I got a 10 for 20 livingsocial voucher and decided to give it a try. Went around 3pm on Friday for an early dinner/late lunch type of thing with one other person. Large amount of people at the bar, but hey it's a Friday and there are a lot of businesses around so I guess that's to be expected. They were surprisingly loud though.
Anyway, free chips- yay! Weird watery salsa that tastes like tomato sauce- boo!
Both of the entrees we received were not good. Pretty much everything was either bland, mediocre or just tasted bad. A lot of meat in the in the entrees but really didn't even want it. The waitstaff was nice though.
I guess I basically echo many of the other reviews that say this place is just not worth going to (unless it's just for drinks it appears but I can't attest to that). With so many other options around that are actually cheaper and SOOOOOOOO much better (Howling Wolf in Salem and Border Cafe on route one are two that I think are good).
I wouldn't even buy another livingsocial voucher to go back. And I am super cheap.
I am hospitality professional--my family has owned restaurants and catering companies, and let me make this clear-- plain and simple, this place stinks! Â We have been twice, and twice we have walked out after talking to a "manager" that could not have cared less that the food and the service were amazingly sub-par. Â
We moved to MA from Arizona last year and have been looking for good, authentic Mexican food since we drove over the Tobin into Boston, and were excited when we heard about Acapulcos in Beverly - we live in Essex. Â The first time we went, last summer we were seated by the hostess outside on a nice evening, and proceeded to wait for over 15 minutes to have anyone take our drink order. Â Drinks were brought and our order taken another 10 minutes later. Â Drinks were never refilled, and the appetizer we ordered seemed to have gotten lost somewhere. Â When the food finally arrived it was cold, and my order was a totally different dish than I ordered--I told the waiter that this was not what I ordered, and I was told that they were short-staffed, and he walked away!
I asked for a manager and was told that they did not have a manager--right at this point the appetizer we ordered 30 minutes earlier was delivered to the table--it was the queso dip but there were no chips. Â After this whole fiasco the server/bartender/manager walked away without an apology or acknowledgement that there was an issue, so we simply walked out--the first time I have ever walked out of a restaurant without paying.
After telling many, many people about this experience we were assured by friends, neighbors and coworkers that this was a total fluke and that Acapulcos was very good and to give it another try. Â Okay, everyone is entitled to an off night, so last weekend we did and it was just as bad this time.
As soon as we got there we should have taken a hint from our interaction with the hostess that this was not going to be a good experience. Â She was rude and seemed to be irritated that we asked to be seated, and was even more put-off that we asked to be seated outside--she sat us outside, with one menu for two of us, no silverware and at a dirty table. Â The busser delivered chips and salsa immediately, and we never saw her again.
We waited 10 minutes for the waiter and when he arrived could not answer any questions about the menu and was so distracted did not notice the table was dirty--I asked him for a rag and wiped it myself. Â The margarita that my partner ordered tasted like cough syrup and had to be sent back. Â I ordered a chimi and it was so soaked with fryer oil that I could not/would not eat it and the scant amount of beans and rice on the plate was pathetic. Â My partner had the steak fajitas and the steak as bland and tough. Â We again ordered the queso, and it was in all honesty quite good, but in no way even came close to making up for the rest of the meal. Â I told the waiter that my chimi was awful and that I could not eat it, and he took it without as much as saying sorry or anything, and brought the bill, which still had the margarita that was sent back and the chimi.
Again we talked to the manager, told her about our last experience and about what had just happened AGAIN, and were told that they have been open for many years and that everyone liked their food. Â She did take the check and we didn't pay.
We will NEVER go to this place again. Â Without a doubt, this was the worst restaurant I have EVER been to and the worst service I have ever received. Â What really irritates me is that no one seems to actually care that this was the experience(s) we had. Â The total lack of ownership on the part of the managers and wait staff is unreal. Â How this place stays open is a total miracle - I agree with what another reviewer said: Â location, location, location is all this place has going for it.
