Carretas Grill — Restaurant in Slidell

I’m from south Texas, so I guess what I would consider good Mexican food, may differ from others. Very nicely decorated building, great atmosphere, waiter was great. Salsa and chips were on point! Michelada was one of the finest I have ever had! So I was excited thinking I was about to get the Mexican food I was accustomed to this far from home! Don’t get me wrong, the food was good, but totally different flavor than I was looking for. I had the fajitas. It was , I wouldn’t say flavorless, but maybe a little bland, and way less spicy than I was accustomed to. Tasted like someone tossed a medium grade steak in some Worcester sauce and grilled it and sliced it up. No spice to it, but not bad, just not what I was looking for. Tortillas didn’t look homemade, or if they were they did something wrong, looked pulled right out the bag and microwaved and wrapped in foil, not toasty, no char marks. Ceviche is also one of my FAVORITES! So I ordered it. Shrimp was chopped so small it almost looks like it took a trip through the grinder. Not much taste, definitely lacked in the citrus dept, decent amounts on the cilantro and tomato, but lacking with the onion, and very very little jalapeño. This is more of a please everyone’s pallet type of place. Somewhere you can bring your 4 year old, and your great aunt Thelma and no one will complain about the food being spicy.To me it tasted like what they would serve at the retirement home on Cinco de Mayo, or if you ordered fajitas from a hospital kitchen. I should have known something was up when I asked what was better, the fajitas or the carne asada, because they are listed separately, in a joking manner, and he said they were different meats, because the Carne Asada was made with beef skirt and the fajitas were “steak”. I’ve never seen ANYONE use anything but beef shirt to make beef fajitas in my life. I don’t know what cut of beef y’all are making it with here. I’m use to getting the best Mexican food at little hole in the wall places that if you don’t at least know a little Spanglish your probably not going to be able to order. So good food, yea I guess. But if you are looking for REAL DEAL Mexican food, like something you would get in south Texas, or Southern California, or pretty much any states that share a southern border with Mexico, this isn’t what you are looking for. If you are trying to take Susan, or Tiffany on a date, it might work out. Now if your taking Juanita, or Violeta out on a date, I would steer clear of here, unless they just want drinks and...

So, I'd been to Carretta's in the past and while it was good, I had never been inspired to write a review. My most recent visit was an absolutely different experience in the best way.

I grew up in Southern California and Mexican food is one of my very favorite types of cuisine. I'd been longing for some authentic Mexican and decided to give Carretta's another try.

For me, the holy grail of good Mexican food is good shredded beef. When I spotted this ingredient on one of the menu items, I determined to ask if I could get it on tacos, my absolute favorite when done right. When I asked the server if I could have it on tacos and explained I really like authentic Mexican, he understood what I was looking for. He suggested it on corn tortillas with lots of onions and some queso Blanco om the side. He got me!

When my food arrived, after my fabulous draft Stella Artois, I was excited. After my first bite, I couldn't believe what I was tasting. A rush of emotion came over in a way that comforting, favorite, familiar food can only create. I literally got chills. This was it. I finally found what I'd been dreaming of since moving to Slidell 7 years ago. We are budget conscious so we rarely eat out, so when I get the opportunity it's a huge treat and now I have that perfect place to go get my soul satisfying Mexican food that reminds me of home.

My husband got enchiladas and they were very good too, the Ranchero sauce was on point. The refried beans and rice were great as well, even reheated after a couple of days after I couldn't finish them because my awesome tacos stuffed me.

If you are looking for great Mexican food, outstanding service, good prices and a relaxed atmosphere the Carretta's in Slidell is your best bet. I seriously can't recommend it highly enough. Don't believe me? Eat the shredded beef tacos and you'll forget what you were even thinking...

I very rarely put reviews on a restaurant but yoday I was very agravted with the service and lack of give a damn.... After having vehicle issues we were stuck in Slidell for the night till the next morning when the dealership was open... We were staying at the motel 6 across the road so we walked to the restaurant to eat looks like a super nice place and reviews I seen were good.... Stood at the door for about 5 min before seated they were not busy only 2 other tables at the time and bar was empty.... Chips were brought quickly and we're the best part of the meal... The waitress was slow and not belpful.... My husband asked her a question three times and she walked away after looking him and never answered.... Our food was brought about about 2 mins after ordering there is no way that the food was cooked to order due to getting fajatias and a big burrita... This was way to fast... The chicken was so hot it was burnt the onions on the hot plate were Black and the bell peppers were still raw... My husband's burrito was cold and the tortilla had no color like it was never cooked... He asked for no tomatoes they put them anyways and the took the ate to the back took them off and brought back the plate leaving some tomatoes seeds.... Never got any drink refills had to ask for more chips and salsa and napkins .... Worse service ever... Wait staff was more worried about hanging out at the register.... Paid $50 for food I could have gotten at...