Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Pinellas Park

I'd read the other reviews, and didn't get my hopes set too high, but, it's a popular enough Mexican restaurant so we decided to give it a try. Upon entering, I noticed though the restaurant was far from busy, it was very loud, mostly from one table, and one person, but... not really the businesses' fault. We were seated and it was longer than it should be before someone asked if we were being helped. Our table was empty except for 2 menus (there were 2 of us).

The waiter took our drink order, 2 sangrias and 2 ice waters. He did mention that for about $6 more we can just get a pitcher, but we really didn't need a whole pitcher. He returned minutes later with 2 sangrias. No water.

Several minutes later he returned to take our dinner order. I said, "We'll start with XYZ Apetizer.", I forget the actual name. Then my wife ordered her dinner and before I could look at my menu to order mine, he picked it up. So, I used my wife's menu at which he said, "Oh, you wanted to order more food?". Umm... yeah, I wanted a bit more than an apetizer for dinner.

At this point we had to remind him to bring us the waters...

The apetizer had jalapeno poppers, obviously from a freezer, mozzarella sticks, same. Quesadillas that were alright, and mini chicken chimichangas. The chimi's were bland, and the chicken in them tasted like it came from a can. Otherwise the food was alright, but far from "traditional homemade".

Our dinners came out really soon after the apetizer, and all looked really good. I had a combo meal that included a "golden taco". I think that's what they call crunchy or hard tacos, but can't be sure. Well, the sides were crunchy, but the bottom was soggy, and overall, my dinner was pretty lukewarm, rather than hot.

Along with our dinners, my wife had to ask for utensils and napkins, which, our waiter appeared shocked had not already been on the table, though he neglected to notice until now.

The food itself tasted fine. Just fine, not great, not fantastic, just.... fine. I can get this kind of quality at dozens of places in the area.

Before we even finished eating, our waiter unceremoniously dropped the check on the table and walked away saying, "No rush". Hmm, we didn't want dessert, but, it would have been nice to have been asked.

So overall, the food was okay, but our waiter acted like we were interrupting his break or something. He didn't care, and it showed. If the service had been better, I might actually go back, but... nah, there's plenty of other restaurants offering middling food options that actually like...

I HATE that I have to give one star. I loved this place since moving here. Being from California, it’s very close to what I get back home from the carne asada tacos to the street corn. HOWEVER, my husband and I went there today and it was all bad. We arrived at 4:20pm, about 20 minutes before the evening rush. We ordered 2 of the largest margs they served. We were brought 2 margs in small solo cups. Usually that size is served in a fishbowl sized glass. We put in our order immediately. He got a carne asada taco combo with rice and charro beans, I got ONE carne asada taco and street corn. We watched 3 tables arrive after we ordered, they ordered, got their food, ate, paid and left before we got food. We’re no Karen’s, so we waited and our food but it never came. We flagged down someone and asked because our server just never came back. She said they lost our ticket. Stuff happens, I get that. Our food comes out eventually and my street corn is essentially “corn soup with mayonnaise”. It wasn’t drained and had no cheese. Completely inedible. My husbands side dishes were incorrect. By that time we had 2 margs each. We closed out and left. When he brought our ticket, he had the absolute audacity to slap down an 88 dollar bill. Charged us 14 dollars each for 4 small solo cups of margs. a wrong order of 3 tacos and one solo tacos… I understand being busy and accidents happen. But the fact that no staff member tried to make it right was really disheartening. I used to go there at least once a week but I’ll never come back. I just wished they made it right… I make ~20 bucks/hr. So I essentially just paid you 4 hrs of my time to sit in your establishment for 2 hrs and have everything given to me wrong. I guess I’ll be finding another...

Not very busy, yet our server was visibly upset to wait on us. It seemed she would rather have been standing with the other ladies who were busy talking about the patrons in the restaurant. I might not speak Spanish, but I do understand it. I had to ask for the complimentary chips and salsa. I asked for lemon with my sweet tea. I asked again after it was served without. I asked a third time when she finally decided to refill my husband's tea, not mine. I never got the lemon. I ordered a Chimichanga. It is supposed to be fried. I was served as what looked like a wet burrito. I asked and she said it was a Chimichanga. They don't fry them very long so they get soft easier. The rice and beans were cold. The plates are usually very hot. So hot, that the server warns the patron to be careful. She didn't say a word. I am assuming because she knew it was cold to the touch. When questioned she didn't have an answer. When I complained that the food was cold she said it will be easier to eat that way. I didn't bother asking for anything else. My husband ordered enchiladas. His were more like a hot mess on his plate. His plate was hot. So was his food. Only there was so much sauce and melted cheese he didn't taste the flavor of the few pieces of shredded meat that were found. We aren't even sure there were corn tortillas wrapped up in the slop that was on his plate. The place was so dark and it was only 4pm or so. The tables surrounding us were not cleared and were still a mess when we left. Not sure why the servers couldn't get it done since they were all standing around talking. I know I won't be back. I'll find another Mexican restaurant to spend...