Acapulcos is a great place to go after work for a beer. The drink selection is pretty big and the margaritas are tasty. The food, on the other hand, is lacking. Acapulcos grub is an extremely standard version of the American style of Mexican food served across the country. Lots of re-fried beans, melted cheddar cheese, and factory-made flour tortillas.
In short: Great bar. Bad Restaurant.
Can't give this place 3 stars but probably not bad enough to be 2 stars either. We had kind of a negative experience last night. The place was FREEZING. They had they air conditioning blasting and I don't know why since it is the middle of May and it was about 55 degrees outside. We walked inside and it felt colder inside than outside. I was wearing a thick knit sweater and jeans and I was still cold. My wife never took off her jacket. When we finally got our food the plates were so hot we were just happy to have have some warmth.
I've been here before but couldn't remember if the food was good or not. Now I know why. The food is very unremarkable. There's much better Mexican places. First, I was put off that the waiter barely spoke English. OK, I get that it's a Mexican place but I'm not actually in Mexico. I couldn't understand the guy. I have a food allergy and just asking about what was in the burrito before I ordered it was brutal. The guy was rude and obviously didn't want to help me. He was very short with me.
Our food took a long time to get to our table. Usually with a casual Mexican place you might wait 10 to 15 minutes tops unless it's really slammed. I think we waited about 25 minutes. My burritos were just OK. The rice and bean were very bland. I just wasn't impressed. It wasn't awful, I just don't think I would order it again. I like the chips and salsa although some of the chips were way too salty. But it's cool how they give you a big bottle of salsa to pour into little salsa dishes.
The atmosphere is OK and pretty much what you'd expect from any casual Mexican restaurant chain. Not sure if I'll go back. I would rather drive an extra 20 minutes and head to Border's in Saugus or Mexico Lindo in Melrose. The prices are a little steep as well but not quite as bad as Jalepeno's in Gloucester.
Location, location, location! Â It really is true. Â Otherwise, this place would have no business being in business.
I liked the loud music, because it masked my loud children, and our waiter was nice...but the food is so incredibly mediocre. Â The only good part of the food experience was the chips and salsa...it ended there.
Could be a good place to get a drink after work.
It is always bizarre to me when a place will not accept out-of-state IDs, particularly when it is a state that is right next to their own. Â I wanted to like you, Acapulco's, but your ridiculous policy ensured I could not even enjoy a free drink paid for by my firm with my co-workers because my valid out-of-state ID apparently is not good enough for you. Â This was not the first time I encountered this issue at their restaurant, but I was hoping the first time was just some disgruntled employee who didn't know how to spot fakes.
Oddly enough, I have not encountered this policy at the Acapulco's on the Cape, so it looks like the management at this restaurant is just not interested in maximizing their business profit. Â In turn, I decided to further help them out with this goal by simply not purchasing any food and just leaving. Â I'll ensure I don't even bother going through the door next time.
Not sure as to why Acapulcos has such bad reviews on here.... it's delish! I go here atleast once a month. Â I guess if youre going there and NOT having mexican food it might not taste great. But.... they dont specialize in burgers and chicken wings.... just saying. Ive gone to many traditional mexican restaurants and this is as good as it gets without traveling to mexico!
Review Source:Low quality cuts of meat ruin an otherwise decent experience. Â Keep it to drinks and the complimentary chips and salsa. Â The after work crowd hits especially hard on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-ish until 10-ish, making for a busy and noisy bar.
I've gone here maybe roughly once a month over the last year or so, really trying to give it a chance, since it seems like an ok place. Â The service is very friendly, but can get backed up at peak hours. Â Cleanliness seems very good, and the outdoor seating is nice in the summer.
I've sampled every section of the menu I think. Â Tortillas, both corn and flour are always fresh. Â Vegetables are good. Â Onions, peppers, the lettuce, all good. Â Tomatoes are red and juicy. Â Even the simple refried beans and rice are quite tasty. Â Guacamole is fresh and the chips and salsa are great.
The chicken tastes vaguely like what cat food smells like.
