Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Maria’s serves up the specials in two NWA locations
Burritos, enchilada’s, beer and more; Maria’s Mexican Restaurant has it all
In a world (and area) full of different types of Mexican restaurants, Hugo Ortega knows he has been extremely lucky when it comes to the success that his restaurant, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, has had over almost two decades.
The idea of creating a restaurant in Northwest Arkansas first came to Ortega back in 1999, when his wife and him created Maria’s at 2503 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville.
“When we first started there were only about 14-15 tables so what we have grown into now is pretty good,” Ortega said.
Pretty good is right, in 18 years being opened, Maria’s in Bentonville has grown from those 15 tables to seating 160 people.
Not only has the Bentonville location been a big hit, Maria’s has expanded throughout the west side of the state. In 2002, Maria’s expanded their chain by opening a location in each Roger’s and Ft. Smith, which Ortega said wasn’t a huge transition going from one to three restaurants.
“It was more work but, the customers continued to come,” Ortega said.
Maria’s is truly a family restaurant starting from the name on the building to the smiling faces inside.
“I decided to put the name of the restaurant as Maria’s because my mom, she is named Maria and my wife is named Maria as well, it is kind of just the family name,” Ortega said.
Maria (Hugo’s wife) can be found in the Bentonville location where she co-owns the restaurant with her husband. As well as Maria, (Hugo’s daughter) can also be found alongside her older sister Stephanie, and younger brother Hugo working at Maria’s as servers and hosts. Maria’s is a true family affair.
Ortega sees a huge part of why his restaurants have had such great success is due to their food from scratch everyday that has the customers coming back for more. A lot of the items on the menu have been served since it opened back in ‘99.
One of his personal favorites, and a very popular menu item, is his specialty burrito, named the Burrito Mexicano. It is a large burrito overstuffed with a choice of chicken or steak, plus onion, cilantro, hot sauce, mushrooms, Monterrey and cheddar for $5.99. Prices such as this are truly a huge part in why customers love coming back because of the combination of delicious food and prices that won’t break the bank.
Burritos are what a lot of customers come in for, not only the Burrito Mexicano but also Burrito Asada which is filled with Fajita steak served with cilantro, onion and hot sauce inside, again for just $5.99.
Not all of Maria’s top dishes are burritos though, they have great enchiladas such as the Enchilada Bandera. This is three mouth-watering enchiladas. One cheese enchilada covered with ranchera sauce, one chicken enchilada covered in sour cream sauce, and one beef enchilada covered with salsa verde. All of that is also served with rice, beans, lettuce and pico de gallo for only $8.99.
Fajitas are another house specialty and come in seven varieties, including the Chicken or Beef Fajitas are filled with either
their chicken, steak or a combination of the two cooked with bell peppers, onions and fresh tomatoes. Single serving is $12.99 or two is $23.69.
The menu also includes other traditional entrees, such as chimichangas, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and a variety of seafood dishes.
Specials are a huge part of Maria’s Mexican Restaurant on a daily basis; starting with the lunch menu. Monday’s are Mini Chicken Chimichanga’s and Beef Enchilada with rice for $6.99. Tuesday’s, Chicken Quesadilla served with white cheese dip for $6.99. Wednesday’s you can get Beef Fajita nachos with pico de gallo and cheese sauce on top for $7.50. Thursday’s you can get Chicken Breast served with rice, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers lettuce and white cheese on top for $6.99. Then rounding out the lunch menu is Supreme Chicken Fajita Quesadilla which comes with yellow cheese and white cheese sauce on top, as well as all of the veggies on the side for $7.50 on Friday’s.
Oh, and don’t forget that all meals start off with a complimentary, made in the back, basket of fresh chips and also a special Maria’s homemade salsa. Which comes in either Hot Tamatillo or mild.
Maria’s also has a full bar which has eight beers on draft. Miller Lite, Modelo, Shiner Rock, Blue Moon, Pachico Light, Dos Equis, Bud Light and Budweiser. All can be ordered at any time throughout the day for only $2, both domestic and imported during Maria’s Happy Hour from 2-7 p.m.
Other drinks that are offered at Maria’s include regular and flavored Margaritas. Rocks Margarita’s include Raspberry, Strawberry, Peach and Mango as well as the traditional Margarita, which all can be frozen as well. There is a special drink called the ‘Perfect Margarita’ which is a mix of 1800 Resposade Tequila, Grand Marnier and orange juice. Maria’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m except for Saturday and Sunday when Maria’s closes at 9:30 p.m.
For any of the incredible entrees that are made fresh everyday or their wide variety of drinks, visit either of the three locations in West Arkansas. Bentonville (2503 S Walton Blvd), Rogers (2813 W Walnut St.), or if you are more south, head over to the Fort Smith location at (8640 Rogers Ave). Or more information or to check out their menu, head over to mariasmexicanrestaurant.biz.