Villa Azteca

Wow. Came here for a first date and they made it a very pleasant evening for my date and I. The service was amazing, the atmosphere was peaceful with a romantic vibe, and the food was amazing. My date couldn’t decide because everything looked so good. She had a filet mignon with mole sauce and shrimp and since she couldn’t decide between that and the lobster enchiladas I got that so we could share. Boy oh boy they were both amazing but the lobster enchiladas were especially amazing. The sauce was full of flavor and wasn’t too spicy. Definitely going back to this place again!

Amazing mole. I enjoyed the spice. The shrimp and filet mignon were fantastic and flavorful. Best mole amarillo ever.

Came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. We waited a while in the doorway until we were greeted & seated, waited about 10mins to get our order taken, & another 30 for the food to arrive; It didn’t seem that busy. When the food finally came it was in a sizzling bowl with a delicious boiling salsa yummy meat, seafood, cheese, avocado, & scallions. Tortillas were delicious & hand made, but be careful because only 2 came with that huge molcajete, which is enough food for 2 people. We asked for more tortillas, which we never received & were charged $6 for them. The prices here were outrageous for what it was honestly. But food was good, regardless. Though service could really improve.

I Love Villa Azteca! It is my favorite restaurant in Salinas. I Always make sure to dine here when I visit Salinas. The dishes are so flavorful, they do a great job at cooking familiar dishes with unique tastes. The presentation of the dishes is also very beautiful and creatice. They have delicious drinks (alcoholic and non-alc) too!! I can’t wait to come back ☺️

This place is fantastic, fresh and home made. I got the beer battered shrimp tacos and they were great. Handmade corn tortillas, too. They were a bit spicy but the nachos with the fresh corn was amazing. The staff are friendly and just kind and attentive. A great experience overall.

Fantastic Mexican food, extremely high quality at a decent price. The steak I had was some of the best steak I've ever tasted. The rice is also perfectly seasoned, not a single throwaway flavor. Portions were decent as well but we still had room for flan! Definitely want to make sure you get here early since the line to get in fills up pretty fast.

I drove in for dinner after seeing this place on the show, Check Please. We have some great spots in San Jose but I wanted to get out of town and try something new. I have to say this place does not disappoint. We started with the queso fundido and bone marrow- both amazing. The bone marrow came with a chili oil I've never had that was a taste sensation! This chili oil was a stand out for me. I've been to several different cities all over Mexico and never had anything like this. (For me it was delicious. Like Asian chili oil but Mexican style). The main I had was carnitas enchiladas which came out pink which threw me off and I couldn't pin pont the flavor. (My guess is it was a beet sauce mixed with fresh cream) The chicken mole was good a little spicy from what I was told but I thought it was fine. The stand out main for me was the Mole Amarillo- the sauce (I think it was pumpkin) was awesome with the prawns. Try to get that dish with extra prawns. Definitely getting that next time. (Extra sauce, extra prawns please) For dessert, the table split the flan which was thick like cheese cake which I'm not a fan of. The second dessert was the tiramisu (GET THIS!!) this was light, creamy, tasty and another stand out for me. And last but not least was the flight of Palomas (Didn't realize they were going to be full size.) very good and would totally get again. All in all a great time and can't wait to come back.

After hearing numerous recommendations, I decided to give this spot a try. A tip for future diners: arriving after 6:30pm on weekends may result in a wait. Upon arrival, I noticed the host seemed a bit new, but she managed to get my name down efficiently. Our server was quick and friendly, recommending a delightful appetizer with cheese and assorted meats, which turned out to be a great choice. For my main dish, I opted for the shrimp enchiladas. While the presentation was impressive, the sauce was a bit overpowering, and the flavor of the enchiladas fell short of expectations. Overall, the dining experience was pleasant, and I would suggest visiting this restaurant for those interested in gourmet Mexican cuisine.

