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Carolina's Mexican Food
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7:30 pm
Sat 7 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
206 reviews for Carolina's Mexican Food
Review Highlights
"Best tortillas in Arizona, not just Phoenix."
(in 13 reviews)
"The choriso breakfast burritos are really good also."
(in 9 reviews)
"...burritos especially the Machaca Mix and the Oaxaca Special."
(in 5 reviews)
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205 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica M.
Astoria, Queens, NY
2/9/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I seriously can't believe I haven't ever written a review of my favorite Mexican place in the entire world! Not like this place is still a secret, which is a good thing because hopefully that means it's not going anywhere.
I should mention that I can't normally eat a lot of food in one sitting. But something magical happens to my stomach when I walk into Carolina's. I'm suddenly able to put away twice the amount of food as my male dining companions. The problem is, I can't ever decide whether to get the bean and cheese burrito or the red machaca burrito, so I just end up getting both. And finishing both. And it's not even difficult!
These have to be two of the best burritos in the history of the world, and I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the ridiculously delicious tortillas they make here. I always pick up a dozen to take back with me to NYC, just to show people here that good Mexican DOES exist! It's just all, sadly, located in slightly shady parts of Phoenix (or in SoCal, or in actual Mexico).
The wait to order is never very long, but the wait to get your food does seem endless. It's only because they make everything fresh to order, though! And it probably just feels like an eternity because I've really been waiting several MONTHS to eat this food, and that's just added to the 5-10 minute wait for the food to arrive.
They have something here that I have never seen before...a Coke fountain AND a Pepsi fountain! And a smaller fountain with ok-tasting horchata and other Mexican refrescas. So no more fighting over whether a place is Coke or Pepsi, they've got it all covered.
I could probably write several essays' worth of love for this place, but I'll save you all the time-just get off your butt and get to Carolina's ASAP! And if you're heading to NYC, bring me some tortillas! :) -
Review from Darcy C.
Phoenix, AZ
1/31/2012
The food and especially tortillas are amazing! I would never eat at the location, but a quick pickup for lunch (during daylight!) is perfect.
They are always cops there EATING so you know its good! -
Review from Diego S.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/26/2012
I never actually went into the restaurant. My friend, who's been telling me about this place for years, brought me some take-out the other day,
Prefacing our hasty wolfing-down session, he informed me the meal might not be the greatest, but the real reason to eat at Carolina's was her flour tortillas.
He said they were the best in the valley, and that when he was in line to buy our food, several people were there for only the tortillas.
Then he informed me how they're not for resale and how you can only get them at Carolinas.
Everything he said was accurate.
My red chile was ok, nothing special. Refried beans, above average.
The tortillas?
Unbelievable.
Growing up in south Phoenix, and having a plethora of Hispanic friends whose mom's all made homemade tortillas, Carolina's took me back in time to those happy days when mom sent me out into the hood looking for my father every weekend.
I almost always found him at the Granillo residence, slurping menudo, drinking beer and eating Mrs Granillo's tortillas, which were the best in the hood.
Carolinas reminded me of Mrs Granillo, my dad, and my mother yelling at him for coming home drunk.
Until he whipped out some of Mrs Granillo's tortillas, then she lost her f*$cking mind, and all was forgiven.
If you go to Carolinas, order a dozen flour tortillas, and eat one or two.
Then go to the bar, get sloppy drunk and stop in at the casa around 3 in the morning.
When your wife presses you for where you've been all night, whip out the tortillas.
They'll save your bacon. -
Review from Sean J.
Tempe, AZ
1/22/2012
I live in San Diego, but over the 10 years I lived in PHX, I developed a serious LOVE for this place. Now, I have my family bring me a huge to-go order every time they come visit. I just got my most recent rations and am as in love as ever...and so full I can't move.
This simply the best Mexican food I have ever had. Even when I lived in town, I would almost never eat at the restaurant. Instead, get a quart of machaca, beans, rice and of salsa and get a couple dozen tortillas and you are set. A burrito with those ingredients is simply heaven on earth to me.
Carolina's rocks! -
Review from rodney o.
