Since the remodel they have really stepped up their game. The food is great and Victor is the most attentive server ever. The fish tacos are the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tony B.
Went on a drive up the coast and along the main drag to the beach in Carpinteria we found Oaxaca Fresh. Authentic Oaxacan food... Yes please :) So how could we not order from the House Specialty Plates menu! We ordered Enmoladas de Pollo (chicken enchiladas in homemade mole sauce) and Pork Chile Verde. I had the mole and OMG was it good, so rich and flavorful :) :) :) The chile verde was also 5-Stars good. Both plates came with some very good beans & rice and for beverages I had a Pacifico and the driver an excellent Horchata. And the pre meal chips & salsa were hot, fresh & super tasty. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was friendly. Our meal came out quickly and the waitress checked on us frequently. The dining room is in two large sections and there are also streetside tables out front. The area has plenty of street parking as well as a large free city parking lot just a block away.
Wendy Spencer
This restaurant appears to be permanently closed, even though Google says otherwise.
Ryan S
Was walking by with my family. Daughter had a runny nose so I went in to ask if I can have a napkin. Was told no since I wasn’t a customer. They told me to go to Rori’s, who was more than happy to give me a $0.002 napkin. Wouldn’t give this place my patronage if it were the only restaurant open in town.
Milagros C.
Recomiendo mucho este lugar, es muy deliciosa la comida y la atención es muy amena y confortable. Te hacen sentir muy bien.
Kara Geiger
I feel terrible leaving bad reviews, but if I can save just one person from eating here, it's worth it. I cannot understand the 5 star reviews for this restaurant. I didn't know that food, especially Mexican food, could have so little flavor. They didn't bring us chips and salsa until we asked, the water tasted like it was out of the tap and served in poorly washed glasses. Everything we ate needed salt, nachos were soggy and cold. Service was extremely slow. This place is a dive, so I expected some excellent food, but was sorely disappointed. ?
Mia S.
The service was... questionable. The man who took our order was very quiet and seemed not used to talking to people despite being family owned. The vibes were super interesting and I didn't know how to feel but not in a good way. The food was super bland. We ordered the veggie nachos and it was less than satisfactory. Maybe because there wasn't meat on it there was a lack of flavor... ? Either way wouldn't want to come back if nothing was fixed.
Kimberly A.
The environment is hot and dated. The service was super slow, took 10 minutes for chips and salsa, another 10 for water. The salsa was the first give away, it's super bland with no kick. The food was cold and also super bland. We may be spoiled so Cali residents because I can walk out my front door and get a 100x better taco on the street corner.
Nicole G.
The gentleman who waited on us was kind and considerate - however, the food wasn't great. I had the nachos and they were cold and soggy. The rest of my family said their food was notably bland and underwhelming for the price. Ingredients were also missing; for example, no cheese in any of the burritos even though it was clearly listed on the menu. It took a long time to get water,chips and salsa to the table and when the chips arrived they were cool and stale. I would pass on this one!
Melissa Cure
The food was pretty good and the waiter was nice. It took a little while, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was fine.
My family and I have been coming to Oaxaca Fresh for many years. We've been very happy with the quality of the food, which has kept us coming back. Four of us came for our latest visit. We sat outside to catch the fine weather. I ordered the chicken mole which was quite good. I particularly like the fresh tortillas that come with the dish. My mom ordered the chili relleno and a vegetarian taco, which was smothered with avocados. My dad used two chicken enchiladas, which were doused in a green sauce. And our friend ordered the chicken mole tamales, which were cooked in banana leaves. They had Modelo Especial on tap, which were all ordered. They have quite the vegetarian menu, with copious selections beyond just a cheese enchilada or a bean burrito, so common at other Mexican establishments. I know for a fact that the owner buys produce at the farmer's market; I even helped him on one occasion a few years back to carry produce from the market into the restaurant. I'm frankly a bit startled by the weak reviews. The food is good, but service can sometimes be slow. Maybe it's a reaction to that. Frankly, Carpinteria is a beach town with a slower pace to life. It's worth settling in and enjoying one's meal.
David Gralnik
This is the real thing! Family restaurant and experience. It really doesn't get better than this in So Cal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lourdes Espinoza
This is by far one of the best Mexican Restaurants I have tried in the 805 (From San Miguel to Oxnard). The restaurant is a little old fashion but the food is incredible. We tried a little bit of everything (enchiladas, carne asada, tamales, rice, beans, jamaica water and flan). Everything taster great was we were pleasantly surprised that the cleanliness and attention from the staff. We are visiting Carpinteria for a short getaway and will definitely come back again just to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Loreg Hodges
Well for $16.95 Mole Chicken, it should at the very least be hot thoroughly. Chicken was warm outside and COLD inside. Sauce so-so. Chili Releno slightly above room temperature ware. Now that I'm reading their reviews, I'm seeing a lot of comments with similar experience as our's. Seems like one of those hit and miss places. Bummed.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
doctoyou
Happened upon here when looking for Mexican (taco shop next door). The Oaxaca tamales were out so had the chicken mole. Small meat but large plate with sides. The children’s menu didn’t have quesadillas they made one. Bargain at 6$ with sides and drink. Nice staff. Cc machine down weirdly so rounded up cash before getting ice cream next door. Fair number of locals inside-
Since the remodel they have really stepped up their game. The food is great and Victor is the most attentive server ever. The fish tacos are the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went on a drive up the coast and along the main drag to the beach in Carpinteria we found Oaxaca Fresh. Authentic Oaxacan food... Yes please :) So how could we not order from the House Specialty Plates menu! We ordered Enmoladas de Pollo (chicken enchiladas in homemade mole sauce) and Pork Chile Verde. I had the mole and OMG was it good, so rich and flavorful :) :) :) The chile verde was also 5-Stars good. Both plates came with some very good beans & rice and for beverages I had a Pacifico and the driver an excellent Horchata. And the pre meal chips & salsa were hot, fresh & super tasty. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was friendly. Our meal came out quickly and the waitress checked on us frequently. The dining room is in two large sections and there are also streetside tables out front. The area has plenty of street parking as well as a large free city parking lot just a block away.
