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    Cafe Azteca

    4.5 (26 reviews)

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    Ample seating for large parties upstairs--open space also includes more-intimate table seating.
    M. S. M.

    Most-authentic Mexican fare in the area -- always fresh, always delicious. Café Azteca moved from Common Street to its new location on Essex Street. Same delectable dining and service with a smile. We eat here often, including take-out. Love the owners, Antonio and Mary, and their whole team. A family-run business with a lot of heart -- and, of course, excellent food!

    Pescado y Camarones - delicate sauce over perfectly cooked shrimp, white fish filet. Chimichanga El Tinga, and a magical margarita!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious food, great service. Quaint restaurant with books and culture all around. Love this place!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great little spot with fantastic Chilaquiles, inviting atmosphere and great service, will definitely be back!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    What a gem. Absolutely awesome authentic Mexican food. Great service. Love the vibe. Street parking, which could be a challenge at times.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Loved it!! No wait on a Saturday night. Great food. Great options including vegan options. And a fun setting in the back of a bookstore.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food and wait service. A very affordable menu. Great portions. Guacamole is really good. Very clean restaurant.

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    4 years ago

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    Terramar Mexican Grill - Ceviche Campechano

    Terramar Mexican Grill

    4.2(43 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    We went to Terramar yesterday (3/14/25), and while the food was pretty good, the overall experience…read morewasn't decent. We got seated within 5 minutes since the place wasn't full yet. Our server took about 10 minutes to come over, but he brought our drinks out fast. We both ordered the Ceviche Campechano, which was good -- I've had other ceviches that packed more lemon and cilantro flavor, but this one still hit the spot. It came with saladita crackers, which felt weird at first, but ended up working really well. The service went downhill from there, though. It took forever for our server to check on us after the food came. Eventually, I noticed he was also bartending, which explained a lot. The place got packed while we were there, and drink orders were nonstop. He didn't come back, and I had to flag someone else down to ask for him, but he still never came. We decided to share dessert and got the churros with vanilla ice cream. The portion was good for sharing, but the churros were hard as a rock and impossible to eat. The ice cream was okay, nothing special. We asked for the check as soon as the dessert came because, at that point, we knew it'd take another 20 minutes to get it, and we were right. The whole thing ended up taking about 3.5 hours, which was way too long for what it was. It was hard to hear each other as the pace kept getting packed and the music was getting louder. Parking is decent. Street parking is free after 6 pm (Monday-Saturday), and I think they have a small lot behind the restaurant, but I've never used it. Honestly, the food was good, but the slow service and crazy wait times really ruined the night. I get that they were busy and understaffed, but it still shouldn't have taken that long. Not sure if I'd go back anytime soon.

    The birria tacos were flavorful and absolutely delicious. The buffalo chicken was a tasty surprise,…read moreand the margarita was strong and refreshing. Service was quick and friendly, and the restaurant is beautifully decorated and very clean--such a nice vibe. Prices were affordable for the quality of food and service. Definitely coming back!

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    Inside

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    Pulpo a la Parrilla - grilled octopus appetizer

    Terramar Mexican Grill - We had a cozy table on the upper level. It was fun.

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    We had a cozy table on the upper level. It was fun.

    Mexica Burrito Grill

    Mexica Burrito Grill

    4.3(268 reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $

    Amazing food! Clean fast, friendly service! Definitely will go back!…read moreI got the taco with ground beef

    Needed a vegetarian meal near where we were staying. Found this place on Yelp and gave it a try…read more You order at the counter and it was really quick; we were on line for just a few minutes and had time to look at the menu board above and behind. They offer burritos, bowls, quesadillas, taco - barbacoa, pork, chicken, I think a couple of other meats, or veggie. We both had the veggie burritos. There's a loooong list of what can be included; for example, yellow or white rice, bean choices, salsa, queso, lettuce, cheese...and a couple of dollars extra if you add guacamole. We instead chose a side of guacamole and chips for about 4.50. I added veggies, Spanish rice, black beans, jalapeños, cilantro, lettuce, cheese, corn, salsa, queso, maybe another thing or two - this was one very stuffed burrito! Hubby skipped the jalapeño, the cheese. We shared the guac/chips. They do have beer and a fridge with sodas, water, maybe juices? You tell the cashier here or to go and get a basket or a brown paper bag. When we'd devoured the burritos we still had some time, so we shared a pretty decent flan! Very good for a fast, very casual, but tasty supper. Pay card or cash and there's a tip jar. Take some napkins, and forks or spoons if you need. Hit the spot for us this evening!

