Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant

I've lived in Seminole since 1973 and have ate at all the Mexican restaurants in this area. I also have been out west to Arizona and New Mexico. The restaurant has had a huge following for years and they have stayed close to their roots but I think that is the issue. It's the same ole thing man. For the money, I would rather have better atmosphere, free chips and salsa and more spice!!!! Pros: Size portions Cons: Bland could be spicier, glorified Taco Bell more

For over 10 years I went to this restaurant because it used to be a great place to go for good authentic mexican food at a decent price. However, it has been going down for the last couple of years. I recently went to the Carmelitas in Largo (e.g. Tri City Plaza) and was horrified at the service, food, and cost!!! The waitress suggested an apple juice for the children, then promptly charged me extra because apple juice wasn't part of the kid's meal selection. I've had it with this place and will not be going back again! Pros: The food is ok. Cons: The service and prices. more

the food at carmelitas rocks. i have been eating there for at least 9 years and never have i had a bad experience!! the staff is very pleasent and you always see a familiar face. the chicken enchiladas are to die for with the rich sour cream sauce. there is no salsa in town to match theirs! now that they offer complementry chips again and the birhtday meal is back there are more reasons to keep going back (not that one needs a reason to go). my family and i love carmelitas and recomend for a great meal and fun times the whole family can enjoy! Pros: great service awsome food Cons: nothing more

After reading the reviews here and on Trip Advisor we were hesitant....but then we figured people more often complain than praise. We're glad we went since the food was great (Enchilada's), the server was efficient and friendly, restaurant was clean with a pleasing decor and the prices were what we expected even paying 2 bucks for corn chips and salsa (free would be nice but if you make it or break it on this point then eat El Paso Mexican out of the box at home to save money). Carmelita's is at least as good as Don Pablo's, which are all now closed in the bay area. We will return again next trip when we get the craving for Mexican. Pros: Food quality, service, decor more

I felt Carmelita's was a bit over rated. I've been here twice and both times I felt the food was just average. People I know raved about this place, so maybe my expectations were pretty high. They food wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything special either. If I was in the mood for Mexican food, I'd rather eat at Los Mariachis (Los Mayas) near Clearwater Beach any day. So my recommendation would be, don't expect too much and you will be satisfied. more

I have been in St. Pete for less than a year from a Chicago neighborhood where authentic Mexican restaurants were plentiful and in walking distance. I wanted a tequilla marguarita with Chille Rejellos and Ranchero style Carne Asada and I tried all the other places Toro Negro, Red Meza, and their food was good but both lacked something i was used to with my meal. Toro, though authentic seemes like it sat on a steam table until I ordered at 7:00 p.m from the lunch crowd. (i sure lunch is good there but NO tequilla! Pros: authentic tasty with real tequilla margauritas Cons: I long for the thicker cut of shirt steak in my carne Asada even if it costs $5 more more

Just wanted to let everyone who doesn't know yet that Carmelita's NO LONGER CHARGES extra for chips and salsa! Our entire family loves their salsa, although we are not salsa connoisseurs. We don't like our salsa spicy or chunky. One could drink Carmelita's salsa as a summer soup if one so wished (our son tried it)! The absolute best dish there are the chicken enchiladas in a sour cream & cheese sauce. It comes with three enchiladas and a BIG portion of rice & beans. You can actually eat half and take the leftovers home (you'll be looking forward to it the next day). The taco salad with chicken is also good and very filling. We tried to get the recipes for the salsa and the sour cream sauce, but we were told they were closely guarded secrets. The atmosphere is fun and the restaurant is kid-friendly. The food may not be authentic Mexican, but it certainly has a delicious twist to it! Pros: Great salsa, fun atmosphere, great chicken enchiladas Cons: Very busy weekend evenings more

I've been eating at Carmelita's since they opened 23 yrs ago. The food is great, the restaurant is immaculate! Some complain that it is not real Mexican food. The family who owns Carmelita's, even though they're from Michigan, is Mexican. Their food is a mild mexican (Michi-Mexican) that can be heated w/ various mild, moderate & hot homemade salsas. Their chicken enchiladas & flour gr beef flautas drive me absolutely crazy! My husband & I live in Spring Hill & take the drive very often to get out fill of this great restaurant. Over the last 20+ yrs I have NEVER received a meal that didn't taste exactly as it had when I first started eating there (in St. Pete)! That's is nothing short of miraculous! They could write a book on restaurant consistency! I have never complained about anything, until... Pros: Quick seating, great service, clean restaurant & bathroom Cons: They charge for chips & salsa & no longer give lettuce & tomato without a charge! more

Whenever I let my son pick the restaurant, he always chooses Carmelita's! He loves the shredded beef Chimichangas and I like the chicken ones. So what that they charge for chips and cheese? Overall, the food is good and when you want something different, this works. Pros: Good food, makes my son happy Cons: Too filling! more

I decided to take my friend out for Mexican food. Coming from Arizona I have really been cravying good Mexican. What a big disappointed. We both order chicken enchiladas. First of you get No chips and salsa! You have to pay extra for them. The enchiladas were extremely bland with NO cheese. I have never eaten enchiladas with no cheese. My friend asked for some salsa to hopefully give the food some flavor and was given what tasted like tomato sauce. I will never go back to this restaurant!! Cons: no chips & salsa with, tomato sauce salsa, bland food more

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. Pros: Service Cons: Parking, Charge for chips, American Cheese Dip more

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. more

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. Cons: bland food, so-so service more

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! Pros: too many to list, go early Cons: none, crowded more

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. more

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. Pros: Food-menu selection, Good service, Mariachi Cons: Too far from Tampa! more

Food is OK , but not real Mexican. Compares to food chains in California. Pros: good location Cons: not great mexican more