Hands down best Mexican food in the area. Service is great, food is exceptional and prices are beyond reasonable.

This is an absolute must-visit place if you're in Reno! We stopped here for breakfast on our last day in the city, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The food was absolutely amazing. To be honest, some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Every bite was flavorful and clearly made with care. I also loved the atmosphere. We sat where we could watch the food being prepared, which made the experience feel very authentic and casual. I even had the chance to practice my Spanish, which was a fun bonus. The whole place made us feel immersed in Mexican culture, at least as I imagine it. Everything about the experience felt warm, welcoming, and genuine. What surprised me the most was the value. We received two enormous plates of food, and the price was incredibly reasonable. If I return to Reno, I will definitely come back. Highly recommended! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

My first impression is a new impression for me. When I look at the menu, it occurs to me, that this place needs to update their pricing. I have never in my life before looked at the menu and thought.... These prices seem too low. (:-) I am getting my car hand washed at Sam's Sparkle Shop only a .2 mile walk away. I just wanted something to do while I waited, so I didn't arrive very hungry. I ordered the a la carte Chili Rellano and it was a perfect little snack. At first I was concerned by the chopped peppers on top but they were not spicy at all. Totally Gringa friendly. I cannot handle spicy. This was perfect. I steered clear of the dark green pepper cut in half for fear it might be spicy.(:-) The little dollop of guacamole was delicious and appreciated. This is a very simple cafe designed to provide excellent service and delicious food. It does both very well. Check it out! The menu in the pictures here is current as of today. Very reasonable prices! If you find this review useful please VOTE! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chilli Rellano a la carte. - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

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. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Carnitas verde and asada enchiladas both with eggs. Delicious - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

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? read more

Carlillos Cocina - Breakfast burrito with carnitas - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

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! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

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. read more

See all

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! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

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. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Breakfast Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

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

Carlillos Cocina - Menu Feb 2026 - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

This place is amazing. Best chilaquiles and breakfast burrito I've had, ( and I've tried hundreds) This Resturant is a must have Great service read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

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. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Just good food getting cooked with smiles. - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chile relleno and eggs with potatoes, beans, and flour tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

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!! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

Welcome to the neighborhood, glad you are here, come, sit and enjoy. You're at Carillos Mexican Cocina sharing traditions through food. Whether you speak Spanish, English, Spanglish or something else, the love language of food...welcomes you. Monday through Saturday this small inviting restaurant bustling with conversation, an orchestrated symphony of persons and cookware alone with the quintessential smells of home is open until 2. It doesn't matter where you call home, this place is open arms to all who enters its doors. Note this place is Extremely small! I think less than 30 seats along an old fashioned diner bar with worn padded stools. Give it a minute, someone will be leaving to the sounds "adios mi amigo!" Aka goodbye my friend. Once you eat here, you are a friend for ever. No matter what you order, the earthy flavors, the warmth of the spices allow you to feel as though you have traveled to a place not your usual but to a destination close to home. The menu is a guideline. If you see something that catches your eye but you just have to have a poached egg, just ask. Don't be discouraged by the outside or the lack of parking. Drive around, step inside and truly enjoy. It's worth the effort. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Delicious shrimp enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

Delicious food and great service in the nice little bar-only diner. The menu is short and simple and the food is amazing. Best chilaquiles I've had. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chilaquiles add Chorizo - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

5 stars all around for Food, Service and Price. Hole in the wall but clean and inviting. Where can you get tacos with tons of carne and fresh vegetables for $3? Dishes are huge for the big eaters! We r light eaters so we learned to order the a la cart menus. read more

Carlillos Cocina - 4 tacos for $12!!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

Met a friend late morning for breakfast/lunch; we met at 11:00AM. Having never eaten here previously I was surprised to see the number of patrons seated. It took me a minute to realize seating was limited to stools at the counter. We each ordered quickly. I chose the Huevos con Chorizo dish. I was surprised when the "dish" was delivered as a "platter" The servings are large, the Chorizo is very high quality and accompanied by rice and refried beans. If you are looking for an informal quick wholesome and high value meal, you will not be disappointed here. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Dining counter - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

This Place Is A Hidden GEM . The Food is AMAZING, Service is GREAT! It's Small But Worth the Wait . read more

