Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant · Bethesda — Restaurant in North Bethesda

Plaza Azteca – A Must-Visit Gem for Authentic Flavor & Vibes!

From the moment you walk in, you can feel the hospitality and warmth of the staff — especially Gary and Dania, who make the experience personal and memorable. Their energy, attention to detail, and friendly service truly make you feel like family.

I started with their fresh salsa and chips — packed with flavor and the perfect kick. Then came the authentic Tex-Mex fajitas, sizzling and beautifully seasoned with grilled onions, peppers, juicy steak, and chicken cooked to perfection. Every bite reminded me why Plaza Azteca stands above the rest.

The house margaritas? Smooth, refreshing, and exactly what you want after a long day — the kind that keeps the good vibes flowing while the music in the background makes the whole experience feel like a little getaway.

From appetizers to entrées to drinks, everything was spot-on. Whether you’re dining solo, with family, or bringing friends for a night out, you cannot go wrong here.

Big shoutout again to Gary, Dania, and the entire team — they make Plaza Azteca more than a restaurant…...

Maybe it was chef's night off, but dinner (for 2) last night did not seem to be at the same restaurant that others have liked so much. The salsa was thin, like diluted tomato juice, with absolutely no heat. The only flavor came from the over-large chunks of raw onion. Chicken tamales were gelatinous, and tasted only faintly of corn. Two different seafood preparations each contained small, almost tasteless shrimp. One preparation, had mussels, which were so small that there was essentially no meat inside any of the shell, just a few slimy strands that seemed better suited to a used handkerchief. The included scallops were watery. The broccoli served with both dishes seemed fresh, but was so raw that it was not edible. Neither main course was assertive in flavoring and with eyes closed came close to being a "mystery cuisine platter". Atthough the chips were not at all greasy, and the service was excellent, it did not rescue the experience. It was a highly unsatisfying meal. We cut our losses and did not...

The first time- liked it, second time- okay, this time- disliked it. When you eat there the chips are good, but the salsa is really watery, hard to scoop. It was still okay and the meal was okay too.

Second time I carried out. The mussels tasted good and the portions were nice. The lomo saltado was a bit watery and needed more picante.

The third time was ridiculous. I carried out. The mussels was very small portioned and what was in there was mainly closed, empty, and not good quality. There were about 6 quality mussels in a $7 dish. It was worth $3, if that. The lomo saltado was watery and hardly had steak. It seemed they were either running out of protein or were just skimping the dishes. They also forgot the side of black beans. It was not work $15, more like $6. The waiter also did not seem to be in a good mood. I paid $24 for what should have been no more than $10.

This place lacks consistency, quality control and is way over priced. It's...