No really, it's gamey, not fresh. (chicken enchiladas, burritos, etc.) Â The steak, despite my attempts to chew it, remained intact. Â Seemingly endless chewing was pointless. Â Eating that steak should be an olympic event. Â Gristle in every other bite. Â (steak fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, etc.)
I'm too afraid to try the seafood. Â I suspect it won't hold a candle to competing local seafood joints. Â I only got the pork once. Â You're way better off at a BBQ place if you dig pig.
Honestly, I don't understand the 4 and 5 star reviews at all.  The quality of the meats isn't *remotely* close to places like Gloucester's Jalapeños rest. or Border Cafe on Rte 1.  You know what?  Even Q'doba and Chipotle have better quality meat.  Seriously, that's pretty sad. Â
Better quality meat could make this 2 star cafe into a 4 star. Â Hope they figure it out.
It's good for drinks, complimentary chips n' salsa. Kids may enjoy it. What's the recipe for a bad cheeseburger? Â A. Take a small, thin pre-made patty of probably low grade meat blend. Cook it until it's dry & tasteless, then op it w/a slice of nothing special cheese. Place on sub par bun & garnish w/bland lettuce, tomato, & not bad fries.
There are Much, much better Mexican food & service at Jalapenos in Gloucester, or maybe some other local places.
Three of us just came from a late lunch.  It was better than a sharp stick in the eye, but not by much.  The only saving grace is that the salsa had fresh cilantro.  The fajita vegetables were steamed, not fried.  The fajita chicken was dry and tasteless.  The avocado pork was very dry and tasteless.  The rice and beans with each meal were bland.  I was very surprised to see central American families eating here- this food has no soul or zing- really, none of us tasted any seasoning- this is Mexican food  for crying out loud.
Review Source:Gigantic portions of food. Server was very attentive. Lively environment with a bar in the middle and TVs. Typical Mexican chain restaurant - I had the asada burrito (shredded beef) which was deeeeeelicious. Typing this and reminiscing is making me drool already.
If you're using your GPS to go past 7pm, it might take you to a gate that is already closed. Just be aware that there is another way in through Elliot street, just as the sign on the closed gate says.
I seem to be eating alot of Mex lately. Â
The place is huge and whenever I'm here we're seated asap. Â
Huge menu but a small Vegetarian Section that takes a minute to find, but I eat fish and ordered the Oceano Burrito last time. Â Since I asked about lard in the beans the Waiter suggested I order the black beans instead of refried, I didn't see that mentioned anywhere on the menu specifically so make sure you ask! Â
Everything was great, portions are very generous and the Waitstaff are attentive enough. Â
The TV is in the bar and we couldn't see or hear it in the dining room, that's a good thing! Â Beer is served in real pint glasses btw.
Love this place, been going for years. Love the outdoor seating during summertime too, it's a huge plus because it's in a nice area and it's just  a great spot to sit outside. There are TONS of seats inside, it's great to never have to wait, and once you're seated you do not ever have to wait too long, a totally normal amount of time...
The food is fantastic. Consistent... Drinks are always great too.
Also the chips and salsa are fantastic, my favorite chips and salsa of any Mexican restaurant!
Staff is always very friendly too.
I love Acapulco's, this is definitely one of my go to restaurants on a Friday night. With that said, Friday nights can get pretty crazy.
Their carne asada is some of the best I've ever had therefore I tend to get the same thing every time I come here. If you're one of those craving an "authentic" Mexican experience then this may not be the place for you. It's filled with gringos and their food may be lacking in spice for some. But it's perfect for me.
Acapulcos isn't the place you'd go to for gourmet Mexican food, but it is consistent, fresh, and hot. Â In our party of 8, everyone enjoyed their meal and mentioned how good it was. Â
Service is great! This place is BIG so if you're looking for a great place to meet a bunch of your friends, this is the place to go. Â The bar is huge.
Who can say no to chips and salsa? Â Furthermore, the margaritas are a little on the strong side, but reasonably priced.
Finally, the servers sing the worst rendition of "Happy Birthday" / "Feliz Cumpleanos" so do everyone a favor if it's your birthday and don't announce it. Â When I say bad, I mean BAD. Â I wanted to tip them just to stop singing. Â Yikes!
