This is hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been too. Already just walking in the place, it is decorated super cute and cozy as if I'm in someone's home. Decor on the wall was very chic with a barnyard backyard type of feel; good ambiance for a simple date night or a night out with friends. We ordered: Paloma flight - you get to choose 3 flavors, super worth because 3 full cocktails for $38 ?! That's a steal. Usually for flights I get a smaller sample of each flavor so I was shocked when it came out so big as a flight Lobster enchiladas- OMG this was my absolute favorite! The sauce was amazing! The lobster pieces were huge. They were not skimpy on the lobster at all! It had so many amazing flavors combined together. Comes with beans and rice and I for sure mixed that sauce with the rice. Definite recommend!!! Ribeye aguachile - meat was cooked perfectly with a balance of chewy and tenderness, more on the citrus side but goes great with the tortilla Salsa and chips - comes complimentary but extra orders would incur a charge ($2) Service was exceptional, everyone was very nice and polite. This is a must go to when you're in Salinas and my go to every time I'm in town. read more

Food good mostly. Drinks weak. Bone marrow starter --- not much there. Slow service. Not a place for celebration. Went to celebrate my mom's birthday Nothing mentioned--- not even a happy birthday. read more

Came for dinner last night and got seated pretty quickly which was plus since it's the holidays . I quickly noticed the prices were a bit higher than the last time I visited but that's cool since I know ingredients and over all most things have gone up these days. Unfortunately the food was below mid . I got pulp tocos ,$36 for 3 tacos , that was drenched in oil , zero seasoning and the octopus was sooo chewy it was inedible . I ate one taco and the server didn't even ask if the food was okay , which is obviously something was off since all the food was still on the plate . I also order a n Michelada for $15 that was watered down and tasteless. Asked for the check and it took 10min before the server came back and I asked again for the check but this time she put her finger up and rudely said give me a sec. after I've already been waiting to leave this place . My gf ordered the ribeye hurache, $45, for a super skinny price of steak over beans and rice. It wasn't bad but also good by any means , it was just a bland piece of steak . "Upscale" Mexican food that has no soul and over priced . read more

I've lived in the general area for 15 years and I wish I'd discovered this place sooner. I'm a huge fan, this is some of the best Mexican food in the area, to the point where it reminds me of some of the better food I've eaten in both Mexico City and Oaxaca City. And I'm struck that reviews seem to be a bit polarized, but my experience was definitely at one end of that spectrum. I'll be back! read more

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This place was amazing from the creative cocktail flights to delicious Mexican cuisine done beautifully Highly recommend this spot for this elevated Mexican fare read more

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I dropped in on a Sunday brunch schedule and I was promptly seated upon my arrival. The two-top tables in the front room were already occupied, so I got one of two in the back near the kitchen. It was okay, though, it felt a bit out of touch. Especially, on getting my water refilled. I ordered up a watermelon paloma ($14), which looks like they use Han Soju which is a lower based alcohol that comes in various flavors of tequila, vodka, etc. It was tasty, though I think I should have stuck with the original (grapefruit). I really went overboard and ordered the Tuetano with black bean sopes ($24) which is two large bone marrow with guacamole and garlic chili sauce. It was very good with cabbage and turnips. I ordered the Al Pastor Salmon Tacos ($22). Two tacos had a large grilled salmon on a blue corn tortilla with a side salsa. They meal was good and the ingredients were fresh. Though, I feel like I need a bit more vegetable on the plate. I think if I should return that it would be a special occasion. It is great to a Mexican fine dining option in Oldtown Salinas. read more

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Not your traditional Mexican Food Restaurant. The food is so good! My favorite is the Mole Amarillo. Filet Mignon, Potatoes and Shrimp in a Yellow Mole Sauce. My other favorite is the Bone Marrow with Shrimp. The atmosphere is great, the servers are attentive. Family owned Business. read more

