Sol Azteca Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Traditional Plates
  • Specialities
  • Vegetarian
  • Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sol Azteca

  • Appetizers
  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Traditional Plates
  • Specialities
  • Vegetarian
  • Dessert

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Katie B.

    NOT impressed! The service was slow and the prices were ridiculous! $12 for a burrito??? Give me a break. That should be $7 or $8 max. The refried beans were dry and lumpy, the rice was dry and the service was sloooow. The chicken was stringy and tasted like tuna. I've had much better for 1/2 the price. The only reason they get 2 stars is the chips and salsa before the meal were good.

    (2)
  • Bridget D.

    meh it was okay. probably closer to 2.5. we stood in the doorway a while, waiting for a table even though there appeared to be a few empty ones. there were some young lady customers there wearing far too much perfume and it filled my nose with parfum de couers when i really wanted to smell yummy Mexican food scents. The tables were tiled and the chairs were very stiff. There were not many vegetarian options. I got cheese enchiladas and I mean CHEESE! It reminded me of string cheese in its appearance, very tubular. It was heavy. The dishes come with some pickled purple cabbage in addition to beans and rice (which I suspect were not vegi friendly), but the cabbage was unique and tangy. The chips and salsa were decent, for I am a fan of cilantro and it was abundant. We also got the guacamole, which was tasty, but it was 7 bucks for two small scoops on top of a piece of lettuce! Our waiter was nice, but he seemed like he was running the entire section and was a bit overwhelmed. However, it provided my companions and me the leisure time to have a "stimulating" conversation about lame pick up lines. One of the fellas goes with, "I have been wondering...is the Colliseum one of the Seven Wonders of the World?" He thinks it is a winner, I think he is a bit of a tool

    (3)
  • Scott O.

    Sitiing on the patio in summer is a real plus. Pour some sangria and treat yourself to some excellent Mexican food. The food is priced a bit on the high side but it is very good.

    (4)
  • Jordan K.

    I don't know about those 5 star ratings. Maybe I'm spoiled on that Chicago and CA Mexican cuisine, but I was less than thrilled.

    (3)
  • Ashley S.

    I love it! I've been here about 8 times probably and each time I love it just as much. The menu is not very long, but I've gone back to the combination of red and green enchiladas, and I adore them. The beans taste amazing also...can't put my finger on it. Love the margaritas and the chips and salsa. It's a great place to meet up with friends or to go for a romantic dinner.

    (5)
  • E R.

    The last time I had dinner at Sol Azteca was in 1989. I moved away and never had a chance to eat there again until Saturday. And I was not disapointed! There were six of us for dinner (all native Bostonians who, upon hearing where I wanted to eat said "I haven't been there in a long time...can I come?). The mole poblano was everything I remembered and more! And something I've been searching for in my travels. Just the right blend of spices and the perfect thickness of sauce....I'm salivating just thinking of it! The sangria was like a spring night...clean and crisp. The chicken tip & the cactus appetizers would have been a meal in themselves. The flan was dense enough to be considered cheesesteak! A word of caution from my friends who ordered seafish...the scallops were overdone and the shrimp were acutually cut in half and chewy. But overall WE'RE GOING BACK! PS...Saturday nite and the servcie was impeccable.

    (4)
  • Starfish K.

    ugghhh...i always feel like I am the only person in the world who absolutely despises this restaurant. I tried the Newton Centre location...tasteless food, dark and dingy decor. I tried the Fenway location...same thing. Maybe I just like my Mexican food too Americanized, but I am just not a fan. Nothing is spicy enough for me, either!

    (1)
  • krystle j.

    food was good. service was slow, but people were nice. meal costed around 18$ for just an entree and no drinks. okay.

    (3)
  • Jane T.

    I haven't been for a few years, and I might just be a mexican food snob (being from Arizona), but I wasn't as impressed with this place as others seem to be. The food was good, but not great. Even so, the atmosphere is definitely amazing. The outdoor seating is fantastic in the summer, and there are always lots of people there when I walk by.

    (3)
  • Lisa I.

    The food at Sol Azteca was very good, sort of classic Mexican with a few flairs here and there. Sangria = yum. The indoor decor is great: tiled walls with thick, solid wood furniture. I went on a week night, so there was no wait, although I've heard that weekends get very busy and the staff can get a little overwhelmed. They have outdoor seating, so make sure to visit in the warmer months!

    (4)
  • John Z.

    We have been coming back to Sol Azteca for years. I agree with other reviewers that the traditional Mex dishes are just OK, but we love the scallops (callos de hacha) and the strip steak (carne asada). These dishes are outstanding! I also like their version of fajitas. The service is always friendly and efficient, the decor is just right and the salsa is perfect.

    (4)
  • Harold J.

    really authentic, delicious food! it was an illuminating experience for me to have a mexican meal other than burritos or quesadillas. the dishes are so inventive but still classically delicious. chips and salsa are amazing, as is the guacamole. I HIGHLY recommend the black bean soup, served with a dollop of sour cream and a few chopped onions. all the food is minimal and perfect, without too much bite. The main courses come with an interesting cole slaw-type salad, which is really refreshing. Pollo cilantro is something really special, a true find! Enchiladas with chicken are great, and the mole tastes homemade. Skip the cactus salad, but everything else should not disappoint! (also, the blue margarita is great)

    (5)
  • Chenkai L.

    Really medicore mexico food, i have gotten their burrito here and it was just okay. Their sangria was pretty good and its good for big groups, but dont expect the most amazing food.

    (2)
  • Spencer F.

    Fantastic. Delicious south of the border cuisine with a large menu and a variety of salsa to indulge in, great for a date night. Our waiter was responsive and polite. It's a bit on the pricier side, but we're not talking about another Chipotle or Boloco here. Absolutely worth the money, I have no complaints and I will definitely be coming back!

    (5)
  • Daniela R.

    Just finished eating here for restaurant week. It was my first time there. The service was pretty slow. The appetizers were not good. I ordered the guacamole salad. The avocados were very unripe and the so was the guac. However I will say my entree, the combo which included chicken chilaquiles and beans and rice and a chile relleno with beef was excellent. The dessert, coconut cheesecake, was also great.

    (3)
  • Ash C.

    I went here the other day to celebrate a friends 21st. I ordered the quesadillitas which were basically empanadas, too greasy I was surprised my hands didn't have acne the next morning. There were three, stuffed with cheese, chicken, and beef... and just that, over a pathetic bed of lettuce and tomatoes that looked like it had been borrowed from Taco Bell and have half-assedly thrown onto the plate. I needed something else to zest this lifeless plate up. I asked my server if I could snag some dipping sauce, queso? No. I thought about it more... Ranch? My server blandly responded, "This is a Mexican restaurant." WAIT, WHAT? HOLD UP. I had to take a few deep breathes and talk myself into the fact that I wasn't dining at the top burger joint in Boston. I was at a Mexican restaurant. Imagine that! After this revelation that caused a good amount of hot flashes I let it go and my server offered sour cream. Just what I needed to add flavor to a flavorless dish. Thank you so much Sol Azteca. A flawless dining experience.

    (2)
  • Ross G.

    The Jalapeno dip was amazing, and not too spicy at all. It came out super hot but that just means the cooked it so I'm not mad. I got the chicken tacos, which I expected the chicken to have more flavor but I'll still be back anyway so no big deal. They also have outside seating, the place opens late though so I would double check the time before go!

    (4)
  • Megan B.

    I'm from Arizona so I'm a pretty big critique of Mexcian food, but I don't think this place gets enoguh credit. Most people in Boston consider nachos as good Mexican food, but I am always looking for restaurants that serve authentic Mexican food. I thought the food was great here and very well priced. I also was able to use my restaurant.com coupon which made it even cheaper. The enchiladas verdes are amazinggg. The service was not that great, but with a margarita and great Mexican food on the patio I'm pretty happy.

    (4)
  • Scott K.

    If I had never come back here before tonight, I would have given this place 5 stars. I haven't been here in two years, and after tonight, I'm not sure if I'll ever come back. Our service was beyond AWFUL and they weren't that busy. To top it off, my rice was lukewarm and tasted like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for 45 minutes. I'm beyond disappointed. The waiter never came over I ask how our food was, and it took forever for us to get waited on. I rarely ever give bad yelp reviews, but this was definitely well deserved. So disappointed. I'll never come back.

    (2)
  • alyce m.

    We lived in southern California and started to enjoy Mexican food when we were there. Sol Azteca has authentic Mexican food and the service is very attentive. Their margaritas and sangria are "six" stars and their salsa is homemade and fresh. Chips always have a snap to them.

    (5)
  • Grace B.

    I love this restaurant!! My parents have been going since before I was born so I have been eating the amazing enchiladas verses since before I could talk! Love Sol Azteca. Also recommend the carnitas and the house salad which has delicious cactus on it!

    (5)
  • Judith T.

    Stay away! I went to this place quite a while back and never went back nor will I ever. My first experience at this restaurant was horrendous to say the least. I forget what I ordered but it came with a nice piece of glass in it. When I called the waitress over to show her I didnt get an apology just "oh so that's where that went". Apparently they had dropped a plate and some of the glass fell onto my food. To top it off she charged me for my meal which I couldnt eat since there was glass in it. Called back later to speak with a manager and they couldn't have cared less. Great way to keep customers. Dine here at your own risk!

    (1)
  • Beth G.

    My husband and I came here for our Anniversary. The food waas great and the service was great. I had been craving Mexican food for 2 months and this really hit the spot. We will be visiting again on our trip :-)

    (5)
  • Matt C.

    Great Mexican food in a convenient location. Used a restaurant.com gift certificate and the meal lived up to the hype. Sat out on the patio and we will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Dona F.

    Tonight, I went to Sol Azteca for the very first time. Unsure of what to expect, I was charmed by the quaint environment. Granted, it wasn't a large place, but it did not feel cramped at all. Especially their patio, I imagine it's very pleasant sitting there outside on a summer night. Soft yellow lighting highlighted short, slim tables and helped to create a very romantic atmosphere. I felt odd being there with my coworker, as I felt like I should have been there with a date. We started off by splitting basic nachos. Accustomed to American-type nachos, I was taken aback by this version. Compared to your run of the mill nacho pile with cheddar, red salsa, and canned jalapenos, it was very minimal. Still delicious, it was a cracker-like pie topped with light cheese and salsa verde, as less is more. After we ordered and shared black bean soup that was bland and nothing special. Then we had a GREAT quesadilla. Now, I've eaten Mexican for practically my entire life, but, honestly, this was some of the greatest. Specifically, their quesadilla is the best I've had. Filled melted cheese, tomato, and some unrecognizable sauce that was absolutely delicious. Service was excellant. All of the waiters pay attention to you; consistently pouring out water and asking if everything was satisfactory. If anything wasn't up to the customer's standards, they will unquestionably take the food back to the kitchen and bring back a revised version free of charge. Cost of the meal is fair & the food is plentiful.

    (4)
  • Connie S.

    The price is reasonable, and service is warm-hearted. But the food is just ok. Every dish looks the same except for the meat. They all come with bean mash and rice. Plating is not delicate, just simply putting everything together on a plate. My friend ordered fish but they served chicken, although they changed it later. My friend also found a grit in her dish. Thank god she ate it slowly and it didn't hurt her. Hope this doesn't happen often.

    (2)
  • Roberto S.

    Finally found a place where I can have a good michelada, not on the menu though, simply ask the waiter/waitress. Ordered a mix of the enchiladas, tostadas and chorizo con queso. Everything was pretty good and I would say authentic to some extent. This is not tex-mex style food... (Thank God!)... You can tell that from looking at the menu. Service was pretty good the night I was there, nice hostess and the waiter was pleasant and brought everything on time. I have no complaints except I wish I had a bigger stomach... I would definitely visit this place again and order the chiles rellenos con picadillo... And a modelo especial :) I can't vouch for everything on their menu, but the stuff I've tried so far was pretty good. I would stay away from Mole based dishes, just because every type of Mole from every different region in Mexico is very different, so for a restaurant up here to get it right... Is hard, so they are very likely using canned stuff or pre-made, this a guess though. Hope this helped you decide!

    (5)
  • Stefanie O.

    I can't believe it took a coupon from Restaurant.com to get me in here! As a California transplant, I take Mexican really seriously and am always looking for good places in New England. Sol Azteca was really good and pretty darn authentic with a not-too-bad price. It was also super kiddo friendly and had a good kid's menu. We started with the ceviche, which was served with saltines, but we used the tortilla chips and thought it was pretty delicious. There were lots of chunks of fresh seafood and it had avocado in it, which was a nice surprise. Their quesadillas are more like empenadas, but are absolutely delicious just the same. The tacos were bursting with filling and my husband's mole sauce was rich and flavorful. The margaritas were yummy, if not a little too small and the fried ice cream was great.

    (4)
  • Paul S.

    Get two stars only because the outside seating was nice. Service: we were ignored for 10 mins after being seated. Finally I called over a waitress and asked of she could wait on us even though she obviously wasn't assigned to our table. Wait staff kept walking past or hanging out and talking while no one asked us for drinks or brought chips (which we had to ask for). Fajitas were lousy, just came on a plate warm vs the typical sizzling hot pan and they don't include any "fixins" such as sour cream and shredded cheese. They had the nerve to charge me 1.75 for the sour cream. Guacamole was lousy. Pretty much a sub par experience all around.

    (2)
  • Ann G.

    Went tonight for dinner. Service was prompt and very friendly. The spicy margarita was a steal at $9 considering the quality and the quantity. Perfect to go with our meals. My husband had the chicken enchiladas verde. Absolutely divine sauce. I am not normally a fan of that dish elsewhere but here this standard sang. I had a fish fillet in coconut sauce. Very good. The soup that came with this special was also delicious. We will definitely be back for more!

    (4)
  • Rob L.

    I went here for the first time tonight after hearing great things. To start, the chips and salsa were great. The salsa seemed fresh and had a really great flavoring. The drinks ( I had the sangria and a margarita) were awesome as well. For my meal, I had the enchilada de frijoles. The sauce was bland and there was barely any cheese on top. For $14 I would not consider this a great value. I sampled my friend's chicken quesadilla as well. It was not a quesadilla. Quesadillas have cheese (hence the derivative of queso). This was literally a dough pocket filled with only dry chicken. No sauce, no cheese. Great atmosphere, however. It's a great place for drinks, but the food was bland and over priced.

    (3)
  • Brooke L.

    DISCLAIMER: I'm from California, so I grew up with incredible, authentic Mexican food. I went here planning to order something with steak. I was somewhat disappointed by the limited menu in terms of steak dishes. I don't eat a lot of beef, but Mexican meals are an exception. After scanning the menu, I settled on a salad that looked to be a side salad, but that I wanted anyway because it had cactus. When I tried to order it and add steak, the waiter quickly pointed out a much larger grilled chicken salad (also double the price) saying that I could have steak instead. This was a different dish than what I wanted (and tried to order!) It had guacamole on top, which I certainly don't care for on salads, and no cactus. The dressing just tasted like oil and the entire salad consisted of a bed of mesclun greens with pieces of steak, avocado and tomato placed on top with the blob of guac in the center. The veggies seemed really fresh, which was pretty much the only plus. The salsa that they brought out at the beginning was good, but that shouldn't be the core positive piece of my dining experience. Call me crazy, but I think something above the quality of Pace should be a given for a Mexican restaurant. Overpriced and bland - I live really close, but I will not be going back.

    (2)
  • Phil O.

    I'm a Mexican food fan, but this place was pretty blah. I went with a shrimp entree that didn't really wow me while the serving size was pretty small. My girlfriend's fried chimichanga-like entree looked equally unimpressive. The place is pretty outdated too- I'm not sure if that's the point?

    (2)
  • Mack B.

    I can acknowledge that Sol Azteca has its shortcomings. The service is usually pretty negligent (though there are a few really sweet men that work there) and some of the food can be a little boring or on the gut-wrenchingly cheesy side. I also agree with other reviewers that the food is overpriced. Despite all this, I love the place. I order one thing: veggie enchiladas de mole poblano. It is always amazing. It comes with delicious rice and beans and pickled cabbage. And the meal always begins with a healthy portion of chips and salsa. They also have the best sangria I have ever tasted. It is a little fruity, but it is never too sweet and I always detect a bit of cinnamon. The atmosphere is warm and cheery, and sometimes Sol Azteca is just what I need to comfort me after a long week.

    (4)
  • Noe C.

    hands down, the best cadillac margaritas on the planet!!!! that's all i gotta say.

    (4)
  • J D.

    I love Sol Azteca. I've been a longtime loyal customer and these guys do it right. They have a very cozy atmosphere and during the warm weather, offer side walk patio seating. This is good as long as you don't mind a steady flow of traffic 15 feet away on Beacon St. Hands down they have the best salsa I've ever had. Heavy on cilantro and onions, which is right up my alley. Menu offerings that are a must include: Chicken in a rich mole sauce, chicken chilequiles (a favorite of mine), chicken or shrimp in cilantro sauce, along with some excellent enchilada options. They have a full bar and pour good margaritas and sangria. The one negative is parking. During the winter you can grab spots on Beacon Street fairly close by, but forget about it on nights that the Sox are home, you'll never get a spot.

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    We went here for her birthday last year, and it was a great experience! Like people said, service was pretty slow but the food was more than what we expected, so I guess that makes up for it. The waiter was very patient in explaining the dishes and taking our orders, seeing as how we were one of the few couples in the restaurant at the time. The dishes were flavorful and appealing to look at, would come here again!

    (5)
  • Tarikh C.

    The food was above average but the service was some of the slowest I had ever experienced in dining. We had a waitress who may have been the only one on duty at the time but the restaurant was barely half-full. It took forever for our drinks to come out, for our appetizers to come out, for our checks to come, for our change to come. The waitress couldn't answer simple questions like "How much is a side of guacamole?" She even separated the bills wrong. We eventually had to bring the checks to the manager to expedite our exit from the restaurant. We arrived at 7pm, and even though we each only had 1 appetizer and drink, we didn't get out of there until 9pm. Good thing we weren't too hungry.

    (1)
  • Cagen L.

    I went to Sol Azteca for my birthday dinner. The food was amazing. They do incredible things with sauces. I had the combo plate with a poblano enchilda, chicken quesadilla abd a chicken taco. I loved that they garnish with slices of avacado. I highly recommend it. Inside looks like a spanish mission with a lot of cool artwork. They also have a nice outdoor seating area when the weather is nice.

    (5)
  • H-Linda L.

    Echoing other reviews for this place - expensive and mediocre. Sangria - very average. Food - interesting... definitely not the typical Mexican taste that I was use to. But apparently, the Cactus entree was pretty good. I would give it less stars, but since I came here with a coupon, I can't complain too much.

    (3)
  • Jimmy S.

    Sol Azteca is a great restaurant. The ambiance is nice and the service is even better. My water glass didn't go a minute without being refilled. I got the chicken fajitas and they were fantastic. Our waiter was very friendly and our food came quickly. Overall, Sol Azteca is a great restaurant that I would recommend to any Mexican food fan.

    (5)
  • Kelsey C.

    Sol Azteca was a hard one for me to rate. Fiddler on the Roof style: On the one hand, the service is great, and it's a fun Mexican restaurant, of which Boston has so few. On the other hand, it lacks exceptional qualities so even though I'd come here again because there is nothing like the comfort of Mexican food, it's more because I can't afford Zocalo. That being said, I'd still give it a good 3.5 stars - I honestly had no real complaints here, it just didn't rock my world. I had the Nopalitos in Salsa Verde, which was a fun novelty item for me. I'd never had cactus before, and I thought it necessary to at least try it, but the sour aftertaste gets old fast. The Enchiladas Vegetarianas were reasonable, but probably my least favorite thing I tried. The vegetables were well-cooked, but the green sauce was mediocre. Of note, the pickled red cabbage should be its own dish. It's delightfully light and crispy/tasty. I had the Carne Asada, which is basically a large slab or meat on a plate. The chorizo on top wasn't a necessity, but I can't exactly complain about a little extra meat...The enchilada was passable, and the rice and beans achieved an awesomeness that all sides should only aspire to. I was delighted with the guacamole but honestly, the red cabbage was so freaking good I was ALMOST willing to trade it in. No, I haven't lost my mind, the cabbage was just that good! If you still have room for dessert, get the Fried Ice Cream. It's perfectly battered and was probably the best fried ice cream I've ever had. If you remember nothing else about my review, get the fried ice cream STAT!!!

    (3)
  • Beth P.

    I went to this place because we had a $25 voucher. The location is pretty random and it doesn't look very nice from the outside. The inside is a lot bigger than I first thought, and looks like a pretty authentic Mexican place. Our table was tiny, but we were distracted by the huge basket of warm, salty tortilla chips and spicy salsa. After we downed the first basket, they brought us another one with even more warm chips. Thank God something was warm because our table was in a corner surrounded by windows and we were absolutely freezing! I had a special that was basically a Mexican lasagna and it was really good, with rice and beans on the side. My boyfriend had the combo azteca which had 2 fajitas and a quesadilla. Over all the food was decent, although I usually like my Mexican food completely covered in cheese, sour cream, and grease (the American version). Some of the flavors were a little strange; we were tasting hints of chocolate and cinnamon. It wasn't bad, it was just surprising. I would recommend this place to others if they are looking for a place to eat in that area. Otherwise, I wouldn't make another trip past Fenway for it.

    (3)
  • Ellie W.

    I literally lived about a block from here for a time, and I still can't figure out why I never dined here until long after I moved away. Perhaps because it always looked closed for some reason? The restaurant itself is quite cute and cozy, right in the Audubon Circle area. You're immersed in a world of bright yellows, cobalt blues, and colorful Mexican motifs. I don't remember too much about any plates in particular, but I do remember their flan is pretty incredible. And I'm quite a flan-o-phile. Give me flan and a smoothie, and I'm your best friend for at least a year. Ok, make that 10 months.

    (3)
  • Susan W.

    The chips and salsa wasn't bad. I had an order of Sopa de Nopal. It was really sour and salty. The rest of the meal was very good though.

    (3)
  • Melissa N.

    Sol Azteca is a great spot for delicious, authentic Mexican food and great margaritas! I've been twice now, and I will definitely be returning soon. Things I like: - The deals they offer. Sol Azteca is pricey, but I've found Groupon or LivingSocial deals in the past. Most recently, I went with friends who had a Restaurant.com voucher worth $50. - The complimentary chips and salsa. Their chips are crunchy and perfectly salty, and the salsa has a strong tomato flavor. - The margaritas. The Margarita Gold is solid, with a generous pour of tequila, not too much ice, and a good sized glass. I was feeling pretty great after three of them. A friend ordered the frozen strawberry margarita, and it was reportedly delicious. - HABANERO HOT SAUCE. Ask for it with your meal! Recommended for heat seekers, and for all lovers of excellent hot sauces. The flavor is incredible! This hot sauce alone makes me crave Sol Azteca. - Queso asado appetizer. This one is a splurge. It's basically a cast iron skillet full of melted cheese and chorizo. It's fat-tastic. - Guacamole. Sol Azteca's guac is awesome! Smooth avocado, crunchy onion, great cilantro flavor. And they give a large portion. - Great vegetarian options, including the vegetarian fajitas! I asked for a side of cheese with mine, and the combination of the mushrooms, peppers, carrot, and broccoli with the tortillas, cheese, and refried beans was just fantastic. With the habanero hot sauce, it was perfection. - The decor is fun and festive, with plenty to look at. - Friendly service. Last time, our waitress was attentive, nice, prompt, and very accommodating about (minor) special requests. - My meat-eating companions raved about the mole sauce. I had a taste, and it was yummy! - The portions are enormous. I easily could have eaten for three days with my vegetarian fajitas. As it happened, I stuffed myself at the restaurant and had a massive lunch the next day, but what of it? Things that could use improvement: - I found the cactus cooked in green sauce (nopalitos en salsa verde) to be a little strange, but I think the consumption of cactus is just a personal decision for everyone. - The first time I went, I ordered the cheese quesadillas, and I felt they were too greasy. - They add a 10% service charge to all take-out orders. Isn't part of the point of ordering take-out that you can avoid paying a tip? Obviously it's less than you would pay for table service, but I still don't like it. - As I mentioned earlier, Sol Azteca is expensive. It's helpful to have a deal, and I can't say that Sol would be on my short list without one. Given a choice between a burrito from Anna's and a big bill at Sol, most of the time I choose Anna's. However, there's no denying the high quality of the food and the massive portions. Overall, Sol Azteca is a fantastic place for authentic Mexican food, delicious margaritas, and a festive atmosphere! I highly recommend it.

    (4)
  • Jean V.

    The food is very bland, we didn't finish our food and left hungry.. With disappointment with the food we left 15% tip, waitress was unbelievably rude! She ran after us and demand more money. We walked away and she yelled in the middle of the St saying, F*CK U!! Don't ever come back?! Called manager and he totally backed her up.. This establishment is very unprofessional and ghetto. I discourage ANYONE from coming here. Go to Anna's Taqueria instead

    (1)
  • Steven L.

    Great food, large portions, great drinks. Food took a while to be made, but it was worth it. Not somewhere to go to grab food quick, but otherwise good.

    (5)
  • Sruti G.

    Being from Los Angeles, I am pretty critical of Mexican food. Basically a decent mexican place needs to have 4+ different kind of sauces, free chips and salsa, and a stiff drink menu. Sol Azteca delivered on all of the above. We ordered off the special "Vegetarian Menu," and we were not disappointed. The Chile Relleno sauce was interesting, olives, white wine, raisins (!?)...but it all worked well together. My mother ordered the vegetable enchiladas verde which came with broccoli (!?), but also oddly worked together. The sauces made with chicken broth are clearly marked, something that my mom really appreciated. I ordered a glass of sangria (which is Spanish, not Mexican) which was decent, not the best thing I had. Maybe a margarita next time? The chips and salsa were good as well--the chips were fresh and the salsa seemed semi-homemade-perhaps the base was store-bought or something. Overall, it was a good experience here and I am definitely returning again. Also, Mondays to Tuesday are half-price entrees if you purchase one at full price!

    (4)
  • Roxana F.

    Being a native Californian, I oftentimes have a very strong hankering for Mexican food, and unfortunately Boston just isn't the place for authentic Mexican food. This is probably the closest I've come to the real thing. Let's start off with the good stuff: 1) Free chips and salsa. This is always welcome, especially at a Mexican restaurant. 2) Sangriaaaaaaaaaaa is delicious. And the bad stuff: 1) Their margaritas were, according to several friends, disgusting. 2) The food. I ordered the vegetarian burrito. It's quite difficult to mess up a burrito, and unfortunately Sol Azteca did this. I could have gone to Chipotle or, even worse, my student union food court and bought a burrito I would have enjoyed for half the price. 3) The service. The servers are SLOW, at best, which might be good if you don't want to feel rushed but is really annoying when there is no one in the restaurant and you feel like you've waited ages to have your order taken. They also don't speak very good English and I understand this is a Mexican restaurant but I would like it if my server could understand my order. All in all, I would probably come back here just for the sangria and maybe some appetizers and of course, chips and salsa, but I wouldn't necessarily order a meal here again. Guess I'm going to Chipotle next time I want to satisfy my need for mexican food.

    (3)
  • Lindsey F.

    I wrestled between three and four stars for Sol Azteca, so please consider this a 3.5 star review. Major Pro: -Excellent margaritas; strong, not filled with sugary mix, and reasonably priced. Full disclosure - margaritas are the #1 reason I go to and enjoy a Mexican restaurant, so this was easily the best part Major Con: - after being seated, we waited for almost ten minutes before we were greeted at our table; I'm laid back so I wasn't too upset about it, but I think that's an excessive amount of time. The food was pretty good. My mom and I got meals with the cilantro garlic sauce and while my mother loved the sauce (I did, too), my meal was drowning in it. That being said, it was tasty. The guac was pretty good. I would visit Sol Azteca again.

    (4)
  • J. Tristan H.

    I love this place! The food is excellent (I always get the Combinacion Azteca with Cheese Quesedilla, Enchiladas Verdes, and Enchiladas Rojas). The staff is always friendly, too, which is essential. It can get a bit loud at times, but it's worth it to get their chips and salsa. If you're in the area, definitely give it a try!

    (5)
  • Rani P.

    People weren't lying when they said the chips and salsa come out immediately as you sit down. The salsa was one of the best salsas I've ever had in a restaurant in Boston. The atmosphere was fun but also had a little romantic side to it too. We ordered a small carafe of sangria- and it was so good it was dangerous. Luckily, our food came out just as fast as the chips and salsa, so the dinner didn't get too out of hand. I ordered the COMBINACION SOL where you can combine 2 dishes from a large list of some Mexican classics for under $14. I ordered the BURRITO AZTECA and ENCHILADAS DE MOLE VERDE. Although they were both absolutely delicious, the burrito was so good- I traded the last half of my enchiladas for the half of my boyfriends burrito. And then if that wasn't enough, they add Mexican rice, a purple cabbage salad and some of the best refried beans I've ever had- and normally I never eat the dish. The server was excellent, and the service was polite and attentive. I will definitely be returning as soon as I can.

    (4)
  • Rehan B.

    We tried a variety of dishes at Sol Azteca, a restaurant with pretty good ambience. The service was decent. Pina coladas were about ok. The salsa with the chips was very bad - if you are a Mexican restaurant, you need to get your salsa right. The Pollo Mango (chicken with a mango & chipotle sauce) was delicious but a tad sweet. The Pescado al Cilantro (Tilapia cooked with a creamy cilantro sauce) was perfect. There was a special dish which was fish cooked in coconut milk - it was flavorful but again a bit too sweet. The serving size was good but price-wise, maybe overpriced by $5 or so. Not bad if you want some decent (not great) Mexican food on a weeknight.

    (3)
  • Jimmy N.

    STAY AWAY...... this place is too expensive for terrible food.... the taco dip made my tongue burn of onions before I even had my entree.... the entree had absolutely no flavor........... The Mexican waitress rarely came to our table and I occasionally had to stand up to get things myself because she was taking too long to come help us with anything......... I tipped her 5 bucks because her service was terrible and of course for me the better the service the more tip you get........ to make it all worst, after my family and I left, that same waitress chased after us and screamed at us in broken English, "Hey you have to tip more, I need more money, f*** you, never come back here again".... how low and how embarrassing can you get? never again Sol Azteca, you'll never see my face there again, nor any of my family and friends.......

    (1)
  • Stephanie M.

    I had dinner here tonight after purchasing the Gilt City $45 dinner for 2 voucher. The service was great! Our waiter was very attentive and made sure to point out the popular dishes. Unfortunately the food was not so great. The rice and the refried beans that came with both of our entrees were not good (rice tasted old and the refried beans did not taste very good). Even at the discounted rate I felt that the dinner was overpriced. I don't think I'll be coming back here.

    (3)
  • David V.

    First impressions: This restaurant is very clean and nicely decorated. We were greeted and seated immediately by a friendly employee. Chips & Salsa: Brought out quickly. The chips were crispy and tasty and the salsa was fresh and tasty and seemed homemade. Alcohol: Mango margarita was delicious! Entrees: My wife had the chicken fajitas, which she said were "the best fajitas she's ever had". The chicken was very tender and the corn tortillas tasted homemade. The rice and beans were also tasty, however, the rice was not warm (room temperature). I had one of the specials for the evening-the pork chimichanga. At first this dish was great. The first few bites were perfect, the taste was excellent, the dish was served hot. The pork was very tender and tasty. The problem with this dish was that the more I ate the chimi, the more I realized that it was either way too salty or way too much vinegar was used. Either way, as I ate it, the salty/vinegar taste got stronger. The rice, beans, and marinated red cabbage with the dish were fine. Service: 5 stars. We were very pleased with our service. Overall: We lived in the southwest before returning to Boston, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot find Mexican food comparable to the southwest. Nonetheless, Sol Azteca is the best Mexican food we've had in a long time on the east coast, and we do plan to return. I just will not be ordering the pork chimichanga ever again.

    (3)
  • William A.

    I went here several weeks ago to use a BuyWithMe deal I had purchased before they went under (still valid though). It included an appetizer, two entrees and dessert. We were seated immediately when walking in, asthe restaurant was not overcrowded. Our server was very attentive and had a great attitude, which is a nice addition when it seems genuine. We ordered the Carnitas to start, and had the Fajita special and Chicken with Salsa Verde special respectively, and everything was incredible, so good we had to ask for a box to save room for dessert. I also had a spicy Margarita which lasted me the whole dinner, it was good, and not too spicy, but you could taste the Habanero which was nice. For dessert we had the Flan de Cafe, which was excellent, and a reasonable size for couple, but if you have a larger appetite, or skip the appetizer I might recommend getting your own dessert. I can't say much about the price, but it seemed reasonable, and I would definitely go back here, even without some sort of Coupon special.

    (5)
  • Michelle B.

    Food is pretty good. The $30 combination plate for two is the way to go! Great outdoor seating area. Nice for families or a place to go without staring at the bar!

    (4)
  • Clancy R.

    Just tried this place last weekend - very busy, so service was a little slow, but the food was very good. Nothing extraordinary, and in my opinion there are better options in the area, but the prices were reasonable and everything tasted fresh and well prepared. I really don't have anything bad to say about this place, just nothing amazing either. I would eat there again if someone else suggested it but I don't know if I will go out of my way to go back.

    (3)
  • Adrian S.

    I hate writing poor reviews but I think my experience warrants such. I came here on a Saturday Night. The place wasn't too busy. My server was not the friendliest dude around-took our drink order. When he came back, we ordered the Chorizo Queso Dip for an App. By the time it came out it was cold and you couldn't even dip a chip in it. My bf-who is very non confrontational asked the server what he was supposed to do with this? The server took it back, but it wasn't taken off the bill. For the entrée, we ordered the fajitas for 2. We barely finished half of the plate. The server took our leftovers and we sat there waiting for our leftovers to go which never came. There was clearly enough left food for an entire meal. The whole experience was pretty disappointing. I give them 2 stars because I've been there in the past and it wasn't bad from what I remember. My boyfriend kept on apologizing to me for the poor experience. I don't think Ill be back.

    (2)
  • Marilyn T.

    I came here a while ago when I was craving Mexican food, and a friend from Mexico who was also in Boston actually recommended this place. It's a cute little space with traditional Mexican decor, and the servers were really friendly, and they especially warmed up when I was practicing my Spanish with them. Dishes that stood out included the nopalitos, which is cactus served in a dish with tortilla strips and melted cheese. The mole poblano was actually pretty well seasoned with just the right amount of sweetness, good for eating with rice. They also have some more interesting dishes like higaditos, and also lots of vegetarian options. Flan is always good for dessert. Not bad for Mexican food in Boston - definitely better than a lot of the other places I've tried out here.

    (3)
  • Caleb O.

    Pretty good, my fiance and I went there with a restaurant.com coupon. We got a special dinner for two which had a lot of different enchiladas. I expected a little more flavor and found some of the enchiladas bland, though overall it was good and the black beans were excellent. I like Jose's in Cambridge a bit more but I did buy another coupon for this restaurant, because it was pretty good and it may have just been an off night on some of the enchiladas. Decor is cute and they let us come in 15 minutes early before they opened, which was really kind because it was cold out! Server was really nice. A bit expensive without a coupon.

    (4)
  • G J J.

    Pretty bad food. Everything tastes pickled in brine. I ordered the Nopales enchiladas and they were definitely not fresh. It's odd that their rice has chicken broth and they do nothing to correct it for vegetarians. Everything was under salted. That is really odd - usually restaurants over salt. Chips and salsa were bland, dry and old. Maybe the drinks / opentable were the best part.

    (1)
  • Heather F.

    Too expensive for mediocre Mexican food and like a lot of other reviews on here, we waited a long time for a server to approach our table. The carnitas appetizer was good but the entrees lacked in flavor. We had a coupon so that made it better but had we paid the actual price which was over $80 we would have been sorely disappointed. Probably won't ever go back unless another email deal comes out and maybe not even then.

    (2)
  • Jen F.

    I really, really wanted to like Sol Azteca, if for no other reason than that it's the closest Mexican (non-fast) food restaurant to me. In fact, I kept going back even after having bad experiences. But, at the end of the day, something is always off about this place. The food is super mediocre, and so is the menu. I once asked for a side of guacamole (which apparently they don't give alongside their dishes) and got maybe a whole of three tablespoons worth of dark, clearly NOT fresh guac for a total of $5.95. No bueno, not going back.

    (2)
  • Kelly O.

    Skip this place and head to Zocalo instead. The service is awful, and the food is not that good and is overpriced to boot. The scoop: Our party of 5 waited about 10-15 minutes for a table on Sunday night (no reservation and on BU move in weekend, so this was expected). We got to our table, and sat there for about 15 minutes with no contact, before a busboy dropped us off a small bowl of chips and salsa without a word (chips were fine, salsa was too spicy IMO). Our table promptly devoured them in a matter of seconds, and tried to flag someone else down to get a refill to no avail. Around minute 20-25, the waitress finally came up to take our orders with no real apology, which wasn't cool... I realize it was packed, but come on, it only takes 2 seconds to say "I'll be right with you". Because of this, our drinks were ordered at the same time as our meal, although at least the drinks came out first... my frozen mango margarita barely tasted mangoey which was a disappointment (at least there was definitely tequila in there). We waited another 20 minutes until our food arrived (fortunately we were able to ask our waitress for more chips and salsa while we had her at our table). I got the Pollo Veracruzano (boneless chicken breast cooked with tomato, capers, mushrooms, almonds, raisins and white wine sauce), which was unimpressive. The chicken was actually the highlight of the dish, pounded flat and grilled with a nice charcoaly flavor, but the sauce wasn't anything better than I could have made myself (in fact I have made a similar sauce that was better), didn't have mushrooms or raisins, and had some sort of unpleasant spicy kick I was not expecting and was not listed on the menu (other dishes did specify "mild/medium/hot" but there was no listing for this dish, and with these ingredients you would not automatically expect any spiciness). I'm usually a sucker for mole and would have chosen a mole dish to begin with, but the menu listed it as "spicy" so I stayed away... but I tried the boy's mole and it was less spicy than my own Veracruzano sauce (WTF mates?!), very chocolatey though and not very complex (Zocalo's mole is miles ahead IMO). The refried black beans that came with were decently tasty, as was the rice, although they really don't make it abundantly clear it's cooked with chicken broth which could be a problem for veggies (it's listed once on the menu at the bottom, but should really be highlighted). Portion size was decent, I was able to have a small lunch the next day from my leftovers (which should be standard for a $17 meal anyways). Service did not get better, it took forever to get our check and then forever to have it paid... we arrived here at 7 and didn't leave til 9, it's a good thing we didn't have anywhere to be afterwards or we would have been extra pissed. The place itself is decently cute, especially with the patio (although the sound bounces off the walls like crazy so be prepared not to hear your dining companions if you sit inside), but the service and unimpressive food with high prices, combined with excellent alternatives like Zocalo, make me not want to return.

    (2)
  • Patricia J.

    I checked this place out with a few friends on a Saturday day night, and I have to admit I was a little wary going in. I had read a few not so positive Yelp reviews but nonetheless, I was open to having a good experience. Unfortunately, that wasnt the case. To start off, the service was quite slow - it took us a while to get our chips and dip and for our server to come around and take our orders. I was willing to overlook that though. I mean, it was a Saturday night, the place was pretty packed, and it looked like there were only about two or three people on the floor. No, the slow service didnt really bother me. What did bother me was the lack of friendliness from the wait staff. They were all quite cold and aloof. I mean, I wasnt expecting a chatty waiter or anything, but a smile wouldnt hurt or even a sincere, How are you this evening? The servers did not look like they wanted to be there themselves, which put quite a damper on the meal. As for the food, I wasnt really impressed. I did like the fresh veggies in the salsa and the spicy kick. My only issue was that there was a bit too much onion which overpowerd it a bit. For my main dish, I had my eye on the chiles rellenos ($13.95) and when I finally dug in, I was partly disappointed.The chiles were pretty good actually, juicy and tender with oh so good melted cheese goodness in the middle. A green (tomatillo?) sauce rounded out the dish. It wasnt spicy, but did have a kick of citrusy lime which was a nice surprise. My main gripe with the dish was its overall saltiness - and I dont think Im that sensitive to sodium. My tastebuds just kinda fell flat after a while. A portion of their main dishes come with rice, beans, and a cabbage slaw. I could have done without sides since they didnt really add much. The rice was overcooked and salty (how hard is it to mess up rice?) and the black beans were lukewarm and salty as well. Only the cabbage slaw was decent and palatable. Overall, Id say my experience here was meh, and Ill give them two stars for trying. I wasnt wowed by the food and thought that it was a bit overpriced. If their servers were the least bit friendly and interested, Id vaguely consider coming back, maybe try something new. I certainly wont be back though. If Im craving Mexican, Ill head over to Anas or Ole.

    (2)
  • Jeff C.

    The stars say that I'm rating this "Meh. I've experienced better." and that couldn't be more right. We went in at 8pm on Saturday night. Prime time in restaurant world, right? So I made a reservation first. When we show up, they seat us next to the bus-boy's stand. Not near the bus-boys stand, but literally right next to it. Our table smelled like the dish cleaning stuff. The busser stood at his station the entire night, which was awkward because we're having a conversation and there's a random stranger standing LITERALLY 12 inches away. Towering over our table. I understand if it were busy, that we should have just been happy to get a seat anywhere. But the other half of the entire room was empty! Including the two 2-tops right near the windows. We had a reservation *and* they never seated anyone there. Why not seat us there? OK, fine. Maybe there were more important reservations that never showed. It happens. But the food? "Meh. I've experienced better." sums it up perfectly. Nachito: what the hell even is that? The salsa tasted like Ragu. The Enchilada Verde was OK, but not good. The sangria was pretty good, but don't go out of your way just for that. To sum it up: Mucho Terrible' (note the tilde)

    (2)
  • Kelly G.

