$40 service fee and $40 mandated gratuity fee? Total of $80 added on the bill for 3 adults and 3 kids. Total for food was $190-195 and they took it upon themselves to add $80 to bill just because. Food was ok, but adding 40% on the bill just because feels like getting robbed without a gun! I would have gladly left a tip, but shouldn't be forced to be added on a smaller bill. Went to other restaurants in the area and non had this hidden charge.
Pretty O.
I chose this restaurant because there was outdoor seating and I liked the menu that I viewed online. It was my last day of vacation in Santa Barbara. I was by myself, a woman over 65. I was seated quickly. When I gave my waiter my order, he wasn't concentrating on what I said and had to ask me again if I wanted rice and beans or a salad with my entree. I told him rice and beans. He brought the food and had given me a salad. I told him I ordered rice and beans. He took my food away and a bus person brought me the correct food order. The waiter never came to my table again. After I was done eating, I was wondering if anyone was ever going to come over to my table, so I started timing things. After a five minute wait, the bus person took my dirty plates. I waited another six minutes and no one came to ask me if I wanted dessert or the check. I stood up at my table and this got the server's attention. I told him he never came back to check on me, and that I wanted my check. Because the restaurant was a total tourist place, you would think that the service would be top notch. I was looking forward to eating at this restaurant. People come to restaurants for all kinds of reasons. Your employees need to keep that in mind when they are serving us. It's not like we just live down the street or live in Santa Barbara. I love Santa Barbara and was looking forward to a safe place to have dinner on my last night in town, with good service and good food. When a lone female comes to your restaurant to eat dinner, we are human beings and it's not OK to ignore us like we don't exist and are invisible. If you are going to treat customers like this, don't work at a restaurant. As a lone diner, I just want to have a pleasant dining experience and leave. Your employees need to be more cognizant of lone female diners and not treat us in a condescending manner. Are your servers misogynists? Perhaps they need basic customer service training about misogyny and ageism. It's just common sense to provide excellent customer service if you work in a restaurant. Be attentive!
Roni C.
We were seated under a burnt umbrella near the sidewalk that people passed by when they had a bunch of food seats Burnt particles fell in my food and beverages throughout the entire meal. No apology when I complained no compost took the umbrella down when the wind blew Weird customer service not sure if it was racism just felt hostile Will never return to eat there drinks were awful what ambiance? Nice restroom
christiane lancaster
Vegetarian options: Chili rellenos are great!
Recommended dishes: Guacamole in a Molcajete
Laura Knops Neault
Our family sat outside on a sunny afternoon. Enjoyed FANTASTIC food -- homemade guacamole, sizzling fajitas, pozole, and more. Felt like Thanksgiving with so much delicious food! Service was quick, couteous, and met our every need. Would highly recommend!.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole in a Molcajete, Sizzling Fajitas Platter
Kristopher Park (KrizzoNY)
No one does it better than Carlitos! 45 years in one location, menu inspired by the best cuisine in the world, ideal atmosphere. Bring a friend, bring a family, bring a party ?. Carlitos has you covered!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathalie Vars
An unpretentious Mexican, fajitas without really any taste. A nice little break but nothing culinaryParking: About ten places
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
jim navarrete
The enchiladas were good, but the pozole was blah. Patio had a great California weather. Wait staff forgot the guacamole appetizer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Michelle F.
Wonderful lunch on the outdoor terrac. The waiter was attentive and the food was presented in a timely manner. I had a glass of Chardoney and my daughter had a Mojito. Very relaxing and pleasant. We will return again.
Rick Kinkopf
Delicious food and fast service. Start with the guacamole and margaritas.
It's been a local favorite, especially when you want to take visitors to get a taste of Santa Barbara. Their handmade guacamole is worth the price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Millie S
Absolutely Delicious. The best Mexican restaurant we d been to in over a week of trying different places in Southern California/ Los Angeles. Either the food was subpar or the restaurant esthetic was. But not here at Carlitos, delicious food and beautiful restaurant. I got the tostado and it was enormous and delicious. My husband got the steak torta and he said he couldn’t believe how tasty it was. The staff was so kind and welcoming and didn’t have the chip on their shoulder that we encountered at other locations we tried in Santa Barbara. Also, the location is fabulous. We heard they did a movie screening the week before with Brad Pitt and Bradley cooper both just 20 feet away! The guitar player and his sweet dog wrapped in a blanket playing for us at sunset was the cherry on top, really beautiful
Ryan Swink
This place never disappoints. Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Breda Wall
Friendly , mexican cuisine , great patio and been around for many years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Maggie R.
This place is the bomb! We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed, the hostess was able to find us a great table off to the side of the building and still be able to people watch. It was in an alcove with our own private space. I had the Paloma margarita (yum) and tacos. The ambiance was great, how can it not be - you're in Santa Barbara!! The service was best I've ever had, our waiter was always checking in on us, and as the restaurant was getting more crowded, he told us that where we were sitting that wasn't a rush for this particular table, take your time. Which we did. We definitely will be back!
