Armadillo Grill

armadillo serves up tasty tacos in freshly made tortillas and great chips and salsa. it is not mexican food, but it is consistent, fast food with friendly service in carrboro. we eat there lots — my kids love it!

I have eaten here countless times, but can only comment on the soft steak tacos and queso dip. They are so tasty that I’ve never felt the need to order anything else. The flour tortillas are freshly made, the seasoned steak is delicious and the vegetables are nicely grilled. It’s also a nice mixed crowd on the weekends — older couples, families and students. Only negative is the bottle beer could be colder.

NEVER EVER EAT HERE this use to be my favorite place when I first came to Raleigh until a few weeks ago. I went to get some chips and queso dip. When I witnessed the workers wiping sweat from their faces and using the same hand to pick up chips with! No one wore any gloves! Me and my friend recorded and reported them! We also seen a guy in the back tasting the same food he was cooking awful!!! If I could give no stars I would.

This was my first visit to this spot. The ambiance is nice. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was relatively friendly. Too bad they have very watered down Tex Mex. I ordered a chicken Taco salad which was made with tortilla chips, too much iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Very blah. I also ordered the most flavorless quacamole that I have ever tasted. I grew up in Texas and I can definitely say that they didn’t do Tex or Mex any justice!

I love Armadillo Grill! The cheese dip is to die for (it is a bit spicy, which I love!). I always get the chicken soft tacos and they never disappoint.

You really can’t go wrong with the queso and tacos.

This is definitely my favorite Mexican place ! They have best steak tacos! Very fresh and tasty! Chips are good too. Thin and not greasy.

Armadillo is one of our go to’s for a quick lunch or dinner. Their tacos and nachos are our favorites. And their queso is banging. I think their ordering system is a little confusing, you mark down what you want on paper and add on items such as lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc– it would probably be easier to just go down a line like at chipotle, but no biggie.
Tip: We used to get 2 meal deals, but have realized it is cheaper to get get a few tacos and a Texas sized queso. They also have a few salsas near the drink machine for free, and free is always good!
During our visit tonight there was a new sign up for pulled pork bbq tacos and nachos, naturally we had to try a taco. It was pretty good, although I’m not a huge fan of slaw (anywhere, not just Dillo).

‘Dillo serves up pretty standard Tex-​Mex. For lunch or dinner, you’ll find much better options in Glenwood South. But for late night — Armadillo always comes through. They do great job handling the tipsy crowd, managing to get orders out correctly and efficiently. And they stay open till 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. With very few food options at that time in downtown, I really appreciate that.
For lunch or dinner, Armadillo never really enters the conversation unless I’m looking for something quick. There’s quite a few better options on Glenwood South, like Dos Taquitos Xoco. I do think the food is good though. I am addicted to their queso and chips. But I can get a similar Tex-​Mex experience at El Rodeo on Blount Street.
One bonus at this Armadillo location is that it is at a Caniac Coach stop. So, if you’re looking for a quick beer or bite before the game, you can park yourself on the patio outside and relax while you wait for a ride to the PNC Arena for a Canes game (or other event).

I love Armadillo Grill. Whether it’s 2am and you find yourself starving on Glenwood, or it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon and you want a fast, cheap taco, Armadillo grill delivers. I first visited about 6 years ago, and nothing has changed! Walk in, fill out your order on paper menus that are provided, pay the cashier. The best part about this venue is the outdoor seating — great for watching the people of Glenwood — always interesting! Food is no nonsense — fast, fresh delicious standard mexican fare — tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc. Queso is excellent, and their tacos are big enough to just have one if you’re not starving. I just wish they were closer to campus! I’d take them over Baja Burrito any day.

I checked this place out of the first time yesterday!
Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of my chicken burrito but my husband loved his steak burrito. I honestly prefer Chipotle.
They were out of both beers my husband and I asked for on the menu so we had to choose different drinks.
The guac was def not impressive to either my husband or I.
I did like the wine I selected though and the price was cheap! 2 burritos, chips and salsa, a beer and a glass of wine for $ 33.

Authentic authentic authentic! Their tortillas are amazing and homemade. I always get the beef nachos which are omg yummy but their chicken and steak tacos are yummy too! Love the atmosphere and its in a great location in downtown Raleigh. If you never been there please go and you will not be disappointed.

