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Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
I noticed just today that I still haven't handed out the coveted fiver to any Mexican restaurants yet, which is probably because I've only been rating places in Dallas. For Mexican at its finest Phoenix is my city of choice. And in this fine city is Carolina's, the epitome of everything a Mexican place should be, the gold standard for Mexican food if you will. Here's why ...
1) Cheap - Carolina's does to money what Jesus did to bread and fishes. Find some change in your car or couch and you can feed a full family.
2) Delicious - Pick anything that rhymes with maraca (i.e. Machaca Burro or the Oxaca Special, my two faves) and get ready for it to blow you freaking mind! Oh, and how could I forget ... The buttered tortilla is a piece of heaven, especially once you get to the middle. My wife once made the mistake of having me hold her tortilla while she went to the bathroom, and after several minutes I just couldn't help myself and ate the butteriest middle bite. She still to this day has not forgiven me for that.
3) Ghetto - Every time I come here I'm worried the roof is going to collapse. There's no back on my chair that's been bolted into the floor. I would not come here at night for fear of getting my burro stolen, among other things. All this adds to the experience.
This place is as good an excuse as any to plan a trip to Phoenix. If I lived here Carolina's would be the sole reason for me weighing 300 pounds, it is literally that amazing.
People thought this was:
This hole in the wall was my first taste of Phoenix. I came up to the front and asked the guy what was in the Machaca burrito. That's a legit question, right? He looks at me like I'm crazy, then starts naming things off slowly...
him: "you wanna know what's IN the burrito?"
me: "yeah"
him: "ummm, machaca, beans, cheese"
me: "nothing else?"
him: "ummmm, naaaa"
Well, I got it, not really any beans in it, and there was a liquid that looked cheesy, but not sure if it was actual cheese. It did have some sort of sauce though and plenty of meat. Overall, cheap and not bad, but also fell apart too easily. It needs a stronger tortilla.
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I recall my first visit to Carolina's...
The time? About 1 PM.
As my GPS says "You have arrived at your destination," I frantically look. I see nothing that looks like a hole in the wall restaurant!
Well, I review the exact address, and note that the address (1202 Mohave Street) matches the "ghetto" building with all the nice cars parked afront.
"Well, that must be it!"
I park. Then I walk up to the door. The entrance reminded me of a homeless shelter or food bank.
As I entered, the restaurant was filled with people.
Since then, I have repeated visits to Carolina's with a few favorites...
- Chips and Salsa
- Shredded Beef Taco (Crispy)
- Cheese Quesadillas
- Cheese Enchiladas
The food is low-priced. For example, tacos are about $2 each. Burritos are about $4 each.
Additional Notes:
- Closes relatively early in the evening.
- Serves breakfast.
People thought this was:
People, stop complaining about this location. The reviewers are right, its a dive and there is no excuse for the dirty floors, tables, and bathrooms. They just don't want to spend the money. Shame on them. They are certainly bringing in the bucks, and I love Carolina's but I will not eat at this location, it makes me angry because of the condition, especially with 2 more locations in North Phoenix and West Valley.
The Carolina experience can be sublime ( 50% of the time ), average (40% of the time), and below average the rest of the time. I have certainly gorged myself and keep coming back for more. It is still the standard for me. And they make the best machaca in the Valley. God bless them all.
Machaca Burro is ridiculous and the butter tortilla will take you to the promised land
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This place does have great food and totally lives up to it's reputation. I just wish the location wasn't in the middle of the ghetto. I'd only recommend getting take out, but if you'd like to experience the area by all means dine in and get the true experience. The food is great hands down and the prices are almost the same in Mexico getting street tacos.
I'd really like to check out the other restaurants Carolina's has in the Phoenix metro to see if they live up to the orginal shack. If they are even as close as good I'd be outrageously thrilled.
