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Our Latest Reviews
TOSTADA SALAD
Carmelita's is the best Mexican food around and one of our favorites in Laguna Beach. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. In addition to great food the staff are fantastic!
CHILE VERDE
The most amazing Chile Verde that I have tasted. It was so tender and flavorful, I cannot wait to be back at Carmelita's to have it again!!
BLACKENED BURRITO
Best burrito ever!!!
SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS
When Javier's closed for vacation, my wife and I were disappointed. Did some research, found Carmelita's and we fell in love. This is our new spot!
BEEF FLAUTAS
We had a party of 10 visiting from San Diego, the service was friendly and helpful! The margaritas were exceptional! Everyone was happy with their meal! Shrimp Diablas, beef flautas, carnitas, chimichanga, el pastor...I could go on! Every dish was delish! Now when I crave Mexican food, we are going to need to make the 1 hour drive north! It is really that good!
CHILE VERDE
I ordered it "spicy" and couldn't be happier with my dish! Well seasoned and prepared, accented in habanero juices, the Chile Verde was exceptional and was a great first taste for me of Carmelita's. We were also lucky enough to sample the Street Tacos on blue corn tortillas and they were exceptional as well. My dining partner came for the black bean dip but the homemade red salsa made it for me. Despite a full meal of generous portions, I couldn't help but think about having more Chile Verde for the rest of the night--I'll definitely be back!
GRILLED FISH TACOS
I live in Boston but visit Laguna Beach each year for a work event. I always make a point to visit Carmelita's at least once during my visit and this year did not disappoint. I had the fish tacos which were phenomenal and of course, the made-to-order guacamole. Not only is the food fantastic at Carmelita's, the drinks are so yummy and the atmosphere can't be beat. Counting the days until my next trip to the the West Coast!
SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS
The seafood enchiladas were AMAZING. Definitely would order again. They were full of delicious crab and shrimp in every bite. You must try them
GRILLED FISH TACOS
Fresh n tasty
LOBSTER CHILE RELLENOS
Hi I had the sea food trio. Honestly, this is the best Mexican seafood I have EVER had!
GUACAMOLE
We love Carmelita's and have trouble visiting any other restaurants since we have been coming to Laguna Beach regularly for the past few years. Although their food is beautiful and delicious, we honestly come for the service and the fun bar experience. Omar, Ruby, Alex and Daniel always treat us like family and that keeps us coming back. Love the crispy tacos and guac at Happy Hour and their house bean dip with secret Habanero sauce on the side is to die for! You won't regret stopping into this place!
LOBSTER CHILE RELLENOS
Omg the food is amazing. We are fans of Carmelitas this location and the one in RSM and we have yet to try the one in Manhattan Beach. Great food, service, drinks and ambiance!!!! Highly recommend as they use nothing but the best ingredients and products. Top rated and one of our favs.
QUESO FUNDIDO
cheese, gooey delicious always get to accompany your fine meal at carmelitas
BBQ SMOKED RIBS
Me encanta ..i loved the bbq short ribs with corn...nice and light dish for the summer bit filling ...low carbs. I always eat tacos, fajitas but wanted something different. Mme..
CHILAQUILES
AMAZING!!! Margarita's too.
CILANTRO CUCUMBER
I combine this margarita with the spicy one by asking the bartender to add some serrano chile to it, and it is the best margarita I've ever had. I've been to Carmelita's countless times and tried almost the entire menu, it's the perfect spot after a day on the beach, and summer isn't the same until I've had one of these margaritas. The fresh ingredients and the cucumber/cilantro with a hint of spice from the chile, nothing beats it!
BREAKFAST BURRITO
Ok If your in Laguna Beach for more than 30 minutes you need to come into Carmelitas and treat yourself to a breakfast burrito! It's one of my favorites and it will get me through the day! And the their salsa is something special. I might have a small addiction to the chips salsa and black bean dip!!
POMEGRANATE MARGARITA
Absolutely amazing, Summer drink all day!
BBQ SMOKED RIBS
Incredibly tender ribs with excellent ancho chile rub/sauce and "street" corn on the cob too!
SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS
Really good enchiladas. My first time there and I loved the food, atmosphere and the staff. We came in on a really busy night so the service was a bit slow but we were not complaining at all however the bartender was aware of that fact that we got less attention and gave us a shot - super awesome And totally worth the wait for those enchiladas! I'll definitely be back.
LOBSTER CHILE RELLENOS
DELICIOUS!! Great Service Zack was our server. He was the best. What an asset to the restaurant Can't wait to return!!!
FAMOUS CARNITAS
Best Carnitas around! Great ambiance and great drinks.
