Literally only writing this review to give our server, Lawrence, the biggest shoutout: he was phenomenal! The margaritas and the seven layer dip were awesome too, but Lawrence? Amazing. read more

Finally had the chance to revisit the remodeled restaurant. This has been a favorite since I first went there in the early 70's. Today's visit was a delicious walk through memory lane. We started with warm chips with red salsa, salsa verde, chilled butter, and house made ranch dressing. Very tasty. One of the tastier salsa verdes I've had the pleasure of putting on a chip. I had the tacos al carbon. Marinated beef that has been grilled and wrapped up in tortillas. Very flavorful. My wife had the taco salad with the house ranch dressing. Also very delicious. If you haven't been... give it a try. read more

Candlelite Inn - Mexican Near Me - Arlington, Texas

Fajitas were great! (That guac is bomb) The server was great! The building updates are great! You should try this place! read more

I went to a yelp event here and the food they served were so goooood. The service was good the wait staff was very attentive and the ambiance had a nice intimate feel with dim lighting and close quarters. We were served gumbo which was so packed with flavor and was thick which I liked because I hate runny gumbo. They also had bacon wrapped shrimp which was delicious and perfectly cooked and the shrimp was HUGE. The bacon wrapped chicken was a tad dry but it came with a sauce that brought out more flavoring from the chicken and helped with the dryness. Overall I'd say I'd definitely return to give this place a try and I would for sure recommend this place to a friend or fellow yelper. read more

The Candlelite is like going into a time warp. It is a great renovation on a classic piece of mid century commercial architecture from the days that US80 was the main drag between Fort Worth and Dallas but also a hub on the Bankhead Highway, the first coast to coast highway. The menu has three primary segments: steaks, TexMex, Italian. The steaks are ok; they aren't Del Frisco quality but certainly aren't priced that way either. Get the filet if you go that route. You can get steaks with salad and baked potato (salads are the most disappointing thing ) or with rice and beans. Or with a side of spaghetti. The Italian dishes are old school. Candlelite was probably the first place in Tarrant County to serve pizza and it's definitely old school too. You might like it or not. The old style TexMex is my favorite on the menu. You won't find this many places anymore. The beans have lard, the enchiladas are covered in chili gravy and cheese, it's very good on occasion. Candlelite is a great value and great experience. read more

This place has been around longer than me and yet I JUST found it and all due to a Yelp Elite event! Thankfully, I HAVE found it and YOU should too! Service was spot on! In fact, the girls and guys at the bar and those bringing fantastic dish after fantastic dish were friendly, funny, and totally fab! The entire place was squeaky clean and they really rolled out the red carpet for the elite event. Check out the pics and you can see the food was deliciousness! I had such a good time I emptied my purse on the way out for the charity that was present. Love Yelp events where you get to meet those folks you follow online for fab reviews and find new gems like the Candlelight Inn! Terrific event and a great place to bring family and friends to enjoy many different meal choices! read more

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I have been going to this restaurant since I was in high school and always enjoyed it. So I was heartbroken when they closed their doors. I still had them on my Facebook when they reopened. My family and myself were some of the first people to back to our booth with it's small jukebox for individual use. The food is always amazing. Even my picky eater 10 year old son love almost everything on the menu. Plus my husband has been trying to recreate their guacamole for 10 years now. That's saying alot about just their guacamole read more

An Arlington Institution! This place has been here since the 50's for a reason - great and varied menu and super friendly service! My mother says the guacamole is the best in the WORLD, and she eats a lot of guacamole! HAHA! Outstanding margaritas and super cold beers, too. Don't forget to grab a piece of cake or pie to take with you - they are home made by the manager's grandmother and are delicious! read more

Food was way to salty and watery, the service was also very slow and it didn't seem they cared about our service. Overall wouldn't recommend this place at all. read more

You cannot beat the filet here UNLESS you pay $48 or more for one. I know that the Candlelight is off your beaten path foodies- but come by and try it out. My friend said, "this is the most tender steak I've ever had!" Boom. Scratch that. YUM. Period. Also, the Bruschetta is beautiful and delish! read more

Candlelite Inn - You cannot beat the filet here UNLESS you pay $48 for one. I know that the Candlelight is off your beaten path foodies. - Mexican Near Me - Arlington, Texas

Old school steak house with Mexican and Italian food. Everyone can get what they want.

