between the party. The majority of the items were delicious and the portion sizes were large, but even when three people from the table got the same item, there was such a discrepancy between the plates. For example I purchased fettuccini alfredo which was creamy while a friend order the same dish and his looked as though it was drowning in a ocean of butter. In the end, the experience here was neither great nor bad. We enjoyed the food overall and the waitress was polite but there definitely could have been room for improvement. That being said, I would definitely try this place again in the future.
(3)
A H.
I am crazy about oysters. Regardless of the type of restaurant, when they are on a menu, I'll order them. Fried oysters were on this Italian restaurant's menu. I ordered them, devoured them and loved them. The side Greek salad that came with them, was pretty good too. The service was excellent.
(4)
Robert H.
Several things here are just the way I like them, sort of Greek / Italian. Highlights include chicken and eggplant parm, chicken marsala, Greek salad. I still don't really like the windowless decor, but the food is quite good
(4)
Alex K.
I have been to Maria's about 6-7 times over the past few years. This is a terrific place! Everything on the menu is outstanding. The service is outstanding.
(5)
Jack C.
This place is a little pricey for what they have to offer but overall the service is good and the menu is great.
(4)
Erin L.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants. The Greek food is really good too. Have used this place for events before too and have always been happy.
(5)
Darline J.
We just had a great dinner. I had Chicken Saltinbocca... It was so delicious and so big it could feed a family of 4. My husband had the Prime Rib special which was a big portion and melted in his mouth. We have been coming here for a long time and never had a bad meal. Our waitress Tara was excellent and she too deserves 5 stars. Darline Luggelle Carter Quincy, MA
(5)
Kristen M.
Just left Maria's restaurant after my first visit. I left there still hungry lacking an appetite. This place was a real hoot I'll tell you- cheesy dust layered stained glass light fixtures. Plastic wall columns, the whole nine yards of horrendous ! Someone please call Robert Irvine this place needs a gut makeover. The food was a completely separate monstrosity. My boyfriend ordered the seafood Tuscany. It was a broth consistency red sauce with ok flavor it was something anyone could easily make at home. I ordered the seafood a la geche? DISGUSTING. nowhere in the description did it say CROUTONS. Logically speaking , why in gods name would anyone put big chunks of random croutons in a seafood dish that was supposed to emulate a shrimp scampi !!! The haddock was undercooked and looked completely SKETCH. WORST PART- when I brought this undercooked fish to I waitresses attention in a kind manor, (Simply asking her if she thought it looked undercooked ) she responded with defending the kitchen and tried to tell me only 1 out of every 90 dishes comes out undercooked. I'm going to call this ladies bluff the only thing the number 90 can represent in this establishment is the average age of their clientele. More then likely because they can barely see or taste their food. What a joke ! Do not go here..... spare yourself.
(1)
Emily D.
Do I love Maria's? YES I DO! The decor is outdated, it's dark, but the service is great and most importantly the food is good! Big Portions, you'll definitely have leftovers for the next couples days.. and the prices are great. It's great for families, big groups to share, and just have a relaxed dinner. Order the chicken fettuccine Alfredo, it comes with big chicken chunks and fresh veggies. SOOO YUMMY!
(4)
Sylvia C.
Went there on a Saturday evening... the place was packed...not too long of a wait - 10-15min wait. The decor is definitely dated - don't think it was ever renovated since it opened. Leave it to the locals to say otherwise. Definitely seems like a local kind of restaurant. Our server wasn't the best - just think its because her tables were all over the restaurant (front and back) which makes it inefficient. Took forever to get our drinks, food and check (had to wait over 20mins for her to come back with our credit card). As for the food - definitely nothing to rave about - ordered fried clams as appetizer dinner 1- eggplant and chicken parm with gnocchis (very oil and little eggplant - gnocchis were blah) dinner 2 - prime rib with mashed potatoes and garden salad (looks and taste alright) If you live in Quincy - definitely stick with Gennaros.
(3)
Dan R.
Very causal , large portions every meal comes with a salad chicken parm is one of the best around wait staff is always friendly
(4)
Winnie K.
Maria's was delicious! Very old world charm! The portions were huge & the service was attentive & couldn't beat the prices! We got the Veal Saltimbocca & the Veal Marsala. Perfectly cooked. We had to take some home as we couldn't finish it all. They have both Italian & Greek dishes. Which is always a plus. North End quality without the hassle of driving & trying to find parking in Boston!
(5)
Michelle M.
OK so I get what everyone is saying about the outdated decor. I'm happy to say that I went to today just to get 2 meatball subs and it seemed brighter...thought I was crazy. But I wasn't they closed yesterday and repainted the ceilings and replaced lightbulbs-what a difference! Still outdated decor but you don't feel like you are in a cave. Their meatball subs are my favorite. I have been eating them for 30 years. I used to hop the fence to get there and now I have the pleasure of driving;)
The chicken ad eggplant parm are absolutely delicious . I go here every week..Drinks are mixed well and decently priced. Great spot for a sunday dinner
(4)
Joy E.
Huge on charm, warmth, friendly service, portion sizes and deliciousness; low on preteniousness - Maria's is by far a favorite go-to place for excellent Italian food. Its too easy to drive by without noticing and easier still to dismiss it when you walk inside. One person's outdated tackniess, is another persons makes-you-feel-cozy-like-your-at-Nana's. I'd be that person. I LOVE the cozy, warm interior. The service is always very friendly and efficient and the food is awesome. On my last visit I had one of the best shrimp and scallop scampis I have every had. The seafood was fresh, tender and cooked perfectly and the scampi sauce was a garlicy, buttery, lemony heaven. My son had the lobster ravioli in vodka sauce and gorged himself because he couldn't stop eating it. I have always had fantastic food at Maria's - so what if it meant spending twice as long at the gym the next time.
(4)
Daryver G.
I got amazed by the eggplant parmigiana they have on the menu. I really recommend it! The service is good and friendly, they don't treat just as a client but as a human. The salad is not amazing but the amount of salad they serve is incredible; great for salad eaters! It has a very familiar environment.
(4)
ML S.
I just went here for my first time and The food was absolutely delicious. I can't lie though when I first walked in I wanted to turn around and walk out. They sure need some major updating and renovations. I had the haddock, shrimp, and scallops over linguine and a cannoli for dessert- highly recommend both. The sangria was good and very well priced for its size. Would've been 5 stars if it weren't for the decor.... The waitress was great too.
(4)
Nancy H.
Always happy with food and service. Amazing house made cannoli. Fresh seafood. Very personable staff. One night we teased me 6year old son that he had to pay or wash dishes. So, the manager led him toward the kitchen to show him the large dish washing machine. Always a great meal and experience.
(5)
Paul S.
A Homerun South Shore classic and never a dissapointment! Let me start out by stating what Maria's is not. Its not a place to be compared to modern and trendy dining spots that you go to in the city. What Maria's is works and they dont need to change it. Just like Santarpio's in Eastie - It has worked for decades and they never consider changing anything. The atmosphere is dimly lit with old fashion wall decor consisting of large old country murals. The fragrance of really good greek dressing hits you in the nose as soon as you walk in. Friendly service is right there to seat you and your server gets to you speedily. To note - Maria's employs servers that have been there for years and years, which tells you they like where they are and that they do fairly well because business is consistent. If you like good classic Italian fare such as eggplant parm, chicken parm, gnocchi, shrimp scampi and pizza with fair prices and good portions - well here you go. You can have your meal served in stainless steel casarole dish if you like. Simple house red and white vino can be ordered in half and full sized carafes at very reasonable prices - this is good cheap wine - so dont expect the best of the fruit of the vine and your expectation wont be hurt. The food quality is good and always consistent. I usually get the eggplant and sausage combo covered in marinara and it never dissapoints. My wife ususally orders the Seafood Nantucket consisting of shrimp, scallops and haddock topped with melted cheese & seafood stuffing, served with potato - just as the menu states it, and she loves it everytime - washed down with white vino. In closing, you can walk outta here completely stuffed for 50 bucks or less! To the yelper who made mention of Gordon Ramsey having a field day - I would say this - Gordon will not get the call because their business is never slow! Again what they do works and has worked for the past 30 years!!!
(4)
John W.
we go here a lot and it's usually very good food at a great value. However, I went here recently and ordered the fried clams which I heard were good. they weren't. they were mostly clam strips with very few bellies. As i said it's usually very good so I'll go back but not for the fried clams!
(3)
A M.
We ordered pick up, and the stars are mostly for the staff. They were all friendly, welcoming and attentive even to us lowly take out people and yes that does go a long way. The food on the other hand... We got a pizza and a chicken dish. The pizza was just not good, I'm sorry to say, no bigger than a bar pizza, and twice as expensive. And greasy. And bland, with cheese sliding off. We had argued about where to get pizza earlier, any of the other places would have been better, including papa ginos. The chicken dish was pretty skimpy, especially on the pasta, which makes no sense, because it costs basically nothing. We wanted to share the two orders, but there wasn't enough pasta for two small plates. Chicken was ok, small amount but decent. Cheese was greasy and kind of floating on top, not a very appealing dish overall. The interior of this place is so dated, it would be a viable option for take out instead, but... Won't be ordering again.
(2)
Martin O.
The decor is definitely out-dated but the food was exceptionally delightful. I can officially vouch for the chicken picatta and the veal saltimbocca, as well as the Maria's meal for two.
(4)
Jimmy S.
OVERALL: Excellent food. Great food. Only bottled drinks though? Quality: 5 stars. Food was great! Had the Seafood Alfredo which was one of the best I have ever had. Super fresh seafood and very fresh pasta. Can't be beat. Service: 4 stars. Not bad. Very helpful, quick seating. Very busy though! Atmosphere: 3 stars. Family style, in, here is your food, and out. No frills. This is like your grandma's house. Price: 4 stars. Decent. Well worth the portion sizes. Notes: Went here after reading all the positive reviews. Just an FYI, the parking situation is horrible. Yeah, no fun to park. Seated quickly in this HUGE establishment. Service was a bit slow, but it was very busy. Everything came out on time, hot, and delicious. Seafood alfredo was one of the best I have ever had. No joke. The rest of my party enjoyed theirs as well. Everyone took home some food as well. Long story short, great food and decent prices. Great for families and big parties. Parking is no fun. No frills, good food.
(4)
Michael K.
Very consistent. Abundant portions. Good sauce. Eat here fairly often. Very reasonably priced with no surprises.
(4)
Kelly M.
No frills Italian restaurant that looks like it's set in my Grandmother's kitchen. Yea, the decor needs some updating, but don't let that deter you! Huge menu that could be overwhelming but they have ANYTHING Italian you could be craving. The combination meals are a great idea if you can't quite decide what to choose. They came out hot, cheesy, and delicious! Will definitely be going back when I'm craving some of my Grandmother's cooking.
(4)
Caroline F.
Note: I've never visited the actual location so keep in mind that this review is limited in scope. The fella-friend's family and others in the house had wanted to order out for lunch. They settled on Maria's Restaurant, which was perfect because I was craving pasta. He ordered the kid's meal of chicken fingers and fries, which arrived as a generous portion the last time he had ordered it. This time was no different save for the fries, which weren't as fresh, but he didn't mind. I ordered the shrimp scampi and loved it! Chock-full of pieces of garlic and greasy with tender shrimp, it was just what I had needed that day. I also enjoyed the serving of salad that came with the dish--simple and scrumptious. Having said that, I am excited to visit the restaurant. Based on the other reviews, it seems like a small and quaint place, and I love places like that!
(4)
Mike B.
