La Carreta Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in California

I've been eating in La Carreta since the early 80's. I recommend their ranchero sauce on pretty much everything.

Where do I begin... You walk in and it may not look like much. The booths are not always filled, but then you walk into the bar and find it crowded with locals and Chargers fans alike. You sit down and order margaritas. They bring you boats full of tequila and sweet/sour goodness. And if you're not feeling the tequila persuasion, there's always a good Mexican brew. They bring out their chips and salsa and you realize... there is no better salsa east of the 5. Filled with cumin and cilantro and super amazing goodness. I'm not going to lie. I get one thing from here always: salad with blue cheese and the combo plate with a mixed burrito, beef taco, and an enchilada. There's no reason to get anything else because there is no better food in San Diego County. Smother that ranchero sauce all over your rice and experience happiness at its finest. I grew up in Alpine my entire life. As long as I have been coming here, the same family has owned it. When I come in and they tell me "Hey, good to see you, your mom was just in here a few days ago." I don't doubt it. La Carreta, you are as much of a part of my family as anybody. I now bring my wife here who is new to the Alpine area. She orders the same thing I do because it's the best. Someday, we will bring our kids here and show them the awesomeness that is the mixed burrito with ranchero sauce at a place that has been around as long...

Never going back. So I went there last week and had the steak. (Carne Asada) It was very tender and cooked perfect! So I thought I would come in again. As a matter of fact, I was looking forward to coming again because the steak was great. So about a week later I ordered the steak again same way as last time- medium rare. And it came to the table raw! It was red! No big deal right? So I told bartender to please cook this steak a little bit longer. (Keyword: little bit) When he brought it back it was totally cremated. It was like a bad dream. Server was hiding. I should have just walked out. It was tough, overcooked and a totally different experience than the other time. I guess it is what it is. Poor service and random results. Also, no soap in bathroom but there was some kind of hand sanitizer? Odd. Also, that place could use some serious AC! It was about 95 degrees inside, I strongly recommend Tapitio's or Minyanas just down the...

My wife and I have been coming to La Carreta for over 20 years. I saw some one-star reviews about the service. Over the years there have been a small number of servers that were less than perfect but overwhelmingly the staff has been outstanding. Even the few that weren't the best waiters were still very friendly. Anyone who had poor service, please don't let that form your opinion, it doesn't happen very often. This is a family run restaurant and they take pride in their customer relations. The food is what has kept us coming back for decades. I've had everything on the menu many times and it's always been consistently the same: delicious. The chips are homemade and fresh, crisp and not oily. The salsa is exceptional and could be marketed on a national scale (though it wouldn't be the same). The portions are large but taste so good I never have leftovers. I can't say enough good things, this is our favorite restaurant in all...