Hubby and I decided to go for Mexican and stopped in for a bite tonight. We pulled up and it looked like there was going to be a long wait for a Friday night. The hostess got us seated in less then 10min which was FAB! We decided to get the chips and queso to snack on while waiting for our food to arrive. I ordered the mango margarita which comes in a huge glass, so be prepared to come thirsty. While we waited for our food I noticed they had carts going around making table side guacamole. How cool is that? -Wish I had read T.T.'s post before going. Food: My husband ordered one of the large specials... The plate was HUGE! I still have no idea how he ate the entire meal. I got a smaller plate the chicken chimichanga, very tasty, not the best I've ever had but definitely very good and authentic. Service: The waiter we had was fast and always seemed to be right there just when we needed something. He was very attentive. My husband is a tea guzzler and his glass was never empty. I do have to say that this is a very family friendly restaurant. Be prepared to see kids and people of all ages dining. I would suggest if you have a choice between Azteca and Montery I would definitely go with Azteca, hands down! Great people, great food, great ambiance! read more

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This was a really good experience. Despite the fact that it kinda smelled like cigarettes, we (me, gf, kids) had a nice lunch. The prices are insanely cheap for what you get. The kids meals, bean burritos with beans and rice, were only four bucks, and they couldn't finish them. The adults got avocado tostada and veggie burrito. She couldn't finish hers. I finished the burrito but I never give up (when it comes to eating). If this place weren't three states away I bet it would be a regular spot for dinner. Next time I'm in East Suburban Charlotte I'll probably come back. read more

Azteca Mexican Restaurant - Holy Burrito Grande! - Mexican Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

My husband and i decided to check out Azteca because we were in the Matthews area and he has a Mexican craving! Other Yelpers had good things to say- so we decided to check it out as well. When you pull up I like that it's in its own little building. A little confusing where to turn in off busy 74 but we figured it out. When you walk in, you feel like you're really at a Mexican restaurant! I have been to Mexico quite a few times- and this place definitely has a more authentic feel than most. I'd also say that it looks nicer and more upscale than most. All employees are outfitted in traditional clothing which makes you feel like you are getting ready for an experience! We sat outside, and enjoyed the patio. The inside was very nice. I ordered fajitas, my husband got Arroz con Pollo. I enjoyed my fajitas but the portion was little small in my opinion. The flavor was good but I could've used some more chicken on my sizzling plate. My husband's plate was huge! More like a platter! He gets that meal often at different restaurants and he liked that version quite a lot. Service was honestly a bit slow. There was a very large party inside and they must've been struggling keeping up with everyone else. If service was on point I could give at least a half of a star back! All in all a good visit with modest prices. read more

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If you are looking for great quality Mexican in the Matthews area don't look any further! They have a wide variety of items and each item I've had has been delicious! The house made Pico and salsa is fantastic and the service is always terrific! read more

Ate dinner here with my Father, my wife and kids. The waitress did a great job. I had the Baja Fish Tacos. Excellent! My 5 year old had the chicken fingers and they were very good as well. For some reason it was very smokey the whole time. Perhaps their kitchen draft hood was having issues. We will be back. read more

Ive read a lot of the reviews on yelp for this place and don't understand why people think the food is bad. The guacamole made at the table is some of the best guacamole ive ever had. The last time I went there (yesterday) i ordered the Aroz Con Pollo, and it was very good. I got so much food i had to take some home. Im eating my leftovers now and it is very delicious and there is flavor. The chips and salsa are free so they arent gonna be the best things you've ever had, but they do give you about 30 chips in one basket. The menu has a lot on it, and yeah they probably should clean them if some people are reporting they have salsa and stuff on them, but yesterday mine was clean. I think they have improved a lot in the last few years regarding sanitary. I love the outfits and how authentic the restaurant looks. Ive only ever been on cruises to Mexico, and dont really know what authentic food tastes like but their food is what I imagine it would be like. I enjoy this place and its the best mexican Ive ever had. Yes, when they are busy the service is slow, but that goes for any restaurant. Just consider its a small business, and not a chain restaurant when you walk in the door. I hope other people enjoy this place just as much as I do. read more

