Carlos O’kelly’s

We visited Carlos O’Kelley’s yesterday (5÷19÷2016) between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM for dinner. I often have either the Chipolte Chicken Burrito, fajitas, or just some ala carte tacos. On this particular occasion, we had my mother with us who was visiting from Alabama. We are frequent dinners and thus we have expectations where, on this particular visit, were not ordinary. But first, I would like to tell a story about what we observed before entering the restaurant.
We’re approaching the door of the restaurant and we see that a couple of staff members are holding the doors open for someone with disabilities in a wheel chair to enter. We pause and hang back a bit so that they don’t feel rushed. Then we notice that there is another wheel chair unloading from the van to also go inside. We’re patient, no problem. Then we overhear the staff member holding the door mention that he doesn’t have the ability to accommodate them because the dining room section that could have accommodated them is not currently open (while the section around the bar was). We then had to watch as all three (one person had already made it inside the establishment before we arrived) disabled, wheel chaired, individuals had to be turned away and loaded back into the van. I’m not sure of the logistics involved or why the dining room section could not be opened so that they could be accommodated, but I’m sure that everyone felt bad. I know that my heart ached for everyone involved.
We were seated in the bar area. For my meal, I ordered the raspberry margarita with the chipotle chicken burrito (without sour cream). Others at the table ordered the Pasta Diablo with extra chicken and no sour cream. Mom got the Chicken Monterrey. When the order arrived, both meals that were not supposed to have sour cream had it. But they were super nice and actually remade both entrees for us (usually it is just scraped off and brought back out). When the correct entrees arrived, mine was okay but lacked the normal amount of cheese inside. Otherwise everything was great.
My mom spotted a set of what she believed to be legs sticking out of the back of a pickup truck parked in the parking lot. I assured here that it was just a pair of shoes, however she did insist on the manager going out and checking. Sufficiently embarrassed, we went home for the night.

I have never had a bad experience here. The food is always good (I ordered the seafood enchilada– it was delicious). They have pretty good drink specials if you go at the right time. For two people on a Friday, we were seated right away, our order was taken, and was out in under fifteen minutes. The only bad thing about this place would probably be that the servers and hostess can be a tad rude at times. Other than that, I would recommend this place.

Food took much longer to arrive than what the waiter told us– about 50 minutes for two people. Waiter was friendly, but slow to notice when we ran out of chips/​water. Food itself was so-​so; really depends on what you order, I suppose. My entrée was large and flavorful, but sides were just okay. My friend’s entrée was much smaller, and seasoned a bit too much. Dessert was pretty good and at a decent price.

Great chips and salsa! The BEST! Friendly waiters and waitresses. Food is always hot and tastes great! One of our favorite restaurants!

Service an drink were good but the meal was not. I ordered the enchiladas de Monterey with chicken fajita meat. The meal arrived in about four minutes and was OBVIOUSLY taken from a refrigerator premade and heated in a microwave. The meat was lukewarm and there were clumps of unmelted cheese. The meat was bland and I am sure not the grilled fajita meat. This is one of my favorite meals there but it was just horrible. I doubt I will go back.
Also the restaurant is really showing its age. Time to change things up and especially to make the meals as they are ordered not ahead of time to be reheated

We have ate here a few times and have always left full and happy. Our daughter is always treated well and the servers seem very nice. I love the salsa here. It has just enough kick. They always give you nice portions for the price so I end up with a to-​go box. Normally clean and prompt service. Plus they have Hawkeye stuff everywhere :)

This used to be a favorite restaurant. Not anymore. The service was fine but the food was awful. Won’t be going back

I honestly hate giving a really bad review BUT after eating there this past weekend, I just have to say it was the worst Mexican food I have had in years. The fajitas were not grilled but looked like it had been nuked and then just sliced — the tortillas were cold — the guacamole was frozen or hard — inedible. One of our diners ordered a big salad and she said the dressing was watery and without any taste. Three out of four felt the food was terrible. The waiter would disappear for long periods of time — it was not busy or crowded when we went so no explanation for that. If you are looking for a good dining experience move on to somewhere else. Bad food, bad service.