    It's a Wednesday night, it's moderately busy - it's a full 10 minutes before our drink orders are even taken. At that point, we're ready to order and just order straight through (drink, ap, entre). 10 or so minutes later, a table who has just been seated has our chips, salsa, and guacamole delivered to it. They seem pleasantly surprised as they haven't ordered anything and begin chowing down. Our drinks arrive. My strawberry margarita is SUPER sour and has so many little chunks of ice in it (the kind just big enough to clog the straw but not big enough to avoid) that I basically have to wait until it melts to drink it. Then our (brusque to begin with) waiter comes out of the kitchen, swoops the guac off of the other table mumbles an apology to them and then walks away muttering under his breath. A few minutes later, we finally get chips and salsa and a few minutes after that, the guac re-appears. The guac is super fantastic, cilantro heavy, so be aware of that, but fab. We eat to the bottom of our chip basket on salsa and guac, still have plenty of both. The waiter refills our glasses and those on the table around us a few times without saying anything about our chips and I finally ask for more. He brings them out when he brings the entrees. The entrees are ok, but not great. The chicken in my enchilada is not super flavorful and the sauce on top drowns out any nuance that might have been there. The beans have a skin on them already. The rice is dry. All in all, I was super underwhelmed. I also agree with previous commenters that the menu is really limited. Oh well.

    (2)
  • Jimena B.

    I've never had a bad experience at the restaurant. The service is great and every meal I've tried has been delicious. Definitely authentic Mexican food with a cool atmosphere. I recently went vegetarian and even their vegetarian menu is awesome.

    (5)
  • Herb Z.

    This is a great place for authentic Mexican cuisine. The food is five star for sure and the service is great. They also have many Mexican beers on the menu as well. The only reason why I can't give 5 stars is because the parking is tough, and the place fills up fast, and once this happens, forget about getting in there. I got turned a way a couple of times over the summer.

    (4)
  • Nicole V.

    MMMMMMMM... Mexican food. I have now been here about five times and it it delicious. I guess it's not the most authentic food ever, but it isn't 100% Americanized. Despite the fact that this place is huge, there can be an hour plus wait in the summer, so do yourself a favor and Open Table earlier in the day. To start, the margaritas are delicious. Another time we got pitchers of Sangria and it was okay, but not great. I would definitely stick to the tequila. The chips were warm and the salsa tasted fresh, so I was won over. Margaritas and good chips are usually enough to make me happy, but the entrees are delicious too. I really like the veggie enchiladas which have cactus in them and delicious green sauce on top. Last time I went with a friend and we each got the 3 combination so that we would have plenty of leftovers (and we certainly did). I'm not a rice fan so I appreciate that they do sides of black beans and pickled cabbage. It's all super good for leftovers, which I always go home with plenty of. Overall, I'm a big fan. So yes, I realize that Mexican food in the North East is kind of like Italian food anywhere not in the North East. I won't rip on your love for Betucci's and Olive Garden if you leave my Sol Azteca alone....

    (4)
  • Andrew G.

    Good Mexican food is very hard to find in Boston. Sol Azteca makes a great effort, as far as Mexican in Boston goes, it should probably get 5 stars, but I think 4 stars is fair when not considering location. The fresh salsa and chips are good, though I if you aren't a fan of onions and cilantro it may not be suited to your tastes. The meals are large and are very flavorful. I've encountered a lot of Mexican food in the area that can be extremely bland. The drinks are made with a heavy hand, so that's always a plus. :) Outside dining is much better if you don't mind the wait or happen to get there at a good time.

    (4)
  • Erin L.

    Good sangria? Yes Tasty food? Yes Nice patio area? Yes Attentive service? Yes Reasonable prices? Yes (! - that's me in shock) Possibly the best Mexican food in Boston? Definitely Enough said. Go check it out!

    (5)
  • Linda Z.

    I just dined here again last night and disagree with the comments about poor service. I have had excellent service both times I have been here and am pleasantly surprised to find Mexican food in Massachusetts that is flavorful and authentic. Ask for their homemade habanero sauce - it is delightful and adds zest to any dish. I really like the vegetarian chile rellanos, though I prefer the tomatillo sauce (and I mix a fair amount of the habanero sauce in with it). The sangria is good (as other reviews have stated, there is nothing particularly special about it but it is nice and dependably so), as is the Mexican coffee they serve.

    (4)
  • Caitlin G.

    Because this place had ranked highly on Phantom Gourmet, I was hoping that it would be a delicious experience. Not so much. I found the food here to be very bland without any pizzazz. Maybe they were having an off night? The food wasn't that great, and neither was the service. Our waitress took about 15 minutes to fill our drink order with hardly any other diners in the restaurant, and neglected to bring chips and salsa for about 20 minutes. I know there's a possibility that the lapsed drinks weren't on her part but on the bartender's. And the drinks = disappointment. A margarita that costs $6.25 with 'specialty' tequila is about the size of a brimming Dixie cup with a literal thimble-full of liquor. Not too cool. As for the chips and salsa verdict: the chips were hot, fresh and tasty, nice and crisp. The salsa on the other hand was, in keeping with the meal's general theme of banality, beyond mildly flavorful and had sort of a burnt taste to it, like an ingredient had gone bad. I ordered the enchiladas verde, which were the epitome of vanilla. Nothing special whatsoever, just bland, non-spiced chicken with an equally flat sauce. It just laid there on the plate (the presentation was not the best either). The best aspects of the meal were the marinated red cabbage slaw, and the refried black beans whose appearance closely resembled something you don't really want to be thinking about while eating. Those two were pretty tasty. Because we were celebrating my birthday, a slice of coconut cheesecake was ordered. The cheesecake itself was decent but really dry, like it had been sitting out for a while. I didn't really get the coconut flavor either. The caramel sauce itself had definitely been burned and was not good. All in all, I'd say that if you want good tortilla chips, marinated red cabbage slaw and refried black beans, this is the place to go. But if you want really delicious, authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine all around, don't come here.

    (2)
  • Kristine A.

    The food here is pretty good as is the decor, it's actually a pretty big space but doesn't seem like it from the outside. I wasn't impressed w/ the fact my sangria had no fruit in it & the dessert wasn't what I expected & nothing to write home about. At least now I know focus on entrees.

    (3)
  • Katie C.

    I went with one friend to Sol Azteca on a Friday night in late September without a reservation. We waited for service for about five minutes and were seated outside at our request with no wait for a table. The waiter approached our table within minutes and asked if we wanted drinks, but when we said we were fine with water he left. We were ready to order but we had to wait a few more minutes to do so. This wasn't really a problem; it was just awkward. I ordered the quesadillas; my friend got the enchilada de mole verde. We each tried each other's food and agreed that it was delicious. The dishes are a good size and with a dinner entree you receive free chips and salsa. I want to give special mention to the salsa here; it was the best I've ever had. There is no objective standard for these things, so I stress that this is a personal opinion. There were no real problems with the table service; I did have to wait for my water to be refilled at one point, because it was a little difficult to catch anyone's attention, but I feel that this was because they were a little busy and had already checked on us a couple of times. It gave my friend and I the chance to have a decent conversation without interruptions. All in all, a chill, easy dinner on a lovely night.

    (4)
  • Erica M.

    They have a sign in front on the patio that says "Please wait to be seated," but on a lovely May evening there were no staff around to seat the people waiting for tables. I had to go inside after a few minutes of waiting to get someone from inside to come seat the three sets of people waiting for tables. Not a good start. The waiters either didn't speak English or just didn't care about providing good service. The communication was pathetic. After some unimpressive chips and salsa, we waited and waited and the waiter finally brought food...but it was the wrong food! A few more minutes of waiting, it now had been about 45 minutes since ordering, and we finally got our food. Of course it was quite a disappointment when it did arrive, but we inhaled it because we were so hungry by then. I ordered beef fajitas. It was cold and the rice was crunchy (bottom of the pot?). The margarita was good. That was the only part of the meal I really enjoyed. The flan was waxy and heavy, nothing impressive at all. The service was horrible, except that I got the manager to take my dish off the bill. Overall, a very disappointing evening.

    (1)
  • Alex C.

    Food is alright, not cool that they charge you for extra chips and salsa if you ask for seconds or if you don't order an entree they charge you $6.00 for chips and salsa period. Service was not very good, it seems like the last few times I have gone it keeps going downhill but everyone has off days. Not sure if I'll go back. My 2 cents: Whenever looking at reviews always scroll to the bottom and look at the filtered reviews as well. I don't agree with Yelps review filter- ALL reviews should be counted. In many cases if all reviews were considered 5 star companies would have a 2 star rating and vice versa. Decide for yourself yelpers, don't let their "algorithm " do it for you!

    (2)
  • Sasha B.

    Decent mexican food. The place is cute inside, and the service very friendly (my water glass was always full). The sangria was delicious and I love places that give you free chips and salsa! App: Cheese and chorizo: 3 stars (4 stars if you ask for fresh corn tortillas to eat it with!) It is swimming in grease, but come on, you just ordered a plate of melted cheese and sausage Main: You can do a combo plate where you pick 2 entrees (love that!) 1 or each kind of chile rellanos, one beef, one cheese: 4 stars, very good! 1 of each kind of enchilada mole, chicken: 3 stars, yummy, somewhat standard The sides on the main dish were 5 stars though: I loved the refried black beans with rice, the black bean has a really good flavor to it.

    (4)
  • Charlie D.

    I've been to Sol Azteca in the past and liked it a lot but after my recent visit I was not all that impressed. The service was good as were the chips and salsa, but the enchiladas did not seem very fresh nor did the side dishes. It seems like the quality of the food has definitely gone down. I have not been to Zocalo in Brighton as others have recommended but I have been to their sister restaurant Andale in the Financial District. If Andale is any guide, I would guess that Zocalo is much fresher and tastier than Sol Azteca. That's where I'll be going next.

    (2)
  • Jacey B.

    I can see how the outdoor seating would elevate the dining experience but nothing we ate or drank was special. There are so many more impressive Mexican restaurants in the greater Boston area from a culinary (and a drink) perspective (Ole & Zocalo to name 2). I won't be revisiting this place.

    (2)
  • Michelle L.

    Sol Azteca is a Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Audubon Circle. They offer outdoor seating in addition to their multiple dining rooms inside. Summarizing their strengths, I have to highlight the guacamole, mole sauce, and overall generous portions. For $15.25 you get a 3 meal combination plate that is over flowing with food-- great if you want to sample a little of this and a little of that. Also popular is the Pollo Veracruzano; chicken in a sauce of tomato, capers, mushrooms, almonds, raisins and white wine. Everyone I know who orders this loves it. Chips and homemade salsa are complementary with dinner entrees, but definitely get their guacamole. It's creamy and smooth with occasional chunks of avocado. A huge shiny start for the guac! On the negative side, the margaritas aren't well differentiated. I tried a few and didn't find that one stood out more than another, which is odd. I tried the Spicy Margarita, Grand Gold Margarita and Margarita Patron Anejo. A margarita drink should vary dramatically based on the ingredients. Another weakness is the slow service. I am absolutely not saying that it is bad, but it is noticeably poky. When I evaluate restaurant service I think of the greeting, promptness/timing, knowledge (often evident though recommendations), follow-through, and overall approach. It took a noticeable amount of time to get chips and salsa, order drinks, etc. We basically filled up on chips, which isn't ideal. I will continue to dine here because the food IS good, they are accommodating to large parties, well priced and centrally located.

    (3)
  • K M.

    The service was great and I enjoyed sitting outside watching the sights of Boston. The sangria was a little on the sweet side but the food was fantastic.

    (4)
  • EricaLynn J.

    I love the atmosphere. I love the appetizers. I ADORE the chips and guac. Not entirely fond of the main course menu, but it's not because the dishes are not cooked well or properly. I think there's just a lot of the same thing on there, with just slight variations... and if you don't like those few things, you may just be out of luck.

    (3)
  • Alex S.

    When you say you want Mexican and your not automatically talking about a Burrito, Sol Azteca may be the place to go. This is a really well decorated clean Mexican restaurant right below street level. It is nice that it gives off the whole Mexican vibe without being overly cheesy and ridiculous. The chips and salsa are good which is a must for any decent Mexican place. All the staff is attentive and polite without being overbearing or being overly involved in the dinner conversation. The Mole Poblano is a personal favorite of mine. Each entre comes with many sides and the portions will fill you up no matter how hungry they are. Takeout is also a good option form sol azteca. Takeout orders include chips and salsa which is a big plus. The only thing is that it is slightly overpriced I think. I really emphasize slightly, and maybe that's just cause I am used to Mexican restaurants being cheap but it did seem that way to me.

    (3)
  • Bullwinkle M.

    Awesome, awesome mexican food (not tex-mex). Chips and homemade salsa to start is fantastic and goes great with their excellently strong margaritas (available in "low-cal," too). Highly recommend the Enchiladas de Verde. Service was perfect, patio was pleasant, and I will most definitely return.

    (4)
  • Sharon L.

    I love Mexican food. Sol Azteca has Mexican food. I easily loved Sol Azteca. I got the Enchiladas de Mole Verde and they were saucy and cheesy and delicious. My friend got a beef burrito which was massive and looked amazing, as he said it was. My other friend did not get sauce on her enchiladas and she enjoyed them, but I say "no sauce?! on Mexican food?!" But different strokes for different folks. Anyway I believe it is always good to see restaurants that will do custom orders without hesitation. The pickled cabbage that comes on the plates is FANTASTIC. Its sort of like a spicy, pickley cole slaw but with larger, more crisp bites of cabbage. I am going to try to find a recipe and re-create this or go down there and try to order a tub and bring it home. It is that good! My complaints are as follows: The service was less than attentive. My one friend found it satisfactory, but I wish the waiter was a little quicker and that I saw him a little more. The chips (not the salsa... the salsa was AMAZING) could have been more whole, meaning there were a ton a chip pieces and less whole chips. They also could have been more fresh. I got the feeling they were sitting around for awhile. Neither of these kept me from dipping them into the salsa and guac like a crazy person before getting my meal, but I'm just sayin...

    (4)
  • Joe K.

    Good prices. Great chimichanga. Excellent cabbage side! Awesome guacamole. Try and go in nice weather to sit outside.

    (4)
  • Grace S.

    Pros: Authentic Mexican restaurant. This alone earns Sol Azteca distintion in a city peppered with Chipotles and Qdobas and Bolocos, even Anna's Taqueria. The food also happens to be very good (excellent chips and salsa). Lovely patio in the summer. Cons: Location, away from the main commercial area of Kenmore Square. (To the disadvantage of the restaurant, more than the patrons) Balance: PROS BOTTOM LINE: The experience is similar to Back Bay's Casa Romero, but more affordable and in less self-conscious environs.

    (4)
  • Michelle B.

    There's a ton of food at this place! It's just a shame that even within your individual plate the food on it can be so hit or miss. I had the "Combinacion Sol", which was an half order of the beef tostada and half an order of the chili rellenos. This came with three sides: a red cabbage slaw, black refried beans and rice. The rice was tough - just slightly harder than al dente and the beans were bland. Some cumin would have been appreciated! The beef in the tostada was "picadillo" style, which apparently means that there's potatoes in it. This didn't bother me, but it did bother several other people who hadn't expected potatoes in their tacos. It tasted like a sort of hash to me and it was well-seasoned, so I was happy. The service... meh. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing really outstanding and getting our check and paying was a 25 minute ordeal that was unnecessary.

    (3)
  • Matt F.

    Sol Azteca is about as good as it gets food-wise when it comes to Mexican in Boston. With that being said, there are still some major issues. Let's start with the good. First off, you can't beat the price. A large caraffe of sangria is $19 - that's a great deal. Most of the entrees are under $15, and they are all generous portions. I'm particularly fond of the arroz con pollo (chicken & rice soup). It's incredibly salty, and perfect in every single way. I also really like the enchiladas verdes. The tomatillo sauce is fantastic. Now to the bad. Some things on the menu are just horrid. We can start with the baked cheese & chorizo appetizer. The should just call this cheese swimming in grease. Also, the mole poblano is comically bad, bland and boring. Lastly, the service is unacceptably slow. I get the sense this is due to too few waiters. They only seemed to have one guy taking orders for the entire restaurant (inside & out) the last time I was there! There had to be 12-15 tables of people - unless he has super powers, that just won't work

    (3)
  • Sara S.

    Probably the best Mexican food I've had in Boston proper. Paublo was an awesome, efficent waiter and made sure we were taken care of for our entire meal. He even put a litte something "extra" in our sangria! The chips and salsa were delicious, although I wish the chips were a little saltier. The salsa was obviously homemade and had lots of cilantro in it, just the way I like it! I ordered the vegetable fajitas, which were delicious, although surprisingly/disappointingly didn't come on a sizzling plate. However, I've never had vegetable fajitas with such a variety- red peppers, green peppers, onions, cactus, zucchini, broccoli. It was delicious and a vegetarians dream! It came with a side of rice and black beans which were the perfect compliment. The guac was delicious too! I'd like to come back and enjoy their patio seating and any variation of their dishes with cilantro sauce. The prices are about Cactus Club prices (not cheap, not too expensive) but Sol Azteca is a much better value.

    (4)
  • Lauren C.

    I'm from out of town and we took a chance on this place. Number 1 it looks like a hole in the wall from the outside but the inside was adorable. The red sangria was wonderful. I had a special with pulled pork that was to die for(so tender and so much flavor) and the sever was 5 stars. I have nothing to complain about. :) I would recommend checking this spot out.

    (5)
  • Henry S.

    First off, I have to write a disclaimer. I am from the southwest where good Mexican food is a given. My first experience with Mexican food in Boston was, to say the least, a disappointment. The frozen margaritas we asked for finally came and we immediately sent them back. You could see they were completely watered down slush and when we took a sip it was confirmed. Unfortunately the ones on the rocks were not much better tasting. I ordered a combination plate that included a beef taco and a red enchilada. Beef taco flavor was good and rice looked authentic but the red sauce and enchilada are to be avoided, and I don't even understand why there is pickled red cabbage served with the meal. Like I said, had high hopes especially after tasting the salsa but the chips were stale. Waitress was pleasant but the service was slow. Hope to find another place to try but will not consider giving this place a second try.

    (1)
  • Heather G.

    The restaurant is very quaint-ly decorated, and looks more authentic-Mexican than any of the other places serving Mexican fare in Boston I've seen. The waitstaff is unintrusive yet always present when you need something or require a refill. The Enchiladas Verdes and Enchiladas de mole verde were both good, but the burritos are only decent and seem less-authentic than I would expect from the decor. They remind me of a fajitas and ritas burrito with the big, carb-y flour tortilla covered in shredded cheese in a big puddle and baked. One time I was here, I wanted something less-heavy and the only real option that didn't look fatty was a house salad...but for $5.75 it was 3 lettuce leaves, 2 rings of onion, and a handful of cherry tomatoes on an appetizer plate. If you are looking to eat something healthier/lighter, don't expect to see an option for that on this menu; this is not the place for you to dine! I would be back and try a special item or maybe fajitas if a friend felt really compelled to dine here, but let's just say I wouldn't go out of my way to choose this restaurant if I could have my pick of anywhere in the area. *****2 stars for food-alone, but an additional star for the decor and waitstaff.

    (3)
  • Mark D.

    I don't order out for Mexican food very often, and after this, yet another, disappointment with the delivery of Mexican food, I will never order from a Mexican restaurant in Boston if I am not going to physically pick it up myself or sit down to eat there. I ordered from Sol one evening via Foodler, I ordered the Nachos Grande and Enchiladas Verdes. The delivery service Sol uses is Dine Valet. First, the delivery. I have never ordered from a restaurant that uses Dine Valet and my first experience will be my last. If I could figure out the name of the company I would leave a review for them as well, but I can't seem to find them. My order was submitted at 6:20 pm with a delivery estimate of 7:25 pm. I am a rather patient person, and gave them some leeway and called 20 minutes after the food was supposed to have arrived. The lady who answered was polite, and surprised that my food had yet to arrive and promised to call me back after they got in touch with the driver. They did call me back and I was told they would be refunding me $8, which was delivery + tip. I told them that if my food was not edible, I would be calling back, and they told me to please do so. About 10 - 15 minutes later the food finally arrives. The enchiladas are barely warm but edible, however the nachos were a pile of mush. They looked fabulous btw. I called Dine Valet and complained. They told me they would take off the cost of the nachos. I thanked them. That takes me to the refund. By my calculations, I should have been refunded the cost of the nachos and the delivery+tip. Instead I was refunded $13.09. So, those nachos were $12.65, with tax that's not even the cost of the nachos. So I ended up paying for inedible food and shitty delivery. So on to the food. It was pretty standard fare. Like I said, the nachos looked fabulous, and if I ever physically make it over to Sol, I will get them again because they were smothered in cheese and jalapenos just like I like them. The enchiladas contained nice all white meat chicken, and while the amount of chicken was good, there were only two small enchiladas with only a little verdes sauce. Kinda disappointing, but they were tasty. It came with some refried beans which were too cold to eat. Sol would have probably received 3 stars from me if the food had arrived hot and edible but the deliver was one star and the food that was edible wasn't all that special. tl;dr Sol is probably a great restaurant if you have the opportunity to visit. But I would suggest you reconsider if you are ordering out for delivery.

    (2)
  • Clare D.

    Fantastic food! And superb service. There were four of us for dinner on a Friday night and everything was brought quickly and there were no mistakes. The server went out of his way to accomodate my preference for pork in my enchiladas mole verde. I tried all of the dishes at our table: the seafood soup, pollo cilantro, the carnitas and my own enchiladas with beans, rice and cabbage slaw. Everything was outstanding, the flavors were strong and well chosen. The margaritas were good although all were a tad sweet for my taste. I was very, very happy with our experience and will go back again for sure.

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    The outdoor seating and proximity of our friends' apartment initially lured us to Sol Azteca, but it was the food, drink and atmosphere of the evening that made us truly enjoy our experience. We were graciously greeted and a table was prepared for four, even though rearranging of furniture and changes in the floor plan were necessary. We began with their sangria, which was deliciously flavored with cinnamon, and devoured the chips and salsa within minutes - so tasty! A favorite was the enchiladas con mole poblano, made with traditional Mexican mole made with chili peppers, chocolate, etc. SO GOOD! They offer combination dinners to try out two or three of their options, which is recommended to get the best bang for the buck and a range of flavors. Overall, a great place for a group of friends, a family outing, or a date.

    (4)
  • J A.

    Came here with a friend for a quick dinner on a relatively slow week night on a cold and rainy evening. We were warmly greeted and promptly seated. I ordered the Mango Chicken and was not pleased. While the portion was large it didn't taste fresh and seemed as though it was mango marinade that was overly sweet as opposed to fresh mango. The restaurant was not especially crowded, probably due to the weather and the fact that it was a weeknight but the service was still very good. I'm willing to return to Sol Azteca but will not order the mango chicken.

    (3)
  • Renee M.

    Funny story, I am waiting on food from Sol Azteca as we speak. My friends and I originally ordered at 6:45(TWO TURDUCKEN HOURS AGO), they forgot an entire entre (as well as the free chips and salsa promised with each entree) and then were complete asshats on the phone. Sorry, Im going to try to be mature about this.... The food isnt that bad, too bad i have had a complete cell regeneration in the time it took them to bring our first entres. Secondly, they took our money despite not giving us all the food. When we called them to let them know they forgot an entre, they said it would be there within the hour, letting our poor friend wait an hour while everyone else ate. AND the total came to 54$ for three entres! because they add a 10 percent delivery charge which they refused to revoke. ALL im saying is the food isnt that bad, small portions for the price BUT THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS AND IF THEY DONT KNOW HOT TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHO'S TO SAY WHAT OTHER RESTAURANT GUIDELINES THEY IGNORE?

    (1)
  • L D.

    Love everything about this place. The food, the drinks, the ambience, it's all amazing! Everytime my boyfriend and I make a trip to Boston the first thing I do (before I even book a hotel room) we make our reservations here. We even plan our days around it. I wish I could bottle this place up and bring it home with me!

    (5)
  • Rahul R.

    I had bought this coupon from BuyWithMe.com where I got $40 value for $20, which is why I tried this place. Over all experience OK. Customer Service: BAD. Food Quality: OK Service Time: BAD. It was taking for ever to get the food, water, and so on. Attitude from the Service guy: BAD Food I had: Enchilladas and Tostadas, both vegetarian No Refill for Aerated Drinks, which other places do have. Its an Expensive place, which isn't that worth it. Tip is a MUST irrespective the quality of service if good or bad. They have means to get tip out of you, which is kind off shock to me. Tip is NEVER a must at any restaurant, its a gesture of appreciation for a great service received from the service guy/gurl. I would prefer Margaritas or Ole's over this place. Thanks Akash

    (1)
  • April I.

    Enchiladas mole poblano and tacos fritos---yummm. Fresh made guacamole and chips and salsa---yummm. 4 or 5 house margaritas -- shit I'm suddenly drunk, full, happy with my company and wondering how many baskets of chips and bowls of salsa we've actually eaten. Met a friend here the other night. Great service, awesome food. I loved my enchiladas mole poblano -- just a hint of heat and richness. Really good and authentic mole is thick with chocolate, almonds, chili peppers, and lots of spices and other ingredients. This was perfect, complex and tasty. The tacos were crunchy filled with beef and cubed potatoes. It was all good. Our waiter was really nice. We sat for a couple of hours just drinking margaritas and eating more chips and salsa and talking. He was totally non-intrusive, filled up our waters, kept the margaritas coming, and the chips and salsa full. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)
  • Aileen Q.

    Great sangria, which the extent of the good about this place. Our waiter was VERY grumpy and uncooperative. He only cheered up when he handed us the check. WTH? The food was less than spectacular. I will not be returning. There are other places to get decent sangria in town.

    (2)
  • Phoua C.

    Good authentic Mexican place. I love the fact that their menu is simple. And their drinks are great. (Yummy margaritas in my tummy) I've had the pork verde, love their verde sauce, the enchiladas, the tostadas, the chimichangas, well, most of their food. Except the seafood. I don't eat seafood. And the chips and salsa! Need I say more? I like how I don't have to add more spice to it. I always recommend this place when someone asks about Mexican.

    (3)
  • Haley B.

    Expensive and just so so. The service was really great, and the salsa was delicious, but overall not really worth it.

    (2)
  • Ashley M.

    This place has the BEST guacamole!!! sangria is fantastic as well! I work in the neighborhood and will be back as soon as outdoor seating comes back in to season!

    (5)
  • Michele G.

    The little carafe of sangria was a nice option for about 3 glasses' worth at $11. The shrimp in cilantro sauce was good, and that's where everything good ends. The server could care less if we liked the food, or the sad, sad excuse for queso. This queso was actually a mass of shredded mozzarella dumped in a little pan and melted. Dipping a chip into the rubbery mess was impossible. God, it was disgusting -- puddles of oil sat on top of the vile concoction and it was hard not to stare into the abyss. (Shudders.) The quesadilla is actually a deep fried empanada. Don't order it, period. In fact, go to La Verdad for a fantastic steak burrito and some truly great and authentic tacos. Even the guacamole here was apathetic and bland.

    (1)
  • stephanie c.

    My friends love this place and come here regularly. I've been her 5 times now and as much as I try to like it...I'm indifferent. I've had great street mexican food and also great traditional mexican food and this just doesn't cut it. Margaritas are good and food is alright, but nothing special. In terms of better Mexican I've had in Boston-I'd choose Casa Romero. Food seems to be much more flavorful.

    (2)
  • Sarah A.

    Was back here recently and the sangria seems to have taken a nose dive. Blah! I was also not terribly impressed with my nachos but they were decent enough. The best (yet incredibly fattening) thing here has got to be the fried quesadillas. So good and very authentic. I still love the atmosphere so I am keeping my three stars but I won't order the sangria again here.

    (3)
  • Chris B.

    To my knowledge, there aren't too many other Mexican Restaurants in the Boston area that are as authentic as Sol Azteca. The margaritas are great, the salsa is undoubtedly fresh, the corn tortillas are freshly made in house and the various sauces to top the dishes are extremely flavorful. I go for the enchiladas nearly every time, as I think they offer a great variety in flavors. The price is right, and the service, although slow, is actually nice because you never feel rushed. The place is even better in the summer time when you can eat outside (soon!).

    (4)
  • Emily A.

    Overpriced and bad. Avoid this place. The stuff did not taste fresh at all. Chips were not good either.

    (1)
  • Mon R.

    I've been here twice, primarily because I had forgotten how bad it was the first time I came here.

    (2)
  • Ashish G.

    The guacamole here is absolutely AMAZING! I just get the Chips and salsa here with a side of guac sometimes because its that good. There's a really nice large server too . It's a great place to go in the afternoons and evenings because it's never crowded and the interiors are so well done. I would even suggest it for a date night. I love the place. Oh and did I mention the guacamole?: D

    (5)
  • Allison G.

    The place was surprisingly big, and they were happy to take a reservation for a party of 8 on a Saturday night. I was especially pleased because I called at 5 to reserve a table for 7pm! We were sat in a room in the back. We weren't the only patrons back there, but we were ignored for a bit, and sat enviably watching the other tables munch on chips and salsa. Once the chips and salsa arrived, we hungrily dug in. The chips were fresh (perhaps why they took so long to get to us?) and the salsa was delicious. Waiter took a while, so when he finally came, we put in our entire order. The food finally made it out to us, and I found no matter how bad the service, I would still come back here for the food. I ordered the Enchiladas de mole poblano and the mole was amazing! I wanted to lick the sauce off the plate after I had finished. The sides were all excellent, and most of us cleaned out plates (which is saying a lot, as their portions are big). Everyone agreed that the food overall was great. The only complaint was that the fajitas didn't sizzle! We wanted to stay for a while chatting and enjoying our drinks, but the waiter was obviously trying to rush us out the door. It was only 9:30, and they are meant to close at 11. There was no obvious need for our table as the place wasn't busy. Eventually we figured out that with business being slow and a snow storm expected they wanted to close early. We happily packed up and left so the staff could get home safely, but did note that the only time the waiter was attentive was when he was trying to leave. Overall, 5 stars for the food, 3 stars for the service. I will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Milee S.

    Mexican is my favorite type of food, so I love checking out the limited number of Mexican restaurants in the Boston area. Sol Azteca is pretty good... I really like their margaritas. I've had a lemon one (it was one of their specials) and a strawberry. Both were delicious. The chips and salsa are just ok...nothing to rave about. The guacamole could use more lemon and salt...it was a bit bland, and pricey ($7). I've had meals with mole sauce. It's an interesting type of sauce...kinda chocolatey, but yet has a bite. I had the chicken enchilades this past time, and I felt the sauce was overwhelming at times. My friend had the tostada and she seemed to like it. We skipped dessert. The bill wasn't cheap, but not unreasonable either. I find it to be a special occasion place...like catching up with an old friend or taking the parents out to dinner. Not bad, but not spectacular either.

    (3)
  • Allison B.

    Pleasantly surprised! As a BU kid, I must've walked by this place 900 times. I always thought it looked so tex-mex típica that I'd just walk on by. On a whim, we decided to try it on our way to the movies. 1 - Gotta love it when the first thing you see when you open the menu is *BAM* - an entire flap dedicated to vegetarian selections. I went with the vegetarian enchiladas and was thoroughly satisfied. A great standard done well - squash, cheese, green chili sauce - delish. 2 - Bf has been searching the city high-and-low for a place that serves regular old joe shmoe hard shelled tacos. It's amazing that they'd be hard to find, but this place has got 'em, so he was also happy. 3 - Great prices - even on drinks! I think a margarite was something like $6 or $7, and they looked huge and scrumptious. Note to self: things to try next time: - Mole - Sangria and/or margarita - Guac Note to others: I liked this place enough to warrant a "next time" :)

    (4)
  • Kevin B.

    THE Mexican restaurant in Boston. Seems to be family owned, same people working all the time, they will remember you if you are a repeat customer! Chips, salsa, guac, and queso are spot on. Margaritas are perfect, but you have to get the special ones. No house margarita (lower quality). Order a margarita with the tequila that you want (recommend Chinaco Anejo). They have a list of tequilas for margaritas so it is easy. Really friendly staff, sometimes food takes a while to get out, but it is part of the experience. Mole is some of the best I have had. This place is great!

    (5)
  • Amanda U.

    Love this place! Very few Mexican places around Boston. This place is cutely decorated and affordable. Fun and relaxed atmosphere. Also, they really give you unlimited chips and salsa! The queso comes in a cast iron pan and has browned cheese on top, so definitely order it!

    (5)
  • Muna H.

    Our order: 3 hours late. Told at 9:45pm just not to expect it oh but here's maybe a $10 coupon, good luck finding food now. Then it magically arrives. Leaking and smashed to one side. Brown avocados. Cold crusty beans. A chile relleno hiding in there somewhere. A crispy taco so soft that it jumps to the side with a flick of the finger and crumples. The starving boyfriend tries microwaving his enchiladas. The coleslaw (?) included now seeps icky hot into everything. The mole tastes like BBQ. I basically just spent sixty dollars and three hours waiting for Sol Azteca to give me 3lbs of trash to throw away for them. What did I ever do to you, Sol Azteca? One star for reminding me that life is absurd and the check is never in the mail.

    (1)
  • Colleen F.

    You will not a find a more authentic fine dining Mexican cuisine in the Boston area. This place has been around since 72' and it has the loyal customers to prove it. Service is always good, the margaritas, even better. Anything with the CILANTRO SAUCE it delicious! Their Mole Negro is also good; both my favorite sauces. The manager of the restaurant RIMA is the cutest and really goes above and beyond to make your experience a pleasurable one. Their outdoor patio is perfect this time of year to indulge in their red sangria (best in the city). Highly recommended!! Also their desserts are so good too! Fried icecream, bananas with goal milk caramel, and their coconut cheesecake is the best.

    (5)
  • Joe E.

    Great food and nice people. The owner was very involved in making sure everyone was happy. The food was fresh and the drinks cold. Nice place to sit outside and enjoy a summer night. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Juliet K.

    There aren't a lot of traditional / legit Mexican restaurants in boston overall, so it's nice to have this place nearby the Brookline area. To start with, I really love their complimentary salsa and chips. I usually ask for another thing of salsa before the entree comes out! Carne asada steak platter is a solid dish there and it is a sizable portion. There's a mango chicken dish that's super tasty too. The ambiance is something to note as well. Lots of traditional Mexican clay tiles on the floors, and ornate painted tiles embedded in the tables. There are two sections of the restaurant and a small outdoor area when it's warm enough to sit outside.

    (4)
  • Hannu K.

    If you want to find a nice Mexican restaurant in Boston, this is an excellent choice! Great food and very friendly staff. Patio is a plus for warm summer nights

    (5)
  • Sara W.

    I went here last night for restaurant week, and I can honestly say that this place is amazing. If you're feeling for some authentic Mexican food and you need a place to go, this place will definitely hit the spot for you. The restaurant's atmosphere was great-- the decor was on point. The food was amazing, and we had such a friendly waiter. The only downside that night was waiting for our appetizers to come. It took a while for the waiter to give us our food, but other than that, I have zero complaints. The first thing that we had was complimentary salsa and chips. The salsa was AMAZING. It was fresh, and it went so well with the crispy tortilla chips. For appetizers, I ordered the Ceviche, my friends ordered the Nacho-style cheese dip with Spinach and Jalapeño, and the Ensalada Azteca with Guacamole. The Ceviche I had was DELICIOUS. I've had Ceviche before, but the Ceviche here though... it was so good. The only downside was the avocados that were included with my Ceviche. The avocados weren't ripe enough, so they didn't taste good. But because my Ceviche was so delicious, I didn't really care so much about the avocados. The dip my friend ordered was also amazing! It was just like Nacho-cheese with a little kick to it because of the jalapeños. I loved it a lot because I really love cheese in general...and nachos. Haha. Next was our entrees. I got the Fajitas Texana, and my friends got the Combo Especial. The entrees were spot on. It was absolutely DELICIOUS. I have never been so happy about eating Mexican food. The protein was cooked right, the beans and rice were cooked right-- everything was perfect. The only downside to my dish was the guacamole. I love my guacamole more on the sour side, with lots and lots of lime. The guacamole was pretty bland. On top of that, the avocados they used weren't ripe, so it didn't taste good. But despite this, my dish was still amazing. I also tried some of the Combo Especial, and it was equally as good. Lastly, we got dessert. I ordered the Pastel Azteca, and it tasted like exactly what the description says: a light coconut cheesecake. I'm not a big fan of cheesecake, but I had to order this because there's coconut in it! For someone who isn't a big fan of cheesecake, the Pastel Azteca was so good. It wasn't super rich like a cheesecake, it was really light, which I liked a lot. It kind of tasted like flan, but in a cheesecake form. Overall, I had a great experience. I would definitely come here again. OH, and their lemonade was bommmmbbbbbb. I've never enjoyed my lemonade so much before. The waiter was nice enough to give me a second one for free. :)

    (4)
  • Orion S.

    Staff is friendly and potions are good size, quality is ok. Mixed drinks ; expensive, served the smallest margarita I have ever seen and still had ice cubes top to bottom. Sangria is better choice but still not priced right.

    (2)
  • Linda W.

    The entrance is down the stairs, but this restaurant is NOT to be overlooked!! It was a delight to find an authentic Mexican restaurant, one of the first in Boston, in Brookline. The decor is warm, and decorated with lovely Mexican tile. The waitstaff is friendly and responsive, and the food was fresh...the sauces, tortillas, desserts HOMEMADE, using the original recipes from when it was opened in 1978. The dishes reflect the regions of Puebla, Veracruz, and Mexico City, Mexico I ordered the Enchilada Verde and the sauce and the chicken were the freshest and most flavorful I can remember being served. The restaurant may not be the trendiest place in town, but there is a lot to be said for a restaurant being in operation for 41 years!! They must be doing something right!

    (5)
  • Ann L.

    You think you've seen all quesadillas until you try one from Sol Azteca. The blue margaritas are a must! Not a place to go for a quick bite, but overall good experience.

    (4)
  • Zack C.

    This place is terrible. Not because the food was bad, but because the drink and food portions were pathetic. Our margaritas ($8 each) were served in an 8 oz glass. We got the combination platter for $16, which had a single quesadilla smaller than my hand (which was actually more like an empanada with low quality chicken), and a single chimichanga about 4 inches long, while 3/4 of the plate was covered in rice, beans and cole slaw. The food tasted okay at best, but was nothing to rave about. There were free chips and salsa, but I do not go out for those. Go somewhere where you can actually get a decent-sized meal for your money and don't have to get full on chips and salsa.

    (1)
  • Richard P.

    I recently ate here with a Mexican friend (who would certainly know good Mexican food). We both liked our meals a lot. The service was fine and the hostess was a delight (instantly speaking Spanish to my friend... he said that was the first time that had ever happened in Boston). The patio was full (and it was a warm night) so we opted to eat indoors (no other diners in the dining room we were in and I have to say it did smell a little musty/damp/moldy, but not horrible. All that tile and stucco and being half underground probably caused it. Cute, authentic decor and again, the food was very good and just what we wanted. Could be slightly cheaper, but it is Boston. Would we go back? Definitely.

    (4)
  • Victoria C.

    Had an early dinner at Sol Azteca, it was quite lovely! The free chips and salsa were delicious. The chips seem quite fresh and crisp, the three of us when through three baskets! The guac was also very fresh, would recommend. Chips & Salsa -- 5/5 I ordered the Enchiladas with mole poblano. It was delicious!! The waitress recommended it to me because it's one of their more popular dishes. Definitely worth a try, the mole sauce is interesting. Enchilades 4/5 The service was really great, the waitress was attentive and very sweet. Nice authentic atmosphere... not that I really know much about the authenticity... but it was quite cozy!! Would recommend.

    (4)
  • Lillian C.

    We originally wanted to get gy-kaku but the wait was way too long so we came here. We were promptly seated and the service was pretty on point throughout the night. I had a pitcher of the red sangria and it was really delicious. I really liked their chips and salsa too. Since I wasn't too hungry I opted to order two al pastor tacos a la carte. The tacos were decent, but the meat was a little dry. I know the other people in my group liked the dishes they ordered. Their portions are pretty big also. However, I think I'm just not a fan of traditional Mexican dishes and prefer tacos. Overall the price is a little high compared with Mexican food in LA, but I guess it's pretty regular for Boston. I still haven't found a place that is on par to places in LA...

    (3)
  • Greg P.

    Good food marred by TERRIBLE service Sol Azteca is located on Beacon St. close to the Fenway T stop and with plenty of on street parking. The ambiance fits with the Mexican cuisine but is neither particularly exciting nor noteworthy. Sol Azteca offers a number of standard options for Mexican cuisine. I have eaten there a couple of times but stopped going because the food has not been the same. This plus the fact that the service has always been poor (more on that in a minute) makes it a no brainer. I usually start with the guacamole which has been marked by a shrinking portion size. It is pretty good though. The chilaquiles for a meal is excellent. Delicious tortilla layers with tender chicken and cheese. The enchiladas verdes are just ok. The service at Sol Azteca is terrible. We have had the same male server almost every time and he is exceptionally rude. Never cracking a smile and poorly attentive. Forget about drink and water refills. You ought to bring bottled water just in case so you don't get dehydrated! We had to send a dish back to the kitchen because it was not what we ordered. He huffed and puffed and just dropped the correct dish on our table. This attitude pervades the restaurant too because you can expect to wait quite a while to catch the attention of the host so you can be seated (even when the restaurant is not that busy). I haven't been back in months and don't plan to. I doubt they would every try to improve the situtation. They just don't seem to care! Too bad, because the food is actually decent.

    (2)
  • Rob C.