Villa Azteca - Mole Amarilllo... Deliciouse!! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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The food was fresh, the service was great, and the ambience was welcoming and very Latino. Leo who is a member of the family that owns the restaurant was very attentive and welcoming. I had the chicken tacos that were topped with marinated red onions...a delicious combo! My husband had their Chile Verde plate that was served with a fried egg on top--another fun twist! I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Villa Azteca - Chile Verde with rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Elevated dining experience with complementary chips and salsa! The restaurant is great for a date night as there is mood lighting and a nicely decorated interior. We ordered the guac with chicharon and the pork belly tacos. The pork belly tacos were a bit plain, but tasted great when paired with the guac. My partner also got the enchiladas verde which was also flavorful and quite a large portion. The servers were kind, but it was decently busy when I visited so staff seemed limited in comparison to the crowd size. read more

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No bs review Was in town of Salinas for work. When me and my coworker got hungry and we ended up at this lovely spot. The service was good. We got seated quickly and got our appetizer served promptly. I chose to get the every Enfrijoladas which was so good reminded me of my childhood minus the chicken as I was usually a struggle meal. The highlight of this whole thing was a Horchata you know the restaurant is gonna be bomb if the Horchata is great hands-down it was in addition we got dessert. I'm not much of a cheesecake person but the other cake which had an eggnog rum sauce paired very well. read more

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OH MY GOODNESS!!! I will be back to Salinas specifically for Villa Azteca. The food exceeded all of my expectations. The servers worked together so collaboratively. The restaurant was so warm, cozy, and filled with art and music. I ordered the chile relleno, my mom got the chicken mole which was a super generous portion, and my friend had the carnitas enchiladas. Each plate came with the most decadent and unique sauce. The horchata was another star of the show. I can't wait to come back for a Paloma flight! read more

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If I could give this place no stars , I would. I am beyond disappointed. I took my mom to celebrate her birthday on 4/17/26 at about 7:00 pm and was told the wait time was about 35-45 minutes. I agreed to wait. While waiting outside there was about two other parties waiting outside prior to my arrival . While waiting, I saw about 5-6 other parties go in and put their names on the waitlist. My mom went to ask about the wait. The hostess was extremely rude and told us to wait an additional 30 minutes. About an hour went by and all the parties were attended. While we continued to wait outside. We eventually left after 1 hour and 30 minutes passed and went to La Casa del Sazón. I think the host never put our name on the wait list or forgot because received a text message at 9:59 pm stating I was on the wait list and the at 10:15 another message was sent advising my table was ready after 3 hrs had gone by. Unbelievable I would definitely not recommend villa azteca read more

Came here for lunch while I was in town for work. It had great reviews so I thought I'd check it out. The place was pretty busy. I walked in and got seated right away. The menu didn't seem like a traditional Mexican restaurant, I little fancier than most, fresh ingredients, wait staff had uniforms. I looked through the menu and ordered the tofu al pastor. Tofu is usually not something I would see on a Mexican restaurant, so I wanted you to try it. The bowl of chips were good, salsa was ok, a little watered down than what I'm used to. The food came in no time. It was served with cauliflower rice, which didn't have much flavor, I wish the side of veggies were grilled, they were raw. The tofu had spices in it, but wished there were a little more salt. It was pretty bland. The food overall was just ok, 3 stars. The service and wait staff were great though. read more

Villa Azteca - Tofu Al pastor bowl w/ cauliflower rice - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

There are restaurants you stumble upon, and then there are those you journey to. We drive all the way from the East Bay just to savor the distinct dishes here. Each plate feels like a story. On this visit, I was moved, not just by the food, but by the heart behind it. Leo, the owner, personally served us our meal, and what a rare pleasure it was to meet him. There is something extraordinary about someone who carries both humility and pride in their craft. He spoke to us as though we were old friends, his warmth as genuine as the flavors he shares. Before we left, he returned, not out of formality, but out of true care, asking how our meal had been. the blue corn tortillas, It is not often that a restaurant offers something so rooted in culture. This is not just a place to eat,it's a place to feel. Villa Azteca always worth the drive. read more

