Azteca: A Great Place to Eat Mexican!

It always pleases me in my travels when I stumble upon a restaurant that serves really delicious and authentic ethnic fare. And I was especially happy to find Azteca, in Mount Kisco, New York, just a short trip from my home. This small Mexican eatery and adjoining grocery store offers great homemade food with friendly service and fun ambiance. I love going there for a quick bite after a movie or for a casual lunch. Laura and Eliad went there recently to discuss the blog.

Azteca Restaurant at 125 E. Main Street in Mount Kisco, New York:

A fun, diverse, and colorful menu:

Tortilla chips and salsa -- both are homemade:

Healthy and refreshing carrot-and-orange juice:

Guacamole is prepared at tableside using a traditional Mexican molcajete made from lava rock:

Tasty guacamole made with plenty of fresh cilantro and lime juice:

 A fresh corn taco with lengua (tongue):

Quesadillas filled with Mexican cheese. The tortillas are made there and are tender and tasty:

A platter of chicken enchiladas with salsa verde -- simply superb!

A nice selection of Mexican beer:

Some of the hand-painted artwork on the walls:

 The jukebox features all the latest Mexican hits:

A television plays Mexican soap operas:

Comments

[Kathy]

Azteca does sound like a fun ambiance. Laura and Eliad must have enjoyed it. His photographs of the tortilla chips and salsa, the juices, and the guacamole as well as the tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas are wonderful and make me hungry for some, too!
Kathy

[Andrea Spencer]

Good Morning!

How pleasant to see the array!
I hope you had a WONDERFUL time!

Interestingly odd also - I'm about to host a meeting this morning to propose a Mexican Exposition on our old Crane Farm Indian countryside. It will honor the advanced civilization of the Aztec empire.

The finest of foods will be primary entertainment and my partner in planning is J. Bar-David, project agent to B&S!

Lots happening in 08. Hope to keep MSLO tuned in to the Wolf Trap designs we are creating on Spencer Estates in Massachusetts, much in personal memory of dear acquaintance, Catherine Filene Shouse.

'near the crane'
Andrea and the Weimaraners

[Linda]

Such a pretty decorated place to eat. The photos made me so hungry.
We dont have even a taco bell in my small town.

[PAULINE MUCCIACCIO]

I remember the first time I ate authentic Mexican food. It was quite a number of years ago, when attending a bridal shower, in NYC.
Of all the things I had I couldn't get enough of the guacamole. I just kept going back, for more!
Pauline Mucciaccio

[Randi]

Looks so yummy!! I live in a Culinary Wasteland totally devoid of anything Mexican or Latin American. I had a plethora of choice when I lived in California and I miss that cuisine so much. If I want it now, I have to make it myself!!

[Margie]

Laura and Eliad,
I am so happy and excited for you. What a treat to go to a neat place to eat AND discuss the blog. It is a fun and stimulating blog--you know? I am sure you had a productive and enjoyable "power lunch". Carry on with the good (great) work.

[Trish]

You can't go wrong with Mexican food and I'm sure many will appreciate having the address of Azteca that you provided. I don't believe our restaurant has a carrot/orange juice drink on the menu. Maybe I'll suggest it. Thanks for bringing more of New York to us. Trish

[Kim Wylie]

I was lucky enough to find a roadside produce shop with a diverse Mexican grocery section. I can't wait to figure out what to make with some of the ingredients I'm not as familiar with.

One question: does anyone know what the white cheese sauce is that you only seem to find at Mexican restaurants?? I've always wondered, and I am absolutely obsessed with the stuff!

[Elaine]

It's great to see that you can get authentic Mexican food in New Year. The restaurant looks like so many Mexican restaurants that we have here in California. You are so lucky as the food I'm sure is as tasty as it looks!

[Dayami]

Hi Martha,
I love Mexican food as well, especially "huevos rancheros".
I own a few Talavera pieces that I keep in a china in my home here in Miami.
Thanks for posting pictures.
Dayami

[Donna]

It does look fairly authentic - especially for New York!

Enchiladas need red chili sauce, however. I had to learn how to make it after I moved from Arizona because it has *tomatoes* in it here in Colorado. A clue: it is red because it is made from red chili, NOT because it has tomatoes in it!

That guacamole looks good, too. I like it best if it doesn't have a lot of other things in it - just avocado, salt, lime juice YUMMY!

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Laura & Eliad, What a colorful and delicious looking blog! I'll bet you had a great trip and a wonderful lunch in preparation for this fantastic blog. We have a chain of Azteca Mexican Reataurants in the Puget Sound area and I love to eat there as often as possible. You guys are doing a terrific job! Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[bpfster]

It sounds just like a small Mexican restaurant we have here in Ohio. It is one of my favorite places to eat. I hope you enjoyed your lunch.

[Heidi - Botanical PaperWorks]

Whoah - this food looks amazing. Coming from the chilly Prairies of Canada, some warm, spicy, delicious Mexican food would be perfect right around now!

[Claudine]

oh nummy! I love Mexican food and tableside guacamole, what could be better! Looks like a nice spot for lunch!
Claudine

[Make and Takes]

Oooooo, that guacamole looks fabulous and how fun to have it made fresh for you right there. Also, the quesadillas look mouthwatering. Yummy post. I may have to go buy some avocados right now and prepare my own dip.

[Sylvia]

Great blog, Martha. Always fun & interesting to read!

[Marcella]

Dear Trish, the white cheese sauce used in Mexican cooking is called "queso crema." It's similar to sour cream but thicker and not as tart. You can usually find it in latin-food stores or some large-chain supermarkets.

[Robin Holtson]

Do you think they would share their recipe for the carrot & orange juice?

[Debbie Borger]

I disagree with the comment that enchiladas have to have "red sauce". My best friend, Robin, makes the BEST chicken enchiladas with salsa verde aka green sauce!

[Andrea]

I also disagree about the green enchiladas. I am Mexican and grew up in the southwest. Green enchiladas are quite authentic. Especially in the southwest where green chili is grown so beautifully. Red are also common, and you are right they absolutely do NOT have tomatoes. Also guacamole SHOULD have stuff in it like onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and tomatoes. That is authentic. P.S Azteca looks amazing!

[Beth]

Oh wow...just looking at those photos is making my tummy rumble! Just moved to Maryland from California and am missing the awesome authentic Mexican food available so abundantly on the left coast. Sigh. Lucky you!

[jai]

It's good to know that you love simple taqueria food... is the best.... just had leftovers for lunch from my favorite place here in Portland. I've eaten it all over this country. A recent find was at a place in San Antonio that makes the best tortillas I've ever eaten. Big, fat, fluffy, and so good. It's the Tejas Cafe in north San Antonio.... if you are ever there, you have to try it.... everything was stellar, and breakfast tacos were a buck 85 a piece. Too big to eat two...

[Mariel Morris]

That's so funny! I live a few miles away from Mount Kisco, but yet have never tried! Thanks Martha for bringing this lovely establishment to my attention. I look forward to eating there next time I have the urge for Mexican!

PS... Guadalajara is also very good... in Sleepy Hollow by the country club :)

Mariel :)

[betg]

I would have been a nervous wreck making guacamole in front of you Martha! :-)