Check Out The New Azteca D’Oro Mexican Restaurant!

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

Congratulations to co-owners Victor and Armando Ramos of the ninth familyowned location of Azteca D’Oro, in the space previously occupied by Cantina Laredo in the Shops at Wiregrass.

Azteca Wesley Chapel opened on June 19 and hosted an incredible Grand Opening event the weekend of June 24-25, with a mariachi band and dancers all in traditional Mexican garb — and Victor says that the mariachis will play “every Thursday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.”

However, while the mariachis are always fun and the completely revamped restaurant — which features not only outdoor seating, but seats both inside and out at the extralarge bar — is beautiful, without great food, it would all mean next to nothing.

But, while Azteca D’Oro definitely isn’t an inexpensive place to eat, the food options include such upscale authentic entrées as borrego (marinated, seasoned and baked lamb shank) and mol cajete (steak, chicken, chorizo sausage and shrimp over onions and green peppers in a mildly spicy sauce), plus favorites like the thickest-ever chicken-stuffed of which my favorites were the pork carnitas fajitas, and a huge menu of other authentic specialties for lunch and dinner, including deli cious tableside-made guacamole finished with real bacon.

And, do not miss the caramel-stuffed churros and ice cream (photo on previous page) for dessert!

The ultra-premium bar features many up scale tequilas and mezcals, as well as a unique margarita flight of four different favorites, plus specialty cocktails like the Mexican classic Paloma (José Cuervo Tradicional Reposado tequila, fresh lime & Squirt grapefruit soda).

Azteca D’Oro (2000 Piazza Ave., Unit 170) is open every day for lunch & dinner.