Sol Azteka brings Mexican food and culture to Newton

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Sol Azteka recently opened in Newton and is offering an extensive menu as well as a great atmosphere. The restaurant's focus is to celebrate the Mexican and American cultures. Its brightly color and welcoming atmosphere bring a little bit of Mexico right to the heart of Newton, at 280 Spring Street.
“It is very different to the rest of the Mexican restaurants around because we can have different atmospheres in accordance with your desires or needs,” said owner Raul Gonzalez. “We have an indoor playground for the kids or families, a party room for big tables and an area where couples can enjoy a romantic dinner. There is also a gift shop for clients if you want to buy any Mexican souvenirs.”
Gonzalez added, “In addition, our menu includes a variety for everyone (meat, seafood, veggies, hamburgers, ribs, mac and cheese, French fries, etc). We have plenty or parking space and also cultural activities to celebrate important Mexican and American holidays (Independence day (9/15); Halloween, Day of the Dead (11/1), Thanksgiving (11/30), Posadas (before Christmas), and more. We want to explain to our customers and the community some of Mexican traditions combined with good food and service. Our customers become part of our family.”
Gonzalez was born and raised in Mexico City. He was transferred from Mexico to work for BASF, a chemical company in Mount Olive, 18 years ago . Gonzalez lives in Rockaway, New Jersey, in White Meadow. He does not have restaurant experience but said, “I love food and know the type of service that I like to receive, so that is my background. I provide to my customers the quality in service and food that I like to have.”
Sol Azteka came into being after Gonzalez got laid off at the end of April 2017.
“Since it was the second time that I went through this, I decided to start a restaurant and thought that Newton would be a good location to do that. On Monday May first, we drove to the town and start looking for places to rent. Luckily the first one that we saw was the (then) It’z a Buffett local and we knew that was the perfect place for our project. It has everything that we need, a place for a gift shop, party room and playground for kids. We can not ask for more. We started the project in May but were able to open our doors as a soft opening on August first.”
For special celebrations Sol Azteka offers a buffet, but in general it is waiter/waitress service.
“We are friendly to everyone and all people are treated with a lot of respect and courtesy.,” Gonzalez said. “The playground area makes a perfect ambiance for families with kids. Our customers love the salsas and chips (home made); the Guacamole, Molcajete, Sol Azteka fajitas, Mint Lemonade, Hibiscus ice tea (Agua de Jamaica), Flan and Pastel de 3 Leches. We make everything fresh and from scratch.”
Coming up on October 28th and 29th Sol Azteka will celebrate Halloween and Day of Dead with a buffet and piñatas and people are invited to wear costumes. The best one will get a prize. Sol Azteka does catering for any kind of events and budgets, and it is BYOB.
“We are in the process or purchasing an auto for deliveries and are open 7 days a week,” Gonzalez said.
Hours are: Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM; Friday and Saturdays 11 AM to 9:30 PM and Sundays 11 AM to 8:00 PM. On-line ordering is available at: www.solazteka.com/, and pick up starts at 1:30 pm daily. The party room can host up to 60 people and the entire restaurant is available to rent out to host holiday parties or meetings For these different types of food can be served including Italian, sandwiches, salads and international foods. For catering or special event inquiries, contact Gustavo Franco at 973-352-0130 or by e-mailing events@solazteka.com.
For starters, Sol Azteka offers mussels (sweet, hot or white sauce), guacamole with chips, empanadas, Mexican chicken wings, cancun flautas, beef, Carnitas, shrimp or veggie quesadillas, nachos (beef or chicken), chili with French fries, Azteka Champignon, Tostadas, Chorizo con Queso, Mexican City Platter (Special to share), Tampico Shrimp, and Coctel de Carnarones. When it comes to salads, among their offings are chicken or beef taco salad, Fajita Salad, Texas Buffalo Salad, Mexican Caesar Salad, or a Tropical Salad. For “Tacos and More” Sol Azteka has burritos, beef or chicken chimichanga, tacos, Enchiladas Rancheras, Mexican Torta, Cheeseburgers, Chili burgers, and a Cazumel burger. The “A La Carete” selections include Molcajete (for two people), Sol Azteka Fajitas (for two people), Fajitas, Chicken Mi Tierra, Mariachi Skirt Steak, New York Steak and Azteka BBQ ribs. Seafood offerings are: Mariscada Acapulco, Paella Mexicana, Veracruz Salmon and Mesquite Mahi Mahi. Camarones Al Tequila, and Camarones a la Diabla. Side dishes include: hamburger, tacos, quesadillas, chicken fingers, pizza, and mac and cheese. For dessert, check out the cheese cake, deep fried ice cream, tropical breeze (ice cream served on natural shells), chocolate lava cake, chimichangas, or the Azteka Churros. There are fountain sodas available as well as tea and coffee, orange juice, Agua de Horchata, Agua de Jamaica, Sol Azteka Limonade, and smoothies.
“We are Sol Azteka, a restaurant that combines the best of the traditions and culture of two countries through our dishes dedicated to pampering our customers' palate, through the good seasoning and innovation of our food, using local and Mexican products,” Gonzalez said. “The warm and personalized attention provided by our team and the price-quality are some of the most important values that make Sol Azteka a place to visit. We looking forward to seing you soon.”