Basin Bites: From the rancho to the Basin

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – My Maria is a local Mexican restaurant in Odessa that has some of the best Mexican that the Basin has to offer. What makes this place stand out is the woman in the kitchen and the establishment is named after Maria Tercero.

Now the story behind My Maria's name is quite a funny one.

"Well, I'll tell you the truth. I wanted to get on my dad's nerves because, honestly, he gets mad," said Lissett Tercero. "Because everybody says, oh, my Maria. My Maria from church. My Maria from here. And he's like, it's not their Maria. It's my Maria. You know? So, honestly, that's why I was like, I'm going to get on my dad's nerves."

The passion that Maria has for her craft is evident the moment you take your first bite into a dish she prepares. Born on a ranch in Mexico, she took everything that she learned from her mother and grandmother and wanted to bring it here to share with others.

So sometimes you can tell the difference from homemade to the city.

"So, I wanted it for people to come here and feel like they're home," said Maria. "They're thinking of their mom and their grandma."

When you walk into My Maria, you are greeted by her and then you notice the artwork all over the place. From pictures of Frida Kahlo, and traditional Mexican skulls to the plates and cups, everything they have there is thought of to the detail.

I want everybody to leave with an experience," said Lisset. "I don't want just the culinary experience. I want the whole experience of the home away from home. It just seems to me like, oh wow, so we're doing what my mom's dream was."

To start things off I had the Cafe De Olla which I would highly recommend. I'm not a big coffee person but the taste of the cinnamon and piloncillo was something I would get again.

And the food was something to die for. The first thing was the queso birria taco with a consome and salsa, which to me was a banger because of the suave and juiciness of the birria.

Next up was the chilaquiles... And let me tell I've been craving some for a while and my cravings were satisfied. Fresh-cut corn tortillas with salsa roja beans and two eggs. Breakfast of champions if you ask me.

And just like Maria told me about her passion for food. I could taste all that in every bite. If you want real authentic Mexican cuisine My Maria is your spot to visit.