Maria Bonita’s Taco Shop

Charming Mexican eaterie in Umm Suqeim 33 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Maria Bonita’s is one of those best-kept Dubai secrets that only expats who have been here for years seem to know about – up there with the likes of Ravi’s or Smiling BKK as another establishment serving great food at reasonable prices.

It’s not licensed, but order an alchohol-free pina colada or strawberry margarita, take a seat outside, and chat to the two caged parrots, while munching on tortilla chips and salsa.

All of the tried-and-tested Mexican staples are here – tacos, burritos, quesadillas, soups and salads – and they are all very good, well presented, with helpings of salad, salsa, sour cream and refried beans, coupled with a homely kind of feel (Maria Bonita’s is independently owned).

The service can be a little haphazard, which might be a problem elsewhere, but just seems to add to the charm here. If you’re looking to linger, there are several desserts to try, and you can happily dine knowing that the final bill isn’t going to break the bank.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 17 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 16 February,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 28 January,2008- reviewed by James Brennan
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 18 October,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 29 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 March,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 January,2004- reviewed by Rob Orchard

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

Posted by: Pursnickitty on 11 Oct ' 09 at 21:44

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Okay, the service is truly lousy, but we keep coming back for the food! Although, the taste is not exactly the Mexican-style that we're used to, it does taste authentic. If you know of another place as authentic, I'm all ears! They actually use queso blanco cheese (albeit sparingly), the chips are thin (not like Doritos) and taste fairly fresh fried, the salsa tastes fresh and authentic (mix the mild and the hot salsa together). We are addicted to the steak Taco Maya, the Enchilades Verdes (Chicken), and also the Combination Enchilades (good chocolate mojo sauce) all for around Dh40/dish, which includes rice and beans sprinkled with queso blanco cheese. I had the taco Jorge once, which was also tasty and substantial, but I love the Taco Maya sauce. Tacos Gringos are alright (steak). The fajitas are just okay. Oh, I had the cactus salad last time, which was wonderful - fresh tomatoes, clinatro, and onions with pickled/brined cactus in a lime juice dressing. The flip side - the service and the uncomfortable chairs (stupid cushions keep falling off b/c there's no proper back support - it's like resting on a broom stick!) None of the servers seem to write anything down, so they're really forgetful, especially, if you have a "special" request. Servers clearly don't have assigned table sections, which keeps them meandering and unorganized. Watching the servers, I also noticed that they only seem to be able to do one thing at a time. Here's a serving tip: Instead of addressing one table's needs at a time, try and address ALL (or at least 2 or 3) of your tables in your section before going into the kitchen to complete what needs to be done in the back (like getting drinks) - it's all about being efficient with your time...and ours! With that being said, everything is almost forgotten when the weather cools down and you're sitting outside in the anti-mall atmosphere on a relatively quiet street, watching the chili-pepper eating parrots and chomping into your Taco Maya!

Posted by: Erik erbita on 08 Oct ' 09 at 21:10

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

There are level & stages in a restaurant to keep the upper hand; that is keeping the standards of good food & good service consistant. An unpredictability, laden with excuses is an indication of a Restaurant not worth the visit. Mark seems to want to gag people for speaking the truth Accusing someone of doing these reviews-that shows really who is a payed agent behind trying to change a preception that is a reality. I am from from Indonesia & lived in Mexico for long as not to know what is taste Mexican food. Truth to who it might hurt the food is terrible, maybe just now the realize that trying to persuade me & others to come back...

Posted by: Mark on 29 Sep ' 09 at 15:41

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Some of these reiews are completely off-the-mark and clearly written by the same person who has an axe to grind (and is apparently incapable of stringing a sentence together). This is one of the best restaurants around in terms of value and ambience, and the food is as close as you can get to the real deal this side of Mexico City (I should know, I lived there for 10 years). The staff are friendly and this makes up for their occasional slowness. Overall, a great place.

Posted by: lindsey lemmon on 25 Sep ' 09 at 14:23

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Maria bonita ,still the best place to go,
although the service is low,but i understood that is because this maria bonita was daily busy restaurant ,they will accomodate us as much as they can, its relax to sit outside especially this coming winter.
i invite you to try and see...cheerrrss

Posted by: BOBBY LARIOS on 21 Sep ' 09 at 19:28

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTEND RESTAURANT IN DUBAI AND IS ORIGINAL MEXICAN FOOD, THE CHEF IS FROM MEXICO, MARIA BONITA REALLY HAVE A GOOD FOOD, GOOD DRINKS AND THE MOST OF ALL THE HOME MADE TRES LECHES CAKE AND THE DECOR AND AMBIENCE IS FANTASTIC, CONGRATULATIONS STAFF

Posted by: Victoria on 01 Sep ' 09 at 20:22

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Time out sorry for speaking the truth. International places when it comes to eating are all over Dubai where you find an array of nationalities but Maria B has become all Indian Exclusive. I don't see the teadiness & proper decor in the service either.