Deliciously, fine ingredients, fresh seafood, tomato & meat pasta sauces, chicken piccata, chicken mythos, chicken ravioli parmigiana & on & on prepared with care every time; like Rome or Athens, indoor restaurant, no windows, nothing to see outside, murals inside, very Mediterranean decor. Take home size servings that are a second meal for later. Steady regular wait staff, take your time they substitute sides and really take good care of you.
(5)
Joe C.
Food was very basic Italian, red sauce, etc, Ok but not impressive. Service was very good. We left a generous tip since the wait staff worked hard to please. Value was very good since portions were generous and the meals costs were low.
(3)
Joe R.
Great Italian food! If you like old fashioned Italian it's hard to find a better value!
(5)
Connie O.
Ew, ew, ew...What a disappointment :-( We really wanted some seafood pasta and based on the reviews of the Italian restaurants in the South Shore this seemed okay. We didn't even care that the decor was so dated (Gordon Ramsey would have a field day). Just want good, decent pasta. We got sodas (flat as flat can be...I guess CO2 is too expensive to use too much) Appetizer was the Fried Calamari, while tender, it was a bit greasy and the marinara sauce was a bit heavy on the oregano?, it didn't taste like marinara. It was served with some chopped banana peppers too. Entrees: Seafood (Scallops, Shrimp, Haddock) Fettucini-Scallops was overcooked, Shrimp was floured (odd), the alfredo sauce was very heavy and sat like a ton of brick, looked like a roux and tasted very pasty. Very under seasoned but the salt and pepper grinders on the table helps. Chicken Saltimbocca w/Marsala sauce-you get 2 pieced of breaded fried chicken breast that has some ham and provolone sandwich in between with more cheese on top of the whole thing. Chicken was overcooked, sauce was very alcohol tasting and could had used a little more time cooking it out. We both think that even tho we detest Olive Garden, it might be a step up. It was definitely not worth the $50 (before tip) that we spent.
(1)
Marianne S.
I came here with my husband on a Sunday night. The food is great, huge portions and very friendly staff. Excellent service we will be back. The bread is delicious as well as the soup of the day. The decor is old school which adds to the wonderful atmosphere. Quite a gem here :)
(5)
Brian W.
The decor was slightly dated the owner made a nice effort with the granite tables, even though the decor is older it fits the theme because I felt like I was in Italy and it fits the older crowd, the portion size was more than fair and my dish the chicken saltimbocca was good but needed salt and pepper, and something tasted funny in the water. Our waitress was very nice and had a personality great for this restaurant but not fitting for a Ruth's Chris. I'm not in any rush to return.
(3)
James W.
Maria's used to be really good. After not going there for a few years, we decided to have them on a whim and were very disappointed. The sauce was really spicy and the pasta was burnt and crispy. I hope we just caught them on a bad day, but I can't say that we will be returning anytime soon.
(1)
Louis C.
Amazing Italian food!! This place has great food, good service, and you can't go away from here hungry! I remember going here as a kid about 20 years ago, and recently brought my girlfriend here for dinner. The decor hasn't changed one bit, it has murals of Italy painted on the wall and they want you to feel like you are in an old school Italian restaurant The portions are huge, and most meals come with a salad (the way it should be at all restaurants). Everything is fresh and doesn't taste like it comes from a microwave like at the big chain restaurants (I'm looking at you, OG). The service is phenomenal.
(4)
Christine H.
This is one of those places aimed at people who want huge portions and cheap prices. The quality goes along with the cheap prices. I normally would not review a place after only one visit but I wil never go back, so I think a one visit review is fair in this situation. The place looked really cute from the outside and I was excited to try it after reading the great reviews. The first thing we noticed when walking in was the horrible smell. it is a mixture of mildew and seafood. I turned around and looked at my husband and we almost walked out but someone came to seat us at that very moment. The decor is very dated but kind of cute. It just needs a good cleaning. The carpets are very stained and gross. They need a serious steam cleaning or to just be replaced. My husband describes it as "a dark, dingy version of a 70's Greek diner". I guess they do not get many people asking for martinis. Both of our martinis were gross. My husbands Gray Goose martini tasted like it was made with Gordon's and my Cosmo tasted like cough syrup. We can drink anything so we downed those and ordered wine next. The only part of the food at I really enjoyed was the garlic bread with cheese. The Alfredo was decent. I ordered some sampler. I specifically asked for it without meat and with marinara sauce instead of meat sauce. It came out with a giant piece of sausage on it. Seriously? The waitress insisted that the dish always came with sausage and I reminded her that I said I was a vegetarian and did not want any meat in my dish. She said she would have them take the sausage off of the plate. I hate being difficult but the juice (blood and grease) was already all over the plate. She ended up saying she who'd have them remake it. My husband did not like a single thing about the experience. He thought the food was very bland and the pasta was overcooked. The only reason why this place gets 2 stars is because I really, really liked the servers. It says a lot about their personalities that I completely disregard the fact that they served me meat when I mentioned more than once that I was a vegetarian and did not want anything with meat. Then again, they are probably not used to 2 people spending $100 so they were probably looking forward to their tip. They were the only great thing about this place but sadly they were not enoug to make us try it again. I am sorry to give a bad review to this place. I guess someone who typically orders martinis is not the target audience.
(2)
Katie R.
I agree with the reviews on the bread. It was the kind of bread that comes with Chinese take out. Luckily I was prepared and didn't bother trying it so I could save room for giant dish of broiled cheese covered gnocchi and chicken parm. I could only eat 1/4 of my food. Not huge portions but the gnocchi just filled my stomach. I liked the Greek salad. It wasn't authentic but the dressing was tasty and they were not skimpy on the feta. My BF had the Maria's sampler. The stuffed shell was awesome, the eggplant parm came stuffed with provolone cheese and was tasty, the veal chunks were good. I did not like the meatball. It wasn't bad I've just had better. I will be back to sample the pizza. And maybe a plate of stuffed shells =) The decor is gaudy as hell but the friendly service made up for it. I think we saw Rod Stewart eating here. Or more likely someone rocking Rod Stewart's spiky mullet.
(3)
Kim K.
When I was a kid we used to go here all the time or my parents would get take out (like every other family in Braintree). Well I've taken a 13 year respite and all I could remember was the overdressed greek salads and the chocolate ice cream with crunchy ice bits in it. I don't know why I wanted to go back so bad but I did this past weekend. The place is cramped with all of the locals that eat here every Saturday night. Old couples and big families talking loudly. It took over 15 minutes to wait for a seat which was kinda crazy but I'm happy Maria's is successful with their business. The bread and butter was good, I was so hungry! I ordered garlic bread too because I remembered it being yummy but I was wrong. It was not garlicy in the least and was burnt around the edges. Maybe it was the cheesy garlic bread that was good. Whatever. The greek salad was as I remembered: soggy, overdressed, and made with bland iceberg lettuce. If it's so crappy why do I love it so? I have no answer to that. Anyways, for dinner I got the Chicken Pizziola which was alright. You know when you cook peppers and they take on an intense pepper taste, almost like they are burnt? I think it comes from boiling maybe because the peppers were not caramelized or roasted. Vexing. So my whole dish kind of tasted like burned peppers. And the cheese, my god. I scraped most of it off and put it to the side where it immediately congealed into an inpenetrable lump. Kinda gross. The chicken was squishy, tasted ok though. For dessert I got the chocolate ice cream for old times sake. This made the whole meal worth it for me. It was rich and creamy and still had the ice crunchies I remember as a kid. However, I will now continue on with my respite from Maria's. Meh.
(3)
David V.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, and being intrigued by the history of this restaurant (see restaurant web site), we decided to give it a try. Upon entering, it looks like your basic south shore townie Italian-American restaurant. The pre-dinner bread was disappointing (not homemade) and the "famous" Greek salad was not so great, so we are not sure why it is so "famous". So, after the bread and salad we were not sure what to expect. Thankfully, the entrees were fantastic! The lobster ravioli was full of LOBSTER, the way it should be. In fact, it was better than any lobster ravioli dish I've had in the North End at fancy restaurants. The shrimp parmesean was fantastic (according to my father), as was the lamb shish-kebob (which I tasted from my mother's plate). The gnocchi (which I also tasted) was good, but the marinara sauce has a strong flavor of what we guess is grape leaves. Aside from the marinara flavor, the gnocchi dish was fine. They automatically put meat sauce on the gnocchi (this is not mentioned in the menu), and our server did not ask my wife if she wanted meat sauce or plain. Since my wife does not eat meat, she ended up returning the gnocchi for another serving with the marinara sauce, and our nice waitress accommodated us quickly. Overall, this seems like a very nice family restaurant and we would return.
(4)
Steve F.
I'll start off by declaring that Maria's is my favorite restaurant in the world so perhaps I'm a bit biased. The homemade food quality, generous portion size, low prices, and old world atmosphere has never changed since I started coming here nearly 30 years ago. In fact, the same can be said for my father who went there as a kid as the restaurant opened before he was born ( Maria's Restaurant opened in 1950: marias-braintree.com/his… ). My favorite go-to dish is the Chicken Parmesan which comes in a hot casserole dish, topped with meat sauce and cheese, and includes two good size pieces of chicken on top of each other. A side of pasta comes with it as well. All dinners also come with Maria's famous Greek salad which, while simple, is incredible. My girlfriend is lactose intolerant and the chefs are incredibly accommodating, substituting certain ingredients and cooking in Olive Oil instead of butter, so she can have dishes she couldn't have elsewhere, such as Linguine with Clams. Everything is homemade. I'd also recommend the fish and scallops which are always fresh, but it's just tough for me to pass up the incredible Chicken Parm. I hope Maria's Restaurant doesn't change a bit because I have so many fond memories eating there with (Italian) family members who have since passed and it brings me back to the old world and my Nana's kitchen.
(5)
mark t.
Top notch place, I'm from Chicago and I have been looking for a place like this for 8 years! Thank god I finally found it.
(5)
A Lil Bird Told M E.
3 likes: 1.) eggplant parm 2.) murals 3.) open during blizzards/power outages
(5)
Bob K.
Have been here a few times since I moved to Braintree 5 years ago. Great atmosphere, very friendly staff and the food is very good. I especially like the Shrimp Scampi. Also have ordered catering from here and the portions are very good for the price paid. Highly recommended.
(5)
Kate M.
I decided to try this place based on the reviews and was disappointed. Baked Stuffed shells were covered in meat sauce and did not looked baked at all. My husbands chicken fettuccine was nasty it was covered in butter I'm guessing the one serving contained two full sticks of butter.
(2)
Anna J.
My fiance and I love Maria's. Yes, the decor is dated, the place is small, and it's a bit dingy, but it feels like home. Occasionally the waitresses are insanely busy and don't pay attention, or have a bit of an attitude, but it doesn't bother us as much as it would anywhere else. I love their chicken parm and raviolis, eggplant parm, chicken mythos, and alfredo. We also usually get their garlic cheese bread and sauteed mushrooms for appetizers. Just a warning, the mushrooms are sauteed and come in a dish of oil and spices, garlic. We love to dip our bread in it, with a drizzle of lemon! The red sauce is usually good, but can sometimes be overcooked or taste like it's been there all day. Those times are few and far between, though. The Greek salads are small with creamy Greek dressing. Some people hate it, but I happen to love it. They bring over a basket of bread and a few plain rolls, nothing fancy but takes the edge off hunger. Everyone in my family likes Maria's, including my vegetarian sister. The food is good, prices are good, portions are good. Portions are actually large, and we always bring some home.