This is hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been too. Already just walking in the place, it is decorated super cute and cozy as if I'm in someone's home. Decor on the wall was very chic with a barnyard backyard type of feel; good ambiance for a simple date night or a night out with friends. We ordered: Paloma flight - you get to choose 3 flavors, super worth because 3 full cocktails for $38 ?! That's a steal. Usually for flights I get a smaller sample of each flavor so I was shocked when it came out so big as a flight Lobster enchiladas- OMG this was my absolute favorite! The sauce was amazing! The lobster pieces were huge. They were not skimpy on the lobster at all! It had so many amazing flavors combined together. Comes with beans and rice and I for sure mixed that sauce with the rice. Definite recommend!!! Ribeye aguachile - meat was cooked perfectly with a balance of chewy and tenderness, more on the citrus side but goes great with the tortilla Salsa and chips - comes complimentary but extra orders would incur a charge ($2) Service was exceptional, everyone was very nice and polite. This is a must go to when you're in Salinas and my go to every time I'm in town.

I dropped in on a Sunday brunch schedule and I was promptly seated upon my arrival. The two-top tables in the front room were already occupied, so I got one of two in the back near the kitchen. It was okay, though, it felt a bit out of touch. Especially, on getting my water refilled. I ordered up a watermelon paloma ($14), which looks like they use Han Soju which is a lower based alcohol that comes in various flavors of tequila, vodka, etc. It was tasty, though I think I should have stuck with the original (grapefruit). I really went overboard and ordered the Tuetano with black bean sopes ($24) which is two large bone marrow with guacamole and garlic chili sauce. It was very good with cabbage and turnips. I ordered the Al Pastor Salmon Tacos ($22). Two tacos had a large grilled salmon on a blue corn tortilla with a side salsa. They meal was good and the ingredients were fresh. Though, I feel like I need a bit more vegetable on the plate. I think if I should return that it would be a special occasion. It is great to a Mexican fine dining option in Oldtown Salinas.

We stopped in Salinas for a late lunch today. The photos of dishes and preparations viewed on Yelp looked unique for a Mexican restaurant. After reading the menu and some of the reviews, we chose Villa Azteca. This is a casual sit down restaurant but the interesting decor elevates this restaurant when compared to other similar restaurants. Juan was our server and did a good job. Food: We started with their handmade guacamole with ribeye chicharrones (4/5). We've had countless guacamole's, but never served with deep fried crispy ribeye chunks. Very unique and tasty. Our entrees were a chili relleno (4/5) and 3 crispy shrimp tacos (4/5). The chili relleno was roasted, not the traditional battered with an egg white batter then fried. The poblano pepper was stuffed with pork and cheese, served on top of a brown sauce. The base of the sauce tasted like well seasoned blended beans. It was an interesting preparation and very flavorful. The shrimp in the tacos had a light fried coating and served in blue corn tortillas. There were 2 large shrimp (probably 13-15 size) with each taco. The balance of each taco was completely filled with chunks of exotic melons and red cabbage. Again, a very unique taco preparation. I also ordered beans and rice on the side. I can judge a good Mexican restaurant by the way they prepare the humble rice and refried beans. Both sides were seasoned very well and passed my test with flying colors. The rice was one of the best I've ever had. We really enjoyed the flavors and unique twists on traditional Mexican dishes. Definitely you should check out villa azteca out!

The food was fresh, the service was great, and the ambience was welcoming and very Latino. Leo who is a member of the family that owns the restaurant was very attentive and welcoming. I had the chicken tacos that were topped with marinated red onions...a delicious combo! My husband had their Chile Verde plate that was served with a fried egg on top--another fun twist! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Elevated dining experience with complementary chips and salsa! The restaurant is great for a date night as there is mood lighting and a nicely decorated interior. We ordered the guac with chicharon and the pork belly tacos. The pork belly tacos were a bit plain, but tasted great when paired with the guac. My partner also got the enchiladas verde which was also flavorful and quite a large portion. The servers were kind, but it was decently busy when I visited so staff seemed limited in comparison to the crowd size.

My new favorite restaurant in Salinas! Food, service ombiance all spot on. I had the Rib Eye tacos on homemade flour tortillas. Absolutely amazing. We will definitely be back.

This place was amazing from the creative cocktail flights to delicious Mexican cuisine done beautifully Highly recommend this spot for this elevated Mexican fare

The food and service were very good. My husband didn't like the cocktails as much as I did. Everything was delicious and I would come here again. Even the chips and salsa they have at the table when you arrive is so good!

