A review of Carlitos Cafe & Cantina at Santa Barbara.com

Carlitos Cafe & Cantina
1324 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 962-7117

Category: Mexican
Hours: Summer: Mon-Sat 11am-11:30pm, Sun 9am-10:30pm, Winter: Mon-Sat 11am-10:30pm, Sun 9am-10:30pm
Price: $10 - $20
Serving: Lunch & Dinner
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Reviews by the General Public

Great experience at Carlitos Cafe & Cantina......, 8/11/2010
Reviewer: Lindsey from rye, ny
Just returned from visiting family in Santa Barbara, and we enjoyed Fiesta weekend with a wonderful dinner at Carlitos. We loved the Latin flamenco music on Friday night, perfect agave nectar margaritas, large mocajete of guacamole and chips, quesadillas with grilled chicken and onions, traditional enchiladas and grilled steak soft tacos. Our server, Maxi was great especially since we were a large group of 10 with 3 small children.

Great SERVICE, 6/15/2010
Reviewer: jerome from Santa Barbara, CA
I just had Sunday lunch at Carlito's and had a marvelous experience primarily because of the great experience I had with Hugo the Manager, who also waited on me.He is bright,charming and very knowledgeable about the food and wine selections.Had a great meal because of his advice and really liked his attitude.I would return to Carlito's in a minute.

Worst experience ever, 5/31/2010
Reviewer: Giuseppe from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife, me and my daughter want to try some good mexican food, the place looks very nice, we got there the Hostess is Clueless, completely lost, we finally get our table and we wait 15 minutes before anyone comes to the table, WE ask for some chips and salsa but never got it, we finally order some tacos a margaritas and a kids quesadilla, we got the margarita after 5 minutes, 20 minutes later got the tacos (2 Tacos for 20 Dollars) no beans or rice, and after 30 minutes we get the quesadilla, i work in a restaurant and it takes 3 minutes to make a quesadilla, anyway we ask the server and he goes oh let me check for you, never ask for refill our water, we finally got our bill and its 60 Dollars for 2 tacos 1 margarita with nothing special on it and a KID quesadilla, The service is SUCK, im not going back at all and of course im not going to suggest to any of my customers.

Unbelievable, 5/18/2010
Reviewer: Taki from Sydney Australia
We just got into Santa Barbara from Sydney in Australia. My wife & I asked 6 people where the best Mexican food was, and 5/6 said Carlitos. We ate there last night and the food was amazing. Started with the best Guacamole I've ever tasted and just got better with each dish. The service was so friendly (they made a big fuss over my kids, and were really accommodating). If we lived here, Carlitos would be one of our regular hang outs.

We love Carlitos!, 4/15/2010
Reviewer: Amy from Los Angeles
Carlitos was recommended by our hotel and we were very impressed and it is our favorite in Santa Barbara. We come at least once a month, and we love sitting on the patio with a big magarita and fresh halibut Ceviche tostada. The Casesar salad and chicken mole tacos are delicios, and we take the iconic grilled salsa quemada back home with us. The attentive service is excellent and we especially Miguel, who is very professional and friendly. We definitiely will be back.

Unimpressed., 3/6/2010
Reviewer: Laura from Santa Barbara, CA
I got the cheese enchilada, chicken taco combo and it was not impressive. Even the chips and salsa weren't great. I went there as part of a 10 person party and the servers were rude. We tried to order drinks as a separate check (it was a work function so we wanted drinks on a personal card) and the server refused. We tried to order drinks at the bar and they treated us like scum. Overall, not a good experience. The others in the party were not impressed with the food. Won't go back.

one of the better Mexican restaurants in SB - horrible serv, 3/5/2010
Reviewer: Arthur from Santa Barbara, CA
Between 3 upscale Mexican restaurants, two in Montecito, I would rate Carlitos as the best. My friends who have dined at all three agree - that's why we went to Carlitos. The server at lunch in my opinion was one of the worst I've seen (he also works at one of the other two and we avoid him there) - had to request things multiple times, they were wrong and were often ignored. The outdoor seating, cocktails and food and prices are a good value. There appeared to be some very good people working there.

One of the Ultimately Best Mexican Restaurants in Cali., 1/15/2010
Reviewer: Caroyn Reeves from as vegas, NV
This is one of 3 restaurants we Always visit when in Santa Barbara. We plan our trips to eat here. The menu and the staff are top notch. Have eaten here at east ten times and more than happy every time. coming from las vegas, nv that's says something.

