40 years ago El Azteco was a local Mexican restaurant in the basement where f a strip mall. No windows, dark, with incredible food. 40 years later they have moved out of the basement. They have a gorgeous bi-level restaurant steps from the original location. The ownership might have changed ( no longer family owned ) but some things don't change. The food is still the best Mexican in Lansing. The service is top notch and the views are amazing. El Azteco is STILL a must visit inE. Landing. read more

El Azteco East - The Taco Plate - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

The customer service was good. We were in somewhat of a hurry and received our food quickly. We ordered 2 chicken and a beef taco. The chicken was flavorless and dry. The salsa that came with chips was flavorless and the chips were just ok. we also ordered a cheesecake chimichanga and that was actually really good. It wasn't oily had a great ratio of filling to dough. read more

El Azteco East - tacos - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

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We waited about 5 minutes for a table. All of the staff is barely drinking age and all were fine service wise, but nothing above the bare minimum effort. If you want to eat good food, hear yourself think, and talk--don't go here. If you want food that is seasoned, don't go here. I don't even know what to compare this place to because I've had better cafeteria food in middle school. I mean, truly, literally nothing is good here. The margaritas? Weak. Hot queso? Boring. The chicken quesadilla? Cheesy, but nasty. I mean, really, realllllly hard to eat. I'm sorry that I don't have any good remarks to say about this place, but i'm just shocked that it has business. It seriously must only be because of the location. Oh, and if you're pondering eating here and think, "I bet the chips and salsa are at least good"--you'd be wrong. Hard pass. read more

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Rounding up Fancy/tasty topopo Nachos were okay I was told the chips and salsa are house made (but the chips come out cold so either "house made" the day before or they are out of a bag), salsa was good. Great atmosphere Lots of friendly staff Good hang out for MSU students and visitors of the campus read more

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Visited for a Valentine's Day lunch. It definitely gives college town restaurant vibes. Not exactly authentic but ok if you want something to eat. The salsa that came with chips looked like paste. The chips were stale. The beef flautas were ok as they did not taste like they were freshly made. I could tell the food was not authentic as they put shredded cheddar cheese over the refied beans. My wife had the mole enchiladas that was more smothered in white queso rather than mole. More mole sauce would have been nice. My daughters nachos with chorizo actually looked the best. Service was quick and friendly. read more

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Went twice in one day for lunch and dinner. Natalie was our server for lunch and was absolutely wonderful. She was a delight and brought us food and drinks at a consistent pace. However when we returned in the evening our server was a short brunette with an attitude opposite of what we had experienced from Natalie. She was obviously upset, was brief and set our food and drinks down with aggressive gusto. Not certain why she was so pissed but she obviously wasn't looking for a tip. Mind you this is two hours prior to close, I get being pissed at annoying customers or folks who come in right before close. Disappointed but will be asking for our girl Natalie from now on. read more

A lot of people love El Azteco for different reasons. My review is based on a specific experience. In my opinion, El Azteco is perfect for chips and salsa and cheese dip on the rooftop! Nothing beats a spicy marg accompanied with great salsa and cheese dip with downtown East Lansing as the backdrop! The team members are always seemingly plentiful and in a good mood which adds to the experience. The crowd of patrons is normally mixed with students, families, and couples. I hear a lot of folx don't care for the food for numerous reasons. I suggest seeking out the rooftop, bevs, and snacks approach and you won't be disappointed! read more

El Azteco East - Chips & Salsa Basket - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

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Had dinner at the El, a restaurant that has been in East Lansing for a long time and my friend who had gone to MSU suggested. The chips and salsa when you arrive is always a great touch to start with. The chimichanga was huge and very good. The inside could have been a little warmer but the dish was great! read more

El Azteco East - Chicken Chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Our server was Gracie, a delightful college student. She suggested we get the TaPoPo salad and the cheese burrito. We got both and were very impressed with the dishes. We can see why people love coming here for years and years and years. The atmosphere is nicer upstairs in my opinion. Downstairs was cold and uncomfortable. There are many other things on the menu I'd like to try, we'll be back. If there was one thing I'd change, I'd improve their chips and Salsa, especially the chips. read more

El Azteco East - TaPoPo Salad and Cheese Burrito - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

It's crazy, I live in Houston Texas, where there's a Mexican restaurant on every corner, and my favorite Mexican restaurant of all times is still El Azteco. The best burrito Colorado, the best cheese dip, the best nachos, and the best upstairs bar atmosphere you could ask for. Thanks for the memories and for 45 years of great food! read more

El Azteco East - Nachos - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

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Not as good anymore. After being a loyal customer since the mid 80s. Yeah - when Reagan was Prez we came here, when it was in the basement, it was the bomb. Then several years later in the 90s it moved to this location, it was still pretty solid. But now - the food just wasn't good at all. Service was subpar. We sat on the roof, a bunch of the servers were sitting on the floor inside the kitchen chit-chatting away while we had to constantly flag people down. The infamous salsa - did not taste as good - the recipe has seemed to be slighty altered and it just lacked that quality fresh taste. The Topopo was dry and lacked flavor. The Burrito plate we have loved for so many years - has shrunk in size, lacked beef, and it wasn't flavorful either. We were very disappointed. The rice was dry. Dry, dry, dry. I think new owners have taken over this place. We are done. We hear that the West El Az is still maintaining, so we will just make our way over there and check them out even though the EL El Az is more convenient location - - doesn't matter because the quality overall has deteriorated. Alas. All good things must come to an end. Thanks for the last 30-some-odd years of filling us up, but I think we've eaten our last meal at this location. read more

Overpriced slop. I ordered meat tacos that were almost entirely fat. Disgusting food and super expensive considering poor quality.