Las Vegas, NV
Updated - 2/9/2012
You people are nuts if you think this place is good. When you see a bunch of whiye guys in short sleeve shirts and ties (no pocket protectors) run.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2011
WWWWWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY over rated. Should have known when all you see are a bunch of white guys… Read more »
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Review from John S.
Tempe, AZ
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you're looking for real Mexican in a hurry this is your place. This is one of places ill always bring out of town guests who can't find good Mexican. Now its not the best Mexican food in town, but its cheap, easy and a great take out. The tortillas are unbeatable and the chimichanga is what's up. Make sure you grab a butter tortilla for the ride home to hold you over while you smell all that delicious food.
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Review from Hal J.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Rolled in here for Lizunch today and the food was okizay, got the Bean Burro enchilada stizyle and must say the Tortilla was the best pizart, but I've had better Mexican food in Scottsdizale.
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Review from Dyanna P.
1/7/2012
I've lived in Phoenix since 1998 and have heard wonderful things about Carolina's since then, and until today, I had never been.
My fiance and I stopped in today for a late lunch (around 2:30pm) and are so happy we did. The place wasn't packed but it was busier than we expected. We checked out the menu, made our selections, and ordered; he got the beef enchiladas and I got the flautas with beans & rice, plus a tortilla since they have such a reputation.
We only had to wait a few minutes before our food was ready. IT didn't disappoint! The flautas were crispy, the shredded beef was flavorful, and the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese were just right. The rice was really good, but I think I'll skip the beans next time. My fiance's beef enchiladas were good and he finished them all.
The best part, though, was the tortilla. Amazing. Before we left, I picked up a dozen to enjoy later. Oh yeah, baby. -
Review from Rebecca R.
Phoenix, AZ
Updated - 1/2/2012
Confession: I went to Carolinas at 9 am this morning for a tostada. I say it was a good breakfast. Also, in the early morning the restaurant is actually quiet! It's almost nice. Anyways, I'm glad they are open earlier, but I still haven't tried any breakfast options there.
Carolinas is not pretty. It was a chinese restaurant, which become clear as soon as you walk in the door and see the crazy colors and zodiac symbols. The kitchen is wide open and it's always packed with people, so it is very very noisy!
However, if you are willing to brave the atmosphere, the food is darn good. I like the beans more than any of the meat products, so I stick to burritos and tostadas normally, but every once in a while a chimichanga is worth a try.Listed in: Not a date place.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/10/2011
A Phoenix essential. You are not there for the ambiance (what ambiance?), you are there to scarf… Read more »
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Review from Patiocat B.
Phoenix, AZ
1/24/2012
Listen, I get it. Carolina's is delicious. There's no argument to be had about those burros or tortillas--unless, of course, the argument is about who gets the last tortilla and in that case it's MINE. My problem with this location is how...disgusting it is. I have no problem with the neighborhood--the issue is that when I walk into ANY restaurant in ANY part of town, I expect the place to be relatively clean. Last night we took my husband's mother to this location (we had only been to the North Phoenix location in the past), and it was just plain dirty. There was trash and food on the floor, the majority of the tables were filthy, and the garbage containers were overflowing. I guess when you go to Carolina's, you just keep your head down, don't ask questions, and eat--however, I will be eating my Carolina's in North Phoenix from now on.
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Review from Thomas I.
Lawton, OK
1/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Real authentic mexican food but is this real authentic mexican service? Waited so long for my food while others after me got it well before. Almost was late to work because of it
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Review from Francesca H.
Phoenix, AZ
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is coming from a Hispanic woman very proud of her own home cooking. I make my own tortillas, beans, etc.. Consider the fact that I am a huge fan of my own cooking as you read this review.
Normally, this is a pretty good joint. It's not bad if you're jonesing for a taco or some really good beans (and don't want to make it yourself). It is considerably tastier than any Filiberto's, and more authentic tasting than places like America's Taco shop.
My faves are the butter-soaked tortillas, bean burritos, and chicken tacos. I keep it simple in simple joints. Today, unfortunately, it wasn't even close to as flavorful as it usually is. It wasn't worth the hour I put in at the gym afterwards.
But hey! Normally it is worth a stop, especially if one is deprived of Mexican food at home. -
Review from Rachel R.
