El Sol Azteca

Came here yesterday around 3pm. Beside me and my friend, there was one other table so obviously there wasn’t a wait. Upon being seated, we were given chips and salsa. The menu is not as organized as it can be; my friend had troubles finding the dishes he was craving because the layout of the menu made no sense to us.
I ended up ordering just a side of Mexican rice. For $ 3.50, I thought the portion size was decent. My friend got the arroz con pollo, which was pretty good. It came with a good amount of food.
Our waitress wasn’t the greatest. She seemed bored and when it came to paying for our bill, she was no where to be found. We ended up waiting for 20 minutes before she came back for the bill. Her lack of enthusiasm was apparent, which annoyed us a little. She didn’t even have to wait on the other table because it was given to another waitress.
Overall, El Sol is just average. Nothing special to me. I’ll probably be back only because it is the closest Mexican restaurant to my house.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. I was in a group of 10 and the waitress was very attentive.
Where the 3 stars come from is the food. Their salsa, chips and white queso were delicious. I ordered the beef fajitas and the beef was tough. In addition. The guacamole tasted like it had been made a day or two earlier.
I hope the chef reads this review and makes adjustments.

Great food and drinks! I go on a regular basis and am never disappointed. Highly recommend

I had really liked this place as they had (I thought) pretty decent Mexican food. But, found out they leave alot to be desired in the cleanliness department which is a total turnoff.
My friend and I were there last weekend and we were sitting in a booth (directly on the other side of the wall from where you enter). I had dropped my eyeglasses under the table and both my friend and I were looking under the table and couldn’t believe the filth that had accumulated under the table from dirty napkins, chunks of food, etc. Had I known that was there to begin with my friend and I would have left because it was obvious from the copious amount of garbage under the table it had probably been days since it had been cleaned (if ever).
Not only is it very unsanitary but I’m sure there would have to be a vermin problem plus that makes me wonder what the condition is of their kitchen.
Anyway, food is not the only thing I judge a restaurant by but that place needs a top-​down scrubbing and management needs to get on the ball and look this restaurant over «every» night before they close to make sure it’s been cleaned before the staff leaves.
Big YUCK.

I love Mexican/​Tex Mex food and unfortunately the NoVa area lacks in this department. Typically the food is too bland for me. The food isn’t the greatest I’ve had but it stands above the other Mexican/​Tex Mex restaurants in the area.

Came here for lunch! Service was great and steak and chicken fajitas were very yummy. Appetizer was yummy too… I just can’t remember the name of it. The only thing I would recommend that kept me from giving it 5 stars was that we went their during lunch time and the food took a VERY long time which isn’t ideal for lunch.
Can’t wait to go back and try margarita’s there!

Finding GOOD Mexican food is hard. Semi-​cheese-​food drenched grade C meat with starchy tortillas and stale chips is all too common in Northern Virginia. Sol provides awesome food, great cocktails, and great service. The dining room looks great, and their lunch specials are a great value. Big fan.

We go back on regular basis. One of my favorite Mexican in Ashburn area.
Excellent service, good taste, very nice environment. Ny favorite good is fajita, fresh guacamole and chips+salsa.

I really enjoy this place. Margaritas are generous on the tequila and that’s good with me!

Been here several times and love it. I have never found a tortilla soup I love! Until now!!! This place is great and has awesome Margaritas! The service is decent and always pretty hopin!

Happy to say this place was really good! The enchilada sauce was the best I have had at a restaurant, maybe ever. It is definitely the best Mexican I have tried since moving to VA. I was giving up hope of finding a decent restaurant here. The service was just ok, but I think our server was just young and very inexperienced.

Food is gross and service was even worse. Don’t waste your time here. Everything is bad. Waited a long time for a cramped table and handed dirty sticky menus. Yuck. Will never be back!

Memo was an awesome waiter. Friendly and efficient — love this place. The margaritas are cold, awesome and plentiful. The food was hot and tasty! With two balconies to sit outside, there is always terrific scenery. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Must add to your dining locations!

4 stars! I visited here on a friday afternoon around 3:30pm. There were a few other customers but it wasn’t crowded. I have had mexican food all over the USA and even in Mexico. Of course this wasn’t quite as authentic as being in Mexico (or even southwest USA); however, it was prerty darn good and tasted fresh and house made.
My girlfriend had fish tacos and I had enchiladas (one chicken, one beef, one bean). We also had a frozen jumbo size frozen strawberry margherita and a standard size margarita on the rocks. Everything was well portioned and very tasty! Their free chips and salsa was also more than acceptable.
Service was fast and courteous. Décor in the restaurant was very nice and inviting as well! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that’s in the area!

