Carlita's - Eugene — Restaurant in Eugene

I've been here a few times, and we've mostly enjoyed it. However, last night our experience was not great. At all. We had a party of 6, so we knew on a Saturday night we'd need to get there early. My husband and I got there around 6:45 to get on the list for a table. We were told 45 minutes to an hour wait. We were OK with this as we expected it to be busy. We met the rest of our party down at Heritage. At about 7:40 we were texted that our table was finally ready. We then waited several minutes to get acknowledged by any staff members, only to have them lead us to a side patio room where they were setting us up at a couch and a literal coffee table. Fine if you're there for drinks, but there is no way 6 grown adults can comfortably eat dinner on a low couch, bent over sharing a coffee table.

When we told them that we preferred an actual table (very odd to me that it isn't implied that if you're there for dinner, you'd like an actual table to eat your meal at), it would be another 30 minute wait. We are now approaching 90+ minutes to simply get a table. We considered leaving but at that point, decided we might as well just wait. This could have all been avoided if we had simply been asked when we initially got on the list if we preferred a table or the couch on the patio.

After finally getting a table, we were able to get our drink orders in. We literally had our appetizers before our drinks arrived. We then ordered dinner. About 10 minutes after we ordered, we were told they were out of chicken so many of the items we had ordered were no longer available. We made due, but it was pretty unprofessional and disappointing as their menu doesn't have a ton of options anyway.

And then, when the bill finally arrived, we had been charged for the items we got plus the items that we ordered with chicken, that could not be made or served. We did get those removed, but all around, this was a completely disappointing evening out for my husband's birthday.

For the price, service and what we got, I'm not sure we...

I wanted this place to be good so bad. But it was not at all.

While the staff seemed very unorganized and confused about almost everything, they were very kind and upbeat. Owned the mistakes and apologized.

We had a party of 5 there at 5 and had issues from the get go. Every table around us could be heard bringing up issues as well.

The margaritas just tasted like lime juice and sugar. Could not taste any tequila in them.

Ordered happy hour nachos at 5 pm. After asking staff about them 5 times we finally got them at 620 after all our other food had been ordered. They offer chips and salsa free with alcoholic beverage orders. We got one small basket right away and after ordering 6 other drinks we didn’t get any more even though they told us several times they were bringing them.

One of our party just ordered a water, it took 45 minutes to get it.

They offer a variety of salsas with the tacos. We ordered three varieties between the 5 of us. Got 1. The blackened salmon taco was not blackened and was cold to the touch as though it had just come out of the refrigerator.

Once we got water for everyone at the table, we waited a half hour for refills.

One of our party ordered three tacos and got two. The person bringing the food out and another staff member said the third was coming. After about 20 minutes of being told it was coming multiple times, it never did and then the waitress offered to get it again when bringing the check and realizing it hadn’t come again.

Tables around us had issues being charged full price for happy hour items. One table of two got tacos for one person right away and 20 minutes later for the other person even though both ordered at the same time.

The Carlton pork taco was good and the pineapple salsa was good as well. The carne asada taco was a little bland and the meat was dried out. The skillet appetizer was good but very small for their largest appetizer.

The views and location are cool but def wasn’t worth enough...

We went the worst possible day, sinko de drinko. Packed. The staff worked their tails off, and even though it took a long time to get seated and served, we were checked in on often and made as comfortable as possible. Fantastic job people, you were excellent. When I said we'll be back, it's a promise. Oh, the place is very nice, upscale yet comfortable, although loud. I was amazed how they had just a tornado of activity the whole time we were there, swirling around us like crazy, we were very comfortable, a fun environment.

The food.... you have got to try the Pozole. I mean, it's just identical to how I make it, so I'm super biased, but I was taught 50 years ago by a elderly woman who didn't speak English. It's fantastic assuming you know what authentic is. The Tostada? Bangin. It sat under the AC and got cold while I freaked out on the Pozole, but the flavors were excellent, although I'd rather have shredded iceberg just for ease of eating. The queso looking thing is Carlito's Skillet and is also super yummy. The tacos were excellent although not huge. Flavors were on point for the crowd, not spicy but very flavorful. Very obvious they care what they put out in every way, from the excellent drinks to the helpful and patient staff to the FOOD...ok, enough said. Be hungry when...