So glad they are back, OPEN again! Our families favorite restaurant for generations! Great food, prices, service, the best! read more

Candlelite Inn - pepperoni pizza - Mexican Near Me - Arlington, Texas

This is my first review on yelp and I am sad that I picked this place. I'm full and it was not bad. In the words of immortal Joe, Mediocre! I did not hate the place but in a city this big I feel like I will never have a reason to return. If you like old style dark places I would give it a shot, you might love it. read more

Candlelite Inn - 12oz Ribeye - Mexican Near Me - Arlington, Texas

A large group of friends went to Candlelite Inn for dinner last week. We needed several tables put together so we could all sit together. We arrived early, having been told they do NOT make reservations. Upon arriving we were informed that they would NOT put tables together in order to accommodate a large party.. yet there were several large groups already seated at tables that WERE put together. Not digging this place so much. We will find a more friendly establishment in the future! read more

This place was where I took my first date in 1974. Was a favorite hangout for lunch and dinner throughout high school and college. I thought it had closed. I will be in DFW area (now live in Alaska) in December and have to get by for dinner. They always had good steaks for a reasonable price and always loved their spaghetti and meatballs. read more

This is a review of the "new" Candlelite Inn, an Arlington institution since the 50's but recently redone and reopened. If you are a foodie looking for the next great gem tucked away in Arlington, Candlelite Inn is not the place. But, if you are looking for a fun place to take the family, a date or the kids and have good food while enjoying a sense of feel good nostalgia....this is more likely to meet your expectations. Pros: the booths are the same as you remember, the jukeboxes on the tables work! Rumor has it the kitchen appliances are all the same just re-furbed and the menu is the same as it was back in the day. And some new modern touches like craft on draft. Friendly folks. Cons: Be prepared to wait--and add ten minutes to what they tell you. Parking is hard to come by. Once you are seated service was slow. Not annoyingly slow, just don't be in a hurry slow. There are 4 sections to the menu: Italian, Mexican, Burgers and Sandwiches and "From the Grill". The waiter told me most order Mexican (esp the combo plates or burritos) then Italian (spaghetti and meat sauce) and then come the steaks with Hamburgers etc coming in last. I had chicken parm with regular sauce, kiddo had spaghetti and meat sauce. Both thumbs open. Chicken was grilled not breaded, provolone not mozz. I liked that. Chips and Salsa come out to the table regardless of what you order. 2 Shiners, Revolver and Guinness were on tap (!) along with the usual's...the was a welcome surprise! We had a fun time. Enjoyed what we ordered and everyone was in a good mood, pleasant and helpful and friendly. Next time we go back I am going to order off the Mexican side of the menu. read more

The best way to describe Candlelite Inn: nostalgic. As you enter from any direction, you'll undoubtedly see AT&T Stadium looking over, but you can easily spot that Candlelite Inn stands as a remnant of what Division Street used to be: the connecting road between Dallas and Fort Worth. The recent remodel and reopening is what I had hoped it would be, updated and clean and modern but still feeling true to the time period of the 50s and 60s. The menu is simple but expensive, ranging from inexpensive Italian and Pasta dishes up to $20 steaks. The bar - apparently a new addition in the remodel - serves up giant beers and margaritas (and other stuff) in massive schooners. We had two house margaritas and our total barely went over $10. The bean and beef burrito ($7.99) was simple but what you want out of something like that; not something fancy that you'd find at one of DFW's 10,000 other TexMex joints, rather something that was probably considered TexMex 60 years ago. I ordered the chopped steak and while I'd likely try something again, it did the trick with an awesome baked potato on the side. The son had the kids spaghetti and meat sauce and "taste testing" it for him, I'll definitely go back and have the adult version of that. All in all, it was as much fun as it was good, a trip back in time to see what dining out was like for our parents and grandparents. I'll definitely go back. read more

