My dad found these reviews and thought they were pretty entertaining to read. I worked at San Carlos during my high school years under a pretty much crazy boss, Lee Jorgenson. Some comments and complaints posted here I agree with, and others I find come from people that had the misfortune of coming in on a bad night.
Yes, it is true that on the weekends they get really, really busy. However, it is absolutely ridiculous to expect to come in on a busy Friday night at 6:30, without a reservation, and expect to be seated right away. The food may take awhile, and they can have enchiladas and chile rellenos up in minutes--if its not busy. The kitchen is incredibly small, and there's going to be a lot of orders in front of yours. Also, its run out of an old house with a few additions, and so space is small.
As for the staff, there are a lot of people taking care of each individual table. The hostess seats you and brings and runs your bill. The busser brings your water, chips, salsa, clears your plates, brings desserts, and non alcoholic drinks. The cocktail waitress gets orders for drinks from the bar, and finally the waitress manages your food orders. This system allows for the staff to take care of a high volume of people. Communication is key with this system, and sometimes does fail. I can't imagine why a table would wait twenty minutes for anyone to take there order, that just seems completely off from the way the place usually is.
The food was generally good, but could be inconsistent depending on whose running the line.
Overall the place is pretty good. I've heard they've recently started a new happy hour deal, and they've been doing special promos on facebook. It can be expensive, but it also depends on what you order. If you want a good experience I suggest making a reservation, especially on the weekends. If you choose to come in on the weekends, or if you don't make a reservation, don't come in at 6:30. Its one of the busiest times of the night. Come in around 5, or later around 7:30.
Pros: good atmosphere, friendly staff, good drinks
Cons: pricey items, can be inconsistent.
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