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Maria's
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
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20 reviews for Maria's
I went to Maria's on a day full of "Firsts," those times that you experience something for the first time. I decided to keep with the days running theme and order items that I have never ordered previously.
Mousaka with rice and string beans
Shish kabob with potatos and string beans
I am not someone that sticks to convention, but it is very rare that I break away entirely from the familiar. I have always heard about mousaka and have always wondered what it was and what it tasted like; so, I asked the waiter about Maria's. The waiter stated that it is the best that I could have -- would he have said otherwise? I ordered the mousaka with rice -- I NEVER order rice at a restaurant -- and string beans. My friend ordered the beef shish kabob with potatoes and string beans.
As we awaited our meal I took in the aura of the restaurant. For being so small, it is quite light and open. The materials used on the walls just add an aura of authenticity to the Greek style of the restaurant by adding a mediterranean feeling to the interior. As I was material gazing, our entrees arrived.
The first thing I had to do was dive into the mousaka. What can I say, I am all about new experiences. The flavor was good. For those of you that don't know what mousaka is, I am now an expert and so can explain it to you (no, not really). Mousaka is a layered casserole -- somewhat like lasagna. The layered ingredients are potatoes, eggplant, seasoned-ground beef, and a bechamel "cheese" on top. While I am not fond of some of these ingredients alone, the marriage of the flavors was complete and quite tasty. As I ravaged my mousaka, I moved on to my sides. The string beans were just that, string beans -- not over- and not under-cooked -- with a bit of tomato sauce and herbs on them. They had a good flavor. The rice, though -- ugh, the rice. It was crispy. I cannot stand crispy rice.
I moved on to the shish kabob and was dazzled by the mix of grilled flavor and spiced flavor. So many places over-season the shish kabob with marination, herbs, and spices and then lack that essence of the grill. This shish kabob was good. The onions and green peppers were cooked and the meat was not overcooked. The flavor was just perfect when I was able to savor a piece of the meat and onion in my mouth at the same time. I did find the potatoes to be a little bit lemony, but my friend really liked them.
All in all, this was a very good experience. I am quite glad that I tried the mousaka here and will get it again. If not for the rice, I would have upgraded my rating to a 5-star review. Please, Maria, no crunch rice. Another plus, the service is always quite good and the servers are always easy on the eyes. Definitely the full package.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/18/2009
I have been to a lot of Greek restaurants, but Maria's is by far one of the best. Small,… Read more »
If you are in your late 30s or 40s and looking for a man, let me suggest coming to Maria's. In the period of one hour that my mom and I sat at this restaurant during lunch today, there must have walked in and out five or six groups of at least four to five men each. I think there were more men at this restaurant than at any sports bar on any given Sunday during football season.
Not sure what all the men have to do with the food...but I do know the food is good, and the ambiance of the place was great. It's a little cafe bustling with people during lunch time. The place was packed but there was no wait to get seated - if that makes any sense.
My mom and I shared the eggplant salad for an appetizer. It is really good here. Served as a dip, as in other places, but it wasn't pasty like humus - I'll definitely be back for more of this. And the pita slices you're served to eat with the dip are delicious. Just slightly toasted and warm, yet oh so soft.
We had the moussaka as an entree. I had tried this dish before and liked it - the vegetarian option - Maria's version is not vegetarian, so I didn't like it as much as I had the other one, but this one was still good. I wouldn't necessarily order it again, but if someone wants to share I'll eat the rice and veggies it comes with.
Dessert finished off the meal perfectly. We ordered the Greek yogurt with walnuts and honey - so so so good. I had heard great things about Greek yogurt, but I tried it for the first time today. Don't be surprised if I go straight to the supermarket to buy some for mixing at home with the same ingredients - it was so good!!!! hmmm - I want more now!
In all the meal was great - I want to give it a five, but every time I click on the fifth star, I just keep clicking back to the fourth - so I'll just have to go back another day and consider an update.
Prices: considering we ordered a meal for one (one app, one entree, one dessert, no drink) at $30 it is quite pricey for lunch in this area - but we did share, leave full, and felt each dish was plenty to satisfy us both.