Candlelite Inn on Division St. in Arlington was the restaurant I took a girl to on a first date on December 20th 1964. That girl and I have been married since April 20th, 1965. We have been enjoying the cuisine at Candlelite on a regular basis ever since. Eating here is like a time machine trip to the past as nothing has changed since our first visit. Same recipes, same décor, same comfortable atmosphere. Same jukeboxes with the same music on the booth tables. No matter what item you chose from the menu, you will find it tasty, hot and very enjoyable. Our favorite Tex-Mex here is the Mexican Meat Salad which is a huge tossed salad with enough taco meat piled on to make 4-5 tacos. The Beef Burrito is the best we have found in the metroplex. Don't fail to order the outstanding guacamole and if your taste buds aren't limited to granny's tea-party insipidness, order the green hot sauce. The charcoal grilled Italian Steak & Spaghetti is marvelous as are all of the steaks on the menu. The service is excellent so your tea glass well never get more than 1/2 empty. On top of all that, the beer is COLD and served in tankards as big as a Buick. However, the pitcher of beer deal is cheaper in the long run, just as cold, just as tasty. read more

Have not been here in years and in an effort to reminisce we took another couple along for a pre-game meal before going to the Texas Rangers game. Chips and salsa were great and just like the old days a couple of us ordered the Italian Steak dinner (spaghetti and steak with a small salad). Salad was OK and as I was beginning to eat the dinner, I heard my fork clink on something and as I looked closer, there was a dime (coin) in my food!!! I called the server over and he casually removed my plate with a bit of a dumbfounded look and no apology. When he returned later with our check sans the one meal, he told us they were throwing out the sauce. No manager, no apology. Seemed sorta routine--the server took it all in stride. Didn't really want anything but a visit from the manager might have been nice. A very weird experience indeed. And the dime was a 2006 if you were wondering. Probably won't return... can you blame us??? P.S. The Rangers beat Oakland in the bottom of the 9th on a Lucroy double! Otherwise our Friday night might have been a train wreck. read more

I am very distraught to learn Candlelite is for sale. I hope a new owner doesn't ruin it. I have been eating there since the late 70's (I'm 37 - I cut my teeth on the guacamole) and would hate to think of it changing any little bit. This last visit was my first time back in a good 5-6 years, and it was still the same. I'm pretty sure our waitress had been there a while because I'm pretty sure I remember her from before. Having moved to NYC, it was so nice to get some good down-home, friendly service. My steak made me travel back in time as did the guacamole salad (AND the side of it I ordered). As usual, I basically ate guac until I was nearly ill. Whoever takes over Candlelite Inn owes it to the people of Arlington to make sure it doesn't change one bit. It's a real treasure!! read more

Wow -updated and you can see inside! Not as dark as before. Food is good, atmosphere is for great gatherings & fun times with family & friends -without breaking the bank. We will visit again :-) read more

I was excited to come here because I had not been in years and heard it was remodeled. The booths were super cute and cozy. The service was also excellent, the waitress brought my daughter extra pepperoni, crackers, crayons and even gave her a glow in the dark bracelet when we were leaving because she behaved well :) I was disappointed in the food. My salad was small, but good. I liked how they make their own Italian dressing. I actually liked everything I got but my main entree, the grilled pork chops were way too dry :( It was a simple meal and should have been easy to prepare. read more

We returned for the first time since it re-opened and (mostly) liked the changes. It still has its old feel, but has been updated in some less obvious ways. The cosy booths are still there and it's still fairly dark, though not quite as dark as it used to be. I think the fare is the pretty close to the same. I know I always used to get the chopped steak and that's what I had this time. It comes with a small salad and a baked potato and Texas toast. It's a filling meal for a relatively small price. There are chips and salsa available as well. We ordered chocolate cake for dessert. It was very nice. I have come to Candlelite in for more than 50 years. When I was in elementary school we used to come there often. As a child, I liked the dark, mysterious atmosphere. I admit that part of why I like the place is sentiment and nostalgia. But it's not a bad choice at all. read more

Candlelight Inn is such a strange place. 1) it's beautiful. The private dining areas are gorgeous! The restaurant is newly remodeled and is very clean and inviting. 2) the service is excellent and staff are very kind and helpful. 3) the food is literally the worst ever. It's awful! I don't have a nostalgic history with Candlelight Inn that many other reviewers have. I have, however, eaten there twice in the last 12 months and have been appalled both times. And it's not like we had a bad experience both times. This IS the experience. The menu is strange and most shocking - they do not serve French fries! Burgers and hot dogs ... But no fries. You can get a salad, chips, or the vegetable of the day with your hamburger. The vegetable of the day today was asparagus. From a can. In a bowl. Gross! I hate to be overly critical... It's just confusing. Beautiful restaurant... Great staff... Terrible food. read more

We've been coming here since high school... Traditions are a wonderful thing! The #5 and a pitcher of ice cold beer is our go-to here, always fast & friendly, always happy when we're done! read more

