Maíz, Seattle’s second true tortilleria, to open at Pike Place Market in November

When Milpa Masa opened in West Seattle earlier this year, Seattle celebrated the city’s first small-batch tortilla shop nixtamalizing its own corn.

The second, Maíz, opens in the Pike Place Market on Nov. 2, producing its own nixtamalized masa from heirloom Mexican corn, bringing a far more substantial range of food and products made from the dough to the public.

On the bright white tile walls, colorful mosaics of corn and the restaurant name pop, creating a modern feeling space that celebrates an ancient tradition. Maíz comes from the owners of Sazón, the Mexican restaurant group with locations in Ballard and Queen Anne known for its chilaquiles. But in the small shop, formerly home to the Mexican Grocery (1914 Pike Place), they focus in on the heart of that signature dish: freshly nixtamalized corn.

Bolita pink corn from Oaxaca, Tolonki, from the state of Mexico, and other heirloom corn varieties soak in the mineral lime before the team grinds them into a fresh dough. People can purchase the masa as-is, or in tortilla form, but Maíz also offers a slew of snacks, dishes, and drinks that incorporate the corn. They plan to offer tacos de guisados (stewed dishes served atop tortillas), crispy tostadas topped with ceviche or chicken tinga, and tamales.

The drink selection includes the soul-satisfying, warm corn-based drink atole, horchata lattes, and single-origin Mexican chocolate mochas. The same atole also shows up in the pan dulce – Mexican pastries. And, of course, the Sazón team shows its roots with chilaquiles on the menu, this time in takeout form, served in a vertical box designed for easy eating as customers walk around the market.

Maiz will be located at 1914 Pike Place. Follow them online or on Instagram for more grand opening information.