Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Seminole

I felt like I was on the TV show WWYD but it was real and a nightmare. I was asked to leave for not having same political leanings as the waitress.(I am an independent voters with no ties to either party) I was discussing gain on function research with my friend and why I did not get the covid shot. The woman at the next table butted into our conversation and called me stupid and names. I told her to mind her own conversation, the Blonde Waitress came over and told our party to leave. "they do not serve racists" I asked what about gain of function research has anything to do with race? She said she did not care they did not want people like me in the Resturant. ( I am Arab American mom fresh off the boat and my friend and her mother are far left leaning white folks) My friend defended me and said I was the least racists person she had ever met and we had not said anything at all about race we where talking about the covid shot. The brown haired waitress came over told us she was the manager, we are banned from coming back, and was calling the police on us for refusing to leave. I told her to please do so and for what reason they were asking us to leave and she told me because they don't want to serve racists? Again I never made no mention of race at all, (when I fill out paper work, I x the other box on race and write in Human.I am 100% M.L.K Baby grew up in the northeast judging people by their character not skin color. I have never been so insulted in my life.) I won't go back and if you want to avoid ignorance, avoid eating at this location, or your day might be ruined by the staff embarrassing you because they don't agree with the bits and pieces conversation they overheard while barley serving you. We had to ask other waitresses for refills because the older blonde waitress was never around and did not refill us.It got was so bad one of then group had to walk into the kitchen with our cups and ask for a refill. The Horrible service by the older blonde woman that obviously hates her job is bad enough to make you think twice eating here. But to think they judge people on partial info and lump everyone into a stereotype is exactly what they were accusing me of. Very entitled work staff fell bad for the owner because I will be telling this story to everyone I know and already many people are boycotting this place . Leave your Politics at home and do your job. Specially when you're making assumptions and...

Park St. location is the ONLY location! I will throw in a few ¢. My family has been regulars for 20+ years. We've seen changes, upgrades and turn around. A few years ago a new manager was hired. She has RBF to the max and backs it up with the attitude unfortunately. We've heard her talk to a host and hostess on different occasions so rudely in front of our party and those around us who were waiting. This is pre vestibule build too, so anyone who's been here on a busy night or should I say between prime hours knows it's a cramped space, but you wait it out because the food is FANTASTIC!

Why must such negativity be displayed in front of people?

One example is VDay last year. We were a party of more than a few. It wasn't VDay, it was TACO Tuesday for us! Let me state we travel in a pack and always call ahead or do a reservation. We know bigger parties take more and being two days in one for a Mexican joint was UBBER busy.

We watched a table of four gentlemen having Margs and chatting as were we. Then more time passes and on the second visit to the restroom for one of the men he asks his table how long they had been there and where the food was? We are talking an hour plus. Said manager was so rude! No, sorry let me refill your chips and grab you some guac while I check on your food. No, I'm sorry gentlemen let me take care of some things for you and treat you to dessert. There was no saving these guys from the gate!! Her response was, "We're busy." I don't think there was three seconds between that and walking off? Good, Lord! You're in hospitality, women! If you start with a smile it will go a lot smoother! These guys were racking up the drinks and with food I'm sure they would have had a good tab and left a good tip. Nah. Again-said manager ruined any chance of that. They put money on the table and left. Three other tables followed that night.

Recently the new staff has been great! We haven't noticed too much turn around. Mind you, if you haven't been here. Know they have had some long term FOH staff that are still slinging shells, but some of the in betweens have improved!

This is our taco fix go to! Food is...

I was raised if I don’t have anything nice to say don’t say a word. I take food reviews seriously and understand the consequences of bad reviews. I proceed carefully and with the utmost respect.

When you walk in the ambience was super cute. Left in the retro Hispanic throwback years, I felt welcomed and at home. Entrance offers t-shirts and a colorful array of decorations laced the ceiling and walls.

Waitress was brought us my mango margarita and what we thought was a great beginning to our meal. Warm chips and flavorful salsa started us out. We ordered and didn’t see the waitress again. Food was brought out by another staff and we were just not dazzled by the flavors or detail with the food. Ambience gets a 9/10 bc it was super cute.

I ordered my standard bowl of menudo. There was no fresh cilantro and a tiny cup of onions and one lime slice. It also came with flour tortillas which was odd to me as I’m always given fresh corn tortillas with menudo. The flavors were bland and IF the waitress had come back to check on us I’d have ordered more accoutrements to liven up the soup. 6/10.

Hubby ordered the burrito (no cheese) with corn and side salad. Inside the burrito is what he says “refried beans, shredded beef and warm shredded iceberg lettuce...all flavorless”. They put a crush tomato’s paste on top that he said was not appetizing. His side salad was had tomatoes and black olives on it only. 4/10

Overall, the experience could have been different if we had some attention from our waitress or if she noticed how much food we had left. Not taking to go bags was a que that something was off. We paid, tipped her well and decided we probably won’t return.

If you love this place, tell us why. We appreciate their service to...