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Central Mass Gets Serious About Mexican Cuisine

Tacos from La Terraza

We won’t judge if a fast food franchise was your entry point to the finery of Mexican cuisine. We will, however, suggest that central Massachusetts is full of options whenever you’re ready to graduate to something a little more authentic. Read on if you want to taco ‘bout it.

El patron drenched burrito
El Patron drenched burrito

El Patron

Chilaquiles are traditionally served as a morning dish, but they’re sure to hit the spot anytime of day. At El Patron, the Chilaquiles are prepared with corn tortillas sauteed in red or green sauce tossed with sour cream, cheese and chicken. El Patron is a family owned Mexican restaurant in the heart of the Canal District. We recommend the irresistible drenched burrito.

La Terraza Parilla Mexicana

Tacos al Pastor is a Mexican descendent of shawarma. At La Terraza Parilla Mexicana on Park Ave, this dish is prepared with fresh tortillas stuffed with diced pork, grilled pineapple, cilantro and chopped onions. La Terrazza has entered the central Massachusetts dining scene with a simple philosophy of “integrity.”

Tacos Mexico

Jose Zuniga has been hard at work for over a year, doing his part to revive The Greendale Mall with authentic Mexican cuisine. Taco purists come from near and far to enjoy Zuniga’s Tacos Suave at Tacos Mexico in the food court. We suggest spicing things up with the Pico de Gallo, a raw tomato salsa with freshly diced veggies.

Sol of Mexico

Sol of Mexico is known for their house made tortillas which pop up on the menus of many other Mexican restaurants in the area. As a result, the Tacos and Enchiladas are an obvious choice at this Pleasant Street destination, but we also recommend giving the Tamales a try. Corn dough is mixed with broccoli, zucchini, carrot, cilantro, bell pepper, jalapeno, and chayote then topped with sour cream, lettuce, and green or red sauce for a sumptuous bite.

Hacienda Don Juan

Hacienda Don Juan on Main Street is known for their Salvadorian Pupusas, but they also cook up a traditional Mexican Cochinita Pibil that is not to be missed. For this dish, slow roasted pork is marinated in orange juice then served over rice, beans and tortillas. And, don’t forget to order the flan.

Tacos Mexico
Tacos Mexico

Plaza Azteca
Plaza Azteca on Lincoln Street offers tableside guacamole service. Pay close attention if you’re hoping to replicate the process at home. Your personal guacamole guide promises to give new life to avocado, jalapeno, tomato, onion, lime, and cilantro before your very eyes—don’t take our word for it, Worcester Foodies was joined by MassLive to enjoy a #TacoTuesday.

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#TacoTuesday Done Right at Plaza Azteca

Mass Foodies' Worcester Foodies group enjoying Taco Tuesday at Plaza Azteca on Lincoln Street in Worcester, MA

Mass Foodies recently celebrated #TacoTuesday the right way – with large (because why would you ever order the small?) margaritas and tons of delicious Mexican food – at Plaza Azteca on Lincoln Street in Worcester.

This small New England-local chain dishes up fresh Mexican food with all your favorite staples and margaritas so big you could swim in them. After the foodies took over a whole section of the restaurant, they were greeted with a drink menu featuring brightly-colored pictures showing all the varieties of fruity, frozen or otherwise and massive margaritas. If you’re looking for a suggestion, Robyn loved the “amazingly large” strawberry pineapple frozen margarita, though a simple “skinny” margarita pleased many diners just as much.

Writers for Mass Live and Mass Foodies enjoy the table-side guacamole station at Plaza Azteca on Lincoln Street in Worcester, MA.
Writers for Mass Live and Mass Foodies enjoy the table-side guacamole station at Plaza Azteca on Lincoln Street in Worcester, MA.

Patrick said it best: “Always a must try at any Mexican restaurant, the guacamole was a great way to kick off the night.” Plaza Azteca offers tableside-made guacamole that delighted the foodies. Not only was it delicious, but it was fun to watch. Giselle said, as always, it was “fascinating” to watch someone create a dish. The tableside option also pleased those who would prefer guacamole without cilantro, onion or tomato. Some foodies also tried other appetizers including a cheese dip and chicken wings – both a big hit.

The wait staff serving Mexican to the Worcester Foodies group at Plaza Azteca in Worcester, MA.
The wait staff serving Mexican to the Worcester Foodies group at Plaza Azteca in Worcester, MA.

Plaza Azteca’s menu offered plenty of variety and the foodies found huge plates full of favorites. Foodies tried a range of the usual Mexican offerings, including tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and more.

“My go-to Mexican dish is Pork Carnitas and since I do have a favorite in the city, I was a little worried the Carnitas at Plaza Azteca might not meet my expectations. Not only did they meet my expectations, they might actually rival my current favorite. The Carnitas were tender and packed with authentic flavors – a little smoky with a nice char on the ends,” Amy said.

In the kitchen at Plaza Azteca Worcester, preparing the Pina Loca (Grilled Pineapple stuffed with Chicken, Steak, Peppers and Onions in a "al pastor sauce" topped with melted Cheese with a side of white Rice) being cooked.
In the kitchen at Plaza Azteca Worcester, preparing the Pina Loca (Grilled Pineapple stuffed with Chicken, Steak, Peppers and Onions in a “al pastor sauce” topped with melted Cheese with a side of white Rice) being cooked.

Giselle went traditional on #TacoTuesday and ordered the Camarone Tacos. She said they were great and “with a small serving of rice, it was a filling dish.”

Patrick went with the Super Mix Enchilada plate and got to try five different kinds of enchiladas covered in lettuce tomato and cream fresco. “The shredded beef took the cake, but the beans and cheese enchiladas, along with the veggies, were delicious too,” Patrick said.

Dana loved the large portions and said his fajitas were excellent.

Most were too stuffed to try for dessert, but Giselle took one for the team and ordered the Fried Ice Cream for her table.

“The fried ice cream was like biting into a cold bowl of frozen Frosted Flakes. Yummy and completely unexpected,” Giselle said.

All in all, Plaza Azteca is a perfect destination for the next #TacoTuesday!

 

Part two of #TacoTuesday at Plaza Azteca in Worcester: Join us for a dinner conversation with Mass Foodies’ Luke Vaillancourt!

Posted by MassLive.com Worcester on Tuesday, February 21, 2017