Carmina's Mexican Restaurant and Banquets — Restaurant in Elgin

I want to start by saying the obvious. Carminas management took advantage of my family during a very emotional time. We contacted the restaurant as we needed a space to host 150 guests for a post-funeral lunch. We had previously made similar arrangements for my fathers funeral lunch which was for 100 guests back in 2020. In 2020 we paid $2000 for 100 guest lunch buffet. In 2023 we agreed to pay $5000 for 150 guests. Yes, we had the option to go elsewhere, but who really wants to shop for a bargain as they grieve the lose of their mother. So, we assumed that based on customer loyalty and previous experience that the lunch would go on with no issues.

Here is my complaint:

As soon as we arrived, the manager requested that we pay the balance. Service was okay at best. It wasn't the actual staff that was okay, there wasn't enough staff to accomodate 150 guests. We agreed to 150 people. When we asked for an extra table, NOT because we exceeded our 150 guest count, but because we wanted a family to sit together and not have them sit separately, we were charged an extra $300.

Here is my review: The staff is good. Except for the person behind the bar, everyone did a great job. Management sucks. Perhaps it is a lack of experience or lack of respect, or just plain ignorance, the point is that the person is charge is not professional or courteous in any way at all.

So, if you want to have a family event, do not choose Carminas.

Last, they got a One start review because I couldn't...

I am shocked this place has a 3.9. I wanted to like this place but it's just not good. Comparatively, with all the Mexican food options available in Elgin, they just completely miss the bar (not even close). This would be last on my list of recommended Mexican cuisine in Elgin. Their menu is limited and over priced. Protein options for enchiladas, tacos, burritos, etc. is just steak, beef and chicken (no shrimp, al pastor, carnitas...). Very limited. Extremely over priced at 13.99 for a combination platter, 10.99 for a burrito, 11.99 for enchiladas. Nothing except the nachos and flautas come with sour cream and guacamole. Guacamole is an additional 1.99 and sour cream an additional .99. Burritos are only filled with meat, beans and lettuce. My mom's enchiladas were really dry (lacking sauce and meat over cooked) and my flautas were dry and extremely hard (rock solid). Our food took well over 30 minutes (server pocket checked the order-forgot to ring it in) and they comped our dessert because of that. Fried ice cream wasn't good...almost made the meal worse. I've been here 3 times in the past 2 years so I've given it plenty of chances and bottom line is it just isn't good. Won't be coming back, do not recommend. Go to pretty much ANY OTHER Mexican joint (I wouldn't even call this authentic Mexican food) and you will be better off. Check out their awful Yelp reviews. Isn't that a good indication something is off with your restaurant?...I wish we could get...

This WAS my favorite Mexican restaurant. I raved about it and recommended this place to everyone! We just went there 2 weeks ago after not going for awhile and we will never be back! They removed several things from their menu and their prices went sky high! My favorite dish there, was the fajita burrito. They no longer have burritos AT ALL! How do they no longer offer a Mexican food staple??? They wouldn't even make one! I ordered the fajitas instead. SOOOO expensive for 3 pieces of steak and 3 pounds of peppers and onions! The fajitas were extremely greasy and tasteless.... My kids ordered taco kids meals. They get 1 taco, 1 tbsp of rice, and 1 tbsp of beans. FOR $8 each meal!!!!! I asked the waitress if she can substitute fries for the rice and beans (most places will) and she told me it would be $6 extra. That was a hard NO! My son ordered a chicken taco. It was so soggy and had a fishy taste to it so there went $8 down the drain. My daughter refused to eat hers as well. My husband didn't like his meal and agreed, we wont be back. The waitress was absent. I had to go to the bar to ask someone for refills and napkins. She never checked on us once and she didn't have other tables to wait on. The restaurant was practically empty. Our family is so disappointed! Taco Bell is better than this place. I guess the search is on to find a new Mexican Restaurant! So...