QUESO FUNDIDO
The go to party pleasing appetizer everyone will love. So good. You don't need a long winded review you just need to try it. Also be sure to sing your order que-so queso fun DI DO the staff will love you for it
GRILLED FISH TACOS
My first time here and immediately as i walked in, I knew this place was authentic! The margaritas are freshly made with tequila you can taste! I chose these tacos because I never pass up a fish taco! These surely did not disappoint. Yummy grilled halibut thick pieces blended beautifully with fresh salsa and greens but not overtaking the taco. The halibut was the main star. Fresh avocado finishes it off! Great upbeat atmosphere. I hear the RHOC was filmed here! Im hoping to come back soon some day and try a new item on the menu, as everything looks delicious! Great service and friendly staff in little pretentious Laguna Beach! Lol!
POLLO A LA CHIPOTLE
This restaurant came highly recommended. My family needed a little twist of their arm to eat Mexican. Boy oh boy were they surprised! The drinks were good, the chips and salsa are yummy and all of us really enjoyed our food. Oh! Our waiter?? He was very attentive. We'll be back!
AVOCADO TACOS
Guacamole was a good portion size for 4 to share! Avo tacos were perfectly seasoned. So nice to have some veggie options that don't skip out on flavor and abundance!
CRAB JALAPENOS
Spicy and perfectly tender and filling !
CHILAQUILES
I haven't been to your breakfast but will try next weekend or so. I look forward to try your breakfast chilaquille, waffles and more. I wish you would have a menudo dish one day as i haven't yet found the one i like yet. I really want to understand why people crave for this dish. Wish you could also alternate new dishes since I know the menu by heart now:)
EL CLASSICO
I accidentally found Carmelitas about 4 years ago.. My family loves Mexican food very much and we've eaten at many different restaurants but it was much surprised that we love the dishes at Carmelitas. Fresh, tasty and delicious. Love the service, their staff from the bar tenders, servers and the cooks are happy and work hard to please customers. It was fun eating at the bar and watching the cooks enjoying their cooking that never fail us by far. We really enjoy the food and great service here. Our friends also said the same. Every time we crave for Mexican food we would always come here even though it's a bit of a drive.
BBQ SMOKED RIBS
First and foremost the Cadillac margaritas are extremely good. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and welcoming. Every time I come I know I'm Going to receive too notch service . The chipotle ribs are incredible!
BBQ SMOKED RIBS
From the moment you walk in, it's an experience. The staff are all so sweet and accommodating. I love coming here for the great customer service and of course, the amazing food especially. It takes me an hour to get here especially in traffic and I NEVER regret the visit. It's always a pleasant time. Absolutely love the BBQ Smoked ribs. Tender meat. Tangy smoked sauce with a hint of sweetness. So perfect. Anything you get here is gonna be world changing. I would recommend this place to my closest friends and people to impress. Sooo yummy.
MARISCO TRIO
Carmelita's is wonderful! We are from Dallas, TX and are Mexican food snobs. This place feels like home! The Marisco Trio was amazing! Service was great as well! Thank you Jasper!
POLLO A LA CHIPOTLE
This is one of my TOTAL FAVORITES EVER!!!! We've been to Carmelita's in Laguna Beach about a million times and have never been disappointed. We bring friends and family with us whenever we can.♥️
AVOCADO TACOS
Absolutely delicious...just like my grandma used to make!
SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS
We love Carmelita's! Sooo much!! It's our favorite Mexican food restaurant! No actually it's our favorite restaurant or any kind! Their food and margaritas are simply the best!!
MARISCO TRIO
My husband and I LOVE this place! We've literally never had a bad meal here, but my go-to is the Marisco Trio. The lobster enchilada is ridiculous- in the best possible way. The fresh ceviche is amazing, and we love their draft beer & tequila selection. Daniel, Kena, & Francisco took excellent care of us when were there this past Saturday. We can't wait to go back and experience more deliciousness!
QUESO FUNDIDO
I just loveeeee Daniel and the team here! They are awesome! The queso fundido is the best of the best!
BLACKBERRY MARGARITA
My husband and I visit Carmelita's in Laguna Beach once every year ...all the way from Toronto! & we eat at Carmelita's almost every night! Never bored, a delicious variety of authentic mexican food and fresh beverages! We had tried the pineapple jalapeno margarita, the traditional and decided the Blackberry was the winner!... along with a stuffed poblano pepper on 1st night for me * the vegetarian* & my handsome hubby had an incredible giagantic burrito.... we always have the best time ever! Warm chips and guac to start... sexy and fun atmosphere! Friendly fun staff remembered us from last year!♡ if it weren't for Carmelita's and the fresh-squeezed juice down the road we probably wouldnt come back to Laguna every year♡ We drove from San Francisco all the way to California on the beautiful Coastal Highway! See you next year! Love Melissa & Brian!
OAXACAN MARGARITA
The best ever !
POMEGRANATE MARGARITA
We went there last year for lunch as part of celebrating my Bday so Sept 9th. The food was on good. We're had tacos if some kind but it's the dubious that we're unforgettable. They were fantastic. We had two margaritas and they were killer.
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