Walt Disney World has a number of Mexican restaurants. The Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT might come to mind first when thinking of Disney World’s Mexican food. We like the dining options there, and previously shared a look at one of our favorite spots to eat during the day.
The Mexico Pavilion is managed by a third-party company that has delivered the authentic food experience since EPCOT opened. That same lessee operates another restaurant at one of Disney World’s resort hotels. Let’s get into our recent experience there. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the Disney hotel with the best dining lineup and 7 new lands coming to Disney theme parks.
Authentic Mexican Restaurant at Moderate Disney World Resort
Tucked into a corner of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World is Maya Grill. This table service restaurant is operated by the Palmas Restaurant Group.
The history of the organization is interesting and influences my recommendation of the food. When Disney was working on concepts for EPCOT in the 1970s, the company contacted the owners of San Angel Inn Restaurant, which was built in 1692 in Mexico City. The owners’ son, Richard Debler Sr., responded to Disney and seized the opportunity. He proposed that Disney should bring a version of their family restaurant to EPCOT.
Debler and his Palmas Restaurant Group ultimately opened six dining locations for EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion, six for Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort when it opened in 1997, and Frontera Cocina for Disney Springs in 2016. Today, Palmas is still under the leadership of Debler, who serves as CEO and President.
In addition to Maya Grill, the Palmas-owned eateries at Coronado Springs include Rix’s Sports Bar and Grill, Cafe Rix, El Mercado de Coronado Food Court, Siestas Cantina, and Laguna Bar.
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As for Maya Grill, it’s a Mexican restaurant with a variety of classic dishes, from a taco salad to fajitas. The restaurant is located just off of El Mercado de Coronado Food Court near the convention center. Disney refers to Maya Grill as a “modern Mexican experience.”
Here’s a look at the menu for the restaurant from our recent visit.
They got the food that we ordered down perfectly.
For our appetizer, we ordered the Chips Duo for $12. They come with house-made chipotle salsa and queso blanco.
Here’s a look at the chicken quesadilla. It’s made with flour tortillas, Monterey cheese, and charred corn, and topped with pico de gallo and cilantro. Served on the side are refried beans, plantain rice, and sour cream. We ordered the chicken quesadilla, which is $28, but Maya also serves a shrimp version for $32 and a steak version for $34.
Next, the taco salad with shrimp. This was called the Yucatan Salad. The $20 version comes with chopped iceberg lettuce in Cilantro aioli, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted corn, and queso fresco and is served in a crunchy flour tortilla. We ordered ours with shrimp for an extra $15. Other protein add-on options are ground beef for $8, chicken for $10, or steak for $18.
We enjoyed our meal at Maya Grill and appreciated it even more given its history as a family-owned endeavor that expanded a legacy going back centuries.
Maya Grill is eligible for one table service credit on the Table-Service Dining Plan. It’s one of several outstanding dining options at Coronado Springs, which we detailed further here.
We also recently reviewed Boatwright’s Dining Hall, a restaurant off the beaten path and worth your time at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
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