    This is some of the best sit-down Mexican food on this side of the harbor. The girlfriend had a groupon that hooked us up with an absurd feast for a steal, considering it's such a reasonably-priced place to begin with. The usual Mexican-restauraunt decor of bright colors and pastels works so well here that you forget it's a cliche and just appreciate how much it makes a basement space not feel like one. There are a lot of nice nooks and crannies to have a quiet dinner, too. i judge any Mexican place by the quality of their chips and the alacrity with which they are replenished (yummy, and with all due speed). We also had some quesadillitas for appetizers, which were also delicious. I had chilaquiles for dinner, and they did not let me down either; a huge pile of tasty goodness, but still staying crispy and flavorful down to the last bite. And even with the confusion that inevitably follows using any sort of coupon deal, the waiter was friendly and cheerful. And patient. We should have gone here much more often, but now we know.

    (4)
  • April K.

    Worst service I have experienced in a very very long time... Speaking of long, it took forever for the waiter to take our orders and bring us our food. He messed up on one order, and I don't know why it took so long for him/the chefs to fix it. The restaurant was not very crowded and all my friend ordered were two tacos. We were with a big group, but that doesn't mean that they take 30 minute intervals between bringing each person's food out. There were 11 people in our group. Eight people received their entrees, and then another 30-40 minutes later the rest finally received theirs. The waiter apologized a few times, but I still think it was ridiculous. Half of the people in our group were done with their dinner before the rest of us even received our food. The food is just mediocre too. I will never come back because of the poor service.

    (2)
  • Gina-Marie M.

    I'm not at all one to give low stars but man this place makes it hard to give higher marks. So I haven't tried the food so I really can't say anything but I can comment on the drinks. My friends and I came here on a margarita bar crawl we decided to embark on one thursday night. The pace was pretty much empty yet it took the waiter 10 to come to our table just to take our drink orders. We all ordered a different margarita and then waited another almost 15-20mins to get them. With a total of 9 people in the joint my party was less then pleased. The part that really top off the experience was that all of the mags we ordered we didn't like. Not one. We tried 4 off the menu and didn't stay to try anything else. It wasn't that they were different or too strong they were just horrible. The house mag was the only one that was debatably decent. I was very disappointed and wont be returning.

    (1)
  • Linda C.

    At one time (20 years ago) this was a really good Mexican restaurant. Now it is terrible. The food is like it came out of a can and was barely warmed up. Service is poor as well. And if you have the bad luck of sitting in the upper room be sure to bring earplugs - the noise level is god awful. Guacamole - barely any avocado in it, much lettuce and other tasteless filler. Chicken enchiladas mole poblano - is that chicken? is that was that glop was? inedible. Cheese enchiladas mole poblano - ok barely edible (better than the chicken mess, because, well it was cheese) but the sauce was not what i would call mole. beans - no texture rice - cold and old "signature" cabbage side - also must have been sitting around for longer than it should have.

    (1)
  • Jenn S.

    After years of passing Sol Azteca, I finally went here with some friends on a cold, cold night. We started off with some chips and an order of guacamole (which was very good and had me scraping the bowl). I was a piggy and went for the combination plate (a choice of any two dinner items listed above). I did the Enchiladas Verdes (Soft tortilla rolled with chicken, topped with green tomatillo sauce, cheese and sour cream) and I THINK the Enchiladas de Mole Verde?? (a rich sauce made with poblano peppers, onions, pumpkin seeds and almonds spread over chicken, cheese or beef enchiladas - I don't remember pumpkin seeds being on the menu though...) Whatever I got, I ate the entire thing. Obviously, both were good (although I could not tell which was which...). I had a Restaurant.com certificate, which saved us a few bucks, but even without it, the price wasn't bad (perhaps because 2 of us didn't get drinks?). I thought it was good, but nothing spectacular. The decor is nice and it was very quiet (probably not so on a weekend though). I can definitely see sitting outside during a nice summer evening (despite the cars driving past on Beacon).

    (3)
  • Abby R.

    Good, moderately priced mexican food in a classier environment than most mexican places. Most entrees are in the $15-$17 range which I find borderline too expensive considering at least 60% of the food in these dishes are rice and beans. Hhhhanyway, I got a big meaty enchilada and it was delish. Not the best I've ever had, but it hit the spot. Free chips and salsa are always a plus in my book too. The food and atmosphere were decent, but I don't find myself remembering my experience here with a rosy halo around it and I probably wouldn't come back unless I was in the area and came down with a case of burrito jonesin'. But, since I'm not a classy broad, I might just go to Anna's in Coolidge Corner for equally delicious rice and beans on the cheap.

    (3)
  • Nicole B.

    Best things about this place are the cute little old lady hostess and outside seating. The food was pretty tasty but VERY salty. I had the fish tacos and chicken soup. I did appreciate that they let me and my date sit down to eat a half hour before closing, that's pretty awesome.

    (3)
  • P'raka ..

    I can't believe I have not reviewed Sol Azteca yet. I have been going here for years and consistantly get great food and service. One of my favorite things about this place is that the sides that come with the dinner plates (rice, refried beans and a vinegar-y cabbage slaw) taste AWESOME. I've been to many places where the sides are an afterthought and don't taste good. Not the case with Sol Azteca. I've had several items on the menu and usually have enough to take home leftovers. The salsa is very flavorful and the chips are always fresh.

    (5)
  • Lisa B.

    The waitress we had was so rude!! She yelled at us for not tipping her the amount she wanted!!! Food is mediocre and greasy!!! Definitely NOT authentic Mexican food! Go to Anna's Taqueria instead!! After spending $90 I left feeling ripped off and unappreciated, and got yelled at! Are you Fcking kidding me?! Go Fck yourself Sol Azteca your staff and food is Sh!t...

    (1)
  • Mark S.

    Camarones Al Cilantro, salsa, and bean and cheese dip very good. Service very good. Will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Ajda S.

    I went here for Cinco de Mayo again this year, as I have a few years, off and on, since I discovered the place. Lemme start by saying I am from Houston, TX, and have been put off by much of the Mexican food in Boston. That said, Sol Azteca is doing it right. I had the carne asada. It was a generous portion of beef, cooked to spec. It came with a piece of mouth-wateringly delicious chorizo that had been grilled, I think. MMmmmm! In addition to tasty rice and beans, the dish came with an enchilada, and the friendly waiter (who I also had last year) let me pick which kind of enchilada I wanted. I chose a cheese one with salsa verde. The plate also included a generous portion of delicious guacamole. Listen, I even have my own molcajete, so I know some good guac, and this is the good stuff. The ambience is good too. It's not a soulless "modern" place. It's got an old world air that contributes to the overall experience, and cute Mexican decor - not tacky. It's a lively and somewhat festive place. They have a patio, as well, though I've always dined inside. I feel it was a great value for the price. I easily had enough leftovers for lunch today. Oh, I don't want to forget the Cadillac margarita I got, which was terrific. My friend got the commemmorativo, which was even smoother for like a quarter more. Our waiter was very friendly and smiley. The place was slammed, to be expected on Cinco de Mayo (!), but we got everything we needed in terms of water refills, etc. The sauces are delicious and have depth, and make the food worth paying for, IMHO. I am shocked to see other diners saying they go to Anna's instead. Anna's has no flavor except, maybe salt. The menu is quite varied - shrimp, fish, liver, beef, pork, chicken and more, in various combinations. I will be back. Everyone I take there wants to go back, too. The only criticism is that I feel the salsa is a little heavy on the onions. The flavor is great, but it can be a bit much.

    (4)
  • Amanda B.

    The food was good and flavorful, but overpriced and not particularly memorable. We had a good experience with the service and were served quickly. I would give three stars except that the chips and salsa were AMAZING.

    (4)
  • Jessica P.

    Amazing. Words can't describe how great everything is here. The salsa is so fresh, it tastes like it was picked from my backyard garden, that day. All of the food is so flavorful you want to just keep eating it even though you can't breathe. The portion are enormous! The patio is quaint but perfect - quiet on busy beacon street and the service and attention to detail is impeccable! It was so good- we went two nights in a row. Try the Cadillac Margarita as well as the blue margarita! Trust me- we will be back soon!

    (5)
  • A G.

    By far one of the best authentic mexican restaurants I've ever been to. Not to mention their drinks are phenomenal. I always come here for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversary, or if I'm in the mood for some good chips and guacamole! Their sampler platters and mole are to die for. Their service is excellent. The waiters and waitresses are very polite. You walk into the restaurant and its as if you stepped into a different world. Their atmosphere is perfect for any date or even a small get together with friends. About 6 margaritas and 2 entrees with an appetizer and dessert generally runs around $120, but the quality makes it worth it in the end. They also have an out door area which is epecially good for day drinking in the summer time. Highly recommend going especially if you want a nice atmosphere without digging too deep within your pockets.

    (5)
  • Mike C.

    Sol Azteca has fallen in recent years. It was once my favorite mexican restaurant in Boston. Now, I'm not quite sure that its worth going to over cheaper taqueria favorites like El Pelon and Anna's. The largest problem is that prices seem to climb and yet portions have decreased. Understandably, increased prices reflect higher cost of ingredients and fewer customers. But I feel like the price is actually what is keeping customers from returning. Students can usually save a few bucks with coupons in the college books, but I haven't seen one for this past semester. I love the set up. It is a garden level restaurant down a few steps. It brings out of the hole in the wall local joint look while still being clean. The patio out front always seems filled when it opens in the summer month. It was going to be interesting how Sol Azteca would fare from competition next door in Mission Cantina, but they have closed this past winter. I am not a huge fan of mole, so I can't really comment on what seems to be their specialty. The free chips and salsa are clearly a highlight and worthy of having a price affixed to them. Guacamole is fresh, but I prefer the avocado to be a bit more chunky. Most staples like fajitas and enchiladas are done fairly well and authentic. Meat portions are generous compared to the rice. Usually at most places it's the other way around. Most people should be more than satisfied with the serving size. My disdain in declining portions is that they used to be massive and I had plenty of leftovers to take home. Service has always been fast and attentive. The waiters aren't necessarily warm and friendly, but I never have a problem. Overall, this restaurant seems to have blended into the averageness of Audobon Circle instead of remaining as a highlight.

    (3)
  • Nikhil P.

    Went here on a Gilt City and you can see why there's a push to get interest at this place... The tables were a little empty for a Friday night around 10pm'ish, but the food was actually pretty solid. Prices are reasonable, food is tasty, and while it's not the most kick-ass mexican I've ever had, the restaurant is a circa 2000's romantic scene that does the job for an affordable weekend dinner. We filled up far too much on the free nachos (and very strong margaritas) leading to a pretty mediocre performance on finishing the food. But the half-eaten leftovers the next day were just as filling. Translation: you get lots of food for what you pay for, which warms my food-quantity-loving heart.

    (3)
  • Daniel W.

    The food was good but not great. We had the chicken mole, steak tacos, and margs. The mole wasn't as good, wouldn't recommend. The guac was great though! I thought this was in some way connected to the Sol Azteca in Newton, which is awesome, but after going I don't think it is because this one isn't nearly as good.

    (3)
  • Dave S.

    I really don't understand all the good ratings on here unless we just visited on a really off night. We came here with a Gilt City or Groupon deal (don't remember which) recently, and we both left extremely unimpressed. The drinks were pretty good. The chips and salsa were pretty good. But that's where the "good" stopped... we had a cactus appetizer that was ok, but seemed like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for days and was congealed into a goopy mess. Now for the entrees: I got a combination plate with two enchiladas and a ground beef taco. Never mind the fact that they got one of my enchiladas wrong... I didn't even bother mentioning it to them. But the enchiladas were really just a big goopy pile of uninspired flavorless mess. And the beef in my ground beef taco had an awful taste to it... it was rotten or anything, but it just tasted, wrong. It had a very strong taste that beef is NOT supposed to have. The rice was very meh, flavorless. And the beans.. oh lord, don't get me started on the beans... I don't know how you get black beans to be COMPLETELY flavorless, but they managed. They were literally the worst beans I've ever had. My wife got a fish dish that was extremely plain... I tried it and the best way I can describe it is "cafeteria quality". It wasn't that it was BAD, it just wasn't good. To put it in perspective, I'd happily take any Mexican food chain (Margarita's, On The Border, etc) over this place ANY day.

    (2)
  • Dario L.

    Got the mole poblenos, it tasted very commercialized, no real flavor to it, just kinda blah, sweet, and overly processed tasting. Friend got the beef tacos....beef tacos, pretty much impossible to screw up...dog food. Just find another mexican place. The server was very good thought, very knowledgeable and attentive, but unfortunately the food was poor. I tipped well, it wasn't his fault, but man I'm surprised they serve food like that.

    (1)
  • Sahil M.

    The food is mediocre, seemingly smothered in cheese for the taste. not that smothered in melted cheese is a bad thing, but it's not exceptional Mexican food by any means. That would be okay, but the prices are way to high for what it is. $17 for a main plate which should run around $10-12. Sangria wasn't good and service was slow. Would not return unfortunately. Good outdoor patio area.

    (2)
  • JohnnyFoodface ..

    One of the best not-too-fancy mexican restaurants in Boston. If you are looking for a place to sit down and have a frozen margarita and enchiladas, look no further. Apps: First, let me say that the salsa and chips they serve as a gratuity are fantastic! The salsa isn't runny or cold, holds perfectly on the chip, and the chopped veggies within taste very fresh. Chips are crispy but not greasy. A great first start. I had been here before but didn't remember how awesome just the chips and salsa were. I knew my girlfriend was going to be impressed since I had directed us here after a movie downtown. We had the Nopalitos appeteizer, which is cactus with salsa verde. It was my first time having cactus, and I can only say that I would go for another round! It was piping hot and smothered with verde, and was cooked on a tortilla with maybe a little cheese. A good portion to share between two or three people. Meals: They have an array of meat entrees, but I went with the Combo Azteca which lets you have three entrees in one. Shazam! After sitting for Spider Man 3 for nearly three hours, we were both starving. I got a couple of enchiladas and the Chiles Rellenos. They were served with refried beans, rice, and some magenta cabbage stuff. It was all fantastic. I cleared the plate! And slugged a couple of margaritas. Drinks: The margaritas are tasty, with a little ring of salt of course, and they offer some serious tequilas if you are down for the $$$. Don Julio, some reservado aged tequila, all that jazz. They go as low as $5.75 but I got the 'gold' for $6. Tasty stuff, good for a sunny day, fantastic with some cactus and enchilada. The slush and drink came kinda separated but it tasted good. Not sure how it could spoil your meal as others have noted - it was right on target with what I expected for a frozen margarita and a well-made mexican meal. If that is not a combo you want, don't order it! Great setting - servers were very nice, a quiet place, with great decorations. We wanted to take the table home for our kitchen. Nice tiles, scary masks on the stucco walls, etc. I love El Pelon but you can't compare this place to a Taqueria. Sorry kids. I've been here twice - previous time was with a big group - and the food and drinks were tasty and enjoyed by all.

    (5)
  • Akilah C.

    I am a big fan of this place!!! While service leaves much to be desired, the food is wonderful and the sangria is quite refreshing. Go ahead and ask for a side if their hot sauce :) it definitely packs a punch, but adds a nice flavor to your entree. I tend to stick to the enchiladas, but I'm going to try some of their other chicken entrees soon.

    (4)
  • Tom N.

    The food and the service are consistently top quality--I've eaten here many times. The salsa and chips are "homemade" and without peer (and they will gladly give you as much as you want). Try the seafood fajitas--they will make them for you even if they are not on the specials menu. The outdoor seating works well here (even when Red Sox Nation is swarming the area)! A friend who relocated from Tucson lamented the dearth of "authentic" Mexican restaurants in the Boston area, until I recommended SA; she's been a devotee ever since.

    (4)
  • Xin S.

    Very good Mexican food. The combo plate lets you try multiple items (and so indecisive folks like me don't hold up the ordering...) 3 out of our group of 4 ordered the 3 item combo plate and everything was delicious. The 'quesadilla" was an interesting surprise--it's more like a deep fried empanada with a crispy outside. Different, but in a oh, cool! way. Good enchiladas, the burrito was a stand-out, chile relleno was a little disappointing. Entrees come with an amazing red cabbage slaw with a great dressing--a VERY welcome side (and way better than a plain heap of ice berg shreds you usually get). Cute decor/atmosphere. Fun experience/good prices--we had a Buywithme, but even without the prices were good ($16 for the 3 item combo plate).

    (4)
  • Ariel S.

    Pretty good, standard mexican. It was great to eat outside - fairly comfortable seats and umbrellas. They're also speedy waiters! Just don't expect a soda refill too quickly (or at all).

    (3)
  • Sweet T.

    This place is great! Big portions of delicious Mexican food - and really good salsa/chips to start the meal. The outdoor seating is nice in the warmer months - and the inside is really nicely decorated as well. When I was here it was someone's birthday at a nearby table and they shut off all the lights as they brought the cake out so the candle could glow brighter. So awesome. I want to go on my birthday now.

    (5)
  • Lynne C.

    Outstanding mole sauce. They have 2 a green one (mole verde) and a brown one (mole poblano, I think). I had the brown one. The second my plate was up in front of me, I was delighted with a complex spicy-chocolaty aroma. We were told that there are over 30 ingredients in their home made mole sauce. Delicious!

    (4)
  • Amanda Z.

    I am very critical about Mexican food because I always compare everything to how my mother makes it. The key is the rice and beans. If a restaurant has rice and beans like my Mom makes them, they've won me over! Sol Azteca's rice is almost an exact taste match to my Mom's (minus the love that she puts into them) and while they use black beans for their refried instead of pinto, they're damn delicious! I pretty much always get their mole poblano, which is a huge portion of chicken breast doused in their delicious mole sauce, made of chocolate, peanut butter and chilis (well, that's how my Mom usually makes it). The portion is HUGE, so expect leftovers, or expect to be really full if you can't stop eating it because it's so delicious and finish your plate. Of course I wouldn't know anything about that because I am a delicate lady who never overeats at restaurants! (my friends should insert a smart remark here) I've also had their enchiladas- I prefer them with the green sauce, and their pollo cilantro. Both of which I highly recommend. This is the fastest service I've had anywhere in Boston, but you never feel rushed, which I really appreciate! In the summer, it's nice to spend all evening just relaxing on the patio there with a carafe or two of their highly potent sangria. I also love that after that highly potent sangria, I can stumble my way home in about 3 minutes- with traffic! Nice. I knocked a star off because it's a little pricey for Mexican food and their chips are only ok.

    (4)
  • Mel V.

    I've always complained about the location of good Spanish food. Apparently if I want authenticity I have to go to such places like JP, Dorchester, etc. You know, where the spanish people hang out. (Hint I got from a friend: You can tell if a place is authentic asian food if asian people go to the restaurant, I figure it's the same for spanish food, ergo the best must be in JP right?). Sol Azteca is a beautiful hole in the wall and it's a minute's walk from me! I feel the authenticity of this place upon first walking in with all the beautiful decorations, the wine and the music. On top of that, my dinner table was right at the foot of the virgin Mary! Get a flavored Margarita. And start with the cheese plate with chorizo appetizer. MMMMMM greasy goodness. And the best part about the main dishes is that, unlike other restaurants I've been to, they actually fill you up with the common side dishes that people in Mexico eat: rice, aguacate (avocado ^^), salad, refried beans...will definitely fill you up!

    (5)
  • patrick r.

    So its a nice evening and i want to stay within the friendly confines of fenway to eat OUTSIDE!!... sol azteca ended up being the spot and so we went to check it out... the service was extremely slow but i think they only had 2 people on for both the inside and outside so i wont hold it too personally, plus out waitress was hilarious and gave us some jazz and made sure we didnt get too drunk off our shirley temples... the food is good... not over the top fantastic crazy good but better than decent.. and besides where else can you get a sun combination with green and red enchiladas... i will say the guac was good but i felt it needed just a little more kick or lime (maybe both).. overall i will be going back for a nice relaxing evening on the patio... one final note... they have some trees that constantly are dropping little bits of stuff into your drink if its slightly windy so clean freaks beware

    (4)
  • Kate G.

    Like Adam M., my parents have been coming here forever, and as such, I've been coming here forever. That probably has something to do with the five stars, but honestly, I love this place. The waiters always remember us when we come in, down to our exact order. The sangria is fantastic, and I LOVE the chicken quesadillas. They're not your standard quesadilas, but are made with no cheese and in cornhusks, but are really tasty, and, along with the rest of the side plates, are served with avocado, lettuce, cabbage, black refried beans, and rice. So good, always leaves me way too full in a good way. Love it. Totally authentic, too. If you order a margarita, they're delicious, but watch out! They have a serious kick.

    (5)
  • Elisa A.

    I really wish I knew about this place sooner! How could I live in Fenway for 3 years and just stumble on this place? Good food at very reasonable prices. The drinks are also reasonably priced and well made (ie, you can actually taste the liquor in your drink). The servers were very attentive and did not rush us through our dinner. I will definitely head back here again to get the mole poblano enchilada. Yum!

    (4)
  • Kevin C.

    So I finally gave Sol Azetca another try. This is my 4th visit to the place. We had a hankering for Mexican / Tex Mex and were actually on our way to the Border Cafe in Harvard Square when I saw the sign from the intersection of Park and Beacon. After our last expeirence where our service was unacceptably slow, we pretty much wrote the restaurant off. But, last night I was hungry and I wasn't looking forward to naviagating through Harvard Sq. so, knowing that at least the food would be good we made the stop. As expected the food and drink were good and satifiied our cravings. But, as with our last visit, the service was slow. Waiting 15-20 minutes to get your first margarita at a Mexican joint just doesn't seem to work for me. I will say the staff were all very nice, they just seem to lack in the attentiveness and timeliness department. A great place for good, reliable Mexican food...but only if your a patient person.

    (3)
  • John D.

    I went there last Sunday for an early evening dinner and could not belive the amount of food that we received, and this is not one of those overwhelm their taste buds with volume, experiences. This was a humongous amount of excellent quality food. I had the Carnitas appetizer and the Puerco En Adobo main course along with a cadillac margharita and I can't wait to go back. The staff were ultra friendly and we were made to feel right at home from the second we walked in the door. Sol Azteca has definitely gotten itself a new fan, I highly recommend it.

    (5)
  • AJ K.

    All right, I know I'm about to come off as a snooty Southern Californian--at least when it comes to Mexican food--but I feel like I have a right to. Mexican food, generally speaking and simply put, is better when you're closer to Mexico. Just like Guinness is better when you're closer to Ireland. It's a fact. That being said, this was the first Mexican restaurant in Boston to "wow" me in terms of authenticity. The food was fresh and delicious, and the portions were about the size of an Aztec temple. My girlfriend got chicken tacos and I got the enchilada platter, and I'll be damned if I didn't love it. I ate everything--including the cabbage salad, which I've never liked in all my years growing up in California. It's not the best (it still can't quite compare to Santana's or Nico's in San Diego or any number of those hole-in-the-wall fantastic Mexican restaurants), but it definitely gives New England Mexican food a good name.

    (4)
  • andy s.

    Carnitas! Sangria! If I was forced to subsist on their carnitas in their perfectly balanced spicy/acidic/sweet sauce that they serve it in, as well as their phenomenal sangria, I'd be completely content. From first hand experience, I can tell you that this place has made their food with the same care and attention to detail since the day I first walked in about 23 years ago when I was 5... in fact they seem to have had the same menu for that amount of time... which is definitely not something that I'd want for a restaurant that I ate at a lot, but totally fine for me because i only get to that neighborhood around dinner time a few times per year anyway. Delicious.

    (5)
  • Amanda S.

    I love Mexican, and after seeing all the 4 & 5 star ratings for Sol Azteca I decided to check it out. I had one of the combination plates with a tostada & enchilada. It was okay, but nothing to rave about, and nothing that set it apart from your average Mexican joint. The sangria was pretty tasty. Our server was nice, but was completely in the weeds and had zero time for us, which made it difficult to get more salsa, drinks, etc.

    (3)
  • Anuj S.

    I came here on a Friday night for dinner and it was somewhat full. We waited about 5 minutes, which was not bad at all. They do have outdoor seat, and plenty of it so I wouldn't imagine the wait would be too long. We were told it would be about 10 minutes for outdoor seating (unfortunately we were too hungry to wait the extra 5 minutes). The hostess and waiters were nice, but not that attentive. Kind of rushed us even though as we were sitting down, other tables were opening up. But as long as they're not outright rude, I really don't mind if the food is good at a place. The menu is quite extensive and I'd say most entrees would be $12 - $20 a dish. They have all your typical Mexican dishes, but I would recommend getting the Combinacion Sol or Azteca, which gives you the choice of picking 2 or 3 of the traditional items. I ended up getting the Enchiladas and Quesadillas. The enchiladas were so-so, kind of tiny and nothing really spectacular about them, but I've got to say that this place has one of the best quesadillas I've had in a long time. They don't just take two tortillas and smack some cheese and chicken in between. It comes in a corn turnover with actual pulled chicken. The salsa was great too that came with the complimentary chips. I had to knock them down because they can't make dishes spicey, you just have to get spicey sauce on the side. I mean this is Mexican food, spicey should be a staple! The rice and beans that came with the dish were also great, not the usual dry stuff that you usually get. Good portions for the money. Given all that, I just wasn't blown away by the place, and if I really need my Mexican food fix, I'll probably still stick to cheaper Mexican eats like Anna's, Boca, or El Pelon (if they will be back in Fenway area again -- let's hope). PS: I have yet to find a really good Mexican sit-down restaurant in Boston. If anyone has one in mind, please let me know.

    (3)
  • Heidi M.

    Very nice consistent Mexican restaurant with lovely outdoor seating in warmer months. Ethnic, but tasteful, interior decor, i.e., painted tiles, warm colors, dark carved wooden furniture, interesting wall hangings and pottery. You can have the usual tacos, burritos, .... but also full dinner plates of seafood, chicken with various regional sauces. Love their mole and verde sauces. Salsa and chips are good - their salsa tends to be more 'soupy' and not 'chunky' style. Very good guacamole .. nice flan. All around recommend for the solid ethnic experience! Right off the St Mary's 'T' stop in Brookline near Boston city line on Beacon Str. Can walk 5 min from Kenmore Square as well. Easy access from B.U. or Longwood Med Area.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    Good food. Great Sangria. I head to this place often, and I have to say I always leave happy :) Is the summer, outdoor seating is key and the quesadillas that look like hot pockets are a must.

    (4)
  • Dave M.

    Without a doubt one of the best Mexican places I've eaten at on the East Coast, and definitely the best in Boston. I've been eating here for nearly 20 years, and the quality is always high.

    (5)
  • Aunt Selma g.

    The Sangria is great and so are the black bean tostadas! I thought the tostadas were over priced at $13.25 but I took the leftovers home and got another full meal out it, so it was worth it. My friend gets some chicken dish that is very tasty, I can't remember which one. The down side is the margaritas they tasted funny so now I get the sangria and he gets beer. Also the chips and salsa are NOT the best at all.

    (4)
  • D R.

    This place is truly a disappointment. Everything about it makes it seem like it should be great- cool decor, outside patio, good location- but the food sucks! I had to send back nachos... NACHOS... because they were too nasty to be eaten... I mean, how can you mess up nachos?! On top of that, my meal was really greasy and not what I have ever seen enchiladas look like... it is also pricey... All in all, I would suggest going elsewhere for mexican...

    (2)
  • Courtney E.

    Today being CINCO DE MAYO, I thought it was appropriate to go to Sol Azteca for an authentic Mexican meal. While opening hours are usually 5pm, today was open at 1pm for lunch. I ordered the Mole Poblano, which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Out came a plate of chicken breast with too much mole sauce spilling over into my rice and beans. It didn't look particularly appetizing, and unfortunately, the taste didn't make up for it either. All and all, I feel a little polluted. But on a lighter note, the sangria was delicious, though expensive ($4.25 for a small glass and what, no fruit!?) and the vanilla flan was superb. Though, I think I'll stick to El Pelon Taqueria (see my review!) if I want Mexican food.

    (2)
  • carlie m.

    great dinner out. good price. chips were mediocre but housemade salsa was delicious. entrees were great as were the margaritas. go for the fried ice cream for dessert.

    (4)
  • Emily B.

    I must admit that as a Texan I have high standards for Mexican food, but I walked into this place fully prepared to pay a little extra for what I hoped would be at least a decent New England version of enchiladas. I was sadly disapointed. While my margarita was good (not great), my mole enchiladas were barely edible. The chicken was bland and stringy, the mole tasty like sweetened browned ketchup, and the whole thing was lukewarm. Not acceptable for a $14 plate of food. Needless to say, I will not be going back.

    (2)
  • Tim B.

    The food is really good here, and the menu seems quite authentic. It's probably our favorite Mexican restaurant in Boston. The mole sauce is just delicious, and the enchilada dishes are really good. The service is usually poor though, which is surprising since the host staff is friendly and welcoming. We'll be back again for the food!

    (4)
  • Brian S.

    Sol Azteca is one of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Their style is closer to more traditional Mexican fair than you will find at most places on the east coast, so don't go here expecting a burrito bowl. Don't get me wrong, though; they aren't going to win any contests compared to some of the fantastic food you can get in SoCal. You will, however, get great, friendly service, good food, and reasonable prices. Free and unlimited house chips and salsa start things off. The chips are true corn chips, not Tostidos grocery store chips you'd get at most restaurants, and their salsa is made in the restaurant. I love this stuff and have screwed myself for dinner on more than one occasion by eating too much of it. Their sangria is unbeatable; I cannot find anything to compare anywhere else. Do yourself a favor and order a half carafe for two, or a full carafe if you're a larger party. Every meal comes with black beans, rice, and pickled cabbage. The rice is cooked with chicken broth, so it is not vegetarian. A pity, but the flavor makes up for it. For entrees, my personal favorite is the chilaquiles, but their enchiladas are also excellent, particularly the mole. They also offer various combinations if you want to mix things up and try several things at in sitting, which I recommend. Also, the carnitas appetizer and the peurco en adobo are phenomenal. Highly recommend both. Rarely full, this is and will continue to be one of my main go-to places to eat when I'm just not interested in dealing with crowds or long waits; just good food, good service, and good atmosphere.

    (4)
  • lizzie b.

    Man, this place is popular on a warm day! I arrived here with 4 friends in tow - only to find out that 3 other friends had also decided to come here at 6:30. Ridiculous. Anyhow - it took about 30 minutes for an outdoor table to open up. I ordered a sangria that was pungent and cloudy -- not my favorite. I also got the combo platter for one -- the chicken tostadas were burnt and stuck to the plate. The enchiladas de mole poblano were AMAZING though. Incredibly smooth going down and a perfect mix of flavors. I'd definitely get this one again -- the rice and beans on the side were tasty. I just wish they would add a side salad to the enchiladas. Also, I was very disappointed that the salsa had so much cilantro and the chips were NOT warm.

    (3)
  • Mikki N.

    Hands down, the best salsa served here!!! It was so good I had to ask for a cup to go. Not only the salsa was great, the cactus soup was off the chart yummy. I've came here twice and am looking forward to more visits in the near future. The margaritas were so strong, I think I'm still drunk. Not a bad choice if you're deciding on which Mexican joint to go to!!

    (4)
  • Leslie K.

    As with most of these posts...I WANTED to like this place. Rare to find good sit-down authentic mexican places around. Long story short...the food isn't that great...its fine. But it is WAY overpriced. 22 dollars for 5 shrimp in some gooey sauce? Its just really really lacking. Good margaritas though.

    (3)
  • Christine K.

    Disclaimer: I went during Restaurant week and I enjoy Anna's Tacqueria food immensely. So if you have any kinds of bias against or for these two conditions, please take that into consideration. Let's start off with what I did like. I enjoyed the starter being chips and salsa to imitate the bread and butter service in other places. However, I did not enjoy the tons of cilantro in the salsa just because I don't like THAT much cilantro in any of my foods. But if you enjoy cilantro, it just may be your thing. I ordered the margarita as part of the Restaurant Week menu, which I appreciated and enjoyed. The margarita was good. For the appetizer, I ordered the salad with a dolop of guacamole in the center. It was decent, nothing special. My friend ordered the charritos(?) and it was way too sweet for her liking. The entrees we ordered were the mix grill and seafood. Again, nothing special. It was bland. I didn't like the sauce either. It felt like something was missing, something crucial. The dessert was okay. The fried ice cream was fairly decent. So apart from the food, service was so slow. It was kinda ridiculous how slow service was. We were there for 2.5 hours, not by choice. Even getting our check took a good 10 minutes. Sorry, but was not my cup of tea. My friends who have gone before felt the same way but didn't bother to warn me, sadness for wasting a Restaurant Week night. Oh, the opportunity cost was high.

    (2)
  • Cassie H.

    I would give 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round up for the amazing friendliness and customer service. From the moment we were greeted until we walked out the door, the staff was super nice. So we had a group of 9 people for dinner and none of us had ever eaten at Sol Azteca before. My husband and I arrived first, and they seated us and brought chips and salsa to the table while we waited for the rest of the party. The chips were above average (not super greasy or stale) and the salsa was really yummy. It is heavy on the onion, but my husband and I enjoyed it, and it definitely has a kick -- I couldn't stop eating! When the whole party finally arrived, we each ordered our entrees (amazingly enough we all ordered off the menu rather than the Restaurant Week menu). My husband had the cheese enchiladas rojas (they happily substituted cheese for beef when he asked) which he said was the best he's been able to find in Boston. I had the combinacion azteca since I couldn't make up my mind with a quesadilla, a tortada, and one cheese enchilada de mole verde. The enchilada was amazing... the quesadilla was not what I would expect from my experience (it's basically a fried Mexican hot pocket -- but loaded with cheese and meat). The tortada was alright but by the time I attacked it, I was totally full... each entree comes with their house cabbage, rice, and black refriend beans. When we finished our meal, two people had to get take-out boxes, but almost everyone else wiped their plates clean... yum. The service (despite other reviews I've read on Yelp) was excellent. Our waitress was prompt and attentive but didn't spend too much time interrupting our dinner and conversation. The restaurant looks much bigger than it does on the outside and I'm not sure the pictures even do it justice... there are two main dining rooms and a private dining room to the left. Overall, pretty good and surpassed our expectations after other Boston Mexican food experiences. I still have to reserve a special place in my heart for the Tex-Mex I've grown up on, but Sol Azteca was a pleasant surprise.

    (4)
  • S. J.

    If you've ever wondered where exactly Sol Azteca is located, let me save you some trouble... the answer is, The Twilight Zone - because nothing is as it should be here. The Quesadillas? They were not. Exhibit A -- no tortilla. Instead, the contents were housed in a deep-fried shell more reminiscent of an empanada. Exhibit B -- no cheese. That's right folks. No cheese in a quesadilla. It's a mixed up world. But perhaps the most backwards item was the "queso". Somebody emptied a bag of shredded cheese into a bowl and heated it up. There's no other explanation. It looked like the top of a homemade pizza if a 10-year-old was making it. Dipping tortilla chips was impossible. Like I said, the consistency of this "queso" was one giant glob of slightly melted cheese -- dipping a chip into this mass simply pulled the entire blob. What am I supposed to do with that? Cut it up with a fork and knife? Just don't go here, folks. The server was apathetic. Maybe everyone has the same reaction to the quesadillas and queso, so she's just tired of offering apologies or returns. Who knows. FAIL.

    (1)
  • Laura A.

    meh-tacular. haven't been here in ages, but we were willing to try it out again because we had a buywithme (which, BTW, you have to give directly to the host when you arrive...? weird). while i appreciated that they noted on the menu that the rice had chicken stock so i could avoid it as a vegetarian, i found the menu to be so uninspired and bland, bland, bland. we had a few crappy drinks, poor service, weird cleaning smell where we were sitting, and my veg enchiladas were drowning in a river of refried beans. glad i only spent $29 on the meal instead of ~$50!

    (2)
  • Mykal D.

    I'm going to preface this review by saying that I came here with a buywithme on both occasions, and this may have impacted the service I received. To echo Andrew G., mexican food is very hard to find in boston. Heck, ever since Taco Bell closed, even pre-frozen tex-mex can be a challenge. Its not that I don't like sol azteca, in fact, I would argue that its my #8 favorite mexican restaurant in boston (behind Ole, Taco Loco, and Zocalo, El Pelon, and Fajitas n Ritas, Anna's, and Olecito). The dubious distinction about being #8 on a list of the best mexican places in boston is that it puts you only one notch above taco bell. The upside is that they make excellent mexican-inspired dishes and a decent sangria. They are also in a small location on beacon street that doesn't boast much competition. On the downside, they don't open for lunch, and their portions are about the size of a typical burrito from anna's, but for only twice the price. The meals are nothing that would make you come running back. I got the camarones veracruzado and wasn't particularly flattered. The beans both looked and tasted like they were slopped onto the plate straight from the can. A friend got the seafood fajitas, which I would recommend. So to sum it up, you should go here if you don't have a car, really want mexican, live in brookline or Fenway, and are not particular about the preparation of the food. Also, it had better be after 5, otherwise you'll be sitting outside :-( But hey, if they every offer another group discount, I could be persuaded to come back.

    (2)
  • X X.

    A group of us went for a birthday dinner. The restaurant is nice and cozy. One problem, there was a stone in my food. My second bite of the beans and my face shook. My jaw is still sore. I don't know about you, but personally, I'm not used to having to be careful about chewing in the chance of finding one. A friend kindly told the staff for me. I tried to slightly brush it off, assuming something would still be done about it. The reaction: 'okay' and he walked away -- and that was the end of that. I filtered the rest of my meal for any inedible objects by pushing each bite between my tongue and the roof of my mouth. It was left on the bill. I should have just chewed on some gravel outside. Oh and two friends ordered quesadillas. Fun fact: 'quesa' means 'cheese'. Their quesadillas didn't get the memo about the cheese part; they were just dillas. They're quick to fill up glasses of water though! Very sweet. Like the extra flan that showed up on the bill that no one ordered.

    (1)
  • Traveling G.

    I've been going to sol azteca since 1974. It used to be my very favorite restaurant.. I lived nearby and remember waiting on lines to get in on a saturday night. When I saw them on Restaurant .com it was enough for me to buy a coupon and make the trek into Brookline. The food was not good. Our carnitas came out cold, and our entrees sat for a while under a heat lamp. The steak fajitas had inedible dry old beef. Chewy tough and unappealing. Not much flavor at all. Other of my old favorite dishes were poorly seasoned. No flavor in anything from the salsa to sauces.. BLAND. Truly not an enjoyable meal. We left most of it on our plates, sorry to say... Service was ok but not very professional. I am a mexican food fan and have no use for most of the chain restaurants around... I used to find Sol Azteca to be very authentic and really outstanding. I arrived with high expectations and left very disappointed. We won't be back.

    (1)
  • Tracy T.

    So I grew up in Southern California where there is a plethora of Mexican restaurants, but unfortunately most of them are fast-food style (but oh so YUMMY). Sol Azteca is closer to traditional Mexican food and you won't find anything here that you'd typically find in So. Cal but it's way better than all of the other so called, "Mexican food" places around like chipotle or Qdoba which basically calls anything wrapped in tortilla Mexican food (and are missing the melted cheese and grease). In fact, I think that Sol Azteca is not only more similar to traditional Mexican food, it's actually really very similar to Guatemalan food. They make fresh home-made salsa, fresh corn tortillas (which I have yet to find any good ones in Boston), and fresh tortilla chips. They even serve some authentic Mexican foods that you don't typically find in any other "Mexican restaurant" in Boston what-so-ever (ie: queso asado y nopalitos en salsa verde - cheese with chorizo and cooked cactus), which are great dishes. Everything that I've ordered off the menu has been pretty tasty - if anything they could make it spicier. The service more recently has been lacking, it's pretty slow so expect your meal to probably take you an hour or so depending on how much you order, so spend the time talking to the person (or people) you came with. It's meant to have a more "upscale" and relaxed atmosphere. I mean, if you paid $30-40 for two people to eat here, you really don't want to feel rushed, right?

    (4)
  • yelper y.

    A favorite of mine for years. Service, atmosphere, and food are wonderful. I love the beautiful painted tiles on the walls. When I asked if the cheese enchiladas with mole were vegetarian, the server said that the sauce was made with chicken broth, a detail that few places think to mention. The vegetarian enchiladas (with no chicken broth) were delicious. My friends ordered and were very happy with the fish (Veracruzano), chilaquiles, and chicken fajitas. This place is good for large groups and parties, and they have an outdoor patio.

    (5)
  • Myndi W.

    Went here with my boyfriend for his birthday dinner, and I have to say, we both loved Sol Azteca. This place is great if you're in the mood for traditional Mexican food, not Tex-Mex or fast-food fare. We had reservations for a Saturday night, but the restaurant wasn't busy, and we would have been seated right away even without them. We ordered the Mexican grill for two, which is an awesome deal. It was a great variety of different meats, and everything was delicious. The chips and homemade salsa were perfect, along with the guacamole, and the refried beans are probably the best I've ever eaten. My boyfriend really enjoyed the sangria, as well. I'll definitely be back to Sol Azteca the next time I'm in the city!

    (5)
  • Sachin P.

    Agree with many previous reviews. Relative to the competition, this is decent mexican food. There's not really any decent competition around though, so bear this in mind. Nevertheless, after eating here and not liking it much 10 years ago, we recently gave it another shot and have really enjoyed it. Nice size to the menu without glaring weak spots. The nacho gringo appetizer works as a meal and is awesome!

    (4)
  • Mindy S.

    It's hard to find good Mexican food in Boston. I'm glad I stumbled upon this place and would stop again I were in the area, but not sure if I would go out of my way to go here again. BTW: the salsa you get if you order an entree was incredible!!

    (4)
  • Stephen H.

    4.5 Stars, but I'm rounding down. Best Mexican I've had east of Cali, not saying a ton, but its good. The restaurant had a cool vibe, a bit of a hole in the wall joint, pretty authentic, good vibe. Good chips and salsa, a staple. We got nachos grande to start, was a lot of cheese, not a ton of chips, nothing spectacular, pretty standard. A good portion for 4 or so people to split. Entrees were 5 star worthy. Highlights were the Mole sauce (over enchiladas). The mole sauce was heavenly. The mexican rice that accompanies the meals was good. I had the Puerco Adobo, and the pork was a flat cutlet type piece that was perfectly seasoned, delicious, just the right amount of spicey with a cut of pineapple sweetness. Dad got chicken fajitas, and while steriotypical they were absolutley delicous, the sauce/seasoning on the chicken was quite good. As good as fajitas can get. 7$ margarita was a decent deal, seemed strong enough, though I;d prefer one with the same alcohol and more volume so I can drink it longer. Food isnt cheap but its definitely fair. I highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for real deal mexican food.