See all

Don't sell yourself short by not going to Carlillos Cocina,, it's a place that is mostly counter service (it's cool) and the food is handcrafted, mo exaggerating, each plate is handcrafted for the customer. And the flavors are top notch. Ingontheough Reno, I'm timing it to visit here. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

A small family place with delicious, authentic Mexican food. I'll definitely be back! read more

Carlillos Cocina - Huevos Rancheros - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

This place crushes breakfast. I had the breakfast burrito--perfectly wrapped, packed with flavor, and the sauce on it? Unreal. Sat at the bar, loved the vibe and the view of the kitchen. The cooks were super attentive and fun to watch. Great food, great energy, and super affordable. Reno's got a winner here. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Breakfast Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

DELICIOUS!! Best little hole in the wall for authentic Mexican meal!! Land in the morning and stop in for a fabulous breakfast. read more

Very good food! Service was fast for a busy day. Good atmosphere and kind people. I would come again! Just to try the burritos read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chilaquiles rojos - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

This place is absolutely legit! Carlos and his cousins are amazing. The pastor is on point. Highly recommended lo mejor!!!!!

While doing some business in Reno, I was craving a breakfast burrito. This place was recommended so I got to this diner. The parking lot is small, but I found a spot, went in, and took a seat in the U-shaped counter. The open kitchen is great, because it allows us to watch our food being prepared, which I like. Now, for the food. This little place knocked my socks off! The breakfast burrito is served wet, flavorful, and delicious! The first time I went I got the burrito filled with pastor, and the second time I filled it with asada. Both were amazing and delicious. I challenge you to eat the entire thing. You will love the challenge. GO! read more

Last review was several years ago so I felt I'd give an update on my favorite breakfast spots of years prior. It's still AMAZING! Honestly the only change is Carlos having some staff that nets him a little bit more freedom as they've been trained to execute the same quality of food we've come to know and love from this spot. I stopped by for my birthday because I'll take huevos rancheros over cake any day. If you want some of the best Mexican style breakfast of your life do yourself a favor and stop by. Also the prices are highly reasonable. I visited another local favorite and paid twice the price for food that couldn't hold a candle to Carlos' food. Also in a sucker for the old school lunch counter style diner. Watching the food be made right before your eyes is always a treat to me. read more

See all

Came here shortly after they opened. Hands down one of the better breakfast burritos I had in a while. The restaurant is a smaller diner where the customers are seated around the nook and they can see the cooks making the food in their small kitchen. I would come back again for an early breakfast in Reno. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

The parking sucks, the restaurant is very old but the food is amazing! Our breakfast could have been warmer; however, the flavors, presentation and portions were well worth the trip. They make the food right in front of you and everyone is so nice and polite. We went on a Tuesday morning and the place was already filling up with regulars. If you're looking for a great hole in the wall, authentic food restaurant, this is the place for you! For me, I'm ordering one of their burritos to go on my next trip. When you do decide this is your breakfast place, enjoy the Rodeo breakfast, the chile relleno breakfast or wing it because these guys can rock the grill. read more

Carlillos Cocina - The Rodeo - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

With more than 1,000 Yelp reviews & 1,200+ attached photos, Carlilos Cocina is living proof of a local family's efforts, making it to the top in their own community.. In the beginning, it was Carlos & his Father Javier building, from scratch what has become Sparks' most highly regarded locally owned business. Today, it is Carlos, his wife, oldest son, cousin Sergio and a team of highly motivated restaurant specialists, making it the success it has become. Read the reviews, look at the photos & come try the beyond excellent food at "Carlito's" read more

