Taqueria El Azteca & Taco Truck — Restaurant in Greensboro

Edit-Tried to dine here again, I really want to love it. This visit there were only 2 of us. Chips and salsa were brought and our server got our drink orders right away. We got an order of guacamole, to split, which was perfect. For our meal, I ordered a combo platter, including a tamal, a chile relleno and a burrito. My friend ordered steak tacos. They arrived right on time, and the tacos looked delicious. It was served with lemon instead of lime, so my friend asked for, and eventually got a couple limes. My combo was just okay. When I ordered a chile relleno, I thought it would be stuffed with cheese, egg battered and fried. It was a naked poblano with some ground beef and a tiny bit of cheese on top. (See photo) The burrito was better, it had a lot of chicken and good heat. I'd also entertained high hopes about their tamales. I was so wrong. It was presented only half wrapped in corn husk and it was extremely dry, the beef filling had no flavor and the corn meal wrapper had apparently been dry heated and not wrapped properly and steamed. I took photos before the tamal arrived. After our food was served, it was a struggle to get even one refill on our water. I think I have given Taqueria El Azteca plenty of chances.

This is such a great restaurant near Guilford College. They are always busy, but the food and the mixed drinks are consistently delicious. We ordered the Chori Queso (chorizo and cheese dip) which came quickly, but the server didn't bring the promised warm chips and she took a long time to circle back. But we ventured ahead. I ordered the Quesadilla Vegetariana, which was perfectly toasty and filled with very fresh, tender crisp squash, mushrooms and peppers, with a bit of queso. My guests had the Fajita Burrito, and the Burrito Texano, filled with shrimp, steak and chicken. Our entrees were all hot, and very good. Our server, however was lukewarm. This is why I deduct a star, every time we visit, our servers are there quickly until delivery of the entrees. If they just came back to the table after the food came, they'd be such a great spot. And it seems as if it would add to their profit, as we would absolutely love to stay and enjoy another margarita, or be...

For tacophiles, El Azteca is Greensboro’s gold standard. They are served up authentic Mexican style, with radish, avocado, cilantro and lime. More than half a dozen fillings are available and you can’t go wrong with most of them. The pastor (marinated pork) is addictively flavorful, while the chorizo has a nice kick. Only the chicken is a bit dry. The tacos are small – don’t expect them to last you more than three bites – but at a $1 each, they are still a good bargain.

El Azteca’s other menu options aren’t quite of the same caliber. Burritos and fajitas can run over $10, depending on the fillings, and are prepared in more of a Tex-Mex style. That isn’t necessarily a demerit and nothing is prepared badly here, but you can find similar food elsewhere.

The restaurant’s waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Drinks are refilled and baskets of chips replenished promptly. Of course, that will only benefit you if you’ve already been seated. El Azteca is not a large establishment and on $1 taco nights, it fills up very quickly. Show up with a group after 6:30 on a Tuesday or a Thursday and you’re virtually guaranteed a wait.

If you like tacos and don’t mind a crowd, El Azteca has the potential to become a local favorite. If you’re in a hurry or are in the mood for something else, however, you may want to rethink...

I LOVE El Azteca.

The food is consistently excellent. Tuesdays and Thursdays, the special is $1 tacos ($2 for shrimp or fish). Though the tacos are small, 3 or 4 (5 if you're really hungry) should fill you up, especially considering the unlimited chips and salsa you get while you wait. I also love the vegetarian fajitas, and you get a LOT of food with those--I've had leftovers every time I've gotten the fajitas. The arroz con pollo is supposed to be excellent, although I've never had it. And don't even get me started on the queso--it's to die for. The margaritas are good, but a little heavy on the ice.

El Azteca is busiest on Tuesday and Thursday nights. If you're there for tacos, try to go between 5 and 6 before it gets busy. Especially during the school year, Guilford students flock to taco night. Expect to have a 15-30 minute wait if you come after 6 on a Tuesday or Thursday. Other days are not nearly so busy--I think the longest wait I've had on any other day has been about 10 minutes. The staff is always friendly and helpful, but do get easily distracted on taco night. I have on a couple of occasions had to wait quite a while to get the bill.

Overall a great place to eat, especially with friends. I wouldn't recommend it for a date unless you go on a less busy night--it gets...