Maria Bonita Mexican Grill
171 W 800 N, Orem, UT, 84057
Maria Bonita Mexican Grill Menu
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Address :
171 W 800 N
Orem, UT, 84057 - Phone (801) 426-9328
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Jeremy D.
This place is so tasty. It has a large variety of dishes to choose from. There is something for everyone. It's not you cheap Mexican food. It tastes amazing and portions are huge. The staff is great and so friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Felipe Z.
Maria Bonita is pretty much everything you can ask for a mexican restaurant. It has great food, one of the best Horchatas I've ever had, and the portions are HUGE. There are some little things that you do have to deal with before you enjoy the meal blessed with the mexican soul of Tenochtitlan's warrior spirits, which are: It's a small place, and as its a popular place it can get really crowded, and you could end up waiting for a table for a while. The service tends to be on the slower side of things, but its bearable, and it can get hot at times. Other than that sit back and enjoy the delicious Flautas, and the different combination plates, together with a nice chilled refillable Horchata, and your favorite novela, of course.
(4)Charles S.
Maria Bonita is good, but it's not great. The salsa is too watery and has very little heat. Although they use high-quality ingredients, the flavors are all sort of dull. I like my Mexican food to have lots of big, bold, flavors and it's not the case at this restaurant. The prices are okay and the portion sizes are Utah-Mongous. The atmosphere is cool and the place has been recently renovated. I'd certainly eat here again, but only if the place up the street is closed or too crowded. If Maria Bonita got a liquor license and started serving cerveza, I'd be more inclined to become a regular.
(3)Matthew W.
I love this Mexican restaurant. I've grown up eating Mexican food and this place is pretty darn authentic. The churrizo burrito was awesome.
(5)Bam B.
Great place, traveling for business and wanted a quick but good bite. Nice vibe. Well priced and large portions.
(4)Tomi H.
We were very pleased with the taste and quality of food at Maria Bonita, and the service was fantastic! The servers were very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was warm and fun. I'd bring my family here any time.
(5)Ty R.
Only great mexi in orem. I love it when Maria calls me "el champion" 8 times while Eating
(5)Ryan C.
Great place! It may not be the nicest in town, but the service and food was exceptional. Called in advanced because it was already 10PM and they happily obliged to let us come by for a late dinner opposed to take-out. We were immediately greeted by Maria with a high five and a friendly hug. She brought us to our table (next to a running fireplace) and came out providing each person with their own bowls of chips/salsa and another bowl of soup. I ordered a giant seafood platter (Snow crab legs, green mussels, octopus, fish filet, shrimp) and it was very tasty. My colleagues enjoyed their dishes as well. The portions as others have mentioned were huge, mind you we had to clear our table just to get our actual entrees on the table. We will most definitely be returning when we are back in town.
(5)Brandon R.
The food here is delicious, and the portions are quite generous, and it is pretty cheap for what you get. So why only 3 stars? Service. Unfortunately, it's pretty bad. I understand having to wait a little longer for the fresh and delicious food. What bugged me was that it wasn't all brought out at the same time. They bring out one entree, but not the tortillas. 10 minutes later the tortillas arrive, but aren't the type my wife asked for. 5 more minutes and my fajitas arrive, but without tortillas or the rice/beans/guac/etc plate. That finally comes out 10 minutes later. By the time I start eating, my wife is finished. Once we finally finish and get our food boxed up, they go to get our check. The bus boy decides that while we wait, he'll clean up our table. So as we're sitting there he's reaching all around us for plates and such, then wipes the table down. Not a huge deal, but I wish he would have waited til we had left so I could have relaxed with my wife rather than trying to dodge him and his rag. We love the food and atmosphere, but they need some major tune-ups with their service. Been here three times, and they're 3/3 with the food, 0/3 with their service.. We've had the tinga de pollo, beef fajitas, chicken enchiladas, and carne asada. All great (the fajitas are my current favorite). Hopefully you get better service than we did.
(3)Dallin R.
The service is great. Maria, (Not THE Maria) was very kind gave us free chicken soup along with our regular chips and salsa. The service was fairly fast. The burrito was a typical 3-4 star restaurant burrito. You are full from the chips and salsa, then eat a few bites, decide you're full, then eat more than half of it and get a take home box for the rest that tastes bad cold. The burrito was creamier than most. I cant tell if that was a good or bad thing. I like Mexican food, and this was not above average food but the service was exceptional.
(4)Rob A.
Read about Maria Bonita on a food blog, checked Yelp and went for it last Saturday night. It was a very enjoyable experience and the food was 5 star. I had the giant quesadilla and it was wonderful. It was stuffed with two types of peppers, carmelized onions, some great tasting cheese and huge chunks chicken breast cooked to perfection. My son had the mole Pablano which he raved about. Great price and a ton of homemade, authentic Mexican food. Going back for more.
(5)Bud H.
Almost everything we tried was a bit off. From the burnt chips, to the flavorless salsa, to the beef fajitas that had very little meat but a mound of onions and peppers large enough to feed half of Orem. Even the much anticipated Molcajete didn't live up to our expectations. Big on grease, small on yum. The food just wasn't good. I'd say the lone bright spot during the otherwise bleak experience was something that we didn't even order - the chicken soup appetizer that they give you for free. Pretty tasty. But certainly not tasty enough to make me want to return.
(2)JP C.
This place is great! The items on their specialties list are as close to authentic as I've found here in Utah. The molcajete is my personal favorite. They even have the good kind of chips! And the portions are enormous! Like take home the leftovers to eat for another two meals enormous.
(5)Tyler W.
I've been waiting for my food for 45 minutes and it's not even busy! By far one of the slowest restaurants I've ever been to.
(1)Anthony J.
I have been here a few times and always get the Fluatas. The entree is honestly enough to feed three or four people but it is only $12. Nice people working there. Cheap food that will fill you up.
(4)Summer O.
We decided to take our 4 kids and give this place a try last week. As other reviews said, the place is a little 'dirty'? Not sure if that's the right word. The decor was mismatched but had a certain eclectic charm to it and everything seemed fairly clean but then as you look at the walls and ceilings you begin to notice the loads of dust/lint that have gathered to the textured paint on the walls. I don't think they ever dust but as long as it stays in clumps up there and isn't all over the floor, tables or chairs I'm not terribly bugged. As for the food it was a bit better than say, El Azteca nearby but still nothing to write home about. The Chile Relleno was pretty good though I wish mine had been de-seeded more. As for the staff, mama Maria so called, was very friendly. She greeted us and gave our children high fives. She's a very enthusiastic lady. Unfortunately though, not terribly attentive, nor was the other waitress. We waited quite a while just to order but at least once our orders were taken our food came out quickly. I can understand other reviewers saying that they had to wait a long time. When we went it wasn't busy but on a busy night I imagine the wait for food is very long. In all it wasn't bad food or a bad experience but we don't feel the need to go back.
(2)Sarah S.
I give this place five stars because the customer service is awesome. The food is good and Maria is so friendly, and always there greeting us as we walk in the door that I can't help but want to go back. I like the tamales & my husband loves the giant quesadilla. It is stuffed to the brim with veggies, meat and cheese. Very generous portions, so I always have leftovers for the next day. Everyone is happy.
(5)Joe S.
The portions are gigantic here and the food is better than your average mexican joint. They are a bit understaffed and we sat at the front door without being greeted for about five minutes. I would have normally given up, without even a hey we know you are here and will be with you shortly, but my wife really wanted to try it. I think I would come back here again.
(4)Maggie T.
Maria is like the Mexican mother that I never had. Everytime I (or anyone) goes in there, she'll call you princesa or champion. I think it's so cute! Very welcoming. A+ for service. I really like the food; authentic and well-made. The prices are great too since the portions are huge. I mean, huuuuge. I wouldn't give it 5 stars simply because I have had better Mexican food...
(4)K G.
Food was average to below par. Service was good. No beer. Didn't expect much, so the disappointment wasn't great.
(2)Val R.
Food was good when the place first opened, has gone downhill since. Don't go on a busy weekend evening (you know, when most normal people go out to dinner) service is very unorganized and terrible. Since there are dozens of mexican restaurants to choose from, Im going to try somewhere else next time.
(2)Edgar Q.
best mexican food in orem . plus the service is amazing. they really make fell like you are family. Maria is the best server i had in a mexican restaurant
(5)Ashley S.
As you walk in you are greeted by a nice lady that hugs you. So instantly you feel part of the family. Plain and simple the Burritos here are HUGE and cheap for how HUGE they are. I had the Chile Rellano burrito which was great. I highly recommend it.
(3)Steve M.
Just had lunch with my wife. We had a very favorable experience. Food was good and there was plenty of it. No way I could finish my fajitas and I am a big boy. We will go back. Service was good and the restaurant was clean. I am not sure what other reviewers are talking about as far as being dirty. Viva Maria!
(4)Logan T.
Was surprised by Maria The Beautiful (right?). The portions were big, the food felt authentic and the location was accessible. Big tables, nice comfy wooden chairs and just good, classic Mexican food. I enjoyed. Skip Los Hermanos and head here. Heck, skip Los Hermanos and go anywhere, their food just keeps getting worse the more expensive it gets. But someone is sleeping with food reviewers cause they keep getting good press.
(5)Jeff C.
If you want a lot of authentic Mexican food this is your place. The portions are Huge!!!. The staff is very friendly and I got a high five from Maria herself! We got our food quickly and it was way to much to eat! I had the Pork Chimichanga and my wife got a beef burrito and enchilada. I like the beef more than the pork. the food was fresh and good. The chips were OK a little bland for my taste and the salsa was good.
(3)Jeff F.
I'm always on the hunt for memorable Mexican food and heard Maria Bonita was the worth checking out. After being unimpressed with the chips/salsa and thinking the wet burrito was ok, I was blown away by the pork tacos - sick. Without question in my regular Orem rotation and the sole reason for Maria Bonita's 4 star review.
(4)Cole J.
Good authentic Mexican. Daily specials are great. Chimichangas portions are huge. Best of its class in the area for me. Very reasonable pricing. A solid choice!
(5)Matthew K.
Big portions and pretty good flavor. You have sit down restaurant prices, but good flavor.
(3)Kellen P.
Okay, I had real hopes going into this place, but those hopes were shattered after waiting almost an hour for our food. I've graded this restaurant by food quality, service, and atmosphere. Food: D - the food is mediocre at best and definitely not worth the price or the EXTREMELY long wait. They serve some nasty chicken rice soup while you're waiting for the main entree and it has about a half inch of grease on the surface, not to mention it was served cold. One of the things I look forward to at Mexican restaurants is the chips and salsa, the chips tasted old and looked like they'd been swept off the floor and placed in a bowl. The salsa was even worse. Other reviewers keep raving about portions... the portions are not huge, the platters are huge with very average sized and bland tasting portions. This food is not worth the wait and you'd be much happier stopping at Taco Bell or Cafe Rio. Service: F - Slow, unprofessional, couldn't communicate, totally botched one of our meals and would not offer discount or refund. Worst service I've ever received at a restaurant. Atmosphere: F - Don't get me wrong... I can appreciate a good "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant, but these guys took hole-in-the-wall to a whole new level. Dirty, dark, crammed, and did I mention dirty? Bottom line... don't trust those 5 star reviews, I did and I was sorely disappointed.
(1)Kate D.
We had heard that we needed to try Maria Bonita and boy, what a major disappointment! Not only was the food terrible but the service was a joke! We arrived at 6:25 pm and it took about an hour or longer to be served... and they weren't busy. We watched as the workers talked and joked with one another and then they literally sat down at a table and started wrapping silverware into the napkins. There were 4 of us, my husband and two teenage boys. When we finally received our food I couldn't even eat more than a bite of my burrito because the red sauce was disgusting, our refried beans were watered down and the chips were hard and tasted a little burnt. My husband 's tostada salad was dry and the flat tostada was old and brittle. The best thing ordered was my son's $6.50 virgin piña colada. It took probably another half hour to be noticed enough to pay our $65.00 tab. I've never written a review on Yelp but this restaurant doesn't warrant a visit and I want to warn others before they waste their time and money. We didn't get out of the restaurant until 9:00 pm and we had no appetizer or dessert ... Just a very disappointing over priced meal.
(1)Dustin B.
Alot of other reviews here are really glowing but I have to say I wasn't really too impressed. The food isn't bad but it's certainly not the best I've had either. I would probably be a bit more impressed if the price were a bt lower. I paid $12 for a lunch that should have been below $10 IMHO. I know that some places don't go all out for lunch like they do at night which may have been the case. This place is good in a pinch, but for right now I'm still looking for a good Mexican place in Utah valley
(3)Trina B.
Wow, this was amazing food! I've eaten here several times now and I do believe I've found my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Orem! YUMMY!
(5)Anna B.
I'm going to be the dissenting voice here. I've been here twice. The first time, I was not a fan but everyone raves about it so much that I decided to give it a second chance. The second time, the service was super slow and I felt sick after eating there. So there won't be a third time. That's just my take.
