Nestled in Roma Norte, Expendio de Maíz is a charming family-run spot where guests enjoy a delightful omakase-style dining experience—no menu, just magic on a plate.
"Tucked between two other establishments with no visible sign, Expendio de Maíz invites diners to take a seat at one of four long tables arranged under the covered sidewalk. While there are no reservations, there are a number of seatings, with guests placing their name on the list for the next round. This novel concept offers no food menu; instead, each course is presented as a surprise, one-by-one, until you confirm that you have had your fill. The team sends forth a range of impressively executed plates such as a warm, tender, and crisped yellow masa huarache topped with a thin slice of braised beef along with avocado, cherry tomatoes, queso blanco, and a scattering of lightly dressed young greens. The accompanying salsa is worth slathering on any and all preparations." - Michelin Inspector
"It must have been at Expendio de Maiz, my absolute favorite restaurant—it doesn't have a menu, and they don't take reservations, you just walk in. It's family-owned, and the woman there took care of us like we were her family. She made a taco that, still to this day, I don't understand what went into it but it was the most delicious I've ever had. And I'm a vegetarian, mind you, so this was a vegetarian taco."
"A rustic establishment in the hipster zone of Roma Norte with just few tables and an open kitchen, Expendio de Maiz sin Nombre is a delicious experiment—almost an anti-restaurant. The space evolved from Jesús Tornés' market stand at Mercado 100 (the neighborhood's organic farmers market), which features goodies from Oaxaca and Guerrero : rare bananas, tropical fruits bursting at the seams, agave distillates, and heirloom beans. There is no formal menu; rather, the chefs make what they want, cribbed from obscure, regional dishes. That means banana moles and bean quesadillas one day; hoja santa tacos the next." - Naomi Tomky, Scarlett Lindeman
