Carlos O’kelly’s Mexican Cafe

If you haven’t been to Carlos O’Kelly’s in a while, it is time to go back. New menu and really good food. Nice job.

I’m not sure how this place has such low reviews. I’ve been coming here for many years. I don’t come but maybe once every three months or so, but always enjoy it. The food isn’t my definition of authentic Mexican food, even though it has Mexican food. Does that make sense? No? Oh well. I just compare it to places like El Mexcal, where I feel is that authentic Mexican food.
But the food is always good. Don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience with it. They always have some sort of deal on the drinks, which are also really good. The only reason I gave it four stars is because sometimes the service is kind of spotty. Never BAD, but can be not good. Just for example, last time we went, our table was overflowing with plates because the waitress didn’t know how to take dishes as we finished. She also was not the best at getting refills.
So ya, for sure go here. Great food + great drinks + ok service = you going to Carlos O’ Kelly’s.

I decided to go to Carlos O’Kelleys today for their lunch buffet. The buffet was mostly empty and when they did fill it, it pretty much all looked alike. The enchiladas and burritos (?) were about a quarter inch thick and cut into threes, they were too flimsy to be lifted up one by one. Chips brought to the table were warm and crispy and thin, salsa tasted just like chopped up tomatoes in juice, no real flavored to speak of. The waitstaff were attentive and kept my water filled. Most of the food was fairly bland although the taco shells were good. They may need to make a trip up the block to taste some food at that restaurant and then maybe make some changes to the taste of the food here. I have lived in Mexico, I have lived in Texas, and this is not proper Mexican food from either place. Sorry guys.

We dine at Carlos O’Kelly’s about 3 or 4 times a year (whenever we get a $ 5 discount coupon). This restaurant describes itsef as «Inspired Mexican» food. The tortilla chips brought to our table were fresh, warm, very thin and very crisp. The salsa was just so-​so. I believe it is made fresh daily. We also ordered a small guacamole which is made fresh daily with pico de gallo. It was a little on the bland side, so I stirred in some of the salsa. It also had very large chunks of avocado which I smashed with my fork. That helped a lot to make it a little more tasty. We also ordered large margaritas because it was «Happy Hour,» which is from 3pm to 6pm. Very good margaritas.
We both ordered El Guapo’s Brisket Taco dinner which is a flour tortilla filled with roasted beef brisket, diced poblano, green chilis and onions, then topped with Monterey jack cheese and baked in an oven to melt the cheese. It was interesting and tasty. We added refried beans and cantina fries which are sprinkled with cayenne pepper. Our waitress suggested ranch dressing to dip the cantina fries. That was a really good recommendation. The food is good, although different from regular Mexican food. We like it, but some people might not. They have the traditional Mexican restaurant fare if you don’t like the «inspired» part of the menu. Did I say that the margaritas are good?
One of the sad reports that I make about this restaurant is that it is getting a little seedy and needs some major refreshing. The lobby smells. It really smells bad ~ like backed-​up toilet. There was water on the floor behind the hostess station (our hostess slipped in the water and almost fell). If I came to this restaurant from out-​of-​town, I would probably have left just after entering the lobby because of the smell. The building is old. The decorations are traditional Mexican restaurant, nice, but I don’t think the interior has been revamped for a decade or more. The restaurant is clean, and the wait staff was very attentive. I recommend this restaurant if you don’t linger in the lobby too long. We were also there approximately 5:30PM, so I can’t comment on service or wait staff for later in the evening.

Walked in and was immediately impressed by the décor. Has a very Mexican feel to it with an American twist. Unfortunately, the poorly trained staff and mediocre food made me almost forget about the nice atmosphere. The salsa was extremely watered down, we had to request straws for our drinks, and there was beef mixed in my bean & cheese burrito. That didn’t bother me too much, but for those who don’t eat beef, it is unacceptable. Since service and food are most important to me in a restaurant, I will not be going back any time soon and would not recommended.