This place has a really good ambience and lighting for some intimate dining. Italian stuffed mushroom is absolutely a must try. You can find it on the new appetizer section of the menu. Foods in the entreé selection are also good. Service is great, and prices are very reasonable. Recommended! read more

We love this revived reincarnated restored location. Nothing but good times at this family owned fun eatery. Been coming here since the eighties when the building was well worn and the parking lot was gravel. Great steaks, famous burritos and really cold schooner beer bring you here. Secluded booth seating, private mini-juke boxes and friendly efficient wait staff make you happy here. Fair pricing, diverse menu selection and a clean inviting atmosphere all work to make this new place really click. We're so happy to put this place back on our regular top notch stops! Welcome back Candlelite Family! read more

I loved this place in the 90s and I love it now. Who doesn't love 50s style updated to look hip and modern? Yesterday I was in the neighborhood at lunch time and decided that I would go in and see what was happening. I asked for a booth and there was no problem getting one. The booths are gigantic, like little private dining rooms. In the previous version of the restaurant they had swinging doors for privacy. Today's booths don't have the doors, but you still get a sense of being in your own little space. I love that they immediately bring you chips and salsa, no matter what you may subsequently order. I had the lunch chopped steak with baked potato and Texas toast. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare. When it arrived, they asked me to cut into it to see if it was the way that I wanted it. It was perfect. The lunch was first-rate. I don't actually live in the neighborhood, but I intend to take every excuse I can to get back up there. It's one of my favorite places to eat. Try it, you'll like it! read more

Went with hubby and parents...first impression is that it was a fun and friendly atmosphere. Staff was nice and efficient. Our first impression of food were the chips and salsa. Our chips were soaked in so much grease they were inedible. The salsa tasted like they made it from canned tomatoes and not even a little kick to make it edible. Had the 3 layer dip as an appetizer and it's was more greasy meat than cheese and beans. Three of us got three variations of steak: Italian, smothered, and the Ribeye. All came with salads that was shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes...that's it. All three steaks were ordered medium rare, and all three were cooked well done and dry. The spaghetti with the Italian steak was decent and seemed to be the only thing homemade. There was one order of the lemon paprika chicken with rice and salad...again totally dry and flavorless. The rice was definitely homemade because it had no seasoning or flavor...if it was from a box it would have been better because it would have come with seasoning. At least the beer was cold and the ambiance was good. Will not visit again. read more

Great steaks, Italian and Mex. been here since '57, Arlington institution for good food and family friendly. Red check table clothes, jukebox in the booths and friendly waitresses, what more could you ask for. Two steaks with grilled shrimp, great sides, & desserts for $75 with tip!!! Flavorful steak and I had spaghetti instead of potato. Get the spaghetti. We'll be back. read more

Candlelite Inn has been going strong in Arlington since the late 60s when my parents were at UTA. They were the first in Arlington to carry pizza (in addition to steaks and Mexican food). It's eclectic to say the least...the menu has barely changed over the years and that's a good thing. Their guacamole is the subject of intense debate in my family as it is the best we've ever had, yet it tastes different than any other guacamole we've tried. Inside the restaurant, half the tables are booths enclosed with their own walls. With a party of 2-4, you can have your own private "room". Each of these booths has it's own tiny jukebox. Sadly they have not worked in at least 15 years but they are a nice bit of nostalgia. Unfortunately, CandleLite Inn is across the street from the new Cowboys Stadium. As they own a large-ish piece of property, I think they might be pushed to sell it. Check it out while it is still around. It's worth experiencing at least once. read more

The five stars are for the fact that Candlelite Inn is back. The quality of food is exactly the way it was before. Don't go expecting five star quality food. Don't get me wrong I love my Mexican steak, I wouldn't change it!! Candlelite Inn means a lot to people like me that I've been in Arlington since the 60s. I'm happy they're back and from the looks of their parking lot after 6 PM daily, a lot of other people are too; get there early. read more

Do I really need to write s review to this place? Been coming here since I was a kid and so have my folks. It's all that and a bag of hot and steaming chips and hot sauce that they bring you right out! Better then most any Mexican food places, even. The menu is diverse as hell. Where else can you get chips, garlic Texas toast, an 8oz Sirloin Steak n bake for $10? All great food too! They have little private booths with patricians so you can have an intimate meal with your company, without distractions. Steak+privacy+price= A Weiner! Not really but they do have those in the menu. Also Italian food AND Mexican food. So you can bring all your picky kids and if someone is having a bad day they cannot complain and the selection! When you leave make sure to get some of the, literally homemade fudge! It's sooooo good and worth the insulin shot! read more