    (4)
  • Jolene S.

    Went back almost immediately for more Mexican coffee (siempre con leche) and seafood Veracruz. Entree was alright and cafe con leche was super. Like this place and would go back when in the area.

    (3)
  • Luke P.

    To complain about Mexican food in Boston, it basically has to be worse than Taco Bell. I'll give this place credit for having entrees beyond the standard tex-mex stuff you see at most places. I had the Pollo Cilantro and thought it was pretty tasty. My date had the Enchiladas Verdes, which were also pretty good. I liked that they put some liquid smoke in the blacked beans and enjoyed that cole slaw they served on the side. The chips & salsa were average. I thought they were really good at first, but the more I ate the salsa, the more it started to taste like store bought tomato sauce with spices/additives. Also, the salsa had WAY too much onion in it, and I ended up reeking of it all night. The atmosphere was OK. It wasn't too loud or chaotic which was nice. The service was decent. We didn't wait long for anything and the waiter was 100% accurate which is always nice. I can't really complain about anything. It's not the best Mexican I've had, but for Boston, it was decent. I'd go back again for the food alone. PS. Watch out for that first step that drops down sharply as you come into the restaurant. IIRC, there's no sign warning you about it, and you can took a nasty spill.

    (3)
  • Becca C.

    Sol Azteca serves some solid Mexican food in a comfortable atmosphere! I enjoyed a fun dinner and a few glasses of sangria here with friends. I would recommend Sol Azteca to anyone looking for a good and relatively casual Mexican meal! The service was a little inconsistent, but I did enjoy my vegetarian enchiladas.

    (3)
  • Shannon C.

    HORRIBLE! Went here with my boyfriend and we were shoved in a tiny, awkward booth which was very uncomfortable. The food was really disgusting. Turns out my "vegetarian" meal was made with chicken and beef stock... So it was NOT vegetarian. It made both of us quite ill. Honestly... It doesn't take any effort to make a decent "Mexican" dish... I could have done far better myself with some chips, cheese, salsa and a microwave.

    (1)
  • Daniel M.

    OMG.OMG.OMG.OMG. Their molé is AMAZING. I speak specifically of the molé negro. When it came out I was unsure. It looked awfully dark and I was afraid that it would taste like a melted chocolate bar. I was SO WRONG. You can taste everything in the sauce yet nothing overpowers the next flavor. This sauce is like a trip back in time for me. I haven't had a sauce this good in years. Bravo. The enchiladas the sauce topped were stuffed with cheese but didn't turn in to a big mushy mess half-way through. Well played. The guac, expensive but addictive. At first it seems like nothing special but next thing you know you're shoveling it in with reckless abandon. Creeper guac I guess you would call it. I didn't drink since it was five million degrees outside and that tends to get ugly but I heard the margaritas went down nicely. Also, the service could have been better. It wasn't bad per se but I had to wait longer than necessary for water a couple of times (it was hot, where are you?). All was forgiven however thanks to the glorious glorious molé. The only problem I have is that they are not within walking distance :'(

    (5)
  • Francesca R.

    I was in a daze last Friday night after my company downsized by 70% and I still found myself employed by the luck of the draw. I decided to keep our reservation at Sol Azteca and I'm so glad I did. First off, our waiter Ramon had the serenity of the Buddha and immediately put me at ease. We managed to score seats on the patio in a nice shady spot where we could people watch and discuss my crazy day nice and privately. We got a pitcher of Sangria, which I thought was fantastic. It didn't let fruity sweetness overwhelm it - just a hint of cinnamon and fruit made this a zesty chilled drink. We had Carne Asada and Camarones al Cilantro for dinner. OK, these aren't the most daring dishes but they were done to perfection - so much so that next time (and there will be a next time) I feel confident enough to branch out to something more adventurous. I think eating inside would be really charming as well - the tile mosiacs, brick walls and just-right lighting make it a welcoming space. I have to give props to the service again - the complimentary chips and salsa (which were also fantastic) came out right away, our waters were always full and Ramon achieved that perfect balance of ridiculously laid back yet still attentive. If you go to Sol Azteca and your server is an older gentleman with a ponytail, your night is set - sit back and enjoy.

    (5)
  • Chris E.

    I live locally but haven't tried this place until I picked up a buywithme coupon. Went there recently and left a lot to be desired. I wasn't paying attention when I first walked in and didn't see the sign to hand the coupon to the hostess when you arrive. I was actually on yelp while I was waiting to order and saw the note that someone else posted about having to do that. Once I saw the note, I handed my coupon to my server next time he came over. From there on I noticed a big shift in attitude towards me and the service got much worse. WHY did you sign up to offer the coupon to people if you get annoyed when they use it???? Drinks were ok. Kind of small and very standard. I love chips and salsa and usually eat more than my fair share when I go to mexican restaurants. This salsa was awful and after one bite, I didn't eat anymore. Weird consistency and almost tasted more like a chunky pasta sauce with cilantro.. Parts of the meal were good and others were average. First of all, please bring food that is HOT and not barely warm. I got a combo platter and the fried quesadilla actually had some good flavor but was missing cheese. Burrito also had some good flavor. Rice and beans needed to be much warmer.

    (2)
  • Erin M.

    Trying to find the perfect place to sip my Cinco de Mayo Marg, my boyfriend and I decided upon Sol Azteca.... now I know we are a long way from Mexico but I thought any Mexican food joint would be packed today.... but it wasn't! We were sat right away, this kind of worried me... but then I was given free Chips and salsa, which made me feel better :) ... automatic star right there! Ordered drinks, he had a beer and I went for the house Margarita for 6 bucks. It was pretty good, I guess, for the 3 sips it lasted..... so small and mostly ice! Minus a star. We ordered the cheese dip app ( can't remember the name) but it says it has sliced chorizo in it. No bueno!! The 3 pieces of "chorizo" were LITERALLY floating in grease.... i'm not even exaggerating. We were not super hungry so for dinner we split the tacos, one beef, one chicken. They were actually pretty good and the weird red cabbage concoction on the side with the beans and rice was yummy! They even had avocado that came with! Sever was just ok, he seemed annoyed, but then again I would be too if I had to wear a ugly hat that looked like a lamp shade to work... the buser though was great and super quick! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here... maybe if I was in the area though.... and i didn't have to see that cheese appetizer anywhere near my table.

    (3)
  • Kimberlee B.

    I have to admit, I am not a Mexican food fan, but my hat goes off to Sol. The chips to start are to die for. I could probably fill up on just this. The mole chicken that I had was delicious. The service was impressive. We went for a birthday party and they could not have been nicer. I dropped off a cake before hand and they brought it out at the end of the meal with a mariacce band to sing. Their sangria is not typical--no fruit, but it sure is tasty. I am looking forward to going back and am trying to figure out another party to throw there!

    (4)
  • Byron B.

    Mexican food in the Northeast is hard to find, and Sol Azteca is no exception While the food is so-so, the waitstaff were TERRIBLE. It took almost 10 minutes for us to be greeted after being sat. After that, our waiter visited our table maybe 2 or 3 times more - including to drop off the bill, etc! It didn't seem that we were the only table that this was happening to, either - I saw many other frustrated patrons. If you've got the time (and patience) to wait for mediocre Mexican, head on over to Sol Azteca!

    (2)
  • David R.

    Used to live next door to this restaurant. Was good!

    (4)
  • Stacy S.

    Could not get past the salsa. Way too much onion. I am from Los Angeles and if a place doesn't serve good salsa, it's a no go. I won't be going back.

    (2)
  • J S.

    My husband and I have been fans of Sol Azteca for a long time (his parents were actually there on opening night 30 years ago!). I think their food is delicious and fresh and different from your standard fast-food/mega-chain Mexican restaurants. What I really wanted to focus on in this review, however, was the great experience we had using Sol Azteca for our rehearsal dinner! We used their party room for a buffet dinner for about 35 people and they did a really fantastic job for a great price (only about $28/person for food including tax and gratuity and $20/pitcher for Sangria and $30/pitcher for margaritas). Luis, their event manager, worked with us closely in putting together the menu and arranging the space just how we wanted it. He sent us several proposed menus at different price ranges, and we went back and forth several times making sure that all of the dishes we wanted were included (carnitas!). He even arranged to have tres leches cake (so good!), which is normally only served at the Newton location! The kitchen brought out the different courses in rounds (hot appetizers first with chips and guacamole, then entrees, and then cake!) -- I think the appetizers were so good that people were already full by the time the entrees came out (but they still make room for mole enchiladas, naturally!). I had originally thought that we would only be there from about 6:30-8:30, but everyone had such a good time and the staff was so warm (and margaritas so delicious!) and friendly that everyone stayed until about 10. Everyone who came raved about how great the food was (and how much food there was!). My family is from Texas and so were many of our other guests, so they were quite skeptical about the possibilities for delicious Mexican food in Boston, but they were all very pleasantly surprised. If you are looking for a place in Brookline for a private party, I would highly recommend Sol Azteca! It was really a great night!!

    (5)
  • Jen S.

    The food is only OK. I love their queso asado. It's one of the best things that has ever hit my mouth in this city. Their margaritas are pretty good, but if I go again, it will just be for the queso asado. I've been there a few times and haven't liked ANY of my entrees. So the 3 stars is for the dip.

    (3)
  • Kim P.

    I have a dilemma. On the one hand, I'm really getting annoyed with these jokers on here whose reviews of Mexican places always sound like something along the lines of: (picture nose turned up) "WELL, I suppose these *ahem* damn YANKEES think this Mexican food is good, but PUH-LEASE, I'm from California/Texas/Any state west of Louisiana and below the Mason-Dixon line. Therefore (*snort/chortle*) I find this food PASSABLE at best" (see reviews for Anna's/Felipe's/Boca Grande in particular for reviews of this genre). Ok. You're from California. You're a lot cooler/cultured/world-weary than us. We get it, stop rubbing it in. On the other hand, I *am* from Texas, and I *do* miss good Mexican food, and I *am* searching for it in Boston. So this review is going to attempt the delicate balance of (1) avoiding making obnoxious references to Mexican places in other states that no one else cares about and (2) serving as a helpful guide to those hoping to ease their nostalgia for the cuisine of their respective motherlands. It's a fine line. If I pull it off, all I'm saying is that I deserve a "useful" or something because this. is. tricky. That being said: 1. The salsa is good. No, for real - it really is. Tangy, but not spicy, heavy on the cilantro, those big chunks of onions. Good stuff. 2. The drinks are amazing. I had a blue margarita (good and strong: this is no 40-oz frozen concoction though, be warned) and some very good sangria that tasted like cinnamon. 3. The point of this review: Chicken Enchiladas Verdes. I love enchiladas verdes, and these were good. But they could have been great. Here is my advice: Sneak a lime in, using your pocket or purse. Bring a small knife as well. Cut lime surreptitiously under the table. Squeeze all over your enchiladas. Reach into your other pocket or another compartment in your purse, pull out a bottle of Tabasco green pepper sauce. Just two or three dots should do it now, cowboy, don't go crazy. If you follow this advice, those enchiladas will have you praying to Mama Ninfa in no time. If you decide to forgo bringing the aforementioned supplies, then please understand that you will be eating a decent pair of enchiladas verdes - perhaps a little on the bland side - but a strong foundation to a potentially excellent dish nonetheless. If you can also manage to sneak in some grilled onion slices to place on top, I can assure you that you will not only get mad style points, but also one of the better Mexican dishes you've had in a while. So far, this place gets to wear the crown for best Mexican in Boston. This may change as other establishments are reviewed - suggestions for where to find better Mexican are appreciated and encouraged.

    (4)
  • cat b.

    For reviewers complaining about the food or service, maybe they went on a bad night. I've been here multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The sangria is to die for, the service has always been attentive, and the food mouth watering. Maybe the people who didn't like it were really looking for deep fried Tex-Mex, not decent Mexican food?

    (5)
  • Michael D.

    What does a five-star rating mean? Among the best in the city? Best only in its genre? Or best across the whole country?! We could debate all day. For Sol Azteca, I think the highest rating is warranted for pretty much any criteria you use to award stars. I admit that I can't judge against any personal experience at Mexican restaurants in the Southwest, or in Mexico. But I have been to a good number of Mexican places elsewhere, and even the most "authentic" and best known can't measure up to Sol Azteca. The atmosphere is just right: reasonably traditional, red tile and white stucco, sparse but comfortable, like the homey restaurants of Detroit's Mexicantown. (There's nothing less encouraging a taco shop striving for authenticity can do than to pass off California decor as Mexican.) Sol plays light Latin music, not so bland as to stream mariachi ad infinitum and call it a playlist. The dining experience is quality. Standard dishes are done well -- with grease, to be sure, but by no means the most grease I've seen in Mexican cooking -- and let's keep in mind that this *is* Mexican we're talking about. I'm from a Brazilian family, and I know that when it comes to Latin American cuisine, one has to take the oil as a matter of course, and enjoy the food for its flavors. Speaking of which -- Sol's enchiladas de mole poblano have to be one of the most excellent Mexican dishes I've ever tasted. The enchiladas (which here I prefer without chicken) are manageable yet filling. The cheese has a thorough but not stringy melt. The mole poblano sauce (chili, nuts, cacao, spices) is coarse and almost sweet -- a wonderful complement to the salty enchiladas. The dish includes sides of refried beans and red cabbage in some kind of sweet glaze that I just can't get over. Top it all off with the smoothest sangria I've found in Boston, and you've got an unbeatable Mexican meal. Prices are reasonable and service is quick.

    (5)
  • P G.

    After reading the reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a shot. We were a big table of 14 people. The service was great, we were seated on time and most importantly they didn't mess up our order. Everything came as requested. Salsa was amazing!! super fresh..loved it!! I ordered the enchillada and it was yummmm! Lot of people ordered Mole Poblano and were pleased with their dish. Overall a great experience and the food was great. Definitely will go back there!

    (5)
  • Maya S.

    Being a mexican place, I was kind of expecting food here to be crunchy and crispy..but I was (very) disappointed with the soggy entree I had. I am going for 2 stars cos I kinda liked the ambience. Oh well..the look and feel of a place does not make a good restaurant!

    (2)
  • Mike G.

    Two words: Cadillac Margarita If you're lucky enough to have the owner making them for you, you could be eating kitty litter and you'd think it was fine Mexican cuisine. That being said, when sober, I agree with most of the food and service reviews on here...

    (3)
  • Kristin C.

    Went to Sol Azteca last Friday night with 7 friends. I found the salsa was good but the guacamole was somewhat bland. My chicken enchilada with the Mole Poblano was quite delish. My fellow Yelpers were correct, the Sangria was incredible as were the Cadillac margaritas . Table service was good too -- warm, efficient and not pushy . All in all, I would recommend.

    (4)
  • Ciao H.

    YUM. I thought this place was a perfect place for grabbing a bite before hitting the movie theater at Fenway for a showing of "Machete". The sangria was bitter, so ask for sugar if you find that to be the case, but the food was DELECTABLE to me. Some really nice vegetarian options, flavorful sauces and good god, I thought I hated cactus and would never eat it again. Sol Azteca proved me wrong, super yum comfort food. Andale.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth B.

    Pretty decent. There wasn't a wait on a Saturday night -- good. However, the service was slow. Really, really slow. We ordered drinks and waited at least 30 more minutes before our order was taken. The chips and salsa and cinnamon-y sangria are good. I ordered the enchiladas verdes de nopal. Interesting that the items in the vegetarian section come with rice made with chicken stock. I'm glad the waitress brought this to my attention. I enjoyed my dish-- I am a big fan of tomatillo sauce because it has a lot of zip without being too hot. The black beans complemented this perfectly -- the dish was made by the black beans. The cabbage slaw/salad on the side is an interesting addition as well. I only ate a bite or two because I was full; the portions are pretty generous and a pretty good value overall. My local friends love Sol Azteca -- I can see why -- but the service needs to speed up a little.

    (3)
  • Stephanie C.

    I'm always in search of a yummy Mexican joint. Or Tex-Mex, whatever. But this place was great. I like the ambiance and decor. The strawberry pina colada I ordered was decently liquored. The chicken fajitas were excellently seasoned. The tortillas were a bit small and only 4 of them, but I'm sure I could ask for more. The salsa was a bit spicy for my palate, but that's a subjective statement. And I'm not into spicy food, just zesty. The beans had some actual flavor, not just bland black beans. Overall, very tasty. I will definitely go back for round two... maybe outside on the patio.

    (4)
  • Betty P.

    As mentioned by others, their mole sauce is amazing. I had chicken mole in Mexico and the sauce at Sol Azteca was close if not better than what I had there. I made a reservation on Open Table and requested an outdoor table. We were at least 1/2 hour EARLY for our reservation, but they happily obliged. The host even led us to our seats and proceeded to read off the ENTIRE Restaurant Week menu which consisted of 3 different menu possibilities which was impressive. The sangria didn't have any fruit floating around, but it was delish. I LOVE their homemade chips and salsa. The salsa has a kick and none of their stuff seems unhealthy or oily even the chips. We both managed to finish a lot of our entrees, but the portions were really generous. Our waiter was really friendly, water was constantly refilled, and it was a gorgeous summer night. What more can you ask for?

    (4)
  • Shan C.

    I come here fairly often for quick easy mexican. It is certainly not the best mexican I have had, but it fills a void for some simple enchiladas Verde's and it being close to our condo doesn't hurt either. The service staff could also step it up a bit.

    (4)
  • Shelly A.

    I've been here twice now and unfortunately the food is only mediocre. I really wanted to like it and gave it a second chance but the food doesn't have much taste.

    (3)
  • Ash M.

    I really wanted to love this place - it has some great charm and feels like a family-owned restaurant. We were greeted very pleasantly at the door and promptly shown a table. The menu has two areas: traditional dishes and house specialties. The specialties sounded really good, but I went with quesedillas. My wife ordered the tortilla soup and we shared some cheese dip. Everything was tasty, but EXTREMELY greasy. (I'm from Alabama - I know greasy...) The quesedilllas (typically made with flour tortillas and grilled) were lumps of ground beef, onions, and potatoes wrapped in corn batter and deep fried. The cheese had pools of orange grease floating on top. We poured the grease off into the plate underneath, and it got a little better. I probably would have been more sickened by the combo of greasy cheese and deep-fried quesedillas, but, honestly, the sangria was SO tasty. Perfectly proportioned quantities of alcohol and fruit, and I had a slight buzz after only two glasses. Good drink + greasy food = 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Zee S.

    New England doesn't do Mexican food well. It's been said but I'll say it again! Sol Azteca in Brookline is an excellent effort. The Carne Asada burrito is delicious and the meat is cooked to perfection and well seasoned. Most dishes are accompanied by a purple tangy slaw which may be the best part of the meal. The drinks are delicious and there is an impressive variety, although I found the sangria a bit watery, my dinner companions enjoyed the their classic margarita and pomegranate margarita. The absolute best part is the desert. The Flan is some of the best i've had and is competitive with flan I have had in California. Aside from the food the staff is friendly and very accommodating. We dined with friends who had 3 children a 3 month old, a 2 year old and an 8 year old and the restaurant was well equipped to handle them.

    (4)
  • Patrick F.

    I don't go here very often at all and it has been a while since the last time. That said I'll keep this short. I have always found the food and drinks here to exceed my expectations and the service to be top-notch.

    (4)
  • Stephen S.

    It's been forever since I've been to a Sol Azteca (I went to the one in Newton a few times when I was in college and seem to remember it being pretty sweet), but I started to get them from diningin.com all the time (yey work paying for dinner!) after El Pelon burned down. The food is definitely more authentic Mexican than what I was use to and it totally psyched me up. Big fan of the pollo quesadillas, which are basically very similar to a Cornish Pastry or a turnover but made with corn and stuffed with shredded chicken. Comes with a side of salsa for dippin'. The portion is pretty big so I'm always stuffed.

    (3)
  • R A.

    I must have walked by this place hundreds of times over the years and never thought to eat there. Something about it just never seemed compelling enough to draw me in. However one night I was taken there and finally found out what I've been missing all these years. The food was great, some of the best Mexican I've had in Boston. The chips, salsa and guacamole were all very tasty and plentiful. Would highly recommend this place.

    (4)
  • Jennifer D.

    One star taken away for the service. We went on a not-so-busy Tuesday night. Still, our server took a very long time to get to us and check up on us. He didn't seem friendly or approachable, and made it seem as if we were inconveniencing him by ordering food in his section. Also, the entrees took longer than should have been expected. Ok. After having said that.... Salsa: tastes like it was just made seconds before it was brought to the table. It's so fresh and just perfectly chunky.. not overkill. Perfect start to the night. Guacamole: very strongly tastes of cilantro, which I love. However, you should probably stay away if you're not a cilantro fan. Nice sized portion, which we finished probably mere minutes after it was brought to our table. Sangria: Strong. I've had their Sangria before, and once again it only took me one glass to get tipsy. Sangria at many other places can be too sweet, where you get a headache from the sugar before feeling the effects of the alcohol, but I have to say this one is a good, strong balance. Pollo Mole Poblano: The housemade mole sauce is irresistible. I think I ate every last drop of sauce off the plate. There were so many other tempting options (the menu has something for everyone, and the prices are great) but I'm positive I made the right choice. I usually like to try out new dishes at restaurants I've been to, but it's going to be hard keeping away from this one. All in all, this place seems fairly authentic and would definitely be a good spot for a relaxing night out to dinner.

    (4)
  • Madhumitha N.

    I took my parents to Sol Azteca after reading review. We order veg burrito and Enchiladas, food was decent. We normally eat spicy food, by mistake when we place order, told that need food to be spicy. Waiter didnt let me about there food, and we end up in getting smoky spicy food. Felt food was expensive, but its worth to try mexican food when ur in town with friends.

    (3)
  • andria r.

    Sol Azteca is a place I go when I want super comforting food that's very reasonably priced in a cozy atmosphere. When we arrive, we are greeted with smiles all around. The waitstaff is extremely polite and quick to make suggestions; I can't even pick a favorite because everyone is a pleasure. Take a seat in the traditional hefty leather strapped mexican chairs and dig in to their homemade salsa; look out because it is GOOD and LOADED with onions...HOLY COW! Their Enchiladas Mole Poblano paired with a Modelo is so good, I can't stray from it to ever choose a different dish. This is the kind of spot I want to go to a few times in a row to get my fix for a while. In fact, it is about that time! The craving is what drove me to right this! ENJOY! P.S. Don't forget dessert...the Coffee Flan, Oh my!

    (5)
  • Lyndsay L.

    My boyfriend and I went here for an anniversary dinner. First and foremost, they have great great great margaritas! Always a good start at a Mexican restaurant. I had quesadillas which were not the quesadillas we usually think of. They were deep fried, thick wraps with lots of delicious cheese in the middle. Jake had the steak fajitas which came out on a sizzling platter and were also super fabulous. The food came out fast, the service was great! The prices were fair. I would go back anytime for good Mexican food!!

    (4)
  • Natasha M.

    Great food and margaritas, but service is a little slow.

    (3)
  • Katie D.

    Did you ever eat a few bites of something and suddenly feel so full that you think you might actually have done internal damage? This is what happened to me after five bites of my Tostados at Sol Azteca. They were good but DAMN, why they make me feel so full? It's in our neighborhood and our local foodies rave about this place. The food was good but not outstanding, I was hoping for outstanding. I do agree that it's authentic, which is nice if that's what you're looking for. The outdoor seating, however, is key. What can I say? I just wasn't blown away... and I was prepared for some serious blowing.

    (3)
  • Adam M.

    My parents have been coming here since it opened in the 70s and the owner walked around with a gun. Now that's hardcore. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Boston. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are reasonable. The service can be hit or miss, but that's how you know it's an authentic Mexican restaurant! I'll take a couple of awkward exchanges with a waiter that doesn't speak English very well for the amazing food I get in return.

    (5)
  • Apollonia D.

    So average. They can't even fix a decent margarita.

    (2)
  • Emily S.

    I agree that the mole is quite fantastic. I may be biased cause it's like...next door to me, but I love this place. I think it's really cute, but also sufficiently urban and sophisticated. I agree that the menu is limited, but I think it's because they keep it to a few really good dishes that they do well. It's a little pricey for Mexican, in my experience, but the portions are huge so I always have lunch for the next day and it's pretty authentic. I can vouch for this as someone who has moved to Boston from Southern California and spent considerable time in Mexico. And their rice is nice, flavored, light rice instead of the greasy industrialized stuff you get at a lot of places, and they serve their main courses with this really unusual pupleish-colored cabbage salad coleslaw thing that's rather tangy and delicious. I now get cravings for the cactus appetizer.

    (5)
  • Matt L.

    Now after being disappointed at the Newton location, anything would be a better time. This location is in a prime spot and the outdoor seating is pretty nice but the inside is more spacious than the Newton location also. The menu is about the same wit similar mexican specialities and good sangria and margaritas. The services is also much better and faster, nicer and seeming more efficient. The prices however are also the same, which are almost a ripoff for the food you get. its about at least $50-60 bucks for two people. There is no reason Mexican food which amounted to a heap of rice, refried beans and an enchilada should cost $15-20 bucks. A bit outrageous and despite the good service and drinks, not worth the effort. You decide.

    (3)
  • Morgan F.

    They have a PATIO! I was heading to a movie a Fenway and wanted a sit down dinner in the area without heading towards Mass Ave. I actually totally forgot this place existed until we literally walked by and saw the nice welcoming PATIO! Really, Patios are SO KEY in the summer. Anyhoo, our guac was good, had big chunks of avacado in it, BUT kinda bland and nothing SPECIAL. Our meal was actually really good, I got something that basically resembled 5 layers dip, but as a dinner dish, but good if you would otherwise imagine that as not ;) The portions were REALLY BIG, I could have easily shared or taken my meal home (although I was heading to a movie and out for the night, so not the BEST plan). Overall not anything to write home about, but a good night and I was happy to have found an unexpected patio and the food was good and it was SUPER easy to walk to our movie after! I as just a little dissapointed that neither of us even ordered drinks and it came to more than I usually spend on Mexican food in Boston.

    (4)
  • Aretha B.

    I wish I could give 2 and a half stars. But to be nice, you get 3, sol azteca. Many of the reviews here are right on by basically expressing that the food isn't that bad, it's just not rave worthy. I didn't eat anything that made me go OH MY GODDDDDDD Crack in food! SO GOODDDDD... but nothing tasted bad, either. I had the combo - steak taco and enchilada con verde (or something?). It was pretty ok. Came with some nice marinaded cabbage side, the beans were flavorful, the rice was pretty ok, the green sauce was good. It was a lot of food (as it should be for 13.75). We ordered the large carafe of sangria and it WAS quite good. It was almost a bit thick, with a nice cinnamon-y aftertaste. I am glad that I now know - but if I'm eating in the area again I'm going to have Elephant Walk, Audubon Cafe, Boston Beer Works, Brown Sugar, and Ginza higher up on the list.

    (3)
  • Beth B.

    "Southern" Mexican. Enchiladas were great! New spices that I've never experienced in mexican food so far. Seemed pretty authentic. Would not recommend their "quesadillas". They were more like empanandas, fried meat pockets with no cheese. Dark refried beans and rice were delicious side items. Red sangria was fair--not much fruit but the wine taste was well balanced.

    (4)
  • Albert D.

    Chips and salsa: because I got a dinner entre, it came free, but otherwise it would cost $6.95?! What's up with that?! It, of course, is of the bagged-variety, and it tasted like the salt was harvested in order to use for the cooking... salsa tasted like supermarket salsa. boo mole poblano chicken: decent, but didn't have enough of that chocolate kick to it. I think this is where my chip-salt went. rice and beans: the rice was really good. the beans taste like any other place I think next time I shall get a big bowl of rice and call it a night. average cost for entres is around $12-15. Quite expensive...

    (3)
  • Bryanne R.

    Great Spanish/Mexican food. I loved the "CAMARONES VERACRUZANOS - Shrimp grilled in a fresh garlic butter and tomato-jalapeno sauce. Spicy." I didn't think it was spicy, but it was pricey -$19. Filled me up and I couldn't squeeze in a dessert. Their sangria is OK - it has a strong taste of cinnamon. It was a great place to go to get some awesome food and have a conversation without having to scream across the table. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Brian G.

    One word to describe this place, bland. The food had no flavor and the service was slow. I ordered the shrimp fajitas and I was expecting to be the center of attention with the sizziling platter but it came out on a cold plate and store bought tortillas. Its overpriced and disappointing. You are better off going to Boca Grande down the road. Its much better and cheaper.

    (2)
  • Andrew D.

    3 words...slow, slower, slowest. Like a siren, Sol azteca drew me back in last weekend as I was walking through my neighborhood for dinner and the outdoor patio looked great. the last time i ate there a year or so ago was one of the slower experiences ive had but decided that everyone deserves a second chance. we waited for 15 minutes which wasnt too bad since they told us 20-25. we then waited about 10-15 minutes for someone to come give us water and take our drink order during which time we were able to memorize the menu. drinks came out quick w/chips and salsa which are real solid, very impressed. then, waitress disappeared for another 15 minutes. we order our food, dont see our waitress again for 25 minutes. the food comes out about 50 minutes after we ordered. like everyone below, just dont get how they can possible be so slow, its as if they strive for it. i saw a table waiting for water, and several wait staff see this, but just not bring the water over. to their credit they gave us a free round of coronas to make up for the food coming out so late, and the food itself was good, but i won't be going back again. or until next year when it all happens again and i see that patio.

    (2)
  • Eric W.

    I have long cried foul over how poor in quality Mexican food the greater Boston area has proven to be. Some time I'll take you all to Ohio and show you what REAL Mexican food is like! And I am only partially joking! There are two things that truly make the place: mole (both poblano and verde) and combination plates. The former could perhaps come with more fire but certainly earn a 'win' in the richness category. The latter is a great way to cheaply diversify your plate, widely sample the menu, and have some leftovers. (Such combinations are common in more civilized corners of the world.) The cabbage salad was unknown by me prior to Sol Azteca and goes a long way to balance the otherwise heavy plate. Don't expect much in the way of service or atmosphere, both of which are merely adequate, but the sensible pricing and excellent location are enough to alleviate doubts.

    (4)
  • Ana M.

    Ok, the food is actually pretty good, but the service STINKS and so does the space. A) it took 20 minutes just to get our drink order and then another 20 for the appetizer and then the server got my entree wrong and it took another 45 minutes to get the right one and by then we were FUMING. They apologized but didn't take anything off the bill. What?! To make matters worse, the woman cleaning the table next to ours kept spraying a foul smelling cleaner and then wiping it down with a moldy cloth. I blame myself for not making a scene and walking out.

    (1)
  • Shruti M.

    While the service was VERY efficient, the food was not that impressive. I thought it was rather bland and tasteless. While a previous reviewer was impressed with rice, I actually really hated it. It was mushy and somewhat cold. The chips were cold and store bought. I doubt I will be back.

    (2)
  • Katie B.

    I've found it, I've finally found it! Decent Mexican food in Boston! I never thought it would happen. Boston is great at a lot of things but for some reason, Mexican fare is not one of them. So you can imagine my surprise when on a whim I suggested trying out a Mexican food place and it was actually good! Sol Azteca is comfortably nestled in between the St. Mary's T stop area (on the Green - C line) and that stretch of Beacon Street that leads to Kenmore Square. If it weren't for their giant fluorescent sign out front, you might even miss it. When you walk into this smallish place, you immediately feel as if you left the city and somehow ended up in Mexico. (Although to me, it reminded me so much of this one place I ate at in Spain, that I forgot that I was in Boston and caught myself a couple of times almost saying "Gracias" to our waitress. Not a huge faux pas because she was actually of Spanish decent. Bust still.) Huge rustic chairs invite you to sit comfortably at brightly colored tile-topped tables. Suddenly fresh chips and salsa appear and you are being asked if you'd like a drink. Eying the drink menu you feel psyched that a nice margarita will only set you back $6, (unless you choose a fancier tequila, but even then, it's only $8.) Not in the mood for a margarita, you request the sangria. After your drink order has been given, you start to explore the dinner menu. You spot interesting items like "cactus" on the menu. The drinks arrive and your waitress is standing before you, pen and paper in hand, ready to jot down your request - its crunch time. You've been flirting with the idea of selecting one of their flavorful chicken dishes when suddenly it hits you. You know exactly what you want. How can you pass up pulled chicken enchiladas with a homemade mole sauce? When's the last time you had mole sauce? (which by the way is crazy hard to make because it involves a rather lengthy list of ingredients and then needs to sit for hours upon end, slowly simmering until just right.) You get caught up in conversation, sipping on a flavorful sangria (is that cinnamon in there?) and it appears. Three over stuffed corn tortilla enchiladas served piping hot, smothered in a perfect deep red mole sauce and accompanied by fluffy clouds of rice (you remembered that you didn't like refried beans or the cabbage that was supposed to come along side). When you take your first bite, you know it's love. Tender shreds of chicken and melted cheese dance with richly spicy mole sauce. And the rice! Oh the rice. How did they get it so fluffy and moist? And flavorful! You detect that it was made with some sort of chicken stock, but then what did they do to it to keep it from drying out and clumping? You victoriously finish your plate and consider how rude it really would be if you licked your plate. Deciding the it's best if you don't, after all, you WILL be returning here. You hand the waitress your clean plate, and in exchange she hands you the bill. You realize that after all you ate and drank, your tab is surprisingly low. Happily, you pay and resolve to not forget about this cute little spot. You'll be back soon. And then you go home and take a nap, fully enjoying the joys that only a food coma can bring. OnceUponASmallBostonKitc…

    (4)
  • Jessica D.

    I ate here last night and it was so delicious!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! We had a buywithme deal - one appetizer, 2 entrees and 1 dessert for two people for $30, which they honored even though BuyWith Me was bought out by GiltCity. The restaurant was almost completely full when we arrived, on a Monday night, at 7pm but we were able to get a table without waiting. Our server was very attentive, and super friendly! He was so knowledgeable about the menu and which items were gluten free The best part, being big water drinkers, was he left the pitcher on our table THANK YOU! That saved both him and us a lot of hassle! The chips are corn based and gluten free and salsa was the best salsa I've ever had! It was a little bit spicy but incredibly fresh! For an appetizer we shared the Chamaorritos - grilled chicken tips in chipotle pepper, basil, onion, garlic, mango, orange and anise sauce. It was delicious; mouth watering good! The chicken was so tender and cooked to perfection. For my entrée I ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Verde, which came with rice and black beans. I was pleasantly surprised by the use of Corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas in many of their dishes. My boyfriend ordered Pollo Mango - Grilled Chicken breast in a mango, garlic and chipotle pepper sauce. He loved it; I thought it was good but a little too sweet for me! We both had to take half our meals home because the portions were a decent size. For dessert we split vanilla ice cream topped with Kahlua liqueur, also delicious. We were so full we were only able to take a few bites. Our meal would have cost us $48, but we had the $30 deal so we lucked out a bit. I highly recommend Sol Azteca for 2, 4 6 people or more! The prices are reasonable and the food is great! I will be going back for sure!

    (5)
  • Erin G.

    how have i not written a review of Sol? here it is: YUM. I've only eaten on the patio, so i can't speak to the interior atmosphere, but the patio is very nice and it wasn't a long wait for a seat but i think i just got lucky. The good news is that if you're waiting for someone they will seat you before the whole party arrives! we all know that is important. Anyway, dishes here are kind of pricey but a margarita is only $6 which i think is a good deal considering 3 blocks away in fenway you pay $6 for a bud light. i ordered the enchiladas de mole verde over cheese enchiladas and found the dish really well made and hearty. it had that fresh, "someone-just-made-me-this" taste that you wouldn't think you could notice until you notice it. a nice dinner option on a beautiful day, and stock up on the margs!

    (4)
  • Melissa C.

    I'll say, I probably wouldn't give this place 4 stars if it weren't in Boston. But I'm having a little trouble getting my Mexican fix here, and this place might help out a bit. The selection is VERY limited. The salsa is nice, but too mild. They have a habanero sauce that is very pleasant. The mole is complex, flavorful, delicious. The service was prompt and my glass stayed full. The food came out fast. The prices are affordable. The atmosphere is clean and appropriate. Vegitarians be warned, your entree will consist mostly of cheese.

    (4)
  • .amy E.

    I'm terribly disappointed at having to write an update about this place almost a month after my last one (and a serious one to boot), but last night's lapse in service, I'm honestly embarrassed to recommend this place to anyone and hesitate to head there again, delicious mole or not. Picture this: it's Saturday night. We're four easily amused, easy-going, hungry folks. "Let's go to Sol! Their mole is awesome!" I push this pretty hard and my friend visiting from out of town gets excited at the prospect so we trek over and are seated in the back corner of the restaurant. Our server takes kind of awhile to get to us and take our order...and then we wait for over an hour. Now let me explain where things went wrong and how Sol might have handled this situation much, much better. 1. We were kept uninformed of the situation and lied to a few times. After a half an hour, we asked one of the busboys to ask our server what had happened with our order. Our server ran back to tell us on three different occasions that our food would be ready in "just a few moments" and on one of those occasions, as if in a sitcom, looked at a corner of the restaurant and exclaimed "Oh, it's ready!" and ran off, disappearing again for 20 minutes. The manager came out twice saying the same thing, and mumbled an apology the second time about their fryer being broken and offered to comp us on some free desserts. Now my friends and I are easy-going. We were maybe a little visibly confused, but we clearly weren't angry. Though (eventually) we got pretty annoyed that no one just came out and said "Hey guys, sorry about the wait, there's been a problem in the kitchen and we're working on it," until after we'd been waiting over an hour. 2. After that first half an hour, our server was either neglecting or avoiding us. We stopped getting refills on our drinks and besides those "just a few moments" updates, we were pretty much left to our own devices. Given our seating arrangement, I was the only one who could see our server running to get drinks for the six other tables behind us and pointedly avoiding looking back at us. If one of us did manage to snag our server's attention to ask for a refill, it took two requests and over 20 minutes each time before anything happened. Again, these guys could have just owned up to having some problems rather than avoiding us. Heck, even our server could have told us that he was having a busy night and we would've been ok with it. But ignoring your customer doesn't strike me a the answer. I don't make a living in customer service and can't claim to know what the best approach is. I can also understand these guys were a little flustered with whatever problem they ran into behind the scenes. But last night's reaction just struck me as unacceptable, and judging from some of the annoyed things we saw scribbled into their guest book on the way out, we weren't the only ones that thought so. I will give them points that to their credit, their manager tried to do something to placate us over the situation. And hell, their mole is still the best in the Boston area.

    (2)
  • Charlotte S.

    I love mexican so I was excited when my friend who is native of Boston told us that this was her favorite mexican place. It wasn't that great. The sangria tasted like it was made out of boxed wine, we ordered nachos for an app and they were just this congealed mess on the plate... and we did the entree where you could do a combo of an enchilada, taco, burrito or some other choices. It is nothing compared to mexican in NYC!

    (3)
  • Maria Del Carmen D.

    Came here 7pm on a Saturday night. Reserations for about 14 people. Let me just start that saying the entrance can be a bit cramped if more than 3 people are waiting for a table. The hostest, an small older hispanic woman who was running from table to table like an insane person, acknowledged me and my partner within a couple of seconds. Very sweet woman...we were half an hour early (super early-I know) but she kept updating us on the status of our table every 5 mins or so. Once we were seated, we were immediately given ice water and some chips and salsa. That salsa was so good! I think I ate the whole basket by myself. The salsa tasted soo fresh. Our server Pablo did a great job at tending to our need seeing that there were 14-15 of us. Only bummer, food took a while to get to us, but it was a Saturday night and there was a ton of us but when it arrived, it was well worth it. I got the cheese encheladas- decent. The boyfriend got something different from me, but it was very strange that his meal looked and kind of tasted the exact same as mine did. Weird, kinda soggy consistency. I guess it was edible. Nothing really WOW-ed me, besides the salsa....I dont think I will be back.

    (2)
  • Heather H.

    Sol Azteca on Beacon is a great pre-game dinner place before heading over to Fenway. Outdoor seating in this city is so hard to come by, and this place has a lot of outdoor tables! The staff are always extremely attentive and friendly. The food is pretty good and their margaritas and sangria are killer. I'm a fan of their mole verde, made with poblanos, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. The inside decor is a little dated and reminds me of things my parents have from Mexico from the 1970s (dark wood, painted tiles) but is very cozy. You may have to listen to people in their mid-forties discuss their golf game, but the sangria should keep you sedated and happy.

    (4)
  • Rob D.

    ...I've been to both the Boston and Newton locations, and they are basically identical when it comes to the food and drink. (Which is a good thing, in this case.) I like the Boston location in the summer - in my old condo I used to be able to walk over the bridge from Cambridge to get here, but - alas - its now a car ride away. The food is really quite good, and the drinks from the bar are excellent as well. Check out the Napalitoes (grilled cactus with "I am sure it is bad for your arteries" cheesy-goodness on top).... nothing bad to say about this place, nothing at all. (I don't even have a snarky response about its limited outdoor seating - at least it HAS outdoor seating.)

    (4)
  • Dan M.

    I always have a good experience here. Its not too expensive and is still good

    (5)
  • D. A.

    If you are looking for real Mexican food (not your normal burritos and quesadillas) go here. Their margaritas are tasty (I have had pomegranate and 'original'). Go for something with the mole sauce. I can't describe it, other than: YUM! Of course this will cost you more than a Burrito from Boca Grande or Anna's, but it is a full service Mexican heaven.

    (5)
  • Maya T.

    this restaurant is great! first time having real mexican food in boston and I loved it! will definitely be going back often. sangria is excellent, along with fresh salsa, enchilada rojos and their tacos!!!!

