Plaza Azteca, a new highly anticipated restaurant serving Mexican cuisine recently opened in Marlton. They currently have locations in eight states along the East Coast with another New Jersey location in Sicklerville, as well as in Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia. This location in Marlton was previously home to Bertucci’s, which closed in 2022.
Plaza Azteca is situated along Route 73, in the front parking lot of 5 Greentree Center Office Building with Mission BBQ. They claim to be “your shortcut to Mexico!” I stopped in for dinner to see what the hype was all about.
As I walked into the restaurant at about 6 p.m., people were crowded at the entrance. I was amazed to see the restaurant packed, with every seat and booth taken. The friendly hostess told me there was a 45-minute wait.
The interior comprises one large open space with a dining room and a huge bar serving drinks. The dining space features table seating with cushioned seating and booths. The decor gives a traditional feel, including colorful custom lamps and greenery hanging overhead from the ceiling, and Mexican skull art on the walls.
When I was seated, the waiter poured me water and handed me a menu, along with chips and salsa. I was overwhelmed with the number of options there were to choose from. The menu has everything from fajitas, tacos, and burritos to enchiladas, salads, quesadillas, fried rice, and multiple meat/vegetarian/seafood options. The drink menu also has a wide selection, including various flights, where you get the four seasonal flavors of the drink. I decided to order the Tableside Guacamole ($15) for my appetizer and the Chicken Tacos Al Pastor ($18) for my entree. I ordered the Virgin Margarita Flight ($38) for my drink.
Within a few minutes of ordering, a cart arrived at my table with all of the ingredients for the guacamole. The employee first scooped out the avocado quickly, then asked me how much salt, onion, garlic, tomato, or cilantro I would like in it while squeezing the limes all into a bowl. She then mashed all of it together and served it with an unlimited supply of tortilla chips. Customizing the amount of ingredients is nice, considering people have many different preferences. The guacamole gave aspects of citrusy flavor and a nice creamy texture. This guacamole is a must-have for someone who likes a fun experience and some good guac.
The drinks took quite a while to come out, but they were worth the wait. The four seasonal flavors were blood orange, coconut, lime, and strawberry. All of the drinks were craftily made and placed onto an elevated glass holder. Each of them is artfully decorated with either fruit, candy, or edible adornments. I appreciated the effort they put into making them. The drinks tasted just as good, and if not better than they looked, having sweet, sour, and tropical flavors that complement each other well.
Right as I finished my drinks, the Chicken Tacos Al Pastor arrived at my table, served with a generous portion of Mexican rice and beans. The tacos come in three corn tortillas, containing pulled chicken marinated in an al pastor sauce, topped with chopped pineapple, diced onion, and fresh cilantro. With my first bite, I tasted the sweet juicy pineapple, perfectly complementing the savory, mildly spicy marinade. The crunchy onions and cilantro offered a refreshing contrast to the rest of the soft, juicy chicken, rounding out the dish. The Tacos Al Pastor is perfect for anyone who loves a balance of sweet and savory flavors or enjoys a mild kick of spice.
Plaza Azteca’s delicious food and fun drinks will make them a popular dining destination in the area, especially because of the closings of the popular nearby Mexican Food Factory and Jose Tejas. Overall, Plaza Azteca is an amazing restaurant for lunch or dinner, with a great environment, providing authentic Mexican cuisine for all diners.