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The Maumelle dining scene isn’t exactly booming with local options. I think most residents would even agree that while the community just across the river from Little Rock has its fair share of chain restaurants, the mom-and-pop spots are few and far between.
Well, good news, you can now add Taqueria Azteca to the list of quality Maumelle dining establishments.
I found that out a few weeks ago during a quick, lunchtime pop-in with a few friends. The taqueria is easy to find, located on Crystal Hill Road, just off the main drag of Maumelle Boulevard. I hate to use a chain restaurant as comparison, but Taqueria Azteca’s walk-through, pick-your-items-behind-glass layout will remind you of Chipotle.
That is where the similarities between the two restaurants begin and end.
Azteca’s physical menu hangs front and center over the food bar. It is broken into three sequential sections: “Pick It” (Street Tacos, Super Burrito, Super Nachos, Tostadas, Quesadilla, and Torta), “Fill It” (thirteen options, including carne asada, shredded chicken, al pastor, carnitas, and chile verde), and “Top It” (add-ons like cilantro, onions, hot sauce, and green tomatillo sauce). Believe me, you will want to give the menu a quick scan before jumping in line.
I opted for the 3-taco combo plate and went with one each of the carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor, all on flour tortillas. The pastor, with chunks of tender pork and sweet pineapple, was particularly satisfying, as was the accompanying, pulverized mixture of cilantro and fresh onion, along with the tart tomatillo salsa. Each plate also comes with rice and beans, the latter of which was rich and flavorful, but with a thinner consistency than I typically prefer.
At Azteca, the line moves fast, so you will be at a table chowing down within minutes, a true perk to folks with limited time for lunch. The food also travels well, as I found out later when my daughters gave me a big thumbs-up on the Asada Super Burrito to-go order.
Is Taqueria Azteca destination Mexican food? No. There are ten comparable taquerias within fifteen minutes of my house in Little Rock. We are fortunate to have a plethora of offerings in the area. But if I lived in Maumelle, I would be doing cartwheels for its addition to my dining scene. The food, setting, and service are all quality and the prices are affordable. Azteca is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and an ideal take-out option to feed the family.
Congrats, Maumelle.
Did You Know?
Along with the taco plate, Azteca’s menu also includes various combinations of plates, family packets, and salad bowls, along with side items like cheese dip and pork tamales. Taqueria Azteca has a second location–one that’s been there for many years–in Benton.
Two Locations
13503 Crystal Hill Rd (Maumelle)
Phone: 501-800-1088
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Closed Sunday
1526 AR-5N (Benton)
Phone: 501-794-1487
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Sunday
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2 responses to “Taqueria Azteca Adds to the Maumelle Dining Scene”
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Nice article except for one tiny detail.
This restaurant is not in Maumelle. It is in North Little Rock.
[…] tacos, and more tacos. While I am not overly optimistic on the refried beans and rice, Azteca, with locations in Bryant and Maumelle, really excel at tacos. The heavy hand of raw onion and […]