(4)
Morowa C.
I live close by and decided to visit Maria's on New Years Eve before going downtown to First Night. Its very easy to see from the road and parking was a breeze. Very friendly, its a small restaurant so it felt a little cramped sitting so close to others, and a little loud. But the atmosphere was pleasant and we were seated quickly. The bread was cold, like it just came right out of the refrigerator, and that was a turn off because I also like my bread warm. We ordered the fried Haddock, with cole slaw and mashed potatoes which was tasty. The fish lightly fried and very tender. All in all we enjoyed the food. I just wished they served warm bread.
(3)
Mimi H.
This is my favorite place to go for Itilian. It's convient, afforable and delisious. The service great and the atmosphere is very cozy. I always get the eggplant parmasian, and i love it. I love getting their house wine when I'm there with a group. Oh an the waitresses are very sweet.
OH MY HEAVENLY DAYS !!!!!!! I was just back home visiting my family this past week & on my last day we decided to go to Maria's. I can safely say, it was my most favourite meal of my entire 10 day trip & believe me, that is saying A LOT since all I do is pretty much EAT. I ordered the scallops & it was beyond delicious! They were so big & melted in my mouth like perfect little velvet pillows of happy. SO GOOD !!!!!!!!!! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi (I tasted it & it was YUM!) and she loved it & my aunt Linda ordered the trio of chicken parm, eggplant parm & manicotti (I tasted that too & it was also super yum supreme!) & she loved her meal too. We were all super insanely pleased in every possible way! In fact, if I lived back in MA, I'd be more than happy to eat my way through their entire menu. Plus, I love how the decor hasn't changed since it opened & it reminds me of my beloved grandmother. It's very Italian (which is a huge huge huge plus in my book) and everything was just super well made & delicious. I'm Italian & grew up with a grammy & mother who handmade EVERYTHING so I tend to be super picky when it comes to Italian restaurants & this place was ace! GO GO GO & FILL YOUR BELLY WITH HAPPY !!!!
(5)
Mo C.
So my parents came down last night and wanted to grab a quick bite. I wanted to try the Cheesecake factory (against my normal foodie views, but I wanna see what the hype is about), but due to an hour long wait we opted to find somewhere else. Onto the Yelp machine I went and poof, Marias popped up. It got horrible reviews on the decor "Gordon Ramsey would have a hay day with this place" and "so outdated"....well I happen to like places like that, SO on WE WENT!! I looked at the menu online and noticed the prices haven't been changed for a couple of years, but they were still very reasonable when we got there (18.95 for a fishermans platter, VERY REASONABLE!) The food came out fast and yes its not some modern chic style of plating, but it is tasty. My boyfriend got an italian sampler, and the veal was very tender contrary to most restaurants that try to sell veal, and the meat ball was a fluffy pillowy cloud of delisciousness (I know my meat balls, this one had great flavor and texture). My ma got fried clams (always good) , but these were super fresh and didn't taste "fishy" or old, I got the calamari (which I admired how uniform the slices were, leading me to assume they don't cut it in house, but who cares about that anyway? as long as its fresh, and fried right, which it was, its delish). My step dad got the greek salad, which was your classic greek that you would get at any Ma and Pa shop, quartered tomatoes, whole kalamatas, feta,and rings of onion. The plating wasn't anything special, but like I said this place definitely has an old school feel, which reminds me of home (Vermont). WHAT SOLD ME ON THIS PLACE The waitress! She was awesome, had a great Mass attitude (rough around the edges but upbeat, with a sense of humor and friendly). She is probably why I would come back, I wish I had asked her name, seeing as I said that I will definitely be coming. Bottom line, if you want a quick affordable bite and maybe a couple drinks, check it out! Old school, which I love.....restaurants these days are taking more time plating food, then they are making sure it tastes good. Also keep in mind, I am a Chef....and I appreciate all aspects of the food industry. Don't let "outdated" decor sway you from enjoying a good meal.
(4)
Chuck S.
I drove by this place so many times I finally decided to visit it with my girlfriend. No smell of mildew like others have mentioned just Italian food. I honestly have to say the food is really good. The prices are very reasonable and the service was great. Our waitress was Debbie and she was fantastic. Will I go back? Hell yes and I will bring friends to introduce them to this gem and to Debbie. Maria's is an example of how you don't have to go to the North End to get great Italian food. It is one of the best South Shore Italian Restaurants. I have been to Tosca Cafe as well and wasn't a fan. Why pay more, get less, not as good tasting food when you can go to Maria's.
(4)
Kucmo N.
My friends and i tried the food here a week or two ago. Nothing special. Inside is pretty crowded and we were the only ones there
(3)
Alex F.
Besides having the feeling I'm eating in some ones creepy basement (Buffalo Bill's basement) this place is great. All the vines and unnecessary ancient decor is a little odd for BIG AL. But you go to restaurants for the food and its priced reasonably and get good size portions that are good.
(4)
Charles K.
The food is great, the waitstaff is extremely friendly. Not only do you get to support a great small business but you get to enjoy doing it. Please make note that Maria's donates to many Braintree sports groups and fundraisers. Artie and his family are very generous and give back to the community. When you spend money at this small business it surely benefits the town.
(5)
K M.
Where to start? My friend recommended this place to us and since we just moved nearby we got take out one night. The price was priced right for the portion and the taste was just right. I would give this place a 2.5 but the food was decent. One afternoon, we decided to dine in for lunch. The host/ess service was not too pleasant. He/she looked bored and tired. There were a couple table in there and there was a "very" small bar to the right-- which was unbelievably out of place. Overall the decor is too much for such a small restaurant... perhaps changing some of the colors. Our waitress was OK -- we had asked for suggestions and she was very blunt with answers. I also work part time as a waitress so I would know how to answer questions without being bias. She was a riot.. not too friendly, just whatever about anything... So just because of that I would most likely not dine in again and probably take out.
(3)
Mark S.
Good Food, Great Service by friendly people and fantastic portions for a good price(its a small family place that you leave wanting a nap). When I lived on the other side of the Landing, this was a place we visited at least once a month for some 30+ years of my life. It was a family favorite growing up. It was the place I always choose for my birthday dinner. Since moving to Lakeville some 10 years ago, I do not go as often of course but I miss it till we do.
(4)
Melissa S.
Okay so I was so undecided on what to get for dinner tonight and I just recently decided I want to try new stuff so I was hankering for some kind of Italian food. I decided to find an Italian rest. on here (Yelp) and I picked Maria's. It's funny I have lived in Braintree for 3 years and Quincy for 10 plus years and I never knew this place existed until today. When I got there the inside was freaking weird! I walked up to the counter to ask for my takeout and the lady went to a small rectangle window about 8" tall and 64" long. And my food came out the window. Then getting over the weird window thing I realized it was actually a bar! (Not the window, the counter thing) The bar is jammed into a little corner. I have never in my life seen anything like it. (And that's not a good thing) I checked out the restaurant while I was waiting for change and boy is it dated. It was packed though with customers. Anyway I got Garlic Bread with cheese, Chicken Parm and a slice of cheesecake. The garlic bread was like Papa Ginos only Papa Ginos garlic bread is good and this was not. The Chicken Parm was okay. The sauce was peppery like warned in other reviews however I kind of liked that. I think there was a squished up meatball in my sauce wasn't sure. The cheesecake was $6 and was very tiny. I know most cheesecake slices are small because they are very filling however for $6 bucks I guess I was expecting a jumbo slice. It was really good and tasted homemade. I am a little surprised there were so many 4 and 5 star reviews. I guess I am harder to please and just don't give 4/5 stars out willy nilly. I probably would of gave it 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)
Christina K.
Over the years, we've come here off and on all with the same result - regret. It's one of those places that, if enough time passes, you forget how truly horrible the last visit was, and vow to never go back (like child birth!) The first assault on your senses is the decor: plastic grapevines (complete with plastic grapes,) outdated naugahyde booths, cheesy "authentic" murals of gondolas, and the biggest red flag of them all - wood paneling! Not everything has to have a stark bistro decor, but homey and comforting doesn't have to hurt. It's like walking into 1973... Then the food comes. First, a waaay over-dressed salad (pretty generous with the feta, though) served in one of those little woven wood salad bowls. Remember those? My grandmother had a set of those when I was a kid. My grandmother. Only hers weren't all chipped and warped. They just scream "petri-dish" to me. This is served with what can only be described as Chinese take-out style bread, and a little bowl of frozen, foil-wrapped butter. If I had to choose an entree that sums up my impression of Maria's, it would be the veal parm: large planks of overly-breaded veal that tastes like old frying oil, completely blanketed with a thick, rubbery layer of processed mozzarella cheese, and swimming in a too-salty red sauce (IF you remember to ask for marinara, because I think everything is served with meat sauce unless you specifically request meatless.) As for the sauce, a lot of the reviews I've read describe it as "peppery" or "spicy," and it is, but not in a good way. It's almost like a preview to the pray-for-death heartburn that comes later! I can imagine a giant vat of tomato sauce simmering in the back with huge pools of grease glistening on the surface and a thick skin of burned sauce stuck to the bottom. The one shining light at Maria's would have to be the service. Except for the fact that, nine times out of ten, nobody asks you if you want meat sauce or marinara with your entree, the waitstaff here is awesome. They are very knowledgeable, extremely friendly and accommodating. If I had to guess the reason they have such a loyal, local following, I would have to say it's the very personable servers, although you still have to eat the food... With such stellar service staff, loyal following and less-than-mediocre food, I always half expect to see Maria's as the featured restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares!
(2)
Jessica B.
Excellent, Delish food. Great prices. Portions are just right!!
(5)
John S.
There are a lot of townie Italian restaurants in North Jersey where I'm from, but I had to go all the way to Braintree Mass to find the towniest one in all the land. The fake plastic vines on the walls were interwoven with strings of white Christmas lights. The patrons were the perfect townie blend - 90% old people with that "I've been coming here for years" crustiness and 10% teenagers from Quincy High that were borrowing their mom's car. The wait staff have clearly been there longer than I've been alive, and the bar was tended by a matronly woman in a frighteningly low cut blouse. So yes, in a word, townie. The food was exactly what you would expect from a place like this. Simply prepared, properly cooked, laiden with cheese and tasty. The garlic bread was unfortunately more like "dry, unbuttered, burnt bread," but the veal and eggplant was fine. You should not go here if you are on a diet, if you want to impress a lady, or if you are not wearing white New Balance sneakers with dark Lee jeans. But if you do happen to find yourself in the 'tree and want some veal, then go here. Leave your pretention at the door.
(3)
Karen S.
I am Italian, and I cook and eat well...This place does it right! I have always loved Maria's...the parm's are amazing & the prices are reasonable...Have been coming to Maria's for over 10 years...my husband introduced me and he loves the Veal Parm...we always have leftovers. I love Maria's!
(5)
Shannon H.
This restaurant is consistently good. Taste more "homemade" than a lot of other italian places in the area. Good greek salad but I'm not a bog fan of the soups- too salty. The dinner for two is good (i think its about $24). You both a portion of chicken parmesan, sausage, eggplant and manicotti. With pasta on the side. There seafood specials are pretty good as-well. Feels like a diner inside and has the ugly painted walls that are supposed to look like traditional Italy LOL.
(4)
Steph H.
I almost feel bad posting this since the restaurant has had such other great reviews but I do feel obliged to say that our one experience there had them serving us a really bad piece of chicken. And by bad I mean spoiled. Won't be back.
(1)
Solomon C.
