Carmelita's Méxican Restaurant — Restaurant in California

The food is excellent but the service was awful!! I went on 06/03/16 to take my friend out to dinner for her birthday. The waitress asked if we would like some chips and salsa and we said yes. Then she asked if we would also like some guacamole too. We said sure. In no point did she say that this was an extra charge or an appetizer. If she had said that and told us that it was $8.00 for a scoop of guacamole, I would have never had said yes to it! I didn't know this until I got the bill. I saw plates of guac being served so I didn't think anything of it. I've never been to this place before so I thought she was giving us a small bowl or something with the chips and salsa. I also ordered the berry margarita and it was just disgusting!! It was not a margarita and there were large seeds all though it and it wasn't blended at all and it had no berry flavor just seeds and tequila...it was undrinkable! I spoke to the waitress about the drink and the guacamole and she just had a smirk on her face and made excuses. She made no effort in apologizing. I ended up speaking to the manager who didn't seem to care and didn't apologize and also had a smirk. He was smug and said that he didn't want a 1 star review so he gave our dinners on the house. I had no problem paying for the dinner just not the drink and the guacamole and I express my upset over not making sure that customers know that it's a separate charge for guac and we're not expected to just know! That's something that the waitress/waiter should always make clear! Also, we had to flag down our waitress to get her back to our table! They just don't seem to care too much about their customers. The manager wanted us to come back again but I'm not sure if I will after this...

I used to LOVE this restaurant. My husband and I went there at least twice a month, if not more. But several months ago we noticed a lot of changes taking place, and they were NOT for the better. First it started with the margaritas, which we used to tell people were the best in the Sacramento metropolis. Suddenly they were being made from a mix rather than from scratch, and the mix was gross. It was sickeningly sweet and didn't taste like a margarita should. No biggie, we'll just order different drinks from now on, right? Well, on a later visit I noticed that their shredded beef changed. I don't know if they made the shredded beef in house before or if it was brought in, but whatever beef theystarted using tasted like it came out of a can. It was incredibly greasy, tasted chemically - I was sure Hormel made it. (Apologies to anyone who is a fan of Hormel, but they don't measure up to my shredded beef standards.) The final straw came when they completely changed the menu and the recipes of what original dishes were left behind. Another of my favorite dishes was their ceviche. I also told people theirs was the best I had ever had anywhere. But the new recipe was like a fruit salad with shrimp thrown in. It was so gross, and we decided that it was our last meal there. We haven't been back and have no intentions of going back, which is a shame because it used to be so wonderful. This city is already lacking good Mexican restaurants, and whoever is managing Carmelita's now destroyed...

I bought a groupon and thought I would try this place since all the great reviews.

The restaurant is not in traffic but on a side street...only 3 parking spots in the lot...but more parking on street and a lot next to it.

As I walked in I was greeted right away and asked if I wanted to sit inside or on patio. Today October 7 2019 was a very warm day so I sat outside.

It was very nice. Metal chairs and tables...nice trees for shade and a very cute rooster. After I was seated...the rooster greeted me...so cute.

The waitress was Olivia. She was very nice. I ordered a virgin pineapple jalapeno blended margarita. The original price is 12.00...mine was 7.00 since I dont drink alcohol. It was so good. I would love to have that again. It was a little sweet with a kick...very refreshing.

They bring a basket of fresh chips with black beans and a kind of runny salsa. It was good. I like the bean dip at Garcias better.

For lunch I ordered the chicken mole bowl for 13.00. Oh my Gosh was it flavorful..the mole was divine...a little sweetness and deliciousness...it comes with shredded chicken...mole sauce...pinto beans...onions over mexican sauce. It comes in a pretty big bowl. I could not finish it...

I would for sure come back here and try other items. They accepted my groupon no problems.

I am so glad I bought that to try this place...for the flavor of the food and...