$40 service fee and $40 mandated gratuity fee? Total of $80 added on the bill for 3 adults and 3 kids. Total for food was $190-195 and they took it upon themselves to add $80 to bill just because. Food was ok, but adding 40% on the bill just because feels like getting robbed without a gun! I would have gladly left a tip, but shouldn't be forced to be added on a smaller bill. Went to other restaurants in the area and non had this hidden charge.
I chose this restaurant because there was outdoor seating and I liked the menu that I viewed online. It was my last day of vacation in Santa Barbara. I was by myself, a woman over 65. I was seated quickly. When I gave my waiter my order, he wasn't concentrating on what I said and had to ask me again if I wanted rice and beans or a salad with my entree. I told him rice and beans. He brought the food and had given me a salad. I told him I ordered rice and beans. He took my food away and a bus person brought me the correct food order. The waiter never came to my table again. After I was done eating, I was wondering if anyone was ever going to come over to my table, so I started timing things. After a five minute wait, the bus person took my dirty plates. I waited another six minutes and no one came to ask me if I wanted dessert or the check. I stood up at my table and this got the server's attention. I told him he never came back to check on me, and that I wanted my check. Because the restaurant was a total tourist place, you would think that the service would be top notch. I was looking forward to eating at this restaurant. People come to restaurants for all kinds of reasons. Your employees need to keep that in mind when they are serving us. It's not like we just live down the street or live in Santa Barbara. I love Santa Barbara and was looking forward to a safe place to have dinner on my last night in town, with good service and good food. When a lone female comes to your restaurant to eat dinner, we are human beings and it's not OK to ignore us like we don't exist and are invisible. If you are going to treat customers like this, don't work at a restaurant. As a lone diner, I just want to have a pleasant dining experience and leave. Your employees need to be more cognizant of lone female diners and not treat us in a condescending manner. Are your servers misogynists? Perhaps they need basic customer service training about misogyny and ageism. It's just common sense to provide excellent customer service if you work in a restaurant. Be attentive!
We were seated under a burnt umbrella near the sidewalk that people passed by when they had a bunch of food seats Burnt particles fell in my food and beverages throughout the entire meal. No apology when I complained no compost took the umbrella down when the wind blew Weird customer service not sure if it was racism just felt hostile Will never return to eat there drinks were awful what ambiance? Nice restroom
Vegetarian options: Chili rellenos are great!
Recommended dishes: Guacamole in a Molcajete
Our family sat outside on a sunny afternoon. Enjoyed FANTASTIC food -- homemade guacamole, sizzling fajitas, pozole, and more. Felt like Thanksgiving with so much delicious food! Service was quick, couteous, and met our every need. Would highly recommend!.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole in a Molcajete, Sizzling Fajitas Platter
No one does it better than Carlitos! 45 years in one location, menu inspired by the best cuisine in the world, ideal atmosphere. Bring a friend, bring a family, bring a party ?. Carlitos has you covered!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An unpretentious Mexican, fajitas without really any taste. A nice little break but nothing culinaryParking: About ten places
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
The enchiladas were good, but the pozole was blah. Patio had a great California weather. Wait staff forgot the guacamole appetizer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Wonderful lunch on the outdoor terrac. The waiter was attentive and the food was presented in a timely manner. I had a glass of Chardoney and my daughter had a Mojito. Very relaxing and pleasant. We will return again.
Delicious food and fast service. Start with the guacamole and margaritas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's been a local favorite, especially when you want to take visitors to get a taste of Santa Barbara. Their handmade guacamole is worth the price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely Delicious. The best Mexican restaurant we d been to in over a week of trying different places in Southern California/ Los Angeles. Either the food was subpar or the restaurant esthetic was. But not here at Carlitos, delicious food and beautiful restaurant. I got the tostado and it was enormous and delicious. My husband got the steak torta and he said he couldn’t believe how tasty it was. The staff was so kind and welcoming and didn’t have the chip on their shoulder that we encountered at other locations we tried in Santa Barbara. Also, the location is fabulous. We heard they did a movie screening the week before with Brad Pitt and Bradley cooper both just 20 feet away! The guitar player and his sweet dog wrapped in a blanket playing for us at sunset was the cherry on top, really beautiful
This place never disappoints. Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendly , mexican cuisine , great patio and been around for many years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This place is the bomb! We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed, the hostess was able to find us a great table off to the side of the building and still be able to people watch. It was in an alcove with our own private space. I had the Paloma margarita (yum) and tacos. The ambiance was great, how can it not be - you're in Santa Barbara!! The service was best I've ever had, our waiter was always checking in on us, and as the restaurant was getting more crowded, he told us that where we were sitting that wasn't a rush for this particular table, take your time. Which we did. We definitely will be back!