(1)Amanda F.
we went here a little while ago, and i just remembered i hadn't reviewed them. first off, the restaurant is sort of unassuming. i would think it's really hard to stand out on the craziest looking street in utah county (state street). so this restaurant is really all about the word of mouth. the restaurant is quite small in the inside, and seating is sparse on a busy night. we went on a weekend night, and it was completely full. the hostess(owner?) greeted us warmly and found a table to accommodate our large party pretty quick. she actually asked a smaller party to scoot over to a newer table, which i thought was brazen--but the patrons didn't mind. the hostess was so apologetic and charming that they laughed it off. lucky for her! anyway, one of the people in our party had been here several times and highly recommended everything and anything on the menu. we had a party of 8, and we all tried a few different things. sorry, i don't recall what everyone got, but i do know that everyone was happy by what they ate (mole, enchiladas, tacos, beans and rice). they served some tasty chips and salsa and small bowls of a chicken and rice soup. unfortunately, this is where my daughter (who was suffering from a bad cough) choked a bit and threw up that soup all over the floor. the hostess was super nice about it, which made me feel less terrible about the mess. overall, we had a great experience and would love to go back (even if it's just for the hugs and handshakes) soon.
(4)Dan B.
Probably the best Mexican food in Utah county. Portions are huge. The flautas are ridiculously huge. You get three and one would be more than enough to feed anyone. The Molcajete is delicious. It's too bad that it is almost too huge and pricey to justify ordering it by yourself. I'm also a sucker for mole, but they don't always have it available. Dishes come with a chicken soup, which is basically broth. The service is ... unique. They've messed up my order. Sometimes, the person taking your order doesn't quite understand what you are saying. That being said, the people that run this restaurant are the warmest people you'll ever meet. In short, this is a great place to eat. It's sometimes a little difficult to get a table when they are busy, but there's no place better to get Mexican in Utah county. This place puts El Azteca, Mi Ranchito, and Los Hermanos to shame.
(3)Darrin F.
Service SLOW but reasonably friendly. Salsa is basically ketchup with cilantro and a few chunks of onion. I've had better chips out of a bag. They served a soup appetizer that was pretty good. Soft drinks only. Don't plan on having a beer with your dinner. I would love to report on the food, but after waiting for 35 minutes after we ordered we had to leave. The place wasn't even that busy...
(1)Shaun B.
These posts are correct, the wait is very long, the atmosphere is terrible. The place seems filthy, and yet, the food is so good. I went there with some friends. While we waited to be seated, some food was being served to a table. One of my friends leaned over and whispered, "Wow that person ordered a ton of food." Eventually we were seated, we ordered and our food eventually arrived. The funny thing was that my friend ordered the flautas which was exactly what was brought out to the other customer. I ordered the carnitas and they were divine. I tried all of the dishes and they were great. The food really deserved 5 stars, but the restaurant/building itself deserves about 2. With a place that serves such great food, it's of great wonder how Los Hermanos can even stay in business. Not to end on a bad note, but my friends went back because they loved it so much and they both got sick. Looks like the owners need to relocate, higher a larger staff, and be a little cleaner.
(4)Ryan S.
word of mouth consensus was that Maria Bonita was pretty good. after having experienced it myself I think it falls somewhere in the range of decent to pretty good. we arrived at lunch time and the restaurant was over half full, which we took as a positive sign. as it turned out, this was the only significant negative since the wait to get our food was really long. the pork was nice and tender and I really liked the fresh guacamole that topped the tacos. at $10 for a three carnitas taco plate with rice and beans I thought it was a little overpriced, but not so much so that I wouldn't consider returning. i gave Maria Bonita four taco gnomes out of seven on tacoaday.com .
(3)Jordan L.
Of all the Mexican restaurants in Utah County, this is definitely my favorite. I first heard about it from a friend and I've become a loyal fan. A great little dive with great food. The service is very friendly with a quaint atmosphere. They offer a wide variety of menu options. My favorites from the menu are the Chile Relleno and Pork Enchiladas. Check it out - you won't be disappointed
(4)Riana B.
Never going back...terrible food. We had the "fresh" crab and shrimp enchiladas. "Fresh crab" was awful canned crab. When the owner, Maria, asked us how our food was and we stated that the crab was not fresh and tasted bad, she frowned and simply took our plates. How about asking us what she could do to help, or discounting our meal? Terrible way to run a business. Never going back..total waste of money. I regret not going to our favorite place, Thai House in Lehi. They have out of this world the best food in Utah, pride themselves in doing so, and will accommodate your needs to make sure your experience is nothing but the best. Unfortunately, Maria does not do the same. She has a lot to learn as a business owner.
(1)Hendra T.
If you're a fan of Mexican, you definitely don't want to miss this hidden gem in the city of Orem. They have very good Chile Relleno and Carne Asada. I was referred to this restaurant by a co-worker when I'm dying to get Mexican food on my business trip. The recommendation doesn't disappoint me at all. The also have a dish called Molcajete which is a mixed combination of chicken, shrimp, cheese and steak served on rock bowl. It's a huge portion and can easily be shared by two people. It's very tasty and delicious. The restaurant service is very warm and they even serve you with soup (chicken stock with some rice), chips and salsa while you're waiting for your take away food. Oh, the portion is also huge, so be cautious when you place your order.
(5)Missy M.
New place great. . . service needs remodeling now. Me and my family have been going for some time. We used to go to the original place as described in other comments dusty and grimy. The new one unfortuanately has the same type of chairs which are nice looking but not great for young children to sit in. My kids 7 and 4 could barely see their food because the table was higher up then the chairs. But, the new place same location is nice, clean, and more professional. The only problem is it is loud, you still feel like you are jammed in there and I felt like I could hear everyone's conversations. Almost every time we have been to Maria Bonita's we have to go and retrieve our check and we aren't the only ones tonight I saw several customers hunting around for someone to take their money, and at most you get one refill on your beverage. Sometimes you get the soup, sometimes you don't. Maria is in my opinion the only really friendly server in the place but she spreads herself to thin by trying to socialize with her hugs and high fives and getting food together. There is a reason she is so skinny she's running around so much because she is pretty much THE Waitress. Therefore if she is your waitress you will see a lot of her hugs and high fives but not a lot of how is your food, do you need a refill, or your check. I think the beans and rice are average but good fillers. The Giant Quesadilla can be split between a family and has chunks of fresh veggies but probably a pound too much of cheese. The guacamole is great but ask for more condiments because the portion sizes are bigger then the condiments given. I do think the food is better then Los Hermanos but I did experience stress due to the lack of service and having to send my husband to stand around at the front for 15 minutes to pay our bill.
(4)Luke G.
Good mexi-food!
(4)Matthew B.
Easily the best Mexican in Utah Valley!!
(5)Erin R.
Excellent food, HUGE portions. I easily had left overs for lunch and dinner the next day. Only downfall that I noticed was the service was pretty slow. There were only 3 other customers and we had to wait at least 10 minutes before someone came over with water. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Mike B.
I too, came to Maria Bonita's to give it a try after hearing by a few that it was pretty good. I thought at first that it would have been an "order at the counter" type of place, but when I went in for lunch, the two waitress' that were on duty, were sitting at a table, not working, but playing with their cell phones. There was only one other patron inside having his own lunch. One waitress got up and crammed me against a wall where it was hard to get into, and the table and chairs had no room to move. That wasn't really anything to complain about, because I could have asked to sit elsewhere, but anyway I stayed and ordered a Chili Verde Burrito. It was the waitress' recommendation by the way. The prices seemed OK. Not too pricey, and not too ridiculously cheap either. They started me off with some chips and salsa, which were fair. Not the best I've ever had, but not the worst either. Then I got some sort of Mexican soup. It basically was a light broth with Mexican rice in it. Not too impressed with it. Then, my entree was placed on the table in front of me, and HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL, was it big. The plate..., I mean, the PLATTER that it was served on was practically as big as the table. I thought Wow! What a country! I then began to eat my offering, while thinking, man, for the money vs sizable portion, this is a steal! Well, the further I got into it, the less impressed I was with the flavoring and overall taste of it. The rice was the same rice that was in the soup, and the re-fried beans really had little taste. The meat in the burrito didn't really tackle my taste buds either. Needless to say, I didn't finish the burrito, not because it was huge, but more because I had, had enough of the bland taste of it all. I took the rest of it home thinking that maybe I would finish it off later, but I threw it out before I even got home, because after the food had settled in my stomach a bit, I had no desire to even want to finish it. Now, the question begs, would I go back? Well, probably not any time soon, but I probably will give it another try at some point, mainly due to the fact that Utah County has little to offer in the "Good" or even "Great" Mexican food arena. At least I haven't found that "One" great Mexican establishment yet. Most restaurants are worth a second try, but Maria Bonita, I won't get my hopes up.
(2)James Y.
Pretty good food. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Eli f.
incredible food, huge portions, and seriously amazing service.
(5)Tyler P.
I am no stranger to good Mexican food. I have tried most every Mexican restaurant in the Utah valley area and this is in my opinion one of my top three if not the best of those three. I could be crazy but I noticed some similarities in their menu with Mi Ranchito and Mama Chus. For example at all three places their combination plates are the exact same numbers paired with the exact same menu items. One of my favorites is the #11 which is a beef taco, with a beef enchilada and one chile relleno. the exact same will be found at all three places. To my surprise, though the menus may be very similar to the same, the food was completely different in a perfect way. I had the 2 shrimp tacos with just rice no beans and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect meal. I felt as if I had been tele-ported in an instant to the beautiful beaches of Sayulita, Mexico. These were arguably the best shrimp tacos I have ever had. Their shrimp tacos are wrapped in freshly cooked yellow corn tortillas and were packed with perfectly cooked shrimp tossed with salsa fresca (Pico de Gallo) and adorned with dark green fresh lettuce, a slice of perfectly ripened avocado and a light drizzle of a white sauce that added a perfect touch to the overall flavor experience. Their rice was okay nothing spectacular but the Shrimp tacos were so good I could care less about the rice even being there. The presentation of the meal was beautiful the place is clean and the staff was great! Prices I thought were a little high at first but after trying their food I understood why they were slightly more that some other establishments in the area. I will definitely be back for more of their splendid Mexican goodness.
(5)Staci B.
In all of my travels and all of my eating adventures this restaurant has to be by far the best Mexican food ever! Their customer service is amazing and the cleanliness is noticeable. They take a lot of pride in their environment and it's a relaxing place to eat! Now on to the food... I've been in town for 3 days and have eaten here twice, because it's THAT AMAZING! The chile relleno was the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of them!! Make sure you make this a stop while in Orem!!
(5)Jennifer H.
Nice atmosphere for a decent Mexican restaurant. Being in Utah maybe they keep the spices down. But I would have enjoyed some more flavor on my food. Interesting that they have a minimum $3 order per person. We came as a family and I have 1 child who really doesn't eat when we go out. So lame I had to order him something that he didn't even touch. The kids got the chicken fingers with French fries. Nothing fancy, it seemed like it was a purchased frozen item. $4.99 kid meals They give you 2 complimentary chips and salsa per table. The chips were good. But the salsa was lacking in any flavor. Disappointing. My husband had the green chile pork burrito. We both agreed it was just okay. Huge portion but not much flavor. I had the pork chimichanga. Good beans and rice. Interesting green salad with an Italian kind of dressing. The chimi was large but was really bland. I like spicy food and this had no spice or flavor to it. The place was pretty busy so I guess people here like pretty plain Mexican food. We also ordered a plate of nachos without meat. Some reason they took of the jalapeños, I think they assumed our kid wouldn't eat them. But he would've and it would've added flavor. Again the pico was pretty plain. But the plate was huge. Only the top of the nachos had cheese and such. Nice people working here but not the food we were hoping for.
(3)Erin L.
Room for improvement... The proportions on some of the meals was off, too much meat and too little sides. One dish they gave flour tortillas when asked for corn. The guacamole was fresh but needed more heat & salt/pepper. The enchilada de mole dish was quite tasty. Oh and yelp says they serve beer & wine, but that is wrong, NO alcohol... Nice family atmosphere & our waitress was very friendly
(3)Rod S.
This place used to be spartan, in a different location in the mini strip mall, and have a beer license. Now it looks really nice, is a full service restaurant -- if you don't want beer, and the food is a grand statement of bulk over quality. It was nearly full, everyone looked happy, and I figured life would be good. The salsa is thin, and nearly flavorless. I should have known that if a place doesn't have a mole as a primary meal, the mole enchilada will have mole that tastes like the one out of a jar from the mega mart. The chicken was nearly mush and flavorless like the beans and rice. I don't get it. OTOH, it was better than my wifes crab enchilada with excellent looking large, but rubbery, shrimp on top. It was huge though. So, it appears they get lots of happy people. That's great. I'm just not one of them.
(2)David J.
Portion sizes are outrageous. I had to stand up to get my Supreme Burrito in the frame. We ordered way too much food, but it was totally worth the money. The service was great! They came by 3 times to ask us if we would like refills on our chips. We'll be going back for sure.
(5)R B.
Me new favorite Mexican restaurant. I've eaten here three times, and each time I've been pleased with the food, portions and service. The mole enchiladas are my favorite. The strawberry lemonade is fun, icey and unlike most lemonades, in a good way.
(5)Sara A.
Best Mexican food in Utah! Love the waitress who high fives everyone, she's the best.
(5)Tyson B.
