Azteca Mexican Restaurant (Review #2) - Garden Grove
Ok I’m updating my Azteca review, because the last one was too short and because we went there again last night.
First thing you notice when you enter Azteca is the plethora of Elvis memorabilia that adorns the walls inside. One would wonder where the connection of Elvis comes with Mexican food, but honestly who cares, it’s the King and Mexican food; two of the greatest things ever wrapped into one! Elvis music plays throughout which an Elvis movie plays on one TV, along with sporting events on their other flat screen HDTVs. This place scores a 5 on atmosphere alone, but it’s a restaurant so let’s leave the overall score up to the food.
In my previous review I mentioned that the Carnitas plate was terrific. In fact I believe their carnitas is probably the tastiest carnitas I’ve ever ordered. It was cooked to the point that it was juicy, but also had some crisp on the edges. But I didn’t order carnitas last night, no my friends I ordered Arroz con Pollo (Rice with Chicken), which is quickly becoming my favorite Mexican meal.
Our meal started with the typical Mexican fare of Chips and Salsa. The chips were unsalted, so I had to add some salt to taste. The salsa was a little bland, it needed something added to it, but it wasn’t bad, just bland.
Now on to our main course…
I must admit the only other Arroz con Pollo I’ve ever had before was from El Faralito in Placentia, which is to die for, so I had a good litmus test to gauge Azteca’s on. I was not let down on Azteca’s version of Arroz con Pollo. It was slightly different then what I’ve had in the past; it basically was just a bed of Mexican style rice along with some of their mouth-watering chicken, that’s it, nothing else; no sour cream, no cheese, and not even tortillas to eat it with. But that’s OK! It’s only like $4.75, you can order tortillas, and you have yourself a pretty good size meal, I even had enough to eat today as leftovers! Since I wasn’t sure of the size of my main dish I also decided to try one of the Garlic Tacos with shredded beef, they are the typical shredded beef taco topped with a good helping of their special garlic sauce. It’s a hit or miss depending on how fond one is with high levels of garlic, personally I enjoyed it and was happy to know that if I encountered a vampire I would be able to fend him off just by breathing in his general direction! My wife ordered a Chicken Azteca Burrito, with lettuce, tomatoes, and beans inside. It was a good size burrito with lots of melted cheese on top (I stole some of it to use with my Arroz con Pollo). She loved the burrito, probably her favorite burrito at a restaurant. Kelly is very picky with the way chicken is prepared at Mexican Restaurants because normally the chicken has very little seasoning, it’s the same problem she runs into with ground beef tacos, she likes seasoned meat, but that isn’t always typical with Mexican food.
Along with our drinks our meal was just barely over 20 bucks, not bad considering the amount of delectable food we were able to consume. Service was good, with our waiter getting my wife’s order right (she had produce added to her burrito), and also checking on us from time to time.
Rating: 
Azteca Mexican Restaurant
12911 Main Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 638-3790
Thank you for visiting Eat in OC : DanGarion is a training professional who was born and raised in Orange County. He and his wife enjoy checking out new restaurants which led to creating Eat in OC. Similar Posts
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5 Responses to “Azteca Mexican Restaurant (Review #2) - Garden Grove”
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You must be lacking your taste buds. This place tastes like shit! Its an abomination to any one with any Mexican blood! Taco Bell is more Mexican than this place!
@JJ Avalos: See this is the great thing about food, everyone has an opinion. I don’t know but I loved it when I went there, the carnitas were awesome. You have to agree though their beans are watery soup like Los Sanchez.
Dan,it makes me laugh to see who finds this place truly great. Being Hispanic brings an advantage to the table. I KNOW what Mexican food should taste like. First of all if the chips and salsa fail from the start thats enough to can the place. Lol. Why bother though. If somebody thinks a place that glorifies Elvis would serve real Mexican food…. I think its futile to put you in your place. Elvis and Mexican food. Wow! Whats next, a restaurant with John Mayer memorabilia that serves Chinese. Ever thought maybe some real Mexican Music would fit. Cumbia, ranchera, hell even Banda! Come on! You can find better Carnitas in a taco stand. As for the beans you admit they were watery… You see why I can’t take your review seriously? A Mexican restaurant that fails making beans. HA!
@JJ Avalos: Oops actually I meant their beans aren’t watery soup like Los Sanchez.
I’m not a food snob, if I like the taste of food I like it, regardless of how traditional of a meal it is.
Of course technically we shouldn’t be calling the salsa that, since it should be called chile, my friends mom makes awesome hot hot chile that is the best. But I wasn’t raised in a Mexican family, I grew up in a middle income white family that the closest to Mexican I ever got was a packet of Shillings or Lawry’s seasoning with some chicken in some burritos, or a night out on the town with some Taco Bell when I was in high school.
Of course I don’t see what the big deal is about making fun of the place because it’s an Elvis lounge, that’s part of the draw. I mean look at Acapulco and El Torito, they play Mexican music and that food is usually almost all crap.
At no time did I say your a food snob. I feel really sorry for you in the sense you had no real Mexican experience. Its evident when you go to a crappy place like Azteca and think its so good. You lack the experience. Go out and try some more places. Learn the different styles and then you will see Azteca is an insult of a restaurant.
I see your point of the Elvis lounge but you can’t really compare this sack of shit to Acapulco. El Torito for sure because its sucks. Kinda ironic since they both seem to come from the same place. So whats the big deal you ask? Think about it for a second. How would you feel if you were Mexican and you went to this place? Elvis has no connection with the culture at all. Its an INSULT! If the culture doesn’t have to be part of the restaurant fine. Go to a roach coach or taco stand in Santa Ana. They have better food than assteca. Try El Gallo Giro. You get real food and sweet bread too!