Madre Maiz Taqueria
About This Spot
Stepping into Madre Maiz Taqueria, you’re welcomed by a warm and unpretentious neighborhood atmosphere that feels like a familiar friend’s kitchen rather than a typical restaurant. The rhythm here is easygoing but lively, a place where the hum of conversation blends seamlessly with the sizzle from the kitchen and the clink of glasses. It’s the kind of spot that invites both quick bites between errands and lingering meals shared over stories with friends or family.
The space itself embraces a casual charm, where the focus isn’t on fuss but on heartfelt flavors and honest hospitality. From the moment you drop into a seat, there’s a sense of genuine care carried by the staff — recognizable by name, encouraging questions about the menu, and quick to recommend something a little off the beaten path.
Food here grounds the experience deeply in tradition, yet the offerings feel refreshingly approachable. Imagine the comforting familiarity of street tacos made with freshly pressed blue corn tortillas, vibrant and tender fillings, and salsas that carry a gentle kick or a bright tang that elevates every bite. Whether it’s the richly layered birria nestled in warm bread or the satisfying heft of a carne asada torta, each dish narrates a story of careful preparation and cultural roots.
Vegetarian choices and creative takes on classic favorites ensure there’s a welcoming plate for everyone, and the thoughtful touches—like house-made tortillas and a side of esquite crowned with crema and tajin—make the meal feel handmade rather than rushed. For those with a curiosity for local finds, the Mezcal selection offers a neat companion to the food’s bold flavors, inviting slow, savoring sips.
At Madre Maiz, the food is a snapshot of community — tender, vibrant, and heartfelt, served in a setting where the pace is just right to enjoy both the meal and the company. It’s a place where flavor and friendliness coexist effortlessly, making it a steady choice for those craving a genuine taste of Mexican comfort without pretense.
What’s Available Here
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Identifies as Latino-owned
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Comfort food
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Counter service
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Seating
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Toilet
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Casual
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Family friendly
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
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Dogs allowed
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Dogs allowed outside
Location & Hours
| Monday | 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Friday | 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM |
Richard Hermosillo 01 Jan 2026
The street tacos were great flavorful tortillas soft meat not chewy. The special arachera though for its price i dont recommend i had a harder time chewing that taco down for the price i would want it to be tender and easy to chew. Flavors were great a bit salty but i wouldnt be shy to get it again if the meat was tender. The shrimp taco was worth trying definitely was a favorite just pricey but definitely good with a balanced flavor & the shrimp was cooked perfectly not rubbery at all. The salsas were also good. Red maybe has more spice but very mild. Green is more lime flavored also mild both are delicious. Chef special tacos which was the shrimp and arachera 9$ Street tacos 3$ I recommend the street tacos cant go wrong with those.
Tim Wheeler 23 Dec 2025
Silvia, Mike and the rest of the staff are super friendly and accommodating. The tacos especiales are served on blue corn with melted cheese, with the carnitas being particularly tasty. The birria torta is packed and served steaming hot on fresh bread. The food quality matches the price, and everything always comes out fast. Ask for the secret sauce if you're looking for something spicier. They also have house-made (off-site) wheat flour and corn tortillas. Haven't tried the corn tortillas yet, but we regularly get a pack of the wheat tortillas for our tacos at home because they are quite fresh, chewy and tasty.
John Wiley 21 Dec 2025
Next-door to Pasadena Sandwich, which is my favorite sandwich place but they are going under renovation so I went to check out. It was great. Breakfast burrito was delicious too big or just potatoes but it was really good. The service was great and their own tortillas is awesome so I took a pack of these so I can get them to make some tacos while I watch the dodger game go check it out
Sarah N Saldana 29 Oct 2025
Street Tacos with asada are my favorite, and love they also have veggie options. They have great customer service. Good parking lot and just found out they sell their own Mezcal!!
Israel Rocha 06 Oct 2025
I love the flavor of the food, very authentic. The meats are so tender and tasty, the salsas are very flavorful and my favorite is the fresh guacamole and aguas frescas. The customer service is great, I will definitely be back.
Kevin Zhou 25 Sep 2025
The Madre Maiz special tacos were very, very good. I would eat them every day if I could! Staff was really friendly and just gave really positive energy. Loved it!
Jesse Fischer 22 Sep 2025
We used to go here weekly when we had swim lessons in the area. Excellent mexican food spot. It was always a safe bet for our kids - they loved the burritos and they are picky eaters. Potato tacos are excellent too. Nice staff too!
Michael 17 Sep 2025
Where do I even begin!!! The service was great, the vibe was great, I got my food quick, and of course the food was absolutely delicious. I asked them what protein they like the best and they recommended me the birria and boy did it not disappoint. It was so juicy and flavorful. I got their especiales tacos on the blue corn and it was worth every cent. I also had their grilled shrimp taco and wow, just wow, absolutely amazing. I can't wait to go back and try more things. But one thing is for sure, this is hands down the best true authentic Mexican cuisine in Pasadena!!!!!!