After checking in at Los Hermanos on Yelp, an Elite commented on my post and told me I was wasting my time. At first, I was offended as I had grown up eating Los Hermanos as a family tradition. But having never been steered wrong in the past, I decided to break from the routine and try out Monita Bonita. Located right on 8th North in Orem, Maria Bonita is easily accessible. It is a fairly intimate setting and I like it that way. Upon being seated, our server came over and instantly addressed everyone at the table as "Mi Champions". She was so bubbly and happy and It made the experience that much better. To those of you that said your food took forever to come out - you must have been there on an off day. By the time I was nearing the bottom of my chips and salsa bowl (which are both incredible by the way) my food had already arrived. I didn't even have time to finish the chicken broth soup that they give you prior to your meal. I had the shredded beef burrito. It was one of the best I have had. Smothered in red sauce and served with beans and rice, the portion size was huge and I ate every last bite. I also ordered a pina colada in a glass and I was in heaven. The glass is so big you need two hands to hold it. The prices are beyond fair, the service was phenomenal, and the food was absolutely delicious. I can confidently say this is this absolute best mexican food in utah valley. So good in fact, that I went here twice within the same week because I had to have more. If you are looking for the best mexican food around with the best service to match, come to Maria Bonita. I will be eating her probably weekly from now on and I will leave tips on what I get and how good it is :)
(5)Ashley B.
This place will trash every other Mexican restaurant in the area up to and including Milagro's, Los Hermanos, Mi Ranchito, and the little guys that don't even count that are Cafe Rio and Costa Vida. And I thought I had it made at Milagro's. I was so wrong. The first thing that happened when I walked in the door was I watched a hostess and server friendly arguing at the front desk. Which was amusing. Then, the server...this tiny Latina woman...recognizes what's going on, comes over to us, and gives us high fives and kisses on the cheek! Hospitality at its finest. And then we were seated right in the middle of the ruckus. It was awesome. It's loud, the decor is authentic and intersting, and everyone serving you is nice. There isn't one server assigned to your table, so it is a little confusing when you need something. But everyone looks out for you. Get the bowl of love. You won't regret it. Besides maybe leaving a bit more full than you intended.
(5)Christopher L.
The owner was amazingly friendly, the food is authentic, flavorful, and came in great portions. Did I mention the flavor? This place is so good I can eat here every day. Highly recommended. From the drinks to the grilled anything on their menu, this place rocks authentic Mexicana cuisine.
(5)Connor R.
Super good, friendly service. Food is amazing, chile relleno burrito was unreal! love it. good environment. nice and clean
(5)Coby G.
Great service! Our waitress hugged us and took the time to explain different dishes. Made us feel like we were at home. I love that kind of stuff. I'll definitely be back. The food was good and the portions were HUGE. couldn't even finish it -- also brought chips, salsa, and soup (on the house).
(4)Tania S.
I can't justify any more than three stars. The food is just okay. On Friday night, this place was packed, but I don't remember waiting more than twenty minutes to be seated. Did I mention it's really loud? Don't bring wifey here trying to impress, unless you like the shriek of young children on high chairs with bright lights over your Guarache. Just don't. Maria Bonita advertises itself as an authentic Mexican Restaurant; for trying to do so, I stand by my three stars. The portions are huge, however for the filler, you're not getting the greatest quality, nor the best meats in your order. Shockingly, the Carne Asada smothered burrito was a bad choice. It's topped with tons of onions, lettuce, dressing (?), guacamole, and day old chopped tomatoes, softer than the smothered tortilla itself. Somewhere buried in all that, is Carne Asada meat that has been sitting in some limon marinade for a couple days. It wasn't fresh at all, but when you're hungry and paying less than nine dollars* for this enormous pantheon of food, chances are you're not going to feel inclined to complain. *Allegedly, the price for the burrito was under nine bucks, add fifty cents for "smothered style". However when my friend and I got the check, she noticed the price was far higher (well over a dollar). It's not about the money, but this is one of the few instances I forthright experienced deception at an eatery. What the hell? I opted to ask the waitress thinking it was a mistake and as a matter of principal, these amounts should match up. Do you know what she told me? "We haven't received our new menus yet." Maria Bonita is false advertising. You're giving me a ballpark amount on what I'll spend for dinner, but in the end, am charging more than 10% your listed price. Not only did that kind of spoil dinner because of this lack of honesty, it kind of provoked me to write a review. Thinking about how packed this restaurant was as well as, how many patrons in Provo and Orem must frequent this location baffles me in how they can justify marking up the price to dine there while blowing me off with an excuse like that. No bueno, Maria Bonita, no bueno.
(3)Joy M.
If you heard of 'mi champion' or 'mi princess' it is for sure because you experienced the best Mexican food from this place. Love their free soup appetizer. I'm surprised this doesn't have 5 starts I cannot think of anything bad, the price is very reasonable and the food service size is huge. You can get 3 carne asada tacos for $5 and with the 2 free appetizer of soup and chips/salsa you can get full. I always get the fried tilapia, it's the only place in Utah county that serves it, and cooks it right. Their fried banana is a must try!
(5)Todd W.
Excellent food and service. We ordered guacamole, a pork chimichanga, a beef milanesa, and an horchata. The food was fresh and delicious. The guacamole and horchata were especially tasty. Highly recommended!
(5)Andrew L.
Avoid this restaurant! I ordered a combination platter and made one substitution. When I got the check my $10 meal jumped to almost $20. My family has been there many times. I have ordered different things, but the tamales are consistently very over cooked. This last time it tasted like it was heated up in a microwave. The service is always very slow, taking 20 minutes or more to be able to place your order. When I complained about the price no one seemed to care. And when I told them that my family wouldn't be back I was met with the answer, "Okay, see ya!" No one tried to ask why we wouldn't be back or try to turn our experience from a negative to a positive. There are other places in town that are better. Go there!
(1)Julia C.
The only positive thing I have to say is that I enjoyed the chips and salsa. The tamale I ordered was extremely dry and the beef inside had no flavor. Same goes for the chicken in the taco I got. The beans and rice were also very dry, and it's hard to make me unhappy with beans and rice. I've heard good things about the burritos so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Lastly, although the the restaurant was not busy at all, the service was extremely slow. Waitresses were sitting at tables preparing silverware while my friend and I were waiting about 15 minutes for our check. After getting our check we had to wait even longer for them to bring my friend a box for her food. Although I won't go back, I would encourage people to try it for themselves, just don't order the tamales.
(2)Nate B.
The supermen burrito was pretty good and was very filling. They have a ton of variety on the menu, but they were out of a lot of stuff. I came here wanting mole but they sold out. After trying to order 3 other items and being told they were out I came across the supreme burrito.
(4)Becca H.
My fiancée and I love this place! It's a little taste of home for me. The service is pleasant and the little Mexican lady treats everyone like "champions" and "princessas" (you have to eat here to catch that reference!) The portions are huge for the price and very tasty! We have become regulars!
(5)Daryl N.
I decided to invite my immediate family of 10 adults and 6 kids to Maria Bonita during the summer of 2014 for two reasons. 1. They are the only Mexican restaurant in UT valley that serves Molcajete 2. It has great curb appeal on 800 north and state in Orem I made reservations a couple of hours before arriving in the early evening and the restaurant had a large rustic table ready for us. Decorations are really vibrant yet rustic: the vibe is authenic yet modern mexican We ordered lots of items. Shrimp Ceviche, Giant nachos, Two Molcajetes and delicious pink lemonade.. I was in food heaven. perfect flavors, large portions, great service. Absolutely divine. I recommend all the items I mentioned. Especially if you don't want to try the staple mexican items that everyone else offers.
(5)E H.
Pleasantly surprised with my food. Salsa was good and so was my shredded beef chimichanga. My wife's beef enchiladas were just okay. The service was good for being packed on a Saturday night.
(4)Marque T.
Meh...I've had better. So, why would I give it 3 stars and not 2? I think I may have just ordered the wrong things. This restaurant came highly suggested by a few people whose judgment I trust. Perhaps my expectations were too high? I am not sure, but I am willing to give this place a second shot. The chips and salsa were good. Not the best I have ever had, but good nonetheless. I made the mistake of ordering "Melted Cheese" as an appetizer which consisted of a small portion of melted cheese which was stuck to the side of the bowl and a larger portion of chorizo. I love cheese and chorizo, but unfortunately, the portions of both were overshadowed by the portion of grease in the bowl...a ridiculous amount of grease. I was very hungry so I asked the waiter what was the largest burrito and ordered it. The Supreme burrito with chicken. It was HUGE, but in this case the size was compensating for the mostly bland flavors. The highlight of the plate was the red sauce that was poured over the burrito. A very good mole, I believe. Not your normal red sauce. The rice and beans were okay. So, again, if I was unsatisfied with the meal, why would I still give it 3 stars? I tried some of my Mother's chile verde chimichanga and it was VERY GOOD! When I go again, I will order something with verde sauce for sure. My wife seemed to like her meal as well. The waiters were very friendly and patient with our children that spilled water twice. There was a very nice lady that visited our table for a moment and she was nice enough to make me want to return. Perhaps that was the Bonita Maria? She was so happy and friendly. Other than that, the place is a bit loud. I will return. I will avoid the burrito supreme and the chicken and steer more towards the chile verde or carne asada or fajitas. I will especially avoid the "Melted Cheese". I expect my next visit to be very good. I hope to return and change this review to a 4 star.
(3)Ryan G.
Great authentic Mexican food. Their service was good and got our food out quick. I have eaten here a few times and each time I have tried something different...it all tasted great. The fajitas are probably my favorite as it has really good flavor.
(4)Hillary C.
Wasn't flipped over the place. The food was average, nothing to rave about. Nice location but easily overlooked. I've only heard one word-of-mouth recommendation and I have to say I was a little let down.
(3)Jake W.
We sat down and after being ignored for 1 hr we left.... (This happened on two separate occasions)
(1)William W.
This place used to be awesome. 3 years ago I would have given it 5 stars no doubt. But recently the quality of the food has gone down, the prices have gone up and the portions have gotten smaller. The food is still ok but not the best. Beef Fajitas were my favorite and the horchata is great.
(3)Zach L.
Don't be fooled by the lower reviews or the people that say the food is bland. First, you can't call an entire menu "bland" because you had one dish one time that wasn't as salty (I'm looking at you, chain restaurants) or as sweet (cafe rio, where everything's marinated in brown sugar!) as you're used to. Second, realize that some dishes at every restaurant are better than others. While I think that Maria Bonita's has an all around solid menu, don't order a 5 dollar, basic taco and compare it to another restaurant's 14 dollar speciality. In fact, when you're reviewing, why don't you list what you ate? In other words, I've found three meals at MBs that I'd put up against any other Mexican dish anywhere (yes, I'm familiar with Mexican food in places like Arizona, California, and New Mexico--the latter is where I found my wife), and these are the reasons I come back again and again and again: 1. The flautas. 2. The molcajete 3. The brochettes (my personal favorite). Tip: The brochettes can be shared by 3 or 4 people . . . honestly. And whatever they use to marinate the chicken, onions, peppers, and steak is amazing. 2nd Tip: The flautas are deep fried, so if you're afraid of a little oil, don't order this. I usually am afraid of oil, but if I know I'm getting something deep fried, I expect it and, hopefully, find the taste most important than the oil level. That's the case with these flautas. 3rd Tip: Be a little patient. The food isn't trucked in from Sysco in little baggies that have to be microwaved. I used to serve at a couple of chain restaurants and never got over the fact that we used pork ribs that had been cooked sometime before they ever entered our restaurant, that our fajitas were shipped in little plastic bags with all of the sauce already made and that only had to be opened and placed on a hot plate (that is, the only actual cooking that we did involved heating up a metal platter, then opening and pouring the "food" onto the platter.), among other examples. Me? I'd rather wait a bit for my food than get it instantly because it's been sitting under a heat lamp all day.
(5)Stan P.
To begin with this place is a gold mine! Not too many people know about this hidden gem! The service has been excellent each time! The food is outstanding,the ingredients are fresh and are of high quality,the portion size of what you pay for is through the roof! The load that plate up,even Maria will greet you at your table and chat with you,the chips and salsa is very good! The half nachos can feed 4 people and they are dynamite!. The meats are super flavorful and tender,I can't really recommend anything because everything I've had here has been off the chain!,but I'll give ya a hint the fajitas and the flautas are to die for!!! They're doing things their way I wouldn't change a thing enjoy!
(4)Sara O.
Waited to order 15 minutes, food arrived 30 minutes after. My food was frozen in the middle. They offered to re-heat it, declined and asked for our check. My food came out after my fiancé had already received and finished his meal. We didn't have to pay for my meal but very upset with the slow service to begin with then the food made it that much worse.
(1)Lucky B.
Generous portions, fresh ingredients, clean atmosphere, and flavorful steak fajitas made my first time here 5 stars compared to other Mexican food options in the area! The salsa they bring out is very mild (I don't dig hot), I presume they have a hotter version upon request (or add the provided hot sauce).
(5)Jennifer S.
I really wanted to love this place. It came highly recommended by our family. We went as a large group with just adults. It took about 15 minutes to get a table--which isn't bad at all with 8 adults and a baby in a carrier. We had a couple of servers but they seemed to handle the orders well. Hubby got the shrimp fajitas. The shrimp was either jumbo or colossal. They were HUGE and grilled to perfection. Hubby got the standard 3 small tortillas and it obviously wasn't going to be enough. The fajitas did have tons of tomatoes and other veggies. In the end hubby wishes there had been a better shrimp to veggie ratio. I got the enchiladas en mole. The waiter said they were great and the sauce was made in house. I was comparing the sauce to the mole from SLC's The Red Iguana and it didn't compare. I was pretty disappointed. Overall, the food felt a little overpriced, it was pretty loud and patrons are packed pretty tight together. It's obviously a local favorite because there was never a lull in the people waiting to be seated. We just prefered La Costa instead.
