La Carreta Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

Solid spot for anyone who enjoys Mexican food. Not as loud as the other one just down in Seminole Plaza and is better for family dining and quieter conversation. They have a great outdoor patio. Parking is tight, so large vehicles are harder to navigate the lot. Food is excellent and always fast and consistent. The service is a group effort so you'll see a hostess first, then your server, and most likely also see a few others chip in to run your food or refill drinks and chips. Keep in mind, the atmosphere is relaxed, so don't expect maitre D service, but the pace is FAST at these restaurants. No matter when you eat, slow or busy, 2 diners or a full restaurant you can expect to get your food 4-5 minutes after you order. So pace yourself accordingly or you'll feel rushed just because they are efficient and fast in the kitchen. I have dined at this location 27 times and only ONCE did we receive a dish that was a mistake. It was a combination of the language barrier and my dad pointing to a menu item by accident that caused it, so be mindful to try your best to say the words right to the best of your Spanish knowledge.

The seating here inside is limited. The booths are the most popular so you might have to wait for one for larger groups of 4 or more unless you don't mind a table, or depending on the weather and time of the year sitting out on the patio. The menu is large. A mix of authentic dishes and Americanized tex mex. Most dishes will be served mild spicy. You can dial up the heat upon request as well as dial it down by ordering mild salsa or choosing certain dishes that pack flavor over spicy heat. The queso dip is top notch here. The ingredients are food service quality (Sysco, PFG) so don't expect Michelin Star market fresh food. It's still very good just because of how well trained the kitchen is and how well they prep for service. They have 2 small bathrooms, Ive only ever seen the Men's room, it's small, clean, basic, always full of towels and hand soap. I'm not sure if the women's room has a baby changing table. So send Mom in first to check if you have a toddler or infant who may need a diaper change.

If you're local, you know it's great. If you're from out of town you NEED to give these restaurants a try. They are all over the GLA so no matter what part of the area you live in or visit you'll find a La Carreta close by.

They offer dine in and To Go. For delivery you'll need to use GrubHub or Uber Eats style services. Handicap accessible. Keep in mind the inside is small, and typically busy all day and night so while I call it wheel chair friendly, that doesn't mean wheel chair convenient. It will be tough to navigate the small space with any mobility chair or scooter, but possible.

$$- 2 drinks, queso dip, and two entrees (ayce chips &salsa) typically cost us $30-40 including 20% tip. You can however easily spend less money because the portions are large and they offer 1/2 portions (fajitas) and have appetizers like nachos that can be a meal, and an ala carte option to dine lite. For the youngins there is a kids menu.

9.5/10 for this family owned restaurant group. Fast, friendly, clean and consistent. In my humble opinion, it's easily the best around this area for...

My family and I go to this La Carreta about once a month and the food is always excellent however over my last several visits the drinks have not been what they used to be. The drinks used to be strong and still drinkable but now they are weak and all mixer. Upon pointing this out on my most recent visit with my uncle the server insisted the drink was made as it always has been, this just is not the case every adult at the table agreed. This La Carreta is still great and the drinks now may be more to the likings of other more frequent customers but that is the reason for the 4-stars.

My comment has dwelled on my complaints so far so to explain why this La Ca is worth a trip I point to the food! The food is excellent and made to order and if you request no mushrooms or to add jalapeños and onions they will happily oblige. I have told the waiter to have them make my food hot enough to light me up and they delivered! I was sweating and in love. I found myself shoveling down Arroz Con Pollo filled with flavor and heat addicted to the burn. They can consistently provide quality food and great portions for the price.

TL;DR go get you some and hit the liquor store if...

If I could give it a negative I would but not for the food, it is the customer service that is horrible. I came in and was in line behind a party. The party was seated so naturally I am next to be helped. I stood there patiently while one person was at the register and 2 where going back and forth and after what seemed like forever (probably less than 2 minutes) I said hello, no response so I said more so to myself than anyone am I invisible? The gentleman at the register looked at me and still did not acknowledge me. So I waited and said I guess I am and he looked at me again. A gentleman comes to the register and was handling cash but I’m assuming he thought I was already being helped so he didn’t offer assistance. At this point the first gentleman walks away. So a lady comes to the register and she was helping someone else but then she realized that I wasn’t being helped and she helped me. This is the 2nd time that I have went here and received the same horrible service (the first time was years ago so I thought things may have changed I was wrong). Anyway the food is good but the customer service is THE WORST and for this reason I will...