Maya Fonda

Place makes Pozole on certain days and it was terrific. Big hearty bowl of hominy and beef soup with lots of cabbage, radishes, and a side of chips. Yum. The prices here are very reasonable and they also have drinks like horchata and tamarindo.

Pretty cool spot. Randomly ran into, came in and didn’t know what to expect. Looked at the menu and ordered some Tamales the food was good. It was small and cozy

Nothing special about this place. There’s pricey, low quality toilet paper and average burritos. It tries to be everything but doesn’t specialize in anything. Most things are cooked using the microwave.
Pass on this to find something that focuses on good food.

Time: 2:47pm/88°F sunny
Purpose: Came here two months ago while place was in transition phases. I mark it down and forgot all about it. That is till today a client of a client told me Maya has open already. Totally forgot or eluded me.
Set-​up: Place is a 2-​in-​1 shop with special emphasis on prepared food section. Inner back all industrial wire shelves stock with grocery goods. In middle of place there are three tables set up for two each. Midway to the front couple of more beverage fridge with a self help utensil/​condiment station, candy/​chip rack. Couple of oscillating fans at high speed providing cool breeze for the place. The front shop above doorway has a 32′-inch flatscreen with four tables in front set up for two. Rest of place popsicle freezer with another cold display fill with beverages. On counter tabletop menu board, tip jar, register, chips, cookie jars. A overhead menu made from assorted board size pieces. Looks funky, but what ever it works for them. Place can be a bit stuffy as the hot oven from next door pizza place rush through share hallway.
Staff: Jorge the owner/​operator himself runs the place. Didn’t see any other worker or helper. Friendly never pushing or rushing me to buy. When I ask if there were lengua? He said sorry don’t sell it. However, he went behind counter show me pull pork and gave me samples without asking. Then samples of horchata was given. He really wants my business going head over heels to impress.
Cleanliness: Grade B, place had some minor bits and pieces, but nothing major. Front window had thick dust debris resting on ledge. Some table/​chair had greasy smudges. I understand he’s by himself. Whether he will remedy it or not, it needs to get done sooner or later.
Eats/​Drinks: Two pork tamales $ 2.25 ea. These are not the kind you find at your local grocer with plastic look alike corn husk wrapping. These are about ‘5x’1-inch in size fill with seasoned pull pork. Maíz mix just perfect not too thick or thin. A good balance with the amount of pork given. It had a off-​white in color meaning no artificial coloring or preservative. You also get a choice of hot sauce (red) or mild (green). I still felt some not full yet, but won’t point fingers on the size. As you know real authentic handcrafted tamales are never jumbo size. I burn calories too fast so may be 5 – 6 tamales with get me full.
Main Features: Baja fish tacos (made with tilapia fish) 2 per order at $ 7 available daily.
Products/​Services: Refer to posted menu on item/​prices. Assorted cold drinks, horchata, hibiscus, Mexican fruit popsicle, cookie, flan, jello, chamoy candy, Mexican coke, Mexican rolls/​bread, household, grocery, personal hygiene, baby items.
Punch Lines: Better than average, pleasing flavors, drool-​worthy, superb, budget-​watchers, inexpensive, imaginable toppings, laid back, well-​prepared, lackluster ambiance, light bites, zippy service, best cheap eats around, can’t go wrong, casual and delicious, kept its standards, satisfactory.
Tradeoffs: You come for couple of grocery item, but eventually you’ll end up spending a tad more. Who can resist grilled meat smell? Only vegetarian people can.
Final Thoughts: Its a simple no nonsense place to grab a bite if you’re feeling Mexican. This place has potential as, there are virtually not that much Mexican eatery on University corridor. With expanded menu and shop expansion getting rid of the grocery goods. Doing a full out taqueria may be ideal in the near future. At least in my POV that is. Come if you don’t mind the ambiance, but want a authentic Mexican eats at taco bell prices.

My roommate and I took our friends here for lunch last week. I had heard about it for a little while but hadn’t gotten around to trying it out. Our whole group of 5 were very happy with our meals! Everything tasted so fresh and organic, and the food arrived quickly. We especially liked the open kitchen so we could watch the cooking and chatting with the friendly owners.
My sister and two of my friends ordered the Maya salad, which they all raved about. The friends added meat to theirs and loved it as well.
My roommate had a quesadilla and he raved about the tenderness of the meat in it.
I had the grilled veggie enchiladas since I had recently decided to stop eating meat (it didn’t last long). Normally I would’ve gotten cheese over grilled veggies, but I was really pleasantly surprised with the veggies! It was mostly chopped up zucchinis, which added a nice crunch. Speaking of crunch– the tortillas were doused in a delicious green sauce but maintained the fried crunch. Texture wise, phenomenal. I also ordered the pineapple agua fresca and it was a refreshing addition to the meal.
If I could afford to, I’d eat here every day. I hope this is one of those restaurants that becomes a staple in Berkeley!

One of the best Mexican restaurants in the area, and hugely underrated; the service is fast and super friendly; the food is good, fresh, and never greasy.
While not on the menu, do get the chilaquiles if you’re here for breakfast; they are sublime.
I love this place. Everything here is good — breakfast, the tamales, the great tortas and burritos, the rajas, and the delicious maya salad.
Please note that this is the same place as the Mercado/​Taqueria Maya at the same address.