Carmela's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in California

I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to the place being understaffed at opening on Taco Tuesday. First we had to wait for the server to come out and seat us...in a very quiet restaurant. I think 2 of their tables had guests. We had to wait for menus. We had to wait for chips. We had to wait for the regular (not hot) salsa. We had to wait for water. Which was spilled on my husband. 16oz of ice water. The waiter was startled that it slipped out of his hand, in to my husband's lap, but quickly verbally rebounded, "It's only water!" Fortunately my husband wasn't dressed in a suit for his work. Lunch seemed to take forever to arrive. Other customers who had been seated when we arrived also had been waiting. Finally everyone was served, another waitstaff person arrived. Our meals were good. The Albondigas soup is really nice, generously filled with big meatballs ( Not sure but supposed to be beef, pork and turkey) The tasty broth contained vegetables including: broccoli, cauliflower, beans, carrots, and potatoes. The soup is served with choice of tortillas, which I had to wait for, for longer than was right as waiter ran around the restaurant taking and delivering other people's orders. No surprise, eating in stages was the style on that day, I guess... At least all was served at proper temperature. I also had a green salad, served just a few moments after the soup was served. It was basic, "bag salad." Hubs, his soggy lap and lower body warming to the wetness from the spilled ice water, enjoyed his Taquitos lunch plate, and had one added $1.50 taco. (street style, it looked forelorn, alone on its separate plate. I recommend get at least 2 on Taco Tuesday!) After we finished and for some time, we waited again and had to ask for the check. We were told as he hurried past, that we could pay at the table (ie: leave exact change) or he'd meet us at the register. More waiting, different location. The waiter deducted the price of a small side of guacamole from our bill because of the spilled water.

All an easy fix: fully staff...

I have been going to Carmela’s in McKinleyville consistently for the past year and a half. The food is great, but you will not be able to order it for at least 15 minutes after you sit down. It doesn’t matter if it’s taco Tuesday, a Monday night or any other time. It doesn’t matter if you sit next to the kitchen, next to the host station, or in plain sight in the center of the restaurant. I expressed my feelings to the server when they eventually arrived after at least 20 minutes without at least a drink order. He explained that they were incredibly understaffed and made it right for us with an extra shot in my margarita and a swift apology. After we got our food we ordered some more tacos which never came and ended up leaving cash on the table so we could leave since we were never again visited at our table. I can understand one negative experience at a restaurant, but it’s every time I’ve been there. Definitely not going back after this time. It’s...

Decent, on multiple occasions the beans and rice, were not good. I went tonight with my family and it was one of the off nights again. The beans seam like maybe there's too much lard? I can't really pinpoint the taste. The rice appeared to be combined with another batch that had been burnt. There were numerous chard grains of rice. Needless to say, I'd been working all day and hadn't ate so I was starving, so I picked through and managed to eat my dinner. I also would suggest possibly reducing the volume of the speakers for the live music. I do enjoy the idea of live music. However it is overwhelming and you can't conversate at all unless you basically shout across the table. I will be back again most certainly and I hope they can make improvements. I know this is a unimaginable era for the restaurant industry, I'm sure as things get better as will the quality and consistency of this popular...