Great lunch atmosphere. Great food. Service could have been better - but I couldn't be bothered with that today - maybe that is what's holding me back from the five stars. Nevertheless it was just the water lady that was "eh"... Go to Maria's - it's good... and if you're single, make sure you look nice ;-)
When you think of authentic ethnic food in Miami, the first cuisines that come to mind are undoubtedly of the Latin variety. Luckily for fans of Mediterranean food, there is a small Greek enclave (complete with a Greek Orthodox church) in the neighborhood between Brickell and Coral Gables. A staple within this community is an amazing Greek restaurant at 24th and Coral Way named Maria's.
I have been Yelping for a few weeks and I purposefully held on reviewing this place until they reopened after their summer vacation earlier this week. I have been coming here regularly since I moved to Miami five years ago, and it is easily one of my top three favorite restaurants.
As others have mentioned, the restaurant is owned and operated by a local Greek family, the Albanises. The restaurant has been around for nearly 30 years, and Maria's daughter Angela and son-in-law Costas run Maria's today. The staff is warm and efficient and includes occasional appearances by their daughters and sons-in-law (and even Maria herself on a rare day) and If you come three or four times, they'll usually remember what your favorite dishes are.
The food is pretty standard Greek fare, but all of it is well executed. I usually start with their creamy hummus which is served with warm, pillowy pita bread. The saganaki is a cheese that's set on fire at your table (also served with pita) and is a special treat I enjoy every so often.
For entrees I usually go with the gyro platter or the nicely seasoned chicken kabob plate. Each is served with a Greek salad, fries and a delicious tzatziki sauce. The fries aren't as good as the salad, so I typically ask for double salad, hold the fries. If you have someone in your group who is skittish about Greek food, the chicken kabob platter is a nice choice. I don't have many other dishes too often, but the moussaka, brisket and pastitsio are also great dishes. All of the portions are very large, making the $12-$14 dinner prices for the always spot-on entrees a good value.
Dessert selections are also good. My favorite is the galaktoboureko (think Galactic-burrito if you can't remember the name) which is a firm custard topped with delicious filo layers, and you can also have baklava or cookies. The restaurant added a few beers and wines to the menu a few years ago, including a few non-Greek options.
Maria's has been in this location for more than five years now and recently moved its main dining area to the adjacent space that used to be a tile store. The new space they inherited is beautiful and is complete with marble and travertine floors and Venetian plaster on the walls.
The easiest way to find Maria's is to look for the big blue awning in the middle of the strip mall along Coral Way between 22nd and 27th. There is plenty of metered parking in the front (you don't need to pay after 6 p.m.) and even some spaces in the back if you come on a busy night or during one of their busy lunch shifts.
Be warned that this is not a Greek restaurant a la Taverna Opa (which is also great, but a different experience). Opa's techno music, flying napkins and table dancing is replaced here by the tranquil atmosphere of a community restaurant. Maria's is calm, but not completely commotion free, though. You will likely reach for your eyebrows to make sure they're still there when Angela torches a saganaki near your table (luckily it will just give you a burst of heat and nothing else).
Opa!
The perfect alternative to Mykonos, Maria's is about as honest a Greek restaurant as you can hope for. There's no excessive Hellenism- it's about the staples of mediterranean cuisine, not about Zeus vs. Zorba imagery. No show here to distract you from the good Greek essentials, and it's the homey close-to-the-kitchen consistency that makes Maria's pretty much the only Greek restaurant I frequent- and- here's how you know it's good- I actually actively dislike Greek food.
But since I've gone back often, they must be doing something right.
The staff was very attentive and nice, however, the quality of the food was mediocre at best, and I find it over-priced.
I want to preface this by saying that up until this encounter, I have enjoyed going to Marias. I think the food is good and its well priced. I would not say its the best Greek in the world but i prefer it over Mykanos for teh Gables area.