No bs review Was in town of Salinas for work. When me and my coworker got hungry and we ended up at this lovely spot. The service was good. We got seated quickly and got our appetizer served promptly. I chose to get the every Enfrijoladas which was so good reminded me of my childhood minus the chicken as I was usually a struggle meal. The highlight of this whole thing was a Horchata you know the restaurant is gonna be bomb if the Horchata is great hands-down it was in addition we got dessert. I'm not much of a cheesecake person but the other cake which had an eggnog rum sauce paired very well.

Food was fantastic and uniquely delicious. The combination of ingredients was surprising and tested great. The service was just as good. Very attentive staff and the food came out in a timely fashion. The ambiance is very fun and welcoming with a vibe that enhances the dining experience and flavors of the food. Highly recommend!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I will be back to Salinas specifically for Villa Azteca. The food exceeded all of my expectations. The servers worked together so collaboratively. The restaurant was so warm, cozy, and filled with art and music. I ordered the chile relleno, my mom got the chicken mole which was a super generous portion, and my friend had the carnitas enchiladas. Each plate came with the most decadent and unique sauce. The horchata was another star of the show. I can't wait to come back for a Paloma flight!

Came here for lunch while I was in town for work. It had great reviews so I thought I'd check it out. The place was pretty busy. I walked in and got seated right away. The menu didn't seem like a traditional Mexican restaurant, I little fancier than most, fresh ingredients, wait staff had uniforms. I looked through the menu and ordered the tofu al pastor. Tofu is usually not something I would see on a Mexican restaurant, so I wanted you to try it. The bowl of chips were good, salsa was ok, a little watered down than what I'm used to. The food came in no time. It was served with cauliflower rice, which didn't have much flavor, I wish the side of veggies were grilled, they were raw. The tofu had spices in it, but wished there were a little more salt. It was pretty bland. The food overall was just ok, 3 stars. The service and wait staff were great though.

Amazing mole. The Mole Amarillo had shrimp and filet mignon. It was delicious. Presentation is great, too. I enjoy eating here when I am in Salinas.

There are restaurants you stumble upon, and then there are those you journey to. We drive all the way from the East Bay just to savor the distinct dishes here. Each plate feels like a story. On this visit, I was moved, not just by the food, but by the heart behind it. Leo, the owner, personally served us our meal, and what a rare pleasure it was to meet him. There is something extraordinary about someone who carries both humility and pride in their craft. He spoke to us as though we were old friends, his warmth as genuine as the flavors he shares. Before we left, he returned, not out of formality, but out of true care, asking how our meal had been. the blue corn tortillas, It is not often that a restaurant offers something so rooted in culture. This is not just a place to eat,it's a place to feel. Villa Azteca always worth the drive.

OK. Let's talk candidly about Villa Azteca . This is undoubtably one of the most amazing restaurants I've ever been to in my life. When I say that, I do not say it lightly. I have been to many restaurants, many of them that were Mexican restaurants. And the first time that I heard that there was a very fancy Mexican restaurant in my city, that has what feels like, hundreds of Taquerias, I really didn't put too much into it. It took me about a year before we actually started going here and a special occasion that landed us there, but when we did, we realized that we had been missing out. The trademark of a good restaurant, any restaurant really, is the sauce. This family makes the absolute best mole you will ever eat. Their mole amarillo is out of this world. The filet mignon is perfectly seared, and when you say, medium rare it legitimately comes out, medium rare. I've eaten here about seven times now and today was so good, it made me wanna cry. My wife and I went there for Father's Day, and my birthday, which happened to land on the same day and it was one of the most amazing things that I've ever experienced. Their flights of Palomas are otherworldly and the steak and shrimp that comes with this particular dish is so amazing. We also ordered the Queso Fundido, which was probably the best appetizer you could possibly order. I don't know what else to say. It's just fantastic. I try not to post negative reviews, and when it really comes to good reviews, this place deserves the best. The family is amazing, the food is amazing and I am kind of lost for words beyond that. Please give it an opportunity, it is pricey, but it is worth it, fulfilling every expectation.

