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    Carlillos Cocina

    4.8 (1.1k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Carlillos Cocina Photos

    Business Info

    CARLILLOS COCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Carlillos Cocina

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    Breakfast burrito with carnitas
    Lisa L.

    Great value because 1 dish can feed 2 people! Sitting at the counter watching your food being made by the kindest people is a wonderful experience. We got the breakfast burrito to split. If you haven't been, what are you waiting for?

    Katie C.

    Wow how have we not been here before!! After reading reviews we knew we could be up for a wait but the stars aligned and two spots were open when we walked in. Small but mighty menu we opted for the chile verde and my husband had the chef pick his meal. Both were delicious and it was neat to watch them make the meal pretty much in front of you. We both decided we will definitely come back when in the area!

    Ruby B.

    Brought friends who had never been to Carlillos and we had the best lunch. Our friends loved the place and the amazing food! They remarked that it was fun to sit at the counter and watch all of the cooking action. The food that is prepared in front of us makes me want to try so many more things on the menu, instead of always just getting my favorites. All of it looks so delicious as it's freshly prepared! We'll be back soon.

    Carnitas verde and asada enchiladas both with eggs. Delicious
    A J.

    Small restaurant with huge flavor- that's what you'll get at Carlillos Cocina. The restaurant has a small seating area so go early. The staff quickly greets you and keeps the coffee cup filled. Traditional Mexican breakfast is served. The breakfast burrito is a huge hit. I got mine with carne asada and it's packed with freshly scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and a wonderfully spiced salsa. They have a small menu but each dish is freshly prepared and is quick to arrive to you. Like I said, the restaurant and parking are small but you'll leave Carlillos full and completely satisfied. Go early and avoid the wait.

    Cheryl L.

    Breakfast of champions at this local Mexican joint. I had the enchilada breakfast and my companion had the huevos rancheros. My enchilada with an egg was way better than his dish. I chose Al pastor meat and there were pineapple chunks in my meat. Yumm! Additionally they had plenty of veggies on the plate which is refreshing as most places only have proteins and starch. Seating is diner style. Service was good and attentive. Parking lot is very small so that might be challenging. Definitely a value place if you are looking for a filling meal. Note- this was on a Yelp Best Places to eat list by state and this place was noted for Nevada. I say it was a very solid choice for breakfast!

    Breakfast Burrito
    Harman B.

    Carlillo's Cocina is one of Reno's true hidden gems a breakfast and lunch spot that never misses. It's been a long-time staple in the area, and those who know, know. The atmosphere is always lively and full of energy, especially if you're lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar where you can watch the organized chaos of the tiny kitchen it's impressive to see. The food is outstanding across the board, but my go to is the carne asada burrito. Everything is made fresh, full of flavor, and served with genuine hospitality that keeps you coming back time and time again. Carlillo's Cocina is the kind of place that makes Reno feel like home. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

    Just good food getting cooked with smiles.
    Kevin L.

    Great food. Great people. This small kitchen had the feel of a friends house. The staff was welcoming and seemed to know the names of many of the patrons. I am from out of state and was greeted with a smile. Now the food. The best. We tried to go back the next day even. But they are closed on Sunday. Out of the three nights and two days we were in the area. We wanted to eat there twice. That should tell you how good the food and the staff was.

    J R.

    Best breakfast in Reno / Sparks. They will make your meal to suit your tastes, just ask. This local family loves to make diners feel at home. This is where amazing service meets amazing food. Yes the parking lot is small and seating is up close and personal, but that is all part of the experience.

    Open Kitchen
    Jason T.

    Stopped by this little diner after a relaxing morning at the annual hot air balloon race in Reno. When you walk in, you are met with a fast-paced diner atmosphere and very limited seating. Every seat was full, but we were given menus right away and told to wait until one opened up. Within about ten minutes we were seated and served refreshments. The menu is surprisingly large with plenty of meats and dishes to choose from. We decided on the chorizo plate and the meat lovers plate, which included every meat on the menu. The food came out in around ten minutes, though it hardly felt like a wait because it was so fun to watch the kitchen. The team moved with such rhythm and efficiency, almost like a dance, with no wasted motion. Our meals arrived on piping hot plates, and we dug in. What stood out most was how clean and light everything tasted. From the pictures you might expect something heavy, but the meal left us satisfied without feeling weighed down. If anything, I wished for bolder flavors, but that is my only critique. Overall, this diner feels like a go-to spot for locals looking for a quick and affordable meal.

    Menu Feb 2026
    Breese B.

    Food. Service. Ambiance. Food. Ranchera sauce. Ranchera sauce. Ranchera sauce. What. Are. You. Waiting. For?

    Chile relleno and eggs with potatoes, beans, and flour tortillas
    Kathy W.

