Reviews for Carmelita's Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

In the land of fake American Mexican restaurants - the authentic taste of Carmelita’s came through. This isn’t your Javiers... or calo. This is Mexican… and beyond! We got there was there was a 40 min wait. So naturally- we sat at the bar and wereserved immediately. They started us off with some chips, salsa and beans. So good! We ordered the combination, short ribenchilada, and their popular chicken dish. Everything was excellent. I only took one photo because I was too busy stuffing myface with their delicious food. That’s the kind of place this is - too delicious to wait to take a photo. Highly recommend! Read more

Wonderful scenery food was tasty tasty and service was very good Wish that they would have carried equa carried equal or stevia... for iced tea only carried sweet and low Read more

Top notch table service. Nice atmosphere with a view of the lake and decent food. Recommend.

The food was fresh and taste fantastic. We enjoyed our meal on the patio area with a great view and atmosphere. We met family... for lunch and we truly enjoyed our visit. The location is great and the service was on point. ...those beans are amazing. Wecouldn't get enough. Read more

My friends and I stopped here for dinner. We did no it make reservations and we’re surprised that it was only about a 5 minute... wait for a table. They sat us at a very nice table, outside with a great view of the lake. The food and the service wasexcellent. The cocktails were very good and we all enjoyed the dinner very much! I would highly recommend Carmelita’s Kitchenon the Lake! Read more

Still hands down with the best restaurants in town. Reasonable pricing for Mexican grill type fare. I recall our wait staff was... very kind and helpful. Definitely would recommend if you are in town. Read more

4/7/2022 What an enjoyable evening at Carmelitas. We were greeted by Ashley and Eric two of the Carmelita All Stars and our... favorites. We were seated at a wonderful high top by an amazing host Nick who also informed us that they now takereservations. Darya was our server extraordinare and a true professional. You must ask for Darya as he is attentive,professional and very personable. We also visited with Goldie and the newest edition Mathew, great people and both competitiveathletes and wow do they move to please. Don Russ made some amazing margaritas and oh so tasty and exactly how the doctorordered. We had shrimp taquitos for an appetizer and my wife had the chicken enchilada combo which was delightful. I had thePollo Serrano which is my favorite made with Mary's organic chicken. We also met Chris a fine young man and Juan's son. Juan wasthe GM at Carmelitas and now is GM at Callo here in the OC on Crown Valley Parkway. A great evening with fantastic food, drinks,service, people and ambiance. Highly recommended. On the lake at RSM. Another wonderful Linner! Eric took care of us and we satat table 7, my favorite number. I had a mezcal no. 5 and my wife a vodka soda with a lemon lime twist. Great place and they wereon fire busy. Ashley was tending bar and we saw Goldie and a few others running to serve patrons. A busy Sunday. Eric is thebest and he is not only detail oriented but quite attentive and professional. I had the Pollo Serrano which is Mary's organicchicken with a stuffed poblano and rice/beans. My wife had chicken enchiladas, rice and beans and it was all served hot andtasty. We have not met Clemente yet hear all about him as we are regulars and he runs two wonderful restaurants, Carmelitas andCallo fine Mexican Cuisine and Tequilla Bar. We will visit that one soon as we miss seeing Juan the manager who was previouslyat Carmelitas. Great staff, great food and they treat you like familia. Highly recommended. Ask for Ashley and tell her Ge Read more

Our server was attentive and sociable. They use real candles, something not often seen anymore. There is a literal wall of... candles and they're all real. The food was excellent. My steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The chicken enchiladaswere cheesy and the chicken had the perfect amount of char adding some crisp. I hate black beans, but the black bean dip wasamazing. I'll definitely be coming back! Read more