The service was great, but the food.... Bomb. Flavors are authentic and delicious. The owner or manager came to ask us how our food was. This is a restaurant that has good food and staff. 10/10 go check them out

GOURMET MEXICAN FUSION is the term I give this place. Food is plated like a high end fancy restaurant and drinks are complimented with edible decor at very reasonable prices. Great place for a date or a group. Five different people told me about this place. STOOD OUT: The chips and salsa!! Great fusion. The chips were warm house prepared. Excellent! BUT THE SALSA IS CALLING ME BACK FOR MORE!! REALLY TASTY AND NOT overly SPICY. IT WAS PERFECT. I've never tasted this recipe. It tasted like menudo soup in a dipping sauce form. When you're seated an ice cold glass bottle of water and a glass along with house chips, salsa and the menu. Nice welcoming! Soft music playing in the background. Nice ambiance. We shared the molcajete. Rice. Beans. Corn tortillas. Perfect for two hungry adults. Next time I want to try the bone marrow as I notice three different tables were enjoying theirs. Friendly attentive service. Nice festive decor. Clean restrooms. The desserts and drinks looked good but I did not order. There's street parking or parking garage block away. They were spotlighted by KQED's Food show "check please"!! This place is that good!!

Every single bite of every we ate was spectacular! Stopped in after seeing this place on Check Please and it was pretty busy on a Tuesday afternoon. We were seated immediately and enjoyed The guacamole with ribeye chicarron to start. I ordered the chilaquiles and they were so good I told my husband I was cheating on him right in front of him! Dang! He had a bite and agreed that these were the best chilaquiles we both ever had! His relleno was good and the sauce was super tasty ! This will be a place I will crave and will most definitely make the 2 hour drive for it!

* Great service. * Server brought wrong dish to table (ordered a vegan version but received a steak version) and they were quick to correct it. * Food is rich and well made! The entire dish was well seasoned. The salsa that comes with chips is so good! The Jamaica was great as well. * Restaurant is clean and great ambiance. Very lively. * Long lines/wait times (I was lucky and came on a day that wasn't too busy!) * Steep price for portion sizes unfortunately.

Villa Azteca is everything. Whenever my family wants to dress up and eat out, we always come here!! The service is always impeccable and it's nice to have bilingual servers (not many places do, even in Salinas). The food is DIVINE!!! I have tried every dish with salmon in it and it's always wonderfully cooked and seasoned. Of course, the horchata always hits the spot. I like the theme and decorations a lot as well!! The lighting is typically nice for pictures :) Would definitely recommend!!

Disappointed and Disheartened I used to love this restaurant and always looked forward to coming back--but unfortunately, my recent visit left me feeling upset and deceived. From the start, things felt off: the chips served were stale, and the flight of drinks had noticeably smaller portions with fewer flavor options than before. To make matters worse, I noticed several price hikes across the menu. Our waitress mentioned a special that sounded great--fajitas with chicken, beef, and lobster--but when it arrived, the lobster taco was disappointingly dry. The real shock came with the bill: $220 for dinner, with the special alone priced at $110. I genuinely thought there must have been a mistake. When I asked to speak with the manager, I was told he didn't set the prices. No apology, no attempt to make things right. I left feeling frustrated and misled. It's really unfortunate to see a place I used to enjoy decline so drastically.will not be going back !!! I refuse to pay fine dining prices for rice and beans And a main course

Amazingly delicious food. Many intriguingly creative dishes. Definitely Aztecan cuisine. The service was outstanding at every level with every staff member. Ambiance reminiscent of Mexico City. What a treat and a blessing to find such an authentic experience so far north. If you're in Salinas, definitely check it out, especially on a Friday evening when the street life comes alive. Muchas Gracias Villa Azteca.

This spot awesome! Great food and super chill vibes. The crew was hella nice, making us feel right at home. Perfect for a laid-back night out.

Such a great find on main street in Salinas! All the food we ordered was delicious. Molcajete, an assortment of meat in a flavorful sauce. Crispy corn stuffed with cheese and meat on top, addicting. Forgot the names of what my parents got but they enjoyed their dishes too. It got pretty full during peak lunch hour on the weekend, so try to come a bit earlier! Service was friendly and attentive.