(2)Ryan H.
Maria Bonita has been DELICIOUS and fresh every time. The fajitas are amazing, the carnitas are some of the best I've ever had. The guacamole is delicious, the salsa is fresh. The service is very friendly - it is slow, but they tell you that, so be patient - it's worth it. There's no better Mexican food in Utah County! Worth the drive to Orem!
(5)Lanette D.
This is by far the best Mexican food I've had north of San Diego! I got the chicken chimichanga and my husband got the shredded beef flautuas. The flautuas were huge! We will be sharing them next time, and there will definitely be a next time! The food and service were both very good.
(5)Marie S.
Where shall I begin.. Firstly I will say that the staff were extremely nice and helpful and were way over the top notch servers. But this food was weird and bland. The portions were enough for a family of five so if you do feel compelled to try this place keep that in mind. I ordered chicken flautas which were made with flour tortillas, deep fried and with large chunks of chicken and green bell peppers. There just was no other flavor indicated and it was just the weirdest damn flauta I've ever eaten. The salsa was tomato and onions but no heat index, no spice, just bland. The food here was just boring and it definitely wasn't authentic Mexican food and nobody in my party was thrilled and we will not return. That being said the place was crowded (with gringos) yea well they just don't know this isn't the real deal.
(2)Rhonda N.
Amazing service!! We were seated quickly and our food came out quickly as well. Everyone that works there is beyond kind and wonderful! That makes a huge difference when you get smiles and cheerful service. The portions are definitely huge and we took home plenty of leftovers. I definitely recommend this place. They are wonderful!!
(5)Keeley M.
Always great. Once in awhile the servers take forever to get to you but they are always busy so you can't really blame them.
(4)Julie R.
Oh my this place has the most amazing service ever! The food is delicious but the service is out of this world. They really make you feel at home and like family. We will come here over and over!!
(5)Jason G.
Good solid mexican food. Tasty chips and salsa are a must, as are rice and beans. The rice tastes a bit like instant, but everything else was great. The kids also enjoyed their meals and the salsa wasn't too hot for our ten year old to munch on.
(4)Joel B.
The family had a great time there. The portions are so big we split three plates among five diners and still had leftovers. My kids don't do spicy and they enjoyed everything. We liked what we ordered but saw so many delicious dishes going by that we have to come back and order more things. Have to agree, not particularly speedy but super nice service.
(4)Michael C.
FLAUTAS! FLAUTAS! FLAUTAS! Best in America! Huge portions. A must go! It's a given every time I am in town. Also, very friendly customer service. I don't know why they are all so friendly and happy. (Maybe it's because of the flautas)
(5)Cade S.
Ewwwwww to both of the dishes we got ! Meat wasn't fresh , very greasy . cheese mixed with some sort of bean juice in it ! Never got our chips refilled ! Won't be coming back
(1)Jackson B.
This is my favorite Mexican food place around. I've tried others on recommendation but have always been a little disappointed. But Maria Bonita is amazing. If you are in a hurry, don't eat here. But if you want a place to relax and munch on chips while you hang out with friends and wait for ferocious food, then this is it! I usually get the carne asada burrito because it is enormous and delicious. Their lemonades are also amazing. The little hostess lady is the nicest lady ever, too. She's called me a champion like 100 times already. This place is busy but worth it!
(5)Kathryn B.
Having been here before and having had good food, I was excited to bring family members with me today. I was SO disappointed! The service and food were horrible. When my concerns were shared, the staff acted as though they didn't care. I will not recommend this place to anyone and will not return.
(1)Jamie B.
I have been waiting a very long time to get authentic delicious Latin food Orem. Here it is! You drive up to the restaurant and you expect it to be any old Latin restaurant at a strip mall. You walk into the restaurant and the first thing you notice is beautiful artwork at the desk. Then you set down with a very kind nice waitstaff. After ordering you set and smell the wonderful food cooking on the grill. Then the food comes! Delicious! I have never had better nogales my life. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is delicious and inexpensive. Hopefully it stays that way.
(5)Ang F.
I've eaten at this restaurant several times over the past couple of years, and it keeps getting worse each time. The service is horrible and they are way understaffed for lunch and dinner. We went in for lunch and it took them 25 minutes just to bring us drinks! And the restaurant wasn't even full. My two chicken taco plate had a tiny strip of rice and beans along side it. My son's kid's meal came with more rice and beans than mine did. The chips are good but the salsa is watery. We like their sodas, but they're a bit pricey at $2.90--even if they are served in large glasses. . I have to add that on two separate occasions I have taken new customers in with me. Both have complained to the manager about legitimate problems, and he acted like it was no big deal or the problem was my friend's fault. We've given this restaurant too many chances because there were a few dishes we liked, but I can get average Mexican food at many other places around the Valley without being treated like I'm inconveniencing the staff or manager just by walking in the door. We won't be back.
(2)Chels B.
Although the service is not the best- the portion sizes and Diet Coke are always up to par! If you're wanting great service make sure to go when Maria is there. She'll call you Princess, or Champion and that's maybe why I like going there so much! I choose to stick with the same thing each time: #34 (two chicken enchiladas, with refried beans, and mexican rice) Free chips and salsa and a rice soup with chicken broth will fill you up before your meal so you can easily have leftovers.
(5)Alan D.
I've waited to eat here a few times before I did a review, and now that they're remodeled and its "the new" Maria Bonita me and the missus decided to give it another try. All around, it just wasn't very good. Starting with the food. Its very bland, and lacks flavor. My wife and I both thought the same thing. meh, just not very good. The service was very slow for as empty as they were, and we got tired of waiting for our check. The waitress got my order wrong. The menu takes longer to read than it does to eat from what you order from. There's at least 150 items on it. It was painful to drudge through, just to find a couple carne asada tacos. With all the decent mexican restaurants in the area, try this one later on down your list. For all the decent mexican food in the area, I'm just not impressed with Maria Bonita.
(2)Kirsten L.
I'm happy to say that I've had several positive experiences here since my last posted review, and am now a regular customer. My kids even ask to go here because they love Maria aka "the lady that calls us princess!" The steak fajitas are my favorite and we regularly call in and pick those up just for take-out. Huge portion and such a yummy flavor. Definitely enough for 2 to share. My husband usually gets the nachos and the full order ridiculously big - enough for 4-5 people to share easily. Their chips and salsa are good. And while the service has never been amazing, it's definitely been better than what I previously posted.
(4)Jason S.
Great food, but the service was horrendous. They were out of chips (as in chips and salsa, chips) and it took them almost an hour to get us our food, which they slowly brought us, plate by plate in a ten minute window. Again, great food, huge proportions, just be prepared to wait.
(2)Beanis L.
I've been going to this place for years. I've been to most mexican places in Utah Valley and I go to this one the most. It's become a staple. Let me list the reasons why: 1- Daily lunch specials. They are not on the menu, you have to ask. But they are massive, and come with a drink for only $6.20. Best lunch value I know of in the area. Mon- Beef Enchiladas Tues- Chicken Enchiladas Wed- Choice of taquitos or taco salad (get the salad) Thurs- beef burrito Fri - Chimichanga Sat - Unlike most places, there is a lunch special on Saturday, but I forgot what it is. 2- Portions are MASSIVE. At first you may think the menu is a bit on the pricey side but most regulars will tell you almost everything on the menu can be shared. They do not screw around here. If you are spending $13 on something, you will be full. Want fajitas? You better bring a wheel barrow for the leftovers. Want all the other patrons to stare at your table in shock? Order the nachos, and hope your extended family shows up to help you eat them. 3- The food quality has actually increased since they moved to their new location. I'd say, depending on what you order, it's above average authentic mexican food. Some recommendations: - Flautas. We lovingly call this the plate of baby arms. Because that's what it looks like. - Molcejete. A giant stone bowl of delish that could easily feed 3-4 people. - Enchiladas Poblanas. A house special enchilada plate smothered in a delicious sour cream and poblana sauce (my wife's favorite). -Mole. Not as good as Red Iguana but good if you like Mole. -Fajitas. Massive amount of meat -Fajita salad. Like a giant crisp taco full of fajita mix. Size of a football. Could easily feed 2. -Seafood. Many people come here for their various seafood dishes like the garlic shrimp or wood fired fish. I don't order seafood but it must be good. 4- The service is often slow. If you are in a hurry, don't come here. They can be fast but it's unpredictable. The service is very friendly however. Reserve an hour or hour and a half and bring the family for a great time and piles of great food.
(5)Carlos G.
Hey honestly with all heart this place is the best I used to go to all different places to eat and there's some good places out there. But Maria bonita has a little of everything and the seafood is amazing!! I heard a little of both good and bad things so I was kinda worried but I called in and asked what was the best time for me and my girlfriend to come in they told me the rush hour so I got there a bit earlier and my food came out quickly !! It was my first time and I ordered a molcajete (which I should have probly shared) then my girlfriend ordered a pescado humado which is smoked salmon let me just tell you best salmon I've had in a while and there was so much food we were overwhelmed! So if you guys are looking for gigantic portions and great taste I would recommend this place!!!
(5)john h.
Best non-chain Mexican place in Orem!! I love it here. The staff are super friendly and helpful, the food is absolutely delicious. I have never had a bad experience, nor a disappointing meal. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for some authentic and satisfying Mexican food. Support local! You wont regret it!!
(5)Felisha G.
I am very disappointed in the recent experience we had when ordering carry out. We ordered a mocajete and they forgot numerous items that are included in the meal. They still charged us full price and when I brought this to the managers attention he was very understanding at first and said he would take care of us next time we came in or ordered out. But when we tried to order carry out and reminded him of his promise he went back on his word and said he wasn't going to do anything to make up for what happened. His name is Oscar and he is real nice to your face but is not a man of his word. We were regulars and I am sad that we won't eat here again because the manager is a liar and has completely disregarded the fact that we paid for a meal that was incomplete and went back on his word. Hopefully the owner cares more about customer satisfaction than the scum manager Oscar.
(1)Rebecca M.
Maria Bonita. Wow, where do I start. This place never disappoints. We always feel so welcome stepping into this beautiful restaurant with lovely decor. We have grown to love Mexican food and the wonderful nice people of Mexico. My husband and I recently visited cabo San Lucas Mexico and we were amazed at how similar Maria Bonita was compared to the good food, nice people, and environment in Mexico. Very authentic and extremely nice Mexican employees. Maria herself is a saint and it is always good to see her. I have never got a dish I didn't like and I am one to venture out and get the "weird" dishes . One dish I got that was exceptional was called the steak salad. It was huge. Sautéed peppers cheese lettuce very tender steak pieces sour cream all put in a giant taco shell that had such great melty crunch in every bite. I had it for lunch the next day. Reheated very nicely in my toaster oven. I also always get the limo nada which is made special and almost like a lime slushie served in a giant mug perfect to go with the meal. This is definitely a place we frequent since we live about 2 min away.
(5)Marcus W.
We were hesitant about reviews that said we should plan on a long wait, but we entered anyway around 8pm on a Saturday evening. We were greeted and seated immediately and since we already had an idea about what we wanted, they took our order within a minute. We were promptly served chips and salsa and a bowl of hot rice soup (interesting... almost like chicken noodle soup but with just rice). Our "appetizer" of a "HALF" order of nachos arrived within just a few minutes. I wish that was all we ordered because we could not finish the whole plate and we were both already satisfied. They were very good nachos (carne asada loaded with everything), but my only complaint would be that the chips were soggy by the time we got to the middle. We ordered the carne asada fajitas and opted to split (given the size of the plates on the tables around us). We each took a few bites and decided to take it home for a couple meals at home later. The service was excellent. Maria came to our table a couple times and made us feel like she genuinely wanted us to be happy. Even if the food had been terrible (which is wasn't) or if the decor was lousy (which again it wasn't especially since it's just a month or so old), we would return just because Maria was so fun to talk to. The food portions are ginormous and well priced for the size. After you split a meal 2-4 ways at a table, it's probably one of the cheapest hot meals around! We will be returning, this time with a much larger party though.
(5)Brad S.
We were so looking forward to a good meal. We had stopped by this place with a group one night and everything looked/smelled so great but the wait time was just too long for our group so we went elsewhere. My wife and I wanted to try this place out so we came back another night and we were so disappointed. The salsa is not good, they got my wife's order wrong - TWICE and we had like 6 different waiters wait on us throughout the night - no consistency in service. The restaurant is pretty loud because it's one big open space with the serving/kitchen area open to the dining room area. Overall, it's not a place that we'll be back too, nor is it a place we'll recommend to anyone. If there is a recommendation that I would give, it would be to go elsewhere. Rating it 2 stars because at least we didn't get food poisoning.
(2)Trent M.
I was good with this place. Not wowed or disappointed, but it was a good lunch. It's nice inside and was almost full to capacity. The service was good, though they were probably understaffed. Admittedly, my choice of dish (carne asada torta) probably doesn't represent the whole menu, as tortas are probably less ordered than the traditional menu items. And also, I have to make the disclaimer that I haven't had a torta in probably 7 or 8 years. I enjoyed the torta quite a bit. The portions were huge. I finished the fries and only half of the torta. It was salty for my taste, but I generally feel that about most restaurants. I'll come back here again, and try some of the other things that have to offer.
(3)Lucky B.