Two days ago we placed a phone order and went in to pick up. They seem immidately annoyed that my co-worker and I asked for two separate checks. Got back to our office to eat and they didn't give salad dressing for Greek salad. Ordered a side of hummus and it was tiny tiny for $2.00, the size that a container of a side order of salad dressing usually would be. Called to let them know they forgot salad dressing and that the side of hummas was very small for the fee. We first told them that I really enjoy going to your restaurant but was a little disappointed
and the person at Maria's said "I don't remember you". When told her the side was small she said "we said a cup and it was a cup, that's what it's called"! And then she hung up on us. We were disappointed by this interaction and its left a sour taste in our mouth for next time.
My boyfriend is a huge fan of greek food - and he's been going here for years- and Maria's also came highly recommended by a greek friend who knows the owners personally. We walked in on a weeknight - and I immediately loved the family atmosphere. Owned by a greek family, father is in the back cooking the grandmother's recipes, and the different family members are always around (even the ones who have their own careers).
Great service, food came out quickly, and the family members came out to chat with us. There was a birthday party in the room with us where everyone was having a great time. The owner's daughter came out and chatted with them, explained all the dishes, the family, talked about the kids, just as if they've known you all their lives.
Ordered the gyro platter - tons of food - enough to share - and finished off the evening with a piece of galactoboureko, a sweet dessert custard in phyllo, topped with cinnamon. Yummm.
This is the kind of place I look for when trying to avoid my favorite go-to chain restaurants. Will definitely be a regular here.
I've been going to Maria's for so many years and what I really love about this place is that it's consistent. I've never had a bad meal here. They do Greek and they do it well. A tradition for me if I dine in is to introduce people to the flaming saganaki appetizer. That taste of the flaming cheese and the wine is a unique experience and really makes you want to enjoy your life. I find that Maria's is a great place also to get takeout because what you get is a reasonably priced, filling, and healthy meal. That's the triumvirate of the essential components of a good meal. If you try something even as simple as the chicken kabab, you can taste such unique flavor in each piece of chicken. That's why tzaziki is always welcome, but only in moderation-- because you really need to be able to taste the quality of the meat they give. They also have delicious pitas. There are a paucity of truer moments of happiness that can beat the feeling of receiving a basket of hot and fresh pita. Unbelievable. I'm only rating it 4 stars because I have had better out there--particularly in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. But, this is a consistent place that I love going to regularly.
Went for a work lunch with my department because they have been talking about it forever. Like, "We need to take you to Maria's", "It's the best ever", and "I can't believe you haven't been to Maria's yet!". So we went. Finally.
We shared the hummus and flaming cheese app. The pita bread was awesome, as was the flaming cheese. (Except for the part where the waitress almost burned herself as the cheese was lit because she happened to be standing under an air vent that blew the fire into her face... seriously... she was def shaken up, but fortunately, no injuries!)
I ordered the gyro sandwich. It was way to big. And normally, it's nice to get large portions, but when I order a gyro sandwich for lunch, I expect something on the small/med size. Let just say I could barely walk out of there. The flavor of the meat was nice, but it was cut in a way that the pieces of meat in the pita were to big; I feel like they should have been sliced a little smaller. Anyway...
Desserts. Honestly, not so good, sorry. The cookies were ok, everything else was not.
It took a while for everything to come out. Like, longer than normal.
Overall, 3 stars. I might visit again if I'm in the area, but no special trips to Maria's for me.
Overall the food quality is pretty good. I'd recommend going with the Gyro Platter and go with a double side of Greek Salad. Go with the Taziki as an appetizer, as sometimes the food takes awhile to get out to you.
We love the family feel of Maria's. The service is always friendly and warm, and the food is enjoyable. When you're there for the first time, you wonder why you haven't been there before.
The pita and humus are so good you should be careful not to fill up on them before your entree arrives. My favorite dishes are the saganaki and the moussaka.
The best casual Greek in Miami.
For real Greek head to Ariston in Normandy Isles.
We have been going here for 15 or 20 years since they were at their last location further east on Coral Way.
(BTW, dont' bother with that other Greek place even further east on Coral Way.)
The food is always fresh and the owners are like your family.
You must have the Galaktoboureko for dessert.