I went for dinner with three friends while in town on a Saturday evening around 7:30pm. There was a 20 minute wait but it was well worth it. This turned out to be one of the best meals I've had in a while. Firstly, the ambiance was fabulous. The restaurant is decorated really beautifully and sets a nice tone for your meal. Our waitress was absolutely lovely, very kind and attentive. Everything we ordered was a hit. I had the mole amarillo and it was outstanding, I wish I could eat the meal all over again. My friends also got the cazuelita and rib-eye hurache and were both very satisfied with their choices. The spicy mami drink is also delicious. I would highly recommend eating here if you're in the area!

Excellent Mexican restaurant. Creative dishes beautifully prepared. Extremely delicious. I will never forget the squash enchiladas with squash blossom sauce and nopal tacos with the delicate blue corn tortilla. Keep in mind very generous portions when you order. Don't skip dessert! Service was confident, welcoming and unobtrusive. Comfortable ambiance. Everything was much better than the one Michelin star restaurant in Carmel we went to the next day.

We saw this restaurant reviewed on "Check Please" a show on PBS. The owner and her family had a very nice story and the food looked amazing - so we had to try the next time we were in the Salinas area. Had dinner here on a Saturday at 545. No waiting and no reservation needed. Quickly seated at a table for two. We had the Chicken Enchiladas and the Mole Amarillo. Enchiladas were tasty and served with a creamy green sauce. Shredded chicken breast inside that was very moist. Mole Amarillo was Excellent. Perfectly cooked shrimp and Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly at medium rare. The mole sauce was probably one of the best I have ever had. They use a white chocolate so the sauce is not dark at all. Our server and her co-workers were fabulous. Treated very kindly - which goes along way.

Super annoyed is an understatement... Came to grab a bite to eat hoping I'd be in and out, as I was having lunch alone. Asked to sit outside since it was such a beautiful day. The hostess setup the table for me and gave me the menu and said someone would be out with water and chips. 15 almost 20 minutes go by and no one has came out. A group of 4 women arrived and asked to sit outside as well, they picked a table and they had not even sat down and someone was already bringing waters and chips for them. At that point I said forget it and left... didn't even bother waving down one of waiters that brought them their stuff. Maybe on a normal day I would have stayed longer but it was not busy, and being 7.5 months pregnant I was over it. Service definitely needs some adjustment.

After a stressful day, me and my partner hoped to let off some steam and order some food to go. We ordered the chicken enchiladas only to find a black bug inside our beans mid meal. I went back inside and asked for a refund and they only gave us a partial refund. I argued in hopes they can reconsider their decision as I've been a long time customer (before Covid) but the owners refused. I kept insisting as I didn't want this inconvenience to taint our loyalty to this business but they remained firmed. A complete disappointment, I will never come back, and I hate to see many customers experiencing this recently as well

If I could give the food 10 stars I would! Each dish was so uniquely well-made and tasted delicious. The owner, Leo, stopped by to chat and he was such a breath of fresh air and had such wonderful things to say. We came in hungry and left so happy and satisfied!

This place continues to amaze me every time I eat there. I went with my family this time and I tasted all my children's food my son order the squid tacos and he asked me to take a bite of it because it was the most delicious thing he's ever eaten! The squid was grilled to perfection! The slight charring and subtle seasoning balanced it perfectly. The taco also had something I believe picked in it wich added a slight tanginess which ends with a creamy hint of some sauce. Absolutely delightful. I had the rio negro shrimp plate; seasoned grilled shrimp on a bed of black bean paste with their signature green rice and fresh mango. It was great but I wish I would have had a little more black beans. The tri tip huarache is something else! Is a hearty dish. An oval shaped tortilla (huarache) topped with a grilled cactus, olla beans, fresh zesty salsa with a generous amount of meat! Spicy but filling and very very tasty! I only tasted the sauce of the lobster enchiladas however that was enough for to say they exquisite! The decadent creamy squash sauce is a whole new experience by itself! The mole was perfectly balanced! Not a sweet not very spicy mole! Just perfectly balanced. Gee I wish I had a bigger belly No matter what dish you order I am sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with an amazing flavor adventure!

Stopped into Salinas area today for work. Such a sweet festive atmosphere! Staff was friendly and attentive while the food was delish! If visiting the area, I would definitely recommend!