I came here a second time while I was in town for work and again Maria's did not dissapoint! I ordered a seafood pasta special that had Lobster meat, scallops, mussels and shrimp over a linguini for $18.99. If this were red lobster or olive garden, you would've expected them to go cheap and give you a little bit of the good stuff. Not Maria's! Holy crap! there was at least three big chunks of lobster claw and tail meat in this thing, some smaller chunks of lobster meat that I couldn't identify, plenty of scallops, shrimp and mussells. You can tell they love what they do by the way they serve their dishes, therefore I love Maria's!
(5)
Anh H.
My family and I love Maria's. The atmosphere is intimate. The food is amazing. Portions are huge and their prices are cheap compared to the Northend. In my opinion, Maria's is way better than any restaurant in the Northend for Italian food. I always get their mussel chiapli unbeatable at only $7, and their seafood Fra Diavolo. I've also had their pizzas and many other dishes and have never been disappointed.
(5)
Alyssa S.
2.5 stars I can never convince my mom to go to Italian restaurants with me, but we finally tried Maria's Restaurant the other night. The servers are very nice here. There was one woman who seemed to be everywhere all at once, but she made sure to check on us whenever she noticed that our waitress was MIA. My mother and I each ordered a healthy glass of house wine for only $4 each. We shared Maria's Dinner for 2, which included the soup of the day, half a loaf of garlic bread, chicken cutlets, sausage, manicotti eggplant parmigiana, and ziti with tomato sauce. Doesn't that sound like a lot of food? WELL, IT WAS. With our fish chowder, we also received salads of our choice (either garden or Greek). The garlic bread arrived while we were eating our soup and salads, followed by the dish of our dinner "for two"...more like six. I enjoyed our dinner up to a point, but after awhile, it's called overindulgence. We enjoyed our dinner, but I believe this restaurant is better catered to a larger party for family or business. The environment was crowded and loud, but you can tell that the customers and staff have been there for years.
(2)
Lisa M.
OMG....just ate here for the 1st time. The food was fabulous. It has the absolute best Cannoli I have ever had. One of the waitresses makes them herself. Huge portions and you you get salads with your meal!!! The Greek salad was great.
(5)
William B.
Maria's is an Italian restaurant in Braintree, and yes, it's pretty damn good. The place has brought me back for more of the delicious food they serve. It's an eatery worth giving a shot if you crave some Italian food. I actually prefer Maria's over Bertucci's. The food is outstanding here. I've tried a variety of the food here myself, and my family tends to enjoy getting a meal from here, too. My absolute favorite food here is the ravioli. I can't stand when some places make the cheese creamy inside, but fortunately, Maria's doesn't do that. The cheese inside the ravioli is perfect. You get to choose from meat sauce or marinara sauce, and I love the meat sauce. It has a tiny bit of a spice to it, which makes it perfect on a ravioli or even spaghetti and meatballs. Although not a big pizza fan, I actually think Maria's makes a pretty good pizza. The sauce isn't to sweet, and the crust is fresh and perfectly baked. Another great meal is the chicken parmesan, which comes with some amazing, cooked to perfection chicken with tasty and melted cheese, pasta, and the delicious meat or marinara sauce. The eggplant parmesan is basically the same, except with eggplant instead of chicken. And yes, it is good. Maria's has some amazing Italian food, no questions asked. It's not just the food that makes Maria's amazing. It's also very clean. Even the bathrooms are well kept, and that's coming from someone like me who absolutely hates public bathrooms. Another pro of the place is the service. The waitresses are friendly, and they come over in a snap. For a busy Italian eatery like this, the food comes out in no time. If you're a little extra hungry, get yourself an appetizer, which should hold you over. The atmosphere is also decent. The only funny thing about it is the bathroom signs which don't match. I laugh at that every time. Other than that, the decor is fair and not outdated like most non-chain Italian eateries. Maria's is an amazing Italian eatery, and I'm not a big Italian food fan at all. Worth going to a few times if you ever have a craving with some amazing Italian food. Two thumbs up!
(4)
rick r.
Staff and schrod keep me going back.
(5)
Matt L.
My family and I went here on Aug 22 2012. We were asked by the waitress what we wanted to drink. My father asked if they had Long Island Iced Tea. The waitress said its against the law to sell that drink in Ma. We thought it was strange because they sell that drink at other restaurants in Ma. He said to her could you ask your boss if thats true. So she left to ask her boss. She came back 15 min later and said Its not a state law we just dont sell that drink here. So he asked for a glass of wine and me and my brother asked for Coke. She brought are drinks to us and the Cokes were flat. So we told her and she brought us new ones that were still flat. We told her what we wanted to eat. Afew min later she came back with our food which was salty. So while were were trying to eat the salt she started to vacuum the floor . After we ate alittle we left and we wont be going there ever again. My advice to people that want to go there is DONT!
(1)
Amanda B.
Maria's is a great place to eat, whether you choose to dine in the restaurant or do take out. We've done both. Right on Quincy Ave, Maria's is a small, "quaint-ish" type restaurant that specializes in sort of an Italian-Greek mix of foods. They've got all your favorites: chicken parm, every pasta known to man, seafood specialties, calzones, gyros, and of course PIZZA. I've honestly tried a little of everything and it's all good. Now of course, nothing at Maria's is very "diet-friendly"; everything has sauce and cheese and more sauce, and is probably fried. But don't we all deserve that now and again?
(4)
Elizabeth Y.
Maria's always has great customer service and delicious food. Some of my favorites are shrimp scampi, steak tips and excellent pizza! The shrimp is large and tender in a delicious garlic wine sauce in the shrimp scampi. The pizza has a buttery crisp crust and generous toppings with wonderful tomato sauce. My husband likes their Italian dishes of shells, meatballs and beef and cheese sauce.
(5)
Sheila F.
Called for reservations for 6 an hour before arriving and we were seated immediately upon arrival. The house wine was great and of course the greek salads were perfect. I had the veal which was as usual tender and delicious. Service was quick and helpful and the waitress was nice enough to take a group photo. Most importantly Maria's comes at a very low price. Really good cheap but delicious italian food with a homemade feel.
(5)
Peter S.
Second lunch at Maria's - outstanding! A seafood trio special, loaded with fresh-cooked mushrooms, blanched fresh tomatoes & tangy capers in a white wine sauce over some beautifully al dente linguini, scallops, shrimp & schrod - Perfecto! My better half enjoyed chicken breasts and broccoli over zite - also just great! Wow!
(4)
Jessica L.
I eat at Maria's at least once a week. I actually crave it, its weird. I have tried just about everything on the menu and my recomendations are; Chicken and Eggplant Parm, and Shrimp Scampi. They are both amazing. The atsmosphere is fun, its dark and cramp but that what I like about it, its very traditional. I work near by and tell customers to eat there all the time, everyone just loves it! The prices do jump a bit from lunch to dinner - so I just get it for lunch to beat the cravings :)
(5)
Dee M.
My favorite Italian restaurant. The food and wait service is excellent. Large portions at a great price.
(5)
Pamela K.
we've moved back and came by for a nice little dinner. place still look the same and service hasn't changed... personable and quick. one thing has changed is the food. Not how I remembered! greasy and heavy. ok. it's pasta's and pizza's and more carb options, but the food I had didn't sit well in my stomach. Maybe it was a bad day...
(3)
M C.
My husband and I just recently visited this place with our 4 & 6 yr old boys. We haven't been here for quite a few years and true the decor hasn't changed. I wasn't there really to look at the decor. I was truly surprised our meals were fantastic! Hubby and I got the veal dinner for 2. Our kids got the chicken finger plates. We all ate like pigs! The food was so good, the veal was melt in your mouth and no it wasn't that frozen patty crap. I had the eggplant and that too was fantastic. Nice crisp crust on both parmigiana. The sauce was flavorful. The kids ended up sharing our dinner too. Heck there was plenty to go around for all 4. In fact my hubby and I couldn't get over how fantastic those chicken fingers tasted with our parmigiana! Lol.
(4)
Jen J.
John S took the words right out of my mouth. This is my local Italian take-out place. If I'm not in the mood to cook and want something better than Papa Gino's, then I come here. (Don't get me wrong though; for non-fancy pizza, Papa's is THE place!) Back to Maria's... the meat sauce is good; there are actually chunks of meat in it. My favorite dish so far is the veal and eggplant. Be warned that everything comes with a thick layer of cheese on top.
(3)
Jamie M.
Great Italian close to home! They're known for their greek salads (gotta love a place that still gives you a choice of salad with your meal) just tell them to go easy on the dressing! My bf love's their pizza. Greesey, cheesy and saucey but sooo good and plenty of toppings to choose from. For the price, this place is a gem. I did have a seafood meal w/pasta before that tasted like a maple syrup flavor but it didn't seem to bother other ppl I was dining with.
(4)
Jenna K.
I LOVE the food here. It is always so fresh and tasty. Very quick and friendly service. This is one of my regular weekly spots for take outs.
(4)
Nate T.
I rarely go in for dinner but often order pizza out. Incredibly thick and filling pizza--I would love the recipe! The restaurant has an old-school feel, sometimes I feel like I am walking into an antique building. Highly rec'd.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Greek Cuisine
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Michael C.
This is one of those places that should not be changed. It has that lived in look both outside and inside which is the antithesis of the super scrubbed decidedly boring chain restaurants. Maria's has comfortable seating (all be it a bit tight seating) in a warm atmosphere. Service: Excellent with a wait staff that is prompt and friendly A+ Drinks: They pour a terrific drink; no cheap airport fills here. A+ Food: Really good and abundant. I personally would prefer a more scaled back portion but I suspect I am in the minority. The stuffed mushrooms were wonderful. The regular sized antipasti salad was enough to feed most of Braintree. I can not image what the large looks like. The eggplant parmesan was excellent. Bread was good but I wish they put olive oil on the table versus the ubiquitous plastic butter packets. A- Parking: Easy enough A Prices: More than fair A
(5)Mindy L.
I came here with my husband, parents and sister after the place was recommended to me by my boss. I came forewarned that the exterior was lacking charm and the interior was outdated, but I was told that the food was delicious as well as affordable. I was not misled! If you need something modern, updated, sleek, elegant or trendy, just don't bother. The reviews reiterate this point over and over, so why visit full-well knowing what it's like, but then complain about it? You come here for the food. And in it's own way, the cheesy interior (complete with canal murals and faux Roman pillars) is kind of quaint. It makes you smile (unless you have a giant stick up your you-know-what)... Every meal starts with salad (Greek or Tossed) and a choice of pasta (spaghetti, angel hair, linguini or ziti). The portion sizes are huge. We have enough leftovers for dinner tonight! I tried the chicken parm and thought it was delicious. My Mom had the veal parm and eggplant. She said the eggplant was so good, she would order it on its own the next time. My husband enjoyed the gnocchi and my Dad had the shrimp in garlic lemon butter. The sauce for his shrimp was so good, we requested a second bread basket to sop it all up. The garlic bread does not come with the meal, so make sure you order some for the table. Well worth it. I also really liked their house malbec. My Mom had the chianti and said it was very good as well. We had a great experience here. The place was packed (and there were folks of all ages - even a table of family celebrating their 15 year old's birthday) for a Tuesday night. Oh, and the cannoli ... highly recommend saving some room!
(4)Todd D.
If you like to cut into a chicken "tender" in your piccata only to have blood ooze out into your sauce, then this is your place. If you like wait staff who upon seeing bloody chicken on your plate say, "They normally get it right" and who then clears the table and brings the check without apology or having the manager drop by, then this is your place. I should have called the health department. There is no way that this boneless chicken reached a safe temperature for serving.