Kolton was the first good server I ever had there. Was impressed by the service! The food was good and the drinks were great!!

Yeah... No. I'll pass next time. First off the ambiance is far nicer than the old location. And the server was friendly and helpful. So if my visit depended on these two I'd definitely return. It's the food. The Topopo Salad of my memory is not what was served to us. We had to change it quite a bit to make it not be a "heart-stopper special" So we ordered it with no cheese and with the dressing on the side. The salad served this way was good! Except the dressing was a dish of oil. I have no idea and I didn't bother asking. My fajitas were enormous chunks of pepper and hardly cooked but lots of oil. I had them with chicken and that was pretty tasty. The chips were the bottom of the barrel and had lots of oil. The salsa wasn't bad. And the margarita was way too strong. I couldn't even drink half of it. So I don't know. Maybe I'm just getting too old for El Az. But there are plenty of Mexican restaurants we love so we'll visit those. read more

I have been going to El Az since the late 70's and always go when I am back in town. I couldn't have been more disappointed last week when I was home for a game. The quacamole was out of some plastic container that fell off of a Sysco truck and the Topopo salad didn't seem to have any dressing on it, let alone salt or pepper. Nothing seemed to be seasoned at all, beans, salsa or guacamole. I am sad that I will now have to rely on the Peanut Barrell to be my only worthwhile nostalgic haunt I can be sure off. Adious El Az read more

We decided to come here because we were visiting the area. The chips and salsa were probably the best food items we ate. My husband ordered the menudo. I ordered the pollo soup (chicken). We also ordered a small side of rice. We did not get order for over 30 minutes. Which, we understand if people are short staffed but the other table who ordered after us received their food and we only ordered soup. When the menudo arrived, it was bland. As my husband was eating it, he found two pieces of plastic in it and immediately told the waitress. She took it back. The pollo soup was also very bland with no flavor. It was as if they just threw shredded chicken in with rice and tomatoes. Saddened by our visit as we had higher hopes. We will not be back. read more

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Been coming to the East Lansing El Az since age 15 (I'm 60 now.) The food quality and flavors have never changed! (Prices and size of the burritos, not so much) I love the chile verde burritos, my wife, the frijole...both of us Spartans, we can't get this quality of Mexican food in our area- so I buy dozens of burritos, quarts of their amazing salsa, and bags of chips, pack it all (not cooked- if you copy make sure you do order them that way) Then I transport in ziplock bags in an ice chilled cooler for my 3 hour drive north. I pop the burritos, salsa in the freezer, and enjoy at will. Please continue to never change your recipes! Can't perfect perfection! read more

East Lansing institution. The food is good but you're coming here for the atmosphere. Soak up the loud college vibe and you'll have a great time. Food doesn't come out very quickly but ordering and paying are quick read more

El Azteco East - Beef Nacho - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Great atmosphere, super lively, loud and energetic! I am sure off-times are much quieter, but still good vibes. The service is excellent and the wait staff sure do work hard, so FIVE STARS to them! The demands have to be very heavy and everyone was still very nice. The drinks!! Yes!! A lot of great options and the tequila sure does flow! Of course, plenty of margs to go around! I mention the food last because that is where things are lacking. The chips, although, I think house made are hard! The burritos had limited meat and the taste is flat. The flautas were sub-par. I remember when el az has great simple burritos that you couldn't get enough of. I fondly remember the verde burrito as my "go to." So, I hope the owners reevaluate their recipes and tweak them a bit for more deliciousness. With all that being said, I would visit again! It's a fun place. Great patio too! read more

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Worst tacos I've ever had. Genuinely disgusting. Drinks overpriced. And i got bubble guts. Do not come here

I go here after Michigan State games and am always satisfied with what the food tastes like, the cheese dip and homemade chips are to die for. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. The ambiance of the restaurant is amazing and is decorated well for a Mexican restaurant. read more

We brought my son's high school baseball team to an MSU baseball game and went here for dinner afterwards. We all sat on the rooftop. The boys sat together and adults separate table. Everyone enjoyed the food. Chicken quesadillas and beef tacos, and beef flautas by teens. Adults enjoyed pitchers of margaritas, the jalapeño poppers, and the topopo salads. Excellent service. Would recommend. read more

El Azteco East - Teens eating outside. - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

I usually don't write reviews, but I feel compelled to talk about the amazing service I received from Paige S. While El Azteco isn't the best Mexican food I've ever had, the experience was top notch. Paige was very kind and helpful with all of my family's questions. I would come again if I could have Paige again as my server! read more