Scottsdale, AZ
10/18/2011
This is how Mexican food should be served:
It should cost about five bucks.
You start with some form of tortilla, add refried beans, spanish rice, salsa, and lettuce, insert cheesey-messy-possibly-meaty-goodness and throw it all in a styrofoam container.
Then, you ravage the contents of the container until there are fork scratch marks in the styrofoam.
Thank you, Carolina's, for being one of the few, the brave, and the proud Mexican places to carry out this process with charm and elegance.Listed in: Economically Awesome., Around the World in AZ
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Review from Michelle R.
Arden-Arcade, CA
12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great authentic Mexican food. It was very hole in the wall and place and looked dirty but the food was great!! The tortillas were the best I've ever had at a restaurant. It wasn't located in the best of locations, but next time I'm in Phoenix I'll be sure to stop by.
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Review from Shirley S.
Phoenix, AZ
11/4/2011 2 photos
I succumbed to peer pressure!
Don't you hate it when you don't trust your own instincts? OK, so Yelp is a great resource and so are friends' recommendations. But when it comes right down to it, it's all a matter of opinion. When it comes to Carolina's Mexican Food, mine differs from most.
I've mentioned in other reviews that I love the idea of a mom-n-pop place where local owners are doing their own thing, contributing to the local economy with jobs and paying their taxes. Plus, this place makes their own tortilla shells. so that's a nice touch.
The food isn't especially memorable. The machaca or chicken tacos are appropriately sized overall, but contain mostly just iceburg. See for yourself with the posted pics. The chicken was flavorless, but the machaca was a bit easier to discern. Also, the size of the cheese quesadilla was fine, though proportionately had little cheese.
In the interest of safety, I would NOT recommend coming here at night alone. If you must, be sure you're with a group of people and at least one or two of you have sobered after a night of drinking. This place is OK for taking care of the munchies. Just be sure you're careful to be safe in this less-than-stellar neighborhood. -
Review from James L.
When visiting a new city and I need resources for dining options I usually have two plans of attack:
1). My trusty Yelp app on my smartphone
2). Taxi drivers
I've found that if you ask a taxi driver where he/she likes to eat they usually provide the best advice since they get to drive around to all the local neighborhoods and word will spread amongs their fellow taxi driver breathern about good food spots. So on the first day of my stay in Phoenix, about six of us piled into a VIP Cab and asked the guy, "where's the best Mexican food in town?" Without hesitation, he replied Carolina's and off we went. And the food was SOOOOOOO good that we proceeded to eat there every day my team was in town. And it doesn't hurt that this joint also has a solid 4 star rating after 190+ reviews on Yelp.
Do not be deterred by the dirty, shabby, and overall "modest" appearance of Carolina's exterior. You come to a hole in the wall place like this for the food, and not for the decor. The exterior is painted in a shell white more to deflect the harsh Arizona sun, and the extent of the interior design are 1950 style fast food seating with a few wooden tables and chairs. And yes the lines the are super long (especially at lunch), but the wait is worth it.
The menu is up above the cashiers, and it was difficult to choose since they had all the greatest hits of Mexican food that I learned to love while I lived in Austin,TX. Flavorful beef machacha, huevos con chorizo on fresh tortillas, and of course ridiculously tasty tamales with fresh masa and meat stuffing. I had all of these items, but their enchiladas may have been the best thing I ate. Chunks of cheese were melted in a tortilla smothered in a brown gravy with homemade refried beans, and REAL Mexican rice topped with scallions. Walk over to the sauce dispenser and get a few squirts of homemade picante sauce and you're in food heaven.
Phoenix is a town lousy with good Mexican (not Tex-Mex, but MEXICAN) food places, but even so, Carolina's might be one of the best. -
Review from Shadi M.
Goodyear, AZ
10/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
As a Southwesterner, I'm inundated with Mexican food restaurants. American fast food mainstays like McDonald's are drowned out by hole-in-the-wall shacks ending in "-berto's." But the fact of the matter is, for all their ubiquitousness, most of these taco stands are downright awful. I mean, they'll do in a pinch, such as when you're drunk at 1AM and looking for something to compete with tequila for the remaining space in your stomach, but no one ever says, "Man, the burrito I had at Filiberto's was stellar!" That's just not the itch those places scratch.
