Carlos O’kelly’s Mexican Cafe

Hatch Tostada… tough and soggy (hard to imagine it could be both) full of potatoes and refried beans… very little pork.

Carlos o’kelly’s has been a guilty pleasure of mine and family ever since I can remember. We would come here at least once a week, not even exaggerating. This is essentially tex mex, it’s not authentic but it’s still very good. More importantly, it’s consistent. The service is always amazing. I did discover recently that the refried beans are no longer vegetarian but they did add delicious black beans to the menu, so I can deal with that! Be careful not to fill up on the salsa and chips, it’s really easy to because the salsa is so fresh and delicious! Also, don’t forget to get a margarita!

Service was not that great. We came in and were seated right away at 840 pm and the hottess left right after seating us. She told the manager and the 5 staff members standing around the bar. 10 minutes later the people waiting for seating had someone come to the bar to ask for help the manager told the guy that a server would bring chips and salsa in a minute. He informed her they didn’t have a table and it took her 5 minutes to leave the party of workers at the bar. My food was cold on a hot plate and tasted terrible, very bland and cold. The potatoes were liquid not even solid. When the server told the manager it took her 15 minutes to come even say something. She made me another plate after I told her three times that I didn’t want it. I know from working there that employees are not allowed to drink in uniform and there were employees being loud and drunk at the bar.

Literally walked in, sat down at the bar, ordered a burrito to-​go, it was done in five minutes, I asked the bar tender if it was indeed done it had only been five minutes, she said yes, drove four minutes home, sat down, and ate a very cold burrito with cold rice and cold beans. How could it be cold I had just ordered it! And the temp outside could not have made it cold it was 100 degrees! And I live within walking distance! Uhhhhhhhhh… So upset.

Ordered: Burro En Fuego and The Cadillac Chimi
Price: $ 28.04
Ambiance: This place essentially looks like a hispanic applebees with all its bench seating, dark furniture, and overall layout. The service was good as we were seated quickly, greeted by our waiter and given waters and chips and salsa all within 3 – 5 minutes. Food was out within 8 – 10 minutes. Chips and waters were refilled before we finished them.
Food: The Burro En Fuego is a 12″ tortilla enveloping a thin sheet of seasoned and seared flank steak. The problem with this burrito was the super thin, albeit large, piece of steak that must’ve cooked instantaneously the moment it hit the grill. Given its dryness and texture, i’m tempted to say it might’ve been pre-​cooked and just seared before serving. The saving grace was definitely the En Fuego sauce was was indeed spicy (even for a spice-​nut) and very complex. You can definitely taste many of the different peppers as they fade in and out with each bite, very enjoyable. My fiancé’s cadillac chimi was also very large and thin but packed with cubes of chicken swimming in their queso sauce. The problem again was that the meat was hint dry and chewy but the queso was, again, very complex and rich. We both got cilantro lime rice which was horribly disapointing as it was instant/​microwave rice and the black beans were meh. Oh and as a warning, I did ask for a few extra jalapenos and they charged them as a side-​order for 50 cents without telling me.
I wanted to like this place but the lack of attention to something as simple as the meats was off-​putting, especially given the prices they demand. While our our food came out quickly, this is because the restaurant likely par-​cooks most of its food. In plain-​speak, this means most of the food is pre– or partially-​cooked so the restaurant can just finish it up on the grill and serve it quickly. While this usually isn’t an issue if done correctly and with the right ingredients, this place didn’t do that. Instead, it relies on its admittedly delicious sauces to cover up the corners it cuts. Overall the meal was decent but it simply felt manufactured, over-​priced, and neither gourmet nor authentic.

If you’re into authentic Mexican, this isn’t your place. But if you have family members that are picky about spicy and seasoned food, this is a good place. The queso is pretty tasty. The salsa is good, but there’s no spice to it at all. I always get the enchilada de monterrey, and it’s pretty good. A simple tortilla stuffed with chicken and topped with cheese sauce. This place isn’t great, but it’s not bad.

We went here one night and it was pretty steady. I ordered seafood enchiladas. They were NOT good. I dont recommend them at all. When I told my server I didnt like them he did let me order something different and was very nice about it.
I ordered chicken tacos and chicken enchiladas and they were pretty good. Free chips and salsa were also very good. Not sure why I continue to go to chain Mexican restaurants. I’m from South Texas and know what the good stuff tastes like so I suppose I’m a sort of Mexican food snob. This was the last time I’ll go to this restaurant.
Servers were very nice though.

Meh. I should have known better. We went here on a friends recommendation despite the worst Mexican food name I have ever seen. Is this an Irish Mexican or what? It was ok at best and just not worth areturn trip. It’s not puke bad, but there is nothing special here. They do appear to have a large variety of fruity Mexican cocktail drinks if you’re into that though.