These are tying times with COVID-19 challenging and changing all of our lives. My wife and I love Friday nights "out" for dinner on "date night". Well, Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Matthews, NC checked all of our boxes. Called; placed an order from their on-line menu; had home delivery by their excellent staff. Everything was "right" and "good". Timely ordering and on-time delivery of EXCELLENT Mexican food. HIGHLY recommend Azteca. If you are looking for a good night "out" with dinner at home during this unsettled time, try ordering from Azteca. https://aztecarestaurantcharlotte.com read more

We spent a week in Charlotte. I found this gem on day 4. Ate there both days after! I don't remember what my dish was called but it was SO good! Sorry. I can only imagine everything is good here! Nice salsa and chips to start. Followed by a great unexpected dessert at the end. Both free. Dessert wasn't much but it was just enough. Service was prompt and food was great both days! read more

The first time we had this place everything was really good and service was okay so we decided to try it a second time on A busy Friday afternoon. They told us the wait was 20 min(which is was fine, especially on a Friday) after we were seated our waitress forgot multiple things & the food had literally no flavor. My husband ordered their "pollo con queso" which is just grilled chicken with cheese dip. We took a few bites & decided we were eating food with NO FLAVOR. So we paid for our meal and went to a drive thru. read more

Good spot for authentic Mexican food. Gluten free options are a plus.

I cannot say enough about this place. Hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant I've had since moving to North Carolina !! The service, staff and food is AMAZING!! My husband and I have made it a point to go here every Friday ... we especially love our table side Guacamole!!! If you haven't been here and are looking for authentic Mexican food you must try it... they will not disappoint! read more

I believe there are two Azteca locations in Charlotte. I've been to this location many times but honestly it's not my favorite Mexican restaurant in town and don't plan on going back. They give you chips and two types of salsa at your table upon arrival. You can tell in the picture that the salsa is very watery, which makes it difficult to stay on the chip. They currently have pink tortilla chips for breast cancer awareness, which I thought was pretty cool. I've ordered many different things on the menu over the years but today I had the taco salad. They load that salad shell up with shredded chicken. Honestly, there is more chicken in the salad than lettuce. I've had to order extra lettuce on the side before just to really make it into a salad. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. They have different lunch specials from day to day. Service has usually been quick. I've been there previously with large groups and the service was also quick. They prepare guacamole table side if you wish. Their cheese dip is delicious. At the end of the meal they bring everyone at your table a desert tortilla chip with whip cream and strawberry drizzle. It's very tasty. I included a picture of it in my review. This is the larger of the two locations and can accommodate large groups. It does get very loud at peak times and especially at night on the weekends. I prefer other Mexican restaurants but this ones not bad. It's worth giving it a chance. read more

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I only had the queso and salsa but my friend had a meal that she enjoyed. The margaritas were great! read more

Azteca Mexican Restaurant - Friday Margaritas! - Mexican Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

Sat at the bar and had nachos and beer. Great nachos and large pour beers. Bartender was very attentive-great service! Had a variety of nachos to choose from, we'll definitely be back to try others! read more

The food is always good. Went into today for a small carry out and didn't feel welcomed. Fortunately a man walked up to the register and he assisted me. I thought I may want an additional dish but decided to take my guacamole and leave. I get it, the host may have been overwhelmed... however, I was disappointed to say the least. I'll go back but unsure when read more

Good meal tonight at Azteca. This is our go to for good Mexican food. Unlimited chips and salsa keep coming to the table. The servings are large, so you won't go hungry. I like that they have the daily specials on display in the waiting area. I'll be back. read more

Azteca Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

We've been going to Azteca for years. Food is good margaritas are pretty strong. The only issue is the manager. She is unbelievably rude to customers and will argue with anyone that disagrees with her. For example, isn't the bar area in most restaurants first come first serve, apparently not at Azteca. I will never go back as she berated he wait staff in front of them and is just rude. read more