    When I pulled into the parking lot right off I-80 to go to this tiny restaurant, I got the side-eye from my spouse. But once we got inside and sat down, he was wide-eyed with delight. The interior is basically a kitchen with a wrap-around counter. There is barely enough room for the crew to move past each other. But, wow, do they cook! They're only open for breakfast and lunch and (as you might guess) seating is limited. There are a ton of locals who, clearly, go here every day. "I come 6 days a week," said the grizzled truck driver sitting next to me. "I almost always get the same thing -- and I have it for breakfast and the leftover for lunch. I love it." BTW, I asked what his go-to breakfast was. It's the off-menu "Joe's Special" -- a chicken enchilada topped with a Chile relleno. So what did I choose? I got the Chile relleno and eggs, which came with refried beans and potatoes. I could have had rice instead of the potatoes but, hey, it's breakfast. My spouse chose the chorizo and eggs which he proclaimed had the perfect amount of heat when he combined all the elements on the plate. Plus, brewed iced tea. If I lived in the area, I'd be joining that crowd of locals. But will I be back when I'm in town? You bet.

    Mike K.

    Quaint little divey breakfast and lunch counter. This place's is cool but there's not many seats so it can be "busy." I went by myself on a Saturday morning and there were three seats available when I sat. 4-5 Mexican guys are working like busy bees calling out orders, creating platters in a tiny little kitchen prep area. They don't with ease. The food came out at the expected amount of time. I had the asada breakfast burrito. It came with choice of potatoes or rice and beans. I opted for the latter. Food was tasty and I truly enjoyed the rice and beans. I'm planning on coming back here but will likely try a dish with fried eggs next time. You'll like this place! Go try it!!

    Cook station
    Scott M.

    Where do I start! This joint has the old school mexican village vibe. From the authentic food to the Spanish speaking cooks. Always love the service here and the food is amazing! Too many great items to choose a favorite. Don't sleep on this one folks.

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    Carlillos Cocina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Carlillos Cocina

    Is this place currently open, have called no one answersed?

    Yes, they are open for take out and have very limited space for dine in with social distancing.

    Are there vegan friendly options?

    They have wonderful chile rellenos! That's what I had along with rice, beans, and a salad. This place will accommodate anything you wish them to make. We were told, you think it up, we'll make it for you. Awesome!

    Can you order to go?

    Yes. It is a substantial part of their business.

    Is there a corkage fee if you BYO Fritos Scoops?

    Pretty sure there is not one, though you might be forced to share the Frito scoops with the surrounding patrons :)

    What us your favorite dish at Carlillos?

    Everything. Bring an appetite.

    Do they serve real breakfast, all reviews refer to brunch dishes?

    They specialize in Mexican style breakfast, but I am sure they would be more than happy to serve up just some simple eggs and bacon if that's what you prefer!

    View All 9 Questions

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    Los Altos Breakfast Lunch

    Los Altos Breakfast Lunch

    4.4
    (448 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    greatest food ever, bacon avacado burger 10/10 love it i reccomend love this place so muchread more

    Got to try this place for the 1st time today & boy was it a good choice! Was super busy due to…read moreGraduation celebrations & it being lunchtime, did that affect the service & food, Nope!! We were pleasantly greeted & seated immediately, then just like that, our server (Ramon Jr) was at our table, took our drink order & answered a few questions. I'm glad I had perused the menu yesterday & pretty much knew what I wanted, my daughter ordered Ramon's Skillet & I had the Chicken Fried Steak and eggs ( gravy on the side). Portions were huge. I was glad cuz I had been fasting due to a medical procedure. They know what they are doing in the kitchen, eggs were perfectly over medium w/ crispy edges just the way I like them. The chicken fried steak was really Milanese style, perfectly crispy like I'm used to in Mexico, I tasted the gravy & it was really good but once I realized it wasn't American style CFS, I asked our waiter for salsa & pico to put on top!!! Perfection!! I had a lot to tangle with on my own plate but my daughter & I swapped bites of each others dishes, hers came with soft tortillas, the bite I had melted in my mouth! Couldn't finish either plate so decided to take the rest to go. There are many items on the menu I want to try so we will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Steak Nacho Fries
    Steak Nacho Fries
    Ham & Cheese Omlette

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    Ham & Cheese Omlette
    Jacobo’s Coffee House

    Jacobo’s Coffee House

    4.2
    (178 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Wheelchair accessible
    Kid friendly

    I'm just a little sorry we haven't been here before. Today that changed…read more We had a late breakfast/early lunch that was fantastic. The four egg omelet was the best I've had in Reno area and the Philly steak was a perfect ratio of ingredients. The value was great but the service was the icing on the cake. Well done, well done

    Tried the Crab Cake Benedict, French Toast, and Joe's Scrambles…read more Generous portions which make the prices reasonable. Crab Cake Benedict has the traditional hollandaise sauce. Sauce had slight lemony flavor. Crab cake was pretty thick. Giving it 3 of 5 stars. Joe's Scrambles did not skimp on ingredients. Scrambled eggs with ground beef, mushroom, bell peppers, onions and cheese. 4/5 stars. Came with your choice of potatoes, choice of toast and a wedge of cantaloupe. The French Toast came with eggs, bacon, and country sausage for additional $3. French Toast was standard but the country sausage was special. Two sausage patties that look like small hamburger patties; soo good. Best sausage I've had; combo of slight sweetness, saltiness and peppery. French toast was 3/5 but the Sausage patties were great; 5/5. Looked like they made them in house. Country potatoes side was good too. Good portion and we'll seasoned. We showed up around 10:00am and got a table right away. By the time it's 11:00am, there's a line. Staff were very nice and quick.

