Wish I could give a higher review. The biggest issue with this place, in my opinion... everything seems to be pre-made. I love a speedy service but the 4 times ive come here, the service is suspiciously fast... like order and less than 5 minutes later food is out fast. With Carlita's being at a slightly higher price point than other Mexican restaurants in the area, made to order food should be the standard.
The second issue, the margaritas. It seems to be their signature drink however it never just... ✨️hits🤌🏾. They're far to sour, caused my entire table (6 of us) heartburn or a burning stomach once. And, like the food, I believe its all pre-made.
Carlitas margarita flights are the show stopper of the resturaunt for sure. The issue with that? They never have the flavours advertised! Most of the time the signature flavours are out of stock, so you instead get a random margarita flight rather than the one that may match the season or aesthetically appealing advertising.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Jason Dawson
The churros and margaritas would be a bargain at twice the price. Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B K
Good selection of appetizers and entrees. Food value - price / flavor / portions - was great. Especially for the location in the Pearl district.
Service was fantastic. Very attentive, friendly, and welcoming.
Atmosphere was relaxed - had sports on the TVs (bonus). Easy time to have a conversation and not disturb or be disturbed by others.
Lots of great place to eat in the area. This is definitely one to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Remington Hughes
Carlita's is my favorite spot in Pearl District. The food is fantastic, my personal favorites are their soups and the quesabirria, but please never neglect whatever monthly special they have going on at the time - I have never been disappointed by them! The ambiance is also perfect for a date night, a casual night out, or an after-work gathering. I love everything about this place, but what really sets it apart is the staff! The manager, Rae, is a queen and does the best to ensure everyone in her bar -including staff- is taken care of. I'm also head over heels for the bartenders Marissa and Hayley. I've seen them when it's incredibly busy, but they still bust out the most delicious drinks and give phenomenal service. I honestly don't know how they do it. We also receive the most amazing service from their server Bella, she is a gem! I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nate Drews
The drinks were great! The food was good and you can tell they put a lot of effort, though, it felt like the food was missing something. Service was great and the drinks were excellent. We had a large group and they did such a great job with the service provided. I look forward to trying it again for a date night to get a chance to try more options. The skillet was good but it seemed a bit like a pile of ingredients thrown into a skillet and heated. Good flavors, but a bit sloppy. The tacos were great but would love to see a bit more unique flavor from them.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Peter Auerbach
Delicious food and incredible service! Seriously, the servers here could teach a class on how it’s done!
Plus their drink prices are stuck in 2019, but I won’t complain about that…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ASH
Carlita’s in the Pearl is a great spot in downtown Portland. The location is convenient with street parking available, and the neighborhood feels safe and welcoming.
It works well for a family outing, a date night, or even just catching up with friends. I went with a buddy, and we enjoyed margaritas, some beers, and of course chips, salsa, and guac—all solid choices.
What stood out to me was the variety of healthy salad options, which you can customize with different meats. On top of that, their tequila and mezcal selection is impressive, especially if you’re a mezcal fan.
Overall, I had a really good experience here and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annika Cale
Drinks were great but food was just alright
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
M Richmond
Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Marissa was an excellent server and mole chicken nachos with Margheritas are soo good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A H
Feels like my mouth just went on a pilhrimage. The salmon tacos and pork belly tacos are S-tier.
I’m sooooo sorry it took me this long to leave you a review. I had just moved to Portland in 2020 and I love great Mexican food. I googled this place and was absolutely blown away. Your entire staff is wonderful! The food that comes out of the kitchen has always been on point! The plate presentation is perfect every time. And coming here over the last five years and I have never had a bad dish is a testament to your consistency. Rae is one of my favorite people in the world!
This is actually the only restaurant I have ever been to in the pearl. In my opinion, there’s really no reason to go anywhere else. I have actually used your restaurant (because the food is always great and it’s actually affordable) to take women on first dates too. I think at last count, it was 63 first dates lol. Your staff was always accommodating and would give insight on the women they liked and the ones they didn’t lol.
Thank you so much for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stew McMann
Pearl Mexican Food's pretty good. I like it they have a lot of tequila. It's pretty pricey, though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Emily Palmer
My favorite little Mexican style restaurant and bar. The food is always delicious. The Carlita's skillet is a perfect sharing plate with friends and the tacos may look small but they are LOADED. Trust me, you only need two. <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Rossi
Amazing tacos and tostadas! The service is excellent, I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Willingham
Hit this place up again for The Mercury' Nacho Week this time. Basic nachos but were still nachos! I'll be here again for next month.
