El Azteca Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Mount Vernon

Well, out running errands and decided to stop for the first time as I had never been there. Had never heard anything good or bad.

Waitress takes me to a table in an empty building (besides one small group of teens) and set me under a mini split dripping water on the table. I politely ask to move and move to a corner not under a dripping a/c. No big deal, it’s hot, and normal but in an empty place why set me there? Seeing it when you place me?

Aside from above, everything seems fine at first, slow early evening and my first time here. I live within 30 minutes but just never stopped in. I was by myself as my family is on vacation. I’m glad I was alone and would be embarrassed if I had brought my family there.

First off the salsa is amazing! Hot salsa is even better.

Figured I would go safe since I’ve never been there and ordered some steak and chicken fajitas. Was asked if I wanted cheese dip, and of course. Waitress asked yellow or while and brought me some white cheese dip when I said yellow. The sign said authentic Mexican food… Mexico doesn’t have cheese dip it’s an American thing but delicious.

I wanted to try their version of a yellow cheese dip away from just white melted American cheese and cream common in the area. Ofcouse I’ve had American style rotel and sausage dip in varieties of recipes. Who knows what they’re bringing. Full disclosure my wife is Hispanic and I travel to Mexico regularly to visit here family. She was on vacation with our children and I had to stay behind for work.

The white cheese dip, well it was okay, not bad but not great or what I ordered. I politely inquired and she told me “it’s the same”. In my mind I wonder “why ask me then or have it on the menu?” If it’s the same?

Anyhow, not a big deal. Life goes on and it wasn’t terrible. Just not what I ordered.

So my food comes and it’s not what I ordered, they brought me a burrito with some burnt pieces of gristle that could have been left over carne asada and cold fries inside. Also inside was a ton of sour cream and that’s it in a cold tortilla. Clearly not fajitas. I politely explained that I did not order this and was told “okay, one moment”. I was the only person there besides a group of teens previously mentioned who already got their order since they were there before.

Sorry, I will eat a lot of things and not complain but I won’t eat grizzle and cold fries. You can make this up, she brought me the same thing! I politely said “miss, this is the same thing and I ordered fajitas”. So she brought me a check.

I did not eat the food and proceeded to the front to pay. Not only did they charge me for BOTH MEALS! It was more than the menu price for whatever they brought. She boxed the items and brought it to me.

Then!!! On my receipt. It showed a connivence fee for paying with a debit card. When I asked about this I had already been charged and never told about it. The man behind the counter asked “how was everything?” I politely explained I'm not sure I didn’t get what I ordered. And what I was brought I didn’t like.

10/10 would never recommend this place to someone I loathed!

I’m not sure how the food is, but the orders I was brought I tried and it was terrible. Granted it wasn’t even what I ordered or wanted though. So maybe or maybe not. Who would want to eat a burrito with cold fries and...

This restaurant is intriguing to me on overall operations. Call in orders have always been expeditious sometimes to a fault. You go to order in and it can be a wait. Sometimes it doesn't matter the customer count inside. Generally the person ringing up your purchase has little to no personality or is often more concerned with texting "whoever" and or NOT dealing with small children (perhaps her own) running behind the counter. There are other times where inside service can be quick and friendly, again depending on day of week. There's only a 'few' that seem invested in their job duties and it shows on how they present themselves to the customers and the business. However, as soon as one gets their meal many times the customer will have to get servers attention in order to get refills on beverages, more chips and salsa. Additionally, there are certain menu items where it may appear different in final presentation or taste or both depending on whoever is doing actual prep work/cooking. A lack of regular consistency is an issue. Appearance on inside and out need some sort of upgrade(s) or modernizing. Emphasizing on outside with better lighting and a good resurfacing/marking of parking areas. Looks can have a bearing as to one comes in or not. Overall, food is good or slightly better than that. Generally the place is clean and you get seated quickly. Prices seem reasonable. With some tweaks I think El Azteca could be a strong 4 or a sub...

Traveling by and saw some decent reviews so decided to give it a go and was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Mixed Enchiladas that had one beef and chicken enchilada and a taco. Taco was good with a crispy shell and flavorful meat. Enchiladas where great and I think the sour cream was even hand made because it didn't have that processed texture. I was a little disappointed that there was no queso included but after seeing the quality of the queso I can see why its not included complementary as it is of good quality and not just canned or powder mix. Also as this was a small restaurant I'm not quite sure what to expect in regards to sanitation and I am glad to report that this restaurant, although small, was very clean including the restrooms which smelt freshly cleaned. Overall if your traveling through Mt Vernon, MO off Highway 44 stop by and check it out, you won't regret it.

Pros: Great friendly staff, authentic style Mexican food, good...