Generous portions, fresh ingredients, clean atmosphere, and flavorful steak fajitas made my first time here 5 stars compared to other Mexican food options in the area! The salsa they bring out is very mild (I don't dig hot), I presume they have a hotter version upon request (or add the provided hot sauce).
(5)Julie R.
Oh my this place has the most amazing service ever! The food is delicious but the service is out of this world. They really make you feel at home and like family. We will come here over and over!!
(5)Sara O.
Waited to order 15 minutes, food arrived 30 minutes after. My food was frozen in the middle. They offered to re-heat it, declined and asked for our check. My food came out after my fiancé had already received and finished his meal. We didn't have to pay for my meal but very upset with the slow service to begin with then the food made it that much worse.
(1)Tania S.
I can't justify any more than three stars. The food is just okay. On Friday night, this place was packed, but I don't remember waiting more than twenty minutes to be seated. Did I mention it's really loud? Don't bring wifey here trying to impress, unless you like the shriek of young children on high chairs with bright lights over your Guarache. Just don't. Maria Bonita advertises itself as an authentic Mexican Restaurant; for trying to do so, I stand by my three stars. The portions are huge, however for the filler, you're not getting the greatest quality, nor the best meats in your order. Shockingly, the Carne Asada smothered burrito was a bad choice. It's topped with tons of onions, lettuce, dressing (?), guacamole, and day old chopped tomatoes, softer than the smothered tortilla itself. Somewhere buried in all that, is Carne Asada meat that has been sitting in some limon marinade for a couple days. It wasn't fresh at all, but when you're hungry and paying less than nine dollars* for this enormous pantheon of food, chances are you're not going to feel inclined to complain. *Allegedly, the price for the burrito was under nine bucks, add fifty cents for "smothered style". However when my friend and I got the check, she noticed the price was far higher (well over a dollar). It's not about the money, but this is one of the few instances I forthright experienced deception at an eatery. What the hell? I opted to ask the waitress thinking it was a mistake and as a matter of principal, these amounts should match up. Do you know what she told me? "We haven't received our new menus yet." Maria Bonita is false advertising. You're giving me a ballpark amount on what I'll spend for dinner, but in the end, am charging more than 10% your listed price. Not only did that kind of spoil dinner because of this lack of honesty, it kind of provoked me to write a review. Thinking about how packed this restaurant was as well as, how many patrons in Provo and Orem must frequent this location baffles me in how they can justify marking up the price to dine there while blowing me off with an excuse like that. No bueno, Maria Bonita, no bueno.
(3)Joy M.
If you heard of 'mi champion' or 'mi princess' it is for sure because you experienced the best Mexican food from this place. Love their free soup appetizer. I'm surprised this doesn't have 5 starts I cannot think of anything bad, the price is very reasonable and the food service size is huge. You can get 3 carne asada tacos for $5 and with the 2 free appetizer of soup and chips/salsa you can get full. I always get the fried tilapia, it's the only place in Utah county that serves it, and cooks it right. Their fried banana is a must try!
(5)Ashley B.
This place will trash every other Mexican restaurant in the area up to and including Milagro's, Los Hermanos, Mi Ranchito, and the little guys that don't even count that are Cafe Rio and Costa Vida. And I thought I had it made at Milagro's. I was so wrong. The first thing that happened when I walked in the door was I watched a hostess and server friendly arguing at the front desk. Which was amusing. Then, the server...this tiny Latina woman...recognizes what's going on, comes over to us, and gives us high fives and kisses on the cheek! Hospitality at its finest. And then we were seated right in the middle of the ruckus. It was awesome. It's loud, the decor is authentic and intersting, and everyone serving you is nice. There isn't one server assigned to your table, so it is a little confusing when you need something. But everyone looks out for you. Get the bowl of love. You won't regret it. Besides maybe leaving a bit more full than you intended.
(5)Christopher L.
The owner was amazingly friendly, the food is authentic, flavorful, and came in great portions. Did I mention the flavor? This place is so good I can eat here every day. Highly recommended. From the drinks to the grilled anything on their menu, this place rocks authentic Mexicana cuisine.
(5)Connor R.
Super good, friendly service. Food is amazing, chile relleno burrito was unreal! love it. good environment. nice and clean
(5)Coby G.
Great service! Our waitress hugged us and took the time to explain different dishes. Made us feel like we were at home. I love that kind of stuff. I'll definitely be back. The food was good and the portions were HUGE. couldn't even finish it -- also brought chips, salsa, and soup (on the house).
(4)Todd W.
Excellent food and service. We ordered guacamole, a pork chimichanga, a beef milanesa, and an horchata. The food was fresh and delicious. The guacamole and horchata were especially tasty. Highly recommended!
(5)Andrew L.
Avoid this restaurant! I ordered a combination platter and made one substitution. When I got the check my $10 meal jumped to almost $20. My family has been there many times. I have ordered different things, but the tamales are consistently very over cooked. This last time it tasted like it was heated up in a microwave. The service is always very slow, taking 20 minutes or more to be able to place your order. When I complained about the price no one seemed to care. And when I told them that my family wouldn't be back I was met with the answer, "Okay, see ya!" No one tried to ask why we wouldn't be back or try to turn our experience from a negative to a positive. There are other places in town that are better. Go there!
(1)Julia C.
The only positive thing I have to say is that I enjoyed the chips and salsa. The tamale I ordered was extremely dry and the beef inside had no flavor. Same goes for the chicken in the taco I got. The beans and rice were also very dry, and it's hard to make me unhappy with beans and rice. I've heard good things about the burritos so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Lastly, although the the restaurant was not busy at all, the service was extremely slow. Waitresses were sitting at tables preparing silverware while my friend and I were waiting about 15 minutes for our check. After getting our check we had to wait even longer for them to bring my friend a box for her food. Although I won't go back, I would encourage people to try it for themselves, just don't order the tamales.
(2)Nate B.
The supermen burrito was pretty good and was very filling. They have a ton of variety on the menu, but they were out of a lot of stuff. I came here wanting mole but they sold out. After trying to order 3 other items and being told they were out I came across the supreme burrito.
(4)Becca H.
My fiancée and I love this place! It's a little taste of home for me. The service is pleasant and the little Mexican lady treats everyone like "champions" and "princessas" (you have to eat here to catch that reference!) The portions are huge for the price and very tasty! We have become regulars!
(5)Daryl N.
I decided to invite my immediate family of 10 adults and 6 kids to Maria Bonita during the summer of 2014 for two reasons. 1. They are the only Mexican restaurant in UT valley that serves Molcajete 2. It has great curb appeal on 800 north and state in Orem I made reservations a couple of hours before arriving in the early evening and the restaurant had a large rustic table ready for us. Decorations are really vibrant yet rustic: the vibe is authenic yet modern mexican We ordered lots of items. Shrimp Ceviche, Giant nachos, Two Molcajetes and delicious pink lemonade.. I was in food heaven. perfect flavors, large portions, great service. Absolutely divine. I recommend all the items I mentioned. Especially if you don't want to try the staple mexican items that everyone else offers.
(5)David J.
Portion sizes are outrageous. I had to stand up to get my Supreme Burrito in the frame. We ordered way too much food, but it was totally worth the money. The service was great! They came by 3 times to ask us if we would like refills on our chips. We'll be going back for sure.
(5)E H.
Pleasantly surprised with my food. Salsa was good and so was my shredded beef chimichanga. My wife's beef enchiladas were just okay. The service was good for being packed on a Saturday night.
(4)R B.
Me new favorite Mexican restaurant. I've eaten here three times, and each time I've been pleased with the food, portions and service. The mole enchiladas are my favorite. The strawberry lemonade is fun, icey and unlike most lemonades, in a good way.
(5)Sara A.
Best Mexican food in Utah! Love the waitress who high fives everyone, she's the best.
(5)Marque T.
Meh...I've had better. So, why would I give it 3 stars and not 2? I think I may have just ordered the wrong things. This restaurant came highly suggested by a few people whose judgment I trust. Perhaps my expectations were too high? I am not sure, but I am willing to give this place a second shot. The chips and salsa were good. Not the best I have ever had, but good nonetheless. I made the mistake of ordering "Melted Cheese" as an appetizer which consisted of a small portion of melted cheese which was stuck to the side of the bowl and a larger portion of chorizo. I love cheese and chorizo, but unfortunately, the portions of both were overshadowed by the portion of grease in the bowl...a ridiculous amount of grease. I was very hungry so I asked the waiter what was the largest burrito and ordered it. The Supreme burrito with chicken. It was HUGE, but in this case the size was compensating for the mostly bland flavors. The highlight of the plate was the red sauce that was poured over the burrito. A very good mole, I believe. Not your normal red sauce. The rice and beans were okay. So, again, if I was unsatisfied with the meal, why would I still give it 3 stars? I tried some of my Mother's chile verde chimichanga and it was VERY GOOD! When I go again, I will order something with verde sauce for sure. My wife seemed to like her meal as well. The waiters were very friendly and patient with our children that spilled water twice. There was a very nice lady that visited our table for a moment and she was nice enough to make me want to return. Perhaps that was the Bonita Maria? She was so happy and friendly. Other than that, the place is a bit loud. I will return. I will avoid the burrito supreme and the chicken and steer more towards the chile verde or carne asada or fajitas. I will especially avoid the "Melted Cheese". I expect my next visit to be very good. I hope to return and change this review to a 4 star.
(3)Ryan G.
Great authentic Mexican food. Their service was good and got our food out quick. I have eaten here a few times and each time I have tried something different...it all tasted great. The fajitas are probably my favorite as it has really good flavor.
(4)Hillary C.
Wasn't flipped over the place. The food was average, nothing to rave about. Nice location but easily overlooked. I've only heard one word-of-mouth recommendation and I have to say I was a little let down.
(3)Jake W.
We sat down and after being ignored for 1 hr we left.... (This happened on two separate occasions)
(1)William W.
This place used to be awesome. 3 years ago I would have given it 5 stars no doubt. But recently the quality of the food has gone down, the prices have gone up and the portions have gotten smaller. The food is still ok but not the best. Beef Fajitas were my favorite and the horchata is great.
(3)Zach L.
Don't be fooled by the lower reviews or the people that say the food is bland. First, you can't call an entire menu "bland" because you had one dish one time that wasn't as salty (I'm looking at you, chain restaurants) or as sweet (cafe rio, where everything's marinated in brown sugar!) as you're used to. Second, realize that some dishes at every restaurant are better than others. While I think that Maria Bonita's has an all around solid menu, don't order a 5 dollar, basic taco and compare it to another restaurant's 14 dollar speciality. In fact, when you're reviewing, why don't you list what you ate? In other words, I've found three meals at MBs that I'd put up against any other Mexican dish anywhere (yes, I'm familiar with Mexican food in places like Arizona, California, and New Mexico--the latter is where I found my wife), and these are the reasons I come back again and again and again: 1. The flautas. 2. The molcajete 3. The brochettes (my personal favorite). Tip: The brochettes can be shared by 3 or 4 people . . . honestly. And whatever they use to marinate the chicken, onions, peppers, and steak is amazing. 2nd Tip: The flautas are deep fried, so if you're afraid of a little oil, don't order this. I usually am afraid of oil, but if I know I'm getting something deep fried, I expect it and, hopefully, find the taste most important than the oil level. That's the case with these flautas. 3rd Tip: Be a little patient. The food isn't trucked in from Sysco in little baggies that have to be microwaved. I used to serve at a couple of chain restaurants and never got over the fact that we used pork ribs that had been cooked sometime before they ever entered our restaurant, that our fajitas were shipped in little plastic bags with all of the sauce already made and that only had to be opened and placed on a hot plate (that is, the only actual cooking that we did involved heating up a metal platter, then opening and pouring the "food" onto the platter.), among other examples. Me? I'd rather wait a bit for my food than get it instantly because it's been sitting under a heat lamp all day.
(5)Stan P.
To begin with this place is a gold mine! Not too many people know about this hidden gem! The service has been excellent each time! The food is outstanding,the ingredients are fresh and are of high quality,the portion size of what you pay for is through the roof! The load that plate up,even Maria will greet you at your table and chat with you,the chips and salsa is very good! The half nachos can feed 4 people and they are dynamite!. The meats are super flavorful and tender,I can't really recommend anything because everything I've had here has been off the chain!,but I'll give ya a hint the fajitas and the flautas are to die for!!! They're doing things their way I wouldn't change a thing enjoy!
(4)Jason G.
Good solid mexican food. Tasty chips and salsa are a must, as are rice and beans. The rice tastes a bit like instant, but everything else was great. The kids also enjoyed their meals and the salsa wasn't too hot for our ten year old to munch on.
(4)Joel B.
The family had a great time there. The portions are so big we split three plates among five diners and still had leftovers. My kids don't do spicy and they enjoyed everything. We liked what we ordered but saw so many delicious dishes going by that we have to come back and order more things. Have to agree, not particularly speedy but super nice service.
(4)Jennifer S.
