Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Homemade delicacies with tongue-numbing spices.. The Scene
It doesn't look like anything special, but this restaurant has won local culinary honors for years. It's tucked inside a strip mall, but it's easy to spot the long line of people snaking out the door as they wait for a seat. The decor is modest, with hanging plants, multicolored serapes and traditional music playing.

The Food
The combination plates are a perfect introduction if you're new to Mexican food. One combo features a beef taco, a shredded-beef enchilada and a small version of the delicious Del Rey burrito. The sopa de tortillas is a spicy broth with crisped strips of tortilla, rice, corn and chicken and topped with avocado and Monterey Jack cheese. Finish the meal with one of Carmelita's outstanding desserts--so generous they come with two spoons.

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asm775

Joined 8 years ago

Where's the Cheese Dip??. This place does have good food. We've yet to find a Mexican place in town that has white cheese dip with jalapenos, hence, no Mexican restaurant that lacks it will come highly recommended from us. HA! They serve a warm cheese dip that is like a spicy velveeta cheese dip from a jar. Good, just not what we had in mind. Our burritos, rice, and refried beans were really good though. I suppose it will have to do for now. I must say I agree. It's ridiculous for them to charge for chips and salsa, even if it's only $2. Service is great, though.

Doesn't Recommend

paula22

Joined 8 years ago

More than a dissapointment!!. After reading reviews I decided to take a chance this Texan could find a real Tex-Mex restaurant in the Bay area. First I was shocked we actually had to pay for chips and sausa even though we had a meal. The sausa was bland without any taste. We thought we were eating straight tomatoes. We both had different combination plates and all the food was bland. I have to say if it had any spice it would of been better. The tamale was served without any chili con carne sausa. Not Recommended especially if your a Texan or from the West.

Doesn't Recommend

mrdoon

Joined 8 years ago

Wow, what a disappointment!. I moved to St. Petersburg about two years ago and asked around about a good Mexican restaurant and I consistently heard that Carmelita's was the place to go. Wow, what a disappointment! The only thing good that I can say about the food is that there was a decent amount of it. I ordered chicken enchaladas - a basic dish that should be easy for most decent Mexican restaurants to pull off but these were bland and had too much sauce. I doubt that I will ever go back.

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georgeheppelle

Joined 8 years ago

Good americanized Mexican food. Carmelita's is a St Pete tradition, if you want Mexican type food, go here (period). I really wish they would bring back the all you can eat taco's, what a deal. The burritos are very good, sour cream seems to be in short supply (that's the americanized stuff), you can get more for 50 cents, annoying but no big deal. The sauces are homemade and very good, you can fill up on chips and salsa, what a shame!

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melodee35

Joined 8 years ago

It does it for me!!. Closest to Colorado Mex as I've gotten anywhere in Florida. I loved the Mexican food in Colorado and now I can say the same for Florida.

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miss_daemeanor

Joined 10 years ago

More please. I luuuuuv Carmelitas. The food is fabulous; huge portions, creative combination platters, and great value. Wonderful chile rellenos and mini chimichangas, for those of us who shouldn't eat a whole one. The ambience is very comfortable and my husband is in love with Carmelita painted in a large wall mural. There's nothing finer than having a mariachi band serenade you during dinner also. Service is also consistently good; very attentive.

Doesn't Recommend

koll47

Joined 10 years ago

Not real mexican!. Food is OK , but not real Mexican. Compares to food chains in California.