(1)Rachel C.
Came here to celebrate a family members birthday. Ordered some pasta, but the cheese sauce was way too thick. I got full within five minutes of eating. Lots of kids and families in the restaurant, also making it really loud. It was pretty cold inside, too. When we mentioned the birthday girl, every staff member started to sing joyfully, they are all full of great energy and enthusiasm and had no problem helping us with our needs. There is very little space to move around. There is a decent amount but it still feels a bit cluttered inside. Decorations around the restaurant are very cute and go well with the Italian theme. Took a bit of my aunts fish and chips. It was amazing, and I would totally recommend it. Amazing restaurant, and will hopefully be returning. It was my first time there, and I had an amazing experience.
(5)Stephen P.
Not the place it used to be (15 yrs ago). I don't enjoy their watered down sauce on their chicken cutlet with a slice of cheese, they pull off as Chicken Parmesan. Waitresses seem like they have been there since it's opened and not much of a good help if you want to "know their signature dishes". There is better Italian grub to spend your money on. Sorry
(2)Dan R.
This weekend while in the Braintree area we decided to stop in at Maria's Restaurant to have some Italian cuisine. When we arrived it was an hour after opening and the place was empty. This would usually be great but the restaurant was so quiet that it made the dining experience slightly awkward. Since we came as a large party we were seated in their back room which had some very intricate artwork on the back wall. Our waitress was very sweet and professional but didn't check on us as often as we would have liked. A few different times some of the guys in the group needed refills and never got them. The food itself had mixed reviews between the party. The majority of the items were delicious and the portion sizes were large, but even when three people from the table got the same item, there was such a discrepancy between the plates. For example I purchased fettuccini alfredo which was creamy while a friend order the same dish and his looked as though it was drowning in a ocean of butter. In the end, the experience here was neither great nor bad. We enjoyed the food overall and the waitress was polite but there definitely could have been room for improvement. That being said, I would definitely try this place again in the future.
(3)A H.
I am crazy about oysters. Regardless of the type of restaurant, when they are on a menu, I'll order them. Fried oysters were on this Italian restaurant's menu. I ordered them, devoured them and loved them. The side Greek salad that came with them, was pretty good too. The service was excellent.
(4)Robert H.
Several things here are just the way I like them, sort of Greek / Italian. Highlights include chicken and eggplant parm, chicken marsala, Greek salad. I still don't really like the windowless decor, but the food is quite good
(4)Alex K.
I have been to Maria's about 6-7 times over the past few years. This is a terrific place! Everything on the menu is outstanding. The service is outstanding.
(5)Jack C.
This place is a little pricey for what they have to offer but overall the service is good and the menu is great.
(4)Erin L.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants. The Greek food is really good too. Have used this place for events before too and have always been happy.
(5)Darline J.
We just had a great dinner. I had Chicken Saltinbocca... It was so delicious and so big it could feed a family of 4. My husband had the Prime Rib special which was a big portion and melted in his mouth. We have been coming here for a long time and never had a bad meal. Our waitress Tara was excellent and she too deserves 5 stars. Darline Luggelle Carter Quincy, MA
(5)Kristen M.
Just left Maria's restaurant after my first visit. I left there still hungry lacking an appetite. This place was a real hoot I'll tell you- cheesy dust layered stained glass light fixtures. Plastic wall columns, the whole nine yards of horrendous ! Someone please call Robert Irvine this place needs a gut makeover. The food was a completely separate monstrosity. My boyfriend ordered the seafood Tuscany. It was a broth consistency red sauce with ok flavor it was something anyone could easily make at home. I ordered the seafood a la geche? DISGUSTING. nowhere in the description did it say CROUTONS. Logically speaking , why in gods name would anyone put big chunks of random croutons in a seafood dish that was supposed to emulate a shrimp scampi !!! The haddock was undercooked and looked completely SKETCH. WORST PART- when I brought this undercooked fish to I waitresses attention in a kind manor, (Simply asking her if she thought it looked undercooked ) she responded with defending the kitchen and tried to tell me only 1 out of every 90 dishes comes out undercooked. I'm going to call this ladies bluff the only thing the number 90 can represent in this establishment is the average age of their clientele. More then likely because they can barely see or taste their food. What a joke ! Do not go here..... spare yourself.
(1)Emily D.
Do I love Maria's? YES I DO! The decor is outdated, it's dark, but the service is great and most importantly the food is good! Big Portions, you'll definitely have leftovers for the next couples days.. and the prices are great. It's great for families, big groups to share, and just have a relaxed dinner. Order the chicken fettuccine Alfredo, it comes with big chicken chunks and fresh veggies. SOOO YUMMY!
(4)Sylvia C.
Went there on a Saturday evening... the place was packed...not too long of a wait - 10-15min wait. The decor is definitely dated - don't think it was ever renovated since it opened. Leave it to the locals to say otherwise. Definitely seems like a local kind of restaurant. Our server wasn't the best - just think its because her tables were all over the restaurant (front and back) which makes it inefficient. Took forever to get our drinks, food and check (had to wait over 20mins for her to come back with our credit card). As for the food - definitely nothing to rave about - ordered fried clams as appetizer dinner 1- eggplant and chicken parm with gnocchis (very oil and little eggplant - gnocchis were blah) dinner 2 - prime rib with mashed potatoes and garden salad (looks and taste alright) If you live in Quincy - definitely stick with Gennaros.
(3)Dan R.
Very causal , large portions every meal comes with a salad chicken parm is one of the best around wait staff is always friendly
(4)Winnie K.
Maria's was delicious! Very old world charm! The portions were huge & the service was attentive & couldn't beat the prices! We got the Veal Saltimbocca & the Veal Marsala. Perfectly cooked. We had to take some home as we couldn't finish it all. They have both Italian & Greek dishes. Which is always a plus. North End quality without the hassle of driving & trying to find parking in Boston!
(5)Michelle M.
OK so I get what everyone is saying about the outdated decor. I'm happy to say that I went to today just to get 2 meatball subs and it seemed brighter...thought I was crazy. But I wasn't they closed yesterday and repainted the ceilings and replaced lightbulbs-what a difference! Still outdated decor but you don't feel like you are in a cave. Their meatball subs are my favorite. I have been eating them for 30 years. I used to hop the fence to get there and now I have the pleasure of driving;)
(4)Brad B.
Love this place!. One of my fiancés and I's favorite place. The food is awesome, the décor is like you walked into 1978, and the prices are great. absolute gem and hope stays forever. if you are looking for a Strega on the waterfront kind of experience, this is not the place. If you want a nostalgic atmosphere, great food, and don't want to break the bank this IS that place. .
(4)Sean B.
The chicken ad eggplant parm are absolutely delicious . I go here every week..Drinks are mixed well and decently priced. Great spot for a sunday dinner
(4)Joy E.
Huge on charm, warmth, friendly service, portion sizes and deliciousness; low on preteniousness - Maria's is by far a favorite go-to place for excellent Italian food. Its too easy to drive by without noticing and easier still to dismiss it when you walk inside. One person's outdated tackniess, is another persons makes-you-feel-cozy-like-your-at-Nana's. I'd be that person. I LOVE the cozy, warm interior. The service is always very friendly and efficient and the food is awesome. On my last visit I had one of the best shrimp and scallop scampis I have every had. The seafood was fresh, tender and cooked perfectly and the scampi sauce was a garlicy, buttery, lemony heaven. My son had the lobster ravioli in vodka sauce and gorged himself because he couldn't stop eating it. I have always had fantastic food at Maria's - so what if it meant spending twice as long at the gym the next time.
(4)Daryver G.
I got amazed by the eggplant parmigiana they have on the menu. I really recommend it! The service is good and friendly, they don't treat just as a client but as a human. The salad is not amazing but the amount of salad they serve is incredible; great for salad eaters! It has a very familiar environment.
(4)ML S.
I just went here for my first time and The food was absolutely delicious. I can't lie though when I first walked in I wanted to turn around and walk out. They sure need some major updating and renovations. I had the haddock, shrimp, and scallops over linguine and a cannoli for dessert- highly recommend both. The sangria was good and very well priced for its size. Would've been 5 stars if it weren't for the decor.... The waitress was great too.
(4)Nancy H.
Always happy with food and service. Amazing house made cannoli. Fresh seafood. Very personable staff. One night we teased me 6year old son that he had to pay or wash dishes. So, the manager led him toward the kitchen to show him the large dish washing machine. Always a great meal and experience.
(5)Paul S.
A Homerun South Shore classic and never a dissapointment! Let me start out by stating what Maria's is not. Its not a place to be compared to modern and trendy dining spots that you go to in the city. What Maria's is works and they dont need to change it. Just like Santarpio's in Eastie - It has worked for decades and they never consider changing anything. The atmosphere is dimly lit with old fashion wall decor consisting of large old country murals. The fragrance of really good greek dressing hits you in the nose as soon as you walk in. Friendly service is right there to seat you and your server gets to you speedily. To note - Maria's employs servers that have been there for years and years, which tells you they like where they are and that they do fairly well because business is consistent. If you like good classic Italian fare such as eggplant parm, chicken parm, gnocchi, shrimp scampi and pizza with fair prices and good portions - well here you go. You can have your meal served in stainless steel casarole dish if you like. Simple house red and white vino can be ordered in half and full sized carafes at very reasonable prices - this is good cheap wine - so dont expect the best of the fruit of the vine and your expectation wont be hurt. The food quality is good and always consistent. I usually get the eggplant and sausage combo covered in marinara and it never dissapoints. My wife ususally orders the Seafood Nantucket consisting of shrimp, scallops and haddock topped with melted cheese & seafood stuffing, served with potato - just as the menu states it, and she loves it everytime - washed down with white vino. In closing, you can walk outta here completely stuffed for 50 bucks or less! To the yelper who made mention of Gordon Ramsey having a field day - I would say this - Gordon will not get the call because their business is never slow! Again what they do works and has worked for the past 30 years!!!
(4)John W.
we go here a lot and it's usually very good food at a great value. However, I went here recently and ordered the fried clams which I heard were good. they weren't. they were mostly clam strips with very few bellies. As i said it's usually very good so I'll go back but not for the fried clams!
(3)A M.
We ordered pick up, and the stars are mostly for the staff. They were all friendly, welcoming and attentive even to us lowly take out people and yes that does go a long way. The food on the other hand... We got a pizza and a chicken dish. The pizza was just not good, I'm sorry to say, no bigger than a bar pizza, and twice as expensive. And greasy. And bland, with cheese sliding off. We had argued about where to get pizza earlier, any of the other places would have been better, including papa ginos. The chicken dish was pretty skimpy, especially on the pasta, which makes no sense, because it costs basically nothing. We wanted to share the two orders, but there wasn't enough pasta for two small plates. Chicken was ok, small amount but decent. Cheese was greasy and kind of floating on top, not a very appealing dish overall. The interior of this place is so dated, it would be a viable option for take out instead, but... Won't be ordering again.
(2)Martin O.
The decor is definitely out-dated but the food was exceptionally delightful. I can officially vouch for the chicken picatta and the veal saltimbocca, as well as the Maria's meal for two.
(4)Jimmy S.
