Good laid back vibe. Good happy hr. Casey is a great bartender. Very attentive. Knows her drinks. Great little place

Came in tonight after work to Carlsbad and had an amazing time filled with good drinks and great service. We sat at the bar with Nick and while talking to him he told us it would be the last night they would be open till 2:( I'm very sad because I thought I found my new late night bar. Kristin was the server and even though she didn't help us, she was very kind and welcoming when she brought our food! read more

This place is a landmark of Scottsdale. Food is good. Ambiance is great. The service from Casey the bartender was top notch and you won't regret trying this place out. Just note, spicy means spicy here read more

Took my mother here for an early evening dinner. We sat inside at a table. We were greeted by Rocky who asked for our beverage order. Rocky introduced us to our server, Rick. Rick explained that he was new, but who would have known? Not us. He didn't miss a beat. Mom & I split a salad, at his suggestion and we split the meatloaf dinner. It was the perfect portion. Mom had coffee and I had a cucumber margarita. We were doted on, just the right amount. Great ambiance at this spot. The outdoor dining next to the fresh water moat looked interesting and fun. I will come back to give that a try. The menu was varied. The portions are generous. The prices are reasonable. Highly recommend. read more

Just had lunch at Carlsbad Tavern and I cannot say enough about how good it was. My friend and I sat outside on the shaded patio with a gentle breeze flowing. There are 2 Carne Avodada items in the menu, one enchilada style and the other a healthy portion of slow cooked pork in red chile sauce. Both meals came with rice and beans. The dishes were 6 Stars and so was the service. I cannot recommend Carlsbad Tavern strongly enough. read more

Today I made my way into the Carlsbad Tavern, which I called the Batcave bar because that's what it looks like inside here, to find Casey manning the bar. That was my good luck because she makes the best drinks in town. I have to say I love this bar! read more

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We had a reservation and were seated right away. This place is definitely unique! I'm wishing I would have roamed around and seen the whole place. Our sever kept an eye on us and took good care of us. We started with cocktails and green chile queso and chips - so good! There were some delicious sounding items on the menu so it took a few minutes to make our choices. I got a green chile chicken quesadilla from the appetizer menu as my entree. It was more like an enchilada - I couldn't finish the whole thing! It was really good! My husband ordered meatloaf, which he never does - and neither do I - but it was delicious! I'm not sure if we'll make it back the next time we're in town, but you never know! read more

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We came in after the game last night to try it out since not much places were open in the area for food other than fast food or they didn't accommodated kids at 9pmish. It seems like the patio area was full & the only area they could accommodate our party was in the bat cave area by ourselves. It took them a bit to figure out where to sit us. The restaurant itself was really decked out in its theme of pirates and bats or something and the decor seemed fun for kids though. It was dark but I guess that's just the vibe they're going for. We ordered the kids food from the kids menu. They all got chicken tenders with fries and/or salad. Food was decent in size and good for kids. For the adults we ordered from the "late night menu" and got a few drinks. Drinks were good. I had the New Mexico Sunset I think. Had good flavors. My friends had beer so that was fine as well. For the food, I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and what can I say? I love spicy food but the ghost pepper cheese overpowered anything that was on that sandwich and I was able to taste nothing but spice. There wasn't much left to taste after my palate was taken over by that strong spicy cheese. Not sure if it's supposed to be that way but usually I'm able to enjoy the spice with the food but this time around I was only wondering why my tongue can no longer taste anything and why it's burning. Made it less enjoyable to continue to try to eat. The buffalo wrap was ok. Way too saucy and eventually just didn't hold up too well and got soggy. Service was mid and ok. We were put in a room by ourselves and barely saw our waitress.. She only came to take our order, drop off food, and bring us the bill. Engagement was minimal. They also automatically charged us a 20% gratuity on the bill for a party of 8. So if you're heading there with a big party, expect tip to already be included. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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One of the most unique restaurants in Scottsdale. Carlsbad Tavern is inspired by New Mexican cuisine and themed after the Carlsbad Caverns bat caves, which gives the place a fun cave-like atmosphere. The decor is a little spooky and quirky in the best way, and it really brings the theme to life. The patio is also a great spot -- there's a water feature running through it that makes it feel relaxing and almost like you've escaped the Arizona desert for a bit. We ordered the skillet nachos, carne adovada plate, and tortilla soup. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous (we definitely left with leftovers). They also have a great selection of locally brewed beers on draft and a solid wine list. This place has been around for years and it's easy to see why -- I'd recommend it to both locals and visitors. read more

