Maria's is amazing!!  I will drive up to Auburn once or twice a month just to go here.  If you think you have had good carnitas before, think again.  The carnitas super burrito is mind blowing, crispy, juicy, full of flavor...I want one just typing about it.

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I have been going to Maria's for years. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Auburn,CA! Authentic home-style cooking. Always fresh!! My favorite is the chicken taco and the guacamole is awesome! My wife always chooses the carnitas burrito. She grew up eating this type of food so she knows what authentic is, myself I just like good food!

I also love American success stories! She started on a shoestring budget and has built a vibrant business over the years. Maria's success comes from hard work and dedication. So not only do they have great food at very reasonable prices. They are wonderful down to earth people.  
Just stopped by there today 09-23-2009, they have redecorated since I was in last with paint and more seating of course they also have a wonderful outdoor seating area as well.

I hear they will soon have a new website. http://www.mariasmexicantaco.com

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Stopped by on a whim for an Early lunch of a couple of tacos. I had the carnitas tacos which were out of this world. The meat was just right, tender and crispy and lots of it. The hot sauce is perfect for my taste. So authentic, if my grandmother's best friends the Cortez's were still alive I would bring them here without hesitation.  I was shocked at the incredibly cheap $4 something for a meal that I am going to have to repeat often. The staff is also really really nice.

A woman who I believe was Maria: "This is the third time that you have ordered and El Pastor Burrito! Have you tried the Carne Asada?"

Me: "No"

Her: "Carnitas? Pollo? Carnitas?"

Me: "No, I loved the El Pastor and do not want to ruin my experience by trying something else and being disappointed"

30 minutes later I could barely roll into my wagon with all the meat that she had stuffed down my throat! This place is the real deal with authentic food and service.

Great authentic style tacos.  Order at the counter and wait for your order to be called.  Good selection of mexican beverages.  The red hot sauce has a great burn to it. don't miss it!   Not easy to find if you're zipping by on 80....it's on opposite side of freeway, behind some shops next to bowling alley by Luther road.

best carnitas ever. get everything hot, not mild. no joke. i drive here once a month from sacramento just to indulge. i love this place.

Enjoy the perfect blend of herbs spun into enticing dishes including fish tacos and vegetarian burrito, all served up by the indomitable Maria, who has added her own Mexican store  to the Bowman location for those cooking enthusiasts.  Bring your appetite.

The full parking lot deceived me. I never knew this place existed until i was standing in the parking lot of Ikeda's staring at the hidden sign across the freeway.

So on the way back i decide to check it out. For an authentic mexican place this is the way i like it. Better feeling that my previous place at Incline Village, CA Los Mariachis Taqueria. I sat next to packages of Flan mix, some mexican jellos and tubs of lard for sale.
Normally in an area such as this, when asked 'mild or hot' for your tacos, i normally go hot since hot isn't usually so hot. And trying out their chips and salsa, the hot stuff wasn't all that flaming. When i  get my tacos it had chile verde on it. Not thinking much i took a large bite and man o man talk about eyes tearing up, nose starting to run and breathing fire! They put the burn in Auburn!
The Al Pastor was good as well as the Carne Asada. Good sized meat makes it a 2-3 taco lunch and at 2$ a taco, that's quite good eats!