I went there on Monday night with a friend. I have been to this chain before so was expecting a similar experience but was severely let down.
Not only was the service HORRIBLE (with exception to the bus boy who was on top of his game) but the food left something to be desired.
Our waitress got both our orders wrong then when we told her we ordered something different she told us that we were wrong at that was what we ordered... um, no, you are wrong waitress.
Then the sour cream tasted like it had gone bad and guacamole was just about brown and the rice was under cooked and the refried beans were just soup.
Neither of us finished our meals. it was disgusting.
I'm not a huge fan of Acapulcos, but others in my family love it here. Â I dislike eating in the restaurant itself because the service is always slow, so I prefer to just stick to takeout.
The fish tacos are a good standby, and their chips and queso are good. Â Most of the dishes are somewhat bland, but overall the food is 'average' for Mexican in New England.
The one big plus is that if you have a very large party, it's not a bad place to go despite the less-than-spectacular service. Â There's a lot of space and the prices aren't bad.
I do miss the Brewhouse that used to be here.
The food has always been solid A-OK for me. This is Massachusetts.
Today I had Enchiladas Zuizas. Good enough tex mex. And the chips are always thin, crisp, hot, and come with freshly made salsa. Service was fine.
One full star for actually having a margarita on the menu made with lime juice, not sour mix or some sickly sweet facsimile thereof, rimmed with just enough salt, and with my choice of the many high end tequilas they carry.
Acapulcos is always hopping. Located in the Cummings Center right off of Rt 62, it couldn't be easier to get to and has enough seating for about 200 people. A big place here, which means there is rarely a wait.
The food at Acapulcos is good. It's not like taking a trip to Oaxaca or anything, but it's way better than some of the garbage that gets passed for Tex-Mex.
As soon as you are seated, a bowl of very good tortilla chips accompanied by some nice, fresh salsa are brought to you, as is water. This is nice because if you dig right in to the salty chips, you don't have to wait for your drink order. Burritos are 10" and absolutely filled with ingredients. Quesadillas are tasty and cooked perfectly. The tortillas that are served with entrees that need them are fresh and served warm. There are two minor things I don't like about the food: 1) the "pollo a la crema" is horrible and 2) nothing here is spicy whatsoever. I understand that super hot food can turn off the masses but it is simply not even an option here. Bell peppers and hot sauce the strength of Frank's is about the peak here as far as Scovilles go.
Service at Acapulcos is fine. Typically prompt and always friendly. I could do without the cheesy, "how you doing, amigos?!" intro everytime, though. The restaurant isn't a gothic cathedral or anything, but modern, clean, and nice enough.
Drinking at Acapulcos is so-so. A mediocre selection of beers. Taps along the line of Bud, Miller, Bass, Guinness, XX, Sam Adams, Sam Seasonal. Nothing amazing, but an average list. The margaritas are terrific! I've never ordered a mixed drink here, but I've seen a few people not love theirs. Beers are $4-$6 and margaritas are $7-$9.
Well let's pretend like I don't care about service. I mean who wants their order taken within 20 minutes? Or their check after the food eaten. Must be a new concept.
The food was pretty good. They give you a standard chip that you can get at any Mexican restaurant while your waiting. And you will be waiting. The salsa was very good though different and spicy the most stand out thing they had.
I ordered a taco salad which was standard the chicken was very good though. I thought they could do more with it though. Also it says comes with tomatoes. Uh no it comes with tomato. But otherwise the meal itself was good but not anything I couldn't get anywhere else. I mean the meal took two hours....we didn't get aps or deserts so that would be the number one reason I don't return.
I am a sucker for Mexican food and margaritas.
The price is right for everything, the atmosphere feels more like a TGI Friday's then a Mexican restaurant though. But it's a chain so you can't blame them for conformity.
I got the vegetarian quesadilla combo and it was loaded with pepper and onion, cheese and spinach. They start every meal with large helpings of warm tortilla chips with a mild salsa.
