Mayan Manjar Yucateco Is a Knockout

While we were waiting for our food at Mayan Manjar Yucateco, we glanced at the single television screen in the tiny Lakewood spot. It was playing a Spanish version of Rocky: an underdog movie in an underdog restaurant. And like Rocky Balboa, Mayan Manjar Yucateco, which moved into the former...

By Gretchen Kurtz

August 21, 2014

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While we were waiting for our food at Mayan Manjar Yucateco, we glanced at the single television screen in the tiny Lakewood spot. It was playing a Spanish version of Rocky: an underdog movie in an underdog restaurant. And like Rocky Balboa, Mayan Manjar Yucateco, which moved into the former home of Maria Empanada this spring -- is a real contender. Owned by Yucatan-born brothers Juan and Isaias Bautista and their wives, it's one of the rare metro-area eateries dedicated to the cuisine of the Yucatán -- specifically, the food the Bautista brothers grew up with. "All the recipes here are like what my grandmother and my mom used to cook at my house," says Juan. And some of them are definite knockouts. Find out which in our review of Mayan Manjar Yucateco, now posted on Cafe Society.

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Gretchen Kurtz has worked as a writer for 25 years; during that time she's stomped grapes in Napa, eaten b'stilla in Fez, and baked with Buddy Valastro, aka the Cake Boss. Her work has appeared in publications including Boulevard (Paris), Diversion, the New York Times and Westword. Our restaurant critic since 2012, she loves helping you decide where to eat and drink tonight.

Contact: Gretchen Kurtz

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