I really wanted to love this place. It came highly recommended by our family. We went as a large group with just adults. It took about 15 minutes to get a table--which isn't bad at all with 8 adults and a baby in a carrier. We had a couple of servers but they seemed to handle the orders well. Hubby got the shrimp fajitas. The shrimp was either jumbo or colossal. They were HUGE and grilled to perfection. Hubby got the standard 3 small tortillas and it obviously wasn't going to be enough. The fajitas did have tons of tomatoes and other veggies. In the end hubby wishes there had been a better shrimp to veggie ratio. I got the enchiladas en mole. The waiter said they were great and the sauce was made in house. I was comparing the sauce to the mole from SLC's The Red Iguana and it didn't compare. I was pretty disappointed. Overall, the food felt a little overpriced, it was pretty loud and patrons are packed pretty tight together. It's obviously a local favorite because there was never a lull in the people waiting to be seated. We just prefered La Costa instead.
(2)Ryan H.
Maria Bonita has been DELICIOUS and fresh every time. The fajitas are amazing, the carnitas are some of the best I've ever had. The guacamole is delicious, the salsa is fresh. The service is very friendly - it is slow, but they tell you that, so be patient - it's worth it. There's no better Mexican food in Utah County! Worth the drive to Orem!
(5)Lanette D.
This is by far the best Mexican food I've had north of San Diego! I got the chicken chimichanga and my husband got the shredded beef flautuas. The flautuas were huge! We will be sharing them next time, and there will definitely be a next time! The food and service were both very good.
(5)Marie S.
Where shall I begin.. Firstly I will say that the staff were extremely nice and helpful and were way over the top notch servers. But this food was weird and bland. The portions were enough for a family of five so if you do feel compelled to try this place keep that in mind. I ordered chicken flautas which were made with flour tortillas, deep fried and with large chunks of chicken and green bell peppers. There just was no other flavor indicated and it was just the weirdest damn flauta I've ever eaten. The salsa was tomato and onions but no heat index, no spice, just bland. The food here was just boring and it definitely wasn't authentic Mexican food and nobody in my party was thrilled and we will not return. That being said the place was crowded (with gringos) yea well they just don't know this isn't the real deal.
(2)Rhonda N.
Amazing service!! We were seated quickly and our food came out quickly as well. Everyone that works there is beyond kind and wonderful! That makes a huge difference when you get smiles and cheerful service. The portions are definitely huge and we took home plenty of leftovers. I definitely recommend this place. They are wonderful!!
(5)Keeley M.
Always great. Once in awhile the servers take forever to get to you but they are always busy so you can't really blame them.
(4)Michael C.
FLAUTAS! FLAUTAS! FLAUTAS! Best in America! Huge portions. A must go! It's a given every time I am in town. Also, very friendly customer service. I don't know why they are all so friendly and happy. (Maybe it's because of the flautas)
(5)Cade S.
Ewwwwww to both of the dishes we got ! Meat wasn't fresh , very greasy . cheese mixed with some sort of bean juice in it ! Never got our chips refilled ! Won't be coming back
(1)Jackson B.
This is my favorite Mexican food place around. I've tried others on recommendation but have always been a little disappointed. But Maria Bonita is amazing. If you are in a hurry, don't eat here. But if you want a place to relax and munch on chips while you hang out with friends and wait for ferocious food, then this is it! I usually get the carne asada burrito because it is enormous and delicious. Their lemonades are also amazing. The little hostess lady is the nicest lady ever, too. She's called me a champion like 100 times already. This place is busy but worth it!
(5)Kathryn B.
Having been here before and having had good food, I was excited to bring family members with me today. I was SO disappointed! The service and food were horrible. When my concerns were shared, the staff acted as though they didn't care. I will not recommend this place to anyone and will not return.
(1)Jamie B.
I have been waiting a very long time to get authentic delicious Latin food Orem. Here it is! You drive up to the restaurant and you expect it to be any old Latin restaurant at a strip mall. You walk into the restaurant and the first thing you notice is beautiful artwork at the desk. Then you set down with a very kind nice waitstaff. After ordering you set and smell the wonderful food cooking on the grill. Then the food comes! Delicious! I have never had better nogales my life. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is delicious and inexpensive. Hopefully it stays that way.
(5)Ang F.
I've eaten at this restaurant several times over the past couple of years, and it keeps getting worse each time. The service is horrible and they are way understaffed for lunch and dinner. We went in for lunch and it took them 25 minutes just to bring us drinks! And the restaurant wasn't even full. My two chicken taco plate had a tiny strip of rice and beans along side it. My son's kid's meal came with more rice and beans than mine did. The chips are good but the salsa is watery. We like their sodas, but they're a bit pricey at $2.90--even if they are served in large glasses. . I have to add that on two separate occasions I have taken new customers in with me. Both have complained to the manager about legitimate problems, and he acted like it was no big deal or the problem was my friend's fault. We've given this restaurant too many chances because there were a few dishes we liked, but I can get average Mexican food at many other places around the Valley without being treated like I'm inconveniencing the staff or manager just by walking in the door. We won't be back.
(2)Chels B.
Although the service is not the best- the portion sizes and Diet Coke are always up to par! If you're wanting great service make sure to go when Maria is there. She'll call you Princess, or Champion and that's maybe why I like going there so much! I choose to stick with the same thing each time: #34 (two chicken enchiladas, with refried beans, and mexican rice) Free chips and salsa and a rice soup with chicken broth will fill you up before your meal so you can easily have leftovers.
(5)Alan D.
I've waited to eat here a few times before I did a review, and now that they're remodeled and its "the new" Maria Bonita me and the missus decided to give it another try. All around, it just wasn't very good. Starting with the food. Its very bland, and lacks flavor. My wife and I both thought the same thing. meh, just not very good. The service was very slow for as empty as they were, and we got tired of waiting for our check. The waitress got my order wrong. The menu takes longer to read than it does to eat from what you order from. There's at least 150 items on it. It was painful to drudge through, just to find a couple carne asada tacos. With all the decent mexican restaurants in the area, try this one later on down your list. For all the decent mexican food in the area, I'm just not impressed with Maria Bonita.
(2)Beanis L.
I've been going to this place for years. I've been to most mexican places in Utah Valley and I go to this one the most. It's become a staple. Let me list the reasons why: 1- Daily lunch specials. They are not on the menu, you have to ask. But they are massive, and come with a drink for only $6.20. Best lunch value I know of in the area. Mon- Beef Enchiladas Tues- Chicken Enchiladas Wed- Choice of taquitos or taco salad (get the salad) Thurs- beef burrito Fri - Chimichanga Sat - Unlike most places, there is a lunch special on Saturday, but I forgot what it is. 2- Portions are MASSIVE. At first you may think the menu is a bit on the pricey side but most regulars will tell you almost everything on the menu can be shared. They do not screw around here. If you are spending $13 on something, you will be full. Want fajitas? You better bring a wheel barrow for the leftovers. Want all the other patrons to stare at your table in shock? Order the nachos, and hope your extended family shows up to help you eat them. 3- The food quality has actually increased since they moved to their new location. I'd say, depending on what you order, it's above average authentic mexican food. Some recommendations: - Flautas. We lovingly call this the plate of baby arms. Because that's what it looks like. - Molcejete. A giant stone bowl of delish that could easily feed 3-4 people. - Enchiladas Poblanas. A house special enchilada plate smothered in a delicious sour cream and poblana sauce (my wife's favorite). -Mole. Not as good as Red Iguana but good if you like Mole. -Fajitas. Massive amount of meat -Fajita salad. Like a giant crisp taco full of fajita mix. Size of a football. Could easily feed 2. -Seafood. Many people come here for their various seafood dishes like the garlic shrimp or wood fired fish. I don't order seafood but it must be good. 4- The service is often slow. If you are in a hurry, don't come here. They can be fast but it's unpredictable. The service is very friendly however. Reserve an hour or hour and a half and bring the family for a great time and piles of great food.
(5)Carlos G.
Hey honestly with all heart this place is the best I used to go to all different places to eat and there's some good places out there. But Maria bonita has a little of everything and the seafood is amazing!! I heard a little of both good and bad things so I was kinda worried but I called in and asked what was the best time for me and my girlfriend to come in they told me the rush hour so I got there a bit earlier and my food came out quickly !! It was my first time and I ordered a molcajete (which I should have probly shared) then my girlfriend ordered a pescado humado which is smoked salmon let me just tell you best salmon I've had in a while and there was so much food we were overwhelmed! So if you guys are looking for gigantic portions and great taste I would recommend this place!!!
(5)Felisha G.
I am very disappointed in the recent experience we had when ordering carry out. We ordered a mocajete and they forgot numerous items that are included in the meal. They still charged us full price and when I brought this to the managers attention he was very understanding at first and said he would take care of us next time we came in or ordered out. But when we tried to order carry out and reminded him of his promise he went back on his word and said he wasn't going to do anything to make up for what happened. His name is Oscar and he is real nice to your face but is not a man of his word. We were regulars and I am sad that we won't eat here again because the manager is a liar and has completely disregarded the fact that we paid for a meal that was incomplete and went back on his word. Hopefully the owner cares more about customer satisfaction than the scum manager Oscar.
(1)Rebecca M.
Maria Bonita. Wow, where do I start. This place never disappoints. We always feel so welcome stepping into this beautiful restaurant with lovely decor. We have grown to love Mexican food and the wonderful nice people of Mexico. My husband and I recently visited cabo San Lucas Mexico and we were amazed at how similar Maria Bonita was compared to the good food, nice people, and environment in Mexico. Very authentic and extremely nice Mexican employees. Maria herself is a saint and it is always good to see her. I have never got a dish I didn't like and I am one to venture out and get the "weird" dishes . One dish I got that was exceptional was called the steak salad. It was huge. Sautéed peppers cheese lettuce very tender steak pieces sour cream all put in a giant taco shell that had such great melty crunch in every bite. I had it for lunch the next day. Reheated very nicely in my toaster oven. I also always get the limo nada which is made special and almost like a lime slushie served in a giant mug perfect to go with the meal. This is definitely a place we frequent since we live about 2 min away.
(5)Tyler P.
I am no stranger to good Mexican food. I have tried most every Mexican restaurant in the Utah valley area and this is in my opinion one of my top three if not the best of those three. I could be crazy but I noticed some similarities in their menu with Mi Ranchito and Mama Chus. For example at all three places their combination plates are the exact same numbers paired with the exact same menu items. One of my favorites is the #11 which is a beef taco, with a beef enchilada and one chile relleno. the exact same will be found at all three places. To my surprise, though the menus may be very similar to the same, the food was completely different in a perfect way. I had the 2 shrimp tacos with just rice no beans and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect meal. I felt as if I had been tele-ported in an instant to the beautiful beaches of Sayulita, Mexico. These were arguably the best shrimp tacos I have ever had. Their shrimp tacos are wrapped in freshly cooked yellow corn tortillas and were packed with perfectly cooked shrimp tossed with salsa fresca (Pico de Gallo) and adorned with dark green fresh lettuce, a slice of perfectly ripened avocado and a light drizzle of a white sauce that added a perfect touch to the overall flavor experience. Their rice was okay nothing spectacular but the Shrimp tacos were so good I could care less about the rice even being there. The presentation of the meal was beautiful the place is clean and the staff was great! Prices I thought were a little high at first but after trying their food I understood why they were slightly more that some other establishments in the area. I will definitely be back for more of their splendid Mexican goodness.
(5)Staci B.
In all of my travels and all of my eating adventures this restaurant has to be by far the best Mexican food ever! Their customer service is amazing and the cleanliness is noticeable. They take a lot of pride in their environment and it's a relaxing place to eat! Now on to the food... I've been in town for 3 days and have eaten here twice, because it's THAT AMAZING! The chile relleno was the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of them!! Make sure you make this a stop while in Orem!!
(5)Jennifer H.
Nice atmosphere for a decent Mexican restaurant. Being in Utah maybe they keep the spices down. But I would have enjoyed some more flavor on my food. Interesting that they have a minimum $3 order per person. We came as a family and I have 1 child who really doesn't eat when we go out. So lame I had to order him something that he didn't even touch. The kids got the chicken fingers with French fries. Nothing fancy, it seemed like it was a purchased frozen item. $4.99 kid meals They give you 2 complimentary chips and salsa per table. The chips were good. But the salsa was lacking in any flavor. Disappointing. My husband had the green chile pork burrito. We both agreed it was just okay. Huge portion but not much flavor. I had the pork chimichanga. Good beans and rice. Interesting green salad with an Italian kind of dressing. The chimi was large but was really bland. I like spicy food and this had no spice or flavor to it. The place was pretty busy so I guess people here like pretty plain Mexican food. We also ordered a plate of nachos without meat. Some reason they took of the jalapeños, I think they assumed our kid wouldn't eat them. But he would've and it would've added flavor. Again the pico was pretty plain. But the plate was huge. Only the top of the nachos had cheese and such. Nice people working here but not the food we were hoping for.
(3)Erin L.
Room for improvement... The proportions on some of the meals was off, too much meat and too little sides. One dish they gave flour tortillas when asked for corn. The guacamole was fresh but needed more heat & salt/pepper. The enchilada de mole dish was quite tasty. Oh and yelp says they serve beer & wine, but that is wrong, NO alcohol... Nice family atmosphere & our waitress was very friendly
(3)Rod S.
This place used to be spartan, in a different location in the mini strip mall, and have a beer license. Now it looks really nice, is a full service restaurant -- if you don't want beer, and the food is a grand statement of bulk over quality. It was nearly full, everyone looked happy, and I figured life would be good. The salsa is thin, and nearly flavorless. I should have known that if a place doesn't have a mole as a primary meal, the mole enchilada will have mole that tastes like the one out of a jar from the mega mart. The chicken was nearly mush and flavorless like the beans and rice. I don't get it. OTOH, it was better than my wifes crab enchilada with excellent looking large, but rubbery, shrimp on top. It was huge though. So, it appears they get lots of happy people. That's great. I'm just not one of them.