    (5)
  • Cassie H.

    I would give 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round up for the amazing friendliness and customer service. From the moment we were greeted until we walked out the door, the staff was super nice. So we had a group of 9 people for dinner and none of us had ever eaten at Sol Azteca before. My husband and I arrived first, and they seated us and brought chips and salsa to the table while we waited for the rest of the party. The chips were above average (not super greasy or stale) and the salsa was really yummy. It is heavy on the onion, but my husband and I enjoyed it, and it definitely has a kick -- I couldn't stop eating! When the whole party finally arrived, we each ordered our entrees (amazingly enough we all ordered off the menu rather than the Restaurant Week menu). My husband had the cheese enchiladas rojas (they happily substituted cheese for beef when he asked) which he said was the best he's been able to find in Boston. I had the combinacion azteca since I couldn't make up my mind with a quesadilla, a tortada, and one cheese enchilada de mole verde. The enchilada was amazing... the quesadilla was not what I would expect from my experience (it's basically a fried Mexican hot pocket -- but loaded with cheese and meat). The tortada was alright but by the time I attacked it, I was totally full... each entree comes with their house cabbage, rice, and black refriend beans. When we finished our meal, two people had to get take-out boxes, but almost everyone else wiped their plates clean... yum. The service (despite other reviews I've read on Yelp) was excellent. Our waitress was prompt and attentive but didn't spend too much time interrupting our dinner and conversation. The restaurant looks much bigger than it does on the outside and I'm not sure the pictures even do it justice... there are two main dining rooms and a private dining room to the left. Overall, pretty good and surpassed our expectations after other Boston Mexican food experiences. I still have to reserve a special place in my heart for the Tex-Mex I've grown up on, but Sol Azteca was a pleasant surprise.

    (4)
  • Mikki N.

    Hands down, the best salsa served here!!! It was so good I had to ask for a cup to go. Not only the salsa was great, the cactus soup was off the chart yummy. I've came here twice and am looking forward to more visits in the near future. The margaritas were so strong, I think I'm still drunk. Not a bad choice if you're deciding on which Mexican joint to go to!!

    (4)
  • S. J.

    If you've ever wondered where exactly Sol Azteca is located, let me save you some trouble... the answer is, The Twilight Zone - because nothing is as it should be here. The Quesadillas? They were not. Exhibit A -- no tortilla. Instead, the contents were housed in a deep-fried shell more reminiscent of an empanada. Exhibit B -- no cheese. That's right folks. No cheese in a quesadilla. It's a mixed up world. But perhaps the most backwards item was the "queso". Somebody emptied a bag of shredded cheese into a bowl and heated it up. There's no other explanation. It looked like the top of a homemade pizza if a 10-year-old was making it. Dipping tortilla chips was impossible. Like I said, the consistency of this "queso" was one giant glob of slightly melted cheese -- dipping a chip into this mass simply pulled the entire blob. What am I supposed to do with that? Cut it up with a fork and knife? Just don't go here, folks. The server was apathetic. Maybe everyone has the same reaction to the quesadillas and queso, so she's just tired of offering apologies or returns. Who knows. FAIL.

    (1)
  • Mykal D.

    I'm going to preface this review by saying that I came here with a buywithme on both occasions, and this may have impacted the service I received. To echo Andrew G., mexican food is very hard to find in boston. Heck, ever since Taco Bell closed, even pre-frozen tex-mex can be a challenge. Its not that I don't like sol azteca, in fact, I would argue that its my #8 favorite mexican restaurant in boston (behind Ole, Taco Loco, and Zocalo, El Pelon, and Fajitas n Ritas, Anna's, and Olecito). The dubious distinction about being #8 on a list of the best mexican places in boston is that it puts you only one notch above taco bell. The upside is that they make excellent mexican-inspired dishes and a decent sangria. They are also in a small location on beacon street that doesn't boast much competition. On the downside, they don't open for lunch, and their portions are about the size of a typical burrito from anna's, but for only twice the price. The meals are nothing that would make you come running back. I got the camarones veracruzado and wasn't particularly flattered. The beans both looked and tasted like they were slopped onto the plate straight from the can. A friend got the seafood fajitas, which I would recommend. So to sum it up, you should go here if you don't have a car, really want mexican, live in brookline or Fenway, and are not particular about the preparation of the food. Also, it had better be after 5, otherwise you'll be sitting outside :-( But hey, if they every offer another group discount, I could be persuaded to come back.

    (2)
  • X X.

    A group of us went for a birthday dinner. The restaurant is nice and cozy. One problem, there was a stone in my food. My second bite of the beans and my face shook. My jaw is still sore. I don't know about you, but personally, I'm not used to having to be careful about chewing in the chance of finding one. A friend kindly told the staff for me. I tried to slightly brush it off, assuming something would still be done about it. The reaction: 'okay' and he walked away -- and that was the end of that. I filtered the rest of my meal for any inedible objects by pushing each bite between my tongue and the roof of my mouth. It was left on the bill. I should have just chewed on some gravel outside. Oh and two friends ordered quesadillas. Fun fact: 'quesa' means 'cheese'. Their quesadillas didn't get the memo about the cheese part; they were just dillas. They're quick to fill up glasses of water though! Very sweet. Like the extra flan that showed up on the bill that no one ordered.

    (1)
  • Traveling G.

    I've been going to sol azteca since 1974. It used to be my very favorite restaurant.. I lived nearby and remember waiting on lines to get in on a saturday night. When I saw them on Restaurant .com it was enough for me to buy a coupon and make the trek into Brookline. The food was not good. Our carnitas came out cold, and our entrees sat for a while under a heat lamp. The steak fajitas had inedible dry old beef. Chewy tough and unappealing. Not much flavor at all. Other of my old favorite dishes were poorly seasoned. No flavor in anything from the salsa to sauces.. BLAND. Truly not an enjoyable meal. We left most of it on our plates, sorry to say... Service was ok but not very professional. I am a mexican food fan and have no use for most of the chain restaurants around... I used to find Sol Azteca to be very authentic and really outstanding. I arrived with high expectations and left very disappointed. We won't be back.

    (1)
  • Tracy T.

    So I grew up in Southern California where there is a plethora of Mexican restaurants, but unfortunately most of them are fast-food style (but oh so YUMMY). Sol Azteca is closer to traditional Mexican food and you won't find anything here that you'd typically find in So. Cal but it's way better than all of the other so called, "Mexican food" places around like chipotle or Qdoba which basically calls anything wrapped in tortilla Mexican food (and are missing the melted cheese and grease). In fact, I think that Sol Azteca is not only more similar to traditional Mexican food, it's actually really very similar to Guatemalan food. They make fresh home-made salsa, fresh corn tortillas (which I have yet to find any good ones in Boston), and fresh tortilla chips. They even serve some authentic Mexican foods that you don't typically find in any other "Mexican restaurant" in Boston what-so-ever (ie: queso asado y nopalitos en salsa verde - cheese with chorizo and cooked cactus), which are great dishes. Everything that I've ordered off the menu has been pretty tasty - if anything they could make it spicier. The service more recently has been lacking, it's pretty slow so expect your meal to probably take you an hour or so depending on how much you order, so spend the time talking to the person (or people) you came with. It's meant to have a more "upscale" and relaxed atmosphere. I mean, if you paid $30-40 for two people to eat here, you really don't want to feel rushed, right?

    (4)
  • Leslie K.

    As with most of these posts...I WANTED to like this place. Rare to find good sit-down authentic mexican places around. Long story short...the food isn't that great...its fine. But it is WAY overpriced. 22 dollars for 5 shrimp in some gooey sauce? Its just really really lacking. Good margaritas though.

    (3)
  • yelper y.

    A favorite of mine for years. Service, atmosphere, and food are wonderful. I love the beautiful painted tiles on the walls. When I asked if the cheese enchiladas with mole were vegetarian, the server said that the sauce was made with chicken broth, a detail that few places think to mention. The vegetarian enchiladas (with no chicken broth) were delicious. My friends ordered and were very happy with the fish (Veracruzano), chilaquiles, and chicken fajitas. This place is good for large groups and parties, and they have an outdoor patio.

    (5)
  • Myndi W.

    Went here with my boyfriend for his birthday dinner, and I have to say, we both loved Sol Azteca. This place is great if you're in the mood for traditional Mexican food, not Tex-Mex or fast-food fare. We had reservations for a Saturday night, but the restaurant wasn't busy, and we would have been seated right away even without them. We ordered the Mexican grill for two, which is an awesome deal. It was a great variety of different meats, and everything was delicious. The chips and homemade salsa were perfect, along with the guacamole, and the refried beans are probably the best I've ever eaten. My boyfriend really enjoyed the sangria, as well. I'll definitely be back to Sol Azteca the next time I'm in the city!

    (5)
  • Andrew G.

    Good Mexican food is very hard to find in Boston. Sol Azteca makes a great effort, as far as Mexican in Boston goes, it should probably get 5 stars, but I think 4 stars is fair when not considering location. The fresh salsa and chips are good, though I if you aren't a fan of onions and cilantro it may not be suited to your tastes. The meals are large and are very flavorful. I've encountered a lot of Mexican food in the area that can be extremely bland. The drinks are made with a heavy hand, so that's always a plus. :) Outside dining is much better if you don't mind the wait or happen to get there at a good time.

    (4)
  • Caitlin G.

    Because this place had ranked highly on Phantom Gourmet, I was hoping that it would be a delicious experience. Not so much. I found the food here to be very bland without any pizzazz. Maybe they were having an off night? The food wasn't that great, and neither was the service. Our waitress took about 15 minutes to fill our drink order with hardly any other diners in the restaurant, and neglected to bring chips and salsa for about 20 minutes. I know there's a possibility that the lapsed drinks weren't on her part but on the bartender's. And the drinks = disappointment. A margarita that costs $6.25 with 'specialty' tequila is about the size of a brimming Dixie cup with a literal thimble-full of liquor. Not too cool. As for the chips and salsa verdict: the chips were hot, fresh and tasty, nice and crisp. The salsa on the other hand was, in keeping with the meal's general theme of banality, beyond mildly flavorful and had sort of a burnt taste to it, like an ingredient had gone bad. I ordered the enchiladas verde, which were the epitome of vanilla. Nothing special whatsoever, just bland, non-spiced chicken with an equally flat sauce. It just laid there on the plate (the presentation was not the best either). The best aspects of the meal were the marinated red cabbage slaw, and the refried black beans whose appearance closely resembled something you don't really want to be thinking about while eating. Those two were pretty tasty. Because we were celebrating my birthday, a slice of coconut cheesecake was ordered. The cheesecake itself was decent but really dry, like it had been sitting out for a while. I didn't really get the coconut flavor either. The caramel sauce itself had definitely been burned and was not good. All in all, I'd say that if you want good tortilla chips, marinated red cabbage slaw and refried black beans, this is the place to go. But if you want really delicious, authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine all around, don't come here.

    (2)
  • Kristine A.

    The food here is pretty good as is the decor, it's actually a pretty big space but doesn't seem like it from the outside. I wasn't impressed w/ the fact my sangria had no fruit in it & the dessert wasn't what I expected & nothing to write home about. At least now I know focus on entrees.

    (3)
  • Katie C.

    I went with one friend to Sol Azteca on a Friday night in late September without a reservation. We waited for service for about five minutes and were seated outside at our request with no wait for a table. The waiter approached our table within minutes and asked if we wanted drinks, but when we said we were fine with water he left. We were ready to order but we had to wait a few more minutes to do so. This wasn't really a problem; it was just awkward. I ordered the quesadillas; my friend got the enchilada de mole verde. We each tried each other's food and agreed that it was delicious. The dishes are a good size and with a dinner entree you receive free chips and salsa. I want to give special mention to the salsa here; it was the best I've ever had. There is no objective standard for these things, so I stress that this is a personal opinion. There were no real problems with the table service; I did have to wait for my water to be refilled at one point, because it was a little difficult to catch anyone's attention, but I feel that this was because they were a little busy and had already checked on us a couple of times. It gave my friend and I the chance to have a decent conversation without interruptions. All in all, a chill, easy dinner on a lovely night.

    (4)
  • Erica M.

    They have a sign in front on the patio that says "Please wait to be seated," but on a lovely May evening there were no staff around to seat the people waiting for tables. I had to go inside after a few minutes of waiting to get someone from inside to come seat the three sets of people waiting for tables. Not a good start. The waiters either didn't speak English or just didn't care about providing good service. The communication was pathetic. After some unimpressive chips and salsa, we waited and waited and the waiter finally brought food...but it was the wrong food! A few more minutes of waiting, it now had been about 45 minutes since ordering, and we finally got our food. Of course it was quite a disappointment when it did arrive, but we inhaled it because we were so hungry by then. I ordered beef fajitas. It was cold and the rice was crunchy (bottom of the pot?). The margarita was good. That was the only part of the meal I really enjoyed. The flan was waxy and heavy, nothing impressive at all. The service was horrible, except that I got the manager to take my dish off the bill. Overall, a very disappointing evening.

    (1)
  • Alex C.

    Food is alright, not cool that they charge you for extra chips and salsa if you ask for seconds or if you don't order an entree they charge you $6.00 for chips and salsa period. Service was not very good, it seems like the last few times I have gone it keeps going downhill but everyone has off days. Not sure if I'll go back. My 2 cents: Whenever looking at reviews always scroll to the bottom and look at the filtered reviews as well. I don't agree with Yelps review filter- ALL reviews should be counted. In many cases if all reviews were considered 5 star companies would have a 2 star rating and vice versa. Decide for yourself yelpers, don't let their "algorithm " do it for you!

    (2)
  • Sasha B.

    Decent mexican food. The place is cute inside, and the service very friendly (my water glass was always full). The sangria was delicious and I love places that give you free chips and salsa! App: Cheese and chorizo: 3 stars (4 stars if you ask for fresh corn tortillas to eat it with!) It is swimming in grease, but come on, you just ordered a plate of melted cheese and sausage Main: You can do a combo plate where you pick 2 entrees (love that!) 1 or each kind of chile rellanos, one beef, one cheese: 4 stars, very good! 1 of each kind of enchilada mole, chicken: 3 stars, yummy, somewhat standard The sides on the main dish were 5 stars though: I loved the refried black beans with rice, the black bean has a really good flavor to it.

    (4)
  • Charlie D.

    I've been to Sol Azteca in the past and liked it a lot but after my recent visit I was not all that impressed. The service was good as were the chips and salsa, but the enchiladas did not seem very fresh nor did the side dishes. It seems like the quality of the food has definitely gone down. I have not been to Zocalo in Brighton as others have recommended but I have been to their sister restaurant Andale in the Financial District. If Andale is any guide, I would guess that Zocalo is much fresher and tastier than Sol Azteca. That's where I'll be going next.

    (2)
  • Jacey B.

    I can see how the outdoor seating would elevate the dining experience but nothing we ate or drank was special. There are so many more impressive Mexican restaurants in the greater Boston area from a culinary (and a drink) perspective (Ole & Zocalo to name 2). I won't be revisiting this place.

    (2)
  • Michelle L.

    Sol Azteca is a Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Audubon Circle. They offer outdoor seating in addition to their multiple dining rooms inside. Summarizing their strengths, I have to highlight the guacamole, mole sauce, and overall generous portions. For $15.25 you get a 3 meal combination plate that is over flowing with food-- great if you want to sample a little of this and a little of that. Also popular is the Pollo Veracruzano; chicken in a sauce of tomato, capers, mushrooms, almonds, raisins and white wine. Everyone I know who orders this loves it. Chips and homemade salsa are complementary with dinner entrees, but definitely get their guacamole. It's creamy and smooth with occasional chunks of avocado. A huge shiny start for the guac! On the negative side, the margaritas aren't well differentiated. I tried a few and didn't find that one stood out more than another, which is odd. I tried the Spicy Margarita, Grand Gold Margarita and Margarita Patron Anejo. A margarita drink should vary dramatically based on the ingredients. Another weakness is the slow service. I am absolutely not saying that it is bad, but it is noticeably poky. When I evaluate restaurant service I think of the greeting, promptness/timing, knowledge (often evident though recommendations), follow-through, and overall approach. It took a noticeable amount of time to get chips and salsa, order drinks, etc. We basically filled up on chips, which isn't ideal. I will continue to dine here because the food IS good, they are accommodating to large parties, well priced and centrally located.

    (3)
  • K M.

    The service was great and I enjoyed sitting outside watching the sights of Boston. The sangria was a little on the sweet side but the food was fantastic.

    (4)
  • EricaLynn J.

    I love the atmosphere. I love the appetizers. I ADORE the chips and guac. Not entirely fond of the main course menu, but it's not because the dishes are not cooked well or properly. I think there's just a lot of the same thing on there, with just slight variations... and if you don't like those few things, you may just be out of luck.

    (3)
  • Alex S.

    When you say you want Mexican and your not automatically talking about a Burrito, Sol Azteca may be the place to go. This is a really well decorated clean Mexican restaurant right below street level. It is nice that it gives off the whole Mexican vibe without being overly cheesy and ridiculous. The chips and salsa are good which is a must for any decent Mexican place. All the staff is attentive and polite without being overbearing or being overly involved in the dinner conversation. The Mole Poblano is a personal favorite of mine. Each entre comes with many sides and the portions will fill you up no matter how hungry they are. Takeout is also a good option form sol azteca. Takeout orders include chips and salsa which is a big plus. The only thing is that it is slightly overpriced I think. I really emphasize slightly, and maybe that's just cause I am used to Mexican restaurants being cheap but it did seem that way to me.

    (3)
  • Bullwinkle M.

    Awesome, awesome mexican food (not tex-mex). Chips and homemade salsa to start is fantastic and goes great with their excellently strong margaritas (available in "low-cal," too). Highly recommend the Enchiladas de Verde. Service was perfect, patio was pleasant, and I will most definitely return.

    (4)
  • Sharon L.

    I love Mexican food. Sol Azteca has Mexican food. I easily loved Sol Azteca. I got the Enchiladas de Mole Verde and they were saucy and cheesy and delicious. My friend got a beef burrito which was massive and looked amazing, as he said it was. My other friend did not get sauce on her enchiladas and she enjoyed them, but I say "no sauce?! on Mexican food?!" But different strokes for different folks. Anyway I believe it is always good to see restaurants that will do custom orders without hesitation. The pickled cabbage that comes on the plates is FANTASTIC. Its sort of like a spicy, pickley cole slaw but with larger, more crisp bites of cabbage. I am going to try to find a recipe and re-create this or go down there and try to order a tub and bring it home. It is that good! My complaints are as follows: The service was less than attentive. My one friend found it satisfactory, but I wish the waiter was a little quicker and that I saw him a little more. The chips (not the salsa... the salsa was AMAZING) could have been more whole, meaning there were a ton a chip pieces and less whole chips. They also could have been more fresh. I got the feeling they were sitting around for awhile. Neither of these kept me from dipping them into the salsa and guac like a crazy person before getting my meal, but I'm just sayin...

    (4)
  • Joe K.

    Good prices. Great chimichanga. Excellent cabbage side! Awesome guacamole. Try and go in nice weather to sit outside.

    (4)
  • Grace S.

    Pros: Authentic Mexican restaurant. This alone earns Sol Azteca distintion in a city peppered with Chipotles and Qdobas and Bolocos, even Anna's Taqueria. The food also happens to be very good (excellent chips and salsa). Lovely patio in the summer. Cons: Location, away from the main commercial area of Kenmore Square. (To the disadvantage of the restaurant, more than the patrons) Balance: PROS BOTTOM LINE: The experience is similar to Back Bay's Casa Romero, but more affordable and in less self-conscious environs.

    (4)
  • Michelle B.

    There's a ton of food at this place! It's just a shame that even within your individual plate the food on it can be so hit or miss. I had the "Combinacion Sol", which was an half order of the beef tostada and half an order of the chili rellenos. This came with three sides: a red cabbage slaw, black refried beans and rice. The rice was tough - just slightly harder than al dente and the beans were bland. Some cumin would have been appreciated! The beef in the tostada was "picadillo" style, which apparently means that there's potatoes in it. This didn't bother me, but it did bother several other people who hadn't expected potatoes in their tacos. It tasted like a sort of hash to me and it was well-seasoned, so I was happy. The service... meh. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing really outstanding and getting our check and paying was a 25 minute ordeal that was unnecessary.

    (3)
  • Matt F.

    Sol Azteca is about as good as it gets food-wise when it comes to Mexican in Boston. With that being said, there are still some major issues. Let's start with the good. First off, you can't beat the price. A large caraffe of sangria is $19 - that's a great deal. Most of the entrees are under $15, and they are all generous portions. I'm particularly fond of the arroz con pollo (chicken & rice soup). It's incredibly salty, and perfect in every single way. I also really like the enchiladas verdes. The tomatillo sauce is fantastic. Now to the bad. Some things on the menu are just horrid. We can start with the baked cheese & chorizo appetizer. The should just call this cheese swimming in grease. Also, the mole poblano is comically bad, bland and boring. Lastly, the service is unacceptably slow. I get the sense this is due to too few waiters. They only seemed to have one guy taking orders for the entire restaurant (inside & out) the last time I was there! There had to be 12-15 tables of people - unless he has super powers, that just won't work

    (3)
  • Sara S.

    Probably the best Mexican food I've had in Boston proper. Paublo was an awesome, efficent waiter and made sure we were taken care of for our entire meal. He even put a litte something "extra" in our sangria! The chips and salsa were delicious, although I wish the chips were a little saltier. The salsa was obviously homemade and had lots of cilantro in it, just the way I like it! I ordered the vegetable fajitas, which were delicious, although surprisingly/disappointingly didn't come on a sizzling plate. However, I've never had vegetable fajitas with such a variety- red peppers, green peppers, onions, cactus, zucchini, broccoli. It was delicious and a vegetarians dream! It came with a side of rice and black beans which were the perfect compliment. The guac was delicious too! I'd like to come back and enjoy their patio seating and any variation of their dishes with cilantro sauce. The prices are about Cactus Club prices (not cheap, not too expensive) but Sol Azteca is a much better value.

    (4)
  • Lauren C.

    I'm from out of town and we took a chance on this place. Number 1 it looks like a hole in the wall from the outside but the inside was adorable. The red sangria was wonderful. I had a special with pulled pork that was to die for(so tender and so much flavor) and the sever was 5 stars. I have nothing to complain about. :) I would recommend checking this spot out.

    (5)
  • Henry S.

    First off, I have to write a disclaimer. I am from the southwest where good Mexican food is a given. My first experience with Mexican food in Boston was, to say the least, a disappointment. The frozen margaritas we asked for finally came and we immediately sent them back. You could see they were completely watered down slush and when we took a sip it was confirmed. Unfortunately the ones on the rocks were not much better tasting. I ordered a combination plate that included a beef taco and a red enchilada. Beef taco flavor was good and rice looked authentic but the red sauce and enchilada are to be avoided, and I don't even understand why there is pickled red cabbage served with the meal. Like I said, had high hopes especially after tasting the salsa but the chips were stale. Waitress was pleasant but the service was slow. Hope to find another place to try but will not consider giving this place a second try.

    (1)
  • Erin L.

    Good sangria? Yes Tasty food? Yes Nice patio area? Yes Attentive service? Yes Reasonable prices? Yes (! - that's me in shock) Possibly the best Mexican food in Boston? Definitely Enough said. Go check it out!

    (5)
  • Linda Z.

    I just dined here again last night and disagree with the comments about poor service. I have had excellent service both times I have been here and am pleasantly surprised to find Mexican food in Massachusetts that is flavorful and authentic. Ask for their homemade habanero sauce - it is delightful and adds zest to any dish. I really like the vegetarian chile rellanos, though I prefer the tomatillo sauce (and I mix a fair amount of the habanero sauce in with it). The sangria is good (as other reviews have stated, there is nothing particularly special about it but it is nice and dependably so), as is the Mexican coffee they serve.

    (4)
  • Heather G.

    The restaurant is very quaint-ly decorated, and looks more authentic-Mexican than any of the other places serving Mexican fare in Boston I've seen. The waitstaff is unintrusive yet always present when you need something or require a refill. The Enchiladas Verdes and Enchiladas de mole verde were both good, but the burritos are only decent and seem less-authentic than I would expect from the decor. They remind me of a fajitas and ritas burrito with the big, carb-y flour tortilla covered in shredded cheese in a big puddle and baked. One time I was here, I wanted something less-heavy and the only real option that didn't look fatty was a house salad...but for $5.75 it was 3 lettuce leaves, 2 rings of onion, and a handful of cherry tomatoes on an appetizer plate. If you are looking to eat something healthier/lighter, don't expect to see an option for that on this menu; this is not the place for you to dine! I would be back and try a special item or maybe fajitas if a friend felt really compelled to dine here, but let's just say I wouldn't go out of my way to choose this restaurant if I could have my pick of anywhere in the area. *****2 stars for food-alone, but an additional star for the decor and waitstaff.

    (3)
  • Mark D.

    I don't order out for Mexican food very often, and after this, yet another, disappointment with the delivery of Mexican food, I will never order from a Mexican restaurant in Boston if I am not going to physically pick it up myself or sit down to eat there. I ordered from Sol one evening via Foodler, I ordered the Nachos Grande and Enchiladas Verdes. The delivery service Sol uses is Dine Valet. First, the delivery. I have never ordered from a restaurant that uses Dine Valet and my first experience will be my last. If I could figure out the name of the company I would leave a review for them as well, but I can't seem to find them. My order was submitted at 6:20 pm with a delivery estimate of 7:25 pm. I am a rather patient person, and gave them some leeway and called 20 minutes after the food was supposed to have arrived. The lady who answered was polite, and surprised that my food had yet to arrive and promised to call me back after they got in touch with the driver. They did call me back and I was told they would be refunding me $8, which was delivery + tip. I told them that if my food was not edible, I would be calling back, and they told me to please do so. About 10 - 15 minutes later the food finally arrives. The enchiladas are barely warm but edible, however the nachos were a pile of mush. They looked fabulous btw. I called Dine Valet and complained. They told me they would take off the cost of the nachos. I thanked them. That takes me to the refund. By my calculations, I should have been refunded the cost of the nachos and the delivery+tip. Instead I was refunded $13.09. So, those nachos were $12.65, with tax that's not even the cost of the nachos. So I ended up paying for inedible food and shitty delivery. So on to the food. It was pretty standard fare. Like I said, the nachos looked fabulous, and if I ever physically make it over to Sol, I will get them again because they were smothered in cheese and jalapenos just like I like them. The enchiladas contained nice all white meat chicken, and while the amount of chicken was good, there were only two small enchiladas with only a little verdes sauce. Kinda disappointing, but they were tasty. It came with some refried beans which were too cold to eat. Sol would have probably received 3 stars from me if the food had arrived hot and edible but the deliver was one star and the food that was edible wasn't all that special. tl;dr Sol is probably a great restaurant if you have the opportunity to visit. But I would suggest you reconsider if you are ordering out for delivery.

    (2)
  • Clare D.

    Fantastic food! And superb service. There were four of us for dinner on a Friday night and everything was brought quickly and there were no mistakes. The server went out of his way to accomodate my preference for pork in my enchiladas mole verde. I tried all of the dishes at our table: the seafood soup, pollo cilantro, the carnitas and my own enchiladas with beans, rice and cabbage slaw. Everything was outstanding, the flavors were strong and well chosen. The margaritas were good although all were a tad sweet for my taste. I was very, very happy with our experience and will go back again for sure.

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    The outdoor seating and proximity of our friends' apartment initially lured us to Sol Azteca, but it was the food, drink and atmosphere of the evening that made us truly enjoy our experience. We were graciously greeted and a table was prepared for four, even though rearranging of furniture and changes in the floor plan were necessary. We began with their sangria, which was deliciously flavored with cinnamon, and devoured the chips and salsa within minutes - so tasty! A favorite was the enchiladas con mole poblano, made with traditional Mexican mole made with chili peppers, chocolate, etc. SO GOOD! They offer combination dinners to try out two or three of their options, which is recommended to get the best bang for the buck and a range of flavors. Overall, a great place for a group of friends, a family outing, or a date.

    (4)
  • J A.

    Came here with a friend for a quick dinner on a relatively slow week night on a cold and rainy evening. We were warmly greeted and promptly seated. I ordered the Mango Chicken and was not pleased. While the portion was large it didn't taste fresh and seemed as though it was mango marinade that was overly sweet as opposed to fresh mango. The restaurant was not especially crowded, probably due to the weather and the fact that it was a weeknight but the service was still very good. I'm willing to return to Sol Azteca but will not order the mango chicken.

    (3)
  • Renee M.

    Funny story, I am waiting on food from Sol Azteca as we speak. My friends and I originally ordered at 6:45(TWO TURDUCKEN HOURS AGO), they forgot an entire entre (as well as the free chips and salsa promised with each entree) and then were complete asshats on the phone. Sorry, Im going to try to be mature about this.... The food isnt that bad, too bad i have had a complete cell regeneration in the time it took them to bring our first entres. Secondly, they took our money despite not giving us all the food. When we called them to let them know they forgot an entre, they said it would be there within the hour, letting our poor friend wait an hour while everyone else ate. AND the total came to 54$ for three entres! because they add a 10 percent delivery charge which they refused to revoke. ALL im saying is the food isnt that bad, small portions for the price BUT THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS AND IF THEY DONT KNOW HOT TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHO'S TO SAY WHAT OTHER RESTAURANT GUIDELINES THEY IGNORE?

    (1)
  • L D.

    Love everything about this place. The food, the drinks, the ambience, it's all amazing! Everytime my boyfriend and I make a trip to Boston the first thing I do (before I even book a hotel room) we make our reservations here. We even plan our days around it. I wish I could bottle this place up and bring it home with me!

    (5)
  • Brian G.

    One word to describe this place, bland. The food had no flavor and the service was slow. I ordered the shrimp fajitas and I was expecting to be the center of attention with the sizziling platter but it came out on a cold plate and store bought tortillas. Its overpriced and disappointing. You are better off going to Boca Grande down the road. Its much better and cheaper.

    (2)
  • Rahul R.

    I had bought this coupon from BuyWithMe.com where I got $40 value for $20, which is why I tried this place. Over all experience OK. Customer Service: BAD. Food Quality: OK Service Time: BAD. It was taking for ever to get the food, water, and so on. Attitude from the Service guy: BAD Food I had: Enchilladas and Tostadas, both vegetarian No Refill for Aerated Drinks, which other places do have. Its an Expensive place, which isn't that worth it. Tip is a MUST irrespective the quality of service if good or bad. They have means to get tip out of you, which is kind off shock to me. Tip is NEVER a must at any restaurant, its a gesture of appreciation for a great service received from the service guy/gurl. I would prefer Margaritas or Ole's over this place. Thanks Akash

    (1)
  • April I.

    Enchiladas mole poblano and tacos fritos---yummm. Fresh made guacamole and chips and salsa---yummm. 4 or 5 house margaritas -- shit I'm suddenly drunk, full, happy with my company and wondering how many baskets of chips and bowls of salsa we've actually eaten. Met a friend here the other night. Great service, awesome food. I loved my enchiladas mole poblano -- just a hint of heat and richness. Really good and authentic mole is thick with chocolate, almonds, chili peppers, and lots of spices and other ingredients. This was perfect, complex and tasty. The tacos were crunchy filled with beef and cubed potatoes. It was all good. Our waiter was really nice. We sat for a couple of hours just drinking margaritas and eating more chips and salsa and talking. He was totally non-intrusive, filled up our waters, kept the margaritas coming, and the chips and salsa full. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)
  • Aileen Q.

    Great sangria, which the extent of the good about this place. Our waiter was VERY grumpy and uncooperative. He only cheered up when he handed us the check. WTH? The food was less than spectacular. I will not be returning. There are other places to get decent sangria in town.

    (2)
  • Phoua C.

    Good authentic Mexican place. I love the fact that their menu is simple. And their drinks are great. (Yummy margaritas in my tummy) I've had the pork verde, love their verde sauce, the enchiladas, the tostadas, the chimichangas, well, most of their food. Except the seafood. I don't eat seafood. And the chips and salsa! Need I say more? I like how I don't have to add more spice to it. I always recommend this place when someone asks about Mexican.

    (3)
  • Haley B.

    Expensive and just so so. The service was really great, and the salsa was delicious, but overall not really worth it.

    (2)
  • Ashley M.

    This place has the BEST guacamole!!! sangria is fantastic as well! I work in the neighborhood and will be back as soon as outdoor seating comes back in to season!

    (5)
  • Michele G.

    The little carafe of sangria was a nice option for about 3 glasses' worth at $11. The shrimp in cilantro sauce was good, and that's where everything good ends. The server could care less if we liked the food, or the sad, sad excuse for queso. This queso was actually a mass of shredded mozzarella dumped in a little pan and melted. Dipping a chip into the rubbery mess was impossible. God, it was disgusting -- puddles of oil sat on top of the vile concoction and it was hard not to stare into the abyss. (Shudders.) The quesadilla is actually a deep fried empanada. Don't order it, period. In fact, go to La Verdad for a fantastic steak burrito and some truly great and authentic tacos. Even the guacamole here was apathetic and bland.

    (1)
  • stephanie c.

    My friends love this place and come here regularly. I've been her 5 times now and as much as I try to like it...I'm indifferent. I've had great street mexican food and also great traditional mexican food and this just doesn't cut it. Margaritas are good and food is alright, but nothing special. In terms of better Mexican I've had in Boston-I'd choose Casa Romero. Food seems to be much more flavorful.

    (2)
  • Sarah A.

    Was back here recently and the sangria seems to have taken a nose dive. Blah! I was also not terribly impressed with my nachos but they were decent enough. The best (yet incredibly fattening) thing here has got to be the fried quesadillas. So good and very authentic. I still love the atmosphere so I am keeping my three stars but I won't order the sangria again here.

    (3)
  • Chris B.

    To my knowledge, there aren't too many other Mexican Restaurants in the Boston area that are as authentic as Sol Azteca. The margaritas are great, the salsa is undoubtedly fresh, the corn tortillas are freshly made in house and the various sauces to top the dishes are extremely flavorful. I go for the enchiladas nearly every time, as I think they offer a great variety in flavors. The price is right, and the service, although slow, is actually nice because you never feel rushed. The place is even better in the summer time when you can eat outside (soon!).

    (4)
  • Emily A.

    Overpriced and bad. Avoid this place. The stuff did not taste fresh at all. Chips were not good either.

    (1)
  • Mon R.

    I've been here twice, primarily because I had forgotten how bad it was the first time I came here.

    (2)
  • Jen S.

    The food is only OK. I love their queso asado. It's one of the best things that has ever hit my mouth in this city. Their margaritas are pretty good, but if I go again, it will just be for the queso asado. I've been there a few times and haven't liked ANY of my entrees. So the 3 stars is for the dip.

    (3)
  • Ciao H.

    YUM. I thought this place was a perfect place for grabbing a bite before hitting the movie theater at Fenway for a showing of "Machete". The sangria was bitter, so ask for sugar if you find that to be the case, but the food was DELECTABLE to me. Some really nice vegetarian options, flavorful sauces and good god, I thought I hated cactus and would never eat it again. Sol Azteca proved me wrong, super yum comfort food. Andale.

    (4)
  • Allison G.

    The place was surprisingly big, and they were happy to take a reservation for a party of 8 on a Saturday night. I was especially pleased because I called at 5 to reserve a table for 7pm! We were sat in a room in the back. We weren't the only patrons back there, but we were ignored for a bit, and sat enviably watching the other tables munch on chips and salsa. Once the chips and salsa arrived, we hungrily dug in. The chips were fresh (perhaps why they took so long to get to us?) and the salsa was delicious. Waiter took a while, so when he finally came, we put in our entire order. The food finally made it out to us, and I found no matter how bad the service, I would still come back here for the food. I ordered the Enchiladas de mole poblano and the mole was amazing! I wanted to lick the sauce off the plate after I had finished. The sides were all excellent, and most of us cleaned out plates (which is saying a lot, as their portions are big). Everyone agreed that the food overall was great. The only complaint was that the fajitas didn't sizzle! We wanted to stay for a while chatting and enjoying our drinks, but the waiter was obviously trying to rush us out the door. It was only 9:30, and they are meant to close at 11. There was no obvious need for our table as the place wasn't busy. Eventually we figured out that with business being slow and a snow storm expected they wanted to close early. We happily packed up and left so the staff could get home safely, but did note that the only time the waiter was attentive was when he was trying to leave. Overall, 5 stars for the food, 3 stars for the service. I will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Milee S.

    Mexican is my favorite type of food, so I love checking out the limited number of Mexican restaurants in the Boston area. Sol Azteca is pretty good... I really like their margaritas. I've had a lemon one (it was one of their specials) and a strawberry. Both were delicious. The chips and salsa are just ok...nothing to rave about. The guacamole could use more lemon and salt...it was a bit bland, and pricey ($7). I've had meals with mole sauce. It's an interesting type of sauce...kinda chocolatey, but yet has a bite. I had the chicken enchilades this past time, and I felt the sauce was overwhelming at times. My friend had the tostada and she seemed to like it. We skipped dessert. The bill wasn't cheap, but not unreasonable either. I find it to be a special occasion place...like catching up with an old friend or taking the parents out to dinner. Not bad, but not spectacular either.

    (3)
  • Allison B.

    Pleasantly surprised! As a BU kid, I must've walked by this place 900 times. I always thought it looked so tex-mex típica that I'd just walk on by. On a whim, we decided to try it on our way to the movies. 1 - Gotta love it when the first thing you see when you open the menu is *BAM* - an entire flap dedicated to vegetarian selections. I went with the vegetarian enchiladas and was thoroughly satisfied. A great standard done well - squash, cheese, green chili sauce - delish. 2 - Bf has been searching the city high-and-low for a place that serves regular old joe shmoe hard shelled tacos. It's amazing that they'd be hard to find, but this place has got 'em, so he was also happy. 3 - Great prices - even on drinks! I think a margarite was something like $6 or $7, and they looked huge and scrumptious. Note to self: things to try next time: - Mole - Sangria and/or margarita - Guac Note to others: I liked this place enough to warrant a "next time" :)

    (4)
  • Luke P.

    To complain about Mexican food in Boston, it basically has to be worse than Taco Bell. I'll give this place credit for having entrees beyond the standard tex-mex stuff you see at most places. I had the Pollo Cilantro and thought it was pretty tasty. My date had the Enchiladas Verdes, which were also pretty good. I liked that they put some liquid smoke in the blacked beans and enjoyed that cole slaw they served on the side. The chips & salsa were average. I thought they were really good at first, but the more I ate the salsa, the more it started to taste like store bought tomato sauce with spices/additives. Also, the salsa had WAY too much onion in it, and I ended up reeking of it all night. The atmosphere was OK. It wasn't too loud or chaotic which was nice. The service was decent. We didn't wait long for anything and the waiter was 100% accurate which is always nice. I can't really complain about anything. It's not the best Mexican I've had, but for Boston, it was decent. I'd go back again for the food alone. PS. Watch out for that first step that drops down sharply as you come into the restaurant. IIRC, there's no sign warning you about it, and you can took a nasty spill.

    (3)
  • Becca C.

    Sol Azteca serves some solid Mexican food in a comfortable atmosphere! I enjoyed a fun dinner and a few glasses of sangria here with friends. I would recommend Sol Azteca to anyone looking for a good and relatively casual Mexican meal! The service was a little inconsistent, but I did enjoy my vegetarian enchiladas.

    (3)
  • Shannon C.

    HORRIBLE! Went here with my boyfriend and we were shoved in a tiny, awkward booth which was very uncomfortable. The food was really disgusting. Turns out my "vegetarian" meal was made with chicken and beef stock... So it was NOT vegetarian. It made both of us quite ill. Honestly... It doesn't take any effort to make a decent "Mexican" dish... I could have done far better myself with some chips, cheese, salsa and a microwave.

    (1)
  • Daniel M.

    OMG.OMG.OMG.OMG. Their molé is AMAZING. I speak specifically of the molé negro. When it came out I was unsure. It looked awfully dark and I was afraid that it would taste like a melted chocolate bar. I was SO WRONG. You can taste everything in the sauce yet nothing overpowers the next flavor. This sauce is like a trip back in time for me. I haven't had a sauce this good in years. Bravo. The enchiladas the sauce topped were stuffed with cheese but didn't turn in to a big mushy mess half-way through. Well played. The guac, expensive but addictive. At first it seems like nothing special but next thing you know you're shoveling it in with reckless abandon. Creeper guac I guess you would call it. I didn't drink since it was five million degrees outside and that tends to get ugly but I heard the margaritas went down nicely. Also, the service could have been better. It wasn't bad per se but I had to wait longer than necessary for water a couple of times (it was hot, where are you?). All was forgiven however thanks to the glorious glorious molé. The only problem I have is that they are not within walking distance :'(

    (5)
  • Francesca R.

    I was in a daze last Friday night after my company downsized by 70% and I still found myself employed by the luck of the draw. I decided to keep our reservation at Sol Azteca and I'm so glad I did. First off, our waiter Ramon had the serenity of the Buddha and immediately put me at ease. We managed to score seats on the patio in a nice shady spot where we could people watch and discuss my crazy day nice and privately. We got a pitcher of Sangria, which I thought was fantastic. It didn't let fruity sweetness overwhelm it - just a hint of cinnamon and fruit made this a zesty chilled drink. We had Carne Asada and Camarones al Cilantro for dinner. OK, these aren't the most daring dishes but they were done to perfection - so much so that next time (and there will be a next time) I feel confident enough to branch out to something more adventurous. I think eating inside would be really charming as well - the tile mosiacs, brick walls and just-right lighting make it a welcoming space. I have to give props to the service again - the complimentary chips and salsa (which were also fantastic) came out right away, our waters were always full and Ramon achieved that perfect balance of ridiculously laid back yet still attentive. If you go to Sol Azteca and your server is an older gentleman with a ponytail, your night is set - sit back and enjoy.