See all

Rounded up to 5 stars, but my wife says it was a 4 star experience. Quality/Quantity - Simple menu done well. Both my wife and I really liked the flavors. She got a green sauce with a slight kick. I got the brown sauce/gravy with a sweeter taste. I got the Chicken Fajitas - Really liked the sweet brown sauce. I have not had this before in other Mexican restaurants. The veggies were fresh, with a nice crunch with each bite. Generous portions. My wife got Beef and Chicken Enchiladas - Again, generous portions. She was only able to eat half. Atmosphere - Crazy busy. We came early to hopefully avoid the rush, but failed. So we ordered to-go, but 10 minutes later, two seats became available so we changed our order to sit in. Interestingly enough, after noon, there were plenty of seats. I guess today was a brunch day...? Very small dinner, mostly counter seating. Two small corner tables that seated two more people. Outside seating had two tables, can I suggest a tent also...? Open kitchen. My wife (and I) really enjoy sitting at the chef's table watching the team work and cook. And these diners bring back memories. Small parking lot, probably less than 10 cars. We parked around the corner by the U Haul and RV rental place. Two bathrooms, one for men and one for women. Can use some updating. Open 6 days a week from 7am to 2pm, closed Sundays. Service - This is where they can improve. The service was not bad, but here are some suggestions to guarantee a five star review: Greet each customer immediately as they enter. Have extra menus by the door to not disturb the people eating by having to reach over them for menus. And/or to save your team some time from having to walk back and forth from behind the counter. And if you have enough team members, maybe a door greeter to direct customers, take to-go orders, etc. Better yet, if they can also direct the cars in your tiny parking lot, that would be great. These small few changes, I think, would increase your sales even more. Lastly, since you are made to order, and orders during rush time can take up to 30 minutes, it would be good to share the wait time. Congrats on all your success. Price - $31 + generous tip. Owner Comments - Congrats again on your success since 2013...? read more

See all

Beyond excellent every single time! I love everything about Carlillos and their amazing staff. The service is always friendly and they are all lightning fast. It's like art watching all of them work in such a small space. I am forever grateful to my best friend for bringing me here many times. We have never had a bad time, and the food is always spectacular. I don't even know if I can really pinpoint a favorite except maybe the steak and eggs, but I highly recommend the whole menu. You will not be disappointed at all. This is such a great place with even greater owners. Pro-tip: it's a small space so get there early, or take to go. read more

See all

A wonderful local establishment with friendly staff and satisfying portions and flavors. The chile relleno and Carne Asada was plentiful and the leftovers are always appreciated. We will be back to try additional menu items. read more

Absolutely amazing hidden gem. You will pass by it. There's like 6 parking spots. It's a hole in the wall. But let me tell you - they are cranking out incredibly delicious food. All counter seating, you can see them cook your food. Service was spot on. So good we went back the next day! Burritos were fire also. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chilaquiles - sooooo good !!! - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

Love this place. Quick and delicious with great flavors. Can't wait to try more of their dishes.

Favorite Mexican spot in Reno! I'm from Vegas but every time we come to Reno to visit our daughter I have to come and eat here! It's a small diner style setup so it can be tricky to get seated because there are limited seats and the place is usually busy, but it's definitely worth the wait. I love their chili verde - one of the best I've had! I love small, unassuming places that just serve great food. Carlillos is definitely on of those places! read more

Came here during the weekend with one other person. When we arrived to the location, the parking lot was rather small. We had taken the last parking space and unfortunately another car that had pulled into the parking lot behind us had to find somewhere else to go. When we came inside it was a small diner with bar/ stool seating around the kitchen. Not a traditional restaurant with tables and chairs, or booths. The seating was pretty tight and you're sitting next to other people. The food that was served was large portions. The staff do everything right in front of the customers as the seating surrounds the kitchen. They were busy at the time so it took a while to get our food but the flavor was well worth the wait. The staff was friendly. Here's the con and why I'd probably never go back. There was a man right next to us. He grabbed the big roasted jalapeño Chile off his plate with his bare hands and asked that the cook roast it more. The cook grabbed it (had gloves on) and put it back on the grill. The cook ended up looking for another Chile that was already roasted pretty well, warmed that second Chile up on the grill, then showed it to the man to see if it was grilled enough. The man said yes. The cook ended up giving the man the second Chile and kept the first Chile on the grill. Needless to say, i saw that first Chile, stay on the grill while he continued to roast it, then he moved it to the center grill when it was done roasting, but it didn't go back to the man that had touched it with his hands, it went to someone else. Some people may not find it a big deal, however we saw when the man came in to the restaurant because he was the man who drove into the parking lot behind us. When he entered the restaurant he sat right next to us, didn't use the restroom to wash his hands prior to sitting down. This type of possible contamination could result in people getting sick. So this leads me to believe there may be other instances that are not very sanitary in the way they prepare the foods/sides/dishes or even clean. read more

Carlillos Cocina - Chile verde and sunny side up eggs - Mexican Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all