(2)Eric J.
We ate at Maria Bonita tonight and two of our group had Chicken Chimichangas. The oil they were fried in was rancid and when we pointed it out they didn't believe us and did nothing about it. The other food we had was ok, but based on the service we will not be back.
(1)Tyson B.
After checking in at Los Hermanos on Yelp, an Elite commented on my post and told me I was wasting my time. At first, I was offended as I had grown up eating Los Hermanos as a family tradition. But having never been steered wrong in the past, I decided to break from the routine and try out Monita Bonita. Located right on 8th North in Orem, Maria Bonita is easily accessible. It is a fairly intimate setting and I like it that way. Upon being seated, our server came over and instantly addressed everyone at the table as "Mi Champions". She was so bubbly and happy and It made the experience that much better. To those of you that said your food took forever to come out - you must have been there on an off day. By the time I was nearing the bottom of my chips and salsa bowl (which are both incredible by the way) my food had already arrived. I didn't even have time to finish the chicken broth soup that they give you prior to your meal. I had the shredded beef burrito. It was one of the best I have had. Smothered in red sauce and served with beans and rice, the portion size was huge and I ate every last bite. I also ordered a pina colada in a glass and I was in heaven. The glass is so big you need two hands to hold it. The prices are beyond fair, the service was phenomenal, and the food was absolutely delicious. I can confidently say this is this absolute best mexican food in utah valley. So good in fact, that I went here twice within the same week because I had to have more. If you are looking for the best mexican food around with the best service to match, come to Maria Bonita. I will be eating her probably weekly from now on and I will leave tips on what I get and how good it is :)
(5)Marcus W.
We were hesitant about reviews that said we should plan on a long wait, but we entered anyway around 8pm on a Saturday evening. We were greeted and seated immediately and since we already had an idea about what we wanted, they took our order within a minute. We were promptly served chips and salsa and a bowl of hot rice soup (interesting... almost like chicken noodle soup but with just rice). Our "appetizer" of a "HALF" order of nachos arrived within just a few minutes. I wish that was all we ordered because we could not finish the whole plate and we were both already satisfied. They were very good nachos (carne asada loaded with everything), but my only complaint would be that the chips were soggy by the time we got to the middle. We ordered the carne asada fajitas and opted to split (given the size of the plates on the tables around us). We each took a few bites and decided to take it home for a couple meals at home later. The service was excellent. Maria came to our table a couple times and made us feel like she genuinely wanted us to be happy. Even if the food had been terrible (which is wasn't) or if the decor was lousy (which again it wasn't especially since it's just a month or so old), we would return just because Maria was so fun to talk to. The food portions are ginormous and well priced for the size. After you split a meal 2-4 ways at a table, it's probably one of the cheapest hot meals around! We will be returning, this time with a much larger party though.
(5)john h.
Best non-chain Mexican place in Orem!! I love it here. The staff are super friendly and helpful, the food is absolutely delicious. I have never had a bad experience, nor a disappointing meal. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for some authentic and satisfying Mexican food. Support local! You wont regret it!!
(5)Kirsten L.
I'm happy to say that I've had several positive experiences here since my last posted review, and am now a regular customer. My kids even ask to go here because they love Maria aka "the lady that calls us princess!" The steak fajitas are my favorite and we regularly call in and pick those up just for take-out. Huge portion and such a yummy flavor. Definitely enough for 2 to share. My husband usually gets the nachos and the full order ridiculously big - enough for 4-5 people to share easily. Their chips and salsa are good. And while the service has never been amazing, it's definitely been better than what I previously posted.
(4)Jason S.
Great food, but the service was horrendous. They were out of chips (as in chips and salsa, chips) and it took them almost an hour to get us our food, which they slowly brought us, plate by plate in a ten minute window. Again, great food, huge proportions, just be prepared to wait.
(2)Brad S.
We were so looking forward to a good meal. We had stopped by this place with a group one night and everything looked/smelled so great but the wait time was just too long for our group so we went elsewhere. My wife and I wanted to try this place out so we came back another night and we were so disappointed. The salsa is not good, they got my wife's order wrong - TWICE and we had like 6 different waiters wait on us throughout the night - no consistency in service. The restaurant is pretty loud because it's one big open space with the serving/kitchen area open to the dining room area. Overall, it's not a place that we'll be back too, nor is it a place we'll recommend to anyone. If there is a recommendation that I would give, it would be to go elsewhere. Rating it 2 stars because at least we didn't get food poisoning.
(2)Trent M.
I was good with this place. Not wowed or disappointed, but it was a good lunch. It's nice inside and was almost full to capacity. The service was good, though they were probably understaffed. Admittedly, my choice of dish (carne asada torta) probably doesn't represent the whole menu, as tortas are probably less ordered than the traditional menu items. And also, I have to make the disclaimer that I haven't had a torta in probably 7 or 8 years. I enjoyed the torta quite a bit. The portions were huge. I finished the fries and only half of the torta. It was salty for my taste, but I generally feel that about most restaurants. I'll come back here again, and try some of the other things that have to offer.
(3)Jeremy D.
This place is so tasty. It has a large variety of dishes to choose from. There is something for everyone. It's not you cheap Mexican food. It tastes amazing and portions are huge. The staff is great and so friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Felipe Z.
Maria Bonita is pretty much everything you can ask for a mexican restaurant. It has great food, one of the best Horchatas I've ever had, and the portions are HUGE. There are some little things that you do have to deal with before you enjoy the meal blessed with the mexican soul of Tenochtitlan's warrior spirits, which are: It's a small place, and as its a popular place it can get really crowded, and you could end up waiting for a table for a while. The service tends to be on the slower side of things, but its bearable, and it can get hot at times. Other than that sit back and enjoy the delicious Flautas, and the different combination plates, together with a nice chilled refillable Horchata, and your favorite novela, of course.
(4)Charles S.
Maria Bonita is good, but it's not great. The salsa is too watery and has very little heat. Although they use high-quality ingredients, the flavors are all sort of dull. I like my Mexican food to have lots of big, bold, flavors and it's not the case at this restaurant. The prices are okay and the portion sizes are Utah-Mongous. The atmosphere is cool and the place has been recently renovated. I'd certainly eat here again, but only if the place up the street is closed or too crowded. If Maria Bonita got a liquor license and started serving cerveza, I'd be more inclined to become a regular.
(3)Matthew W.
I love this Mexican restaurant. I've grown up eating Mexican food and this place is pretty darn authentic. The churrizo burrito was awesome.
(5)Bam B.
Great place, traveling for business and wanted a quick but good bite. Nice vibe. Well priced and large portions.
(4)Tomi H.
We were very pleased with the taste and quality of food at Maria Bonita, and the service was fantastic! The servers were very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was warm and fun. I'd bring my family here any time.
(5)Ty R.
Only great mexi in orem. I love it when Maria calls me "el champion" 8 times while Eating
(5)Ryan C.
Great place! It may not be the nicest in town, but the service and food was exceptional. Called in advanced because it was already 10PM and they happily obliged to let us come by for a late dinner opposed to take-out. We were immediately greeted by Maria with a high five and a friendly hug. She brought us to our table (next to a running fireplace) and came out providing each person with their own bowls of chips/salsa and another bowl of soup. I ordered a giant seafood platter (Snow crab legs, green mussels, octopus, fish filet, shrimp) and it was very tasty. My colleagues enjoyed their dishes as well. The portions as others have mentioned were huge, mind you we had to clear our table just to get our actual entrees on the table. We will most definitely be returning when we are back in town.
(5)Brandon R.
The food here is delicious, and the portions are quite generous, and it is pretty cheap for what you get. So why only 3 stars? Service. Unfortunately, it's pretty bad. I understand having to wait a little longer for the fresh and delicious food. What bugged me was that it wasn't all brought out at the same time. They bring out one entree, but not the tortillas. 10 minutes later the tortillas arrive, but aren't the type my wife asked for. 5 more minutes and my fajitas arrive, but without tortillas or the rice/beans/guac/etc plate. That finally comes out 10 minutes later. By the time I start eating, my wife is finished. Once we finally finish and get our food boxed up, they go to get our check. The bus boy decides that while we wait, he'll clean up our table. So as we're sitting there he's reaching all around us for plates and such, then wipes the table down. Not a huge deal, but I wish he would have waited til we had left so I could have relaxed with my wife rather than trying to dodge him and his rag. We love the food and atmosphere, but they need some major tune-ups with their service. Been here three times, and they're 3/3 with the food, 0/3 with their service.. We've had the tinga de pollo, beef fajitas, chicken enchiladas, and carne asada. All great (the fajitas are my current favorite). Hopefully you get better service than we did.
(3)Dallin R.
The service is great. Maria, (Not THE Maria) was very kind gave us free chicken soup along with our regular chips and salsa. The service was fairly fast. The burrito was a typical 3-4 star restaurant burrito. You are full from the chips and salsa, then eat a few bites, decide you're full, then eat more than half of it and get a take home box for the rest that tastes bad cold. The burrito was creamier than most. I cant tell if that was a good or bad thing. I like Mexican food, and this was not above average food but the service was exceptional.
(4)Rob A.
Read about Maria Bonita on a food blog, checked Yelp and went for it last Saturday night. It was a very enjoyable experience and the food was 5 star. I had the giant quesadilla and it was wonderful. It was stuffed with two types of peppers, carmelized onions, some great tasting cheese and huge chunks chicken breast cooked to perfection. My son had the mole Pablano which he raved about. Great price and a ton of homemade, authentic Mexican food. Going back for more.
(5)Bud H.
Almost everything we tried was a bit off. From the burnt chips, to the flavorless salsa, to the beef fajitas that had very little meat but a mound of onions and peppers large enough to feed half of Orem. Even the much anticipated Molcajete didn't live up to our expectations. Big on grease, small on yum. The food just wasn't good. I'd say the lone bright spot during the otherwise bleak experience was something that we didn't even order - the chicken soup appetizer that they give you for free. Pretty tasty. But certainly not tasty enough to make me want to return.
(2)JP C.
This place is great! The items on their specialties list are as close to authentic as I've found here in Utah. The molcajete is my personal favorite. They even have the good kind of chips! And the portions are enormous! Like take home the leftovers to eat for another two meals enormous.
(5)Tyler W.
I've been waiting for my food for 45 minutes and it's not even busy! By far one of the slowest restaurants I've ever been to.
(1)Summer O.
We decided to take our 4 kids and give this place a try last week. As other reviews said, the place is a little 'dirty'? Not sure if that's the right word. The decor was mismatched but had a certain eclectic charm to it and everything seemed fairly clean but then as you look at the walls and ceilings you begin to notice the loads of dust/lint that have gathered to the textured paint on the walls. I don't think they ever dust but as long as it stays in clumps up there and isn't all over the floor, tables or chairs I'm not terribly bugged. As for the food it was a bit better than say, El Azteca nearby but still nothing to write home about. The Chile Relleno was pretty good though I wish mine had been de-seeded more. As for the staff, mama Maria so called, was very friendly. She greeted us and gave our children high fives. She's a very enthusiastic lady. Unfortunately though, not terribly attentive, nor was the other waitress. We waited quite a while just to order but at least once our orders were taken our food came out quickly. I can understand other reviewers saying that they had to wait a long time. When we went it wasn't busy but on a busy night I imagine the wait for food is very long. In all it wasn't bad food or a bad experience but we don't feel the need to go back.
(2)Sarah S.
I give this place five stars because the customer service is awesome. The food is good and Maria is so friendly, and always there greeting us as we walk in the door that I can't help but want to go back. I like the tamales & my husband loves the giant quesadilla. It is stuffed to the brim with veggies, meat and cheese. Very generous portions, so I always have leftovers for the next day. Everyone is happy.
(5)Joe S.
The portions are gigantic here and the food is better than your average mexican joint. They are a bit understaffed and we sat at the front door without being greeted for about five minutes. I would have normally given up, without even a hey we know you are here and will be with you shortly, but my wife really wanted to try it. I think I would come back here again.
(4)Maggie T.
Maria is like the Mexican mother that I never had. Everytime I (or anyone) goes in there, she'll call you princesa or champion. I think it's so cute! Very welcoming. A+ for service. I really like the food; authentic and well-made. The prices are great too since the portions are huge. I mean, huuuuge. I wouldn't give it 5 stars simply because I have had better Mexican food...
(4)K G.
Food was average to below par. Service was good. No beer. Didn't expect much, so the disappointment wasn't great.
(2)Val R.
Food was good when the place first opened, has gone downhill since. Don't go on a busy weekend evening (you know, when most normal people go out to dinner) service is very unorganized and terrible. Since there are dozens of mexican restaurants to choose from, Im going to try somewhere else next time.
(2)Edgar Q.
best mexican food in orem . plus the service is amazing. they really make fell like you are family. Maria is the best server i had in a mexican restaurant
(5)Anthony J.
I have been here a few times and always get the Fluatas. The entree is honestly enough to feed three or four people but it is only $12. Nice people working there. Cheap food that will fill you up.
(4)Steve M.
Just had lunch with my wife. We had a very favorable experience. Food was good and there was plenty of it. No way I could finish my fajitas and I am a big boy. We will go back. Service was good and the restaurant was clean. I am not sure what other reviewers are talking about as far as being dirty. Viva Maria!
