Olive Market

Azteca Market is the bomb.

Bloomington, IN has extremely mediocre, or borderline bad, food with only a few exceptions and this is one of them. Azteca Market is far and away the best Mexican food in Bloomington, and probably the best restaurant period. I lived on the Mexican border and this is the closest you are going to get to authentic Mexican food, and I would even give it 3 stars if it were among the restaurants in South Texas. For here, however, 5 stars!

I had the steak tacos and the green chicken tamale. Both were very good. I lived in the taco capital of the country, and this was better than decent; good seasoning, meat cooked well, and fresh cilantro and onion. The only things that could have made it better are a sliver of avocado and some queso fresco (which I probably could have asked for, but didn't bother). The tamale was moist, well-seasoned, and filling.

Don't hesitate about going for the ice cream bars at the front. They are no joke. I got a rice pudding flavored one to eat outside and almost went back in for another.

I highly recommend this place.

Look for AZTECA, taped over the Olive Market sign.

Authentic Mexican at really reasonable prices. Homemade tamales, and you can get your tacos ($2.25 ea.) with steak, lamb , tongue, Mexican sausage, spivey pork, or chicken. Lamb stew (barbacoa) even.

I love the Tijuana '79 atmosphere, really. Don't expect the fake cactus, moody paintings, and Mexican hats on the wall. Just good vintage tables/chairs.

The waiter is also the cook.

And they have a little grocery with Mexican goods including soda!