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    Machaca

    4.2 (68 reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 11:00 PM

    Machaca Photos

    MACHACA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Machaca

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    Espresso Martini and Old Elk Bourbon. Delish!!

    Stopped in for some cocktails and tacos. Excellent Al Pastor!!! Very nice staff, Miha is a fabulous bartender!!! Very friendly place!!

    Kim D.

    Family operated & the service reflects they are truly happy that you came by. Traveling from California, we've been sampling all the local Cuisine but definitely started craving Mexican food. This was an awesome option! Filled with locals, everybody was having a great time. Started with guacamole and shredded chicken queso dip. Then tried a variety of entrees. Loved the Chipotle Caesar, Atun tacos (grilled tuna), shrimp tacos and bean and cheese burrito. Splurged on a dessert which was delicious! Their beers were cold and the Margaritas were creative. This is a wonderful find whether your local or traveling. Highly recommend!

    I couldn't wait to take a bite...before I took the picture.  That good!! Carnitas Tacos...oh yeah!
    Debra T.

    I can't believe it took a trip to Gloucester, MA to find the best Mexican food I have found on the entire east coast!!! Handmade corn tortillas, tender flavor filled carnitas, delicious black beans and rice... salsa?? Shut the front door! Yummmy yum salsa and chips. Delicious ceviche! Great ambiance, perfect sized menu and we had the best server ever. Ask for Joe. Great personality, and knows this food. I know next time we are anywhere near it....we will be back!! Yeeehaw!

    Chips n salsa. August 2018.
    Katherine O.

    Let me start by saying that I lived in Texas for a year, where original Mexican recipes are utilized, so I would say that I know a thing or two about this type of cuisine. While different than Tex-Mex or authentic Mexican food down south, Machaca has managed to create a delectable experience, indeed. I'd like to start my review by talking about the service. A crucial part of any dining experience, the wait staff can make or break your evening. I am happy to report that I had excellent service. I wish I remember our waitress' name. She was super friendly, fast and knowledgeable. The expediters were also attentive and efficient. Machaca provides free chips and salsa at the table, and I tend to rate a Mexican establishment by them. The chips were not homemade, but they were fresh. The salsa was unlike any I've ever tried, both chunky and juicy too. The tomatoes were very sweet and there were ample onions and fresh cilantro. I do wish it was a little spicier, but overall, it was unique and tasty. Now, most importantly, the menu items: the menu boasts of various antojitos (appetizers) and a chowder/ salad menu for starters. For the entrees, Machaca had the clever idea of creating a menu primarily made of different styled tacos, which can also be turned into a chimichanga, burrito or burrito bowl. We first ordered drinks (I got the El Jimador/ Anejo margarita and hubby got a Lagunitas). Then we ordered the queso. Again, down south, good queso is the marks of a good restaurant, and Machaca got it REAL right. It had the perfect amount of "kick" and tender shredded pieces of chicken and even some bits of corn were deeply embedded. For dinner I ordered the Barbacoa burrito bowl and my husband got the brisket chimichanga. My barbacoa meat was scrumptious and tender, and was served over a bed of rice and lettuce with black beans and pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes and onions). However, I felt like it was missing something. Though the table provides a bottle of spicy avocado sauce, I wanted a cool texture, like a dressing, so I asked for a chipotle ranch or a lime avocado. Unfortunately, they didn't have any, so I opted for the sour cream instead. It was a great accompaniment that enriched the dish for me. My other critique would be the proportions. There was a lot of brisket, but just a little bit of rice and lettuce. I prefer to have my burrito bowls more equally balanced. My husband's brisket chimichanga was served with black beans and rice. The brisket meat was also tender. However, the chimichanga, which is supposed to have a crispy fried outer crust, was a bit soggy/ doughy/ under cooked. Though I am unable to score with half marks, I would truly give Machaca a 4.5 if I could. The soggy chimichanga, disproportional burrito bowl and embarrassing spelling mistakes on the menu took the star rating down a few points for me. But it wasn't enough to drop their score completely to a 4. If you love Mexican food, and are looking for good service, and a new, cool, trendy, funky place to enjoy it in the heart of downtown Gloucester, I would recommend Machaca for sure.

    a plate of mexican food

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    The food is authentic, and the drinks are good too. Great Service, and atmosphere. Live music too!

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    7 years ago

    Fabulous tequila bar. Lots of delicious margaritas, best salsa in MA, great bartenders, and low-key, fun crowd

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    7 years ago

    What a hidden gem! Fantastic service and food. I will definitely return on my next trip to Gloucester.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Machaca

    Review Highlights - Machaca

    They have the best queso I've ever had and their caldo soup (which you can get with or without spice) is amazing.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    4.0(698 reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    We sat outside and it was a bit chilly but my soup soon took care of that! Service was fantastic as…read morewas the food and drinks! They were careful of my husband's soy allergy and he loved his dish even thou he thinks the scallops were a little off and the Margarita was a bit weak. All in all it was a great time!

    Came here for a late lunch after wandering around Gloucester. It was pretty bustling even at 2PM…read more Inside is big and spacious with lots of seating and great sea breeze. We ordered: lobster roll, cioppino, fried clams and fried calamari duo platter The cioppino was our favorite part given how it includes so much and so many varieties of seafood in it. It's definitely too big for one, and it'd be your whole meal for two. Having some savory broth hit the spot after we were sweating a lot from being outside. The fried clams and calamari was a bit confusing. We saw the fried clams on the menu and was intrigued by it. The server recommended us getting the duo platter. We're not sure how that would be different than getting the fried clams and fried calamari separately as appetizers. The batter overall wasn't light and airy enough. It was a bit The clams were a bit of a letdown. It wasn't as sweet and juicy as I'd like. Multiple pieces also tasted muddy. Calamari wasn't special either. The batter was too thick on many pieces that I didn't want to eat much. Lobster roll was alright. It came with big chunks of lobster meat, but flavorwise nothing super outstanding. FYI their soft drinks come from a fountain. My coke didn't taste too watery at least.