Four stars is the highest a Mexican restaurant in the SE would get out of me, so this is good! I love the atmosphere, I love the food, the fresh chips! The giant beers and margs! Glad that they updated the menu in the last few years to have more traditional combinations. It just doesn't taste as fresh as anything I've had out west. read more

We've been coming to Azteca for over 15 years. Lunch, Dinner, Take-Out, it's always been delicious. Lots of unique dishes as opposed to the typical chain Tex-Mex chain. read more

Great service n good lunch choices Very little wait time til you receive your meal Cheerful n friendly wait staff read more

Stay away!!!! If you don't want to have tummy issues later and definitely steer away if you see an "yolanda" at the door....

Just good Mexican food in Charlotte! Always friendly service, fun mariachi music in the evenings too! Great salsa, make sure to get some guacamole! read more

The most authentic and tasty Mexican food you can get! My family comes here for almost every special occasion. Make sure to have a conversation with the bartender, Jesus, he is a great man and makes a killer marg! Also be sure to try their fresh guacamole. read more

Loved this restaurant the fajitas were fantastic the waiter was wonderful Loved the band Great atmosphere thanks read more

Shrimp fajitas are my fav - my family loves the pollo con crema. My husband and I often go for lunch. The prices are very reasonable and service is consistent and quick. read more

Had Azteca for dinner tonight! It was delicious, as usual! Love their salsa! It is definitely our favorite Mexican restaurant in Matthews!! All of my friends love it, too! Tonight, our waiter was Bryan. He was a great sever! He seemed to know what we needed before we could even ask for it. The sign of a great server! Very attentive and friendly. All of the Azteca staff are friendly and helpful! Will continue to go to this restaurant often. read more

According to this reviewer, this is the best Mexican food in Matthews. Each meal comes with a complimentary basket of chips and salsa, and the portions are very generous and generally delicious. I highly recommend the Arroz con Pollo. Service is prompt and polite, and the interior is clean and charming in a constructed-before-we-were-concerned-about-stereotypes sort of way. If you are in Matthews, this is a much better bet than Monterrey or that sketchy place downtown. read more

Azteca is rad for a number of reasons: huge portions (come here for lunch, they have 4-5$ specials!), super-sweet waitstaff, and great decor. There's a smoking lounge here that's a mix of villa and sports bar, with high-backed booths and hanging fake foliage. Classic. Veggie fajitas are awesome, but odd- stir-fried with a teriyaki-style sauce, the flavors aren't super-authentic. The same can be said of most of the menu, although admittedly, I'm missing a lot of it, being vegetarian. But for comfy, ameri-mexican, this place is tops. When they seat you, make sure to ask for the tomatillo sauce-- it's tasty and authentic, and if you're feeling the need to nosh on an over-sized bowl of pickled jalapenos with your meal, it will only run you a dollar for the side. read more

Loved the decor of this place, just the right amount of crooked, colorful paintings on the walls. There was a lady singing with the mariachi band when I walked in, which made me immediately like the place. I knew I was in for a good experience. I wasn't super hungry, and because I did my research, knew I couldn't finish an entire entree. So, I got a seafood quesadilla which consisted of a crap load of shrimp smothered in cheese, guac and sour cream. I mean, this thing was pretty gigantic for an appetizer item. My friend got the Idaho Nachos, why, I don't know, but it was pretty much huge potato wedges with pieces of chicken, all covered in cheese and sour cream. Strange, but it worked. I know, not typical things you'd order from here, but they were all satisfying and I know I'll come back here for an enchilada next time. The waiters were attentive, and a few were even rather good looking, hellooo Alejandro ;D. I digress, but anyway, our glasses were always full and they were very generous with the chips and salsa. They even gave us dessert which was a puffed up, fried tortilla drizzled with honey and cinnamon. I'll be back Azteca! read more

Azteca is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants to go to. The staff is always so friendly & playful & the food is always consistently good. You can always get a good margarita & they give you plenty of food. Can't beat it! read more