    (5)
  • Chris E.

    I live locally but haven't tried this place until I picked up a buywithme coupon. Went there recently and left a lot to be desired. I wasn't paying attention when I first walked in and didn't see the sign to hand the coupon to the hostess when you arrive. I was actually on yelp while I was waiting to order and saw the note that someone else posted about having to do that. Once I saw the note, I handed my coupon to my server next time he came over. From there on I noticed a big shift in attitude towards me and the service got much worse. WHY did you sign up to offer the coupon to people if you get annoyed when they use it???? Drinks were ok. Kind of small and very standard. I love chips and salsa and usually eat more than my fair share when I go to mexican restaurants. This salsa was awful and after one bite, I didn't eat anymore. Weird consistency and almost tasted more like a chunky pasta sauce with cilantro.. Parts of the meal were good and others were average. First of all, please bring food that is HOT and not barely warm. I got a combo platter and the fried quesadilla actually had some good flavor but was missing cheese. Burrito also had some good flavor. Rice and beans needed to be much warmer.

    (2)
  • Beth B.

    "Southern" Mexican. Enchiladas were great! New spices that I've never experienced in mexican food so far. Seemed pretty authentic. Would not recommend their "quesadillas". They were more like empanandas, fried meat pockets with no cheese. Dark refried beans and rice were delicious side items. Red sangria was fair--not much fruit but the wine taste was well balanced.

    (4)
  • Daniela R.

    Just finished eating here for restaurant week. It was my first time there. The service was pretty slow. The appetizers were not good. I ordered the guacamole salad. The avocados were very unripe and the so was the guac. However I will say my entree, the combo which included chicken chilaquiles and beans and rice and a chile relleno with beef was excellent. The dessert, coconut cheesecake, was also great.

    (3)
  • Zack C.

    This place is terrible. Not because the food was bad, but because the drink and food portions were pathetic. Our margaritas ($8 each) were served in an 8 oz glass. We got the combination platter for $16, which had a single quesadilla smaller than my hand (which was actually more like an empanada with low quality chicken), and a single chimichanga about 4 inches long, while 3/4 of the plate was covered in rice, beans and cole slaw. The food tasted okay at best, but was nothing to rave about. There were free chips and salsa, but I do not go out for those. Go somewhere where you can actually get a decent-sized meal for your money and don't have to get full on chips and salsa.

    (1)
  • Ashish G.

    The guacamole here is absolutely AMAZING! I just get the Chips and salsa here with a side of guac sometimes because its that good. There's a really nice large server too . It's a great place to go in the afternoons and evenings because it's never crowded and the interiors are so well done. I would even suggest it for a date night. I love the place. Oh and did I mention the guacamole?: D

    (5)
  • Kevin B.

    THE Mexican restaurant in Boston. Seems to be family owned, same people working all the time, they will remember you if you are a repeat customer! Chips, salsa, guac, and queso are spot on. Margaritas are perfect, but you have to get the special ones. No house margarita (lower quality). Order a margarita with the tequila that you want (recommend Chinaco Anejo). They have a list of tequilas for margaritas so it is easy. Really friendly staff, sometimes food takes a while to get out, but it is part of the experience. Mole is some of the best I have had. This place is great!

    (5)
  • Amanda U.

    Love this place! Very few Mexican places around Boston. This place is cutely decorated and affordable. Fun and relaxed atmosphere. Also, they really give you unlimited chips and salsa! The queso comes in a cast iron pan and has browned cheese on top, so definitely order it!

    (5)
  • Muna H.

    Our order: 3 hours late. Told at 9:45pm just not to expect it oh but here's maybe a $10 coupon, good luck finding food now. Then it magically arrives. Leaking and smashed to one side. Brown avocados. Cold crusty beans. A chile relleno hiding in there somewhere. A crispy taco so soft that it jumps to the side with a flick of the finger and crumples. The starving boyfriend tries microwaving his enchiladas. The coleslaw (?) included now seeps icky hot into everything. The mole tastes like BBQ. I basically just spent sixty dollars and three hours waiting for Sol Azteca to give me 3lbs of trash to throw away for them. What did I ever do to you, Sol Azteca? One star for reminding me that life is absurd and the check is never in the mail.

    (1)
  • Colleen F.

    You will not a find a more authentic fine dining Mexican cuisine in the Boston area. This place has been around since 72' and it has the loyal customers to prove it. Service is always good, the margaritas, even better. Anything with the CILANTRO SAUCE it delicious! Their Mole Negro is also good; both my favorite sauces. The manager of the restaurant RIMA is the cutest and really goes above and beyond to make your experience a pleasurable one. Their outdoor patio is perfect this time of year to indulge in their red sangria (best in the city). Highly recommended!! Also their desserts are so good too! Fried icecream, bananas with goal milk caramel, and their coconut cheesecake is the best.

    (5)
  • Joe E.

    Great food and nice people. The owner was very involved in making sure everyone was happy. The food was fresh and the drinks cold. Nice place to sit outside and enjoy a summer night. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Juliet K.

    There aren't a lot of traditional / legit Mexican restaurants in boston overall, so it's nice to have this place nearby the Brookline area. To start with, I really love their complimentary salsa and chips. I usually ask for another thing of salsa before the entree comes out! Carne asada steak platter is a solid dish there and it is a sizable portion. There's a mango chicken dish that's super tasty too. The ambiance is something to note as well. Lots of traditional Mexican clay tiles on the floors, and ornate painted tiles embedded in the tables. There are two sections of the restaurant and a small outdoor area when it's warm enough to sit outside.

    (4)
  • Hannu K.

    If you want to find a nice Mexican restaurant in Boston, this is an excellent choice! Great food and very friendly staff. Patio is a plus for warm summer nights

    (5)
  • Ann L.

    You think you've seen all quesadillas until you try one from Sol Azteca. The blue margaritas are a must! Not a place to go for a quick bite, but overall good experience.

    (4)
  • Sara W.

    I went here last night for restaurant week, and I can honestly say that this place is amazing. If you're feeling for some authentic Mexican food and you need a place to go, this place will definitely hit the spot for you. The restaurant's atmosphere was great-- the decor was on point. The food was amazing, and we had such a friendly waiter. The only downside that night was waiting for our appetizers to come. It took a while for the waiter to give us our food, but other than that, I have zero complaints. The first thing that we had was complimentary salsa and chips. The salsa was AMAZING. It was fresh, and it went so well with the crispy tortilla chips. For appetizers, I ordered the Ceviche, my friends ordered the Nacho-style cheese dip with Spinach and Jalapeño, and the Ensalada Azteca with Guacamole. The Ceviche I had was DELICIOUS. I've had Ceviche before, but the Ceviche here though... it was so good. The only downside was the avocados that were included with my Ceviche. The avocados weren't ripe enough, so they didn't taste good. But because my Ceviche was so delicious, I didn't really care so much about the avocados. The dip my friend ordered was also amazing! It was just like Nacho-cheese with a little kick to it because of the jalapeños. I loved it a lot because I really love cheese in general...and nachos. Haha. Next was our entrees. I got the Fajitas Texana, and my friends got the Combo Especial. The entrees were spot on. It was absolutely DELICIOUS. I have never been so happy about eating Mexican food. The protein was cooked right, the beans and rice were cooked right-- everything was perfect. The only downside to my dish was the guacamole. I love my guacamole more on the sour side, with lots and lots of lime. The guacamole was pretty bland. On top of that, the avocados they used weren't ripe, so it didn't taste good. But despite this, my dish was still amazing. I also tried some of the Combo Especial, and it was equally as good. Lastly, we got dessert. I ordered the Pastel Azteca, and it tasted like exactly what the description says: a light coconut cheesecake. I'm not a big fan of cheesecake, but I had to order this because there's coconut in it! For someone who isn't a big fan of cheesecake, the Pastel Azteca was so good. It wasn't super rich like a cheesecake, it was really light, which I liked a lot. It kind of tasted like flan, but in a cheesecake form. Overall, I had a great experience. I would definitely come here again. OH, and their lemonade was bommmmbbbbbb. I've never enjoyed my lemonade so much before. The waiter was nice enough to give me a second one for free. :)

    (4)
  • Orion S.

    Staff is friendly and potions are good size, quality is ok. Mixed drinks ; expensive, served the smallest margarita I have ever seen and still had ice cubes top to bottom. Sangria is better choice but still not priced right.

    (2)
  • Linda W.

    The entrance is down the stairs, but this restaurant is NOT to be overlooked!! It was a delight to find an authentic Mexican restaurant, one of the first in Boston, in Brookline. The decor is warm, and decorated with lovely Mexican tile. The waitstaff is friendly and responsive, and the food was fresh...the sauces, tortillas, desserts HOMEMADE, using the original recipes from when it was opened in 1978. The dishes reflect the regions of Puebla, Veracruz, and Mexico City, Mexico I ordered the Enchilada Verde and the sauce and the chicken were the freshest and most flavorful I can remember being served. The restaurant may not be the trendiest place in town, but there is a lot to be said for a restaurant being in operation for 41 years!! They must be doing something right!

    (5)
  • Richard P.

    I recently ate here with a Mexican friend (who would certainly know good Mexican food). We both liked our meals a lot. The service was fine and the hostess was a delight (instantly speaking Spanish to my friend... he said that was the first time that had ever happened in Boston). The patio was full (and it was a warm night) so we opted to eat indoors (no other diners in the dining room we were in and I have to say it did smell a little musty/damp/moldy, but not horrible. All that tile and stucco and being half underground probably caused it. Cute, authentic decor and again, the food was very good and just what we wanted. Could be slightly cheaper, but it is Boston. Would we go back? Definitely.

    (4)
  • Victoria C.

    Had an early dinner at Sol Azteca, it was quite lovely! The free chips and salsa were delicious. The chips seem quite fresh and crisp, the three of us when through three baskets! The guac was also very fresh, would recommend. Chips & Salsa -- 5/5 I ordered the Enchiladas with mole poblano. It was delicious!! The waitress recommended it to me because it's one of their more popular dishes. Definitely worth a try, the mole sauce is interesting. Enchilades 4/5 The service was really great, the waitress was attentive and very sweet. Nice authentic atmosphere... not that I really know much about the authenticity... but it was quite cozy!! Would recommend.

    (4)
  • Lillian C.

    We originally wanted to get gy-kaku but the wait was way too long so we came here. We were promptly seated and the service was pretty on point throughout the night. I had a pitcher of the red sangria and it was really delicious. I really liked their chips and salsa too. Since I wasn't too hungry I opted to order two al pastor tacos a la carte. The tacos were decent, but the meat was a little dry. I know the other people in my group liked the dishes they ordered. Their portions are pretty big also. However, I think I'm just not a fan of traditional Mexican dishes and prefer tacos. Overall the price is a little high compared with Mexican food in LA, but I guess it's pretty regular for Boston. I still haven't found a place that is on par to places in LA...

    (3)
  • Amanda B.

    The food was good and flavorful, but overpriced and not particularly memorable. We had a good experience with the service and were served quickly. I would give three stars except that the chips and salsa were AMAZING.

    (4)
  • Jessica P.

    Amazing. Words can't describe how great everything is here. The salsa is so fresh, it tastes like it was picked from my backyard garden, that day. All of the food is so flavorful you want to just keep eating it even though you can't breathe. The portion are enormous! The patio is quaint but perfect - quiet on busy beacon street and the service and attention to detail is impeccable! It was so good- we went two nights in a row. Try the Cadillac Margarita as well as the blue margarita! Trust me- we will be back soon!

    (5)
  • Greg P.

    Good food marred by TERRIBLE service Sol Azteca is located on Beacon St. close to the Fenway T stop and with plenty of on street parking. The ambiance fits with the Mexican cuisine but is neither particularly exciting nor noteworthy. Sol Azteca offers a number of standard options for Mexican cuisine. I have eaten there a couple of times but stopped going because the food has not been the same. This plus the fact that the service has always been poor (more on that in a minute) makes it a no brainer. I usually start with the guacamole which has been marked by a shrinking portion size. It is pretty good though. The chilaquiles for a meal is excellent. Delicious tortilla layers with tender chicken and cheese. The enchiladas verdes are just ok. The service at Sol Azteca is terrible. We have had the same male server almost every time and he is exceptionally rude. Never cracking a smile and poorly attentive. Forget about drink and water refills. You ought to bring bottled water just in case so you don't get dehydrated! We had to send a dish back to the kitchen because it was not what we ordered. He huffed and puffed and just dropped the correct dish on our table. This attitude pervades the restaurant too because you can expect to wait quite a while to catch the attention of the host so you can be seated (even when the restaurant is not that busy). I haven't been back in months and don't plan to. I doubt they would every try to improve the situtation. They just don't seem to care! Too bad, because the food is actually decent.

    (2)
  • Rob C.

    This is some of the best sit-down Mexican food on this side of the harbor. The girlfriend had a groupon that hooked us up with an absurd feast for a steal, considering it's such a reasonably-priced place to begin with. The usual Mexican-restauraunt decor of bright colors and pastels works so well here that you forget it's a cliche and just appreciate how much it makes a basement space not feel like one. There are a lot of nice nooks and crannies to have a quiet dinner, too. i judge any Mexican place by the quality of their chips and the alacrity with which they are replenished (yummy, and with all due speed). We also had some quesadillitas for appetizers, which were also delicious. I had chilaquiles for dinner, and they did not let me down either; a huge pile of tasty goodness, but still staying crispy and flavorful down to the last bite. And even with the confusion that inevitably follows using any sort of coupon deal, the waiter was friendly and cheerful. And patient. We should have gone here much more often, but now we know.

    (4)
  • April K.

    Worst service I have experienced in a very very long time... Speaking of long, it took forever for the waiter to take our orders and bring us our food. He messed up on one order, and I don't know why it took so long for him/the chefs to fix it. The restaurant was not very crowded and all my friend ordered were two tacos. We were with a big group, but that doesn't mean that they take 30 minute intervals between bringing each person's food out. There were 11 people in our group. Eight people received their entrees, and then another 30-40 minutes later the rest finally received theirs. The waiter apologized a few times, but I still think it was ridiculous. Half of the people in our group were done with their dinner before the rest of us even received our food. The food is just mediocre too. I will never come back because of the poor service.

    (2)
  • Gina-Marie M.

    I'm not at all one to give low stars but man this place makes it hard to give higher marks. So I haven't tried the food so I really can't say anything but I can comment on the drinks. My friends and I came here on a margarita bar crawl we decided to embark on one thursday night. The pace was pretty much empty yet it took the waiter 10 to come to our table just to take our drink orders. We all ordered a different margarita and then waited another almost 15-20mins to get them. With a total of 9 people in the joint my party was less then pleased. The part that really top off the experience was that all of the mags we ordered we didn't like. Not one. We tried 4 off the menu and didn't stay to try anything else. It wasn't that they were different or too strong they were just horrible. The house mag was the only one that was debatably decent. I was very disappointed and wont be returning.

    (1)
  • Linda C.

    At one time (20 years ago) this was a really good Mexican restaurant. Now it is terrible. The food is like it came out of a can and was barely warmed up. Service is poor as well. And if you have the bad luck of sitting in the upper room be sure to bring earplugs - the noise level is god awful. Guacamole - barely any avocado in it, much lettuce and other tasteless filler. Chicken enchiladas mole poblano - is that chicken? is that was that glop was? inedible. Cheese enchiladas mole poblano - ok barely edible (better than the chicken mess, because, well it was cheese) but the sauce was not what i would call mole. beans - no texture rice - cold and old "signature" cabbage side - also must have been sitting around for longer than it should have.

    (1)
  • Jenn S.

    After years of passing Sol Azteca, I finally went here with some friends on a cold, cold night. We started off with some chips and an order of guacamole (which was very good and had me scraping the bowl). I was a piggy and went for the combination plate (a choice of any two dinner items listed above). I did the Enchiladas Verdes (Soft tortilla rolled with chicken, topped with green tomatillo sauce, cheese and sour cream) and I THINK the Enchiladas de Mole Verde?? (a rich sauce made with poblano peppers, onions, pumpkin seeds and almonds spread over chicken, cheese or beef enchiladas - I don't remember pumpkin seeds being on the menu though...) Whatever I got, I ate the entire thing. Obviously, both were good (although I could not tell which was which...). I had a Restaurant.com certificate, which saved us a few bucks, but even without it, the price wasn't bad (perhaps because 2 of us didn't get drinks?). I thought it was good, but nothing spectacular. The decor is nice and it was very quiet (probably not so on a weekend though). I can definitely see sitting outside during a nice summer evening (despite the cars driving past on Beacon).

    (3)
  • Chenkai L.

    Really medicore mexico food, i have gotten their burrito here and it was just okay. Their sangria was pretty good and its good for big groups, but dont expect the most amazing food.

    (2)
  • Spencer F.

    Fantastic. Delicious south of the border cuisine with a large menu and a variety of salsa to indulge in, great for a date night. Our waiter was responsive and polite. It's a bit on the pricier side, but we're not talking about another Chipotle or Boloco here. Absolutely worth the money, I have no complaints and I will definitely be coming back!

    (5)
  • Abby R.

    Good, moderately priced mexican food in a classier environment than most mexican places. Most entrees are in the $15-$17 range which I find borderline too expensive considering at least 60% of the food in these dishes are rice and beans. Hhhhanyway, I got a big meaty enchilada and it was delish. Not the best I've ever had, but it hit the spot. Free chips and salsa are always a plus in my book too. The food and atmosphere were decent, but I don't find myself remembering my experience here with a rosy halo around it and I probably wouldn't come back unless I was in the area and came down with a case of burrito jonesin'. But, since I'm not a classy broad, I might just go to Anna's in Coolidge Corner for equally delicious rice and beans on the cheap.

    (3)
  • Nicole B.

    Best things about this place are the cute little old lady hostess and outside seating. The food was pretty tasty but VERY salty. I had the fish tacos and chicken soup. I did appreciate that they let me and my date sit down to eat a half hour before closing, that's pretty awesome.

    (3)
  • P'raka ..

    I can't believe I have not reviewed Sol Azteca yet. I have been going here for years and consistantly get great food and service. One of my favorite things about this place is that the sides that come with the dinner plates (rice, refried beans and a vinegar-y cabbage slaw) taste AWESOME. I've been to many places where the sides are an afterthought and don't taste good. Not the case with Sol Azteca. I've had several items on the menu and usually have enough to take home leftovers. The salsa is very flavorful and the chips are always fresh.

    (5)
  • Ajda S.

    I went here for Cinco de Mayo again this year, as I have a few years, off and on, since I discovered the place. Lemme start by saying I am from Houston, TX, and have been put off by much of the Mexican food in Boston. That said, Sol Azteca is doing it right. I had the carne asada. It was a generous portion of beef, cooked to spec. It came with a piece of mouth-wateringly delicious chorizo that had been grilled, I think. MMmmmm! In addition to tasty rice and beans, the dish came with an enchilada, and the friendly waiter (who I also had last year) let me pick which kind of enchilada I wanted. I chose a cheese one with salsa verde. The plate also included a generous portion of delicious guacamole. Listen, I even have my own molcajete, so I know some good guac, and this is the good stuff. The ambience is good too. It's not a soulless "modern" place. It's got an old world air that contributes to the overall experience, and cute Mexican decor - not tacky. It's a lively and somewhat festive place. They have a patio, as well, though I've always dined inside. I feel it was a great value for the price. I easily had enough leftovers for lunch today. Oh, I don't want to forget the Cadillac margarita I got, which was terrific. My friend got the commemmorativo, which was even smoother for like a quarter more. Our waiter was very friendly and smiley. The place was slammed, to be expected on Cinco de Mayo (!), but we got everything we needed in terms of water refills, etc. The sauces are delicious and have depth, and make the food worth paying for, IMHO. I am shocked to see other diners saying they go to Anna's instead. Anna's has no flavor except, maybe salt. The menu is quite varied - shrimp, fish, liver, beef, pork, chicken and more, in various combinations. I will be back. Everyone I take there wants to go back, too. The only criticism is that I feel the salsa is a little heavy on the onions. The flavor is great, but it can be a bit much.

    (4)
  • A G.

    By far one of the best authentic mexican restaurants I've ever been to. Not to mention their drinks are phenomenal. I always come here for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversary, or if I'm in the mood for some good chips and guacamole! Their sampler platters and mole are to die for. Their service is excellent. The waiters and waitresses are very polite. You walk into the restaurant and its as if you stepped into a different world. Their atmosphere is perfect for any date or even a small get together with friends. About 6 margaritas and 2 entrees with an appetizer and dessert generally runs around $120, but the quality makes it worth it in the end. They also have an out door area which is epecially good for day drinking in the summer time. Highly recommend going especially if you want a nice atmosphere without digging too deep within your pockets.

    (5)
  • Lisa B.

    The waitress we had was so rude!! She yelled at us for not tipping her the amount she wanted!!! Food is mediocre and greasy!!! Definitely NOT authentic Mexican food! Go to Anna's Taqueria instead!! After spending $90 I left feeling ripped off and unappreciated, and got yelled at! Are you Fcking kidding me?! Go Fck yourself Sol Azteca your staff and food is Sh!t...

    (1)
  • Mark S.

    Camarones Al Cilantro, salsa, and bean and cheese dip very good. Service very good. Will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Mike C.

    Sol Azteca has fallen in recent years. It was once my favorite mexican restaurant in Boston. Now, I'm not quite sure that its worth going to over cheaper taqueria favorites like El Pelon and Anna's. The largest problem is that prices seem to climb and yet portions have decreased. Understandably, increased prices reflect higher cost of ingredients and fewer customers. But I feel like the price is actually what is keeping customers from returning. Students can usually save a few bucks with coupons in the college books, but I haven't seen one for this past semester. I love the set up. It is a garden level restaurant down a few steps. It brings out of the hole in the wall local joint look while still being clean. The patio out front always seems filled when it opens in the summer month. It was going to be interesting how Sol Azteca would fare from competition next door in Mission Cantina, but they have closed this past winter. I am not a huge fan of mole, so I can't really comment on what seems to be their specialty. The free chips and salsa are clearly a highlight and worthy of having a price affixed to them. Guacamole is fresh, but I prefer the avocado to be a bit more chunky. Most staples like fajitas and enchiladas are done fairly well and authentic. Meat portions are generous compared to the rice. Usually at most places it's the other way around. Most people should be more than satisfied with the serving size. My disdain in declining portions is that they used to be massive and I had plenty of leftovers to take home. Service has always been fast and attentive. The waiters aren't necessarily warm and friendly, but I never have a problem. Overall, this restaurant seems to have blended into the averageness of Audobon Circle instead of remaining as a highlight.

    (3)
  • Nikhil P.

    Went here on a Gilt City and you can see why there's a push to get interest at this place... The tables were a little empty for a Friday night around 10pm'ish, but the food was actually pretty solid. Prices are reasonable, food is tasty, and while it's not the most kick-ass mexican I've ever had, the restaurant is a circa 2000's romantic scene that does the job for an affordable weekend dinner. We filled up far too much on the free nachos (and very strong margaritas) leading to a pretty mediocre performance on finishing the food. But the half-eaten leftovers the next day were just as filling. Translation: you get lots of food for what you pay for, which warms my food-quantity-loving heart.

    (3)
  • Daniel W.

    The food was good but not great. We had the chicken mole, steak tacos, and margs. The mole wasn't as good, wouldn't recommend. The guac was great though! I thought this was in some way connected to the Sol Azteca in Newton, which is awesome, but after going I don't think it is because this one isn't nearly as good.

    (3)
  • Dave S.

    I really don't understand all the good ratings on here unless we just visited on a really off night. We came here with a Gilt City or Groupon deal (don't remember which) recently, and we both left extremely unimpressed. The drinks were pretty good. The chips and salsa were pretty good. But that's where the "good" stopped... we had a cactus appetizer that was ok, but seemed like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for days and was congealed into a goopy mess. Now for the entrees: I got a combination plate with two enchiladas and a ground beef taco. Never mind the fact that they got one of my enchiladas wrong... I didn't even bother mentioning it to them. But the enchiladas were really just a big goopy pile of uninspired flavorless mess. And the beef in my ground beef taco had an awful taste to it... it was rotten or anything, but it just tasted, wrong. It had a very strong taste that beef is NOT supposed to have. The rice was very meh, flavorless. And the beans.. oh lord, don't get me started on the beans... I don't know how you get black beans to be COMPLETELY flavorless, but they managed. They were literally the worst beans I've ever had. My wife got a fish dish that was extremely plain... I tried it and the best way I can describe it is "cafeteria quality". It wasn't that it was BAD, it just wasn't good. To put it in perspective, I'd happily take any Mexican food chain (Margarita's, On The Border, etc) over this place ANY day.

    (2)
  • Dario L.

    Got the mole poblenos, it tasted very commercialized, no real flavor to it, just kinda blah, sweet, and overly processed tasting. Friend got the beef tacos....beef tacos, pretty much impossible to screw up...dog food. Just find another mexican place. The server was very good thought, very knowledgeable and attentive, but unfortunately the food was poor. I tipped well, it wasn't his fault, but man I'm surprised they serve food like that.

    (1)
  • Sahil M.

    The food is mediocre, seemingly smothered in cheese for the taste. not that smothered in melted cheese is a bad thing, but it's not exceptional Mexican food by any means. That would be okay, but the prices are way to high for what it is. $17 for a main plate which should run around $10-12. Sangria wasn't good and service was slow. Would not return unfortunately. Good outdoor patio area.

    (2)
  • Ash C.

    I went here the other day to celebrate a friends 21st. I ordered the quesadillitas which were basically empanadas, too greasy I was surprised my hands didn't have acne the next morning. There were three, stuffed with cheese, chicken, and beef... and just that, over a pathetic bed of lettuce and tomatoes that looked like it had been borrowed from Taco Bell and have half-assedly thrown onto the plate. I needed something else to zest this lifeless plate up. I asked my server if I could snag some dipping sauce, queso? No. I thought about it more... Ranch? My server blandly responded, "This is a Mexican restaurant." WAIT, WHAT? HOLD UP. I had to take a few deep breathes and talk myself into the fact that I wasn't dining at the top burger joint in Boston. I was at a Mexican restaurant. Imagine that! After this revelation that caused a good amount of hot flashes I let it go and my server offered sour cream. Just what I needed to add flavor to a flavorless dish. Thank you so much Sol Azteca. A flawless dining experience.

    (2)
  • Ross G.

    The Jalapeno dip was amazing, and not too spicy at all. It came out super hot but that just means the cooked it so I'm not mad. I got the chicken tacos, which I expected the chicken to have more flavor but I'll still be back anyway so no big deal. They also have outside seating, the place opens late though so I would double check the time before go!

    (4)
  • Megan B.

    I'm from Arizona so I'm a pretty big critique of Mexcian food, but I don't think this place gets enoguh credit. Most people in Boston consider nachos as good Mexican food, but I am always looking for restaurants that serve authentic Mexican food. I thought the food was great here and very well priced. I also was able to use my restaurant.com coupon which made it even cheaper. The enchiladas verdes are amazinggg. The service was not that great, but with a margarita and great Mexican food on the patio I'm pretty happy.

    (4)
  • Scott K.

    If I had never come back here before tonight, I would have given this place 5 stars. I haven't been here in two years, and after tonight, I'm not sure if I'll ever come back. Our service was beyond AWFUL and they weren't that busy. To top it off, my rice was lukewarm and tasted like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for 45 minutes. I'm beyond disappointed. The waiter never came over I ask how our food was, and it took forever for us to get waited on. I rarely ever give bad yelp reviews, but this was definitely well deserved. So disappointed. I'll never come back.

    (2)
  • alyce m.

    We lived in southern California and started to enjoy Mexican food when we were there. Sol Azteca has authentic Mexican food and the service is very attentive. Their margaritas and sangria are "six" stars and their salsa is homemade and fresh. Chips always have a snap to them.

    (5)
  • Grace B.

    I love this restaurant!! My parents have been going since before I was born so I have been eating the amazing enchiladas verses since before I could talk! Love Sol Azteca. Also recommend the carnitas and the house salad which has delicious cactus on it!

    (5)
  • Noe C.

    hands down, the best cadillac margaritas on the planet!!!! that's all i gotta say.

    (4)
  • Judith T.

    Stay away! I went to this place quite a while back and never went back nor will I ever. My first experience at this restaurant was horrendous to say the least. I forget what I ordered but it came with a nice piece of glass in it. When I called the waitress over to show her I didnt get an apology just "oh so that's where that went". Apparently they had dropped a plate and some of the glass fell onto my food. To top it off she charged me for my meal which I couldnt eat since there was glass in it. Called back later to speak with a manager and they couldn't have cared less. Great way to keep customers. Dine here at your own risk!

    (1)
  • Beth G.

    My husband and I came here for our Anniversary. The food waas great and the service was great. I had been craving Mexican food for 2 months and this really hit the spot. We will be visiting again on our trip :-)

    (5)
  • Matt C.

    Great Mexican food in a convenient location. Used a restaurant.com gift certificate and the meal lived up to the hype. Sat out on the patio and we will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Dona F.

    Tonight, I went to Sol Azteca for the very first time. Unsure of what to expect, I was charmed by the quaint environment. Granted, it wasn't a large place, but it did not feel cramped at all. Especially their patio, I imagine it's very pleasant sitting there outside on a summer night. Soft yellow lighting highlighted short, slim tables and helped to create a very romantic atmosphere. I felt odd being there with my coworker, as I felt like I should have been there with a date. We started off by splitting basic nachos. Accustomed to American-type nachos, I was taken aback by this version. Compared to your run of the mill nacho pile with cheddar, red salsa, and canned jalapenos, it was very minimal. Still delicious, it was a cracker-like pie topped with light cheese and salsa verde, as less is more. After we ordered and shared black bean soup that was bland and nothing special. Then we had a GREAT quesadilla. Now, I've eaten Mexican for practically my entire life, but, honestly, this was some of the greatest. Specifically, their quesadilla is the best I've had. Filled melted cheese, tomato, and some unrecognizable sauce that was absolutely delicious. Service was excellant. All of the waiters pay attention to you; consistently pouring out water and asking if everything was satisfactory. If anything wasn't up to the customer's standards, they will unquestionably take the food back to the kitchen and bring back a revised version free of charge. Cost of the meal is fair & the food is plentiful.

    (4)
  • Connie S.

    The price is reasonable, and service is warm-hearted. But the food is just ok. Every dish looks the same except for the meat. They all come with bean mash and rice. Plating is not delicate, just simply putting everything together on a plate. My friend ordered fish but they served chicken, although they changed it later. My friend also found a grit in her dish. Thank god she ate it slowly and it didn't hurt her. Hope this doesn't happen often.

    (2)
  • Roberto S.

    Finally found a place where I can have a good michelada, not on the menu though, simply ask the waiter/waitress. Ordered a mix of the enchiladas, tostadas and chorizo con queso. Everything was pretty good and I would say authentic to some extent. This is not tex-mex style food... (Thank God!)... You can tell that from looking at the menu. Service was pretty good the night I was there, nice hostess and the waiter was pleasant and brought everything on time. I have no complaints except I wish I had a bigger stomach... I would definitely visit this place again and order the chiles rellenos con picadillo... And a modelo especial :) I can't vouch for everything on their menu, but the stuff I've tried so far was pretty good. I would stay away from Mole based dishes, just because every type of Mole from every different region in Mexico is very different, so for a restaurant up here to get it right... Is hard, so they are very likely using canned stuff or pre-made, this a guess though. Hope this helped you decide!

    (5)
  • Stefanie O.

    I can't believe it took a coupon from Restaurant.com to get me in here! As a California transplant, I take Mexican really seriously and am always looking for good places in New England. Sol Azteca was really good and pretty darn authentic with a not-too-bad price. It was also super kiddo friendly and had a good kid's menu. We started with the ceviche, which was served with saltines, but we used the tortilla chips and thought it was pretty delicious. There were lots of chunks of fresh seafood and it had avocado in it, which was a nice surprise. Their quesadillas are more like empenadas, but are absolutely delicious just the same. The tacos were bursting with filling and my husband's mole sauce was rich and flavorful. The margaritas were yummy, if not a little too small and the fried ice cream was great.

    (4)
  • Paul S.

    Get two stars only because the outside seating was nice. Service: we were ignored for 10 mins after being seated. Finally I called over a waitress and asked of she could wait on us even though she obviously wasn't assigned to our table. Wait staff kept walking past or hanging out and talking while no one asked us for drinks or brought chips (which we had to ask for). Fajitas were lousy, just came on a plate warm vs the typical sizzling hot pan and they don't include any "fixins" such as sour cream and shredded cheese. They had the nerve to charge me 1.75 for the sour cream. Guacamole was lousy. Pretty much a sub par experience all around.

    (2)
  • Ann G.

    Went tonight for dinner. Service was prompt and very friendly. The spicy margarita was a steal at $9 considering the quality and the quantity. Perfect to go with our meals. My husband had the chicken enchiladas verde. Absolutely divine sauce. I am not normally a fan of that dish elsewhere but here this standard sang. I had a fish fillet in coconut sauce. Very good. The soup that came with this special was also delicious. We will definitely be back for more!

    (4)
  • Rob L.

    I went here for the first time tonight after hearing great things. To start, the chips and salsa were great. The salsa seemed fresh and had a really great flavoring. The drinks ( I had the sangria and a margarita) were awesome as well. For my meal, I had the enchilada de frijoles. The sauce was bland and there was barely any cheese on top. For $14 I would not consider this a great value. I sampled my friend's chicken quesadilla as well. It was not a quesadilla. Quesadillas have cheese (hence the derivative of queso). This was literally a dough pocket filled with only dry chicken. No sauce, no cheese. Great atmosphere, however. It's a great place for drinks, but the food was bland and over priced.

    (3)
  • Brooke L.

    DISCLAIMER: I'm from California, so I grew up with incredible, authentic Mexican food. I went here planning to order something with steak. I was somewhat disappointed by the limited menu in terms of steak dishes. I don't eat a lot of beef, but Mexican meals are an exception. After scanning the menu, I settled on a salad that looked to be a side salad, but that I wanted anyway because it had cactus. When I tried to order it and add steak, the waiter quickly pointed out a much larger grilled chicken salad (also double the price) saying that I could have steak instead. This was a different dish than what I wanted (and tried to order!) It had guacamole on top, which I certainly don't care for on salads, and no cactus. The dressing just tasted like oil and the entire salad consisted of a bed of mesclun greens with pieces of steak, avocado and tomato placed on top with the blob of guac in the center. The veggies seemed really fresh, which was pretty much the only plus. The salsa that they brought out at the beginning was good, but that shouldn't be the core positive piece of my dining experience. Call me crazy, but I think something above the quality of Pace should be a given for a Mexican restaurant. Overpriced and bland - I live really close, but I will not be going back.

    (2)
  • Phil O.

    I'm a Mexican food fan, but this place was pretty blah. I went with a shrimp entree that didn't really wow me while the serving size was pretty small. My girlfriend's fried chimichanga-like entree looked equally unimpressive. The place is pretty outdated too- I'm not sure if that's the point?

    (2)
  • Mack B.

    I can acknowledge that Sol Azteca has its shortcomings. The service is usually pretty negligent (though there are a few really sweet men that work there) and some of the food can be a little boring or on the gut-wrenchingly cheesy side. I also agree with other reviewers that the food is overpriced. Despite all this, I love the place. I order one thing: veggie enchiladas de mole poblano. It is always amazing. It comes with delicious rice and beans and pickled cabbage. And the meal always begins with a healthy portion of chips and salsa. They also have the best sangria I have ever tasted. It is a little fruity, but it is never too sweet and I always detect a bit of cinnamon. The atmosphere is warm and cheery, and sometimes Sol Azteca is just what I need to comfort me after a long week.

    (4)
  • J D.

    I love Sol Azteca. I've been a longtime loyal customer and these guys do it right. They have a very cozy atmosphere and during the warm weather, offer side walk patio seating. This is good as long as you don't mind a steady flow of traffic 15 feet away on Beacon St. Hands down they have the best salsa I've ever had. Heavy on cilantro and onions, which is right up my alley. Menu offerings that are a must include: Chicken in a rich mole sauce, chicken chilequiles (a favorite of mine), chicken or shrimp in cilantro sauce, along with some excellent enchilada options. They have a full bar and pour good margaritas and sangria. The one negative is parking. During the winter you can grab spots on Beacon Street fairly close by, but forget about it on nights that the Sox are home, you'll never get a spot.

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    We went here for her birthday last year, and it was a great experience! Like people said, service was pretty slow but the food was more than what we expected, so I guess that makes up for it. The waiter was very patient in explaining the dishes and taking our orders, seeing as how we were one of the few couples in the restaurant at the time. The dishes were flavorful and appealing to look at, would come here again!

    (5)
  • Tarikh C.

    The food was above average but the service was some of the slowest I had ever experienced in dining. We had a waitress who may have been the only one on duty at the time but the restaurant was barely half-full. It took forever for our drinks to come out, for our appetizers to come out, for our checks to come, for our change to come. The waitress couldn't answer simple questions like "How much is a side of guacamole?" She even separated the bills wrong. We eventually had to bring the checks to the manager to expedite our exit from the restaurant. We arrived at 7pm, and even though we each only had 1 appetizer and drink, we didn't get out of there until 9pm. Good thing we weren't too hungry.

    (1)
  • Cagen L.

    I went to Sol Azteca for my birthday dinner. The food was amazing. They do incredible things with sauces. I had the combo plate with a poblano enchilda, chicken quesadilla abd a chicken taco. I loved that they garnish with slices of avacado. I highly recommend it. Inside looks like a spanish mission with a lot of cool artwork. They also have a nice outdoor seating area when the weather is nice.

    (5)
  • H-Linda L.

    Echoing other reviews for this place - expensive and mediocre. Sangria - very average. Food - interesting... definitely not the typical Mexican taste that I was use to. But apparently, the Cactus entree was pretty good. I would give it less stars, but since I came here with a coupon, I can't complain too much.

    (3)
  • Jimmy S.

    Sol Azteca is a great restaurant. The ambiance is nice and the service is even better. My water glass didn't go a minute without being refilled. I got the chicken fajitas and they were fantastic. Our waiter was very friendly and our food came quickly. Overall, Sol Azteca is a great restaurant that I would recommend to any Mexican food fan.

    (5)
  • Kelsey C.

    Sol Azteca was a hard one for me to rate. Fiddler on the Roof style: On the one hand, the service is great, and it's a fun Mexican restaurant, of which Boston has so few. On the other hand, it lacks exceptional qualities so even though I'd come here again because there is nothing like the comfort of Mexican food, it's more because I can't afford Zocalo. That being said, I'd still give it a good 3.5 stars - I honestly had no real complaints here, it just didn't rock my world. I had the Nopalitos in Salsa Verde, which was a fun novelty item for me. I'd never had cactus before, and I thought it necessary to at least try it, but the sour aftertaste gets old fast. The Enchiladas Vegetarianas were reasonable, but probably my least favorite thing I tried. The vegetables were well-cooked, but the green sauce was mediocre. Of note, the pickled red cabbage should be its own dish. It's delightfully light and crispy/tasty. I had the Carne Asada, which is basically a large slab or meat on a plate. The chorizo on top wasn't a necessity, but I can't exactly complain about a little extra meat...The enchilada was passable, and the rice and beans achieved an awesomeness that all sides should only aspire to. I was delighted with the guacamole but honestly, the red cabbage was so freaking good I was ALMOST willing to trade it in. No, I haven't lost my mind, the cabbage was just that good! If you still have room for dessert, get the Fried Ice Cream. It's perfectly battered and was probably the best fried ice cream I've ever had. If you remember nothing else about my review, get the fried ice cream STAT!!!

    (3)
  • Beth P.

    I went to this place because we had a $25 voucher. The location is pretty random and it doesn't look very nice from the outside. The inside is a lot bigger than I first thought, and looks like a pretty authentic Mexican place. Our table was tiny, but we were distracted by the huge basket of warm, salty tortilla chips and spicy salsa. After we downed the first basket, they brought us another one with even more warm chips. Thank God something was warm because our table was in a corner surrounded by windows and we were absolutely freezing! I had a special that was basically a Mexican lasagna and it was really good, with rice and beans on the side. My boyfriend had the combo azteca which had 2 fajitas and a quesadilla. Over all the food was decent, although I usually like my Mexican food completely covered in cheese, sour cream, and grease (the American version). Some of the flavors were a little strange; we were tasting hints of chocolate and cinnamon. It wasn't bad, it was just surprising. I would recommend this place to others if they are looking for a place to eat in that area. Otherwise, I wouldn't make another trip past Fenway for it.

    (3)
  • Ellie W.

    I literally lived about a block from here for a time, and I still can't figure out why I never dined here until long after I moved away. Perhaps because it always looked closed for some reason? The restaurant itself is quite cute and cozy, right in the Audubon Circle area. You're immersed in a world of bright yellows, cobalt blues, and colorful Mexican motifs. I don't remember too much about any plates in particular, but I do remember their flan is pretty incredible. And I'm quite a flan-o-phile. Give me flan and a smoothie, and I'm your best friend for at least a year. Ok, make that 10 months.

    (3)
  • Susan W.

    The chips and salsa wasn't bad. I had an order of Sopa de Nopal. It was really sour and salty. The rest of the meal was very good though.

    (3)
  • Melissa N.

