FROM THEIR WEBSITE:
Carmelita's is more than a restaurant. It is a unique experience of delicious authentic Mexican cuisine, exceptional customer service and an inviting atmosphere the whole family will enjoy
We were founded in 1983, Carmelitas has established the standard in quality Mexican Food that's been hard to beat for over two decades. Since the restaurant's inception, founders Vincent and Carmen Lopez have used their vast collection of traditional family recipes as the cornerstone of the Carmelita's experience.
Their locations are truly a Family-Friendly Atmosphere. We know what it's like to be part of a big family so we encourage you to bring yours. Our children's menu is packed with kid-favorites and our full liquor bar offers a variety of drinks to satisfy adult tastes
OPINION: Twice a month I go to Carmelita's and each time it's a friendly warm (Chilis-Hotsauce) experience. I have been going to Carmelita's since they opened back in the eighties and they have grown in spite of the economy with five locations and great food getting better year after year.
The original location on Park street is still swamped most weekends and busy at lunch and dinner during the week.
TOUGH CALLS
One of the toughest categories of food to judge is Mexican Food because as my friend Julio puts it and he is from Mexico, you wouldn't eat some of the stuff they might prepare for you in Mexico. It might blow your head off. Thats why some of the comments and reviews made by some have to be taken with grains of Salt...lemon or lime juice, Tequila and Cointreau. Thats a Margarita.
And many of the dishes here are so Americanized you might not relate them to pure Mexican faire. I see it as a choice of taste. "Authenticity" means nothing as something is authentic only in it's own environment. Next door the same dish might be different and that makes it "slightly differently authentically".
Also what is Mexican food? As I break it down into Mexican-Mexican, Tex-Mex, and American- Mexican. In addition we have Moe's Southwest Mexican, whom I rated mediocre because I didn't understand what they were doing there. Prepaid semi-buffet?
It is easy to make mild food hot. The reverse is difficult. in general we have to take into consideration they serve families here. If the folks who want nuclear would tell the waitress or waiter to make it hotter, no problem, they will accommodate you.
When I was read comments and reviews about a place, I discard about 50% because some said the food was too hot, and the same dish by another critic was too mild. And another compared it to a place back home 1500 miles away, and the same dish looks different. Just proves my point.
SALSA:
The salsa is and chips are free. The salsa is flavorful and not hot. One guy complained the salsa wasn't hot enough. He probably didn't see the little side dish they give you with the 115 octane stuff you can mix with the salsa to increase lower tract discomfort and then blow your head off. You can ask for it. Listen, in the food business, most restaurants take the mild side because a choking customer or possibly a child screaming, turning red and in chili pain after munching on a few hot jalapeno's or habaneros is bad for business.
TOUGH AREA:
Of course there are the Peyote Induced selections from Taco Bell whom on the basis of food, personnel and cleanliness we told you to ***AVOID*** their stores.
Two of the larger Mexican chains in this area folded, Tia's might have still have a store in Tampa, and after eating at them I know why. When you eat in Carmelita's you feel at home, when you ate in the big chains you felt like a tourist. And they were theme park joints, average food, average help and the experience ended the first and last time you went there.
They have grown to five locations. To me the one on Ulmerton and Belcher is the closest so I frequent there and they have specials on some days. They don't shortchange you on specials, rare in the food business.
Most family operations go middle of the road. I have eaten in all of the different style places within 100 miles of my home and they play relatively safe here. At Carmelita's the portions are nice sized the menu is very large, and the chips and salsa are complimentary. Again watch the hot sauce in the little dish. It is nuclear.