Carmelita's Kitchen — Restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita

1/26/2025

Had a wonderful lunch today after our 3 mile walk at rancho santa margarita lake. Kelly was our amazing server and what a terrific person. Kelly was efficient, friendly and professional. We also saw the amazing Eric who is an amazing person as well. We started with drinks. My wife had Don Julio Blanco with Topo Chico and three limes muddled with mint and I had a few Cadillac margaritas. My wife offered the chicken quesadilla and I had the Pollo Serrano. Both dishes were great. We also witnessed ou4 neighboring table where their mom had her 91st birthday celebration. She was having a great time as we did also. Good people, food, service and ambiance. Highly recommended.

8/2/1024 What a fantastic evening at Carmelita's in RSM. We sat at the bar for a fee drinks and put our name on the waiting list for an outside table. Neyali was our bartender and Don Ross gets the assist. My wife had Don Julio Blanco with Topo Chico (we brought our own) and three limes muddled with mint and I had the blackberry margarita. The drinks were splendid and Vanessa on of the managers made sure we had fresh chips, salsa and bean dip. The service is fantastic. The ambiance is always positive and uplifting. Our table was ready and we shifted from the bar to the outside high top table once again assisted by Vanessa. Josh came over and introduced himself and we ordered another round of drinks. John had a very positive and professional approach and his service was exemplary. Jose Basurto the GM also stopped by to say hello. I must also mention the winning smile and also top notch service by Belle who always made sure our chips, salsa, water etc. were sufficiently refreshed. Josh then took our main entree order with my wife ordering the chicken enchilada platter and I had the pollo serano. Both dishes were brought out by Mathew another amazing staff member and the plates were well prepared, presented and tasty. The evening was simply wonderful. Jose the GM sent us a fried ice cream and all I can say is WOW and thank you. I had a wonderful coffee and we enjoyed the dessert. Highly recommended and the lake ambiance is the topping on the cake. Good times.

7/20/2023 My wife and I had a fantastic dining experience this evening at Carmelitas in RSM. We sat at the bar and were greeted by our amazing bartender/server, Don Ross. We saw so many wonderful staff there, and after our first round of drinks and the shrimp tequitos, we chatted with our other famous barista, Nayeli, who made our second round of drinks. We ordered our entrees with my wife having the chicken enchiladas, and I ordered the Pollo Serrano. Both entrees were fantastic. We also had a visit from Jacob, the GM, who will be managing the Costa Mesa location when it opens in approximately 6 weeks. The ambiance is always positive, and the staff, food, and service top shelf. Highly recommended 4/14/2023 It was a wonderful lunch at Carmelitas today. We were greeted by the hostess and Don Ross as we walked in and were seated at a lovely hightop in the outdoor patio, which is heated. Don Ross took our drink order, and then Angel, our server, brought us chips, salsa, and bean dip. We also ordered shrimp taquitos, which were amazing. Angel then took our entree order, and my wife had the Pollo Serrano, and I had the chicken quesadilla. Both were spectacular. Jacob, the manager, came by to greet us and chat and was truly a pleasure, great guy! Kudos to Don Ross, Angel, and Jacob for an amazing lunch and service. Highly recommended. 4/4/2023 We stopped in this evening for a meal at Carmelitas, and it was delightful. We saw Juan as we arrived, which was very nice as we have known him for many years. Myra took us outside, and we sat in the patio area overlooking the lake, which was very nice. Goldie was our server who took our order of drinks and an appetizer. Great drinks, food, and service. Highly...

Robbed during a pandemic, shame on Carmelitas!! Pricing for special request is CRAZY!! Our family has been coming to Carmelitas for the last 5 years or so and normally enjoy the experience. We picked up food yesterday for our first time during the Covid-19 pandemic and ordered two Carne Asada burritos but my son didn't want the "fillers" of beans and rice (he wanted it plain) . I asked if these two burritos could be meat only with a little extra meat so the burrito wasn't so small. We agreed to pay for one extra $10.00 portion of meat to split between the two burritos but when the food was picked up this charge was doubled and not only doubled but an additional charge of $3.00 each for Carne Asada bringing the already hefty charge of $17.00 each to $30.00 each.bringing the cost to $60.00 for two burritos. These were paid for ahead of time by CC over the phone and when the pricing was discussed I was told the charge would be +$10.00 for both which would have been $22.00 per burrito. This cost is already very high and was borderline acceptable but being this was a weekend and I wanted the family to be happy, what the heck. The additional $3.00 per was never discussed as was the additional $10.00 and I feel as though we were taken advantage of by the restaurant. I can't believe for one second that anyone would believe that charge from $22.00 to $30.00 for a Carne Asada burrito is acceptable as a "blind charge". I do realize that Carmelitas isn't inexpensive and always considered this a price for eating with a lake view but this came without a view and if we were dining in the restaurant this wouldn't have happened because I wouldn't have allowed it. I understand that the pandemic has made business difficult but to take advantage of a regular customer or any customer like this is completely unacceptable. Do I really have to go through itemized charges when ordering from Carmelita's? I guess so, congratulations you took my money. Jalapenos in Ladera does a double meat Carne Asada burrito that is better tasting and without the crazy price tag, this is my...

Who is the genius who made all the ridiculous changes at Carmelita's? Let me guess...new management.

★Bring back the host stand (to greet people as they walk in), instead of having 3, 4, 5 employees hudled in the corner trying to look at the seating chart. It's such a chaotic scene.

★Bring back the food sizes that reflect the high prices. One tiny taco for $20 is stealing.

★Bring back the friendly waiters/waitresses. Hire more people so that: Your workers don't have to run around, exhausted. You don't keep EMPTY tables, while making your customers wait close to 1hr for an "open" table.

★Bring back the outdoor chairs & small cocktail tables, so that people have a place to sit while waiting for the NEW hour long wait.

There are a few chairs outside the restaurant, all pushed to one side, instead of being in view of everybody, inviting the customers to sit down. The whole atmosphere tells people to stay away. Before this brilliant manager took over, the place was busy and exciting.

WARNING: Poor, careless management decisions all around. Let's talk about the outdoor BROKEN table in the corner. Fix it or replace it! It's a hazard! A child could have been hurt when a big piece fell down. The employees did not even react. My guess is that this happens often.

IT'S NOT THE SAME CARMELITA's, where everybody went to have a good time, good service and good food at reasonable prices.

★Bring back what the new management took away and start treating your customers with respect and appreciation again. ★★Bad management and/or bad cooks can take a restaurant...