    Sol Azteca is a great spot for delicious, authentic Mexican food and great margaritas! I've been twice now, and I will definitely be returning soon. Things I like: - The deals they offer. Sol Azteca is pricey, but I've found Groupon or LivingSocial deals in the past. Most recently, I went with friends who had a Restaurant.com voucher worth $50. - The complimentary chips and salsa. Their chips are crunchy and perfectly salty, and the salsa has a strong tomato flavor. - The margaritas. The Margarita Gold is solid, with a generous pour of tequila, not too much ice, and a good sized glass. I was feeling pretty great after three of them. A friend ordered the frozen strawberry margarita, and it was reportedly delicious. - HABANERO HOT SAUCE. Ask for it with your meal! Recommended for heat seekers, and for all lovers of excellent hot sauces. The flavor is incredible! This hot sauce alone makes me crave Sol Azteca. - Queso asado appetizer. This one is a splurge. It's basically a cast iron skillet full of melted cheese and chorizo. It's fat-tastic. - Guacamole. Sol Azteca's guac is awesome! Smooth avocado, crunchy onion, great cilantro flavor. And they give a large portion. - Great vegetarian options, including the vegetarian fajitas! I asked for a side of cheese with mine, and the combination of the mushrooms, peppers, carrot, and broccoli with the tortillas, cheese, and refried beans was just fantastic. With the habanero hot sauce, it was perfection. - The decor is fun and festive, with plenty to look at. - Friendly service. Last time, our waitress was attentive, nice, prompt, and very accommodating about (minor) special requests. - My meat-eating companions raved about the mole sauce. I had a taste, and it was yummy! - The portions are enormous. I easily could have eaten for three days with my vegetarian fajitas. As it happened, I stuffed myself at the restaurant and had a massive lunch the next day, but what of it? Things that could use improvement: - I found the cactus cooked in green sauce (nopalitos en salsa verde) to be a little strange, but I think the consumption of cactus is just a personal decision for everyone. - The first time I went, I ordered the cheese quesadillas, and I felt they were too greasy. - They add a 10% service charge to all take-out orders. Isn't part of the point of ordering take-out that you can avoid paying a tip? Obviously it's less than you would pay for table service, but I still don't like it. - As I mentioned earlier, Sol Azteca is expensive. It's helpful to have a deal, and I can't say that Sol would be on my short list without one. Given a choice between a burrito from Anna's and a big bill at Sol, most of the time I choose Anna's. However, there's no denying the high quality of the food and the massive portions. Overall, Sol Azteca is a fantastic place for authentic Mexican food, delicious margaritas, and a festive atmosphere! I highly recommend it.

    (4)
  • Jean V.

    The food is very bland, we didn't finish our food and left hungry.. With disappointment with the food we left 15% tip, waitress was unbelievably rude! She ran after us and demand more money. We walked away and she yelled in the middle of the St saying, F*CK U!! Don't ever come back?! Called manager and he totally backed her up.. This establishment is very unprofessional and ghetto. I discourage ANYONE from coming here. Go to Anna's Taqueria instead

    (1)
  • Steven L.

    Great food, large portions, great drinks. Food took a while to be made, but it was worth it. Not somewhere to go to grab food quick, but otherwise good.

    (5)
  • Sruti G.

    Being from Los Angeles, I am pretty critical of Mexican food. Basically a decent mexican place needs to have 4+ different kind of sauces, free chips and salsa, and a stiff drink menu. Sol Azteca delivered on all of the above. We ordered off the special "Vegetarian Menu," and we were not disappointed. The Chile Relleno sauce was interesting, olives, white wine, raisins (!?)...but it all worked well together. My mother ordered the vegetable enchiladas verde which came with broccoli (!?), but also oddly worked together. The sauces made with chicken broth are clearly marked, something that my mom really appreciated. I ordered a glass of sangria (which is Spanish, not Mexican) which was decent, not the best thing I had. Maybe a margarita next time? The chips and salsa were good as well--the chips were fresh and the salsa seemed semi-homemade-perhaps the base was store-bought or something. Overall, it was a good experience here and I am definitely returning again. Also, Mondays to Tuesday are half-price entrees if you purchase one at full price!

    (4)
  • Roxana F.

    Being a native Californian, I oftentimes have a very strong hankering for Mexican food, and unfortunately Boston just isn't the place for authentic Mexican food. This is probably the closest I've come to the real thing. Let's start off with the good stuff: 1) Free chips and salsa. This is always welcome, especially at a Mexican restaurant. 2) Sangriaaaaaaaaaaa is delicious. And the bad stuff: 1) Their margaritas were, according to several friends, disgusting. 2) The food. I ordered the vegetarian burrito. It's quite difficult to mess up a burrito, and unfortunately Sol Azteca did this. I could have gone to Chipotle or, even worse, my student union food court and bought a burrito I would have enjoyed for half the price. 3) The service. The servers are SLOW, at best, which might be good if you don't want to feel rushed but is really annoying when there is no one in the restaurant and you feel like you've waited ages to have your order taken. They also don't speak very good English and I understand this is a Mexican restaurant but I would like it if my server could understand my order. All in all, I would probably come back here just for the sangria and maybe some appetizers and of course, chips and salsa, but I wouldn't necessarily order a meal here again. Guess I'm going to Chipotle next time I want to satisfy my need for mexican food.

    (3)
  • Lindsey F.

    I wrestled between three and four stars for Sol Azteca, so please consider this a 3.5 star review. Major Pro: -Excellent margaritas; strong, not filled with sugary mix, and reasonably priced. Full disclosure - margaritas are the #1 reason I go to and enjoy a Mexican restaurant, so this was easily the best part Major Con: - after being seated, we waited for almost ten minutes before we were greeted at our table; I'm laid back so I wasn't too upset about it, but I think that's an excessive amount of time. The food was pretty good. My mom and I got meals with the cilantro garlic sauce and while my mother loved the sauce (I did, too), my meal was drowning in it. That being said, it was tasty. The guac was pretty good. I would visit Sol Azteca again.

    (4)
  • J. Tristan H.

    I love this place! The food is excellent (I always get the Combinacion Azteca with Cheese Quesedilla, Enchiladas Verdes, and Enchiladas Rojas). The staff is always friendly, too, which is essential. It can get a bit loud at times, but it's worth it to get their chips and salsa. If you're in the area, definitely give it a try!

    (5)
  • Mindy S.

    It's hard to find good Mexican food in Boston. I'm glad I stumbled upon this place and would stop again I were in the area, but not sure if I would go out of my way to go here again. BTW: the salsa you get if you order an entree was incredible!!

    (4)
  • Stephen H.

    4.5 Stars, but I'm rounding down. Best Mexican I've had east of Cali, not saying a ton, but its good. The restaurant had a cool vibe, a bit of a hole in the wall joint, pretty authentic, good vibe. Good chips and salsa, a staple. We got nachos grande to start, was a lot of cheese, not a ton of chips, nothing spectacular, pretty standard. A good portion for 4 or so people to split. Entrees were 5 star worthy. Highlights were the Mole sauce (over enchiladas). The mole sauce was heavenly. The mexican rice that accompanies the meals was good. I had the Puerco Adobo, and the pork was a flat cutlet type piece that was perfectly seasoned, delicious, just the right amount of spicey with a cut of pineapple sweetness. Dad got chicken fajitas, and while steriotypical they were absolutley delicous, the sauce/seasoning on the chicken was quite good. As good as fajitas can get. 7$ margarita was a decent deal, seemed strong enough, though I;d prefer one with the same alcohol and more volume so I can drink it longer. Food isnt cheap but its definitely fair. I highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for real deal mexican food.

    (4)
  • Jolene S.

    Went back almost immediately for more Mexican coffee (siempre con leche) and seafood Veracruz. Entree was alright and cafe con leche was super. Like this place and would go back when in the area.

    (3)
  • Rani P.

    People weren't lying when they said the chips and salsa come out immediately as you sit down. The salsa was one of the best salsas I've ever had in a restaurant in Boston. The atmosphere was fun but also had a little romantic side to it too. We ordered a small carafe of sangria- and it was so good it was dangerous. Luckily, our food came out just as fast as the chips and salsa, so the dinner didn't get too out of hand. I ordered the COMBINACION SOL where you can combine 2 dishes from a large list of some Mexican classics for under $14. I ordered the BURRITO AZTECA and ENCHILADAS DE MOLE VERDE. Although they were both absolutely delicious, the burrito was so good- I traded the last half of my enchiladas for the half of my boyfriends burrito. And then if that wasn't enough, they add Mexican rice, a purple cabbage salad and some of the best refried beans I've ever had- and normally I never eat the dish. The server was excellent, and the service was polite and attentive. I will definitely be returning as soon as I can.

    (4)
  • Rehan B.

    We tried a variety of dishes at Sol Azteca, a restaurant with pretty good ambience. The service was decent. Pina coladas were about ok. The salsa with the chips was very bad - if you are a Mexican restaurant, you need to get your salsa right. The Pollo Mango (chicken with a mango & chipotle sauce) was delicious but a tad sweet. The Pescado al Cilantro (Tilapia cooked with a creamy cilantro sauce) was perfect. There was a special dish which was fish cooked in coconut milk - it was flavorful but again a bit too sweet. The serving size was good but price-wise, maybe overpriced by $5 or so. Not bad if you want some decent (not great) Mexican food on a weeknight.

    (3)
  • Jimmy N.

    STAY AWAY...... this place is too expensive for terrible food.... the taco dip made my tongue burn of onions before I even had my entree.... the entree had absolutely no flavor........... The Mexican waitress rarely came to our table and I occasionally had to stand up to get things myself because she was taking too long to come help us with anything......... I tipped her 5 bucks because her service was terrible and of course for me the better the service the more tip you get........ to make it all worst, after my family and I left, that same waitress chased after us and screamed at us in broken English, "Hey you have to tip more, I need more money, f*** you, never come back here again".... how low and how embarrassing can you get? never again Sol Azteca, you'll never see my face there again, nor any of my family and friends.......

    (1)
  • David V.

    First impressions: This restaurant is very clean and nicely decorated. We were greeted and seated immediately by a friendly employee. Chips & Salsa: Brought out quickly. The chips were crispy and tasty and the salsa was fresh and tasty and seemed homemade. Alcohol: Mango margarita was delicious! Entrees: My wife had the chicken fajitas, which she said were "the best fajitas she's ever had". The chicken was very tender and the corn tortillas tasted homemade. The rice and beans were also tasty, however, the rice was not warm (room temperature). I had one of the specials for the evening-the pork chimichanga. At first this dish was great. The first few bites were perfect, the taste was excellent, the dish was served hot. The pork was very tender and tasty. The problem with this dish was that the more I ate the chimi, the more I realized that it was either way too salty or way too much vinegar was used. Either way, as I ate it, the salty/vinegar taste got stronger. The rice, beans, and marinated red cabbage with the dish were fine. Service: 5 stars. We were very pleased with our service. Overall: We lived in the southwest before returning to Boston, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot find Mexican food comparable to the southwest. Nonetheless, Sol Azteca is the best Mexican food we've had in a long time on the east coast, and we do plan to return. I just will not be ordering the pork chimichanga ever again.

    (3)
  • William A.

    I went here several weeks ago to use a BuyWithMe deal I had purchased before they went under (still valid though). It included an appetizer, two entrees and dessert. We were seated immediately when walking in, asthe restaurant was not overcrowded. Our server was very attentive and had a great attitude, which is a nice addition when it seems genuine. We ordered the Carnitas to start, and had the Fajita special and Chicken with Salsa Verde special respectively, and everything was incredible, so good we had to ask for a box to save room for dessert. I also had a spicy Margarita which lasted me the whole dinner, it was good, and not too spicy, but you could taste the Habanero which was nice. For dessert we had the Flan de Cafe, which was excellent, and a reasonable size for couple, but if you have a larger appetite, or skip the appetizer I might recommend getting your own dessert. I can't say much about the price, but it seemed reasonable, and I would definitely go back here, even without some sort of Coupon special.

    (5)
  • Michelle B.

    Food is pretty good. The $30 combination plate for two is the way to go! Great outdoor seating area. Nice for families or a place to go without staring at the bar!

    (4)
  • Clancy R.

    Just tried this place last weekend - very busy, so service was a little slow, but the food was very good. Nothing extraordinary, and in my opinion there are better options in the area, but the prices were reasonable and everything tasted fresh and well prepared. I really don't have anything bad to say about this place, just nothing amazing either. I would eat there again if someone else suggested it but I don't know if I will go out of my way to go back.

    (3)
  • Stephanie M.

    I had dinner here tonight after purchasing the Gilt City $45 dinner for 2 voucher. The service was great! Our waiter was very attentive and made sure to point out the popular dishes. Unfortunately the food was not so great. The rice and the refried beans that came with both of our entrees were not good (rice tasted old and the refried beans did not taste very good). Even at the discounted rate I felt that the dinner was overpriced. I don't think I'll be coming back here.

    (3)
  • Adrian S.

    I hate writing poor reviews but I think my experience warrants such. I came here on a Saturday Night. The place wasn't too busy. My server was not the friendliest dude around-took our drink order. When he came back, we ordered the Chorizo Queso Dip for an App. By the time it came out it was cold and you couldn't even dip a chip in it. My bf-who is very non confrontational asked the server what he was supposed to do with this? The server took it back, but it wasn't taken off the bill. For the entrée, we ordered the fajitas for 2. We barely finished half of the plate. The server took our leftovers and we sat there waiting for our leftovers to go which never came. There was clearly enough left food for an entire meal. The whole experience was pretty disappointing. I give them 2 stars because I've been there in the past and it wasn't bad from what I remember. My boyfriend kept on apologizing to me for the poor experience. I don't think Ill be back.

    (2)
  • Marilyn T.

    I came here a while ago when I was craving Mexican food, and a friend from Mexico who was also in Boston actually recommended this place. It's a cute little space with traditional Mexican decor, and the servers were really friendly, and they especially warmed up when I was practicing my Spanish with them. Dishes that stood out included the nopalitos, which is cactus served in a dish with tortilla strips and melted cheese. The mole poblano was actually pretty well seasoned with just the right amount of sweetness, good for eating with rice. They also have some more interesting dishes like higaditos, and also lots of vegetarian options. Flan is always good for dessert. Not bad for Mexican food in Boston - definitely better than a lot of the other places I've tried out here.

    (3)
  • Caleb O.

    Pretty good, my fiance and I went there with a restaurant.com coupon. We got a special dinner for two which had a lot of different enchiladas. I expected a little more flavor and found some of the enchiladas bland, though overall it was good and the black beans were excellent. I like Jose's in Cambridge a bit more but I did buy another coupon for this restaurant, because it was pretty good and it may have just been an off night on some of the enchiladas. Decor is cute and they let us come in 15 minutes early before they opened, which was really kind because it was cold out! Server was really nice. A bit expensive without a coupon.

    (4)
  • G J J.

    Pretty bad food. Everything tastes pickled in brine. I ordered the Nopales enchiladas and they were definitely not fresh. It's odd that their rice has chicken broth and they do nothing to correct it for vegetarians. Everything was under salted. That is really odd - usually restaurants over salt. Chips and salsa were bland, dry and old. Maybe the drinks / opentable were the best part.

    (1)
  • Heather F.

    Too expensive for mediocre Mexican food and like a lot of other reviews on here, we waited a long time for a server to approach our table. The carnitas appetizer was good but the entrees lacked in flavor. We had a coupon so that made it better but had we paid the actual price which was over $80 we would have been sorely disappointed. Probably won't ever go back unless another email deal comes out and maybe not even then.

    (2)
  • Jen F.

    I really, really wanted to like Sol Azteca, if for no other reason than that it's the closest Mexican (non-fast) food restaurant to me. In fact, I kept going back even after having bad experiences. But, at the end of the day, something is always off about this place. The food is super mediocre, and so is the menu. I once asked for a side of guacamole (which apparently they don't give alongside their dishes) and got maybe a whole of three tablespoons worth of dark, clearly NOT fresh guac for a total of $5.95. No bueno, not going back.

    (2)
  • Kelly G.

    It's a Wednesday night, it's moderately busy - it's a full 10 minutes before our drink orders are even taken. At that point, we're ready to order and just order straight through (drink, ap, entre). 10 or so minutes later, a table who has just been seated has our chips, salsa, and guacamole delivered to it. They seem pleasantly surprised as they haven't ordered anything and begin chowing down. Our drinks arrive. My strawberry margarita is SUPER sour and has so many little chunks of ice in it (the kind just big enough to clog the straw but not big enough to avoid) that I basically have to wait until it melts to drink it. Then our (brusque to begin with) waiter comes out of the kitchen, swoops the guac off of the other table mumbles an apology to them and then walks away muttering under his breath. A few minutes later, we finally get chips and salsa and a few minutes after that, the guac re-appears. The guac is super fantastic, cilantro heavy, so be aware of that, but fab. We eat to the bottom of our chip basket on salsa and guac, still have plenty of both. The waiter refills our glasses and those on the table around us a few times without saying anything about our chips and I finally ask for more. He brings them out when he brings the entrees. The entrees are ok, but not great. The chicken in my enchilada is not super flavorful and the sauce on top drowns out any nuance that might have been there. The beans have a skin on them already. The rice is dry. All in all, I was super underwhelmed. I also agree with previous commenters that the menu is really limited. Oh well.

    (2)
  • Jimena B.

    I've never had a bad experience at the restaurant. The service is great and every meal I've tried has been delicious. Definitely authentic Mexican food with a cool atmosphere. I recently went vegetarian and even their vegetarian menu is awesome.

    (5)
  • Kelly O.

    Skip this place and head to Zocalo instead. The service is awful, and the food is not that good and is overpriced to boot. The scoop: Our party of 5 waited about 10-15 minutes for a table on Sunday night (no reservation and on BU move in weekend, so this was expected). We got to our table, and sat there for about 15 minutes with no contact, before a busboy dropped us off a small bowl of chips and salsa without a word (chips were fine, salsa was too spicy IMO). Our table promptly devoured them in a matter of seconds, and tried to flag someone else down to get a refill to no avail. Around minute 20-25, the waitress finally came up to take our orders with no real apology, which wasn't cool... I realize it was packed, but come on, it only takes 2 seconds to say "I'll be right with you". Because of this, our drinks were ordered at the same time as our meal, although at least the drinks came out first... my frozen mango margarita barely tasted mangoey which was a disappointment (at least there was definitely tequila in there). We waited another 20 minutes until our food arrived (fortunately we were able to ask our waitress for more chips and salsa while we had her at our table). I got the Pollo Veracruzano (boneless chicken breast cooked with tomato, capers, mushrooms, almonds, raisins and white wine sauce), which was unimpressive. The chicken was actually the highlight of the dish, pounded flat and grilled with a nice charcoaly flavor, but the sauce wasn't anything better than I could have made myself (in fact I have made a similar sauce that was better), didn't have mushrooms or raisins, and had some sort of unpleasant spicy kick I was not expecting and was not listed on the menu (other dishes did specify "mild/medium/hot" but there was no listing for this dish, and with these ingredients you would not automatically expect any spiciness). I'm usually a sucker for mole and would have chosen a mole dish to begin with, but the menu listed it as "spicy" so I stayed away... but I tried the boy's mole and it was less spicy than my own Veracruzano sauce (WTF mates?!), very chocolatey though and not very complex (Zocalo's mole is miles ahead IMO). The refried black beans that came with were decently tasty, as was the rice, although they really don't make it abundantly clear it's cooked with chicken broth which could be a problem for veggies (it's listed once on the menu at the bottom, but should really be highlighted). Portion size was decent, I was able to have a small lunch the next day from my leftovers (which should be standard for a $17 meal anyways). Service did not get better, it took forever to get our check and then forever to have it paid... we arrived here at 7 and didn't leave til 9, it's a good thing we didn't have anywhere to be afterwards or we would have been extra pissed. The place itself is decently cute, especially with the patio (although the sound bounces off the walls like crazy so be prepared not to hear your dining companions if you sit inside), but the service and unimpressive food with high prices, combined with excellent alternatives like Zocalo, make me not want to return.

    (2)
  • Patricia J.

    I checked this place out with a few friends on a Saturday day night, and I have to admit I was a little wary going in. I had read a few not so positive Yelp reviews but nonetheless, I was open to having a good experience. Unfortunately, that wasnt the case. To start off, the service was quite slow - it took us a while to get our chips and dip and for our server to come around and take our orders. I was willing to overlook that though. I mean, it was a Saturday night, the place was pretty packed, and it looked like there were only about two or three people on the floor. No, the slow service didnt really bother me. What did bother me was the lack of friendliness from the wait staff. They were all quite cold and aloof. I mean, I wasnt expecting a chatty waiter or anything, but a smile wouldnt hurt or even a sincere, How are you this evening? The servers did not look like they wanted to be there themselves, which put quite a damper on the meal. As for the food, I wasnt really impressed. I did like the fresh veggies in the salsa and the spicy kick. My only issue was that there was a bit too much onion which overpowerd it a bit. For my main dish, I had my eye on the chiles rellenos ($13.95) and when I finally dug in, I was partly disappointed.The chiles were pretty good actually, juicy and tender with oh so good melted cheese goodness in the middle. A green (tomatillo?) sauce rounded out the dish. It wasnt spicy, but did have a kick of citrusy lime which was a nice surprise. My main gripe with the dish was its overall saltiness - and I dont think Im that sensitive to sodium. My tastebuds just kinda fell flat after a while. A portion of their main dishes come with rice, beans, and a cabbage slaw. I could have done without sides since they didnt really add much. The rice was overcooked and salty (how hard is it to mess up rice?) and the black beans were lukewarm and salty as well. Only the cabbage slaw was decent and palatable. Overall, Id say my experience here was meh, and Ill give them two stars for trying. I wasnt wowed by the food and thought that it was a bit overpriced. If their servers were the least bit friendly and interested, Id vaguely consider coming back, maybe try something new. I certainly wont be back though. If Im craving Mexican, Ill head over to Anas or Ole.

    (2)
  • Jeff C.

    The stars say that I'm rating this "Meh. I've experienced better." and that couldn't be more right. We went in at 8pm on Saturday night. Prime time in restaurant world, right? So I made a reservation first. When we show up, they seat us next to the bus-boy's stand. Not near the bus-boys stand, but literally right next to it. Our table smelled like the dish cleaning stuff. The busser stood at his station the entire night, which was awkward because we're having a conversation and there's a random stranger standing LITERALLY 12 inches away. Towering over our table. I understand if it were busy, that we should have just been happy to get a seat anywhere. But the other half of the entire room was empty! Including the two 2-tops right near the windows. We had a reservation *and* they never seated anyone there. Why not seat us there? OK, fine. Maybe there were more important reservations that never showed. It happens. But the food? "Meh. I've experienced better." sums it up perfectly. Nachito: what the hell even is that? The salsa tasted like Ragu. The Enchilada Verde was OK, but not good. The sangria was pretty good, but don't go out of your way just for that. To sum it up: Mucho Terrible' (note the tilde)

    (2)
  • Herb Z.

    This is a great place for authentic Mexican cuisine. The food is five star for sure and the service is great. They also have many Mexican beers on the menu as well. The only reason why I can't give 5 stars is because the parking is tough, and the place fills up fast, and once this happens, forget about getting in there. I got turned a way a couple of times over the summer.

    (4)
  • Nicole V.

    MMMMMMMM... Mexican food. I have now been here about five times and it it delicious. I guess it's not the most authentic food ever, but it isn't 100% Americanized. Despite the fact that this place is huge, there can be an hour plus wait in the summer, so do yourself a favor and Open Table earlier in the day. To start, the margaritas are delicious. Another time we got pitchers of Sangria and it was okay, but not great. I would definitely stick to the tequila. The chips were warm and the salsa tasted fresh, so I was won over. Margaritas and good chips are usually enough to make me happy, but the entrees are delicious too. I really like the veggie enchiladas which have cactus in them and delicious green sauce on top. Last time I went with a friend and we each got the 3 combination so that we would have plenty of leftovers (and we certainly did). I'm not a rice fan so I appreciate that they do sides of black beans and pickled cabbage. It's all super good for leftovers, which I always go home with plenty of. Overall, I'm a big fan. So yes, I realize that Mexican food in the North East is kind of like Italian food anywhere not in the North East. I won't rip on your love for Betucci's and Olive Garden if you leave my Sol Azteca alone....

    (4)
  • Brian S.

    Sol Azteca is one of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Their style is closer to more traditional Mexican fair than you will find at most places on the east coast, so don't go here expecting a burrito bowl. Don't get me wrong, though; they aren't going to win any contests compared to some of the fantastic food you can get in SoCal. You will, however, get great, friendly service, good food, and reasonable prices. Free and unlimited house chips and salsa start things off. The chips are true corn chips, not Tostidos grocery store chips you'd get at most restaurants, and their salsa is made in the restaurant. I love this stuff and have screwed myself for dinner on more than one occasion by eating too much of it. Their sangria is unbeatable; I cannot find anything to compare anywhere else. Do yourself a favor and order a half carafe for two, or a full carafe if you're a larger party. Every meal comes with black beans, rice, and pickled cabbage. The rice is cooked with chicken broth, so it is not vegetarian. A pity, but the flavor makes up for it. For entrees, my personal favorite is the chilaquiles, but their enchiladas are also excellent, particularly the mole. They also offer various combinations if you want to mix things up and try several things at in sitting, which I recommend. Also, the carnitas appetizer and the peurco en adobo are phenomenal. Highly recommend both. Rarely full, this is and will continue to be one of my main go-to places to eat when I'm just not interested in dealing with crowds or long waits; just good food, good service, and good atmosphere.

    (4)
  • lizzie b.

    Man, this place is popular on a warm day! I arrived here with 4 friends in tow - only to find out that 3 other friends had also decided to come here at 6:30. Ridiculous. Anyhow - it took about 30 minutes for an outdoor table to open up. I ordered a sangria that was pungent and cloudy -- not my favorite. I also got the combo platter for one -- the chicken tostadas were burnt and stuck to the plate. The enchiladas de mole poblano were AMAZING though. Incredibly smooth going down and a perfect mix of flavors. I'd definitely get this one again -- the rice and beans on the side were tasty. I just wish they would add a side salad to the enchiladas. Also, I was very disappointed that the salsa had so much cilantro and the chips were NOT warm.

    (3)
  • Christine K.

    Disclaimer: I went during Restaurant week and I enjoy Anna's Tacqueria food immensely. So if you have any kinds of bias against or for these two conditions, please take that into consideration. Let's start off with what I did like. I enjoyed the starter being chips and salsa to imitate the bread and butter service in other places. However, I did not enjoy the tons of cilantro in the salsa just because I don't like THAT much cilantro in any of my foods. But if you enjoy cilantro, it just may be your thing. I ordered the margarita as part of the Restaurant Week menu, which I appreciated and enjoyed. The margarita was good. For the appetizer, I ordered the salad with a dolop of guacamole in the center. It was decent, nothing special. My friend ordered the charritos(?) and it was way too sweet for her liking. The entrees we ordered were the mix grill and seafood. Again, nothing special. It was bland. I didn't like the sauce either. It felt like something was missing, something crucial. The dessert was okay. The fried ice cream was fairly decent. So apart from the food, service was so slow. It was kinda ridiculous how slow service was. We were there for 2.5 hours, not by choice. Even getting our check took a good 10 minutes. Sorry, but was not my cup of tea. My friends who have gone before felt the same way but didn't bother to warn me, sadness for wasting a Restaurant Week night. Oh, the opportunity cost was high.

    (2)
  • Laura A.

    meh-tacular. haven't been here in ages, but we were willing to try it out again because we had a buywithme (which, BTW, you have to give directly to the host when you arrive...? weird). while i appreciated that they noted on the menu that the rice had chicken stock so i could avoid it as a vegetarian, i found the menu to be so uninspired and bland, bland, bland. we had a few crappy drinks, poor service, weird cleaning smell where we were sitting, and my veg enchiladas were drowning in a river of refried beans. glad i only spent $29 on the meal instead of ~$50!

    (2)
  • Sachin P.

    Agree with many previous reviews. Relative to the competition, this is decent mexican food. There's not really any decent competition around though, so bear this in mind. Nevertheless, after eating here and not liking it much 10 years ago, we recently gave it another shot and have really enjoyed it. Nice size to the menu without glaring weak spots. The nacho gringo appetizer works as a meal and is awesome!

    (4)
  • Erin M.

    Trying to find the perfect place to sip my Cinco de Mayo Marg, my boyfriend and I decided upon Sol Azteca.... now I know we are a long way from Mexico but I thought any Mexican food joint would be packed today.... but it wasn't! We were sat right away, this kind of worried me... but then I was given free Chips and salsa, which made me feel better :) ... automatic star right there! Ordered drinks, he had a beer and I went for the house Margarita for 6 bucks. It was pretty good, I guess, for the 3 sips it lasted..... so small and mostly ice! Minus a star. We ordered the cheese dip app ( can't remember the name) but it says it has sliced chorizo in it. No bueno!! The 3 pieces of "chorizo" were LITERALLY floating in grease.... i'm not even exaggerating. We were not super hungry so for dinner we split the tacos, one beef, one chicken. They were actually pretty good and the weird red cabbage concoction on the side with the beans and rice was yummy! They even had avocado that came with! Sever was just ok, he seemed annoyed, but then again I would be too if I had to wear a ugly hat that looked like a lamp shade to work... the buser though was great and super quick! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here... maybe if I was in the area though.... and i didn't have to see that cheese appetizer anywhere near my table.

    (3)
  • Kimberlee B.

    I have to admit, I am not a Mexican food fan, but my hat goes off to Sol. The chips to start are to die for. I could probably fill up on just this. The mole chicken that I had was delicious. The service was impressive. We went for a birthday party and they could not have been nicer. I dropped off a cake before hand and they brought it out at the end of the meal with a mariacce band to sing. Their sangria is not typical--no fruit, but it sure is tasty. I am looking forward to going back and am trying to figure out another party to throw there!

    (4)
  • Byron B.

    Mexican food in the Northeast is hard to find, and Sol Azteca is no exception While the food is so-so, the waitstaff were TERRIBLE. It took almost 10 minutes for us to be greeted after being sat. After that, our waiter visited our table maybe 2 or 3 times more - including to drop off the bill, etc! It didn't seem that we were the only table that this was happening to, either - I saw many other frustrated patrons. If you've got the time (and patience) to wait for mediocre Mexican, head on over to Sol Azteca!

    (2)
  • David R.

    Used to live next door to this restaurant. Was good!

    (4)
  • Stacy S.

    Could not get past the salsa. Way too much onion. I am from Los Angeles and if a place doesn't serve good salsa, it's a no go. I won't be going back.

    (2)
  • Stephen S.

    It's been forever since I've been to a Sol Azteca (I went to the one in Newton a few times when I was in college and seem to remember it being pretty sweet), but I started to get them from diningin.com all the time (yey work paying for dinner!) after El Pelon burned down. The food is definitely more authentic Mexican than what I was use to and it totally psyched me up. Big fan of the pollo quesadillas, which are basically very similar to a Cornish Pastry or a turnover but made with corn and stuffed with shredded chicken. Comes with a side of salsa for dippin'. The portion is pretty big so I'm always stuffed.

    (3)
  • J S.

    My husband and I have been fans of Sol Azteca for a long time (his parents were actually there on opening night 30 years ago!). I think their food is delicious and fresh and different from your standard fast-food/mega-chain Mexican restaurants. What I really wanted to focus on in this review, however, was the great experience we had using Sol Azteca for our rehearsal dinner! We used their party room for a buffet dinner for about 35 people and they did a really fantastic job for a great price (only about $28/person for food including tax and gratuity and $20/pitcher for Sangria and $30/pitcher for margaritas). Luis, their event manager, worked with us closely in putting together the menu and arranging the space just how we wanted it. He sent us several proposed menus at different price ranges, and we went back and forth several times making sure that all of the dishes we wanted were included (carnitas!). He even arranged to have tres leches cake (so good!), which is normally only served at the Newton location! The kitchen brought out the different courses in rounds (hot appetizers first with chips and guacamole, then entrees, and then cake!) -- I think the appetizers were so good that people were already full by the time the entrees came out (but they still make room for mole enchiladas, naturally!). I had originally thought that we would only be there from about 6:30-8:30, but everyone had such a good time and the staff was so warm (and margaritas so delicious!) and friendly that everyone stayed until about 10. Everyone who came raved about how great the food was (and how much food there was!). My family is from Texas and so were many of our other guests, so they were quite skeptical about the possibilities for delicious Mexican food in Boston, but they were all very pleasantly surprised. If you are looking for a place in Brookline for a private party, I would highly recommend Sol Azteca! It was really a great night!!

    (5)
  • R A.

    I must have walked by this place hundreds of times over the years and never thought to eat there. Something about it just never seemed compelling enough to draw me in. However one night I was taken there and finally found out what I've been missing all these years. The food was great, some of the best Mexican I've had in Boston. The chips, salsa and guacamole were all very tasty and plentiful. Would highly recommend this place.

    (4)
  • Katie D.

    Did you ever eat a few bites of something and suddenly feel so full that you think you might actually have done internal damage? This is what happened to me after five bites of my Tostados at Sol Azteca. They were good but DAMN, why they make me feel so full? It's in our neighborhood and our local foodies rave about this place. The food was good but not outstanding, I was hoping for outstanding. I do agree that it's authentic, which is nice if that's what you're looking for. The outdoor seating, however, is key. What can I say? I just wasn't blown away... and I was prepared for some serious blowing.

    (3)
  • Adam M.

    My parents have been coming here since it opened in the 70s and the owner walked around with a gun. Now that's hardcore. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Boston. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are reasonable. The service can be hit or miss, but that's how you know it's an authentic Mexican restaurant! I'll take a couple of awkward exchanges with a waiter that doesn't speak English very well for the amazing food I get in return.

    (5)
  • Kim P.

    I have a dilemma. On the one hand, I'm really getting annoyed with these jokers on here whose reviews of Mexican places always sound like something along the lines of: (picture nose turned up) "WELL, I suppose these *ahem* damn YANKEES think this Mexican food is good, but PUH-LEASE, I'm from California/Texas/Any state west of Louisiana and below the Mason-Dixon line. Therefore (*snort/chortle*) I find this food PASSABLE at best" (see reviews for Anna's/Felipe's/Boca Grande in particular for reviews of this genre). Ok. You're from California. You're a lot cooler/cultured/world-weary than us. We get it, stop rubbing it in. On the other hand, I *am* from Texas, and I *do* miss good Mexican food, and I *am* searching for it in Boston. So this review is going to attempt the delicate balance of (1) avoiding making obnoxious references to Mexican places in other states that no one else cares about and (2) serving as a helpful guide to those hoping to ease their nostalgia for the cuisine of their respective motherlands. It's a fine line. If I pull it off, all I'm saying is that I deserve a "useful" or something because this. is. tricky. That being said: 1. The salsa is good. No, for real - it really is. Tangy, but not spicy, heavy on the cilantro, those big chunks of onions. Good stuff. 2. The drinks are amazing. I had a blue margarita (good and strong: this is no 40-oz frozen concoction though, be warned) and some very good sangria that tasted like cinnamon. 3. The point of this review: Chicken Enchiladas Verdes. I love enchiladas verdes, and these were good. But they could have been great. Here is my advice: Sneak a lime in, using your pocket or purse. Bring a small knife as well. Cut lime surreptitiously under the table. Squeeze all over your enchiladas. Reach into your other pocket or another compartment in your purse, pull out a bottle of Tabasco green pepper sauce. Just two or three dots should do it now, cowboy, don't go crazy. If you follow this advice, those enchiladas will have you praying to Mama Ninfa in no time. If you decide to forgo bringing the aforementioned supplies, then please understand that you will be eating a decent pair of enchiladas verdes - perhaps a little on the bland side - but a strong foundation to a potentially excellent dish nonetheless. If you can also manage to sneak in some grilled onion slices to place on top, I can assure you that you will not only get mad style points, but also one of the better Mexican dishes you've had in a while. So far, this place gets to wear the crown for best Mexican in Boston. This may change as other establishments are reviewed - suggestions for where to find better Mexican are appreciated and encouraged.

    (4)
  • cat b.

    For reviewers complaining about the food or service, maybe they went on a bad night. I've been here multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The sangria is to die for, the service has always been attentive, and the food mouth watering. Maybe the people who didn't like it were really looking for deep fried Tex-Mex, not decent Mexican food?

    (5)
  • Apollonia D.

    So average. They can't even fix a decent margarita.

    (2)
  • Michael D.

    What does a five-star rating mean? Among the best in the city? Best only in its genre? Or best across the whole country?! We could debate all day. For Sol Azteca, I think the highest rating is warranted for pretty much any criteria you use to award stars. I admit that I can't judge against any personal experience at Mexican restaurants in the Southwest, or in Mexico. But I have been to a good number of Mexican places elsewhere, and even the most "authentic" and best known can't measure up to Sol Azteca. The atmosphere is just right: reasonably traditional, red tile and white stucco, sparse but comfortable, like the homey restaurants of Detroit's Mexicantown. (There's nothing less encouraging a taco shop striving for authenticity can do than to pass off California decor as Mexican.) Sol plays light Latin music, not so bland as to stream mariachi ad infinitum and call it a playlist. The dining experience is quality. Standard dishes are done well -- with grease, to be sure, but by no means the most grease I've seen in Mexican cooking -- and let's keep in mind that this *is* Mexican we're talking about. I'm from a Brazilian family, and I know that when it comes to Latin American cuisine, one has to take the oil as a matter of course, and enjoy the food for its flavors. Speaking of which -- Sol's enchiladas de mole poblano have to be one of the most excellent Mexican dishes I've ever tasted. The enchiladas (which here I prefer without chicken) are manageable yet filling. The cheese has a thorough but not stringy melt. The mole poblano sauce (chili, nuts, cacao, spices) is coarse and almost sweet -- a wonderful complement to the salty enchiladas. The dish includes sides of refried beans and red cabbage in some kind of sweet glaze that I just can't get over. Top it all off with the smoothest sangria I've found in Boston, and you've got an unbeatable Mexican meal. Prices are reasonable and service is quick.

    (5)
  • P G.

    After reading the reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a shot. We were a big table of 14 people. The service was great, we were seated on time and most importantly they didn't mess up our order. Everything came as requested. Salsa was amazing!! super fresh..loved it!! I ordered the enchillada and it was yummmm! Lot of people ordered Mole Poblano and were pleased with their dish. Overall a great experience and the food was great. Definitely will go back there!

    (5)
  • Maya S.

    Being a mexican place, I was kind of expecting food here to be crunchy and crispy..but I was (very) disappointed with the soggy entree I had. I am going for 2 stars cos I kinda liked the ambience. Oh well..the look and feel of a place does not make a good restaurant!

    (2)
  • Mike G.

    Two words: Cadillac Margarita If you're lucky enough to have the owner making them for you, you could be eating kitty litter and you'd think it was fine Mexican cuisine. That being said, when sober, I agree with most of the food and service reviews on here...

    (3)
  • Kristin C.

    Went to Sol Azteca last Friday night with 7 friends. I found the salsa was good but the guacamole was somewhat bland. My chicken enchilada with the Mole Poblano was quite delish. My fellow Yelpers were correct, the Sangria was incredible as were the Cadillac margaritas . Table service was good too -- warm, efficient and not pushy . All in all, I would recommend.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth B.

    Pretty decent. There wasn't a wait on a Saturday night -- good. However, the service was slow. Really, really slow. We ordered drinks and waited at least 30 more minutes before our order was taken. The chips and salsa and cinnamon-y sangria are good. I ordered the enchiladas verdes de nopal. Interesting that the items in the vegetarian section come with rice made with chicken stock. I'm glad the waitress brought this to my attention. I enjoyed my dish-- I am a big fan of tomatillo sauce because it has a lot of zip without being too hot. The black beans complemented this perfectly -- the dish was made by the black beans. The cabbage slaw/salad on the side is an interesting addition as well. I only ate a bite or two because I was full; the portions are pretty generous and a pretty good value overall. My local friends love Sol Azteca -- I can see why -- but the service needs to speed up a little.

    (3)
  • Stephanie C.

    I'm always in search of a yummy Mexican joint. Or Tex-Mex, whatever. But this place was great. I like the ambiance and decor. The strawberry pina colada I ordered was decently liquored. The chicken fajitas were excellently seasoned. The tortillas were a bit small and only 4 of them, but I'm sure I could ask for more. The salsa was a bit spicy for my palate, but that's a subjective statement. And I'm not into spicy food, just zesty. The beans had some actual flavor, not just bland black beans. Overall, very tasty. I will definitely go back for round two... maybe outside on the patio.

    (4)
  • Betty P.

    As mentioned by others, their mole sauce is amazing. I had chicken mole in Mexico and the sauce at Sol Azteca was close if not better than what I had there. I made a reservation on Open Table and requested an outdoor table. We were at least 1/2 hour EARLY for our reservation, but they happily obliged. The host even led us to our seats and proceeded to read off the ENTIRE Restaurant Week menu which consisted of 3 different menu possibilities which was impressive. The sangria didn't have any fruit floating around, but it was delish. I LOVE their homemade chips and salsa. The salsa has a kick and none of their stuff seems unhealthy or oily even the chips. We both managed to finish a lot of our entrees, but the portions were really generous. Our waiter was really friendly, water was constantly refilled, and it was a gorgeous summer night. What more can you ask for?

    (4)
  • Shan C.

    I come here fairly often for quick easy mexican. It is certainly not the best mexican I have had, but it fills a void for some simple enchiladas Verde's and it being close to our condo doesn't hurt either. The service staff could also step it up a bit.

    (4)
  • Shelly A.

    I've been here twice now and unfortunately the food is only mediocre. I really wanted to like it and gave it a second chance but the food doesn't have much taste.

    (3)
  • Ash M.

    I really wanted to love this place - it has some great charm and feels like a family-owned restaurant. We were greeted very pleasantly at the door and promptly shown a table. The menu has two areas: traditional dishes and house specialties. The specialties sounded really good, but I went with quesedillas. My wife ordered the tortilla soup and we shared some cheese dip. Everything was tasty, but EXTREMELY greasy. (I'm from Alabama - I know greasy...) The quesedilllas (typically made with flour tortillas and grilled) were lumps of ground beef, onions, and potatoes wrapped in corn batter and deep fried. The cheese had pools of orange grease floating on top. We poured the grease off into the plate underneath, and it got a little better. I probably would have been more sickened by the combo of greasy cheese and deep-fried quesedillas, but, honestly, the sangria was SO tasty. Perfectly proportioned quantities of alcohol and fruit, and I had a slight buzz after only two glasses. Good drink + greasy food = 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Zee S.

