This place was absolutely delicious, our waitress was so sweet and helpful, and it's all located in a little bookstore. I loved how there were a lot of books where the main characters were POC, something I don't really see anywhere. Back to the food! We had tostones, steak and potatoes, and carne a la tampiqueña con shrimp. The steak and potatoes had this sauce that was so creamy and flavorful. The carne a la tampiqueña con shrimp had tender meat and perfectly seasoned with a little kick. And the tostones were fried to perfection! For drinks we had the house and pomegranate margarita, very strong, but still delicious. Overall, we'd definitely come again, for not only the food, but ambiance as well! read more

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Wow. I went here once a few weeks ago and it was great. Food, service, especially ambiance (cafe/bookstore vibe but full kitchen with basically full bar). Came here today and was the same if not BETTER. And yo,. The guacamole dip? ... I mean I'm from California (not that I myself KNOOWWW guac, but people from Cali do and they do it WELL), but Im pretty damn -- Im sure Ive never had such guac where I ever had to ask service "hey is there cheese or cream in this?" Cause SWEET JESUS best guac ever. Thats for the snack the other week and todays GUAC. Cant wait to come back and try other menu goodies. Thx!!!! read more

Cafe Azteca - guacamole and tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Massachusetts

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If you want an authentic Mexican experience this is the place to go. I've been going to Cafe Azteca for many years. Never disappointed. Great service, great food and friendly staff. Two thumbs up for sure read more

The food was really quite good, but the service was lousy. Really kind of destroyed the whole experience and I've been pretty laid back since the pandemic. Unbelievably slow, waitress didn't have too many tables - spent almost all time in kitchen. Items out of order so we are eating cold food alone. 10-20 minutes to get a drink. Print a drink menu - online with just names isn't really sufficient. read more

I went for the first time last night. The food is the absolute best. I ordered the Buddha bowl with added avocado. I did it choose to add chicken as I am usually disgusted by chicken that tops as an extra. My husband had chicken tacos. His chicken was tender and perfectly cooked. Next time I will Top my bowl with chicken! I had a hibiscus Margarita with Patron. It was perfect. The atmosphere was fun and unique. There is so much effort from the family that owns this place. Even the side salad was wonderful and carefully prepared I hope this place is a big success and I hope everyone tries it. I had my leftovers for breakfast! read more

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

Far and away the best Mexican food in New England. This is not your typical Tex-Mex joint for tacos and chimichangas. This is the real deal - serious Mexican cuisine fit for the most discriminating palate. To recommend one dish would be a disservice to all the others. Everything is fabulous. Just go. read more

Walked in to see a picture of James Baldwin on the wall while my ears picked up the Frank Ocean playing over the speakers. What more needs to be said. Sweet potato fries are better than the average! read more

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

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! read more

Cafe Azteca - Ample seating for large parties upstairs--open space also includes more-intimate table seating. - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Massachusetts

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We went there yesterday for a late lunch. It was my first time in the "new" location inside El Taller and we thought it was so cozy and welcoming. Seems like a great gathering place. The food was delicious. We both got mole dishes - poblano and tamales. Yum! We will be back read more

We had the most wonderful dinner at Cafe Azteca!!! First time there. **Loved** the atmosphere amidst the El Taller bookstore/art space. Staff were universally nice and helpful. Our food was perfectly prepared - my Pescado y Camarones had a delicious sauce, but more importantly the cod and the shrimp were cooked just right -- so many restaurants overcook their seafood... this was tender, melt in your mouth fresh! Hub got the Chimichanga de Tinga which he absolutely devoured. He ordered black beans and I ordered refried so we could try both... and both were as good as it gets! My margarita and his fruit smoothie were both amazing as well! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. We will be back!!! read more

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The last time I ate at the Cafe Azteca, it was in it's original location. The food and margaritas were terrific. The staff was attentive and friendly. The book store was a nice touch to this place. Just be mindful of the pan handlers outside and make sure you pay the parking fee. I didn't see where to pay and got a $20 parking ticket. read more

Forgot to put sauces (the entire reason I ordered the menu items I chose) in the bag, refused to fix it with the excuse of being short staffed. The sauces are quite good, but the Don Vasco sandwich and Tostones are quite dry and unappetizing without the sauce, which makes this experience extremely disappointing. I would not recommend anybody order delivery from Azteca. This was an extremely disappointing experience. read more

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

Authentic Mexican food. I was disappointed when they closed but delighted to find a new version in different location. It is smaller and more intimate but same great food. And still serve margaritas by the pitcher. read more

The food was good. Service was good until the place started to become a bit busier. Drinks were slow. My husband had the special -which was good but not amazing and surprisingly cost $30. Nice atmosphere but we were seated towards the door which was a bit chilly. read more

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.

Great mole Good prices, friendly wait staff, ok for parking Fresh chips and salsa while you wait. Full bar. Good variety of enchiladas and burritos. read more

Cafe Azteca is simply the best!!! I've been getting the chicken chimichanga (brown sauce) for so many years. I order one there and one to go every time! read more

I think that this is an outstanding restaurant. Every part of the service and the food is outstanding in my mind. I sat at the counter and watched the chef and his staff cook the food with passion. On my second visit, I asked the chef to make me something, he asked a few questions and then delivered perfection. I have not been lucky enough to travel too much in Mexico, but this beautiful family run restaurant makes me want to set off on a new culinary adventure. Please please please keep up the great work. read more

Super cool cafe with lots of books to read. Love the ambiance. I ordered rice, chicken, with black beans. Good portion, very well seasoned and flavorful. I will definitely return again read more

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

Best Sopa de Pollo IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. Seriously, it's so good. (Sopa de Pollo = Chicken Soup.) Every single ingredient is amazing. I get a cup of it as my appetizer and a bowl of it as my meal. read more

Best Mexican food in the Merrimack valley and beyond!! New location is great !! Mary is the best host always checks and Chef Antonio makes the best sauces I have ever experienced!! read more

I have been away for awhile so I thought I would try Café Azteca again since I loved the place when I worked at the hospital down the street. This time I called the Order in and had it delivered. I ordered Chicken Flautus which per usual was good. I ordered Steak & Shrimp Molita. I was assuming the Molita was the sauce I did not know. I said I just don't want a spicy sauce if you could put a milder sauce on it. I don't speak Spanish and it was loud in the background so it wasn't easy to hear her but I did hear what she was saying. She said so you want the mild sauce that is the Steak with another word which I figured was for the mild sauce. NEVER SAID A WORD about changing what I wanted. Steak and Shrimp with a milder sauce. I said yes. So I get the plate and it ended up being Steak And Potatoes a whole different dish then Steak and Shrimp which was the name of the dish right there on the menu. I called and told the same person that she gave me steak and potatoes and I wanted steak and shrimp. She said well you wanted a mild sauce and steak and shrimp comes with the spicy sauce. I said all I wanted was the same plate with mild sauce not a whole other dish which by the way cost me 18 dollars. Then she kept repeating something like a rhetorical question over and over and I knew she was stalling and she didn't know how to tell me this steak and Shrimp was going to be another 20.00. I said why do I have to pay it wasn't my mistake. She said well it was not our mistake so you have to pay again. I was extremely disappointed but didn't ask for the manager because usually there English is even worse. So I decided I would leave a disappointing review right here on Yelp. Since I was expecting shrimp I couldn't even eat it and threw it away. The worst customer service etiquette I have experienced. read more