Second Chance Blown, No Third Chance, 10/28/2009
Reviewer: Kelly from Santa Barbara, CA
I don't have any idea how this place gets good reviews. We took some out of town friends here, wanting to give the place a second chance after I got a (long dead and therefore thankfully unable to sting) wasp at the bottom of my coffee cup a few years back. Sorry, but it DID happen. Anyway, the service was simply awful. We didn't have a waiter for almost 20 minutes and when my husband got up to find one, he was snapped at by someone we think might have been the manager, of all people. We ordered and the food was ok, but nothing special. Bland and tasted like it had been sitting around a long time. Nobody every checked in on us despite it not being hugely crowded at the time. We had two mistakes on our bill that were like pulling teeth to get resolved. We were charged for two additional drinks that belonged to another table. Just not a pleasant experience and I can think of about a dozen places in SB for better mexican food. Including Taco Bell. On the plus side......ummm, it has a nice patio?

Pisco Sour?, 10/5/2009
Reviewer: Karina from Lima, Peru
I love their location and food, but in my last visit I decided to try their Pisco Sour wich for my surprise was made with peruvian pisco...I was so happy to see that...yet dissapointed when I received my drink served with salt on the glass rim....As a peruvian, I felt cheated, because if they were described the drink as a "margarita" made with Pisco...I would've order one of their classic great margaritas. P.S. Pisco Sour has no salt and a couple drops of Angostura bitter that this one was missing

Great Service, 9/25/2009
Reviewer: Jerry boucher from Santa Barbara, CA
Without a doubt this restaurant delivers the best service of any restaurant I have frequented in Santa Barbara.The manager Hugo is the reason why the service is so consistently superior.He is extremely personable,knowledgeable and very motivated.I hope that the owners appreciate the value that he brings to the restaurant.

Bland food, overpriced and rudeness, 9/9/2009
Reviewer: Val from Brea, CA
What did I like best? When we were leaving and decided to never come back. Bland food,very soggy flautas, which should always be served crispy, and toothpicks were left inside. When told of this, the response was "Oh yeah" and a shrug.He might as well have said "Yeah...we just don't care" The rice and beans were so tasteless, I cannot understand how there are so many favorable reviews, unless those other diners just don't really know what GOOD Mexican food should taste like. I also didn't appreciate feeling rushed at 10 on the dot, when the guys ran around frantically taking down umbrellas, turning off the heaters.The website clearly says "Lunch & Dinner 11-11" All in all, a bad experience. Oh, and the guacamole was bad, like it had been made from really overripe avocados. Never again.

Carlitos=super party venue
Reviewer: Johnny Campagna from Santa Barbara, CA
I was surprised to read TS' review. I have given many small private parties at Carlitos (and also at Cava) and never had anything but courteous, well-organized, quality experiences. With delicious cuisine and all decently priced. Never a misunderstanding or complaint. Sounds to me like TS was in a very bad mood because these people at Carlitos REALLY CARE.

Great Food & Service
Reviewer: Joe Davis from Laguna Niguel, CA
Great food, full of flavor, large portions. The prices match other similar restaurants - especially when you consider the resort location. We've eaten Mexican food in East LA, Arizona, Texas, and Carlitos is very good. This is a full service resataurant, so don't expect Taco Bell food or price. We'll be back.

After 22 years, Carlitos is still tops
Reviewer: Bettina Thomas from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I have been going to Carlitos for the past 22 years...we have never been disappointed with the food or service or pricing...these people really care, starting with the owners, Carlos and Leslie...they have instilled a tremendous work ethic in their staff who will bend over backwards for their customers...great margaritas, fine music, delicious cooking, greta atmosphere--what more could someone want in a restaurant?

I will NEVER go back.
Reviewer: T.S. from Santa Barbara, CA
I made a dinner reservation 3 weeks in advance for my daughter's 21st birthday. My party of 17 was seated 25 minutes late and not until my guests and I were seated and had placed our orders, was I(actually on of my guests) informed by the manager, that there was a minimum per person charge of $32.00 plus a $8.00 cake cutting fee. (Not to mention the unworthy, automatic 18% gratutity). I had personally met with the manager earlier in the day to confirm the evening and deliver the cake...no mention of their exuberant pricing. This policy is not published on their menue or website and certaily is not divivulged until it seems to be too late. After extremely rude verbal interactions from 2 employees, my party left and had dinner elsewhere. Please note that I gladly paid a 20% gratuity to the other deserving restaurant!

amazing food year after year
Reviewer: Ricardo & Ana from Mexico
We live in Mexico city yet have been visiting Santa Barbara often since our son goes to school here. Every time we go to Carlito's we are quite pleased with the food, ambiance and service.All though we do not find the food quite authentic and we only think this because we have traveled throughout Mexico, we believe the food here is very fresh, good quality and delicious. The staff is attentive and I believe that Carlitos captures the essence of patio dinning in the center of town to its best. We highly recommend this restaurant for the food, service and especially the ambiance that Carlitos offers.