So, you can imagine how apprehensive I was when I walked into Carolina's Mexican Food and found that it did indeed look "dive-y." Would the food fit the atmosphere? No way, José! Carolina's served up some of the best Mexican food I've had in Arizona. This is the real deal: tortillas that melt in your mouth, chorizo that hits just the right savory/spicy notes, and a red chili sauce that bites back.
I ordered the Oaxaca Special, a savory symphony of chorizo, potatoes, chese, and beans. For a burrito that fit snuggly my hands - at a price of $3.50 - it filled me up just as well as a $5 burrito from a "-berto's" joint, albeit with more flavor and better presentation.
Having dined with three other family members, I had the chance to sample three other dishes. The quesadilla melted in my mouth like butter. It's no wonder people line up out the door just to buy Carolina's tortillas. My wife's chimichanga, through some sort of black magic, was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. Does the kitchen staff practice brujeria? Maybe. I'm not sure.
I am sure of one thing, though: when I have an itch for great Mexican food, I'll be making the trip down to Mohave Street. You won't find better Mexican food in Phoenix at such an attractive price point. -
Review from Travis B.
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
my wife put it succinctly. sometimes you don't really get to appreciate mexican food when all you ever eat is the standard TexMex places that we frequent.
and then you eat at a place like Carolina's and your whole perspective changes.
i had an online coupon for Carolina's and since we like to stay within our 1-2 mile home radius, it forced us to head outside our box. we invited a friend from out of town to meet us there and he texted me "man travis, i don't know about this place. it looks shady". i assured him that this place was well known and to just wait in the car until we got there and that as AZ is a gun loving place, i would come locked and loaded strapped with my military grade weaponry.
i was surprised at how unappealing and simple this place was. but that's what works for it i guess. since we don't eat meat, our choices were limited, but what we did order was absolutely fantastic.
i loved the tamales. they had a few prepared and we tore into ours. then the enchiladas with green sauce. we also ordered a dozen tortillas and ate 5 of them before making it home. i have 2 more coupons for this place and can't wait to go back. i'm sure they taste so good because of the cooking ingredients (being a vegetarian doesn't mean i have to sacrifice lard every now and then does it?). but for a special occasion, this place is worth our drive! -
Review from Jessica H.
Flagstaff, AZ
1/6/2012
This place is probably the best Mexican food I have ever had! The tortillas are home- made and sooooo good. I usually get a plain bean and chesse burrito and it never gets old.
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Review from Edward D.
12/21/2011
Had some tamales, and they were one of the worst I have ever had! There is no way this place is the best in town? Now I am not condemning this place, I will come back and give them another try. I will try something different and maybe I might change my mind. But I just don't get the hype!
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Review from Stephanie P.
Scottsdale, AZ
12/11/2011
One does not go to Carolina's for ambience, decor, or service necessarily. One goes for amazingly delicious and authentic Mexican food-that's it. It's a dive establishment with hard chairs and bare walls that makes you feel like you're eating in some warehouse basement. The menu is pretty basic and it's a little confusing to figure out what items are vegetarian. Heads up, there aren't many. Even the guy taking our order was kind of confused. I could see it in his eyes (you don't eat meat?).
We ordered the cheese enchiladas with green chile sauce, the green chile and cheese tamales and a dozen tortillas to take home. Those tamales were kick ass-only way to describe them. Of course we opened the tortillas and started eating them with our enchiladas. Still warm and soft they are far better than tortilla factory which I used to think was pretty good. I used the rest of the tortillas we had purchased to make veggie burritos at home. I would come back for those tortillas alone! -
Review from Reed F.
Bothell, WA
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Looks suspect however had good reviews so we are checking it out... Food was subpar there is a reason why the food is cheap....
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Review from Peter V.
Tempe, AZ
12/10/2011
Best tortillas in the state hands down. The usual for me is a bean n cheese burrito double wrapped. There salsa is also unique and delicious. Wouldn't mind if this place was opened later....
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Review from Shelby A.
Flower Mound, TX
9/6/2011
If you want Mexican food that tastes like it was bought off of a street vendor in Piedras Negras, then this is your place.