Simply put, Villa Aztecs was the single best Mexican meal I have had. Ever. It's hard to describe the cuisine because it reflects several Mexican regions. We started with a tasty and floral salsa and homemade chips. A local Pinot Noir that was light, peppery, and exquisite. The Aguachile Verde was layered with citrus, distinct floral notes, and different spice levels. The shrimp was perfectly "cooked", with centers that were buttery soft. My brother and his lady had similar amazing dishes which I can't remember because my was was spknni g because of the tastiness. As almost life-long (50+ years) San Diegans... San Deigons... San Deigoans?... They proclaimed it the best Mexican meal they ever had. And that's saying something. I can't say enough about Villa Azteca. Just damned incredible.

I had the tyaluda de salmon which was super spicy and excellent with the green chile crisp. Incredible. There was a vegan option which was also helpful for our party. We sat outside and they had heat lamps which was helpful.

Absolutely amazing!! Unique, fresh, and authentic. Great service and ambiance. I highly recommend Villa Azteca.

Food was such nice presentation and super yummy. The location is a bit small but they also have outside seating. Super cute on the inside and all the workers are very welcoming.

Food was beyond amazing! Staff are so friendly and the set up of the restaurant is so cute.

These shrimps are to die for. When there for my birthday and had a pleasant experience. I even got a little free dessert to celebrate. Drinks are always a hit!

My wife and I arrived at about five PM for an evening meal and since we had not eaten most of the day we were a bit hungry. We were then greeted and seated and after waiting approximately fifteen minutes or so no one came out to take our drunk order. The wait person just disappeared into the back kitchen area I suppose. Strange because it was only us and two other couples which they had already been served. So after a few more minutes of waiting we decided to vacate and we'll not be returning anytime soon. Which is too bad because I really enjoyed the deco but the service sucks.

Always great food and service! We had out of town guests with us , so this is always a treat to take new folks for an excellent dinner! And experience some excellent flavors!

Terrible food, extremely overpriced for generic Mexican food you can find at almost any lowkey place. Biggest scam of this place is that they don't tell you until the bill comes a party of 4 is considered "large" and automatically comes with a 20% tip...wtf Large parties have always consisted of 6, and not being upfront about it just to reap in more $$ is shady and downright ridiculous. Standard tipping is 13%-15%...not auto 20% when you're not even providing that level of service. Don't come here, terrible management, food, and scamming you of money.

I enjoyed the exquisite Mexican cuisine at Villa Azteca in Old Town Salinas, CA. The ambiance is warmly inviting immersed with plants, candles and hacienda like decor. I had the chicken green enchiladas, and there was a moderate spice to this dish. Very yummy! The service was excellent! I appreciate that "Leo" (the owner) came to introduce himself. Everyone was courteous and helpful. I highly recommend this restaurant!

OMG!! I don't really give 5 stars but this place deserves it. We had to wait 15 minutes but it's worth waiting for. It's our first time here. It's super good and the service is excellent. Homemade Tortillas, so soft and it melts in your mouth. The Ribeye is tender, I can't say anymore, just trust the server for recommendations.

Just moved here to Salinas. Amazing city. Best place with a huge range of flavor. Our 2nd time here. We love their sauces and upscale cuisine. Large array of vegetarian and also animal based foods as well. Would love to come back. Get their Palomas and micheladas.

The service and Ambiance is always amazing. Today I tried the Tuetano (roasted bone marrow+ shrimp and Squash blossom) and wow!! It might just be my favorite dish to ever exist. Carnitas and rib eye tacos were both tender and full of flavor!

Bar non upper level Mexican food ! Delicious..a must eat when I go to Salinas! Loved the pork belly tacos ! They melt in your mouth goodness !

Prices have gone up way too much. The burrito bowl used to be $15 now it's $20. The taste was just ok on the veggie huarache.

the food was honestly pretty good, tasted just like home. i went during lunch and it was very chill, definitely recommend going that hour if you don't like the crowds. service was fast and the waiters didn't check in too lil or too much, they did awesome.definitely recommend going.

The food was excellent and the service was great. The ambiance was very nice. The owner came to our table and greeted us personally. I would definitely come back if I am I this part of California.