Amuleyo Mexican Table is a renowned restaurant located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The restaurant specializes in presenting authentic Mexican cuisine in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. With its unique blend of flavors and traditional recipes, Amuleyo Mexican Table has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking an elevated dining experience. The restaurant's menu showcases a wide range of Mexican dishes, from classic favorites like tacos and enchiladas to lesser-known regional specialties. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, ensuring an authentic and flavorful dining experience. Whether it's the tender braised meats, homemade salsas, or freshly made tortillas, every detail is carefully considered to provide guests with an exceptional meal.
Whether it's the tender braised meats, homemade salsas, or freshly made tortillas, every detail is carefully considered to provide guests with an exceptional meal. Aside from its delicious food, Amuleyo Mexican Table also prides itself on its warm and inviting atmosphere. The interior is beautifully decorated, with vibrant colors, artwork, and rustic accents that create an atmosphere reminiscent of a Mexican hacienda.
Amuleyo mexican table waltham
Maybe it’s ironic, or divine intervention that I had a review of a newish Mexican place scheduled for the blog this week. If you don’t already have plans for Cinco de Mayo that falls next week, you may want to try to book a table at Amuleto Mexican Table in Waltham, Massachusetts to celebrate.
Located on Moody Street, Amuleto opened just last August. I visited with 3 of my friends a few weeks ago to celebrate the end of paddle season. Let me tell you about it.
Amuleto serves dishes representing the diversity of Mexican cuisine. Chef Carlos Durazo hails from Sonora in the northern part of Mexico while one of Amuleto’s owners is from Oaxaca in the south. The general manager is from Baja in California. Looking at a map, that’s a lot of culinary ground to cover so as a result, the menu is quite broad. I had a chance to chat with Chef Carlos at the end of our evening and he told me that he aims to incorporate the influences of the northern and middle sections of Mexico largely, keeping his dishes as authentic as possible. Chef’s family owns a restaurant in Mexico and he has been in the States for 10 years including a stint at Harvest, after working in his native country for 15. The menu is completely gluten free and fresh corn tortillas are made daily.
Amuleto is not a big place, seating about 54 at tables and tapestry covered banquettes. There is also ample seating at the bar…
And this cozy little nook that I’d like to grab on our next visit. Yes, there will be a next time…
Amuleto’s extensive cocktail menu features a host of creative margaritas, tequilas, sangrias and beers. It also highlights the Oaxacan specialty, Mezcal, a smoky spirit that you may or may not like on first try. One of my friends ordered a cocktail with mezcal and was not wild for its flavor so our server happily swapped it out for something else. Here’s what we did order, all of which were delicious…
Don Julio Margarita (tequila, cointreau, lime) Red and White Sangria Paloma (tequila, grapefruit soda)
The menu at Amuleto is extensive and we only put a small dent into the offerings. Cold and hot appetizers range from cauliflower ceviche ($7) and traditional fish ceviche ($12) to chicken-tortilla soup ($8) and chargrilled octopus ($14). Tacos range from $8-13 and are filled with a variety of ingredients including roasted vegetables, adobo roasted pork, grilled chicken or steak, shrimp, braised short ribs and sauteed mushrooms. Enchiladas ($17-19) can be filled with chicken, shrimp or roasted vegetables and topped with a Verde (green), Roja (red) or Mole sauce. There are also Main Course dishes that allow the kitchen to use its complex seasonings and sauces to dress up salmon, pork tenderloin and strip steak among others. Salmon al Pastor looked particularly appealing as grilled salmon was paired with a tomatillo sauce, sauteed kale, pineapple and Mexican rice for $24. Salads and sides are also available.
We started with an order of Amuleto’s classic guacamole and house made corn tortilla chips. The guacamole was bright and a little spicy while the chips were crispy throughout and had just a perfect amount of salt…
After some coaxing, our server Epi was very engaging. He guided us through the menu and shared with us some details about the restaurant and the cuisine of his native Mexico. We decided to attack the menu by ordering a few appetizers, a few tacos and one order of enchiladas to share. There was more than enough food and we left feeling very satisfied.