4.5 stars
home-cooked, tasty, and popular
lots of people ordering the kefalograviera cheese
started with the hot pita bread and hummus
keftedakia were large meatballs, fried on the bottom, perfect crunch
was a little salty after downing 3 of em but flavorful
also had some of their gyro meat platter, not quite as good as Stoupsy's, still tasty and cooked on one side
also tried the Greek sausage "loukaniko," which was interesting and full of mediterranean spice
don't come here looking for gyro sandwiches or seafood though
This simply good authentic Greek food, served by its owners, they will cheerfully explain any item in the menu you might have a question about. Tried the fried cheese as an appetizer.
This place is ran by the owners and it shows, very warm and welcoming greek couple that truly make you feel at home.
Stay for dessert, it is worth the calories.
Come in for lunch, you will get good service and good food.
This is, I am fairly sure, the best simple Greek restaurant in Miami and I do not rely only on my own opinion, I was referred by a person of Greek descent. It is not fancy but the the food is very good indeed and the service is prompt and friendly.
Maria's has the best Greek salad that I have ever had (and I've had quite a few), with quite fresh everything artfully assembled on the plate in profusion (a large salad should well do for two). The platters are all enough for two unless you want to head for an immediate nap after. It is family owned and operated and it is clear that they really care about what they serve.
BTW, I gave a lot of high ratings for my initially reviewed restaurants as I've been first reviewing my favorites that I frequent (and I try in any event not to go to poor ones).
l must say, l wasn't as impressed with this place as most people seem to be. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. lt just didn't send me into any fit of delight.
The saganaki was ok... and my meal, l had a gyro platter, tasted like any other l have had before. The salad was good, the gyro good, l cannot complain about it, it just didn't have that YEESSSS factor.
THe service was good, we went at non peak hours so l can't say if it is any different under stress.
l am going to have to try it again to see if l didn't miss something. l hope so since l do love a good Greek place!
Always ask to hear the specials when you go to any restaurant. My family ate at Maria's earlier tonight and I was glad I listened to the waitress rattling off the specials of the day. I had a very tender and juicy beef brisket and my wife's roast lamb looked delicious. I'm not an expert on Greek food, but I know what I like and Maria's is a great place to eat. The restaurant is quaint and quiet and the staff is very attentive. The food is very fresh and tastes great. While there is not a lot of parking, for us it is not a problem as we walk there from home.
This place claims to serve authentic greek cuisine, and the owner is really Greek. :-)
The food is good, and the prices are a little bit higher than what I would like to see, but the food and the portions I received the one time I was there were good even though I didn't order much.
The ambience is nice and looks more like a regular sit down restaurant than the nearby Mykonos. The setting here is also more romantic than Mykonos.
Since I'm Greek, people always ask me where they can find a decent gyro. Hand's down, Maria's Greek Restaurant cooks up the best gyro in the 305. I'm also a fan of their saganaki (fried salty cheese) and avgolemono (chicken and rice soup). The owner, Angela Albanis, is always on hand and like most Greeks, is both gregarious and helpful. And like most Greek places, there are no airs here -- what you see is what you get, which is quite refreshing to find in Miami.
i finally went to marias for lunch this afternoon, daniel - a friend from work, has told me about marias about a hundred times but i never really had the chance to go. im glad this place came up while we were trying to decide where to go for lunch today. marias is cute, modest and the prices are ok. we ordered saganaki (flambed fried cheese with lime juiced - squeezed to extinguish the fire) that was really really good. it came with some bread and then i ordered the moussaka, a sorta greek lasagna...layers of ground meat, sliced eggplant, potatoes and tomato, topped with a red sauce and baked, this plate came with rice and green beans. i couldnt finish the whole thing as it filled me up quickly. daniel ordered a gyro platter that looked (and smelled) really good. i believe he ate the whole thing. he knows one of the owners, who was actually at the restaurant while we were eating. katherine kept us company for a bit and was nice enough to give us complementary desserts! yes, the owners are greek. this is true. i know marias' good now so i will definitely come back for lunch sometime soon. if youre on coral way and feeling hungry, stop by and have some good greek food!