Wish I could give a higher review. The biggest issue with this place, in my opinion... everything seems to be pre-made. I love a speedy service but the 4 times ive come here, the service is suspiciously fast... like order and less than 5 minutes later food is out fast. With Carlita's being at a slightly higher price point than other Mexican restaurants in the area, made to order food should be the standard.
The second issue, the margaritas. It seems to be their signature drink however it never just... ✨️hits🤌🏾. They're far to sour, caused my entire table (6 of us) heartburn or a burning stomach once. And, like the food, I believe its all pre-made.
Carlitas margarita flights are the show stopper of the resturaunt for sure. The issue with that? They never have the flavours advertised! Most of the time the signature flavours are out of stock, so you instead get a random margarita flight rather than the one that may match the season or aesthetically appealing advertising.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
The churros and margaritas would be a bargain at twice the price. Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good selection of appetizers and entrees. Food value - price / flavor / portions - was great. Especially for the location in the Pearl district.
Service was fantastic. Very attentive, friendly, and welcoming.
Atmosphere was relaxed - had sports on the TVs (bonus). Easy time to have a conversation and not disturb or be disturbed by others.
Lots of great place to eat in the area. This is definitely one to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Carlita's is my favorite spot in Pearl District. The food is fantastic, my personal favorites are their soups and the quesabirria, but please never neglect whatever monthly special they have going on at the time - I have never been disappointed by them! The ambiance is also perfect for a date night, a casual night out, or an after-work gathering. I love everything about this place, but what really sets it apart is the staff! The manager, Rae, is a queen and does the best to ensure everyone in her bar -including staff- is taken care of. I'm also head over heels for the bartenders Marissa and Hayley. I've seen them when it's incredibly busy, but they still bust out the most delicious drinks and give phenomenal service. I honestly don't know how they do it. We also receive the most amazing service from their server Bella, she is a gem! I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The drinks were great! The food was good and you can tell they put a lot of effort, though, it felt like the food was missing something. Service was great and the drinks were excellent. We had a large group and they did such a great job with the service provided. I look forward to trying it again for a date night to get a chance to try more options. The skillet was good but it seemed a bit like a pile of ingredients thrown into a skillet and heated. Good flavors, but a bit sloppy. The tacos were great but would love to see a bit more unique flavor from them.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious food and incredible service! Seriously, the servers here could teach a class on how it’s done!
Plus their drink prices are stuck in 2019, but I won’t complain about that…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carlita’s in the Pearl is a great spot in downtown Portland. The location is convenient with street parking available, and the neighborhood feels safe and welcoming.
It works well for a family outing, a date night, or even just catching up with friends. I went with a buddy, and we enjoyed margaritas, some beers, and of course chips, salsa, and guac—all solid choices.
What stood out to me was the variety of healthy salad options, which you can customize with different meats. On top of that, their tequila and mezcal selection is impressive, especially if you’re a mezcal fan.
Overall, I had a really good experience here and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drinks were great but food was just alright
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Marissa was an excellent server and mole chicken nachos with Margheritas are soo good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Feels like my mouth just went on a pilhrimage. The salmon tacos and pork belly tacos are S-tier.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m sooooo sorry it took me this long to leave you a review. I had just moved to Portland in 2020 and I love great Mexican food. I googled this place and was absolutely blown away. Your entire staff is wonderful! The food that comes out of the kitchen has always been on point! The plate presentation is perfect every time. And coming here over the last five years and I have never had a bad dish is a testament to your consistency. Rae is one of my favorite people in the world!
This is actually the only restaurant I have ever been to in the pearl. In my opinion, there’s really no reason to go anywhere else. I have actually used your restaurant (because the food is always great and it’s actually affordable) to take women on first dates too. I think at last count, it was 63 first dates lol. Your staff was always accommodating and would give insight on the women they liked and the ones they didn’t lol.
Thank you so much for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pearl Mexican Food's pretty good. I like it they have a lot of tequila. It's pretty pricey, though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
My favorite little Mexican style restaurant and bar. The food is always delicious. The Carlita's skillet is a perfect sharing plate with friends and the tacos may look small but they are LOADED. Trust me, you only need two. <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing tacos and tostadas! The service is excellent, I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hit this place up again for The Mercury' Nacho Week this time. Basic nachos but were still nachos!
I'll be here again for next month.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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