Elote de la Calle or charred corn was topped with cotija cheese and chile powder. This traditional dish was delicious and I can only imagine how it will taste with summer corn. This has been on my list to make and I am going to give it a try once corn season hits…
We also ordered Baby Back Ribs. Rubbed with agave nectar, and finished with a lime glaze that was seasoned with some chipotle peppers, the ribs were tender and falling off the bone. They had great flavor and just the right balance of sweet, smoky and spice…
For our tacos, we ordered the herb garlic roasted vegetable version that was served with a green chile sauce. I have to say that we thought this one was a little unremarkable. It was perfectly lovely in concept, but the flavors were a little flat…
We also ordered the taco special which was a fried cod served with some onion, a pico de gallo and a slaw. I just love fish tacos and these did not disappoint. The fish was fried, but was not heavy and the toppings provided a nice brightness and crunch to the taco. There is a grilled fish taco on the regular menu so I am sure that would be a good substitute for this version…
Finally, one of my friends really wanted to try the mole sauce so we ordered chicken enchiladas that were covered with it! Epi explained that there are perhaps as many as 300 variations of mole in the complex Mexican cuisine and this was just one example. The traditional ingredients are cocoa powder, nuts, spices and dried peppers but there are probably 25-30 ingredients in total. We enjoyed this dish very much although the saucing was a little heavy. The flavor of the mole is so complex and is unlike other Mexican sauces as you would know them. A little bittersweet from the cocoa powder, smoky from the spices and hearty from the peppers and nuts. I think you should give it a try…
Another view of the bar…
And of the kitchen…
There are only 3 desserts on the menu and we ordered 2 of them. First up was Arroz con Leche or Rice Pudding Brulee. Fantastic, even if you don’t think you like rice pudding, you will like this dessert…
We also ordered Pudin de Chocolate Mexicano or Mexican Chocolate Pudding! You know me, I haven’t met many chocolate desserts that I don’t like. This wasn’t a universal favorite at the table, but I loved it just the same…
On our way out, I noticed Amuleto’s little herb garden…
Overall, we had a very nice dining experience at Amuleto and I am definitely planning to return. Reasonably priced, lots of variety including many options for vegetarians and those who need gluten-free choices, Amuleto is a great choice for your next exploration of Mexican cuisine. If you can, come with a smallish group (4-6) so you can try as many items as possible and experience the range of flavors showcased by the menu. And ask for Epi!
PS – if you’re wondering what Amuleto means, it is Spanish for amulet which Epi explained to us by showing the one he wears around his neck for protection!
PS – bonus recommendation this week since it will be Cinco de Mayo before we meet again. If you are looking for a place to go for some Mexican “street food” on the quick, check out La Victoria Taqueria.
See you next week!
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We also ordered the taco special which was a fried cod served with some onion, a pico de gallo and a slaw. I just love fish tacos and these did not disappoint. The fish was fried, but was not heavy and the toppings provided a nice brightness and crunch to the taco. There is a grilled fish taco on the regular menu so I am sure that would be a good substitute for this version…
The friendly and attentive staff adds to the welcoming ambiance, providing excellent service to ensure a memorable dining experience for every guest. In addition to its dine-in services, Amuleyo Mexican table also offers takeout and catering options, allowing guests to enjoy their favorite Mexican dishes in the comfort of their own homes or at special events. The restaurant is committed to providing high-quality food and service, no matter the occasion. Amuleyo Mexican Table has successfully established itself as a go-to destination for Mexican cuisine in Waltham. Through its dedication to serving authentic dishes, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and providing exceptional service, the restaurant has become a favorite among locals and a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a taste of Mexico in Massachusetts..
Reviews for "Authentic Mexican Flavors Come Alive at Amuleyo Mexican Table in Waltham"
- John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with my experience at Amuleyo Mexican Table. The service was slow and the staff seemed uninterested in helping us. The food was also mediocre at best. The tacos were bland and lacked the authentic flavors I was expecting. Overall, I would not recommend this place for an authentic Mexican dining experience.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Amuleyo Mexican Table but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The portion sizes were small and overpriced for what we received. The guacamole lacked flavor and the salsa was watery. The atmosphere was also lacking, with loud music and a crowded space. I was really hoping for a more authentic experience, but I left feeling unimpressed.
- Mike - 1 star - My experience at Amuleyo Mexican Table was truly disappointing. The service was incredibly slow and disorganized. It took forever for our food to arrive, and when it did, it was cold. The margaritas were watered down and lacked any real flavor. The prices were also quite high for what we received. I had high hopes for this place, but it fell short in every aspect. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality Mexican meal.