Maria Bonita is home grown franchise of Mexican restaurants. The original on Umm Al Sheif Road in Umm Suqeim has become a Dubai institution synonymous for Mexican food – established, as the marketing blurb goes, and run by Mexicans since 2002. My family and I were understandably excited, if not a little surprised, when they opened the first of their two new branches in Sustainable City not far from where we live – the second, their only licensed branch, is in Madinat Jumeirah. The interior of this branch has an unashamedly, yet poorly executed, ‘rural look’ with pockets of fake exposed brick walls and unfinished epoxy flooring used to highlight its stereotypical rustic theme.
A view from the courtyard 
Interior 
Interior 
Fish Tacos 
Complimentary nachos and salsa 
Chicken Fajita
Thankfully the food is better. My daughter ordered Chicken Fajitas while I had what I always have – Fish Tacos. A famously finicky eater, she constructed her tortilla wraps using chicken from the sizzling hotplate and some rice, leaving the rest of the condiments for her Dad to finish. I enjoyed my tacos tremendously. The left-over fajitas were good too although I felt the chicken was overcooked. We both enjoyed the complimentary nachos and salsa. Service was super friendly, fast and accommodating. In the cooler months sitting outside in the courtyard is fun. This is the pick of the Sustainable City restaurants and well worth a try – dine in or home delivery. Pity its not licensed. For that you have to go across the road to Studio City and El Chapo’s Tacos.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.