I give this place one star for being a step above cat food. Awful, awful, awful!!! -
Review from Ryan M.
New York, NY
10/12/2011
I used Yelp to search for good Mexican food in Phoenix - after a string of disappointing Mexican experiences in Tucscon. I wasn't disappointed by Carolina's. To those who gave 3 and 4 stars because it's not shiny clean and chain-like: who cares? The machaca burrito may be the best burrito anywhere - and I'm from Southern California. I grew up eating SoCal Mexican 1-2 times a day (and it is still the best in the US on average). I ordered another one halfway through the first, along with a stack of fresh tortillas to take back to New York. This place is right by the airport and I almost want to route myself through Phoenix sometime just to go back.
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Review from x g.
Gilbert, AZ
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had the chimichanga combo. Was the bomb. Total dive, but will definitely eat there again.
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Review from Terry S. S.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/12/2011
Excellent Enchaladas!
As good as any you can get in any sit down mexican restaurant for about half price. -
Review from Jeff F.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/15/2011
It's OK.
I hate to always be bitching about Mexican food in the Valley, but what can you do? It's a disgrace. The fact that this place appears to be some kind of Holy Grail of Mexican food here in Phoenix just seems to emphasize that point.
Let's deal with the food first. This isn't really Mexican food. It's Tex-Mex food. That means you've got your choice of tacos, burritos, tostadas, enchiladas, chimichangas, etc.
We tried the "Oaxaca" burro (massive air quotes around the "Oaxaca" part of the name), which was just fine, but very, very small. I mean seriously, i'ts beans, cheese, potatoes and a bit of chorizo - we're not talking ahi tuna here. Why not give a normal sized portion?
We tried the menudo which was delicious but again, a miniscule portion. And they can't even be bothered to give you a plastic bowl, so you have to eat it out of the styrofoam to go container. I mean, for F's sake, they give me a plastic bowl at my favorite taco truck.
Still hungry, we ordered a combination plate, which was the same sort of tex-mex crap that you can get pretty much anywhere in town. Not so great.
It was all fine for what it is (I guess) but nothing that I would particularly go out of my way for, with the exception of the homemade flour tortillas, which were awesome. I even bought some to go. And that's about it for the food.
Now as to the restaurant itself, it's actually pretty disgusting, to the point where one has to conclude that they are just showing contempt for the customers. The place is filthy. The bathrooms, in particular, are vile. As Tony Bourdain says, "I may not be able to look in the kitchen but I can check out the bathroom and that let's me know how much they care about the restaurant." Uh, exactly! And the answer in Carolina's would seem to be, "not very much." The surly and uninterested staff add to that special ambiance.
We eat in lots of small ethnic restaurants and just because a place is "in the hood" doesn't mean it has to be gross. Our favorite Salvadorean restaurant is in the hood but it's also hospital clean, which makes me pretty confident that the kitchen is also clean.
Finally, the neighborhood. LOL. To describe this street as "in the hood" is an insult to "hoods" everywhere. This street is one of the most blighted streets I've ever been on, anywhere. I'm actually thinking of going back there today to do some documentary photos to send to my friends in Cambodia whose visions of America are mostly derived from CSI Miami. Seriously, it's appalling. The main thing I was thinking about driving away from there is that the Phoenix city government needs some kind of federal intervention.
So would I eat there again? Yeah, probably, if I was in the neighborhood. Would I go out of my way to drive there? No way. -
Review from Jason M.
Tempe, AZ
9/7/2011
Dirty little hole in the wall. Excellent food all the time. Tortilla's rock. I get a bag every time I go. Machaca, enchiladas are all great. Nothing is bad here. May be bad for you but just excellent mexican food.
As Shelby A. Says:
"If you want Mexican food that tastes like it was bought off of a street vendor in Piedras Negras, then this is your place."
YES IT IS!!!!!! Thats exactly what I want!! That is the best kind of Mexican food!! There is nothing better than street vendors!!! This is nothing like that at all but it is damn good!! -
Review from brian t.
Los Angeles, CA
9/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great yelp find again! This is a must go to place once you land in PHX and before you depart as well.
