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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

SB Local Who Knows (they used to be) Better!, 4/6/2013
Reviewer: Micah from Santa Barbara, CA
We had a sad experience the other night. This place used to rock. Cool ethnic music. Nice, comfortable outside seating. Great rock shrimp tacos, steak, fish, guac, salsa. Great everything. The staff were professional and efficient and nice. I'm not sure when this happened, but the cuisine has been gutted, or dumbed down. Is there a Cordon Blue on Mars? It's as if Aliens who had been watching the kitchen for years from afar are now doing the cooking. All the dishes are the same, and yet they are different. Read: They are now tasteless and bland. And the presentation was sloppy and lacked the details, such as flavors, garnishes, perfect preparation, etc of yore. Even the simple chicken and rice on my daughter's kids meal was inedible. The chicken was so dry it was difficult to chew. We had to send it back and just get some black beans. They were also very basic, but tolerable. I'm not sure what's going on. The ambience is still awesome. The staff are pretty nice, and helpful. They are clearly all about business, but this is a business so that's ok. A little more heart and soul would be nice of course. Interestingly, to their credit, the place was packed. There was a scene like quality. Some people have no taste of course. Is this one of those places that has a following of loyal people who just don't notice the details like lousy food? Ok, that was a bit mean. Maybe it was just an off night, but I wish I had given them the night off! Everything is priced to perfection - please deliver it! I'd have to heard some good things first hand from people I know in order to return.
Great Santa Barbara Staple , 3/22/2013
Reviewer: Melony from Santa Barbara, CA
Really fun local place, always take friends and visitors here. The food portions are huge and tasty and always come out so fast! This last time I got the chicken mole and my husband got the coconut shrimp, both were super yummy and we had tons of left overs. Our server Juan was great, very personable and knowledgeable about the menu and even though it was a busy night thanks to him we had everything we needed in a timely manner. Great atmosphere & friendly service keeps us coming back.

Great Food...Great Service, 12/30/2012
Reviewer: Kelly and Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
The atmosphere is inviting with indoor and outdoor dining, live music, appetizing food. We have been coming to this restaurant for 7 years now, and we eat here weekly. This is a great place to bring out of town guests to experience the flavor of Santa Barbara. This place is really popular so there can be a wait during peak times, like most great restaurants. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. As a frequent customer I have not experienced or seen any of the negative experiences that some of the other commenters have. I would and do recommend Carlitos to anyone looking for pleasant, Santa Barbara dining experience .
Great Food. Horrible Service., 11/25/2012
Reviewer: Mark from Santa Barbara, CA
As a local, I've dined (and picked up the check) at Carlito's with from one to ten guests dozens of times each year for at least seven years. The food was, and is, great. The service, though, over the past 9 or so months, has become atrocious. On my past five or so visits (my last) I, and my guests, have had to ask multiple times for more water (that never comes) or more salsa (that never comes) or even for the check (that eventually comes). Sometimes these requests are met with a "right away" which becomes a "never." Just as frequently, they're met with blank stares or even smirks, but no service. I'm not sure who, if anyone, is managing the restaurant, but my suggestion to the owner is that everyone -- other than the cooks -- should be fired. They're putting the place out of business anyway, so it's only a matter of time until they're looking for new jobs.
Awesome food, be prepared to wait, but it is worth it, 10/7/2012
Reviewer: CaliGirlForever from Santa Barbara, CA
Love this place. Inside and outside is fun but inside gets cramped expecially if it is loud and don't sit near restroom hallway because lots of people pass by and wait for restrooms. Outdoors is the best. Love everything here and never know if should try something new or stick to a favorite. The grilled chicken with peppers is to die for and is my new fave. The quesadilla, seafood burrito, and shrimp Caesar salad are also delicious. Try the veggie quesadilla with added chicken. To die for! Staff is very friendly and smiling. Just a great spot.
Love this place, 9/30/2012
Reviewer: Diane from Camarillo ca.
We drive from Camarillo because we love their steak nachos and their food. love the outside tables and parking is great. We have always had great service and I always recommend it to my co workers and friends in Camarillo. We always take our out of state visitors to enjoy a meal at Carlitos in Santa Barbara Will go back often. :)

Excellent - Highly Recommend, 9/13/2012
Reviewer: Tina from Los Angeles, CA
I had dinner at Carlitos Cafe & Cantina this past weekend and loved everything about this restaurant. The service was excellent and the food was flavorful and delicious. We had several different appetizers and the chicken mole. We even had a simple, but delicious strawberry dessert that was an excellent ending to an amazing meal. We had a wonderful tequila called Tequila Chamucos that was so good, I want to buy a whole bottle (currently looking for it). Between the ambiance, the food, the service, the tequila and my dining companion, it was a perfect night. I will definitely go back again and will highly recommend to friends & family.
fantastic. food love the ceviche it was a meal in itself, 7/20/2012
Reviewer: mickie from ontario, ca
Was on a mini vacation and found this on goggle and they were write the food was great. They dont put heavy. Sauces on things and the meals are huge. The drinks were great not lite on the liquor.

