Carlos River Cafe

1707 Nish Rd, Crystal Lake
(815) 444-9024

Recent Reviews

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Dylan Clemons

Simply exquisite

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

M. Curtis

Don't waste your time going to this restaurant... Service was terrible. The waitress who works during the day was unprofessional and rude! There are plenty of other restaurants in the area to patron.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

Jim West

I live five minutes away from this restaurant, and I am a weekly customer there. Unfortunately, because of they way I was treated by Carlos daughter today, who was our waitress, I will never return there again to eat. She was exceptionally rude, made discriminatory remarks about me being gay and negative comments about my ex husband, and she told me I was not allowed to come back to the restaurant if I had a problem. I can see other negative comments about his daughter, which I am not surprised to read. She is a nightmare if you get her as your waitress. She takes the order five feet away from the table and if you ask her for something, she conveniently says she didn't hear you. If you say anything about her service or her bad attitude, you can expect to hear a earful. She is lazy, rude, uneducated and lacks any customer service skills that someone would expect from a waitress. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT. There is another great Mexican restaurant just down the road in Island Lake.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

8MSC

The food was mediocre at best. However, the worst part of our dinner was the service! The waitress had a terrible attitude. I would not recommend eating here.

C6173PCjimw

I live five minutes away from this restaurant, and I am a weekly customer there. Unfortunately, because of they way I was treated by Carlos daughter today, who was our waitress, I will never return there again to eat. She was exceptionally rude, made discriminatory remarks about me being gay and negative comments about my ex husband, and she told me I was not allowed to come back to the restaurant if I had a problem. I can see other negative comments about his daughter, which I am not surprised to read. She is a nightmare if you get her as your waitress. She takes the order five feet away from the table and if you ask her for something, she conveniently says she didn't hear you. If you say anything about her service or her bad attitude, you can expect to hear a earful. She is lazy, rude, uneducated and lacks any customer service skills that someone would expect from a waitress. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT. There is another great Mexican restaurant just down the road in Island Lake.

Walker Eaton

Amazing food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Doc Z

Well, we came back again and they did NOT disappoint! I had the Pollo A La Tampiquena and she had the Steak Vallarta! Both were SPECTACULAR. I only wish I could eat more when I'm here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Karen Kathrein

Great place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Christie Pederson

Absolutely fantastic. The decor is super cute and authentic, and the service was phenomenal! I had the grilled fish, and it was seasoned and cooked perfectly. We had an order of guacamole and it was really really good (we add lots of lime to ours). Their house salsa is very flavorful (and chunky), but not spicy, which I personally loved. Lots of flavor without the heat ... I'm sure you can ask for hot salsa if you want it. Their chips are definitely made in house, and very very good. My husband had Pollo Con Rajas (sauteed chicken and peppers, etc. ), and it also was very flavorful without the heat. Will absolutely be back!!!! You won't be disappointed trying this cute little place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Rick Hiselman

Waitress is extremely rude and has no business being in customer service. She needs significant training. Or she may have been trained and just didn’t embrace it. The place is very close and convenient which is the only reason I go there. I’ll probably still go when I’m desperate. The owner probably doesn’t realize how bad she is so I’m not going to fault them.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Chris topher

From start to finish, this place was incredible. Fast, friendly service with amazing food. I just had the Mexican sunshine breakfast, and wow!!! Huge portions and a price tag that made me think I traveled back in time, it was so reasonable. 100% will come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Chris Stephan

Authentic Mexican dishes at reasonable prices.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jordan Simone

While their food is absolutely delicious, the customer service of the women on the phone is not. For the past 3 times I’ve ordered , I’ve called with no answer, and no one calls back. Most places if they’re busy will put you on hold. Finally got ahold of them and I asked what’s going on, because none of my calls were answered and she ignores me. I said can you hear me and she tells me “you can call back when you’re ready to order” and hangs up the phone.. as if my multiple calls TRYING TO ORDER didn’t happen. No apology , nothing. We go here weekly. Not anymore.

Jason Nuss

Great little spot especially for this area!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa

Thomas Rohn

These folks know what they are doing

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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