OVERALL: Excellent food. Great food. Only bottled drinks though? Quality: 5 stars. Food was great! Had the Seafood Alfredo which was one of the best I have ever had. Super fresh seafood and very fresh pasta. Can't be beat. Service: 4 stars. Not bad. Very helpful, quick seating. Very busy though! Atmosphere: 3 stars. Family style, in, here is your food, and out. No frills. This is like your grandma's house. Price: 4 stars. Decent. Well worth the portion sizes. Notes: Went here after reading all the positive reviews. Just an FYI, the parking situation is horrible. Yeah, no fun to park. Seated quickly in this HUGE establishment. Service was a bit slow, but it was very busy. Everything came out on time, hot, and delicious. Seafood alfredo was one of the best I have ever had. No joke. The rest of my party enjoyed theirs as well. Everyone took home some food as well. Long story short, great food and decent prices. Great for families and big parties. Parking is no fun. No frills, good food.
(4)Michael K.
Very consistent. Abundant portions. Good sauce. Eat here fairly often. Very reasonably priced with no surprises.
(4)Kelly M.
No frills Italian restaurant that looks like it's set in my Grandmother's kitchen. Yea, the decor needs some updating, but don't let that deter you! Huge menu that could be overwhelming but they have ANYTHING Italian you could be craving. The combination meals are a great idea if you can't quite decide what to choose. They came out hot, cheesy, and delicious! Will definitely be going back when I'm craving some of my Grandmother's cooking.
(4)Caroline F.
Note: I've never visited the actual location so keep in mind that this review is limited in scope. The fella-friend's family and others in the house had wanted to order out for lunch. They settled on Maria's Restaurant, which was perfect because I was craving pasta. He ordered the kid's meal of chicken fingers and fries, which arrived as a generous portion the last time he had ordered it. This time was no different save for the fries, which weren't as fresh, but he didn't mind. I ordered the shrimp scampi and loved it! Chock-full of pieces of garlic and greasy with tender shrimp, it was just what I had needed that day. I also enjoyed the serving of salad that came with the dish--simple and scrumptious. Having said that, I am excited to visit the restaurant. Based on the other reviews, it seems like a small and quaint place, and I love places like that!
(4)Mike B.
Deliciously, fine ingredients, fresh seafood, tomato & meat pasta sauces, chicken piccata, chicken mythos, chicken ravioli parmigiana & on & on prepared with care every time; like Rome or Athens, indoor restaurant, no windows, nothing to see outside, murals inside, very Mediterranean decor. Take home size servings that are a second meal for later. Steady regular wait staff, take your time they substitute sides and really take good care of you.
(5)Joe C.
Food was very basic Italian, red sauce, etc, Ok but not impressive. Service was very good. We left a generous tip since the wait staff worked hard to please. Value was very good since portions were generous and the meals costs were low.
(3)Joe R.
Great Italian food! If you like old fashioned Italian it's hard to find a better value!
(5)Connie O.
Ew, ew, ew...What a disappointment :-( We really wanted some seafood pasta and based on the reviews of the Italian restaurants in the South Shore this seemed okay. We didn't even care that the decor was so dated (Gordon Ramsey would have a field day). Just want good, decent pasta. We got sodas (flat as flat can be...I guess CO2 is too expensive to use too much) Appetizer was the Fried Calamari, while tender, it was a bit greasy and the marinara sauce was a bit heavy on the oregano?, it didn't taste like marinara. It was served with some chopped banana peppers too. Entrees: Seafood (Scallops, Shrimp, Haddock) Fettucini-Scallops was overcooked, Shrimp was floured (odd), the alfredo sauce was very heavy and sat like a ton of brick, looked like a roux and tasted very pasty. Very under seasoned but the salt and pepper grinders on the table helps. Chicken Saltimbocca w/Marsala sauce-you get 2 pieced of breaded fried chicken breast that has some ham and provolone sandwich in between with more cheese on top of the whole thing. Chicken was overcooked, sauce was very alcohol tasting and could had used a little more time cooking it out. We both think that even tho we detest Olive Garden, it might be a step up. It was definitely not worth the $50 (before tip) that we spent.
(1)Marianne S.
I came here with my husband on a Sunday night. The food is great, huge portions and very friendly staff. Excellent service we will be back. The bread is delicious as well as the soup of the day. The decor is old school which adds to the wonderful atmosphere. Quite a gem here :)
(5)Brian W.
The decor was slightly dated the owner made a nice effort with the granite tables, even though the decor is older it fits the theme because I felt like I was in Italy and it fits the older crowd, the portion size was more than fair and my dish the chicken saltimbocca was good but needed salt and pepper, and something tasted funny in the water. Our waitress was very nice and had a personality great for this restaurant but not fitting for a Ruth's Chris. I'm not in any rush to return.
(3)James W.
Maria's used to be really good. After not going there for a few years, we decided to have them on a whim and were very disappointed. The sauce was really spicy and the pasta was burnt and crispy. I hope we just caught them on a bad day, but I can't say that we will be returning anytime soon.
(1)Louis C.
Amazing Italian food!! This place has great food, good service, and you can't go away from here hungry! I remember going here as a kid about 20 years ago, and recently brought my girlfriend here for dinner. The decor hasn't changed one bit, it has murals of Italy painted on the wall and they want you to feel like you are in an old school Italian restaurant The portions are huge, and most meals come with a salad (the way it should be at all restaurants). Everything is fresh and doesn't taste like it comes from a microwave like at the big chain restaurants (I'm looking at you, OG). The service is phenomenal.
(4)Christine H.
This is one of those places aimed at people who want huge portions and cheap prices. The quality goes along with the cheap prices. I normally would not review a place after only one visit but I wil never go back, so I think a one visit review is fair in this situation. The place looked really cute from the outside and I was excited to try it after reading the great reviews. The first thing we noticed when walking in was the horrible smell. it is a mixture of mildew and seafood. I turned around and looked at my husband and we almost walked out but someone came to seat us at that very moment. The decor is very dated but kind of cute. It just needs a good cleaning. The carpets are very stained and gross. They need a serious steam cleaning or to just be replaced. My husband describes it as "a dark, dingy version of a 70's Greek diner". I guess they do not get many people asking for martinis. Both of our martinis were gross. My husbands Gray Goose martini tasted like it was made with Gordon's and my Cosmo tasted like cough syrup. We can drink anything so we downed those and ordered wine next. The only part of the food at I really enjoyed was the garlic bread with cheese. The Alfredo was decent. I ordered some sampler. I specifically asked for it without meat and with marinara sauce instead of meat sauce. It came out with a giant piece of sausage on it. Seriously? The waitress insisted that the dish always came with sausage and I reminded her that I said I was a vegetarian and did not want any meat in my dish. She said she would have them take the sausage off of the plate. I hate being difficult but the juice (blood and grease) was already all over the plate. She ended up saying she who'd have them remake it. My husband did not like a single thing about the experience. He thought the food was very bland and the pasta was overcooked. The only reason why this place gets 2 stars is because I really, really liked the servers. It says a lot about their personalities that I completely disregard the fact that they served me meat when I mentioned more than once that I was a vegetarian and did not want anything with meat. Then again, they are probably not used to 2 people spending $100 so they were probably looking forward to their tip. They were the only great thing about this place but sadly they were not enoug to make us try it again. I am sorry to give a bad review to this place. I guess someone who typically orders martinis is not the target audience.
(2)Katie R.
I agree with the reviews on the bread. It was the kind of bread that comes with Chinese take out. Luckily I was prepared and didn't bother trying it so I could save room for giant dish of broiled cheese covered gnocchi and chicken parm. I could only eat 1/4 of my food. Not huge portions but the gnocchi just filled my stomach. I liked the Greek salad. It wasn't authentic but the dressing was tasty and they were not skimpy on the feta. My BF had the Maria's sampler. The stuffed shell was awesome, the eggplant parm came stuffed with provolone cheese and was tasty, the veal chunks were good. I did not like the meatball. It wasn't bad I've just had better. I will be back to sample the pizza. And maybe a plate of stuffed shells =) The decor is gaudy as hell but the friendly service made up for it. I think we saw Rod Stewart eating here. Or more likely someone rocking Rod Stewart's spiky mullet.
(3)Kim K.
When I was a kid we used to go here all the time or my parents would get take out (like every other family in Braintree). Well I've taken a 13 year respite and all I could remember was the overdressed greek salads and the chocolate ice cream with crunchy ice bits in it. I don't know why I wanted to go back so bad but I did this past weekend. The place is cramped with all of the locals that eat here every Saturday night. Old couples and big families talking loudly. It took over 15 minutes to wait for a seat which was kinda crazy but I'm happy Maria's is successful with their business. The bread and butter was good, I was so hungry! I ordered garlic bread too because I remembered it being yummy but I was wrong. It was not garlicy in the least and was burnt around the edges. Maybe it was the cheesy garlic bread that was good. Whatever. The greek salad was as I remembered: soggy, overdressed, and made with bland iceberg lettuce. If it's so crappy why do I love it so? I have no answer to that. Anyways, for dinner I got the Chicken Pizziola which was alright. You know when you cook peppers and they take on an intense pepper taste, almost like they are burnt? I think it comes from boiling maybe because the peppers were not caramelized or roasted. Vexing. So my whole dish kind of tasted like burned peppers. And the cheese, my god. I scraped most of it off and put it to the side where it immediately congealed into an inpenetrable lump. Kinda gross. The chicken was squishy, tasted ok though. For dessert I got the chocolate ice cream for old times sake. This made the whole meal worth it for me. It was rich and creamy and still had the ice crunchies I remember as a kid. However, I will now continue on with my respite from Maria's. Meh.
(3)David V.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, and being intrigued by the history of this restaurant (see restaurant web site), we decided to give it a try. Upon entering, it looks like your basic south shore townie Italian-American restaurant. The pre-dinner bread was disappointing (not homemade) and the "famous" Greek salad was not so great, so we are not sure why it is so "famous". So, after the bread and salad we were not sure what to expect. Thankfully, the entrees were fantastic! The lobster ravioli was full of LOBSTER, the way it should be. In fact, it was better than any lobster ravioli dish I've had in the North End at fancy restaurants. The shrimp parmesean was fantastic (according to my father), as was the lamb shish-kebob (which I tasted from my mother's plate). The gnocchi (which I also tasted) was good, but the marinara sauce has a strong flavor of what we guess is grape leaves. Aside from the marinara flavor, the gnocchi dish was fine. They automatically put meat sauce on the gnocchi (this is not mentioned in the menu), and our server did not ask my wife if she wanted meat sauce or plain. Since my wife does not eat meat, she ended up returning the gnocchi for another serving with the marinara sauce, and our nice waitress accommodated us quickly. Overall, this seems like a very nice family restaurant and we would return.
(4)Steve F.
I'll start off by declaring that Maria's is my favorite restaurant in the world so perhaps I'm a bit biased. The homemade food quality, generous portion size, low prices, and old world atmosphere has never changed since I started coming here nearly 30 years ago. In fact, the same can be said for my father who went there as a kid as the restaurant opened before he was born ( Maria's Restaurant opened in 1950: marias-braintree.com/his… ). My favorite go-to dish is the Chicken Parmesan which comes in a hot casserole dish, topped with meat sauce and cheese, and includes two good size pieces of chicken on top of each other. A side of pasta comes with it as well. All dinners also come with Maria's famous Greek salad which, while simple, is incredible. My girlfriend is lactose intolerant and the chefs are incredibly accommodating, substituting certain ingredients and cooking in Olive Oil instead of butter, so she can have dishes she couldn't have elsewhere, such as Linguine with Clams. Everything is homemade. I'd also recommend the fish and scallops which are always fresh, but it's just tough for me to pass up the incredible Chicken Parm. I hope Maria's Restaurant doesn't change a bit because I have so many fond memories eating there with (Italian) family members who have since passed and it brings me back to the old world and my Nana's kitchen.