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I lived in the Phoenix area for nearly 4 years, but now I am back home in Boston. People usually ask me if I miss Phoenix, and the truth is that I don't. However, one thing about Phoenix that I do miss is the real MEXICAN FOOD. I only ate at Carolina's once, but I still remember it being some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Make sure you get here early for lunch because this place gets packed!
Decent food for decent prices. Not much in the way of decor (cement floors/ cafeteria style booth tables) but who cares? The green chili is delicious, the tortillas are always soft and warm, and although the place is more often than not packed, they pump the food out fast. Yummy.
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Authentic Mexican food in an authentic Mexican barrio. Yes, it's 'dirty' (although it has yet to fail a health inspection), and yes, it's not in a gentrified neighborhood where every building looks the same, but it is some of the best 'home-cooked' Mexican you'll get this side of the border. Personal favorites include the machaca, chorizo, and of course the tortillas.
So if you want great street style Mexican food, this is the place for you, but if you're uptight drone who value style over substance stick to the tex-mex joints in your generic suburban strip malls.
Remember to pick up a dozen or so of their home made tortillas you take with you. I wouldn't be surprised if they are amongst the best tortillas in the world!
People thought this was:
Carolina's has the best tortillas in town, hands down.
I'm going to pretend like I didn't read some of the reviews about the place being in the "ghetto" and not wanting to be there after dark, etc. My office is just across the street, and while I will admit that the neighborhood is different than the one I live in, I've never felt nervous about being there. Most of the residents of the neighborhood whom I have met and worked with are hardworking individuals just trying to make ends meet. Ok that's the end of my soapbox tirade.
Moving on, we eat at Carolina's quite often since there aren't a whole lot of other options within walking distance and I'll be damned if I give up my covered parking space in the summer! I actually like the "cafeteria" type style of the place, and will occasionally eat there instead of ordering food to go.
I love the Machaca burritos, and the breakfast burritos are to die for (and at $3 a pop, you can't beat it)
Bottom line, I highly recommend checking out Carolina's for some good Mexican food!
People thought this was:
I love my Mexican food dripping with grease and this place does the trick. They do everything right on their menu. It is a great place for lunch when you work downtown. It gets pretty busy so call your order ahead. You won't be disappointed.
Carolina's is Mexico's preemptive answer to Americans who think Taco Bell is authentic Mexican food. It's tasty food served up with a side of beans in a building that under other circumstances would be better suited to an auto mechanic. But therein lies the charm. Carolina's seems to consciously embrace chaos by not having queues for customers to maintain an appropriate line and a menu that has seen better days (not to mention, some of the missing prices cause some confusion). It habitates in South Phoenix like a buoy in a hurricane, yet it fits and belongs and to perfectly complement the gritty reputation of its surroundings.
When I used to work at 48th Street and Southern Ave, I would stop by here after calling in my order and treat my coworkers to the most amazing breakfast burritos this side of the border.
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Why all the hype? I am still pondering why people rave about this place after having lunch there last week.. The location is not in the best part of town, the dining area is pretty dirty (see attached pictures) and the service sucked.
We ordered a beef chimichanga, which they left in the fryer too long so it came out almost burnt and it was tiny (like 4 bites and you're done tiny).
A bean and cheese burrito (good, but nothing spectacular) and a chorizo tostada, I will say the chorizo was excellent and I am glad because I had to fight for it.
The place was packed when we arrived so it took us about 40 minutes to order and get our food. They call out numbers for you to pick up your order so there is this constant drone of number calling and the speaker was really loud, it was pretty annoying.
To pick up your food you give them your receipt with your number on it. They gave me a bean tostada instead of a chorizo and when I took it back the guy asked me for my number to prove I ordered it.. This was the same guy I gave the ticket to when I picked it up originally. I told him this and he sighed heavily and started picking though all the receipts in the stack... A few minutes later he locates it, rolls his eyes and hands me a new tostada..