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    3.7(207 reviews)
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    1606 is spectacular! Located in the magnificent Beauport…read moreHotel.. the bar is large with special views of the harbor. Cocktails created by gracious bartenders.. indoors or out on the immense sea view terrace. The food is amazing-- delicious raw bar options plus an extensive menu with options for everyone. We were in a private area surrounded by windows to the water.. but the main dining room is lovely., Highly recommend!

    If you find your way to the amazing fishing town of Gloucester, you need to go ahead and get…read moreyourself a meal at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar. This place is an absolutely elevated location in the Beauport Hotel right there overlooking the harbour. You have unbelievable views, food, and service. From local catch cooked just right or served the way it's supposed to, fresh or raw, this place has it all. It has delicious drinks. An amazing presence and atmosphere between the raw bar, the main bar, dining room, outside seating, and private room. I've done lunch or dinner at each dining spot and it's never disappointed. Do not miss this spot if you are in town. This place is fantastic. Make sure to try and catch Andrea and Arwen at the bar. They are fantastic and provide amazing service! Ocho Tequila on Ice - Perfect/10 Raw Oysters from Canada - 9.3/10 Raw Oysters from Massachusetts - 8.3/10 Conserva with Tuna Filets - 8.8/10 Quahogs - 8.7/10 Brussels Sprouts - 8.1/10 Only thing not good about this place is that they aren't closer to me in Florida!

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    The Lobster - The Lobster

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    This was our first meal as we entered Maine. We drove around looking at the cute little town and…read moresaw this on our way through to see the Lighthouse. We decided to stop in and grab lunch. I always use Yelp to see what is around and this looked like a good option. So glad we stopped! My husband had the swordfish. He said the best swordfish he had the whole trip!!! Nice large piece of fish and he said it had little too much blacking seasoning but he was it was amazing. I could not decide what I wanted because it all looked so good. It was lunch and I really wanted the Risotto. But, I didn't want anything super heavy. Glad I chose it anyway. Holy smokes was it delicious. The risotto was perfectly cooked and not too buttery. I have found Maine loooves their butter & often drown their dishes. This was perfect. The fish was amazing and I definitely over ate!! Thinking back, this was one of my most favorite meals in all of Maine. I still dream of that Risotto.

    on vacation with a group of seafood lovers who really wanted to try this place - i was rightfully…read moreapprehensive since i didn't see any vegan options on their menu. i had hoped they could modify a pasta dish (by just removing the sausage/fish) but the kitchen advised they wouldn't do so because it would alter the flavor. disappointing but i was hungry so i ended up ordering a baked potato and the seasonal veggie which was corn on the cob. i did really enjoy the lavender sunset martini, though, and our server kyleigh(sp?) was very friendly and attentive.

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    The Cut

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    3.6(37 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    A Spectacular Evening of Music at The Cut in Gloucester!…read more The Cut in Gloucester is an exceptional venue that beautifully combines live entertainment, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere, making it one of the North Shore's most enjoyable destinations. My husband and I recently attended a truly unforgettable event there as guests of our daughter and son-in-law, and we left thoroughly impressed by both the venue and the outstanding performance we were fortunate enough to experience. On August 19, we attended the Gloucester Student Band's tour kickoff concert, and it exceeded every expectation. One of the highlights for us was watching our granddaughter perform on clarinet alongside an impressive ensemble of talented young musicians from local schools in Grades 5 through 12. The band's rich sound came from a remarkable combination of flutes, trumpets, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinets, trombones, baritone saxophones, French horn, and percussion, creating a professional-quality performance that filled the venue with energy and excitement. The students brilliantly performed 15 selections, including crowd-pleasing favorites such as Ghostbusters, Mamma Mia, Bohemian Rhapsody, Copacabana, and YMCA. Every piece showcased the dedication, skill, and enthusiasm of these young performers. A special round of applause goes to the band's talented and passionate director, Jamie Green Klopotoski, whose love of music and genuine connection with her students was evident throughout the evening. Her leadership inspired an outstanding performance and created an atmosphere of joy that was contagious. The Cut provided the perfect setting for this dazzling concert. The lighting, sound quality, seating, and overall ambiance enhanced every moment of the performance. We especially enjoyed seeing the outdoor marquee on one of Gloucester's main streets proudly announcing the Gloucester Student Band and the evening's follow-up concert featuring the Reset Button Brass Band, which included Director Jamie Green Klopotoski on saxophone. Adding to the experience was the scenic drive through Gloucester, with its beautiful coastal views and quintessential New England architecture. The venue itself also offers delicious food and even a fun basketball-toss arcade game, making it a wonderful place to spend an evening with family and friends. We highly recommend The Cut to anyone looking for outstanding live entertainment, a comfortable and vibrant venue, and an opportunity to support local talent. This magical evening was filled with music, community spirit, and unforgettable memories that our family will be talking about for years to come. Bravo to The Cut and to the incredible Gloucester Student Band!

    Smaller venue to enjoy some live music and food. Street parking available or small parking lot…read morejust up the street. Not too busy in April, but can imagine summer may be a bit packed. QR codes at rail and high tops for service to your location which saves heading to the bar to get your drinks or food. Staff very friendly and efficient to get in to the concert area which is towards the back of the restaurant game area separated. Acoustics not bad, but with smaller area it is pretty loud so if you have sensitive ears you may want to bring plugs.

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    Machaca - tacos - Updated September 2026

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