(5)mark t.
Top notch place, I'm from Chicago and I have been looking for a place like this for 8 years! Thank god I finally found it.
(5)A Lil Bird Told M E.
3 likes: 1.) eggplant parm 2.) murals 3.) open during blizzards/power outages
(5)Bob K.
Have been here a few times since I moved to Braintree 5 years ago. Great atmosphere, very friendly staff and the food is very good. I especially like the Shrimp Scampi. Also have ordered catering from here and the portions are very good for the price paid. Highly recommended.
(5)Kate M.
I decided to try this place based on the reviews and was disappointed. Baked Stuffed shells were covered in meat sauce and did not looked baked at all. My husbands chicken fettuccine was nasty it was covered in butter I'm guessing the one serving contained two full sticks of butter.
(2)Anna J.
My fiance and I love Maria's. Yes, the decor is dated, the place is small, and it's a bit dingy, but it feels like home. Occasionally the waitresses are insanely busy and don't pay attention, or have a bit of an attitude, but it doesn't bother us as much as it would anywhere else. I love their chicken parm and raviolis, eggplant parm, chicken mythos, and alfredo. We also usually get their garlic cheese bread and sauteed mushrooms for appetizers. Just a warning, the mushrooms are sauteed and come in a dish of oil and spices, garlic. We love to dip our bread in it, with a drizzle of lemon! The red sauce is usually good, but can sometimes be overcooked or taste like it's been there all day. Those times are few and far between, though. The Greek salads are small with creamy Greek dressing. Some people hate it, but I happen to love it. They bring over a basket of bread and a few plain rolls, nothing fancy but takes the edge off hunger. Everyone in my family likes Maria's, including my vegetarian sister. The food is good, prices are good, portions are good. Portions are actually large, and we always bring some home.
(4)Morowa C.
I live close by and decided to visit Maria's on New Years Eve before going downtown to First Night. Its very easy to see from the road and parking was a breeze. Very friendly, its a small restaurant so it felt a little cramped sitting so close to others, and a little loud. But the atmosphere was pleasant and we were seated quickly. The bread was cold, like it just came right out of the refrigerator, and that was a turn off because I also like my bread warm. We ordered the fried Haddock, with cole slaw and mashed potatoes which was tasty. The fish lightly fried and very tender. All in all we enjoyed the food. I just wished they served warm bread.
(3)Mimi H.
This is my favorite place to go for Itilian. It's convient, afforable and delisious. The service great and the atmosphere is very cozy. I always get the eggplant parmasian, and i love it. I love getting their house wine when I'm there with a group. Oh an the waitresses are very sweet.
(5)A Z.
I actually somewhat enjoyed the décor, I didn't think it was too cheesy at all, actually very cute. I got the chicken broccoli & ziti with cream sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the chicken and broccoli were both fresh. My friend got the fettucini Alfredo and while we both had cream sauce, the taste of both dishes were very different. I liked them both. I read that some people weren't a fan of their red sauce, but I had to try it, so I got mozz sticks as an appetizer. Their marinara was a little peppery and spicy. Not half bad, I might try it if I went back. The one thing I hated was the Greek salad. The dressing was creamy (?) and the salad was just doused in it, making it all soggy and gross. It's too bad, I generally love Greek salad. Overall, it wasn't spectacular, but seems like a nice place to take a date and enjoy some decent Italian.
(3)Cuppy T.
OH MY HEAVENLY DAYS !!!!!!! I was just back home visiting my family this past week & on my last day we decided to go to Maria's. I can safely say, it was my most favourite meal of my entire 10 day trip & believe me, that is saying A LOT since all I do is pretty much EAT. I ordered the scallops & it was beyond delicious! They were so big & melted in my mouth like perfect little velvet pillows of happy. SO GOOD !!!!!!!!!! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi (I tasted it & it was YUM!) and she loved it & my aunt Linda ordered the trio of chicken parm, eggplant parm & manicotti (I tasted that too & it was also super yum supreme!) & she loved her meal too. We were all super insanely pleased in every possible way! In fact, if I lived back in MA, I'd be more than happy to eat my way through their entire menu. Plus, I love how the decor hasn't changed since it opened & it reminds me of my beloved grandmother. It's very Italian (which is a huge huge huge plus in my book) and everything was just super well made & delicious. I'm Italian & grew up with a grammy & mother who handmade EVERYTHING so I tend to be super picky when it comes to Italian restaurants & this place was ace! GO GO GO & FILL YOUR BELLY WITH HAPPY !!!!
(5)Mo C.
So my parents came down last night and wanted to grab a quick bite. I wanted to try the Cheesecake factory (against my normal foodie views, but I wanna see what the hype is about), but due to an hour long wait we opted to find somewhere else. Onto the Yelp machine I went and poof, Marias popped up. It got horrible reviews on the decor "Gordon Ramsey would have a hay day with this place" and "so outdated"....well I happen to like places like that, SO on WE WENT!! I looked at the menu online and noticed the prices haven't been changed for a couple of years, but they were still very reasonable when we got there (18.95 for a fishermans platter, VERY REASONABLE!) The food came out fast and yes its not some modern chic style of plating, but it is tasty. My boyfriend got an italian sampler, and the veal was very tender contrary to most restaurants that try to sell veal, and the meat ball was a fluffy pillowy cloud of delisciousness (I know my meat balls, this one had great flavor and texture). My ma got fried clams (always good) , but these were super fresh and didn't taste "fishy" or old, I got the calamari (which I admired how uniform the slices were, leading me to assume they don't cut it in house, but who cares about that anyway? as long as its fresh, and fried right, which it was, its delish). My step dad got the greek salad, which was your classic greek that you would get at any Ma and Pa shop, quartered tomatoes, whole kalamatas, feta,and rings of onion. The plating wasn't anything special, but like I said this place definitely has an old school feel, which reminds me of home (Vermont). WHAT SOLD ME ON THIS PLACE The waitress! She was awesome, had a great Mass attitude (rough around the edges but upbeat, with a sense of humor and friendly). She is probably why I would come back, I wish I had asked her name, seeing as I said that I will definitely be coming. Bottom line, if you want a quick affordable bite and maybe a couple drinks, check it out! Old school, which I love.....restaurants these days are taking more time plating food, then they are making sure it tastes good. Also keep in mind, I am a Chef....and I appreciate all aspects of the food industry. Don't let "outdated" decor sway you from enjoying a good meal.
(4)Chuck S.
I drove by this place so many times I finally decided to visit it with my girlfriend. No smell of mildew like others have mentioned just Italian food. I honestly have to say the food is really good. The prices are very reasonable and the service was great. Our waitress was Debbie and she was fantastic. Will I go back? Hell yes and I will bring friends to introduce them to this gem and to Debbie. Maria's is an example of how you don't have to go to the North End to get great Italian food. It is one of the best South Shore Italian Restaurants. I have been to Tosca Cafe as well and wasn't a fan. Why pay more, get less, not as good tasting food when you can go to Maria's.
(4)Kucmo N.
My friends and i tried the food here a week or two ago. Nothing special. Inside is pretty crowded and we were the only ones there
(3)Alex F.
Besides having the feeling I'm eating in some ones creepy basement (Buffalo Bill's basement) this place is great. All the vines and unnecessary ancient decor is a little odd for BIG AL. But you go to restaurants for the food and its priced reasonably and get good size portions that are good.
(4)Charles K.
The food is great, the waitstaff is extremely friendly. Not only do you get to support a great small business but you get to enjoy doing it. Please make note that Maria's donates to many Braintree sports groups and fundraisers. Artie and his family are very generous and give back to the community. When you spend money at this small business it surely benefits the town.
(5)K M.
Where to start? My friend recommended this place to us and since we just moved nearby we got take out one night. The price was priced right for the portion and the taste was just right. I would give this place a 2.5 but the food was decent. One afternoon, we decided to dine in for lunch. The host/ess service was not too pleasant. He/she looked bored and tired. There were a couple table in there and there was a "very" small bar to the right-- which was unbelievably out of place. Overall the decor is too much for such a small restaurant... perhaps changing some of the colors. Our waitress was OK -- we had asked for suggestions and she was very blunt with answers. I also work part time as a waitress so I would know how to answer questions without being bias. She was a riot.. not too friendly, just whatever about anything... So just because of that I would most likely not dine in again and probably take out.
(3)Mark S.
Good Food, Great Service by friendly people and fantastic portions for a good price(its a small family place that you leave wanting a nap). When I lived on the other side of the Landing, this was a place we visited at least once a month for some 30+ years of my life. It was a family favorite growing up. It was the place I always choose for my birthday dinner. Since moving to Lakeville some 10 years ago, I do not go as often of course but I miss it till we do.
(4)Melissa S.
Okay so I was so undecided on what to get for dinner tonight and I just recently decided I want to try new stuff so I was hankering for some kind of Italian food. I decided to find an Italian rest. on here (Yelp) and I picked Maria's. It's funny I have lived in Braintree for 3 years and Quincy for 10 plus years and I never knew this place existed until today. When I got there the inside was freaking weird! I walked up to the counter to ask for my takeout and the lady went to a small rectangle window about 8" tall and 64" long. And my food came out the window. Then getting over the weird window thing I realized it was actually a bar! (Not the window, the counter thing) The bar is jammed into a little corner. I have never in my life seen anything like it. (And that's not a good thing) I checked out the restaurant while I was waiting for change and boy is it dated. It was packed though with customers. Anyway I got Garlic Bread with cheese, Chicken Parm and a slice of cheesecake. The garlic bread was like Papa Ginos only Papa Ginos garlic bread is good and this was not. The Chicken Parm was okay. The sauce was peppery like warned in other reviews however I kind of liked that. I think there was a squished up meatball in my sauce wasn't sure. The cheesecake was $6 and was very tiny. I know most cheesecake slices are small because they are very filling however for $6 bucks I guess I was expecting a jumbo slice. It was really good and tasted homemade. I am a little surprised there were so many 4 and 5 star reviews. I guess I am harder to please and just don't give 4/5 stars out willy nilly. I probably would of gave it 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)Christina K.
Over the years, we've come here off and on all with the same result - regret. It's one of those places that, if enough time passes, you forget how truly horrible the last visit was, and vow to never go back (like child birth!) The first assault on your senses is the decor: plastic grapevines (complete with plastic grapes,) outdated naugahyde booths, cheesy "authentic" murals of gondolas, and the biggest red flag of them all - wood paneling! Not everything has to have a stark bistro decor, but homey and comforting doesn't have to hurt. It's like walking into 1973... Then the food comes. First, a waaay over-dressed salad (pretty generous with the feta, though) served in one of those little woven wood salad bowls. Remember those? My grandmother had a set of those when I was a kid. My grandmother. Only hers weren't all chipped and warped. They just scream "petri-dish" to me. This is served with what can only be described as Chinese take-out style bread, and a little bowl of frozen, foil-wrapped butter. If I had to choose an entree that sums up my impression of Maria's, it would be the veal parm: large planks of overly-breaded veal that tastes like old frying oil, completely blanketed with a thick, rubbery layer of processed mozzarella cheese, and swimming in a too-salty red sauce (IF you remember to ask for marinara, because I think everything is served with meat sauce unless you specifically request meatless.) As for the sauce, a lot of the reviews I've read describe it as "peppery" or "spicy," and it is, but not in a good way. It's almost like a preview to the pray-for-death heartburn that comes later! I can imagine a giant vat of tomato sauce simmering in the back with huge pools of grease glistening on the surface and a thick skin of burned sauce stuck to the bottom. The one shining light at Maria's would have to be the service. Except for the fact that, nine times out of ten, nobody asks you if you want meat sauce or marinara with your entree, the waitstaff here is awesome. They are very knowledgeable, extremely friendly and accommodating. If I had to guess the reason they have such a loyal, local following, I would have to say it's the very personable servers, although you still have to eat the food... With such stellar service staff, loyal following and less-than-mediocre food, I always half expect to see Maria's as the featured restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares!