The food was average and the service sub par. I won't be returning... And there are Panderias on every corner so being able to buy home made tortillas really didn't impress me that much..
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I love this place!!!! OK it's not a place you actually want to dine in at but the food is so f'n good, just order and leave. I have had most things on the menu (no menudo though) but my fave is the machaca burros and crunchy tacos with a half dozen of the 1oz salsa cups. And after filling up on this I snuggle up to a dozen of warm fresh giant tortilla's (still in the wrappings of course). I like to order a quart of the machaca for later consumption in burro's, over rice, with eggs, my list could go on.
You would think with the mounds of money they have to be making from the constant lines of people they would do some upgrades to the place. Oh well, keep the food great and we will keep coming.
People thought this was:
God Damn, I love Carolinas. Just a regular-ass bean burrito is sublime by itself. The salsa is great, the machaca is great, everything I've tried is just delicious.
Don't bring your uptight friend, though. You know the one I'm talking about. The guy from work, he's dorky, sure, but one lunch the two of you went out and had a beer and he loosened up a little. Yeah, don't bring him. Your uptight white friend will embarrass you by talking loudly about how out of place he feels and will tell everyone in the office about imagined dirty looks he received at this crazy place that you dragged him to.
Yeah, it's kind of a dive, but to me, that's part of the experience. It's like how having to drive really far to get a good date shake makes it all the more delicious.
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In a town with a lot of great Mexican food, Carolina's sits at the top. I have eaten my way through most of the menu, and determined that my personal favorite is the Machaca Burrito (enchilada style). The wife craves their Chorizo/Potato burrito.
Anything that has a flour tortilla as and ingredient here is wonderful. That is their specialty. We always get a half dozen to take home for later. Something really special (if not particularly healthy) is their flour tortilla with butter.
Their salsa is wonderful as well (and goes well with everything). I would bathe in tub full of the stuff if I could get enough of it (I always take a small tub or two home with me to go with the tortillas).
Carolina's always, always has a line out the door (but don't worry, it moves quick - and if you are in a real hurry, you can call ahead). Tasting their food, I understand why.
Home made tortillas!! Some of the best tortillas I've ever tasted and i grew up in the southwest. price is cheap too. i recommend ordering the Oaxaca (pronounced...Wahaka) burrito or the #13 combination plate. The Oaxaca is filled with homemade chorizo, beans, potatoes and cheese. The #13 plate comes with a beef enchilada, a beef taco, a bean tostada and beans and rice. All for about $6. Also, did I mention their tortillas are that good?? order the butter-tortillas for about 90 cents.
Place is located in the heart of the barrio, but around lunch time you'll find people from all walks of life in there. firefighters, police officers, academic counselors, business men from corpo america, etc...
Been here probably one hundred times over several years; review is a bit tardy. The food is very good. The restaurant is a shameful dump. Money has been invested in the new location and it looks nice. A very small investment to fix the bathrooms, paint and decrepit floor would provide a more enjoyable place to sit down and eat; as such, orders are always to go and it's a three star rating.
**"best mexican food", etc. is a tired, overused cliche in Arizona. More specifically, there are VERY few dishes that one would exert extra effort/distance to enjoy. The chorizo, egg, potato burro is one of those dishes, second only to St. Mary's (Tucson) carne seca, egg, potato burro.
People thought this was:
Alright first things first the Oaxaca burrito is a solid 5 stars but the rest of the menu is mediocre in the taste category with little in appeal beyond just a normal little mexican restaurant. The one on the south side is better than the one up north!!!
Carolina's Mexican traditional food is one my favorite in town.
They always treat me with the best service and price is just right.
To become a regular is not difficult because the food makes you coming back for more
People thought this was:
Incredible tortillas. Snobby,-we -are-cool-Latino- and -we- have -a -hoping business- so- we- will- get -to -you -gringo- as- soon- as- we -can attitude. Terrible part of town, you could end up on the menu.