Management doesn't care 10 months later and no response
Reviewer: Catherine from Santa Barbara, CA
Management doesn't care 10 months later and no response, 4/15/2012 Reviewer: Catherine from Santa Barbara, CA I called your restaurant the day after my husband's surprise birthday lunch (6/28/11) and sent 2 emails to what I thought was the management/owners expressing my disappointment and annoyance at the service we received. To date - 4-15-12 no one has had the courtesy to respond to my calls or emails. To make a long story short, we had reservations for an inside table, when we go there the table we requested wasn't available. We were put in the middle of the patio (we had 3 children with us) so crowded we could hardly move. I believe the person who took my reservation (2 months before the event) was named Gabe or Gus (I'd have to look at my receipt). We asked for water several times and for a party of 8 we got one glass. I pre-ordered pitchers of margaritas and ice tea - small carafes were brought to the table at an exorbitant charge. We ordered 3 glasses of apple juice for my 3 granddaughters and only 2 were brought to the table - when we asked for another one the wait person never returned. I wrote a negative review the early part of July 2011 and it never appeared on your web page. Only positive to this whole experience was the food was good as usual.

Nice people, but VERY overpriced.
Reviewer: Virginia Paxton from San Francisco, CA.
O.k. Food, o.k. service. VERY expensive. Drinks are OUTRAGEOUS in price and bland in quality.
Not impressed- SB Local
Reviewer: Sylvia from Santa Barbara, CA
This was my first visit to Carlitos and it was very disappointing. The service was very slow and the food was not representative of good Mexican Food. I ordered the Chicken Mole tacos as I typically enjoy mole. Unfortunately, the tacos were dry and the minimum amount of mole sauce they used didn't add any moisture. The only bright side to this restaurant is location and patio dining. If you want a nice patio dining experience may I suggest Paradise cafe.
Wonderful Experience at Carlitos!
Reviewer: Taylor from Santa Barbara, CA
We celebrated my birthday last night at Carlitos and it was a wonderful! Everything I ordered was perfect, from the Agave Nectar margaritas, fresh halibut ceviche (best in town) and the Spicy Baby Back Ribs with Guava and chile sause...all were delicious. Our server Maxi was amazing and kept all eight of us happy even with the restaurant packed. The guitarists even sang "Happy Birthday"! Always fun and consistant, we'll definitely be back at Carlitos.

Weak drinks!
Reviewer: Charlotte from Goleta
Yeah, I totally agree about the utter lack of booze in the pricey Margaritas! I had three of them and left stone cold SOBER! I even complained to my waiter that the drinks were too sweet and were weak in the Booze dept.??? I was told to pay for another shot.....really? I'm not paying $15.00 for a drink!!! The food was mediocre and expensive. The opposite of Playa Azul!
Beware the Tequila-less Margaritas
Reviewer: Steve K. from Santa Barbara, CA
Over the years, I have had some very enjoyable times eating at Carlitos. It's great especially during summer days and nights. Try the chicken breast in mole poblano. The service is attentive. But, Carlitos should not be able to get away with the all-tequila-mix-and-no-tequila-Margarita. Carlitos has redeeming qualities, but it has shown bad faith for years serving tasty Margarita mixes, but leaving out the tequila.

Nachos
Reviewer: Robert from Santa Barbara, CA
I went alone for lunch and ordered the nachos. My waitress was great, and the nachos were out of this world. Loaded with cheese black beans and grilled chicken. I will go back... I hope to get the same waitress, she was delightful. Robert
SB local who will never go again!
Reviewer: Adrienne from Santa Barbara, CA
I grew up in SB as a huge Carlitos fan. This is the Mexican food restaurant I have always taken my out-of-town guests and recommended to others. Recently, we had a table of 10, split the check up between us and after checking my bank statement 2 days later, they had charged me the ENTIRE bill even though everyone had signed their respective checks and some people even paid in cash, so they ended up double-dipping. They tried to guilt-trip me by saying the server would have to pay for my reimbursement herself, which I felt badly about, but it was her fault not my party's. The entire experience left a very bad taste in my mouth and I will never go there again after seeing how they treat their customers. No more Carlitos for this SB local OR any of her friends, I am very disappointed.
Great food but a little pricey....
Reviewer: Kevin from Grover Beach, CA
Some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Service was good with no problems. Chips and Salsa right away, drinks right away and order taken promptly. But again,on the expensive side. Would return though.
Wedding Party at Carlitos
Reviewer: Maria from Fresno, CA
We had our daughter's wedding rehearsal dinner at Carlitos, for 30 people.They did a wonderful job and every one of our guests enjoyed the evening.! The manager Juan couldn't have been nicer accommodating us. The staff was great and the food was absolutely delicious. We come to Santa Barbara at least 2x year and Carlitos is definitely our spot.

Not satisfied by a long shot
Reviewer: Colleen from Santa Barbara, CA
I thought it would be a nice idea to visit our local Mexican food restaurant that has a great location. To my disappointment, the service, food and outdoor seating was all a big downer... The service was akward from the start, the waiter much too casually let us seat ourselves with out much greeting or helping customers (us) feel welcome. The chips, salsa and water all took much too long to come to us for a weekday lunch hour. Once we had the waiter who was the same guy "greeting customers come to our table, he seemed surprised we were not only ready to ask for water or a beverage but we were ready to order food after sitting and waiting there for a good 10-15 minutes. To summarize the rest of this experience, the food order was incorrect, then brought back to us "just modified" and on plates that were spotted and not clean looking. The quality was "OK", not great for the high price of a salad. A large table was seated waaaaaay too close to us. There was basically an uninvited backof someone's "head" at our table. We of course had to ask for to-go containers, a bag, our check. When we left, there was no "thanks for coming, sorry about the mix-up", etc... Poor service, no game in my opinion. One thing, OK TWO things were good. The person's company eating with me and the blended lemonade (never had it that way). Won't go back to this place. I'm convinced the only thing that keeps it open is location, location, location if this is their standard.

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