Best of Charlotte please! I just came back from the dullest, blandest, most tasteless Mexican dinner ever!! I only gave it 2 stars because of the waiter, the food wasn't worth even that. I knew that I was in for a bad time when I saw so many happy old "gringos" leaving the place. That was a sure sign that the food is closer to Howard Johnson than to Mexico. Sad but true, sorry. Authentic? The place is just like the set for an old Zorro TV movie and it's all downhill from there. For starters the salsa was so watery that I finished the bowl before I even noticed. I never order nachos before but since they were loaded and topped with Jalapenos I went for it. Pickled jalapenos that is - as hot as kosher pickles. The waiter was embarrassed and rushed some sauteed jalapenos over to us. Still mild but at least they were real. I ordered a combo, I always do on a first visit in Mexican restaurants. All three items, Taco, Enchilada and Chile relleno were stuffed with the same totally tasteless ground beef. No spices of any sort, the stuffing reminded me of a can of Spam. Honestly, anywhere closer to the border this place would have been laughed out of town. Martin Mull might approve but unless one was raised on sliced Wonder bread and mayo I'd pass. read more

Most authentic Mexican food in this area. I've been coming here my whole life. I definitely recommend the fiesta Jalisco!

I have previously mentioned my love for Mexican food so I have been to this restaurant more times then I care to share but I am just now getting around to writing about it! In MY opinion, this is the best Mexican restaurant I have been to in terms of authenticity. I know there are a lot of trendy mexican-fusion type joints but this is just your old fashioned get your grub on type Mexican. The GOOD: The salsa is very good...fresh ingredients give it a little bit of chunk and the flavor is perfect. It is a little runny but I don't like salsa that has been thickened by paste or because it was pureed. I would rather the flavor with chunks of onion and pieces of cilantro--and that is what this place offers. The BAD--They serve the salsa in a very small dish and they have a disclaimer on the menu that indicates only the first two rounds of chips and salsa are free. I mean, what? I understand we are in a tough economic situation but you can't be a mexican restaurant and charge for chips and salsa. We have managed to avoid that extra charge so far. We usually just ask a different person for more salsa every time...I know, a little dishonest, but I can't help it! I expect a charge when you go to some random place and happen to order chips and salsa as your appetizer (like Chili's or something) but any standard, hole-in-the-wall Mexican place should NOT do such a thing. THE EXCELLENT: Their fresh, tableside guacamole! WOW! I had no idea avocados could have so much flavor. It was fantastic. The flavors were bold and boasted of fresh cilantro, onion, and lime! It was such a perfect combination of flavors. I have had it with the jalapenos and without...either way was incredible! I typically get the veggie fajitas and that is another reason why I love this place. TYPICALLY, if I order veggie fajitas I end up with onions and peppers marinated in salt. Azteca sends out grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, squash, broccoli and mushrooms. They are not weighted down with sodium and dripping in a fajita sauce....they are grilled and fresh. It really is perfectly done! The beans and rice and pretty basic--nothing to speak about. The flour tortillas are great and their pico de gallo is fresh and flavorful. One other downfall is that they don't give you the option for black beans on the side. But, what I found out is that black beans are not as authentic in terms of Mexican food. Muy interesante! It is definitely worth checking them out...even if it is just for their guacamole. You may want to bring your own jar of salsa though....just kidding read more

Azteca has the most giant plates I've ever seen. They are the size of semi truck tires. It's spectacular. In addition to piling on the food like they're feeding wild animals, it's good quality stuff. There are tons of vegetarian options, and the margaritas are big and cold and sweet and salty...yum! I've been to Azteca several times, but I'm always surprised by the little sopapillas they bring at the end as a complimentary dessert. Isn't that a wonderful little customer service bonus? You get used to the free nachos at Mexican spots, but the free dessert pushes Azteca over the line from a 4 star to a 5 star for me. The latest time I went there, I was with a group of about 15 people. We didn't have a reservation, but the staff set us up in the middle of the restaurant with a huge table, and they weren't even grumpy about having to split all our checks. The food is fresh and good, and the staff is friendly and accommodating. It's probably my favorite Mexican restaurant in Charlotte, and you can always count on bringing home leftovers for lunch the next day! read more

Came here once for lunch. It wasn't that busy and service still wasn't great. Their salsa is ok but a little bland. I got their lunch tacos with rice. I asked for soft tacos instead of hard shell and still got hard shell. No one even came to the table to check on us after we got our food. I got ground beef with my tacos and the meat was very greasy. It was so greasy, the juices soaked the hard shell by the time it got to the table. That was the exact reason why I wanted soft tacos. Their food is mediocre and so is their service. read more

Excellent food, good prices, good service, convenient location. I eat here often. If you eat here you won't be sorry.

