Casa Cardenas

I have been here a few times, normally my food is good. But on my last trip here I brought my son and his girlfriend my plate of food tasted horrible. When my son ordered his bean and cheese burrito, he said nothing else on it in it or on the side. My son is allergic to tomatoes
when his plate arrived it had Pico de Gallo all over the burrito .I told her that he was allergic to tomatoes and she said that’s how it comes.
The bathrooms are nasty and small. The place could use a really good cleaning and some paint.

Had lunch here recently with a buddy that shares my passion for all foods southwestern. (Buddy happens to make the most delicious salsa I have tasted, but I digress.)
After a debate on where we would get a mex-​fix, we decided we both wanted to revisit Casa Cardenas for the same reason: their fine chips and salsa.
Short and sweet — we won’t be back.
Our experience was just like Rick S.‘s review from 2 months ago. And I quote:
«Positives: great service. Everyone was really friendly, especially our server. The restaurant was also very clean, which I thought was a good sign. Lots of seating, if a little cramped…»
«Negatives: Food had a microwaved, reheated quality … Food was also a little slow to come out…» — Especially since we were one of three tables as peak lunch hour.
The menu had changed since the last time we both were there, admittedly, some time ago. We both had trouble choosing something. Frankly, they are way overpriced. (especially considering the old dingy décor that would scare off big city folk or Californians.) The lunch «specials» are not so special. They also seem to put beans inside every burro, which always annoys me and my fellow gringos who were raised here in Arizona. Not good.
The chips and (mild) salsa did not disappoint, taste wise. BUT the salsa bowl was the tiniest I have ever seen. Ridiculously under-​portioned. That is a problem unless you automatically refill it quickly; which they did not. Not good.
Also, we asked for an «extra hot» bowl. of salsa. The kitchen simply dumped some red chili paste into their regular salsa. Not good.
The ala carte shredded beef tacos were made-​from-​scratch, good size, but a little bland. They did not serve salsa with them so we had to ask… and wait. Not good
The red sauce for the burrito was unpleasant with a bitter aftertaste. Obviously made-​from-​scratch, but not well balanced. Buddy couldn’t eat it because of the sauce. Not good.
Finally, lunch took well over an hour and we had to go looking for our super-​friendly sweetheart of a server to pay and get the heck out of there. Not good.
*sigh*
I want to like this place, I really do… because they are so friendly, so local, and have great chips & salsa! Unfortunately the «Not goods» outweigh the rest.

Have tried this place a few times now. My wife likes carnitas and she thought these were really good. I had the Chilli colorado and it was pretty good. Brought two large Menudos, to go, and had them this morning, it was very good.

Positives: great service. Everyone was really friendly, especially our server. The restaurant was also very clean, which I thought was a good sign. Lots of seating, if a little cramped. Beans were rich and tasty, if slightly greasy from the amount of cheese added to them.
Negatives: Food had a microwaved, reheated quality to it. The «crab enchiladas» were clearly «krab enchiladas,» and I wish they had been clearer on that. I don’t mind fake crab, I just would have tried something else if I’d known. Food was also a little slow to come out, especially considering how much of it had been pretty obviously microwaved.
Unfortunately, not as good as I’d hoped. I may give them another try, maybe it was just an off day. The cleanliness and friendliness certainly make me think that might be the case.

Being from San Diego, we’re pretty picky about Mexican food. We love, love, love, this place. It’s not all fancy, like some places, but it’s clean and the food is excellent. Prices are amazing for the food you get. There’s always albondigas soup cooking and it’s very good. Margaritas are awesome. Give it a try. This is authentic Mexican like SoCal people are used to.

This place was sooooooo good! I visited my grandpa in Prescott Valley over the weekend and yesterday we went here for lunch after finding them on Unilocal.The staff was very nice and all smiles when we came in. They brought our drinks out right away with some free chips and salsa. The salsa was DELICIOUS! It tasted so fresh like they had just made it before they brought it out to our table!
For my entrée, I decided to have a quesadilla which is usually an appatizer but I had it as my meal. I kinda created my own too. I added shredded chicken inside as well and oh my gosh it was so good. I don’t know what they seasoned the chicken in but it was juicy and full of flavor. And the guacamole that came with it on the side was just like the salsa, so fresh tasting, like they just made it. Probably the best guacamole I ever had.
The portions were also HUGE! I could only eat a quarter of my quesadilla. I’m gonna get a whole other meal just from the left overs! And the prices are so cheap, especially for the amount of food you get.
The décor was pretty dated but it was very clean and the food was amazing so I could care less lol.
Im pretty sure I am going to have to stop by this place again everytime I go visit my grandpa from now on lol.

Great food, quick service, (but it was empty for happy hour when we got there, they started filling up as we ate). Margaritas were powerful, my chimichanga was great and several people took home lunch for tomorrow. Cost was higher than I’m used to for mexican food, but it was good.