The Candlelite Inn has been re-opened for awhile now and I'm so glad! We've been here three or four times since the remodel and I'm happy to say it's the same good service and food. One of the four stars is because, well, it's the Candlelite Inn. Like another reviewer said, either you get it or you don't. I love the burgers here and they'll cook it to your liking (medium, slightly pink throughout for me). No fries - don't freak out, they have other sides. One of my favorite dishes is the crispy beef tacos. The meat is good and seasoned nicely, but most of all I love the ton of lettuce and chopped tomato they pile on them. Then drizzle their strange, but lovable hot sauce, over the top and it makes for a most satisfying meal. DH prefers the everything burrito, which is enormous and sloppy. Today I had the half-order of everything nachos (beans, beef, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, black olives and I'm not sure what else) and I had to ask the wait person if she was sure it was the half-order. It was! I could barely make it through half of them, so if you order them make sure to be prepared to share them with one or two other people! I thought they were really good. When you sit down they bring you giant crispy chips with their hot sauce. The sauce is creamy and a little spicy. I like it. Service is always good and they genuinely seem to be glad you're there. If it's between the Candlelite Inn and a chain restaurant, I'll choose the Candlelite Inn every time. read more

Anything we have eaten here is a winner. Great service and you will never run low on iced sweet tea. You have to try the grilled salmon or ribye. They are grilled perfect to your asking We found this little hideaway early in our marriage and that was over 42 years ago. read more

Great value, really good Italian and Tex Mex food! Consistent quality because some of the cooks have been there for 30 years! Now, that truly speaks to the loyalty and family atmosphere of this iconic local favorite. The portions are quite adequate and the pralines are legendary. Cozy booths, and well stocked bar and party room. To-go is no problem. Manager Darryl is the man who makes it happen. Staff is friendly and aim to please. We celebrated our mother's 90th birthday here and the staff really enhanced our experience. This past Christmas Darryl even personally delivered to our now 93 yr old mother when no delivery service was available! Great folks and great food. Don't pass up the meatballs or the tamales! 10/10 we recommend and always make a visit here when we are in town! Thank you! read more

Seriously one of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time. Not one thing went well. Bad service, very avg food when it finally came out right. Always blaming kitchen for mistakes is just bad management. Then they meseed up the bill after apologizing profusely. Sadly won't be back...was hopeful bc it has so many options to make my kids happy. read more

Always great, but this time the food was outstanding! Best steak I've had in a while. Cooked perfect and tender! The Italian steak is the way to go! Waiter David was friendly and attentive. Cute too read more

Candlelite Inn - Not sure how this is so good but it is - Mexican Near Me - Arlington, Texas

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Pretty neat little place. Great atmosphere inside, topped off w/ some private booths that have juke boxes that actually work. They have a variety on their menus. You can have pizza & spaghetti, or Mexican food, or hamburgers, or steaks. I had the ribeye and thought it was great! Definitely worth a try. read more

Ok, I visited this place many times as a child. I love the green jalapeno sauce and the guacamole. My family and I went after it re-opened. Everything was going great, food was good and then all of a sudden the look on my mom's face. I asked her what was wrong and she spit out a twisty tie. There was a twisty tie in her enchiladas. Wow! The server apologized and brought out a new plate but at that point my mother was not interested. Everyone else's food. So a few months later Me and my daughter decided to revisit Candlelight Inn. I ordered a diet coke. There were lemon seeds in my diet coke. I asked the waiter to get me a new one, and he told me it was habit for him to squeeze lemons into drinks. So I get a new diet coke with lemon pieces and seeds in it again. Initially, I am thinking they must have used a old cup with lemons in it already. I dont know, the exact reason but at that point I just asked for water. Our food was fine we had nachos and a enchilada plate. As we were getting ready to leave, I heard the table that was next to our booth tell the waiter that they scoopwd something out of the salsa that was not supposed to be there. I quite listening, I did not want to know what it was. We left, and I do not think I will be back which saddens me because of the nostalgia from my childhood it held a spot close to my heart. read more