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El Azteca
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
8 reviews for El Azteca
8 reviews in English
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Review from Matt E.
Story City, IA
4/17/2010
This one of two Mexican restaurants we patronize in the area. They're located in the old Happy Chef / Embers building just off of Highway 30. Apparently business is good because they've recently added a new addition. Even better because it provides a relaxed spacious atmosphere even on the busiest of weekend nights.
We prefer El Azteca over the other "Fountain" Mexican restaurant because of the wide number of menu items, and some very good specialties. The chili verde here is my favorite in the area, and they have very good LARGE tamales. Two strong recommendations for your visit right there.
El Azteca is a good Mexican restaurant, the service is fast and friendly and the prices are very kind on the wallet. It does fit in to the ubiquitous order-by-number free chips and salsa restaurants. There's nothing particularly creative or authentic here. There are 3 restaurants with the identical business model in Ames and one in Nevada. El Azteca is one of the best. -
Review from Samantha C.
Cave Creek, AZ
7/9/2011
I went here the other day for lunch because I didn't want to drive anywhere and it's a short walk away. My boyfriend told me multiple times not to because he went to eat here a few times with his coworkers and each time he said was bad.
Now I've learned my lesson, listen to the man!
First of all this place made me feel claustrophobic. It's all one room, with two sides of seating and the bar in the middle, I think there were maybe 4 bar stools and there was this weird orange light above that made it look like you were under a heating lamp. I asked for the margarita and I'm pretty sure it came out of one of those huge igloo coolers with the spout at the bottom. It tasted like sweet and sour mix with some salt. Tortilla chips were too thick and firm, not light and crunchy. Salsa was eh.
Instead of getting the picture and leaving to eat somewhere else, I ordered one of the combo plates that came with a burrito, enchilada, and tamale. I asked for chicken in all and the guy said the tamales have pork in them. That's fine with me. Until it came out about five minutes later. The plate was hot and the three items were buried under a red sauce that honestly smelled like spaghettio's, and melted cheese on top of that. The taste made me think I was in an Italian restaurant. I asked for hot sauce, and they gave me a dish of green and brown liquid that burned my mouth but didn't really taste spicy. The guys working there are serious creeps, ladies I suggest you don't come here alone unless you want to be gawked at and patted on the back as you are handed your check (yes this happened to me.)
Come to find out, I was charged $1.50 for that nasty sauce, when all I wanted was a normal bottle of hot sauce! I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough to pay and run out of there.
Sorry to anyone that works here, and anyone that goes here more than once.Listed in: Lunch/Dinner
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Review from John N.
Lexington, KY
Updated - 5/17/2009 3 photos
As a quick addition to my original review. I recently went back to try the chicken enchiladas. This entree comes as a single plate of three enchiladas. No rice, no beans, no sides. I ordered a side of refried beans to go with my dinner.
Upside: The enchiladas are hot, fresh, filling. Packed with lots of chicken and smothered in sauce (see picture).
Downside: No seasoning or other detectable herbs or savory spices on the itself. Just plain chicken inside the tortilla. Kind of a shame.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/11/2009
El Azteca is tucked away in a southeast corner of Ames away from the center of town. When I visited… Read more »
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Review from Stacy S.
La Mirada, CA
2/16/2009
This place is good, but not the best in Ames. The guys that run the place are awesome, but the food sometimes lacks in punch. I feel like a lot of the dishes are so far from real mexican food...ugh.
I tend to stay with the specialty burritos or the steak dishes. Ground beef is a no for me. I usually pick this one after La Fuente, but both are really not traditional. -
Review from Roz S.
West Des Moines, IA
3/5/2008
We used to go to La Fuente or Cazador for Mexican, but now we always head to El Azteca. The service is good and very friendly, and the food is better without a price increase. We've always been treated with great courtesy by the staff, who seem genuinely happy to take our business. Expect your entrees to arrive extremely fast!
On one occasion, we called ahead as we were bringing in a very large party, but another group claimed our table by saying that they were the ones that had called ahead. The management was extremely apologetic and helped re-arrange several tables quickly to accommodate our group.
Good food, good value - they're worth the trip! -
Review from Lizette P.
Millbrae, CA
7/29/2010
I was recently in Ames for a wedding and decided to have a pre-reception snack at El Azteca. I have to say that I loved the chicken taquitos and the huge margarita I ordered. The food is not very complex but it's good. I could tell by what others in my party ordered that some dishes are probably best avoided like the "Chalupa" which is not really. It's more like a soggy tostada. If I were to be in Ames again I would probably go back.
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Review from Danelle W.
Ames, IA
9/24/2007
If you're tired of trying to find parking and dealing with loud college kids at La Fuente definitely give this place a try.
The location is a little far out of town but the food and service does not disappoint. -
Review from Doug P.
Ames, IA
12/20/2009
Do you love boiled ground beef pretending to be a Mexican dish? Go here... you'll love the place. They put ground beef in almost everything.