(4)Ashley S.
As you walk in you are greeted by a nice lady that hugs you. So instantly you feel part of the family. Plain and simple the Burritos here are HUGE and cheap for how HUGE they are. I had the Chile Rellano burrito which was great. I highly recommend it.
(3)Logan T.
Was surprised by Maria The Beautiful (right?). The portions were big, the food felt authentic and the location was accessible. Big tables, nice comfy wooden chairs and just good, classic Mexican food. I enjoyed. Skip Los Hermanos and head here. Heck, skip Los Hermanos and go anywhere, their food just keeps getting worse the more expensive it gets. But someone is sleeping with food reviewers cause they keep getting good press.
(5)Jeff C.
If you want a lot of authentic Mexican food this is your place. The portions are Huge!!!. The staff is very friendly and I got a high five from Maria herself! We got our food quickly and it was way to much to eat! I had the Pork Chimichanga and my wife got a beef burrito and enchilada. I like the beef more than the pork. the food was fresh and good. The chips were OK a little bland for my taste and the salsa was good.
(3)Jeff F.
I'm always on the hunt for memorable Mexican food and heard Maria Bonita was the worth checking out. After being unimpressed with the chips/salsa and thinking the wet burrito was ok, I was blown away by the pork tacos - sick. Without question in my regular Orem rotation and the sole reason for Maria Bonita's 4 star review.
(4)Cole J.
Good authentic Mexican. Daily specials are great. Chimichangas portions are huge. Best of its class in the area for me. Very reasonable pricing. A solid choice!
(5)Matthew K.
Big portions and pretty good flavor. You have sit down restaurant prices, but good flavor.
(3)Kellen P.
Okay, I had real hopes going into this place, but those hopes were shattered after waiting almost an hour for our food. I've graded this restaurant by food quality, service, and atmosphere. Food: D - the food is mediocre at best and definitely not worth the price or the EXTREMELY long wait. They serve some nasty chicken rice soup while you're waiting for the main entree and it has about a half inch of grease on the surface, not to mention it was served cold. One of the things I look forward to at Mexican restaurants is the chips and salsa, the chips tasted old and looked like they'd been swept off the floor and placed in a bowl. The salsa was even worse. Other reviewers keep raving about portions... the portions are not huge, the platters are huge with very average sized and bland tasting portions. This food is not worth the wait and you'd be much happier stopping at Taco Bell or Cafe Rio. Service: F - Slow, unprofessional, couldn't communicate, totally botched one of our meals and would not offer discount or refund. Worst service I've ever received at a restaurant. Atmosphere: F - Don't get me wrong... I can appreciate a good "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant, but these guys took hole-in-the-wall to a whole new level. Dirty, dark, crammed, and did I mention dirty? Bottom line... don't trust those 5 star reviews, I did and I was sorely disappointed.
(1)Kate D.
We had heard that we needed to try Maria Bonita and boy, what a major disappointment! Not only was the food terrible but the service was a joke! We arrived at 6:25 pm and it took about an hour or longer to be served... and they weren't busy. We watched as the workers talked and joked with one another and then they literally sat down at a table and started wrapping silverware into the napkins. There were 4 of us, my husband and two teenage boys. When we finally received our food I couldn't even eat more than a bite of my burrito because the red sauce was disgusting, our refried beans were watered down and the chips were hard and tasted a little burnt. My husband 's tostada salad was dry and the flat tostada was old and brittle. The best thing ordered was my son's $6.50 virgin piña colada. It took probably another half hour to be noticed enough to pay our $65.00 tab. I've never written a review on Yelp but this restaurant doesn't warrant a visit and I want to warn others before they waste their time and money. We didn't get out of the restaurant until 9:00 pm and we had no appetizer or dessert ... Just a very disappointing over priced meal.
(1)Dustin B.
Alot of other reviews here are really glowing but I have to say I wasn't really too impressed. The food isn't bad but it's certainly not the best I've had either. I would probably be a bit more impressed if the price were a bt lower. I paid $12 for a lunch that should have been below $10 IMHO. I know that some places don't go all out for lunch like they do at night which may have been the case. This place is good in a pinch, but for right now I'm still looking for a good Mexican place in Utah valley
(3)Trina B.
Wow, this was amazing food! I've eaten here several times now and I do believe I've found my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Orem! YUMMY!
(5)Anna B.
I'm going to be the dissenting voice here. I've been here twice. The first time, I was not a fan but everyone raves about it so much that I decided to give it a second chance. The second time, the service was super slow and I felt sick after eating there. So there won't be a third time. That's just my take.
(1)Amanda F.
we went here a little while ago, and i just remembered i hadn't reviewed them. first off, the restaurant is sort of unassuming. i would think it's really hard to stand out on the craziest looking street in utah county (state street). so this restaurant is really all about the word of mouth. the restaurant is quite small in the inside, and seating is sparse on a busy night. we went on a weekend night, and it was completely full. the hostess(owner?) greeted us warmly and found a table to accommodate our large party pretty quick. she actually asked a smaller party to scoot over to a newer table, which i thought was brazen--but the patrons didn't mind. the hostess was so apologetic and charming that they laughed it off. lucky for her! anyway, one of the people in our party had been here several times and highly recommended everything and anything on the menu. we had a party of 8, and we all tried a few different things. sorry, i don't recall what everyone got, but i do know that everyone was happy by what they ate (mole, enchiladas, tacos, beans and rice). they served some tasty chips and salsa and small bowls of a chicken and rice soup. unfortunately, this is where my daughter (who was suffering from a bad cough) choked a bit and threw up that soup all over the floor. the hostess was super nice about it, which made me feel less terrible about the mess. overall, we had a great experience and would love to go back (even if it's just for the hugs and handshakes) soon.
(4)Dan B.
Probably the best Mexican food in Utah county. Portions are huge. The flautas are ridiculously huge. You get three and one would be more than enough to feed anyone. The Molcajete is delicious. It's too bad that it is almost too huge and pricey to justify ordering it by yourself. I'm also a sucker for mole, but they don't always have it available. Dishes come with a chicken soup, which is basically broth. The service is ... unique. They've messed up my order. Sometimes, the person taking your order doesn't quite understand what you are saying. That being said, the people that run this restaurant are the warmest people you'll ever meet. In short, this is a great place to eat. It's sometimes a little difficult to get a table when they are busy, but there's no place better to get Mexican in Utah county. This place puts El Azteca, Mi Ranchito, and Los Hermanos to shame.
(3)Darrin F.
Service SLOW but reasonably friendly. Salsa is basically ketchup with cilantro and a few chunks of onion. I've had better chips out of a bag. They served a soup appetizer that was pretty good. Soft drinks only. Don't plan on having a beer with your dinner. I would love to report on the food, but after waiting for 35 minutes after we ordered we had to leave. The place wasn't even that busy...
(1)Shaun B.
These posts are correct, the wait is very long, the atmosphere is terrible. The place seems filthy, and yet, the food is so good. I went there with some friends. While we waited to be seated, some food was being served to a table. One of my friends leaned over and whispered, "Wow that person ordered a ton of food." Eventually we were seated, we ordered and our food eventually arrived. The funny thing was that my friend ordered the flautas which was exactly what was brought out to the other customer. I ordered the carnitas and they were divine. I tried all of the dishes and they were great. The food really deserved 5 stars, but the restaurant/building itself deserves about 2. With a place that serves such great food, it's of great wonder how Los Hermanos can even stay in business. Not to end on a bad note, but my friends went back because they loved it so much and they both got sick. Looks like the owners need to relocate, higher a larger staff, and be a little cleaner.
(4)Ryan S.
word of mouth consensus was that Maria Bonita was pretty good. after having experienced it myself I think it falls somewhere in the range of decent to pretty good. we arrived at lunch time and the restaurant was over half full, which we took as a positive sign. as it turned out, this was the only significant negative since the wait to get our food was really long. the pork was nice and tender and I really liked the fresh guacamole that topped the tacos. at $10 for a three carnitas taco plate with rice and beans I thought it was a little overpriced, but not so much so that I wouldn't consider returning. i gave Maria Bonita four taco gnomes out of seven on tacoaday.com .
(3)Jordan L.
Of all the Mexican restaurants in Utah County, this is definitely my favorite. I first heard about it from a friend and I've become a loyal fan. A great little dive with great food. The service is very friendly with a quaint atmosphere. They offer a wide variety of menu options. My favorites from the menu are the Chile Relleno and Pork Enchiladas. Check it out - you won't be disappointed
(4)Riana B.
Never going back...terrible food. We had the "fresh" crab and shrimp enchiladas. "Fresh crab" was awful canned crab. When the owner, Maria, asked us how our food was and we stated that the crab was not fresh and tasted bad, she frowned and simply took our plates. How about asking us what she could do to help, or discounting our meal? Terrible way to run a business. Never going back..total waste of money. I regret not going to our favorite place, Thai House in Lehi. They have out of this world the best food in Utah, pride themselves in doing so, and will accommodate your needs to make sure your experience is nothing but the best. Unfortunately, Maria does not do the same. She has a lot to learn as a business owner.
(1)Hendra T.
If you're a fan of Mexican, you definitely don't want to miss this hidden gem in the city of Orem. They have very good Chile Relleno and Carne Asada. I was referred to this restaurant by a co-worker when I'm dying to get Mexican food on my business trip. The recommendation doesn't disappoint me at all. The also have a dish called Molcajete which is a mixed combination of chicken, shrimp, cheese and steak served on rock bowl. It's a huge portion and can easily be shared by two people. It's very tasty and delicious. The restaurant service is very warm and they even serve you with soup (chicken stock with some rice), chips and salsa while you're waiting for your take away food. Oh, the portion is also huge, so be cautious when you place your order.
(5)Missy M.
New place great. . . service needs remodeling now. Me and my family have been going for some time. We used to go to the original place as described in other comments dusty and grimy. The new one unfortuanately has the same type of chairs which are nice looking but not great for young children to sit in. My kids 7 and 4 could barely see their food because the table was higher up then the chairs. But, the new place same location is nice, clean, and more professional. The only problem is it is loud, you still feel like you are jammed in there and I felt like I could hear everyone's conversations. Almost every time we have been to Maria Bonita's we have to go and retrieve our check and we aren't the only ones tonight I saw several customers hunting around for someone to take their money, and at most you get one refill on your beverage. Sometimes you get the soup, sometimes you don't. Maria is in my opinion the only really friendly server in the place but she spreads herself to thin by trying to socialize with her hugs and high fives and getting food together. There is a reason she is so skinny she's running around so much because she is pretty much THE Waitress. Therefore if she is your waitress you will see a lot of her hugs and high fives but not a lot of how is your food, do you need a refill, or your check. I think the beans and rice are average but good fillers. The Giant Quesadilla can be split between a family and has chunks of fresh veggies but probably a pound too much of cheese. The guacamole is great but ask for more condiments because the portion sizes are bigger then the condiments given. I do think the food is better then Los Hermanos but I did experience stress due to the lack of service and having to send my husband to stand around at the front for 15 minutes to pay our bill.
(4)Luke G.
Good mexi-food!
(4)Matthew B.
Easily the best Mexican in Utah Valley!!
(5)Erin R.
Excellent food, HUGE portions. I easily had left overs for lunch and dinner the next day. Only downfall that I noticed was the service was pretty slow. There were only 3 other customers and we had to wait at least 10 minutes before someone came over with water. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Mike B.
I too, came to Maria Bonita's to give it a try after hearing by a few that it was pretty good. I thought at first that it would have been an "order at the counter" type of place, but when I went in for lunch, the two waitress' that were on duty, were sitting at a table, not working, but playing with their cell phones. There was only one other patron inside having his own lunch. One waitress got up and crammed me against a wall where it was hard to get into, and the table and chairs had no room to move. That wasn't really anything to complain about, because I could have asked to sit elsewhere, but anyway I stayed and ordered a Chili Verde Burrito. It was the waitress' recommendation by the way. The prices seemed OK. Not too pricey, and not too ridiculously cheap either. They started me off with some chips and salsa, which were fair. Not the best I've ever had, but not the worst either. Then I got some sort of Mexican soup. It basically was a light broth with Mexican rice in it. Not too impressed with it. Then, my entree was placed on the table in front of me, and HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL, was it big. The plate..., I mean, the PLATTER that it was served on was practically as big as the table. I thought Wow! What a country! I then began to eat my offering, while thinking, man, for the money vs sizable portion, this is a steal! Well, the further I got into it, the less impressed I was with the flavoring and overall taste of it. The rice was the same rice that was in the soup, and the re-fried beans really had little taste. The meat in the burrito didn't really tackle my taste buds either. Needless to say, I didn't finish the burrito, not because it was huge, but more because I had, had enough of the bland taste of it all. I took the rest of it home thinking that maybe I would finish it off later, but I threw it out before I even got home, because after the food had settled in my stomach a bit, I had no desire to even want to finish it. Now, the question begs, would I go back? Well, probably not any time soon, but I probably will give it another try at some point, mainly due to the fact that Utah County has little to offer in the "Good" or even "Great" Mexican food arena. At least I haven't found that "One" great Mexican establishment yet. Most restaurants are worth a second try, but Maria Bonita, I won't get my hopes up.
(2)James Y.
Pretty good food. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Eli f.
incredible food, huge portions, and seriously amazing service.
(5)