The tortillas are awesome/piping hot fresh and the food was better than most mexican places I normally go to in Cali. free refills on all drinks even the mexican drinks. Try the machaca plate or the chimichanga. -
Review from Becca I.
Chandler, AZ
5/17/2011
While I love all kinds of food Mexican is not normally my first choice. After hearing so many great things about this place for years I was finally able to check it out.
My dining partner and I shared the two beef enchilada combo, a beef tamale and a cheese crisp. The tamala was very mediocre. However, the enchiladas and cheese crisp were delicious!
If you're in the area around lunch time this is a must try (if you are able to forgo the opportunity to eat at Lo Lo's.) Although be forewarned - the lunch rush is pretty crazy and it may be difficult to find an open seat, but it's worth the try! -
Review from Samantha C.
Phoenix, AZ
4/30/2011
Delicioso! I LOVE mexican breakfast food. Carolinas is not only for breakfast (their tamales are to die for too) but breakfast is what I can most accurately RAVE about at Carolinas. Get the MACHACA! Delicous beef 'ish' meat wrapped in homemade tortillas... still warm and stretchy!
I finally physically went to Carolina's today and its great and to the point. Order at the counter and its ready for you in a split second. They have AWESOME SALSA in the 'eating area' to smother your machaca etc. with. So yummy.
Its quite busy inside which is a fair representation of how scrumptious Carolina's is! A true mexican food gem downtown.... which is nice to actually find because there are SO many choices... but CHOOSE CAROLINAS! :) -
Review from Jay N.
Lombard, IL
8/5/2011
Whenever I'm in town, I always stop by for a breakfast burrito to start off the day. They changed the parking a little bit so it's difficult to park on Mohave, but the lot on the west side of the building usually has a few spaces. Although the surrounding neighborhood is a little run down and the wrought iron door can be a little intimidating, there is plenty of great food inside.
Ordering is pretty straightforward and they're great at the basics. The tortillas are always made fresh and you can see them prepare it. Machaca isn't too common in the midwest, so it's always great to get some eggs, salsa, and machaca breakfast burrito. It comes out hot and the tortilla is a little floury. The value is always great here and there is plenty of spices and seasoning in anything you try. The chorizo and potato breakfast burrito is also one of my faves. A great place to start the day! -
Review from Jando S.
8/31/2011 8 photos
My time in Phoenix wasn't going to be complete without some Mexican food. It didn't have to be "authentic," just a local's eatery. I was already tired of the airport Mexican food, so instead of venturing straight there on my way out, I took a 20 minute detour to visit the city's top rated Mexican joint, none other than the infamous Carolina's.
Ever have that uneasy feeling of "I don't know about this..." while exploring a new neighborhood? This was exactly one of those times. I already knew it was a dive, but I didn't know it was going to be a scene from the movies, almost as if Compton was ever smack dab in the middle of desert. Even when we questioned our GPS directions, it never lead us astray. Within a few minutes into a ghost town of project like homes, we found Carolina's. There wasn't any windows, some minor graffiti, looking something like a warehouse with a bare parking lot. The doors were painted black on an all white building, I was just waiting to open the doors to find bikers and extras from the movie From Dusk Till Dawn.
Instead, I found a mix of patrons from all social classes, some waiting in line, and many sitting quietly enjoying their meal. After a quick peak at the menu, I noticed nothing was in Spanish. The guys behind the counter were all speaking flawless English and then I realized none of the clientele was Hispanic. Could access to decent Mexican food be any easier? I decided to ask the guys behind the counter for things that weren't on the menu and they jokingly retorted, "Go to Mexico, this is Carolinas." The entire menu reminded me of the fast food Mexican joints (a la Muchas Gracias in Oregon) I've seen throughout the west coast, thought he prices weren't as dirt cheap as I had hoped but still a good deal nonetheless.