The margaritas are good - perfect mixture for heartburn. The staff is extremely pleasant. I wouldn't suggest ordering cheesecake.

Food was great. I got the dos compadres which has steak and chicken. I really enjoyed the food. Also they sang to other tables for birthdays and it was different because they had instruments like they were in a band. I was staying in the hotel next door and as I came out another guest in the hotel ask me about the food and I did recommend him to go there read more

Azteca Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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I was in the mood for some cheesy deliciousness when my significant other suggested Azteca. We started with some salsa where I was schooled in the proper way to spoon it on your tortilla chip. I found the salsa just ok- I like mine a little more chunky and less watery. We also ordered a side of guacamole which unbeknownst to me was served table-side. My only real gripe came from the table-side service. While it tasted good, the "chef" loomed over us for quite awhile afterward in obvious attempt to garner a tip ( there was a huge tip jar tapped over the side so that it practically touched our table and screamed "tip me!"). My boyfriend gave a few dollars but honestly we are tipping our servers, and paying for the Guac, why don't the table-side chefs just take a portion of the tips? I just found it to be a little tacky honestly. The food itself all tasted delicious. I loved my enchiladas (2nd only to La Paz), and his Arroz con pollo was great too. Drinks were filled fairly regularly and service was fine. The decor and lively birthday celebration singing make this a nice place for the whole family. The prices are beyond reasonable too so it's definitely budget friendly. Best of all the little complimentary dessert, fried tortilla with cinnamon, honey, and whipped cream, was a perfect way to end the evening. I won't hesitate to come back! read more

If you are one of those people who say the guac ( and not the guacamole) at Cantina is so delicious... you either 1) have not been to Azteca or 2) are too drunk from the margarita to notice that it's bland. Azteca is the place to go for Mexican because it is authentic and has more to choose from than just tacos and buritos (although it does have them). When you sit down the server automatically brings you a basket of hot freshly made chips, salsa and awesome pica de gallo. You should also order the guacamole that is prepared table side. They cut the avacado right there in front of you and add the ingredients (e.g. onion, cilantro, lime jalapenos, salt, pepper, etc.) based on your taste (more spicy please). Not like other restaurants who claim they make the guac in front of you but bring out already cut avacado and pre-measured ingredients and spices. Azteca has a huge menu and everything I've ever ordered have been delicous. And I've had quite a few things such as queso, guacamole, carne asada, pork carnitas, steak fajitas, seafood soup, fried snapper, puerto vallarta and other dishes. When you order your food they give you the option of flour or fresh made corn tortillas. Definitely get the fresh corn tortillas or ask for it if they don't tell you about it. They also give you complimentary sopapillas drizzle with honey and strawberry sauce top with whipped cream. Every time I eat there I feel like they have to wheel me out because they give you so much food but I still look forward to and save room for the sopapillas. Also I don't think I've mentioned how wonderful their service is. My boyfriend drinks a lot of sweet tea and they never leave his cup empty. All the servers are super nice and accommodating. We go there so often that the people there know we like to sit in the outdoor section (when weather permits of course). This southern girl can't handle the cold too well. OOHHH. I forgot to mention, their margaritas are delicious. They also have margarita specials Mon - Thurs. Definitely try one. It's a great place to have dinner with your significant other or a large group of friends. The mariachi band also add a fun element to your dining experience. The band is at the Woodlawn location on Friday nights and at the Independence location on Sunday nights. Ask them to play something crazy and look forward to a good time!!! read more