The drinks are really the reason to come here. They sell margaritas by the pitcher and also have smaller more exotic versions if you don't want to get too tipsy. Although the Blue Moonlight I had did a good job of getting that done just on its own. They also have beer of all kinds.
The staff is nice and accommodating. We had a table of 12 and the waitress was at ease for most of the time.
This isn't my first choice for Mexican but an easy one for a family or friend's get together for sure.
The quest for good authentic Mexican is neverending.
We wanted nachos so decided to try this place out. First of all, I read some of the reviews on here. I am really surprised that people who grew up in or near MEXICO would consider this food to be anymore than sub par.
The food was okay. The nachos were cheesy. The salsa was not exactly hot, but had some flavor, even if it was runny. Guac was decent.
I got mole enchiladas. They were not that good. I've had way better. The refried beans were decent. I skipped the rice. My boyfriend got a tamale that he said tasted stale, and he thought his tostada was too greasy. My margarita was pretty strong, and only $6.50.
Oh the waitress was nice and really attentive.
I'd much rather go to Cielito Lindo, if I am going to end up spending $25 for my dinner. The mole there is ten times better and they make their own chips.
I want to like Acapulco's Beverly location, I really do but I just don't. I get take out for lunch from the Marlborough location for work and it's awesome. The food in Beverly is just okay.
Last time I got the Chicken Avocado Salad. Not enough salad to go with the chicken and the avocado was not ripe, in peak season. Sad.
We decided to try them again on Monday. I figured it would be slow and they might get it right. I was wrong. I should have gotten a drink, being drunk would have made the food better. Sadly I had just water. I ordered a steak fajita and my partner got the chiles rellenos. The fajita came out sizzling, but the steak itself tasted as though it had been reheated. The fillings looked as though they had sat in the heated dish for an hour, and the cheese was not cold in the chilled dish. Clearly the dish was not put together for my order but had sat under a heat lamp for a good amount of time.
The chiles rellenos looked and felt as though they had been previously frozen and not prepared on location. The inner filling was rubbery and way over spiced. the sides were tasty.
the wait staff were very friendly. efficient and very attentive. Our waters were always filled and we were asked several times if everything was okay.
I would go here for drinks and maybe appetizers with friends in a big group but never for dinner again. To enjoy the meal I'd have to be blitzed on booze. Not to mention the dinner for 2 with 1 soda was $30, not worth the price
I grew up in Texas, and this is the closest thing to Tex-Mex in the Boston area. Â Truly, it is. Â The Border Cafe is so not Tex-Mex...or not anything I ever had growing up in Texas. Â The salsa is actually spicy! Â Yay! Â I found an end to the tomato-sauce that passes for salsa around here.
The chile con queso app MUST be tried. Â It is the smoothest, creamiest, richest melted cheeses with jalapenos. Â So good with the chips, and to pour on top of your meal. Â I wish I knew what types of cheese that they used.
The food is pretty good overall, except for the Mexican rice. Â It is simply too greasy. Â But the margaritas are STRONG and reasonably priced for the area!
Come hungry....leave drunk.
This place is so unexpected! Â Delicious Mexican food in the middle of a random office park in Beverly. Â Rebecca and I have dates here monthly.
Best thing about this place is you can tailor the amount of time you stay. Â If you want to get in and out- order right away and you can be eating and out of there within 30 min and STILL take chips and salsa to the faaaace. Â
But if you want to make it last a little longer (as I do with Rebecca most times as we meet here to work out life's problems), get a pitcher of house margaritas, and take your time (Caution- 2 ppl splitting a pitcher will lead to drunk- bring a third party driver or have one pick you up!). Â
4 well deserved stars. Â Muchos Muchos yum-yum's.
I love me some Acapulcos!
Free chips and salsa? Sign me up! I could eat them all to my face. I think I've been here 100's of times, and I love it.
They only reason they lose a star, is because I feel like everything is traditional, nothing super creative or unique. Nevertheless, I always laeave here full and happy.
Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere.
