Great service - I'm disabled and the staff quickly located a table near the entrance but not in the way. Food was great; especially tortillas and salsa. I got the Molcajete (steak/chicken/blanco/corn/rice/cactus) dish served in a stone pot. The rice has a nice smoked flavor. Unique and very flavorful. Barbacoa tacos also very good. read more

"The salsa isn't bad" is the best thing I could say. The queso tasted like hot toothpaste - as a Texan, I'm bewildered by locals' apparent love for it. No ground beef, no sizzling fajita plate, no refried beans = hard pass. Service and ambiance was good tho. Just wish y'all northerners did it better. read more

My friend raved about this place and while the atmosphere is fun and festive the food was really not great. The salmon with chimichurri sauce was dry and overcooked along the edges and raw in the middle at medium, overall flavorless and strangely bland. The sauce was flavorless and the herbs weren't fresh. I'd pass on this dish and go for something else. The salsa is good and the chips are a little thin but good. My friend loved her shrimp taco and maybe a fajitas or taco is where I should have gone too but I trusted the server and that it's Gloucester and hoped the salmon would be fresh. I might try again and hope for better but I might not. Overall the food didn't look at appealing but the crowd seemed happy. Maybe an off night or just the wrong dish. read more

Great food and better service! Amazing atmosphere service was fast. Drinks were delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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

Machaca - Espresso Martini and Old Elk Bourbon. Delish!! - Tacos Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Our entire experience was awesome - the food is authentic and delicious, the margaritas were perfection, and the staff was kind and attentive. PLUS - I love that their menu is mostly gluten free! As someone who prefers gluten free, I found it so refreshing to see an entire menu of options to choose from. Oh and the soft taco shells were sooo sturdy and good that I was able to eat my leftover taco as leftovers and it didn't even fall apart! Amazing! This is now our go-to Mexican food place in Gloucester - highly recommend! read more

The food was excellent. The ambience is straight out of a Mexican scary movie. The nachos grande was enough for two people.

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! read more

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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! read more

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Visited yesterday upon hearing good things from my brother and his girlfriend they are frequent customers. First off i received not to pleasant vibes from both the owner and waitress that handled our order . The salsa looked wonderful only to taste like it had an entire salt bottle added to it NEVER had such a salty salsa EVER. Decided to try the Mole burrito even for 2025 i feel when you're paying 20 dollars the portion of beans and rice should be bigger but my main issue was there Was Very Little Mole sauce on top of the burrito and on the side, the taste was okay but just hardly any sauce and the gold margarita 16 dollars was also one of the worst i've had at a restaurant to be fair i did order a second one this time with prickly pear added to it which was much better. In general i won't be returning just a big let down for me and my guests as well. read more

Food was great and the service from Melina was spectacular!!! The machaca tacos and fajita tacos both had great flavor and the portions were generous. We enjoyed the fried avocado and chocolate mousse as well. Lots of gluten free options!!! read more

Most authentic Mexican food we have had outside of Mexico. The staff is friendly and attentive. We had the Mexican clam corn chowder. Chipotle wings, empanadas, chimichangas with house sauce. Everything was original tasting, and delicious. We have driven by a thousand times. Can't wait to come back. J read more

We walked in for an early dinner, and definitely came at the right time, because 10 minutes after sitting down it started filling up fast. We were greeted within minutes by our server who came over with warm chips and salsa. My friend and I both decided on the chicken tacos. You can pretty much add anything you want, as they only come with what it states on the menu (we added cheese, cilantro, guac, etc). Our food came out fairly fast. The tacos were bigger than I expected, and they are generous with all the toppings. The rice and beans could have more flavor; the rice was a little over cooked but no big deal. The chipotle sauce in the taco is fire, it complemented all of the ingredients well. For dessert, my friend ordered the flan and said it was the best she's ever had. I'd come back! read more