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OK. Let's talk candidly about Villa Azteca . This is undoubtably one of the most amazing restaurants I've ever been to in my life. When I say that, I do not say it lightly. I have been to many restaurants, many of them that were Mexican restaurants. And the first time that I heard that there was a very fancy Mexican restaurant in my city, that has what feels like, hundreds of Taquerias, I really didn't put too much into it. It took me about a year before we actually started going here and a special occasion that landed us there, but when we did, we realized that we had been missing out. The trademark of a good restaurant, any restaurant really, is the sauce. This family makes the absolute best mole you will ever eat. Their mole amarillo is out of this world. The filet mignon is perfectly seared, and when you say, medium rare it legitimately comes out, medium rare. I've eaten here about seven times now and today was so good, it made me wanna cry. My wife and I went there for Father's Day, and my birthday, which happened to land on the same day and it was one of the most amazing things that I've ever experienced. Their flights of Palomas are otherworldly and the steak and shrimp that comes with this particular dish is so amazing. We also ordered the Queso Fundido, which was probably the best appetizer you could possibly order. I don't know what else to say. It's just fantastic. I try not to post negative reviews, and when it really comes to good reviews, this place deserves the best. The family is amazing, the food is amazing and I am kind of lost for words beyond that. Please give it an opportunity, it is pricey, but it is worth it, fulfilling every expectation. read more

My new favorite restaurant in Salinas! Food, service ombiance all spot on. I had the Rib Eye tacos on homemade flour tortillas. Absolutely amazing. We will definitely be back. read more

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Amazing mole. The Mole Amarillo had shrimp and filet mignon. It was delicious. Presentation is great, too. I enjoy eating here when I am in Salinas. read more

Villa Azteca - Mole Amarillo with shrimp and filet mignon - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

GOURMET MEXICAN FUSION is the term I give this place. Food is plated like a high end fancy restaurant and drinks are complimented with edible decor at very reasonable prices. Great place for a date or a group. Five different people told me about this place. STOOD OUT: The chips and salsa!! Great fusion. The chips were warm house prepared. Excellent! BUT THE SALSA IS CALLING ME BACK FOR MORE!! REALLY TASTY AND NOT overly SPICY. IT WAS PERFECT. I've never tasted this recipe. It tasted like menudo soup in a dipping sauce form. When you're seated an ice cold glass bottle of water and a glass along with house chips, salsa and the menu. Nice welcoming! Soft music playing in the background. Nice ambiance. We shared the molcajete. Rice. Beans. Corn tortillas. Perfect for two hungry adults. Next time I want to try the bone marrow as I notice three different tables were enjoying theirs. Friendly attentive service. Nice festive decor. Clean restrooms. The desserts and drinks looked good but I did not order. There's street parking or parking garage block away. They were spotlighted by KQED's Food show "check please"!! This place is that good!! read more

Very cute place. Went with a group of friends. Our server was very patient with our group, we didn't all arrive together. Food was good! We had guacamole with nothing added, super flavorful. I had a burrito bowl with chicken. I'd get that again. Friends ordered tacos, carne asada fries, and I think another set of tacos. We were all pleased. I'm glad I finally got to come to this place, it didn't disappoint. read more

Every single bite of every we ate was spectacular! Stopped in after seeing this place on Check Please and it was pretty busy on a Tuesday afternoon. We were seated immediately and enjoyed The guacamole with ribeye chicarron to start. I ordered the chilaquiles and they were so good I told my husband I was cheating on him right in front of him! Dang! He had a bite and agreed that these were the best chilaquiles we both ever had! His relleno was good and the sauce was super tasty ! This will be a place I will crave and will most definitely make the 2 hour drive for it! read more

We have been here a few times and it's been excellent each time. Delicious food, good drinks and great service! I highly recommend you try this place! read more