Get it to go and get the hell out of there.
This is a dirty depressing dingy dive that white people think they are getting authentic mexican food because they have to drive to the rough side of town to get it. I have had better burritos of off a Roach Coach!
If they really cared about their customers they would clean that dump up a little, get rid of the damn flies, add a few new ceiling fans, some new paint, clean the wretched bathrooms, and treat their customers more than just a another number.
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My girlfriend took me here when I came to town, after discovering that Ritos was closed for the week, and it was all that I had hoped for: Absurdly delicious, freshly made flower tortillas. I opted for the Oxaca Special burrito (beans, rice, chorizo, and cheese) and was not disappointed. The salsa is fantastic. I loved the hole-in-the-border fence decor, and especially loved the buttered tortillas. You can't find Northern Mexican like this in LA, folks.
It's usually against my policy to review places that have been yelped to death. But in this case, I had to make an exception.
I just got back to my desk, after consuming the most divine beef machaca burro that ever existed. Wow. The only reason I'm taking a star off, is because the atmosphere is like that of someone's garage.
People thought this was:
I eat here fairly regularly and have been doing so for years. It is not really what I would call pure authentic, but it is very good. I usually order the number 13 combo with taco, tostada, and a beef enchilada. The choriso breakfast burritos are really good also. This place is always very busy for lunch but we generally manage to get a table by the time our order is ready. If your going to do takeout call in your order so it will be ready when you get there.
This is THE place to go buy freshly made flour tortillas, you order them, they make them, and you get them nice and warm.
People thought this was:
I can't possibly say anything that hasn't been said about this place. Amazing salsa. Lovely smell. Chewy, gooey tortillas that they make in the back and you can see them do it. Whenever I finish eating food from Carolina's, I cry a little... gentle, muffled sobs.
They provided the food for an event that I had at work. Luckily, some of my clients don't like tamales or delicious little burros, so when they left, I ate more than I should have. Their pansiness is my benefit.
If I could, I would make sweet, sweet love to Carolina.
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It almost doesn't make sense reviewing a place that has 44 reviews and you're giving it what it averages, but I want to add my own two cents.
Carolina's is a dive hole in the wall, that I wonder how it is still standing. It is dirty, in a terrible neighborhood, and has no table service.
Knowing that before you go, you're in for a good meal! Their tortillas are incredible, and my favorite is the Chorizo and Potato burrito. The food takes a while to get, but it is so worth it. If you feel unsafe going here, there are always DPS, Sheriffs, PPD, PFD, etc. all over the place. It's probably the safest restaurant in town!
Delicious.
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It is what it is - very good fast food Mexican restaurant in South Phoenix.
People thought this was:
I cannot say enough about Carolina's. By far the best Mexican joint in town. It's nothing to write home about in terms of atmosphere, but that's part of the experience.
My favorite foods:
- Any burrito, enchilada style with red sauce. Like everyone says, the tortillas are absolutely the best anywhere and that red sauce cannot be beat.
- Chorizo anything.
- The chips and salsa. I always buy an extra bag of chips to take home and the salsa is phenomenal.
- Chocolate chimichangas. Small but oh so good.
Try this one or their location in North Phoenix. You will be beyond impressed.
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You know why I think it's "As good as it gets!" and give it a 5 star review?
The foot-long (for some reason, that sounds kind of gross to say) Oaxaca burrito! This thing rocks some serious balls (ha.ha.). Yes, man. It rules.
What is it? WHAT IS IT, you might ask. Well shit, homie, let me tell you. It's chorizo, potatoes, beans and cheese all rolled up in one of those super duper Carolina's tortillas.
Some might be skeptical of chorizo. Some might have had sub par chorizo, at lesser or even better places. Some might just need to shut the hell up and order one (just kidding, you're cool). Needless to say, the chorizo here is awesome and more resembles superb tasting taco meat than Mexican breakfast sausage. It's good.