This review is not about the food, but the lack of help I needed when I was being harassed by a man.
I was standing in line inside last night around 2:30 am with my friends after the bars closed. I ordered my food and was waiting for it to go when a man approached me.
He attempted to hug me and when I declined his advances he pressured me even further. He attempted to grope me and kept touching me, so I yelled at him. I am a petite girl and felt very threatened.
After I yelled at the man he began screaming «Princess Diana» at me, which I don’t understand, as loud as he could while the entire restaurant stared. I walked away from him while he continued to follow me around the restaurant screaming that I was a «white privileged b****»
I looked at the all male staff for help but no one did anything when I was obviously panicked and being harassed in their restaurant. I reached out for help and the most anyone did was mouth the words «calm down» to the man.
A manager did not reveal himself while the entire restaurant watched, did not ask him to leave, did not offer any help, and did not make sure I was safe or if there was anything they could do to rectify the situation.
The man waited for me outside Armadillo Grill and continued so scream at me about my race and my appearance until I got into a cab.
Not only do I find this unacceptable as a female, but as an individual with over 5+ years of experience in the restaurant industry. I am welling up with tears as I am writing this review.
I am utterly disgusted with their lack of action or concern for safety of their patrons.
I will never patronize Armadillo Grill ever again.
***************
UPDATE: After calling to talk to a manager–
I called the day after at around 6:45 pm to talk to a manager.
The manager said he was there and saw the whole incident occur, and I believe him because he recalled the man screaming «Princess Diana» at me.
He claims that he asked the man to leave, but not before pointing out that I was intoxicated. Was I intoxicated? Yes. I’m not disputing that– I am 21 years old and my best friend from high school was in town visiting so we went to the bars. Being intoxicated does not justify what happened or the lack of help I was offered.
He said «you were very intoxicated and I asked him to leave.»
First of all– he did not identify himself as the manager, leave the kitchen, or stop what he was doing to make me feel safe or to confront the situation. I only remember one man saying from over the counter to calm down– that’s it. But at this point it’s just a he said she said situation so I’m not going to dwell on it.
I asked why he did not approach the situation and he said «we were busy.» When I said that I had been in the restaurant industry for over 5 years and that safety and comfort of guests should be the highest priority he fired back that he had 10 years. Ok– the point of my phone call was not to compare resumes.
I told him that the man waited for me outside the restaurant, his response: «I can only control what happens inside the restaurant.»
So as a manager he did not identify himself to me, offer to have anyone escort me to a cab, or anything to calm me down.
He said I sat there and ate my food– which I did not do. My friends ate chips while we waited for a cab and I stood behind them.
I made it known that I did not want anything from Armadillo Grill, not a gift card, free meal, or anything monetary they might offer. I just wanted to let him know what was going on in the restaurant.
Instead of offering a genuine apology or even a «I saw it occur, I’m sorry we were so busy that I didn’t help more,» he tried to dispute everything I said and pointed out that I had been drinking.
Being in the restaurant industry for 5 years (not 10 as the manager there last night) I thought it was only fair to give him a call before I blasted them over the Internet and give him a chance to redeem himself and the restaurant. I was very disappointed when he did not because I used to love their tacos.
If he had even offered a half hearted apology, I would’ve deleted my Unilocal review and given them the benefit of the doubt.

I eat at the Armadillo Grill in Raleigh very regularly and have always loved it. The food, prices, and service is always great.
I decided to use them to cater my husband’s surprise birthday party last night. I could not have been happier. They did a fantastic job! The food was amazing and very reasonably priced. The ordering process was very simple and I was able to change my headcount a couple times with no problems at all. The delivery and set up was very professional and the staff were great to work with!

the queso dip is my favorite! I recommend the chicken soft taco deal. however, I prefer it with no lettuce and they always seem to give me at least one taco with lettuce on it, frustrating, but the queso dip alone is why I give this place 5 stars. I find myself here after I’ve left the bars on glenwood. great location

SUPER FAST, friendly and great food! The black bean nachos are to die for. 5 stars and I’ll be back!

When I was in college I used to love Armadillo Grill. I went back recently and I think A-​OK is a pretty accurate description.
Armadillo Grill has a menu of your normal Tex Mex food– tacos, nachos, burritos, etc. They also have wings. When you go in you fill out an order form to specify exactly what you want. What I don’t like is that all additional toppings cost extra, even on a taco (things like beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese). Some of these things I feel like should just be standard on whatever you are ordering without the extra charge.
I usually order one of the Dillo deals. The one I like includes a chicken taco, chips and queso and a drink. I think this is around $ 7.50. On my most recent visit, I decided this seemed a little much compared to some other similar type places in the area.
I will say that I really like their queso, and I really like their chips. They also have a few salsas available to go with their chips. Their flour tortillas are very good, and homemade. They are always fast and I’m sure they do their best business late-​night.
Overall not a bad option if you have the craving for Tex Mex, but I do believe for the price there are options that are just as good/​better not too far away.

Super fast, cheap, and yummy.
This is nothing fancy, but a great place to go if you don’t have much time for lunch.
You write your order down on a piece of paper with checkboxes, and although it’s kind of a lot of paper, it simplifies it and you don’t have to really say much to the cashier if you don’t feel like it.
Chips were fresh. Queso was on point. Enchiladas were filling and good. I also love the refried beans, upon which I dumped a big portion of that queso.
Easy and solid.

My favorite Tex Mex restaurant in the area! Much better than Moe’s or Chipotle in my humble opinion.
I always order a burrito and queso. Despite the fact that I fill out my order form with crazy circles and notes everywhere, they always manage to get my burrito exactly right. I also get the sour cream which is served in a tube-​like pouch.
Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a late night snack. My stomach is growling just thinking about it :)

Armadillo grill is sort of like a dive bar (one that happens to serve decent Tex Mex food). They don’t offer a great deal of selection, basically just tacos, burritos, chips and queso dip. The staff pretty much look like stoners who play in heavy metal bands on the weekends, but they are actually nice and friendly and serve up the Tex Mex food pretty quickly unless they are slammed (That may only happen right after the bars close, if then).
In a crowded Tex-​Mex fast casual market, Armadillo certainly isn’t at the top of my list. There are just so many better Tex-​Mex and authentic Mexican options available. The Armadillo is a convenient option for late night noshing in the heart of the Glenwood South action, and makes more sense after you have had a few (too many).