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    Mexica Burrito Grill - Tacos and nachos.

    Tacos and nachos.

    Mexica Burrito Grill - Chicken bowl

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    Chicken bowl

    Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant - Andover - Chicken fajita

    Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant - Andover

    3.5(204 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    The Ambiance is great, the people are nice! But the recent visits, the food and drinks, and…read moreespecially their chips & salsa aren't the same anymore. We used to love going here, especially for their chips & salsa and their big portion of good food. But recent visits have been disappointing. One or two years ago, they drastically reduced their soup sizes and increased the price. There was a time when a cup of soup was a good light lunch. But lately it's not even the quantity of an appetizer. A small cup of soup for $12 is too much for a family restaurant. And the worst part recently is that they started serving store-bought chips and a replacement for their yummy habanero salsa. The new green salsa is nothing close to the old favorite. I think restaurants are forgetting in the cost-cutting game that they're losing their identity. I used to tell my friends you should try these restaurants, they have the best salsa. And if I want to eat store-bought chips, why bother coming to restaurants? I can just buy them from Costco and have food at home. I wish they could bring back the good quantity of soups, chips, and salsa. I miss the old Casablanca.

    Disclaimer, We didnt get the Fajitas…read more Its not mexican food. Its closer to tex mex. Is it better than most chain tex mex places like margaritas? Yes. Is it also twice the price? Yes Is it twice as good? Hard to say A lot of places in downtown andover suffer from lack of convenient parking but i think it extra hurts places im not sure we want to come back to. Maybe we just didnt order correctly but i wasnt blown away by anything but the bill. But we arent huge fans of tex mex. In a town with two places very similar this is the less impressive mexican food place by far.

    Photos
    Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant - Andover
    Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant - Andover - 16 oz. Margarita

    16 oz. Margarita

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    BuenoMalo - Margarita! Bueno Malo style!

    BuenoMalo

    4.2(247 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    I thought the food was actually pretty good, the tacos were filled to the brim. It was a little…read moremessy to eat, but so worth it. I also saw a good amount of vegetarian (maybe vegan) options which is nice. The decor is also stunning, very Instagram-y if you're looking for a cute dinner. Definitely will come back to try more of their tacos.

    I've been to BuenoMalo twice. The first time wasn't bad but I wasn't impressed. However since it…read morewas a while ago so I wanted to give it another try. My second visit was a lot better. It can feel a little cramped when it's crowded but the ambiance is nice with the soft lighting and vibrant decor. Service from the bartenders was great. Despite tacos and burritos being the only sections for main courses, some of the individual items can be meals on their own. I had the Surf and Turf quesadilla which was very filling. The tortilla has nice and crispy and there was a good balance of the different fillings (shrimp, steak, cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo). The chipotle sour cream (I assume that's what it was, the menu didn't say) was a nice addition. The cocktails are as tasty as they are cheekily named. My favorite among the ones I've tried is Smoked Mangos, which comes with a slice or torched mango. The prices for both food and drink are a little steep and the food menu is rather limited, which is the reason I give this place stars instead of 5. If you come in expecting free chips and salsa and huge portions like your typical (American) Mexican restaurant, you'll be disappointed. If you want somewhere fun to have some drinks and some smaller plates, you'll be satisfied.

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    Steak burrito "to go"

    BuenoMalo - Inside of a steak burrito...yum, so good!

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    Inside of a steak burrito...yum, so good!

    Cafe Azteca - mexican - Updated May 2026

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