Cameron Redburn

JRNL 306W
02/14/2020
Maiz Mexican Cantina
Any Ypsilanti local will tell you that the first thing that pops into their head when hearing the
phrase “Taco Tuesday” is Maiz Mexican Cantina in Depot Town of Ypsilanti. Loved by locals
and tourists alike, Maiz is “a fresh approach to traditional favorites and Tex-Mex specialties,” as
indicated on their website by owner Jason Branham. The warm atmosphere of the restaurant is
apparent immediately upon entry. The smell of fresh tortillas fills the air, and the servers are
rushing around with baskets of chips and salsa. College students fill the tables and chat about due
dates and after class plans. There is a pair of college age students sitting in a booth, picking at a
basket of tortilla chips and dipping them into small bowl of salsa.
“We’ve been coming to Taco Tuesday pretty consistently for the past couple of years,” said
Blake Mullican, an Eastern Michigan University Student. “I always get soft flour tortillas, but I
get a new combination of fillers every time I’m here. My favorite is the avocado. It’s deep fried
avocado with a spicy slaw on top, it’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures.”
Taco Tuesday is a special that Maiz does every Tuesday, where any type of taco is only $2 all
day. They also do happy hour throughout the week, featuring half price appetizers and $5
margaritas.
The orders for margaritas during happy hour are so much to handle, that the customers have to
form a line at the bar just to place an order for one, and the servers are constantly refilling fish
bowl sized cups.
“I’ve never gotten a margarita here, but their appetizers are really good,” said Alysen Mattiuz,
who was dining with her friend Blake. “I would pay full price for them. My favorite is their
guacamole, it’s just the right combination flavors, and it really lets the avocado be the star
instead of overloading on flavors like a lot of Tex-Mex places do.”
Recommended by over 1,800 people, their reviews on Facebook are almost all positive, people
saying that the atmosphere is great, the servers are friendly, and the food is amazing. The most
talked about menu times are the prickly pear margaritas, carnitas tacos and fried avocado tacos.
“Every time I’m here I try to mix it up, but I always get at least one carnitas taco,” said Mattiuz.
“I love the sweet pineapple paired with the savory pork; it really doesn’t get any better than
that.”
While the majority of the crowd during this particular Taco Tuesday was college age people,
Mullican says that he sees people of all ages dining at Maiz every week.
“From a customer’s perspective, I wouldn’t say there’s any specific demographic. We see people
our age, families, children, elderly people. Maiz is really a place for anyone and everyone.” He
said.
Maiz Mexican Cantina is a staple in the culture of Ypsilanti, as well as a place for people of all
ages, races, genders, religions, and sexual orientations to do what everyone enjoys the most: eat
tacos.

Blake Mullican – bmullica@emich.edu

Alysen Mattiuz – amattiuz@emich.edu