Hands down my favorite Mexican place in the area. I moved away from Ashburn but will often drive 30+ minutes to come here. The white chip sauce is to DIE for and I don’t even know what’s in it! Drinks are good and food is typically hot, fast and delicious. 4 stars only because service can be hit or miss. More often than not, I’ve had wonderful, very attentive service. However a few times, especially when it’s very busy (which it can definitely be on a weekend night), service has been mediocre.
If you’re looking for great food in an awesomely decorated atmosphere, go to El Sol Azteca!

This place is one of the worst restaurants I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing. I know when from living in San Antonio for 5 years I’ve been spoiled when it comes to Mexican food but the stuff served at El Sol Azteca would not be considered food at all in Texas. I guess they stay in business because people in NOVA don’t know what Mexican food is or what it should taste like. To top off the horrible food I had to get up and find some napkins since asking for them left me napkin-​less for 15 – 20 minutes. I don’t think the waiter came by more than once. My wife went to find the manager to complain and get our check. She complained in Spanish thinking it would be more considerate since most of the patrons probably would not understand but the manger decided to answer in English and his answer was basically «I don’t care.»
I would them as such. Food = half a star (trying to be nice) Service = minus 5 stars and Management minus 10 stars.
Don’t waste your time and money at El Sol Azteca go to Taco Bell.

The food was subpar, chips n salsa was so-​so and the wife and I shared fajitas tex (shrimp/​chick/​steak) for two. The steak must have been flank steak very tough, chicken was ok. kinda plain –and the shrimp was not cooked completely. The veggies in the fajita was onions and peppers, no mushrooms or other veggies. I got 1 teaspoon of sour cream. really?
My wife’s organic Marg was horrible. Thank God I got beer.
Won’t be back.

Bright, fun, vibrant environment with excellent food although service has been sub-​par on multiple visits. Wait times for food are always long, and it seems like the kitchen is backed up even when the restaurant’s empty.
However, when the food (finally) comes, it is always good. My parents swear the carnitas here are the best they ever had. The fish tacos, massive burritos, and lamb fajitas are all delicious. Try the queso fundido, or pretty much anything with their chorizo — really great flavor.
One of the better options for Mexican in Ashburn. Impossible to leave with an empty stomach!

***3.5***
Being that this was on my Bookmarked list I just had to try it. So One Saturday evening I decided to give this place a shot.
Not sure of the exact time I arrived but whatever time it was I didn’t beat there dinner rush, so after asking the hostess how long the wait would be, I was informed it would be 15 — 20 minutes (which seems to be a restaurant standard even if it doesn’t always hold true).
Once I arrived to my table it took sometime because of how packed this pace was but my waitress finally came to table to take my drink and meal order if I was ready. I decided I would just sick with water this day and I ordered a Taco Salad Fajita.
When Mr food order finally arrived I was quite shocked at how big my Taco Salaf Fajita was I mean couldn’t really finish it all. I personally thought the Taco Salad was quite good.
Overall my experience was good. I don’t feel as though the Taco Salad Fajita was the best meal item to give any real food feedback (simply because you shouldn’t reallybe ableto mess that up) thus the reason for my just above average rating. However, I do plan on going back again and maybe this time order a food item more review worthy.

If I were to give El Sol Azteca a rating on the food alone it’d easily be four stars. The food is tasty, more than reasonably priced and the portions are generous. Not to mention the complimentary chips. Seriously, SERIOUSLY addictive. Add in some queso dip and… well, yeah. Let’s just say don’t get in my way or you may lose a finger.
The restaurant itself is beautiful, with carved wood, painted designs and a unique flair that really makes it stand out. You can tell a lot of work and love went into the décor the moment you walk in the door. It’s gorgeous. But that’s also El Sol Azteca’s downfall.
Look around, and the lack of upkeep becomes apparent. The pleather seats are cracking, breaking apart. Years worth of dust lines the blinds. The uniquely painted chairs and décor is fading and chipped. The walls have been drawn on by kids (why, parents? WHY?). The signs and specials to advertise events and specials seem hastily cobbled together with no care towards design, and in a restaurant with a such an artistic flair it’s glaringly standoutish.
The lack of care over the years does El Sol Azteca a great disservice because the food is great. Burrito grande with chicken? Smash it into my face and sing me the song of my people! It’s incredible! It feels like El Sol Azteca had a fantastic launch with a lot of a love and a great vision, but the lack of care and weathering is hard not to notice. It’s not worn in a rustic way, just one that speaks of neglect.
The food is on the mark, but you can’t help but wonder what happened to it along the way.