We stopped in Salinas for a late lunch today. The photos of dishes and preparations viewed on Yelp looked unique for a Mexican restaurant. After reading the menu and some of the reviews, we chose Villa Azteca. This is a casual sit down restaurant but the interesting decor elevates this restaurant when compared to other similar restaurants. Juan was our server and did a good job. Food: We started with their handmade guacamole with ribeye chicharrones (4/5). We've had countless guacamole's, but never served with deep fried crispy ribeye chunks. Very unique and tasty. Our entrees were a chili relleno (4/5) and 3 crispy shrimp tacos (4/5). The chili relleno was roasted, not the traditional battered with an egg white batter then fried. The poblano pepper was stuffed with pork and cheese, served on top of a brown sauce. The base of the sauce tasted like well seasoned blended beans. It was an interesting preparation and very flavorful. The shrimp in the tacos had a light fried coating and served in blue corn tortillas. There were 2 large shrimp (probably 13-15 size) with each taco. The balance of each taco was completely filled with chunks of exotic melons and red cabbage. Again, a very unique taco preparation. I also ordered beans and rice on the side. I can judge a good Mexican restaurant by the way they prepare the humble rice and refried beans. Both sides were seasoned very well and passed my test with flying colors. The rice was one of the best I've ever had. We really enjoyed the flavors and unique twists on traditional Mexican dishes. Definitely you should check out villa azteca out! read more

The service was great, but the food.... Bomb. Flavors are authentic and delicious. The owner or manager came to ask us how our food was. This is a restaurant that has good food and staff. 10/10 go check them out read more

Villa Azteca - So good, we forgot a before pic. The plates were cleaned out - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

* Great service. * Server brought wrong dish to table (ordered a vegan version but received a steak version) and they were quick to correct it. * Food is rich and well made! The entire dish was well seasoned. The salsa that comes with chips is so good! The Jamaica was great as well. * Restaurant is clean and great ambiance. Very lively. * Long lines/wait times (I was lucky and came on a day that wasn't too busy!) * Steep price for portion sizes unfortunately. read more

Villa Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

The service & delicious cuisine is amazing. Always a welcoming & warm vibe. I would highly recommend Villa Azteca to anyone who is looking to dine on something unique & delicious, especially if you are a Foodie. read more

Villa Azteca - Tacos de Nopales are delicious!!!! Can't go wrong with something that is healthy & yummmmy!!! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

My husband I came for a holiday date night and was disappointed on the service. We had to ask for everything - water, order to be taken, and our tab. Our waitress actually didn't come to our table but when I after I flagged the front desk person for our tab. It was odd. The however is food is absolutely tasty though, but super over priced. For example when we we first ordered the bone marrow a couple years back, it came with 3 bones. Now the order only comes with 2 bones. On top of that, the alcohol isn't real hard alcohol. I ordered a Paloma and notice I was getting slightly dizzy and loopy off of one cup. I looked at the small print and noticed their drinks are made with han tequila or han vodka, Korean soju type liquor. Not that that's bad, but if you're expecting tequila or vodka don't expect the real thing in your cocktail. read more

Great food! Delicious meal and nice portions and took some home.Good service and friendly staff.... We had a great experience. T

Villa Azteca is everything. Whenever my family wants to dress up and eat out, we always come here!! The service is always impeccable and it's nice to have bilingual servers (not many places do, even in Salinas). The food is DIVINE!!! I have tried every dish with salmon in it and it's always wonderfully cooked and seasoned. Of course, the horchata always hits the spot. I like the theme and decorations a lot as well!! The lighting is typically nice for pictures :) Would definitely recommend!! read more

Villa Azteca - Tlayuda de salmón - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Such a great find on main street in Salinas! All the food we ordered was delicious. Molcajete, an assortment of meat in a flavorful sauce. Crispy corn stuffed with cheese and meat on top, addicting. Forgot the names of what my parents got but they enjoyed their dishes too. It got pretty full during peak lunch hour on the weekend, so try to come a bit earlier! Service was friendly and attentive. read more

The food and service were very good. My husband didn't like the cocktails as much as I did. Everything was delicious and I would come here again. Even the chips and salsa they have at the table when you arrive is so good! read more

Food was fantastic and uniquely delicious. The combination of ingredients was surprising and tested great. The service was just as good. Very attentive staff and the food came out in a timely fashion. The ambiance is very fun and welcoming with a vibe that enhances the dining experience and flavors of the food. Highly recommend! read more