Posted by: John Smith on 01 Sep ' 09 at 20:07

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Time & time in again every time I go main traditional food is missing, either beans, rice, wacamole, meats. The place is very unconsistant & rarely good service. Weekends is packed for that reason good service is not present, hard to flag down a waiter..

Posted by: alex on 29 Aug ' 09 at 05:29

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I have been in UAE for 2 years and A regular at Maria Bonita, there are some times that the service can be hectic (busy times), but quite honestly I think the food is great is original and fresh, i seen the tortillas and salsas being prepared since early morning for the day, lots of people "seem to know" original mexican food and compare it with tex mex, I love the place and there are two real mexican chefs in charge.

Posted by: Dana on 25 Aug ' 09 at 19:53

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Over all the place, service, food is terrible. Went the're last week. They have a big menu of which many things they don't have, to top it off I order wacamole & mole which they didn't have. I been to mexican restaurants & these is the worst place not only interms of service but interms of food..

Posted by: Edmundo Arroyo on 22 Aug ' 09 at 15:10

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

These place lacks even basic standards of service compared to even the worst restaurant in dubai. Their is a saying stating- The food you prepare for others prepare it as if you will be preparing for yourself. Mean to say they served me spoiled food & got sick, I only wish the people that prepared it would it that filth they gave me. Municipality needs to check up on them. People please eat else where...Concerned ex customer.

Posted by: clara on 17 Aug ' 09 at 07:36

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

took my whole family for Mexican food, I had read that this place had great foor and service in other reviews. when we got our food there were no beans but french fries instead, the server failed to mention that they had run out of beans. I mean what Mexican restaurant has no bens as might as well just close the place for the day. this was very disappointing if we were told from the beginning we would have ordered something different. the servers did not seemed to care and they still let people come into the restaurant without letting them know.
Till this day my family makes fun of this place and me for choosing this place. This is the worst food I have ever had in Dubai. Never again Maria Bonita's

Posted by: Rika Erbita on 16 Aug ' 09 at 03:52

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Truthful as I can be to time out. Rice tasted like indian rice not Mexican, Quesadillas I found burnt with very acidic taste. Proper decor was not present nor higienic standards- staff with no hairnets. & the place does not have proper air conditioning. Very hot to eat their.

Posted by: Deborah Pearmain on 14 Aug ' 09 at 14:35

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I had great expectations when visiting only to have a cockroach wak accross the table and across my plate, I flicked it to the floor and called the server. What did he do? Picked it up with a tissue and carried on not even an apology!

Posted by: Teresa on 13 Aug ' 09 at 11:11

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Agree with all the no reviews above.

Posted by: Ed smith on 13 Aug ' 09 at 03:36

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Ordered from casa Maria, after half hour Ithey call me for location. 45 after they called again. Seemed to me they didn't speak english nor understood english. To top it off food came late & food items where missing, besides being cold. Driver was moody because I didnt have change. Only with a gun in my head I would go back to these nasty place,,,

Posted by: Jamila al attari on 10 Aug ' 09 at 22:10

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I find better food in satwa & less expensive. I tried their salsas & had a funny taste of aged spoiled fish. Chips where unsalted & overcooked. Service is lackadasaical in these place. Tex mex are better than HERE..

Posted by: Sonia Johnson on 10 Aug ' 09 at 22:00

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I went to sister restaurant casa maria. Found no staff that would take an order seemed to me they where out strolling. When they came back they slush up some food, salty, drinks where not profecionaly made. Honestly the place was all dusty.as well as to have a peaceful enjoyable lunch.

Posted by: brenda on 10 Aug ' 09 at 11:01

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

First time that I leave a negative feedback, wanted you to know what horrible service we got: we ordered home delivery and 40 min later the driver called for 1 st time about location. 5 times later I called the restaurant and they did not want to help. 30 min later again I called the restaurant, the food must have been cold by that time and asked what they can do to help. Asnwer: nothing, not their problem. No discount, nothing. I cancelled the order, but driver arrived anyway. He was begging me to take the food and pay, the owner of the restaurant would take it from his salary. Felt realy bad, but did not take the food. Hope the driver will get his salary, it's not only his fault.

Posted by: kareem medina on 09 Aug ' 09 at 03:59

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I agree with most reviews about the bad conditions that restaurant is..
Bad food, higiene bad & to top it off doesnt have managers on duty. How can people it their? its smells like drain water inside..

Posted by: Juan on 31 Jul ' 09 at 07:48

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I have gone to mexican restaurants that fit into a latino category but these restaurant besides not having one person that is knowledgeable enough about food, has all indian & Phillipino personnel. I noticed it disorderly when it comes to ordering food. Fistly I have order entree which after long wait they brought me entree and main course at same time. plus the place has terrible higiene. Dirty bathrooms & all.