(2)Jessica B.
Excellent, Delish food. Great prices. Portions are just right!!
(5)John S.
There are a lot of townie Italian restaurants in North Jersey where I'm from, but I had to go all the way to Braintree Mass to find the towniest one in all the land. The fake plastic vines on the walls were interwoven with strings of white Christmas lights. The patrons were the perfect townie blend - 90% old people with that "I've been coming here for years" crustiness and 10% teenagers from Quincy High that were borrowing their mom's car. The wait staff have clearly been there longer than I've been alive, and the bar was tended by a matronly woman in a frighteningly low cut blouse. So yes, in a word, townie. The food was exactly what you would expect from a place like this. Simply prepared, properly cooked, laiden with cheese and tasty. The garlic bread was unfortunately more like "dry, unbuttered, burnt bread," but the veal and eggplant was fine. You should not go here if you are on a diet, if you want to impress a lady, or if you are not wearing white New Balance sneakers with dark Lee jeans. But if you do happen to find yourself in the 'tree and want some veal, then go here. Leave your pretention at the door.
(3)Karen S.
I am Italian, and I cook and eat well...This place does it right! I have always loved Maria's...the parm's are amazing & the prices are reasonable...Have been coming to Maria's for over 10 years...my husband introduced me and he loves the Veal Parm...we always have leftovers. I love Maria's!
(5)Shannon H.
This restaurant is consistently good. Taste more "homemade" than a lot of other italian places in the area. Good greek salad but I'm not a bog fan of the soups- too salty. The dinner for two is good (i think its about $24). You both a portion of chicken parmesan, sausage, eggplant and manicotti. With pasta on the side. There seafood specials are pretty good as-well. Feels like a diner inside and has the ugly painted walls that are supposed to look like traditional Italy LOL.
(4)Steph H.
I almost feel bad posting this since the restaurant has had such other great reviews but I do feel obliged to say that our one experience there had them serving us a really bad piece of chicken. And by bad I mean spoiled. Won't be back.
(1)Solomon C.
I came here a second time while I was in town for work and again Maria's did not dissapoint! I ordered a seafood pasta special that had Lobster meat, scallops, mussels and shrimp over a linguini for $18.99. If this were red lobster or olive garden, you would've expected them to go cheap and give you a little bit of the good stuff. Not Maria's! Holy crap! there was at least three big chunks of lobster claw and tail meat in this thing, some smaller chunks of lobster meat that I couldn't identify, plenty of scallops, shrimp and mussells. You can tell they love what they do by the way they serve their dishes, therefore I love Maria's!
(5)Anh H.
My family and I love Maria's. The atmosphere is intimate. The food is amazing. Portions are huge and their prices are cheap compared to the Northend. In my opinion, Maria's is way better than any restaurant in the Northend for Italian food. I always get their mussel chiapli unbeatable at only $7, and their seafood Fra Diavolo. I've also had their pizzas and many other dishes and have never been disappointed.
(5)Alyssa S.
2.5 stars I can never convince my mom to go to Italian restaurants with me, but we finally tried Maria's Restaurant the other night. The servers are very nice here. There was one woman who seemed to be everywhere all at once, but she made sure to check on us whenever she noticed that our waitress was MIA. My mother and I each ordered a healthy glass of house wine for only $4 each. We shared Maria's Dinner for 2, which included the soup of the day, half a loaf of garlic bread, chicken cutlets, sausage, manicotti eggplant parmigiana, and ziti with tomato sauce. Doesn't that sound like a lot of food? WELL, IT WAS. With our fish chowder, we also received salads of our choice (either garden or Greek). The garlic bread arrived while we were eating our soup and salads, followed by the dish of our dinner "for two"...more like six. I enjoyed our dinner up to a point, but after awhile, it's called overindulgence. We enjoyed our dinner, but I believe this restaurant is better catered to a larger party for family or business. The environment was crowded and loud, but you can tell that the customers and staff have been there for years.
(2)Lisa M.
OMG....just ate here for the 1st time. The food was fabulous. It has the absolute best Cannoli I have ever had. One of the waitresses makes them herself. Huge portions and you you get salads with your meal!!! The Greek salad was great.
(5)William B.
Maria's is an Italian restaurant in Braintree, and yes, it's pretty damn good. The place has brought me back for more of the delicious food they serve. It's an eatery worth giving a shot if you crave some Italian food. I actually prefer Maria's over Bertucci's. The food is outstanding here. I've tried a variety of the food here myself, and my family tends to enjoy getting a meal from here, too. My absolute favorite food here is the ravioli. I can't stand when some places make the cheese creamy inside, but fortunately, Maria's doesn't do that. The cheese inside the ravioli is perfect. You get to choose from meat sauce or marinara sauce, and I love the meat sauce. It has a tiny bit of a spice to it, which makes it perfect on a ravioli or even spaghetti and meatballs. Although not a big pizza fan, I actually think Maria's makes a pretty good pizza. The sauce isn't to sweet, and the crust is fresh and perfectly baked. Another great meal is the chicken parmesan, which comes with some amazing, cooked to perfection chicken with tasty and melted cheese, pasta, and the delicious meat or marinara sauce. The eggplant parmesan is basically the same, except with eggplant instead of chicken. And yes, it is good. Maria's has some amazing Italian food, no questions asked. It's not just the food that makes Maria's amazing. It's also very clean. Even the bathrooms are well kept, and that's coming from someone like me who absolutely hates public bathrooms. Another pro of the place is the service. The waitresses are friendly, and they come over in a snap. For a busy Italian eatery like this, the food comes out in no time. If you're a little extra hungry, get yourself an appetizer, which should hold you over. The atmosphere is also decent. The only funny thing about it is the bathroom signs which don't match. I laugh at that every time. Other than that, the decor is fair and not outdated like most non-chain Italian eateries. Maria's is an amazing Italian eatery, and I'm not a big Italian food fan at all. Worth going to a few times if you ever have a craving with some amazing Italian food. Two thumbs up!
(4)rick r.
Staff and schrod keep me going back.
(5)Matt L.
My family and I went here on Aug 22 2012. We were asked by the waitress what we wanted to drink. My father asked if they had Long Island Iced Tea. The waitress said its against the law to sell that drink in Ma. We thought it was strange because they sell that drink at other restaurants in Ma. He said to her could you ask your boss if thats true. So she left to ask her boss. She came back 15 min later and said Its not a state law we just dont sell that drink here. So he asked for a glass of wine and me and my brother asked for Coke. She brought are drinks to us and the Cokes were flat. So we told her and she brought us new ones that were still flat. We told her what we wanted to eat. Afew min later she came back with our food which was salty. So while were were trying to eat the salt she started to vacuum the floor . After we ate alittle we left and we wont be going there ever again. My advice to people that want to go there is DONT!
(1)Amanda B.
Maria's is a great place to eat, whether you choose to dine in the restaurant or do take out. We've done both. Right on Quincy Ave, Maria's is a small, "quaint-ish" type restaurant that specializes in sort of an Italian-Greek mix of foods. They've got all your favorites: chicken parm, every pasta known to man, seafood specialties, calzones, gyros, and of course PIZZA. I've honestly tried a little of everything and it's all good. Now of course, nothing at Maria's is very "diet-friendly"; everything has sauce and cheese and more sauce, and is probably fried. But don't we all deserve that now and again?
(4)Elizabeth Y.
Maria's always has great customer service and delicious food. Some of my favorites are shrimp scampi, steak tips and excellent pizza! The shrimp is large and tender in a delicious garlic wine sauce in the shrimp scampi. The pizza has a buttery crisp crust and generous toppings with wonderful tomato sauce. My husband likes their Italian dishes of shells, meatballs and beef and cheese sauce.
(5)Sheila F.
Called for reservations for 6 an hour before arriving and we were seated immediately upon arrival. The house wine was great and of course the greek salads were perfect. I had the veal which was as usual tender and delicious. Service was quick and helpful and the waitress was nice enough to take a group photo. Most importantly Maria's comes at a very low price. Really good cheap but delicious italian food with a homemade feel.
(5)Peter S.
Second lunch at Maria's - outstanding! A seafood trio special, loaded with fresh-cooked mushrooms, blanched fresh tomatoes & tangy capers in a white wine sauce over some beautifully al dente linguini, scallops, shrimp & schrod - Perfecto! My better half enjoyed chicken breasts and broccoli over zite - also just great! Wow!
(4)Jessica L.
I eat at Maria's at least once a week. I actually crave it, its weird. I have tried just about everything on the menu and my recomendations are; Chicken and Eggplant Parm, and Shrimp Scampi. They are both amazing. The atsmosphere is fun, its dark and cramp but that what I like about it, its very traditional. I work near by and tell customers to eat there all the time, everyone just loves it! The prices do jump a bit from lunch to dinner - so I just get it for lunch to beat the cravings :)
(5)Dee M.
My favorite Italian restaurant. The food and wait service is excellent. Large portions at a great price.
(5)Pamela K.
we've moved back and came by for a nice little dinner. place still look the same and service hasn't changed... personable and quick. one thing has changed is the food. Not how I remembered! greasy and heavy. ok. it's pasta's and pizza's and more carb options, but the food I had didn't sit well in my stomach. Maybe it was a bad day...
(3)M C.
My husband and I just recently visited this place with our 4 & 6 yr old boys. We haven't been here for quite a few years and true the decor hasn't changed. I wasn't there really to look at the decor. I was truly surprised our meals were fantastic! Hubby and I got the veal dinner for 2. Our kids got the chicken finger plates. We all ate like pigs! The food was so good, the veal was melt in your mouth and no it wasn't that frozen patty crap. I had the eggplant and that too was fantastic. Nice crisp crust on both parmigiana. The sauce was flavorful. The kids ended up sharing our dinner too. Heck there was plenty to go around for all 4. In fact my hubby and I couldn't get over how fantastic those chicken fingers tasted with our parmigiana! Lol.
(4)Jen J.
John S took the words right out of my mouth. This is my local Italian take-out place. If I'm not in the mood to cook and want something better than Papa Gino's, then I come here. (Don't get me wrong though; for non-fancy pizza, Papa's is THE place!) Back to Maria's... the meat sauce is good; there are actually chunks of meat in it. My favorite dish so far is the veal and eggplant. Be warned that everything comes with a thick layer of cheese on top.
(3)Jamie M.
Great Italian close to home! They're known for their greek salads (gotta love a place that still gives you a choice of salad with your meal) just tell them to go easy on the dressing! My bf love's their pizza. Greesey, cheesy and saucey but sooo good and plenty of toppings to choose from. For the price, this place is a gem. I did have a seafood meal w/pasta before that tasted like a maple syrup flavor but it didn't seem to bother other ppl I was dining with.
(4)Jenna K.
I LOVE the food here. It is always so fresh and tasty. Very quick and friendly service. This is one of my regular weekly spots for take outs.
(4)Nate T.
I rarely go in for dinner but often order pizza out. Incredibly thick and filling pizza--I would love the recipe! The restaurant has an old-school feel, sometimes I feel like I am walking into an antique building. Highly rec'd.
(4)