This restaurant appears to be permanently closed, even though Google says otherwise.
Was walking by with my family. Daughter had a runny nose so I went in to ask if I can have a napkin. Was told no since I wasn’t a customer. They told me to go to Rori’s, who was more than happy to give me a $0.002 napkin. Wouldn’t give this place my patronage if it were the only restaurant open in town.
Recomiendo mucho este lugar, es muy deliciosa la comida y la atención es muy amena y confortable. Te hacen sentir muy bien.
I feel terrible leaving bad reviews, but if I can save just one person from eating here, it's worth it. I cannot understand the 5 star reviews for this restaurant. I didn't know that food, especially Mexican food, could have so little flavor. They didn't bring us chips and salsa until we asked, the water tasted like it was out of the tap and served in poorly washed glasses. Everything we ate needed salt, nachos were soggy and cold. Service was extremely slow. This place is a dive, so I expected some excellent food, but was sorely disappointed. ?
The service was... questionable. The man who took our order was very quiet and seemed not used to talking to people despite being family owned. The vibes were super interesting and I didn't know how to feel but not in a good way. The food was super bland. We ordered the veggie nachos and it was less than satisfactory. Maybe because there wasn't meat on it there was a lack of flavor... ? Either way wouldn't want to come back if nothing was fixed.
The environment is hot and dated. The service was super slow, took 10 minutes for chips and salsa, another 10 for water. The salsa was the first give away, it's super bland with no kick. The food was cold and also super bland. We may be spoiled so Cali residents because I can walk out my front door and get a 100x better taco on the street corner.
The gentleman who waited on us was kind and considerate - however, the food wasn't great. I had the nachos and they were cold and soggy. The rest of my family said their food was notably bland and underwhelming for the price. Ingredients were also missing; for example, no cheese in any of the burritos even though it was clearly listed on the menu. It took a long time to get water,chips and salsa to the table and when the chips arrived they were cool and stale. I would pass on this one!
The food was pretty good and the waiter was nice. It took a little while, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was fine.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
My family and I have been coming to Oaxaca Fresh for many years. We've been very happy with the quality of the food, which has kept us coming back. Four of us came for our latest visit. We sat outside to catch the fine weather. I ordered the chicken mole which was quite good. I particularly like the fresh tortillas that come with the dish. My mom ordered the chili relleno and a vegetarian taco, which was smothered with avocados. My dad used two chicken enchiladas, which were doused in a green sauce. And our friend ordered the chicken mole tamales, which were cooked in banana leaves. They had Modelo Especial on tap, which were all ordered. They have quite the vegetarian menu, with copious selections beyond just a cheese enchilada or a bean burrito, so common at other Mexican establishments. I know for a fact that the owner buys produce at the farmer's market; I even helped him on one occasion a few years back to carry produce from the market into the restaurant. I'm frankly a bit startled by the weak reviews. The food is good, but service can sometimes be slow. Maybe it's a reaction to that. Frankly, Carpinteria is a beach town with a slower pace to life. It's worth settling in and enjoying one's meal.
This is the real thing! Family restaurant and experience. It really doesn't get better than this in So Cal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is by far one of the best Mexican Restaurants I have tried in the 805 (From San Miguel to Oxnard). The restaurant is a little old fashion but the food is incredible. We tried a little bit of everything (enchiladas, carne asada, tamales, rice, beans, jamaica water and flan). Everything taster great was we were pleasantly surprised that the cleanliness and attention from the staff. We are visiting Carpinteria for a short getaway and will definitely come back again just to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Well for $16.95 Mole Chicken, it should at the very least be hot thoroughly. Chicken was warm outside and COLD inside. Sauce so-so. Chili Releno slightly above room temperature ware. Now that I'm reading their reviews, I'm seeing a lot of comments with similar experience as our's. Seems like one of those hit and miss places. Bummed.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Happened upon here when looking for Mexican (taco shop next door). The Oaxaca tamales were out so had the chicken mole. Small meat but large plate with sides. The children’s menu didn’t have quesadillas they made one. Bargain at 6$ with sides and drink. Nice staff. Cc machine down weirdly so rounded up cash before getting ice cream next door. Fair number of locals inside-