I've been to Acapulco's quite a few times and I've never been disappointed.
I don't use the bar so I can't speak to that except to say that if you like drinking and watching sports, you can do that here and, from what I've seen, it can get pretty lively on weekends.
Acapulco's "gets" it. Â They know why you're there -- you're hungry. Â Within moments after sitting down, you're staring at free chips and salsa and giving your drink order. Â You can request milder or hotter salsa, if you wish, and you can tank up on as much of this as you want. Â It's just very nice to be able to get a little something in you right away.
The menu is pretty loaded up with aaaaalll the wonderfully tasty decadent foods you've come to know as Mexican cooking -- you know, burritos, chimichangas, tostadas, enchildas, etc.... Â They also have a nice selection of salads if you're trying to watch the waistline.
You know, I don't want to overkill this with menu descriptions. Â I just think the most important thing here is that the service is absolutely impeccable. Â Everyone is very serious, professional and right on top of you so that you're never wanting for anything. Â It always seems to me as if they are checking with you at just the right time so you rarely ever have to ask or seek a waiter. Â And the food is just absolutely delightful and FILLING! Â You will NEVER walk away hungry.
If you like Mexican food, Acapulco's is a definite, "Must Try!"
I've been here several times after work, sometimes for drinks, and sometimes for dinner. The margaritas are good, the food is just OK. I don't like the salsa, which tends to be spicier than I would prefer. Bar can get busy, but service is generally good.
Come here for drinks, you won't regret it. For better Mexican food check out Cielito Lindo (freshly made guacamole and sangria) or Edgewater.
I've been here a few times, and the only time it's been okay was for lunch. Â
My most recent experience was this past weekend. Â It wasn't too busy, but service extremely slow. Â My friends got a drink spilled on them, and one even had to go home to change his shirt. Â The food was terrible, our server was unfriendly, and the food is overpriced IMO. Â $13 for an untasty burrito??? Â Almost as bad as Cilantro in Salem, but at least their portions are bigger here!
I have always been a fan of the Acapuloco family empire. Â We were first introduced to them by their Franklin location. Â We really liked the staff, service, and the food was good (consistent). Â
Since our North Shore transplant, we have been going to the Beverly location. Â Not as often as we went to Franklin... Â it really seems like consistently it has gone down hill. We were in a couple of weekends ago, and it was really a crappy experience. Took forever to get served, order was messed up, and the food was a step away from "don't eat that".
Unless something changes, I don't imagine going back... I will miss you Acapulco..
This place is alright...the food is lousy, except for the taquito bites & sopapillas. Â Service isn't great. Â It's fun for a drink after work, and the bar has a good crowd on Friday nights. Â There's better Mexican in the area (Cielito Lindo comes to mind). Â If you aren't going for drinks, don't go.
****Update 10/02/2007****
Just had a horrible experience here. Â I found a burrito I liked on the menu and had been ordering it occasionally. Â Sometimes is not made right, sometimes they don't know what burrito I want (it's the parilla). Â Most of the time, they cannot understand me. Â This time, they got it right, but normally it has tons of salsa verde, this time, none. Â Then, we asked for salsa verde on the side, and it was never given to us. Â Then, we asked to pay separately, and we were told they can't do that for take out orders. Â You did it last week, why not today? Â Don't ever go here!
I really like this Mexican food. I have found the service to be quick, the food to be fresh and the atmosphere to be decent. It's the best that I have had on the North Shore.
**EDIT 1.11.08**
I've been a few more times, and... well, I keep being less and less impressed. The service has gotten slower, the food mediocre and the atmosphere is really weird.
The quality has gone down a lot since they opened. Â The one factor that draws me back is that they often certain mexican dishes you can't find at other local venues. Â For example they offer several dishes with mole.
If you're tempted to order appetizers, such as nachos you might want to ask them to go lightly on the toppings... Â The trend lately has to be to pile on soo many toppings and cheese that it turns in to a "mexican pile" of soggy chips with toppings.
Try to go on off hours, as the environment is very noisey when the restaurant is full.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,916 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
