News Summary
Mi Tierra de Maiz, a restaurant specializing in Guatemalan and Mexican cuisine, has opened in West Columbia’s Granby Village shopping plaza. The eatery offers authentic dishes such as carne guisada and pollo guisado, as well as popular Mexican favorites at budget-friendly prices. With lunch served Monday through Saturday and a cozy dining area, it quickly draws local food enthusiasts. Owned by experienced restaurateurs, Mi Tierra de Maiz aims to introduce traditional Guatemalan flavors to the Columbia region, marking a revitalization of the local dining scene.
West Columbia – A new culinary option has emerged in West Columbia with the opening of Mi Tierra de Maiz, a restaurant specializing in Guatemalan and Mexican cuisine. First opened in early July 2025, the establishment is located in the Granby Village shopping plaza, marking a significant addition to the area’s dining scene, particularly as it highlights traditional Guatemalan food, which is rarely found in the Columbia region.
Mi Tierra de Maiz offers an expansive lunch menu featuring items priced at $9.99 or less. The menu presents a selection of traditional Guatemalan dishes including carne guisada (beef stew), pollo guisado (chicken stew), and pepian, a thick, flavorful stew. In addition to Guatemalan specialties, customers can also enjoy familiar Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas.
Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., making it a convenient option for both locals and those passing through the area. Prices for lunch items range from $7.99 to $9.99, appealing to budget-conscious diners. The restaurant includes about 15 sets of tables and chairs, providing ample seating for customers.
Local residents have already expressed their enthusiasm for Mi Tierra de Maiz. One visitor, a 27-year-old Columbia resident and Guatemala City native, praised the authenticity of the flavors, particularly enjoying the pollo dorado, a traditional Guatemalan fried chicken dish. Customers like him have noted that the unique offerings at Mi Tierra de Maiz stand out compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area.
Mi Tierra de Maiz is owned and operated by Juan Cuin and his family, who have extensive experience in the culinary scene having previously worked at La Fogata, a local chain of Mexican restaurants. Their goal is to introduce the flavors of Guatemalan cuisine to a broader audience, filling a notable gap in the local dining options.
The Granby Village shopping plaza already hosts a variety of businesses, from Golden Chopstix, which serves Thai and Vietnamese dishes, to an Asian grocery store, fitness studios, tanning salons, and boutique shops. Mi Tierra de Maiz’s opening is especially significant as it is the first time Granby Village has welcomed two restaurants since the closure of Vacchio’s Greek & Italian Bistro & Lounge approximately seven years ago. This shift marks a revitalization of dining options in the shopping area.
The shopping plaza is experiencing high traffic, noting around 24,000 cars daily, which provides a promising opportunity for the new restaurant to capture a diverse customer base. Mi Tierra de Maiz has also been promoting its signature dishes via social media, encouraging customers to try their large sandwiches called shucos. These sandwiches are made with steak, sausage, guacamole, mayo, ketchup, and a spicy green sauce, appealing to those seeking a hearty meal.
As West Columbia continues to evolve its culinary landscape, Mi Tierra de Maiz stands out not only for its unique offerings but also for its commitment to bringing the rich flavors of Guatemalan cuisine to the forefront. With lunch hours and a diverse menu, it is poised to become a popular destination for both lunch-goers and culinary adventurers alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Restaurants Set to Open in Columbia Area
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Guatemalan Mexican Eatery Opens in West Columbia
- The State: New Dining Options in Columbia
- WMAR2 News: Guatemalan Chicken Restaurant Celebration
- Columbia Business Magazine: New Restaurants and Dining Experiences
- Columbia Missourian: Business Roundup Featuring New Eats
- Wikipedia: Guatemalan Cuisine
- Google Search: Guatemalan Cuisine
- Google Scholar: Guatemalan Cuisine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Guatemalan Cuisine
- Google News: Guatemalan Restaurants
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