The atmosphere rules. The place is ghetto fab. I actually got a parking space right out front and had to back blindly onto Mohave as I left. Radness!!!
Criticisms (that don't mean squat because I already gave the place 5 stars): WTF are there so many cops there for? Do they get a discount or something? Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know it's good if there are cops there but I don't need to eat with those dicks after they (or their lackeys) just sent me three radar speeding tickets.
And lastly, the foot-long (*ahem*) Oaxaca was long but sorta skinny. But it only ran me $4 bucks and some change so I could have easily bought another. I did get full though.
Go down there!!!
People thought this was:
Half the fun of going to Carolina's is actually making the venture down there. The other half is… Read more »
carolinas, your enchiladas ruined it for me.
i can't imagine eating another one of your soggy tortillas swamped in a pool of the most horrifying enchilada sauce my taste buds have ever met. mole overload and non-existent chile. lacking any real taste to it whatsoever.
disappointed.
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whoever said it was the best damn chorizo is right. so good its only right that carolinas is located… Read more »
Best Mexican Fast Food in town! Love the Oaxaca burrito, tortillas to go (great with butter!). Other recommendations are the chicken burrito (very juicy!), and the machaca plate. It's all good! Service is fast, so don't worry if there's a line when you walk in. It's normal. I usually order to go...avoid the restrooms at all cost. If you must go, expect the same experience as a "Honey Bucket" (very gross!). If you want to dine in, go to the Shea location. The food is the same but bathrooms are much cleaner!
Raise your hand if you like authentic Mexican food....if you do, this is the spot. This place isn't much on the eyes, but your taste buds will probably spontaneously combust with enjoyment.
If you're going durring lunch hours prepair to stand in line, and it'll probably be out the door. Apparently more, and more people are finding out about it. Dispite the line, it moves relatively fast. You can also call in your order before you get there too. Mine is speed dial 5 with the brail on it in case I go blind one day.
While you're there, try a butter tortilla...Carolina's make they're own tortillas fresh.
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How have I not reviewed sweet, sweet Carolina's?
This place is a dump in the best possible way. If you've never been here, you're likely to grimace upon arrival. Sure, the neighborhood is rough, but the real shocker is how dirty this place looks, inside and out.
Why 5 stars, then? At Carolina's, it's all about the food. The tortillas are, as already stated, to die for. They're soft, yet strong. Your burrito probably won't be exploding all over itself mid-meal.
I'm a huge fan of the Oaxaca Burrito, which contains generous helpings of chorizo, potato, and other delicious goodies. The machaca is also very good.
Back to the dump factor (that sounded gross, sorry). Normally I am easily creeped out by restaurant filth, but not here. Carolina's reminds me of Christmas Eve parties at my Nana's. Everyone sitting at shoddy tables in a little room, eating delicious food. The only thing missing is the mariachi.
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Coming soon to the "Stuff White People Like" site: Making pilgrimages to restaurants in rough neighborhoods. I'll admit it: I've been part of the cheerleading for Carolina's. It's a Phoenix institution, it draws a diverse clientele, it's a cop hangout and cops know good food, etc. For all those reasons, I've made a several visits to Carolina's over the years and have encouraged others to do the same.
Still, recent experiences have me convinced that while the emperor may not be totally naked, his outfit is looking a little shabby. What are the specifics? First, I made the mistake of visiting Carolina's with a full bladder. Second, I tried the bean-and-potato burro at Los Jarritos on Van Buren. Details of both events (well, maybe not so much about the bladder) to follow.
There's a difference between being a dive and being dirty, and unfortunately Carolina's crosses the line. Despite its generally good health inpsection results, Carolina's is often just a messy, unpleasant place in which to eat. Garbage left around the dining room is not picked up promptly and flies buzz around the tables, but the real gross-out is the bathrooms. Bathrooms with cracked mirrors and writing on the walls? That's good, divey fun. Bathrooms with stopped up toilets? That's disgusting; unfortunately, the bathroom has been a forbidden zone during my last two visits.