Without abandon, I ordered a mix of enchiladas, tacos, tamales, and their infamous tortillas that were made in house. In short, I did not come away disappointed. The tamales were fresh, steaming away as I unwrapped the corn husks. A quick cut into the masa revealed the fine starch hugging the bits of shredded chicken just perfectly and spiced with the perfect amount of salsa verde. They were good enough for me to consider ordering a second one, but I was on a limited time frame. The hard shelled taco was totally what I was used to back home - deep fried, packed, and super greasy - producing an unmistakable crunch without falling apart. The enchiladas were drenched in a salsa roja sauce, meshed with a bed of frijoles and cheese. This was greasy Mexican at it's finest, the kind where artery salvation was never part of the agenda, sinful with every bite. A surprising thumbs up goes to their tortillas, simple yet hearty. The tortillas con queso were undoubtedly cheesy and though nothing like the ones I've eaten in Mexico, were worth their weight in saturated fat.
If I somehow warrant more visits to Phoenix, I can see myself coming out here for my greasy Mexican fix. I still need to try their burritos, flautas, chimis, and tostadas. If I like what I see and more importantly what I taste, I might be able to award this lil dive another whole star. -
Review from Jon M.
Phoenix, AZ
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good sign when the crowd includes policemen, firemen, business and more importantly locals. Another good sign when my 3 and 4 year old make me wait in line not one extra time but two times so that they could get thirds.
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Review from Tim B.
Seattle, WA
3/28/2011
OK, confession time, here's how my last few trips to Phoenix have gone...
Local Client: Hey buddy, your flight gotten in yet?
Me (Scarfing Carolina's within minutes of landing): NOM NOM, just arrived...NOM NOM...20 minutes ago...NOM NOM..."Order 1536! 1536!"
Local Client: Why does it sound like you're eating burritos in the barrio?
I love, love this place. I look forward to the fresh tortillas and amazing burritos almost as much as the Phoenix weather in the winter. My hands down favorites are the green chile burro and chorizo potato burro, but I'd probably take anything they threw my way. My coworker tried one red chile beef and one machaca and couldn't stop raving about them to anyone who would listen. And to think he looked at me like I was crazy when we first rolled up to a cement building in the 'hood for a quick business lunch!
For those who might be put off by the location / atmosphere I say: live a little. Nothing is going to happen to you, except you'll witness business guys in suits, blue collar workers, and neighborhood families alike enjoying the most mind-blowing burritos they've ever had. -
Review from Meridith E.
Chicago, IL
7/14/2011
When I lived and worked in Phoenix, I had my first experience at Carolina's as a lunch trip with a coworker. She told me that they had the best tortillas and was fast enough to fit in our lunch break.
I cannot tell you how delicious all their food is...flautas, enchiladas, combo plates, tacos. chimis, etc. Even though I'm back in Chicago, I dream about this place. I recommend it to my friends when they head to Phoenix area, and I hope that when I visit next, I have time to drive out for lunch.
The sauces are delicious and everything is homemade. They take pride in their food and are quick with the service. Delicioso! -
Review from Christopher M.
Hermosa Beach, CA
10/27/2011
Quite simply, some of the most authentic, straight-forward Mexican food I've ever had. I plan on making it a priority to stop here every time I'm in town from now on.
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Review from Billy R.
Tempe, AZ
Updated - 3/23/2011
I have to tell ya, man, I really, really like this place. Sitting inside, even though it gets incredibly packed, is a comforting experience. There's something about being in Phoenix in the Spring, before it gets too hot, munching on a burrito and wincing at the blinding sunlight bleeding in through the door that just makes me feel incredible.
People will bitch, and let them bitch; if they don't like this place, stay the fuck away, then. This is MY joint.
Pretty much the best thing they've got going on there is the green chili cheese tortilla. It is something to behold. Every single time I've been there, I've ordered one. Even if what I order for lunch is plenty, I will have the green chili cheese tortilla for later and I'll zap it in the microwave and nom on it hours later.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/11/2008
I can't possibly say anything that hasn't been said about this place. Amazing salsa. Lovely smell.… Read more »
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Review from Ty C.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/23/2011
You want truly authentic beef machaca with heavenly homemade tortillas, then you have come to the right place, they have original taco bell chairs from the 70's. The interior looks like a old abandoned school cafeteria, but never mind that the food is out of this world! I wish I lived closer to this gem! I tried their cactus location and it does not even compare to the south phx location on Mohave. Staff is ultra friendly.....they run a tight ship!
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