No Flavor and Overpriced
Reviewer: SAM from Santa Ynez
The location and service were great.The food not so good, its dry,no flavor,and overpriced. The fajitas I had there were the worst ever and for 18.95 its not worth it. If you ever want to taste good authentic mexican food. Drive up to Santa Maria. Any place up there is better than this.

carlitos is great!
Reviewer: xochilt togo from Santa Barbara, CA
i came here with my boyfriend for a special night. when we first got there, we were a little upset to arrive and had us wait a while even thought we had a reservation. though they were able to get us a table and everything ran smoothly after that. their service was great, i loved the food, and the environment overall was great. if you're looking for something affordable but classy, i highly recommend carlitos!

American Mexican
Reviewer: DDR from Columbus Ohio
I asked for REAL Mexican food and got Don Pablo�s. California has REAL Mexican food. Why would a hotel tell us that this was it. It was OK. The Salsa was bad... tasted like Cilantro. The food was not spicy. I had to use side sauce to get the heat. The Beef dishes we chose we TOUGH and not thought through. The bright light was the potatoes on the Rib eye dish. They were great.

I love
Reviewer: Alex from Santa Barbara, CA
The seafood enchiladas are so good. I love Carlitos, it has a charming ambiance, a great spot for a date, Guys: take your date to this place! It's got the perfect amount of hustle and bustle, a great atmosphere, GREAT food, fun music, and an AWESOME mojito. Plus great margaritas. Every time I go it's generally packed with people so I don't recommend going with high expectations for services, they seem to be doing the best they can while juggling dishes and trying to keep 8 tables happy. Go prepared to eat good food, listen to great live mariachi music, drink margaritas, and have a good time, expect a wait, this is a popular restaurant, but it's worth it!

Food is great, Service lacks for price
Reviewer: Shelby from Santa Barbara, CA
My Wife, 5 yr son and I eat here about once a month. Food is always outstanding. But the service has declined over the past year. This is not an inexpensive place, and because you put out some cash, I feel you also deserve good service. We went early on Friday eve, Sat for 5 minutes before any server would even look me in the eye so that I could get their attention. I asked about drinks and the waiter said he would let our server know. Wha?? There were maybe 3 other tables at the time. We waited quite a bit before those drinks came. Was just the beginning of unattentive service at a steep price. There was always 5 to 7 people hanging out just a few feet away at the Hostess stand. Anytime we needed something, like tortillas, a refill on my son's Hot cocoa, even the check, I had to flag somebody down. We will be back, but if the current trend continues, we will stop. Wake up Carlitos, there are lots of Mexican choices in this town.

Lost Reservation. Evening Saved!
Reviewer: John Carlos from Santa Barbara, CA
Made a reservation at Carlitos over the phone. Showed up later that evening to find the place was packed and there was a long line of people waiting, and no reservation on the list. Fortunately the staff at Carlitos, snuck us in with 15 minutes, allowing us to make our show at the Arlington. This alone made me appreciate the place even more and made the food even better.

Great Experience ! !
Reviewer: John Hopkins from New York, N.Y.
My wife and I visited California from the East Coast last week. Through out our trip we were fortunate to dine in some of the best restaurants California has to offer. In our last night of our trip we asked the concierge of the Biltmore for his favorite place to have dinner, he recommended Carlitos. He called at the last minute to make reservations, the hostess accommodated our reservation. The restaurant was packed, and for a very good reason. The service was great! The staff seemed happy and transmitting the feeling they enjoy their work. The food was great, the service was impeccable. Having dinner at Carlitos was definitely a great recommendation and the highlight of our trip. We will visit Carlitos on our next trip. Thank you

Best Mexican Food and Margaritas!
Reviewer: Luke Campbell from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I go to Carlitos at least once a month and we have always been impressed with every element of this popular restaurant. I'm shocked that anyone would give this place less than 5 stars. It seems unjustified and unfair that anyone can come on and post such negative comments. We love the generous (and strong!) margaritas, our favorites are the halibut ceviche, the grilled chiles stuffed with cheese and enchiladas mariscos. Our servers have always gone out of their way to be accomodating to our requests and the relaxing atmosphere on the outside patio is the best.

Tourist trap
Reviewer: Nicole from Santa Barbara, CA
Because of our accent we were asked where we are from and told them that we are Germans (we did not mention that we live here in SB). As a surprise we found that they automatically charged us 18% gratuity. They never mentioned it before taking our order and as well did not offer to change the bill after we clarified that we are from Santa Barbara! But anyway, it is really not ok to not inform tourists or guests with foreign accent that in summertime there will be an additional cost of 18% tip .

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