Usually the service and food are very consistent. Today however I received short & currly black hair in one of my tacos. It took ten minutes to have plate taken away and another 15 to replace my meal. I feel sickened and ripped off having to pay full price.
I used to come here as a treat to myself. I guess I’ll try it again in a year after the staff turns over; what a shame.

Walked in, was given a half-​assed greeting from the so-​called hostess. She tried to seat us in an odd spot even though the place was basically empty. So we requested a different seat. This was quite the task for her. You’d have thought I asked her an offensive question with the way she acted. Once seated, my fiancé and I left before the waiter got there. Oh, and the booth was dirty. Not going there again.

Love their guacamole. Margs are great for the price! Service is so-​so.
I love their 2 for $ 20 deal! I always get the shredded chicken tacos meal with the ranch dressing.
I know that they’re probably just microwaved, but I love their mashed potatoes!
For a casual and relaxing date night, I’d go here.

I don’t get all the negative reviews. First of all, this is a chain. Don’t expect an authentic Mexican taqueria. If you look at the name, you should be able to figure it out.
This is basically a sports bar that serves chain style Mexican food. It’s a great place to watch the game and Hawk Talk is even recorded there. The food is good, not great. The service is excellent, the prices are very reasonable and they serve nice big beers. I’d go here rather than Chili’s any day of the week.
If you want to watch the game, drink beer and enjoy Mexican food with topnotch service come here. If you want authentic Mexican go to the Southwest, or better yet Mexico.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place and I would for sure go again: cute atmosphere and good food. I’m from San Diego, CA, so I have pretty high standards for my Mexican food, which is why my rating isn’t higher.

If you want lots of cheese order the food. If you want better go some place else. The drinks are the only good things.

The service was excellent, but this is expected when you have what appeared to be a small army of workers between the ages of 16 and 26 all running around simultaneously. The food was roughly the same quality as something you might find in the frozen section of any grocery store in America (barring Mexican grocery stores, of course) to microwave and consume at home or the office. If mediocre Tex-​Mex is your thing, than saddle up and head to CoK’s for some average (to below average) food served by a platoon of wide eyed, energetic, entry level staff.

Typical Mexican chain fair, went during Hawk Talk on Wednesday during football season. Was able to get a seat immediately & listen to Dolph & Coach. Possibly the best service I ever had anywhere, ever, really. Jumbo margs were $ 5, but heads up none of us thought they were very strong. Otherwise unlimited chips & salsa, generous portions, pretty decent, predictable meal. Four stars takes having coach & Hawkeye football in the air into consideration.

I have eaten at Carlos over 100 times. Great food, great margaritas, great service. If you are looking for «authentic» Mexican food, this is not the place for you. However, the food they serve is great. You won’t find Pasta Diablo at any «authentic» Mexican restaurant; you will have to go to Carlos to get this great meal.
Fajitas are good; Seafood Vera Cruz is great. The salsa and Chili Con Queso are really good, but the chips come out of a bag and taste like it.
Service is awesome. On the rare occasion there is a problem, they always take care of it.
Carlos is a first class operation all around.

Service was good, but it’s a chain and you can tell. Chips and salsa were OK. I ordered something from the low fat menu and it was actually satisfying, even if I can’t remember what it was… Strawberry Daq lacked enough alcohol! My husband had the fajitas and they were alright. Would go here again. Kind of non-​descript, but OK overall.

It safe to say COK’s food sucks (*dead* at Eve H. calling it «Dog food with microwaved cheese atop a stale chip»), but if you are end up there, make sure you ask for Megan to be your waitress!
She didn’t write down one thing and got our order for three correct (including the drinks & I am the Meg Ryan/​Sally of ordering drinks!). We also had our 3 year old with us — he’s good in restaurants but she was extra sweet to him!
Again — only go to this trap if Megan is there. She’ll take care of you!

The worst meal I’ve ever paid money for. Dog food with microwaved cheese atop a stale chip. Thoroughly sad décor, unswept chip-​strewn carpet. I was expecting something like Chili’s; it was not even that gross.