    Photos
    Jack's Coffee House
    Jack's Coffee House
    Jack's Coffee House
    Jack's Coffee House
    Jack's Coffee House

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    Jack's Coffee House
    Sparks Coffee Shop

    Sparks Coffee Shop

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I haven't been here for awhile and it's totally worth the wait as it gets very busy. Their food…read morenever disappoints. Their breakfast menu is tempting, but it was after Eleven A.M. and I was craving a hamburger bad. My friend who accompanied me wanted a plain cheese omelette, she is a very basic eater which is her choice to only order familiar food. Boring ! Anyway, beyond the food, the service was great and the staff is wonderful. I urge anyone who hasn't tried this place to definitely add it to your list, I'm certain it will become a favorite. The only complaint is that on this particular day the kitchen was short staffed and we did wait awhile for our food to arrive, but I'm patient with these kinds of things after working in the restaurant industry for many years. So the food arrived and my eyes popped out of my head when my burger arrived, the patty was meaty and the vegetables on the burger were fresh. I chose the Mushroom Swiss burger, Wow ! Every bite was delicious and the French Fries were so crisp and delicious. I filled my belly to its limit with this meal. Oh, and my friend's omelette was unbelievable it was so fluffy and it was served steaming, every bite steam kept rising from it, it's like nothing we had ever seen, unbelievable ! As for me I probably won't be ordering a burger anywhere else. Excellent ! I did also order a Latte and it was filled to the rim and quite good. They definitely deserve 5 Stars.

    Food is good BUT...: they charge you a credit card FEE when using a DEBIT CARD!!! Debit cards…read moredon't have a FEE, they are same as cash. I asked about this and was told 'yeah, well so?' I won't go back for this reason alone.

    Photos
    4/8/26 FYI. Men's room.
    4/8/26 FYI. Men's room.
    Country Sausage and eggs
    Country Sausage and eggs
    Cinnamon Roll French Toast

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    Cinnamon Roll French Toast
    Josef's Vienna Bakery & Cafe

    Josef's Vienna Bakery & Cafe

    4.0
    (98 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    I think this has officially become my new favorite breakfast spot and bakery. I had previously…read moretried their baked goods which I absolutely loved, but had never dined in for breakfast or lunch until now, and I'm so glad I did. We ordered a mix of items for the table: the lobster eggs Benedict, the chorizo omelet, and a panini (two breakfast dishes and one lunch option), and every single bite was delicious. There honestly wasn't one thing I didn't enjoy. It's a little tricky to find if you're not familiar with the area, but they do have plenty of parking, which makes it easier once you get there. The staff was friendly, kind, and incredibly accommodating. We came in with a large group of eight, and while it's typically a self-seating setup, they went out of their way to help us find a table that could fit everyone and made the whole experience seamless. I would absolutely recommend stopping by for breakfast or lunch and definitely don't skip the baked goods after.

    My prior review was actually for the Moana location! Sorry…read more A girlfriend invited me to breakfast here and from my previous experience I knew they had no specific GF items... but perusing the online menu there were omelettes which I figure are gluten free so agreed to come. This restaurant is located in the doomed prior Rattlesnake Club restaurant...Open and nice outdoor where we sat. I ordered a peach lemonade. Super sweet upon first sip then settled into a refreshing beverage. Ordered black jam omelette with cheddar instead of Swiss. Came with potatoes and she did offer me corn tortillas instead of non gluten free toast., CORN TORTILLAS??? Can you make some breakfast tacos on your menu!! Because all I did was put my omelette into the tortillas and it was DELICIOUS! The tortillas are just warmed but the cheese egg and ham was excellent. Unfortunately comes smothered in hollandaise sauce which I was able to scrape most of it off. I simply didn't like the potatoes very much. I had to put a generous helping of salt and pepper on them, they had sort of a dull onion taste and I hate onions but they were also sort of bland I dunno.... I would actually return for the omelette to put into the tortillas again and maybe get fruit as a side instead of the potatoes. Friendly service.

    Photos
    Welcoming display of pastries if you don't want to sit in at the dining area.
    Welcoming display of pastries if you don't want to sit in at the dining area.
    More mold on the bread
    More mold on the bread
    Caramel latte

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    Caramel latte

    Carlillos Cocina - mexican - Updated July 2026

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