| Author | Message | ||
     Bill P Citizen Username: Mrincredible Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2005  |
Okay, so I place my order (first ever at Carmelita's) and head down into town. I had to laugh because as I was approaching Highland (coming down the hill) there was a car with its backup lights on ready to pull out right in front of Carmelita's! Ironic, I thought, until I noticed the minivan that was sitting patiently waiting to turn off of Highland into the space. I am a firm believer in Carma (yes, spelt with a "C" on purpose) and I would never so blatantly take someone's space, so I had to drive around another few minutes to find a spot (Baker street and Baker street lot were both full) right in front of Wachovia. So I get my meal home, open it up and it's ... okay. I wanted to love it ... I really really did! I tried so hard, but it was just okay. Taquitos and a chicken burrito meal, in case you're wondering. And the beans and rice were pretty lukewarm, and there was no hot sauce (promised on the online menu) with the taquitos. So, okay, I've put my money where my mouth is and it didn't work out. Is there something better I should try there? | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 915 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bill P - Ok your taste isn't authentic Mexican - let it go. I don't think I've ever had a burrito in Mexico - that's an American oddity that restaurants deal with. We had Chicken Enchildadas that were to die for tonight from Carmelita's (really) so tasty and I was so happy. | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1170 Registered: 5-2001 |
I've said it a couple of times already, but it bears repeating: to appreciate Carmelita's, first of all you should eat in, not do take-out, and you really, really should try the fish dishes - shrimp, salmon, whatever. Carlos knows how to cook fish just right! My husband just about always orders the chicken chimichanga, which is baked, not fried, and he's always happy with it. I think it's time to go to Carmelita's........ | ||
| Me2 Citizen Username: Me2 Post Number: 99 Registered: 6-2003 |
I tried Carmelita's for the first time about a week ago. I had the salmon and thought it was really good. | ||
| sac Supporter Username: Sac Post Number: 1822 Registered: 5-2001 |
Having praised Carmelita's, I should add that I have also been frustrated by frequent absence of guacamole. Especially since I myself make pretty mean guacamole from the "foreign" avocadoes available this time of year, so I know that it can be done. And, since I also like Carlos' guacamole very much, I wish he would lower his avocado standards just a tad. But this hasn't put me off the restaurant overall. My very favorite meal at Carmelita's is the basic cheese enchiladas. They have the green sauce that I love (and often can't get at other Mexican restaurants) and just generally taste great! I'm actually not a burrito fan, so I either go with the enchiladas or the fish special most times. We are going to try to get there next week also. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 1357 Registered: 9-2002 |
Tried Carmelita's once when it first opened and was not impressed, but I will give it another try. Bill, for Mexican we usually go to Jose's Cantina in New Providence and have been very happy. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3872 Registered: 5-2001  |
OK -Growler. I dropped my stuff off for dry cleaning at Mr. Gus this morning. Very nice guy & he'll have it tomorrow. Cheaper than Maplewood Dry Cleaners on Baker, too. We'll see how he does with lipstick on silk. BTW - I guess I should have asked this before, but have you actually used him, or were you just naming stores on SA?  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2161 Registered: 5-2001 |
I've used him for alterations/tailoring. | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2004 |
I've been wondering if maybe Carlos would make me something a little more vegetarian friendly and to my liking. I find myself not wanting to go cause I have to compromise on what I eat EVERY time I go. I find the food good, but not ever what I want -- and I LOVE Mexican. I think I'm going to ask him next time I go. Can't hurt to ask, I guess. If he can make me something custom (and I'm not talking anything super exotic -- maybe a bean, rice, sour cream, cheese, veggie and guac burrito) I think I might go as often as once a week. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 414 Registered: 11-2001 |
greenetree - I have used him for shirts and pants. Can't say about the lipstick though. Haven't been that lucky in years!  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2163 Registered: 5-2001 |
Alley, I feel the same exact way! I have gotten his veggie burrito, and while it's good, it's not exactly what I want when I want Mexican. I'd love a mission burrito. I do like the little salads he gives with your entree and makes waiting for the food easier without downing too many chips. If you go this week, please ask him about that, and tell him if it's a menu item people will eat it! (You & I anyway  ). I would just love that. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 178 Registered: 12-2004 |
I don't really eat meat either. I've always enjoyed the "Three Amigos" which is salad with rice and beans. Add quacamole (if you can get it) and I'm good to go. Never tried the fish dishes, they sound good. Guess I'll try that next week. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4925 Registered: 5-2001 |
Carmelita's food isn't too bad. What put me off going to the place (this was several years ago) was seeing the food preparer arranging the food with his bare hand rather than using a plastic glove or utensils. If I hadn't been writing a Public Health Sanitiation examination at the time, I probably wouldn't have noticed. | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1174 Registered: 5-2001 |
All this talk about Carmelita's inspired us to have dinner there last night. There was guacamole. It was great. I had the fish (delicious, as usual - though I think I really need to get out of that rut and try some other items) and the place was packed. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 5455 Registered: 1-2003  |
I think food prepared with bare hands is normal. Gloves are as likely to be unsanitary as bare hands. The thing I object to is handling food and money without handwashing in between. In other areas, the law forbids that, but not here. | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2004 |
I agree, bare hands are normal, and in fact one of the best kitchen utensils a chef has in their arsenal. Have you ever watched the Food Network? I've never seen a chef EVER use plastic gloves on the t.v. or in real life. I just want and expect a food handler to wash their hands before they start food prepartion. Nothing more nothing less. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 5268 Registered: 4-1998  |
One of my favorite weekly reads is Waiter Rant: http://waiterrant.blogspot.com/ Please enjoy the Feb 9 entry. (I'm one of his good tippers, btw) | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 1658 Registered: 5-2001 |
We really miss Carmelita's ( we moved to Florida about a year and a half ago). The food was always fresh and full of real flavor - not overly hot , but singing with fresh cilantro and various chilis. Alley and Shh - Carlos is exceedingly friendly and receptive to suggestions, and my guess is that he would appreciate the tip to make more creative veggie dishes. Debby (in the land of strip malls)  | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4933 Registered: 5-2001 |
We had dinner at Carmelita's last night. The place wasn't packed but it wasn't empty either. The food was good, fresh and tasty. Service was excellent. We would definitely go back. As Jem noted, there was guacamole available. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 5460 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for that blog entry (is there a word for that yet?), Dave. We ate at Cent'anni last night. It was just superb. Are the rumors true that they're going downscale? Why? It seemed to us that there are alternatives, like splitting the restaurant, or having different menus at different times of the week. |
