Café Azteca has been enjoying success on the Lawrence restaurant circuit since opening in 1995. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Rarely do I come across a restaurant that leaves such a lasting impression that I wish to regularly recreate the experience. This was the case, however, with Café Azteca in Lawrence, and I now consider it a great go-to spot. One of the first things I look for when scoping out a new place to eat is an undeniably full house. When I enter a busy dining room, jam-packed with a lively crowd, I know I am on the road to a fantastic dining experience. Café Azteca certainly does not disappoint in this regard or with their exceptional Mexican cuisine.
Conveniently located off Route 495, Café Azteca has a warm and inviting vibe. The décor features rich red and soothing yellow tones along with Aztecan tapestries and captivating Mexican dolls that owners Antonio and Mary Guerrero collect on their annual trips to Antonio’s home country. Antonio and Mary opened Café Azteca in 1995, fulfilling Antonio’s desire to create and present phenomenal Mexican dishes in a manner true to his heritage. Antonio produces dishes from his childhood, so the recipes are respected and the ingredients fully appreciated. The degree of authenticity climbs even higher at Café Azteca on Saturday nights when a guitar-playing Charro singer charmingly adds even more flavor to an already top-notch dining experience.
On a recent visit, my husband and I enjoyed a great meal beginning with the warm, homemade tortilla chips and salsa that grace each table. The best way to describe these tasty treats is simply addictive. I like to complement these munchies with one of Café Azteca’s mouth-watering house Margaritas. The traditional Mexican beer, Dos Equis, is my husband’s drink of choice.
Café Azteca co-owners Mary and Antonio Guerrero. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Our meal began with the appetizer special, Quesadillas Pioneras: corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, steak and peppers and served with diced tomatoes and fresh guacamole. They were perfectly prepared and good to the very last bite. To mix things up I selected a seafood entrée from the vast menu and could not have been happier with my choice. The Shrimp Camarones al Poblano was served in a white creamy salsa with slices of poblano pepper, tomatoes, onion and cheese. The standard accompaniment of rice and beans topped the meal off perfectly. The shrimp were tender and the sauce rich, yet light. A meat lover at heart, my companion enjoyed his favorite Steak Fajitas and expressed complete satisfaction with the combination of steak, pepper, onions, sour cream and pico de gallo.
While it is hard to believe that we could possibly have had room enough for dessert, we managed to share the Flan Impossible; traditional flan over chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Sinful, but so worth it.
If dessert was hard to believe, imagine that all of this, including tip, came to only $62. The value, friendly atmosphere, outstanding food and Saturday night entertainment are but a few of the reasons to check out Café Azteca. If you’ve not yet tried it, consider it an undiscovered treasure.
Café Azteca is located at 180 Common Street in Lawrence, MA and open seven days a week.
Reservations are accepted on weekdays only – (978) 689-7393. To view their menu, visit the restaurant’s website at www.Cafe-Azteca.com.
Good Eats – Cafe Azteca – July 2009
Café Azteca has been enjoying success on the Lawrence restaurant circuit since opening in 1995. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Rarely do I come across a restaurant that leaves such a lasting impression that I wish to regularly recreate the experience. This was the case, however, with Café Azteca in Lawrence, and I now consider it a great go-to spot. One of the first things I look for when scoping out a new place to eat is an undeniably full house. When I enter a busy dining room, jam-packed with a lively crowd, I know I am on the road to a fantastic dining experience. Café Azteca certainly does not disappoint in this regard or with their exceptional Mexican cuisine.
Conveniently located off Route 495, Café Azteca has a warm and inviting vibe. The décor features rich red and soothing yellow tones along with Aztecan tapestries and captivating Mexican dolls that owners Antonio and Mary Guerrero collect on their annual trips to Antonio’s home country. Antonio and Mary opened Café Azteca in 1995, fulfilling Antonio’s desire to create and present phenomenal Mexican dishes in a manner true to his heritage. Antonio produces dishes from his childhood, so the recipes are respected and the ingredients fully appreciated. The degree of authenticity climbs even higher at Café Azteca on Saturday nights when a guitar-playing Charro singer charmingly adds even more flavor to an already top-notch dining experience.
On a recent visit, my husband and I enjoyed a great meal beginning with the warm, homemade tortilla chips and salsa that grace each table. The best way to describe these tasty treats is simply addictive. I like to complement these munchies with one of Café Azteca’s mouth-watering house Margaritas. The traditional Mexican beer, Dos Equis, is my husband’s drink of choice.
Café Azteca co-owners Mary and Antonio Guerrero. Photo by Kevin Harkins.
Our meal began with the appetizer special, Quesadillas Pioneras: corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, steak and peppers and served with diced tomatoes and fresh guacamole. They were perfectly prepared and good to the very last bite. To mix things up I selected a seafood entrée from the vast menu and could not have been happier with my choice. The Shrimp Camarones al Poblano was served in a white creamy salsa with slices of poblano pepper, tomatoes, onion and cheese. The standard accompaniment of rice and beans topped the meal off perfectly. The shrimp were tender and the sauce rich, yet light. A meat lover at heart, my companion enjoyed his favorite Steak Fajitas and expressed complete satisfaction with the combination of steak, pepper, onions, sour cream and pico de gallo.
While it is hard to believe that we could possibly have had room enough for dessert, we managed to share the Flan Impossible; traditional flan over chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Sinful, but so worth it.
If dessert was hard to believe, imagine that all of this, including tip, came to only $62. The value, friendly atmosphere, outstanding food and Saturday night entertainment are but a few of the reasons to check out Café Azteca. If you’ve not yet tried it, consider it an undiscovered treasure.
Café Azteca is located at 180 Common Street in Lawrence, MA and open seven days a week.
Reservations are accepted on weekdays only – (978) 689-7393.
To view their menu, visit the restaurant’s website at www.Cafe-Azteca.com.