Great atmosphere and great staff!! The Chimichanga was amazing and the fried ice cream was a great finish. I'd give them 6 stars if it would let me. 10/10 will be back!! read more

no good parking loud nachos were very limp and not delicious, had to add sauce but still MEH and blah, 2 other friends agreed and didn't love them at all my companion got chicken fingers they came with no sauce, he said they were bland older guy owner was way too cranky the waiter taking our order couldn't hear us so we had to go outside to order What the?? not cozy at all read more

Went for dinner for probably the 4th time. It never disappoints. The ambiance and decor is colorful and fun. The waitress was so wonderful, and the owner is always there and happy to say hello and greet everyone. I had the tuna tacos and they were fabulous, ingredients are so fresh. My friend had the beef tacos, again huge portion with the freshest ingredients. The beef is unlike anywhere else I've had, seasoned nicely. I know I can always head there for a great Mexican meal! read more

I've probably eaten at Machaca 20 times and every time I wonder why I don't eat there more often. Last night I had their Salmon Chimichurri for takeout and it's some of the best salmon I've ever had. Perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the rice and beans, as always, were superb. Their apps, especially the queso and fried avocado are off the chain, and their chips and hot sauce make this transplant from Texas very happy indeed. Just go. You won't be disappointed. read more

The food is authentic and amazing! Best mole I have ever tasted! Margaritas are fabulous. Best Mexican restaurant we have found EVER!!!

As a Gloucester resident, Machaca is my first choice outside my kitchen. Never disappointed with anything. BUT...if they have chowder on their menu, don't miss it. Nothing like it anywhere else on Cape Ann. Yum to the Yumpteenth! read more

Food and service was wonderful! Everything was delicious. Beautiful live entertainment! Would definitely come back! read more

Machaca - a plate of mexican food - Tacos Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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. read more

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Great authentic Mexican with a huge tequila selection. Nopales in ma.? Sign me up! Avoid the watermelon margarita I'm told

I spent several months in Gloucester helping out a relative. Fresh from San Francisco I was a little sad at the lack of abundant Mexican food there. Machaca could easily be in the Mission district of San Francisco. Their barbacoa tacos rock. Their queso is mild and silky, with great texture. Their chips are crunchy, not overly thick and perfect delivery vehicles for their spicy and varied salsa types to your mouth. Their tequila and mezcal selection is generous and varied. The chef seems to be a really nice guy that loves deliciously crafted and authentic food. I have one complaint - I did not discover it sooner prior to returning to San Francisco. read more

Machaca - Machaca. Gloucester, MA - Muy sabrosa comida Mexicana. - Tacos Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

I have had take out a few times. Can't say anything bad. We are in last weekend and sat at the bar. I have never been in a restaurant that was louder than this one. Almost needed earplugs and I own a machine shop that makes a lot of noise. read more

This spot didn't disappoint! Since leaving Phoenix, Az, my husband and I have been searching for decent Mexican food in Mass. We were greeted by the owner and sat at the bar. I love anything spicy and when they brought their homemade habanero salsa I knew we were going to enjoy our meals! This will most definitely be our local go to for the summer. Thank you, Machaca for being so tasty and fresh!! read more

Wasn't planning on going there, but ended parking right in front so we figured what the heck. Great home made salsa with chips was immediatly put down in front of us. Bartender was friendly and helpful with the menu. Drinks were quick and delish. Mexican clam chowder was incredible, generous portion, and very filling. I got a meat dish, steak, chicken, fried cheese and fried cactus, presentation was awesome, came in a carved piece of volcanic rock. Took most of that home and just ate it for lunch. Will be returning. One thing is they could use better to go containers. read more

Hands down the best Mexican in the area! Very good food and location. I will be back next time in town. One of my favorite restaurants on the North Shore. read more

Fast service! Nice pub atmosphere. Had the shrimp appetizer which had a perfect amount of heat at the end of the bite. The Machaca beef tacos were very flavorful. Friendly service and the fried ice was super delicious! read more

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Great atmosphere friendly service absolute best chipotle sauce !!!! Wonderful selection of beers on tap and always good margaritas and sangria read more