Disappointed and Disheartened I used to love this restaurant and always looked forward to coming back--but unfortunately, my recent visit left me feeling upset and deceived. From the start, things felt off: the chips served were stale, and the flight of drinks had noticeably smaller portions with fewer flavor options than before. To make matters worse, I noticed several price hikes across the menu. Our waitress mentioned a special that sounded great--fajitas with chicken, beef, and lobster--but when it arrived, the lobster taco was disappointingly dry. The real shock came with the bill: $220 for dinner, with the special alone priced at $110. I genuinely thought there must have been a mistake. When I asked to speak with the manager, I was told he didn't set the prices. No apology, no attempt to make things right. I left feeling frustrated and misled. It's really unfortunate to see a place I used to enjoy decline so drastically.will not be going back !!! I refuse to pay fine dining prices for rice and beans And a main course read more

We saw this restaurant reviewed on "Check Please" a show on PBS. The owner and her family had a very nice story and the food looked amazing - so we had to try the next time we were in the Salinas area. Had dinner here on a Saturday at 545. No waiting and no reservation needed. Quickly seated at a table for two. We had the Chicken Enchiladas and the Mole Amarillo. Enchiladas were tasty and served with a creamy green sauce. Shredded chicken breast inside that was very moist. Mole Amarillo was Excellent. Perfectly cooked shrimp and Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly at medium rare. The mole sauce was probably one of the best I have ever had. They use a white chocolate so the sauce is not dark at all. Our server and her co-workers were fabulous. Treated very kindly - which goes along way. read more

The food was very good when they first opened. Throughout the years, the quality went downhill. Extremely overpriced. Very odd business hours. read more

Super annoyed is an understatement... Came to grab a bite to eat hoping I'd be in and out, as I was having lunch alone. Asked to sit outside since it was such a beautiful day. The hostess setup the table for me and gave me the menu and said someone would be out with water and chips. 15 almost 20 minutes go by and no one has came out. A group of 4 women arrived and asked to sit outside as well, they picked a table and they had not even sat down and someone was already bringing waters and chips for them. At that point I said forget it and left... didn't even bother waving down one of waiters that brought them their stuff. Maybe on a normal day I would have stayed longer but it was not busy, and being 7.5 months pregnant I was over it. Service definitely needs some adjustment. read more

This is a comment on the service and ethics of the restaurant, not the food. They would not honor a gift card even though there was no listed expiration. I called multiple times, went by in person, but they wouldn't follow through to correct the problem, though they claimed they would. Serious issue of lack of integrity. read more

This spot awesome! Great food and super chill vibes. The crew was hella nice, making us feel right at home. Perfect for a laid-back night out. read more

Villa Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Stopped into Salinas area today for work. Such a sweet festive atmosphere! Staff was friendly and attentive while the food was delish! If visiting the area, I would definitely recommend! read more

Villa Azteca - Steak fries (I think! It wasn't my meal!) - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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This place continues to amaze me every time I eat there. I went with my family this time and I tasted all my children's food my son order the squid tacos and he asked me to take a bite of it because it was the most delicious thing he's ever eaten! The squid was grilled to perfection! The slight charring and subtle seasoning balanced it perfectly. The taco also had something I believe picked in it wich added a slight tanginess which ends with a creamy hint of some sauce. Absolutely delightful. I had the rio negro shrimp plate; seasoned grilled shrimp on a bed of black bean paste with their signature green rice and fresh mango. It was great but I wish I would have had a little more black beans. The tri tip huarache is something else! Is a hearty dish. An oval shaped tortilla (huarache) topped with a grilled cactus, olla beans, fresh zesty salsa with a generous amount of meat! Spicy but filling and very very tasty! I only tasted the sauce of the lobster enchiladas however that was enough for to say they exquisite! The decadent creamy squash sauce is a whole new experience by itself! The mole was perfectly balanced! Not a sweet not very spicy mole! Just perfectly balanced. Gee I wish I had a bigger belly No matter what dish you order I am sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with an amazing flavor adventure! read more

Villa Azteca - Río Negro! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Amazingly delicious food. Many intriguingly creative dishes. Definitely Aztecan cuisine. The service was outstanding at every level with every staff member. Ambiance reminiscent of Mexico City. What a treat and a blessing to find such an authentic experience so far north. If you're in Salinas, definitely check it out, especially on a Friday evening when the street life comes alive. Muchas Gracias Villa Azteca. read more

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