Maya restaurant fit the bill for the best restaurant in dubai of mex food.

Posted by: Victor on 20 Jul ' 09 at 14:48

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I had been really missing my Mexican food because ive been in Al Ain for the last 2 months, so i had to drive to Dubai to find this place. I was expecting some mexican workers or atleast a chef, but it was run by phillipino waiters and two Bangladesh chefs? The Service was good, ambiance was nice, would have been better if I ate outside with the Parrot, but this country is too hot. The air conditioner was not working at our table. The jumbo quesadilla with stake was great real mexican taste. The complimentary chips with salsa were good. I tried enchiladas, flautas, chicken fajitas..they were all good, but real greasy. Too bad there is no Queso cotija in UAE or else they would have had a greater taste. Overall i loved this place, I ended up spending 300 dirhams because i over ordered. But to be honest it was well worth the money. Specially after being without mexican food for the last 2 months. Definately would recommend to people who have actually tried Mexican food before.

Posted by: Ed smith on 12 Jul ' 09 at 23:09

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• Best for: Brunch served
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Service is bad, & food is cold, besides the long wait. Their are way better restos in dubai then these trashy place. not to mention spoiled drinks.

Posted by: Troy McClure on 22 May ' 09 at 12:14

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I ordered the cheese quesadilla, chicken burrito and a sample of the guacamole. Quesadilla was bland, burrito was boring, guacamole was okay. They served complimentary nachos with chili and tomato dip. I'd say that there was nothing special in terms of food quality and presentation. A bit overpriced for the food quality all together but I enjoyed the nachos nonetheless. Maybe I should've ordered tacos instead. Ambiance was fantastic like somewhere straight out of a Desperado flick. Wouldn't come back unless forced to.

Posted by: HK on 16 May ' 09 at 11:59

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I had dinner here on a Friday Night, it's a little isolated from the rest of the restaurants, it's around a residential area, so if you want a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the citylife, this is the good place to go and it's located in the between 2 cofeeshops. The decor was interesting and definetly had the Mexican vibe to it. The complimenary chips and salsa were great, the steak fajitas were good so were the tomato enchiladas (great if you like really cheesy things), they were pretty stingy on the side portions like the rice, beans ETC. The service was pretty good and the chef was actually Mexcan, I got a chance to meet him, so you know it has an authentic Mexican taste to it. The price for the food was justified, good to take guests out that are visiting Dubai.

Posted by: Sophie on 15 May ' 09 at 05:16

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I want to like this restaurant. I really do; its got good decor, good atmosphere excepting weekends, and I count the somewhat lackadaisical service as a plus, I'm not a fan of the hovering Dubai waiter. BUT, they really lack freshness in the food. The chicken enchiladas most certainly use tinned chicken with the icky texture of tuna. They are definitely relying on the importation of prepared sauces, and the famous tableside guacemole is ruined by too many compteing flavors.

Posted by: Paul Cunningham on 12 Mar ' 09 at 10:42

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I lived in Mexico for several years and this is the only restaurant in Dubai takes me back to those days. The food is authentic and the atmosphere is classical Mexican cantina.

This has become a regular place for me and I am always made to feel at home by the staff. My favorite cake is the Tres Leches which is superb. For anyone who loves Tex Mex and Mexican food, you must try this place!!!

Posted by: bigay on 12 Mar ' 09 at 10:37

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

nice place, and very friendly staff. try it then youll see.

Posted by: MARK ANTHONY on 12 Mar ' 09 at 09:18

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

my opinion for this restaurant is...the food is good original mexican cuisine but the service sometimes is bad maybe due to kitchen operations and lack of staff.,but inspite of that service they really have a good food,mexican drinks and most of all the home made cakes like tres leches.

Posted by: sam on 05 Mar ' 09 at 08:03

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

perfect food , try the steak

Posted by: camila on 26 Feb ' 09 at 18:51

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This is one of the most unconsistent places in Dubai. I had great service and food in a few occasions but also had bad food and horrible service in other situations. Unpredictable, I must say.

Posted by: Sona on 23 Feb ' 09 at 15:42

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

This is the worst place i have eaten EVER. Not just the worst place in terms of mexican food but by far the worst i have paid for ever. The drinks were awful and the food was just mushed up slush. Would not reccomend it AT ALL. The only saving grace is that this place has an interesting decor. It definately keeps one occupied while one is waiting and waiting for their (dare i say) food.

Posted by: Mihir on 22 Feb ' 09 at 10:33

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: ramo on 16 Feb ' 09 at 15:17

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Horrible food...horrible service! Sorry TimeOut get to grips.

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