Villa Azteca

Excellent staple in downtown Salinas. You will not be disappointed when dining here for drinks, appetizers, and entrees (oh and dessert)! Chef Andres and his staff are attentive and professional. The menu changes regularly with new twists on classic dishes. There is always something new to try. Dining indoor or out in front are both relaxing options. Try it out you’ll love it!

Best food ever!!!! OMG to die for deliciousness! My husband & I just had to share with everyone we know how incredible this family owned restaurant Villa Azteca is. The service is outstanding & the atmosphere is beyond wonderful. We are thrilled to learn that they are opening one up in Carmel by the Sea!!!! We ate outside & had our sweet small dogs Lexi & Kona hangin out in their cozy dog bags from Diggidy Dog - A Dog & Cat Boutique & Carmel Dog Shop ~ such great memories! ♥️

The tacos were good, interesting mix of shrimp with some kind of fruit. The habanero salsa is great, not too spicy, but with a little bit of fire. The jicama tortillas were good, although I tougher they were going to be slices of jicama, but they were ok and big. Good flavor of the food, big portion, enough to get full.

It's very rare these days when Pride in Ownership, Inspired Culinary Vision, and Execution in Service come together. Our stop last Sunday for brunch was extremely memorable. Upon being seated, we were greeted by Leo, the owner. He gave a brief history, and an overview of his menu, his pride in his product was genuine. We ordered the Creamy Crispy Chilaquiles with the wonderful Poblano sauce, and the Nopales Tacos. My wife is an excellent Mexican food cook,,,, these two dishes were the best we've ever had, Period. The morning was topped off by our wonderful server, Jaelyn. Warm, knowledgeable, efficient and simply sweet. Villa Azteca is a Gem and a Rarity. Traveling from the San Diego area, Villa A. is an instant vacation destination. Truly Excellent!!

Villa Azteca in Downtown Salinas is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE RESTAURANT! I am NEVER disappointed whether it's the presentation, environmental, staff and how they keep upscaling their menu. Sometimes you discover a restaurant that just puts so much love and care in their details for their customers and Villa Azteca does that! They do it with the decor that's been carefully picked, the dishes they use to put your food on, the uniform the staff wears, and the love they have for their culture just surrounds you! The Family of Villa Azteca works so hard to create such an upscale menu and environment...honestly you feel you're eating at Pebble Beach! It's a family run business and you will see the Father bringing in the goods the restaurant needs, the sister who greets you with her beautiful smile and helps the customers with their orders, sometimes you'll be lucky to have Andres visit your table he is one of the Chefs and sometimes you get a peak of their mother whose hard at work in the kitchen. Their staff is always professional, friendly and efficient. The food is HONESTLY the BEST you will have experienced!! FLAVORS hit your tongue and the aroma of all the delicious dishes they are preparing hits your senses, your eyes get seduced by all the beautifully prepared MEALS that pass you by and you wait in anticipation for yours to get to you! MY favorite dish is the Tuetano...Roasted bone marrow served with two black bean sopes a side of guacamole & their very popular chili oil a true delicacy. The chili oil that accompanies this dish it is so wonderful I always order extra! They have a great selection of cocktails for you to try and their flan is one of the best! They only take reservations for 4 or more and every day and night there's a wait so come early and be prepared to stand in line to get in. They seat you pretty fast but the wait IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!! Every dish they have is so delicious...I honestly think I've tasted all of it!! If you're in Salinas YOU MUST stop by to eat and experience the love they share in their food! You will not be disappointed!! P.S. don't forget to try their Horchata Ice Coffee...my new favorite drink!!! Enjoy!!! I LOVE VILLA AZTECA!!

Absolutely amazing! A must for anyone wanting great food in Salinas. Ignore negative comments about the wait and service. Worth the wait (expect 45 min for indoor seat unless you get there as they open). Food is a unique combination of spices and sauces you cannot get anywhere else. Recipes are home made from chef’s mom. Had mango and strawberry palomas with calamari appetizer. For dinner we had lobster enchiladas with butternut sauce and enchiladas verdes and recommend all of the above. They make folks wait for their table so the kitchen can keep up and your dinner is smooth and efficient when you finally sit down. Aaliyah was so attentive to our needs tonight even though we sat outside near the heaters and even struck up a conversation. And more good news: they are opening a new location in Carmel! Enjoy the meal!