    New England doesn't do Mexican food well. It's been said but I'll say it again! Sol Azteca in Brookline is an excellent effort. The Carne Asada burrito is delicious and the meat is cooked to perfection and well seasoned. Most dishes are accompanied by a purple tangy slaw which may be the best part of the meal. The drinks are delicious and there is an impressive variety, although I found the sangria a bit watery, my dinner companions enjoyed the their classic margarita and pomegranate margarita. The absolute best part is the desert. The Flan is some of the best i've had and is competitive with flan I have had in California. Aside from the food the staff is friendly and very accommodating. We dined with friends who had 3 children a 3 month old, a 2 year old and an 8 year old and the restaurant was well equipped to handle them.

    (4)
  • Patrick F.

    I don't go here very often at all and it has been a while since the last time. That said I'll keep this short. I have always found the food and drinks here to exceed my expectations and the service to be top-notch.

    (4)
  • Albert D.

    Chips and salsa: because I got a dinner entre, it came free, but otherwise it would cost $6.95?! What's up with that?! It, of course, is of the bagged-variety, and it tasted like the salt was harvested in order to use for the cooking... salsa tasted like supermarket salsa. boo mole poblano chicken: decent, but didn't have enough of that chocolate kick to it. I think this is where my chip-salt went. rice and beans: the rice was really good. the beans taste like any other place I think next time I shall get a big bowl of rice and call it a night. average cost for entres is around $12-15. Quite expensive...

    (3)
  • Bryanne R.

    Great Spanish/Mexican food. I loved the "CAMARONES VERACRUZANOS - Shrimp grilled in a fresh garlic butter and tomato-jalapeno sauce. Spicy." I didn't think it was spicy, but it was pricey -$19. Filled me up and I couldn't squeeze in a dessert. Their sangria is OK - it has a strong taste of cinnamon. It was a great place to go to get some awesome food and have a conversation without having to scream across the table. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Jennifer D.

    One star taken away for the service. We went on a not-so-busy Tuesday night. Still, our server took a very long time to get to us and check up on us. He didn't seem friendly or approachable, and made it seem as if we were inconveniencing him by ordering food in his section. Also, the entrees took longer than should have been expected. Ok. After having said that.... Salsa: tastes like it was just made seconds before it was brought to the table. It's so fresh and just perfectly chunky.. not overkill. Perfect start to the night. Guacamole: very strongly tastes of cilantro, which I love. However, you should probably stay away if you're not a cilantro fan. Nice sized portion, which we finished probably mere minutes after it was brought to our table. Sangria: Strong. I've had their Sangria before, and once again it only took me one glass to get tipsy. Sangria at many other places can be too sweet, where you get a headache from the sugar before feeling the effects of the alcohol, but I have to say this one is a good, strong balance. Pollo Mole Poblano: The housemade mole sauce is irresistible. I think I ate every last drop of sauce off the plate. There were so many other tempting options (the menu has something for everyone, and the prices are great) but I'm positive I made the right choice. I usually like to try out new dishes at restaurants I've been to, but it's going to be hard keeping away from this one. All in all, this place seems fairly authentic and would definitely be a good spot for a relaxing night out to dinner.

    (4)
  • Madhumitha N.

    I took my parents to Sol Azteca after reading review. We order veg burrito and Enchiladas, food was decent. We normally eat spicy food, by mistake when we place order, told that need food to be spicy. Waiter didnt let me about there food, and we end up in getting smoky spicy food. Felt food was expensive, but its worth to try mexican food when ur in town with friends.

    (3)
  • andria r.

    Sol Azteca is a place I go when I want super comforting food that's very reasonably priced in a cozy atmosphere. When we arrive, we are greeted with smiles all around. The waitstaff is extremely polite and quick to make suggestions; I can't even pick a favorite because everyone is a pleasure. Take a seat in the traditional hefty leather strapped mexican chairs and dig in to their homemade salsa; look out because it is GOOD and LOADED with onions...HOLY COW! Their Enchiladas Mole Poblano paired with a Modelo is so good, I can't stray from it to ever choose a different dish. This is the kind of spot I want to go to a few times in a row to get my fix for a while. In fact, it is about that time! The craving is what drove me to right this! ENJOY! P.S. Don't forget dessert...the Coffee Flan, Oh my!

    (5)
  • Lyndsay L.

    My boyfriend and I went here for an anniversary dinner. First and foremost, they have great great great margaritas! Always a good start at a Mexican restaurant. I had quesadillas which were not the quesadillas we usually think of. They were deep fried, thick wraps with lots of delicious cheese in the middle. Jake had the steak fajitas which came out on a sizzling platter and were also super fabulous. The food came out fast, the service was great! The prices were fair. I would go back anytime for good Mexican food!!

    (4)
  • Natasha M.

    Great food and margaritas, but service is a little slow.

    (3)
  • Emily S.

    I agree that the mole is quite fantastic. I may be biased cause it's like...next door to me, but I love this place. I think it's really cute, but also sufficiently urban and sophisticated. I agree that the menu is limited, but I think it's because they keep it to a few really good dishes that they do well. It's a little pricey for Mexican, in my experience, but the portions are huge so I always have lunch for the next day and it's pretty authentic. I can vouch for this as someone who has moved to Boston from Southern California and spent considerable time in Mexico. And their rice is nice, flavored, light rice instead of the greasy industrialized stuff you get at a lot of places, and they serve their main courses with this really unusual pupleish-colored cabbage salad coleslaw thing that's rather tangy and delicious. I now get cravings for the cactus appetizer.

    (5)
  • Matt L.

    Now after being disappointed at the Newton location, anything would be a better time. This location is in a prime spot and the outdoor seating is pretty nice but the inside is more spacious than the Newton location also. The menu is about the same wit similar mexican specialities and good sangria and margaritas. The services is also much better and faster, nicer and seeming more efficient. The prices however are also the same, which are almost a ripoff for the food you get. its about at least $50-60 bucks for two people. There is no reason Mexican food which amounted to a heap of rice, refried beans and an enchilada should cost $15-20 bucks. A bit outrageous and despite the good service and drinks, not worth the effort. You decide.

    (3)
  • Morgan F.

    They have a PATIO! I was heading to a movie a Fenway and wanted a sit down dinner in the area without heading towards Mass Ave. I actually totally forgot this place existed until we literally walked by and saw the nice welcoming PATIO! Really, Patios are SO KEY in the summer. Anyhoo, our guac was good, had big chunks of avacado in it, BUT kinda bland and nothing SPECIAL. Our meal was actually really good, I got something that basically resembled 5 layers dip, but as a dinner dish, but good if you would otherwise imagine that as not ;) The portions were REALLY BIG, I could have easily shared or taken my meal home (although I was heading to a movie and out for the night, so not the BEST plan). Overall not anything to write home about, but a good night and I was happy to have found an unexpected patio and the food was good and it was SUPER easy to walk to our movie after! I as just a little dissapointed that neither of us even ordered drinks and it came to more than I usually spend on Mexican food in Boston.

    (4)
  • Aretha B.

    I wish I could give 2 and a half stars. But to be nice, you get 3, sol azteca. Many of the reviews here are right on by basically expressing that the food isn't that bad, it's just not rave worthy. I didn't eat anything that made me go OH MY GODDDDDDD Crack in food! SO GOODDDDD... but nothing tasted bad, either. I had the combo - steak taco and enchilada con verde (or something?). It was pretty ok. Came with some nice marinaded cabbage side, the beans were flavorful, the rice was pretty ok, the green sauce was good. It was a lot of food (as it should be for 13.75). We ordered the large carafe of sangria and it WAS quite good. It was almost a bit thick, with a nice cinnamon-y aftertaste. I am glad that I now know - but if I'm eating in the area again I'm going to have Elephant Walk, Audubon Cafe, Boston Beer Works, Brown Sugar, and Ginza higher up on the list.

    (3)
  • Andrew D.

    3 words...slow, slower, slowest. Like a siren, Sol azteca drew me back in last weekend as I was walking through my neighborhood for dinner and the outdoor patio looked great. the last time i ate there a year or so ago was one of the slower experiences ive had but decided that everyone deserves a second chance. we waited for 15 minutes which wasnt too bad since they told us 20-25. we then waited about 10-15 minutes for someone to come give us water and take our drink order during which time we were able to memorize the menu. drinks came out quick w/chips and salsa which are real solid, very impressed. then, waitress disappeared for another 15 minutes. we order our food, dont see our waitress again for 25 minutes. the food comes out about 50 minutes after we ordered. like everyone below, just dont get how they can possible be so slow, its as if they strive for it. i saw a table waiting for water, and several wait staff see this, but just not bring the water over. to their credit they gave us a free round of coronas to make up for the food coming out so late, and the food itself was good, but i won't be going back again. or until next year when it all happens again and i see that patio.

    (2)
  • Eric W.

    I have long cried foul over how poor in quality Mexican food the greater Boston area has proven to be. Some time I'll take you all to Ohio and show you what REAL Mexican food is like! And I am only partially joking! There are two things that truly make the place: mole (both poblano and verde) and combination plates. The former could perhaps come with more fire but certainly earn a 'win' in the richness category. The latter is a great way to cheaply diversify your plate, widely sample the menu, and have some leftovers. (Such combinations are common in more civilized corners of the world.) The cabbage salad was unknown by me prior to Sol Azteca and goes a long way to balance the otherwise heavy plate. Don't expect much in the way of service or atmosphere, both of which are merely adequate, but the sensible pricing and excellent location are enough to alleviate doubts.

    (4)
  • Ana M.

    Ok, the food is actually pretty good, but the service STINKS and so does the space. A) it took 20 minutes just to get our drink order and then another 20 for the appetizer and then the server got my entree wrong and it took another 45 minutes to get the right one and by then we were FUMING. They apologized but didn't take anything off the bill. What?! To make matters worse, the woman cleaning the table next to ours kept spraying a foul smelling cleaner and then wiping it down with a moldy cloth. I blame myself for not making a scene and walking out.

    (1)
  • Shruti M.

    While the service was VERY efficient, the food was not that impressive. I thought it was rather bland and tasteless. While a previous reviewer was impressed with rice, I actually really hated it. It was mushy and somewhat cold. The chips were cold and store bought. I doubt I will be back.

    (2)
  • Katie B.

    I've found it, I've finally found it! Decent Mexican food in Boston! I never thought it would happen. Boston is great at a lot of things but for some reason, Mexican fare is not one of them. So you can imagine my surprise when on a whim I suggested trying out a Mexican food place and it was actually good! Sol Azteca is comfortably nestled in between the St. Mary's T stop area (on the Green - C line) and that stretch of Beacon Street that leads to Kenmore Square. If it weren't for their giant fluorescent sign out front, you might even miss it. When you walk into this smallish place, you immediately feel as if you left the city and somehow ended up in Mexico. (Although to me, it reminded me so much of this one place I ate at in Spain, that I forgot that I was in Boston and caught myself a couple of times almost saying "Gracias" to our waitress. Not a huge faux pas because she was actually of Spanish decent. Bust still.) Huge rustic chairs invite you to sit comfortably at brightly colored tile-topped tables. Suddenly fresh chips and salsa appear and you are being asked if you'd like a drink. Eying the drink menu you feel psyched that a nice margarita will only set you back $6, (unless you choose a fancier tequila, but even then, it's only $8.) Not in the mood for a margarita, you request the sangria. After your drink order has been given, you start to explore the dinner menu. You spot interesting items like "cactus" on the menu. The drinks arrive and your waitress is standing before you, pen and paper in hand, ready to jot down your request - its crunch time. You've been flirting with the idea of selecting one of their flavorful chicken dishes when suddenly it hits you. You know exactly what you want. How can you pass up pulled chicken enchiladas with a homemade mole sauce? When's the last time you had mole sauce? (which by the way is crazy hard to make because it involves a rather lengthy list of ingredients and then needs to sit for hours upon end, slowly simmering until just right.) You get caught up in conversation, sipping on a flavorful sangria (is that cinnamon in there?) and it appears. Three over stuffed corn tortilla enchiladas served piping hot, smothered in a perfect deep red mole sauce and accompanied by fluffy clouds of rice (you remembered that you didn't like refried beans or the cabbage that was supposed to come along side). When you take your first bite, you know it's love. Tender shreds of chicken and melted cheese dance with richly spicy mole sauce. And the rice! Oh the rice. How did they get it so fluffy and moist? And flavorful! You detect that it was made with some sort of chicken stock, but then what did they do to it to keep it from drying out and clumping? You victoriously finish your plate and consider how rude it really would be if you licked your plate. Deciding the it's best if you don't, after all, you WILL be returning here. You hand the waitress your clean plate, and in exchange she hands you the bill. You realize that after all you ate and drank, your tab is surprisingly low. Happily, you pay and resolve to not forget about this cute little spot. You'll be back soon. And then you go home and take a nap, fully enjoying the joys that only a food coma can bring. OnceUponASmallBostonKitc…

    (4)
  • Jessica D.

    I ate here last night and it was so delicious!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! We had a buywithme deal - one appetizer, 2 entrees and 1 dessert for two people for $30, which they honored even though BuyWith Me was bought out by GiltCity. The restaurant was almost completely full when we arrived, on a Monday night, at 7pm but we were able to get a table without waiting. Our server was very attentive, and super friendly! He was so knowledgeable about the menu and which items were gluten free The best part, being big water drinkers, was he left the pitcher on our table THANK YOU! That saved both him and us a lot of hassle! The chips are corn based and gluten free and salsa was the best salsa I've ever had! It was a little bit spicy but incredibly fresh! For an appetizer we shared the Chamaorritos - grilled chicken tips in chipotle pepper, basil, onion, garlic, mango, orange and anise sauce. It was delicious; mouth watering good! The chicken was so tender and cooked to perfection. For my entrée I ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Verde, which came with rice and black beans. I was pleasantly surprised by the use of Corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas in many of their dishes. My boyfriend ordered Pollo Mango - Grilled Chicken breast in a mango, garlic and chipotle pepper sauce. He loved it; I thought it was good but a little too sweet for me! We both had to take half our meals home because the portions were a decent size. For dessert we split vanilla ice cream topped with Kahlua liqueur, also delicious. We were so full we were only able to take a few bites. Our meal would have cost us $48, but we had the $30 deal so we lucked out a bit. I highly recommend Sol Azteca for 2, 4 6 people or more! The prices are reasonable and the food is great! I will be going back for sure!

    (5)
  • Erin G.

    how have i not written a review of Sol? here it is: YUM. I've only eaten on the patio, so i can't speak to the interior atmosphere, but the patio is very nice and it wasn't a long wait for a seat but i think i just got lucky. The good news is that if you're waiting for someone they will seat you before the whole party arrives! we all know that is important. Anyway, dishes here are kind of pricey but a margarita is only $6 which i think is a good deal considering 3 blocks away in fenway you pay $6 for a bud light. i ordered the enchiladas de mole verde over cheese enchiladas and found the dish really well made and hearty. it had that fresh, "someone-just-made-me-this" taste that you wouldn't think you could notice until you notice it. a nice dinner option on a beautiful day, and stock up on the margs!

    (4)
  • Charlotte S.

    I love mexican so I was excited when my friend who is native of Boston told us that this was her favorite mexican place. It wasn't that great. The sangria tasted like it was made out of boxed wine, we ordered nachos for an app and they were just this congealed mess on the plate... and we did the entree where you could do a combo of an enchilada, taco, burrito or some other choices. It is nothing compared to mexican in NYC!

    (3)
  • .amy E.

    I'm terribly disappointed at having to write an update about this place almost a month after my last one (and a serious one to boot), but last night's lapse in service, I'm honestly embarrassed to recommend this place to anyone and hesitate to head there again, delicious mole or not. Picture this: it's Saturday night. We're four easily amused, easy-going, hungry folks. "Let's go to Sol! Their mole is awesome!" I push this pretty hard and my friend visiting from out of town gets excited at the prospect so we trek over and are seated in the back corner of the restaurant. Our server takes kind of awhile to get to us and take our order...and then we wait for over an hour. Now let me explain where things went wrong and how Sol might have handled this situation much, much better. 1. We were kept uninformed of the situation and lied to a few times. After a half an hour, we asked one of the busboys to ask our server what had happened with our order. Our server ran back to tell us on three different occasions that our food would be ready in "just a few moments" and on one of those occasions, as if in a sitcom, looked at a corner of the restaurant and exclaimed "Oh, it's ready!" and ran off, disappearing again for 20 minutes. The manager came out twice saying the same thing, and mumbled an apology the second time about their fryer being broken and offered to comp us on some free desserts. Now my friends and I are easy-going. We were maybe a little visibly confused, but we clearly weren't angry. Though (eventually) we got pretty annoyed that no one just came out and said "Hey guys, sorry about the wait, there's been a problem in the kitchen and we're working on it," until after we'd been waiting over an hour. 2. After that first half an hour, our server was either neglecting or avoiding us. We stopped getting refills on our drinks and besides those "just a few moments" updates, we were pretty much left to our own devices. Given our seating arrangement, I was the only one who could see our server running to get drinks for the six other tables behind us and pointedly avoiding looking back at us. If one of us did manage to snag our server's attention to ask for a refill, it took two requests and over 20 minutes each time before anything happened. Again, these guys could have just owned up to having some problems rather than avoiding us. Heck, even our server could have told us that he was having a busy night and we would've been ok with it. But ignoring your customer doesn't strike me a the answer. I don't make a living in customer service and can't claim to know what the best approach is. I can also understand these guys were a little flustered with whatever problem they ran into behind the scenes. But last night's reaction just struck me as unacceptable, and judging from some of the annoyed things we saw scribbled into their guest book on the way out, we weren't the only ones that thought so. I will give them points that to their credit, their manager tried to do something to placate us over the situation. And hell, their mole is still the best in the Boston area.

    (2)
  • Melissa C.

    I'll say, I probably wouldn't give this place 4 stars if it weren't in Boston. But I'm having a little trouble getting my Mexican fix here, and this place might help out a bit. The selection is VERY limited. The salsa is nice, but too mild. They have a habanero sauce that is very pleasant. The mole is complex, flavorful, delicious. The service was prompt and my glass stayed full. The food came out fast. The prices are affordable. The atmosphere is clean and appropriate. Vegitarians be warned, your entree will consist mostly of cheese.

    (4)
  • Maria Del Carmen D.

    Came here 7pm on a Saturday night. Reserations for about 14 people. Let me just start that saying the entrance can be a bit cramped if more than 3 people are waiting for a table. The hostest, an small older hispanic woman who was running from table to table like an insane person, acknowledged me and my partner within a couple of seconds. Very sweet woman...we were half an hour early (super early-I know) but she kept updating us on the status of our table every 5 mins or so. Once we were seated, we were immediately given ice water and some chips and salsa. That salsa was so good! I think I ate the whole basket by myself. The salsa tasted soo fresh. Our server Pablo did a great job at tending to our need seeing that there were 14-15 of us. Only bummer, food took a while to get to us, but it was a Saturday night and there was a ton of us but when it arrived, it was well worth it. I got the cheese encheladas- decent. The boyfriend got something different from me, but it was very strange that his meal looked and kind of tasted the exact same as mine did. Weird, kinda soggy consistency. I guess it was edible. Nothing really WOW-ed me, besides the salsa....I dont think I will be back.

    (2)
  • Heather H.

    Sol Azteca on Beacon is a great pre-game dinner place before heading over to Fenway. Outdoor seating in this city is so hard to come by, and this place has a lot of outdoor tables! The staff are always extremely attentive and friendly. The food is pretty good and their margaritas and sangria are killer. I'm a fan of their mole verde, made with poblanos, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. The inside decor is a little dated and reminds me of things my parents have from Mexico from the 1970s (dark wood, painted tiles) but is very cozy. You may have to listen to people in their mid-forties discuss their golf game, but the sangria should keep you sedated and happy.

    (4)
  • Rob D.

    ...I've been to both the Boston and Newton locations, and they are basically identical when it comes to the food and drink. (Which is a good thing, in this case.) I like the Boston location in the summer - in my old condo I used to be able to walk over the bridge from Cambridge to get here, but - alas - its now a car ride away. The food is really quite good, and the drinks from the bar are excellent as well. Check out the Napalitoes (grilled cactus with "I am sure it is bad for your arteries" cheesy-goodness on top).... nothing bad to say about this place, nothing at all. (I don't even have a snarky response about its limited outdoor seating - at least it HAS outdoor seating.)

    (4)
  • Dan M.

    I always have a good experience here. Its not too expensive and is still good

    (5)
  • D. A.

    If you are looking for real Mexican food (not your normal burritos and quesadillas) go here. Their margaritas are tasty (I have had pomegranate and 'original'). Go for something with the mole sauce. I can't describe it, other than: YUM! Of course this will cost you more than a Burrito from Boca Grande or Anna's, but it is a full service Mexican heaven.

    (5)
  • Maya T.

    this restaurant is great! first time having real mexican food in boston and I loved it! will definitely be going back often. sangria is excellent, along with fresh salsa, enchilada rojos and their tacos!!!!

    (5)
  • JohnnyFoodface ..

    One of the best not-too-fancy mexican restaurants in Boston. If you are looking for a place to sit down and have a frozen margarita and enchiladas, look no further. Apps: First, let me say that the salsa and chips they serve as a gratuity are fantastic! The salsa isn't runny or cold, holds perfectly on the chip, and the chopped veggies within taste very fresh. Chips are crispy but not greasy. A great first start. I had been here before but didn't remember how awesome just the chips and salsa were. I knew my girlfriend was going to be impressed since I had directed us here after a movie downtown. We had the Nopalitos appeteizer, which is cactus with salsa verde. It was my first time having cactus, and I can only say that I would go for another round! It was piping hot and smothered with verde, and was cooked on a tortilla with maybe a little cheese. A good portion to share between two or three people. Meals: They have an array of meat entrees, but I went with the Combo Azteca which lets you have three entrees in one. Shazam! After sitting for Spider Man 3 for nearly three hours, we were both starving. I got a couple of enchiladas and the Chiles Rellenos. They were served with refried beans, rice, and some magenta cabbage stuff. It was all fantastic. I cleared the plate! And slugged a couple of margaritas. Drinks: The margaritas are tasty, with a little ring of salt of course, and they offer some serious tequilas if you are down for the $$$. Don Julio, some reservado aged tequila, all that jazz. They go as low as $5.75 but I got the 'gold' for $6. Tasty stuff, good for a sunny day, fantastic with some cactus and enchilada. The slush and drink came kinda separated but it tasted good. Not sure how it could spoil your meal as others have noted - it was right on target with what I expected for a frozen margarita and a well-made mexican meal. If that is not a combo you want, don't order it! Great setting - servers were very nice, a quiet place, with great decorations. We wanted to take the table home for our kitchen. Nice tiles, scary masks on the stucco walls, etc. I love El Pelon but you can't compare this place to a Taqueria. Sorry kids. I've been here twice - previous time was with a big group - and the food and drinks were tasty and enjoyed by all.

    (5)
  • Akilah C.

    I am a big fan of this place!!! While service leaves much to be desired, the food is wonderful and the sangria is quite refreshing. Go ahead and ask for a side if their hot sauce :) it definitely packs a punch, but adds a nice flavor to your entree. I tend to stick to the enchiladas, but I'm going to try some of their other chicken entrees soon.

    (4)
  • Tom N.

    The food and the service are consistently top quality--I've eaten here many times. The salsa and chips are "homemade" and without peer (and they will gladly give you as much as you want). Try the seafood fajitas--they will make them for you even if they are not on the specials menu. The outdoor seating works well here (even when Red Sox Nation is swarming the area)! A friend who relocated from Tucson lamented the dearth of "authentic" Mexican restaurants in the Boston area, until I recommended SA; she's been a devotee ever since.

    (4)
  • Xin S.

    Very good Mexican food. The combo plate lets you try multiple items (and so indecisive folks like me don't hold up the ordering...) 3 out of our group of 4 ordered the 3 item combo plate and everything was delicious. The 'quesadilla" was an interesting surprise--it's more like a deep fried empanada with a crispy outside. Different, but in a oh, cool! way. Good enchiladas, the burrito was a stand-out, chile relleno was a little disappointing. Entrees come with an amazing red cabbage slaw with a great dressing--a VERY welcome side (and way better than a plain heap of ice berg shreds you usually get). Cute decor/atmosphere. Fun experience/good prices--we had a Buywithme, but even without the prices were good ($16 for the 3 item combo plate).

    (4)
  • Ariel S.

    Pretty good, standard mexican. It was great to eat outside - fairly comfortable seats and umbrellas. They're also speedy waiters! Just don't expect a soda refill too quickly (or at all).

    (3)
  • Sweet T.

    This place is great! Big portions of delicious Mexican food - and really good salsa/chips to start the meal. The outdoor seating is nice in the warmer months - and the inside is really nicely decorated as well. When I was here it was someone's birthday at a nearby table and they shut off all the lights as they brought the cake out so the candle could glow brighter. So awesome. I want to go on my birthday now.

    (5)
  • Lynne C.

    Outstanding mole sauce. They have 2 a green one (mole verde) and a brown one (mole poblano, I think). I had the brown one. The second my plate was up in front of me, I was delighted with a complex spicy-chocolaty aroma. We were told that there are over 30 ingredients in their home made mole sauce. Delicious!

    (4)
  • Amanda Z.

    I am very critical about Mexican food because I always compare everything to how my mother makes it. The key is the rice and beans. If a restaurant has rice and beans like my Mom makes them, they've won me over! Sol Azteca's rice is almost an exact taste match to my Mom's (minus the love that she puts into them) and while they use black beans for their refried instead of pinto, they're damn delicious! I pretty much always get their mole poblano, which is a huge portion of chicken breast doused in their delicious mole sauce, made of chocolate, peanut butter and chilis (well, that's how my Mom usually makes it). The portion is HUGE, so expect leftovers, or expect to be really full if you can't stop eating it because it's so delicious and finish your plate. Of course I wouldn't know anything about that because I am a delicate lady who never overeats at restaurants! (my friends should insert a smart remark here) I've also had their enchiladas- I prefer them with the green sauce, and their pollo cilantro. Both of which I highly recommend. This is the fastest service I've had anywhere in Boston, but you never feel rushed, which I really appreciate! In the summer, it's nice to spend all evening just relaxing on the patio there with a carafe or two of their highly potent sangria. I also love that after that highly potent sangria, I can stumble my way home in about 3 minutes- with traffic! Nice. I knocked a star off because it's a little pricey for Mexican food and their chips are only ok.

    (4)
  • Mel V.

    I've always complained about the location of good Spanish food. Apparently if I want authenticity I have to go to such places like JP, Dorchester, etc. You know, where the spanish people hang out. (Hint I got from a friend: You can tell if a place is authentic asian food if asian people go to the restaurant, I figure it's the same for spanish food, ergo the best must be in JP right?). Sol Azteca is a beautiful hole in the wall and it's a minute's walk from me! I feel the authenticity of this place upon first walking in with all the beautiful decorations, the wine and the music. On top of that, my dinner table was right at the foot of the virgin Mary! Get a flavored Margarita. And start with the cheese plate with chorizo appetizer. MMMMMM greasy goodness. And the best part about the main dishes is that, unlike other restaurants I've been to, they actually fill you up with the common side dishes that people in Mexico eat: rice, aguacate (avocado ^^), salad, refried beans...will definitely fill you up!

    (5)
  • patrick r.

    So its a nice evening and i want to stay within the friendly confines of fenway to eat OUTSIDE!!... sol azteca ended up being the spot and so we went to check it out... the service was extremely slow but i think they only had 2 people on for both the inside and outside so i wont hold it too personally, plus out waitress was hilarious and gave us some jazz and made sure we didnt get too drunk off our shirley temples... the food is good... not over the top fantastic crazy good but better than decent.. and besides where else can you get a sun combination with green and red enchiladas... i will say the guac was good but i felt it needed just a little more kick or lime (maybe both).. overall i will be going back for a nice relaxing evening on the patio... one final note... they have some trees that constantly are dropping little bits of stuff into your drink if its slightly windy so clean freaks beware

    (4)
  • Kate G.

    Like Adam M., my parents have been coming here forever, and as such, I've been coming here forever. That probably has something to do with the five stars, but honestly, I love this place. The waiters always remember us when we come in, down to our exact order. The sangria is fantastic, and I LOVE the chicken quesadillas. They're not your standard quesadilas, but are made with no cheese and in cornhusks, but are really tasty, and, along with the rest of the side plates, are served with avocado, lettuce, cabbage, black refried beans, and rice. So good, always leaves me way too full in a good way. Love it. Totally authentic, too. If you order a margarita, they're delicious, but watch out! They have a serious kick.

    (5)
  • Elisa A.

    I really wish I knew about this place sooner! How could I live in Fenway for 3 years and just stumble on this place? Good food at very reasonable prices. The drinks are also reasonably priced and well made (ie, you can actually taste the liquor in your drink). The servers were very attentive and did not rush us through our dinner. I will definitely head back here again to get the mole poblano enchilada. Yum!

    (4)
  • Kevin C.

    So I finally gave Sol Azetca another try. This is my 4th visit to the place. We had a hankering for Mexican / Tex Mex and were actually on our way to the Border Cafe in Harvard Square when I saw the sign from the intersection of Park and Beacon. After our last expeirence where our service was unacceptably slow, we pretty much wrote the restaurant off. But, last night I was hungry and I wasn't looking forward to naviagating through Harvard Sq. so, knowing that at least the food would be good we made the stop. As expected the food and drink were good and satifiied our cravings. But, as with our last visit, the service was slow. Waiting 15-20 minutes to get your first margarita at a Mexican joint just doesn't seem to work for me. I will say the staff were all very nice, they just seem to lack in the attentiveness and timeliness department. A great place for good, reliable Mexican food...but only if your a patient person.

    (3)
  • John D.

    I went there last Sunday for an early evening dinner and could not belive the amount of food that we received, and this is not one of those overwhelm their taste buds with volume, experiences. This was a humongous amount of excellent quality food. I had the Carnitas appetizer and the Puerco En Adobo main course along with a cadillac margharita and I can't wait to go back. The staff were ultra friendly and we were made to feel right at home from the second we walked in the door. Sol Azteca has definitely gotten itself a new fan, I highly recommend it.

    (5)
  • AJ K.

    All right, I know I'm about to come off as a snooty Southern Californian--at least when it comes to Mexican food--but I feel like I have a right to. Mexican food, generally speaking and simply put, is better when you're closer to Mexico. Just like Guinness is better when you're closer to Ireland. It's a fact. That being said, this was the first Mexican restaurant in Boston to "wow" me in terms of authenticity. The food was fresh and delicious, and the portions were about the size of an Aztec temple. My girlfriend got chicken tacos and I got the enchilada platter, and I'll be damned if I didn't love it. I ate everything--including the cabbage salad, which I've never liked in all my years growing up in California. It's not the best (it still can't quite compare to Santana's or Nico's in San Diego or any number of those hole-in-the-wall fantastic Mexican restaurants), but it definitely gives New England Mexican food a good name.

    (4)
  • andy s.

    Carnitas! Sangria! If I was forced to subsist on their carnitas in their perfectly balanced spicy/acidic/sweet sauce that they serve it in, as well as their phenomenal sangria, I'd be completely content. From first hand experience, I can tell you that this place has made their food with the same care and attention to detail since the day I first walked in about 23 years ago when I was 5... in fact they seem to have had the same menu for that amount of time... which is definitely not something that I'd want for a restaurant that I ate at a lot, but totally fine for me because i only get to that neighborhood around dinner time a few times per year anyway. Delicious.

    (5)
  • Amanda S.

    I love Mexican, and after seeing all the 4 & 5 star ratings for Sol Azteca I decided to check it out. I had one of the combination plates with a tostada & enchilada. It was okay, but nothing to rave about, and nothing that set it apart from your average Mexican joint. The sangria was pretty tasty. Our server was nice, but was completely in the weeds and had zero time for us, which made it difficult to get more salsa, drinks, etc.

    (3)
  • Anuj S.

    I came here on a Friday night for dinner and it was somewhat full. We waited about 5 minutes, which was not bad at all. They do have outdoor seat, and plenty of it so I wouldn't imagine the wait would be too long. We were told it would be about 10 minutes for outdoor seating (unfortunately we were too hungry to wait the extra 5 minutes). The hostess and waiters were nice, but not that attentive. Kind of rushed us even though as we were sitting down, other tables were opening up. But as long as they're not outright rude, I really don't mind if the food is good at a place. The menu is quite extensive and I'd say most entrees would be $12 - $20 a dish. They have all your typical Mexican dishes, but I would recommend getting the Combinacion Sol or Azteca, which gives you the choice of picking 2 or 3 of the traditional items. I ended up getting the Enchiladas and Quesadillas. The enchiladas were so-so, kind of tiny and nothing really spectacular about them, but I've got to say that this place has one of the best quesadillas I've had in a long time. They don't just take two tortillas and smack some cheese and chicken in between. It comes in a corn turnover with actual pulled chicken. The salsa was great too that came with the complimentary chips. I had to knock them down because they can't make dishes spicey, you just have to get spicey sauce on the side. I mean this is Mexican food, spicey should be a staple! The rice and beans that came with the dish were also great, not the usual dry stuff that you usually get. Good portions for the money. Given all that, I just wasn't blown away by the place, and if I really need my Mexican food fix, I'll probably still stick to cheaper Mexican eats like Anna's, Boca, or El Pelon (if they will be back in Fenway area again -- let's hope). PS: I have yet to find a really good Mexican sit-down restaurant in Boston. If anyone has one in mind, please let me know.

    (3)
  • Heidi M.

    Very nice consistent Mexican restaurant with lovely outdoor seating in warmer months. Ethnic, but tasteful, interior decor, i.e., painted tiles, warm colors, dark carved wooden furniture, interesting wall hangings and pottery. You can have the usual tacos, burritos, .... but also full dinner plates of seafood, chicken with various regional sauces. Love their mole and verde sauces. Salsa and chips are good - their salsa tends to be more 'soupy' and not 'chunky' style. Very good guacamole .. nice flan. All around recommend for the solid ethnic experience! Right off the St Mary's 'T' stop in Brookline near Boston city line on Beacon Str. Can walk 5 min from Kenmore Square as well. Easy access from B.U. or Longwood Med Area.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    Good food. Great Sangria. I head to this place often, and I have to say I always leave happy :) Is the summer, outdoor seating is key and the quesadillas that look like hot pockets are a must.

    (4)
  • Dave M.

    Without a doubt one of the best Mexican places I've eaten at on the East Coast, and definitely the best in Boston. I've been eating here for nearly 20 years, and the quality is always high.

    (5)
  • Aunt Selma g.

    The Sangria is great and so are the black bean tostadas! I thought the tostadas were over priced at $13.25 but I took the leftovers home and got another full meal out it, so it was worth it. My friend gets some chicken dish that is very tasty, I can't remember which one. The down side is the margaritas they tasted funny so now I get the sangria and he gets beer. Also the chips and salsa are NOT the best at all.

    (4)
  • D R.

    This place is truly a disappointment. Everything about it makes it seem like it should be great- cool decor, outside patio, good location- but the food sucks! I had to send back nachos... NACHOS... because they were too nasty to be eaten... I mean, how can you mess up nachos?! On top of that, my meal was really greasy and not what I have ever seen enchiladas look like... it is also pricey... All in all, I would suggest going elsewhere for mexican...

    (2)
  • Courtney E.

    Today being CINCO DE MAYO, I thought it was appropriate to go to Sol Azteca for an authentic Mexican meal. While opening hours are usually 5pm, today was open at 1pm for lunch. I ordered the Mole Poblano, which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Out came a plate of chicken breast with too much mole sauce spilling over into my rice and beans. It didn't look particularly appetizing, and unfortunately, the taste didn't make up for it either. All and all, I feel a little polluted. But on a lighter note, the sangria was delicious, though expensive ($4.25 for a small glass and what, no fruit!?) and the vanilla flan was superb. Though, I think I'll stick to El Pelon Taqueria (see my review!) if I want Mexican food.

    (2)
  • carlie m.

    great dinner out. good price. chips were mediocre but housemade salsa was delicious. entrees were great as were the margaritas. go for the fried ice cream for dessert.

    (4)
  • Emily B.

    I must admit that as a Texan I have high standards for Mexican food, but I walked into this place fully prepared to pay a little extra for what I hoped would be at least a decent New England version of enchiladas. I was sadly disapointed. While my margarita was good (not great), my mole enchiladas were barely edible. The chicken was bland and stringy, the mole tasty like sweetened browned ketchup, and the whole thing was lukewarm. Not acceptable for a $14 plate of food. Needless to say, I will not be going back.

    (2)
  • Tim B.

    The food is really good here, and the menu seems quite authentic. It's probably our favorite Mexican restaurant in Boston. The mole sauce is just delicious, and the enchilada dishes are really good. The service is usually poor though, which is surprising since the host staff is friendly and welcoming. We'll be back again for the food!

    (4)
  • Katie B.

    NOT impressed! The service was slow and the prices were ridiculous! $12 for a burrito??? Give me a break. That should be $7 or $8 max. The refried beans were dry and lumpy, the rice was dry and the service was sloooow. The chicken was stringy and tasted like tuna. I've had much better for 1/2 the price. The only reason they get 2 stars is the chips and salsa before the meal were good.

    (2)
  • Bridget D.

    meh it was okay. probably closer to 2.5. we stood in the doorway a while, waiting for a table even though there appeared to be a few empty ones. there were some young lady customers there wearing far too much perfume and it filled my nose with parfum de couers when i really wanted to smell yummy Mexican food scents. The tables were tiled and the chairs were very stiff. There were not many vegetarian options. I got cheese enchiladas and I mean CHEESE! It reminded me of string cheese in its appearance, very tubular. It was heavy. The dishes come with some pickled purple cabbage in addition to beans and rice (which I suspect were not vegi friendly), but the cabbage was unique and tangy. The chips and salsa were decent, for I am a fan of cilantro and it was abundant. We also got the guacamole, which was tasty, but it was 7 bucks for two small scoops on top of a piece of lettuce! Our waiter was nice, but he seemed like he was running the entire section and was a bit overwhelmed. However, it provided my companions and me the leisure time to have a "stimulating" conversation about lame pick up lines. One of the fellas goes with, "I have been wondering...is the Colliseum one of the Seven Wonders of the World?" He thinks it is a winner, I think he is a bit of a tool

    (3)
  • Scott O.

    Sitiing on the patio in summer is a real plus. Pour some sangria and treat yourself to some excellent Mexican food. The food is priced a bit on the high side but it is very good.

    (4)
  • Jordan K.

    I don't know about those 5 star ratings. Maybe I'm spoiled on that Chicago and CA Mexican cuisine, but I was less than thrilled.

    (3)
  • Ashley S.

    I love it! I've been here about 8 times probably and each time I love it just as much. The menu is not very long, but I've gone back to the combination of red and green enchiladas, and I adore them. The beans taste amazing also...can't put my finger on it. Love the margaritas and the chips and salsa. It's a great place to meet up with friends or to go for a romantic dinner.

    (5)
  • E R.

    The last time I had dinner at Sol Azteca was in 1989. I moved away and never had a chance to eat there again until Saturday. And I was not disapointed! There were six of us for dinner (all native Bostonians who, upon hearing where I wanted to eat said "I haven't been there in a long time...can I come?). The mole poblano was everything I remembered and more! And something I've been searching for in my travels. Just the right blend of spices and the perfect thickness of sauce....I'm salivating just thinking of it! The sangria was like a spring night...clean and crisp. The chicken tip & the cactus appetizers would have been a meal in themselves. The flan was dense enough to be considered cheesesteak! A word of caution from my friends who ordered seafish...the scallops were overdone and the shrimp were acutually cut in half and chewy. But overall WE'RE GOING BACK! PS...Saturday nite and the servcie was impeccable.

    (4)
  • Starfish K.

    ugghhh...i always feel like I am the only person in the world who absolutely despises this restaurant. I tried the Newton Centre location...tasteless food, dark and dingy decor. I tried the Fenway location...same thing. Maybe I just like my Mexican food too Americanized, but I am just not a fan. Nothing is spicy enough for me, either!

    (1)
  • krystle j.

    food was good. service was slow, but people were nice. meal costed around 18$ for just an entree and no drinks. okay.

    (3)
  • Jane T.

    I haven't been for a few years, and I might just be a mexican food snob (being from Arizona), but I wasn't as impressed with this place as others seem to be. The food was good, but not great. Even so, the atmosphere is definitely amazing. The outdoor seating is fantastic in the summer, and there are always lots of people there when I walk by.

    (3)
  • Lisa I.

    The food at Sol Azteca was very good, sort of classic Mexican with a few flairs here and there. Sangria = yum. The indoor decor is great: tiled walls with thick, solid wood furniture. I went on a week night, so there was no wait, although I've heard that weekends get very busy and the staff can get a little overwhelmed. They have outdoor seating, so make sure to visit in the warmer months!

    (4)
  • John Z.

    We have been coming back to Sol Azteca for years. I agree with other reviewers that the traditional Mex dishes are just OK, but we love the scallops (callos de hacha) and the strip steak (carne asada). These dishes are outstanding! I also like their version of fajitas. The service is always friendly and efficient, the decor is just right and the salsa is perfect.

    (4)
  • Harold J.

    really authentic, delicious food! it was an illuminating experience for me to have a mexican meal other than burritos or quesadillas. the dishes are so inventive but still classically delicious. chips and salsa are amazing, as is the guacamole. I HIGHLY recommend the black bean soup, served with a dollop of sour cream and a few chopped onions. all the food is minimal and perfect, without too much bite. The main courses come with an interesting cole slaw-type salad, which is really refreshing. Pollo cilantro is something really special, a true find! Enchiladas with chicken are great, and the mole tastes homemade. Skip the cactus salad, but everything else should not disappoint! (also, the blue margarita is great)

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Sol Azteca

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