Tacos were amazing. The dessert was amazing. The queso was great. Service was fast. The minute you sit down, you get chips and salsa. Also for a Tuesday the restaurant was nearly full so you know the food must be good! read more

The best authentic tacos, burritos & nachos around! Also, try the shrimp ceviche. Live entertainment on the weekends make it a fun place to hang in the heart of historic Gloucester. read more

The tacos here are amazing! I'm normally a "basic" ground beef taco, but here, I go for the Machaca taco, with smoked brisket, so good! My boyfriend got the Atun tacos, also really good! The chips and salsa are good, as well as the queso. It's not your typical runny queso, it's more of a creamy based queso, with chicken and a kick of spice! We've ate here twice, and have had great experiences both times! We will be back! read more

Machaca - Atun tacos, with rice and black beans - Tacos Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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This was our first experience trying Machaca . The service on the phone for take out was very efficient and thorough. When I arrived the food was already and the bar tender freshly mixed our margaritas to go. We tried the poblano chicken burrito, chilies relenos, kids quesadilla and the fried avacado app. The portions were generous but the chicken in the dishes definitely needed more spice and the black beans were bland as well. The beans were also really under seasoned. The kids quesadilla was too tiny-1/4 or a regular quesadilla so my 12 year old was definitely left hungry. The fries that came with the quesadilla were yummy but that quesadilla would only have been enough for a toddler. We all enjoyed the guacamole-large portion and the chips were fresh and crispy. Our orders also came with pico which was very good and added the garlic and spice the entrees were missing. The star of the show were the margaritas, so yummy, fresh lime and well blended! I wish they were doing outdoor seating because we would love to go back and enjoy the guacamole and a cocktail. The food was of good quality but just under seasoned over all, I was wishing I had some hot sauce on every bite. We will definitely give this spot another shot in the future! read more

We had a delicious dinner. Staff was friendly, food and drink orders were quick. The queso had a bit of a kick to it that we were not expecting so next time We will ask for mild and or to leave out the kick. They do supply a glass jar of water that they were excellent at refilling. Two thumbs up for that! I highly recommend the Taco bowl! I love how they have the option for taco, chimi, or bowl for the taco filling options. Heres where the minus star comes into play... Thursday nights are Karaoke night ( woot , woot) it starts at 9 which was just about when we wrapped up our dinner. We were planning on not leaving as fast as we did but when I realized they were removing tables around us to get ready for it I felt as if it was taking the restaurant part out and turning into more of a "bar" scene which would have been great if I didn't have my teenage daughter dining with us. The lights got turned low and it just had a very non restaurant feel. On Friday nights we have attended plenty of restaurant's around the island where entertainment is going on and the environment changes but because it was such a small establishment it made it awkward. read more

Everything is absolutely delicious and fun. Service is phenomenal. Louis the owner is there almost every night to greet you and give you suggestions. Aurelia, Joe and Summer all kill it behind the bar - great service and conversation. Bartenders and service staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. Highly recommend the "Smokin Rita" - my favorite or the queso with chicken. Delicious and affordable! read more

I rarely review restaurants, but this place has the best burrito I have had in MA in my whole time living here. Over the summer I frequently drove 50 minutes to get the Baja burrito, perfect size, perfect flavor, perfect everything. I am counting down the days until I can return! read more

First indoor dining experience since March and it was great. The food seemed to be even better than before, owners and staff were friendly and welcoming, spacing was comfortable and 'distanced'. We had crab cakes which were full of crab and delicious, a Machaca taco also delicious, and my favorite shrimp appetizer. Oh, and of course a few house margaritas. So glad you guys were able to hang on and re-open! read more

Excellent, authentic Mexican cuisine. The tacos al pastor were close to what we used to have when living in Mexico, and the flan was the BEST I've ever had! Great little restaurant to try if you're in the market for something different than 'lobsta' rolls. read more

Great food, and fantastic service. Went for family member's birthday celebration, and staff made him feel special and made the night so much fun. read more

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