Paige was an amazing server today at el azteco east lansing. My experience with her was a ten out of ten

So sad, this has been my go to Mexican place in East Lansing for over 30 years. Many great memories, but my lunch there Saturday with some college friends will be my last visit. It's gone horribly downhill and my friend's burritos were basically inedible with a horrible aftertaste that had us question the safety of the meat. Do not go here! read more

Service was VERY bad and it wasn't even busy. Second time in a row. Ten minutes to get waters. Ten minutes to get the order placed. Booths are a very tight fit and I'm a 38 inch waist. (Yes I should lose weight.). Don't feel like somewhere I could spend time with my friends. We all felt this way. Food is bland. Rice is mushy. But if you like it hot, they do have a very good hot salsa. read more

We have been coming here and supporting this place for decades! We have been very loyal customers. It had only been about seven months since we last visited and so many things have changed. While I understand what has been going on in the economy and the supply chain it does not excuse the 50% or more price hikes. I did not look at the menu until after we got the bill, but I was shocked! We order a few a la carte burritos which only a few months ago were about $5. Now they are $10! That is the average price for an entire meal, not just one a la carte item which goes for about $4 or less at Taco Bell! And...since we ordered several, the waitress could have recommended getting a burrito combo plate that comes with two burritos plus a side of beans and rice for only a few more dollars. That would have saved us a lot and given us more to eat. Also stated on the menu was you only get one complimentary basket of chips. This is not a problem but we ordered two cheese dips which technically would have given us three baskets of chips. We did not get that much, and I felt bad asking for the rest of the chips we ordered to go (even though technically we paid for them). Our entire meal cost over $80, and typically cost half that less than a year ago. Plus we were there during the art fair and there were barely any customers. This place use to have a line out the door during events. I get they need to increase prices, but with the small amount of food we received for the money and lack of insight of helping us as customers maximize our dollar (the waitress was friendly, but had served us many times so knew we were repeat customers but was not transparent is the pricing or aid us with those choices) we might not return in the near future. I also understand they do not want people sitting and eating free chips and salsa and not purchasing enough, but we bought more than the required amount and should have been given what we ordered. They may have lost some life-long customers. We are nostalgic for their food, but will go elsewhere for the time being. read more

Absolutely rude wait staff and management. Food is horrible. By far the worst Mexican restaurant I've been to.

This place used to be renowned for Mexican food in E. Lansing. I went in and got Huevos Rancheros. What the brought was the grossest thing I'd ever seen, totally inedible. Don't waste your time here they need to work on the food! read more

The food isn't amazing, but it gets the job done and the atmosphere is fun. If you can, try sitting on the rooftop patio, or upstairs in the open-air room. We had a burrito plate ($16ish) and an enchilada dinner ($13ish), both of which were more than filling especially if you pack away a couple baskets of chips and salsa (free refills). We saw almost every table had someone order the nacho topopo or volcano, which is a work of art but really just adds a pile of shredded lettuce on top of your usual loaded nachos. I doubt you will leave hungry if you eat here. read more

Chips and salsa - check Traditional mexican favorites - check Cold beer - check Flour tortillas would be preferred over corn. Not a lot of meat in the dishes. read more

El Azteco East - Combination plate - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

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Been going to El Az since my college years at MSU! When I went to school there it was at a smaller location and they moved several years ago to this newer location. I think the food is good but not necessarily the best Mexican I've ever had, but it brings back many fond memories for me. They are known for their topopo salad, which I haven't had in a couple of years but I ordered something different today. I do have to say it is dirt cheap tho! I had a lot of food for under $12. The service was good enough too. Met a friend there for lunch that lives in East Lansing, so that was great as I seldom get to see her. read more

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It was really busy and our food took long but the staff was super nice. The food was great too. I recommend the chicken enchiladas. read more

El Azteco East - Chicken enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

My husband and I ate at El Azteco for the first time. Great food and service! Shout out to our server Paige! She was friendly and funny. Clean and cozy restaurant. read more

I had a craving for a bag of El Azteco chips. I figured $5-6 for a bag no salsa. WRONG $12 for a take out bag. Great chips but not worth 12 bucks. read more

I cannot go to E. Lansing without going to El Az for a Topopo Salad. It is SO good and I can't even finish the half size they're so big! Their nachos and botana are good as well. I know they don't have the best chips (taste a little stale) but I overlook that because the topopo is just amazing! read more

El Azteco East - Topopo for the win! - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Jack, our server, was exceptional. He was very attentive but not intrusive. Way to go Jack! read more

This place has a great atmosphere and is a good place to come for a drinks, but not for fine dining. In my experience, the nachos are always a disappointment, they could use some mor cheese and some lettuce or other vegetables. The ground beef has been kind of gross every time I've come here. The chips are bland and too thick so they always seem stale, but the first bowl is complimentary, so I guess I shouldn't complain. read more

El Azteco East - Mexican Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Ariana was a great server super friendly and answered my whole family's question with no hesitation

El Azteco is amazing, and the service is top-notch! Paige S. always goes above and beyond to make sure you're taken care of with a friendly and attentive attitude. Every visit feels personal and welcoming- can't recommend it enough! read more