One way to deal with this situation would be to view Carolina's as take-out only. If the food were consistently excellent, that might be a possibility. Carolina's can be good, even great, but sometimes it's just average. The restaurant is renown for its flour tortillas. Well, sometimes they're superb; other times, they're ordinary.
About that bean-and-potato burro -- It has long been my favorite item on the menu. It's an unusual combination -- a little bit breakfast, a little bit lunch, meatless but far from vegetarian due to the lard in both the beans and the tortilla. The first few times I thought it was superb, especially when anointed with some of Carolina's hot sauce. Then, I noticed one time that my tortilla was rubbery and that the beans and potatoes had become an indistinguishable mush inside. That doesn't happen all the time, but often enough for me to say that Carolina's has a consistency problem.
The final nail in the coffin was trying the same dish at Los Jarritos on Van Buren. There, I saw what a revelation this burro could be if made with chunky beans, sauteed potatoes, strips of chilis, and a great tortilla. The bar has been raised, and Carolina's is no longer on top.
Carolina's is still a place worth going to if in the neighborhood. For most people reading this review, that might mean it's a place to stop on the way to or from hiking at South Mountain, or maybe a detour near the airport rental car center. For the most part, it's good, cheap food, and it has enough longevity to make it a place every Phoenician should probably visit at least once. Just make sure to take a potty break before heading there.
People thought this was:
There was a time when there were plenty of competitors to Carolina's and I'd have no qualms with giving it 2 stars. The chicken was tasty but the overall experience was poor and the so-called fresh tortillas were rubbery and not special. I suppose I would go back but not make a trip out of my way like I did after reading reviews on Yelp.
The best thing about it was the red salsa. It's not thick enough for chips yet it is spicy and tastes like actual tomatoes. I'd buy this in bottles if they sell it.
Had Carolina's for lunch yesterday. Just happened to be downtown with some clients I am consulting for. Got the beef enchilada combo. The food was great as always. I usually go for the burros, although I rarely get through a foot long (who could?).
My colleagues got cheese enchiladas and chicken tacos. Everyone was very happy with the food, and we all left stuffed. They even paid! The only thing better then lunch at Carolina's is a free lunch at Carolina's.
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The tortillas will make up for anything bad you may encounter. You could put gerbil in one of those things and I'd gobble it up.
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Down and dirty real Mexican food. Strap on your kevlar vest, use the bathroom (so you don't have to use theirs), and get there before dark.
All kidding aside it's actually quite safe during the day. There are always plenty of cops, EMTs and firefighters getting their taco on for lunch. I think it's a requirement for municipal workers to eat here at least once a week.
The buttered tortillas will absolutely change your life. I have dreams of their green machaca burro.
[pauses to salivate]
They are REALLY busy between 12:00-12:30, so try and get there a little before or after to miss the rush and long line. Or call your order in on the way and pick it up from the shorter pickup line (you can still eat in the restaurant).
Aside from the ambiance, it might be the best Mexican restaurant in Phoenix.
People thought this was:
This place would have gotten 5 stars for the food, but I deducted for the decor. In my humble opinion you have as close to authentic as your going to get. The place is close to being considered a "DIVE" but hey, you don't eat the building and furnishings. I like the fact they give generous portions and you can buy their home made tortillas and other items in quantities to take home and prepare it to fool your guests....did I say that out loud? LOL.... when I was in Nursing school (not far from there) I ate there a lot...gain a ton, but enjoyed every delicious minute of it!
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Mmmm...!Delicioso!
This place is a local gem. The restaurant isn't known for the atmosphere, but for the good food! It's in the ghetto, but the food is cheap and delicious. I always get the tostada, but the butter tortillas are amazing too!!! I take my out-of-town friends here whenever they ask for authentic Mexican food.
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