After nine years on Block Island at Calaveras—plus brief stints in other restaurants in South County—Julio Mendoza settled into a former clam shack in Wakefield in 2022 and called his eatery Maiz (pronounced my-EASE, Spanish for corn). But Mexican-style street corn (with mayo and cotija cheese) is just the beginning of Maiz’s menu, which includes burritos, tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and tamales. And, ah, such tamales!
Block Island customers found Maiz; upstate customers clamored. And Maiz in Providence’s Wayland Square was born. It has a full bar specializing in Mexican beer, wine plus spirits for house-made cocktails; other beverages from local purveyors Ocean State Juice, Long Live and Chair 2; more indoor seating than in Wakefield; and an expanded menu: weekend brunches, flautas, enchiladas, tacos al pastor (skewered beef and pineapple) and Mexi-pizza.
“Everything is made in-house,” says General Manager Rali Miller. “All is cooked in an old, traditional manner from family recipes—Julio cooks from instinct, what he remembers growing up with. Tostada de tinga is something he fondly remembers eating in his childhood!”
“We live in a time when everyone is so busy,” she adds, “but we offer home-cooked meals that you can have on the go.”
58 High St., South Kingstown, 401.541.1396; and 20 S. Angell St./Wayland Square, Providence. 401.522.3158; MaizRI.com