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Recently I went to see a show at nearby Talking Stick Resort and was looking for a place to have dinner before the show. We found Carlsbad Tavern, this niche restaurant that serves Tex Mex, New Mexico style, was a perfect choice before the show. The restaurant itself has an indoor and outdoor seating area along with a bar area however somewhat small. We went at 3:30pm and had no problem getting seated. There is a water feature with a waterfall that takes a lot of room but isn't loud or disruptive. Our waiter, Rocky, was great and friendly. He seemed genuinely excited to serve us and to tell us about the menu. He knew about our show and had a sense of urgency and understanding without rushing us. We ordered a Happy Hour margarita and it was really refreshing and delicious. We also ordered the Chip and 2 Dip (green verde salsa and traditional diced red salsa) appetizer. ***Chip's and salsa are NOT complementary. For our main meals we ordered the chicken and shrimp enchiladas. My wife really enjoyed it but wasn't blown away. However, I was with my Prime Rib burrito which is described as Ancho chile rubbed Gold Canyon Angus® prime rib, sautéed onions, mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, and red chile au jus. Topped with homemade picante sauce and a horseradish cream drizzle. At the End of the Day my only real disappointment was when it wasn't disclosed that our extra salsa was added to our bill after we bought the appetizer. In addition Rocky asked if my wife would like a sampler of guacamole. After talking it up, she said yes and he charged us $4.00 for the guacamole. That's always a pet peeve of mine, but I could have asked too. We enjoyed our meal and would consider going back with the knowledge to ask about up charges before ordering. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - PRIME RIB BURRITO Ancho chile rubbed Gold Canyon Angus® prime rib, sautéed onions, mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, and red chile au jus. - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Nickel and dime you for everything unfortunately. $14 for a vodka soda, up-charge for onions on your burger, al la carte chips and salsa, $19 for an average burger. Others who had their Mexican food were very satisfied, and service was less than average for the high prices we paid. read more

I asked Nick to bring on the spice and he hooked us up! Our drinks were great but our habanero burger was even better! I ask people to make my eyes water and the chefs made it happen Love the atmosphere and the food. Nick also hooked us up with the best fried ice cream we've ever had. Highly recommend. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Fried ice cream. Almost ate it all without taking a picture - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

This place had such a fun vibe and I'm so sad we didn't have the opportunity to eat outside. Their patio area was gorgeous. The decor was really cute and cave-y. The food...it was good but literally everything was overly spicy. And I like spicy, but it was overwhelming. Some of our party are wimps with spice and this food caused some upset stomachs later, oops. read more

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The parking lot is not very big and we went on a Friday night and ended up parking in a different lot and walking over. While it was inconvenient, it was not the end of the world. But other than that, things went very smooth! We placed our names down to have an outdoor table and we were called rather quick. I ended up going with the taco trio and a margarita and both were super tasty, especially their margaritas! Our server was hilarious and made us laugh every time he came back to check on us. Overall a really solid Mexican restaurant and I'll gladly revisit! read more

Carlsbad Tavern - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Whenever I'm headed to Arizona, stopping at Carlsbad Tavern in Scottsdale isn't even a question it's automatic. This place has become a tradition for me. The service is always top tier, and you can tell they run things the right way. Experience really matters to me and Carlsbad Tavern proves it every single visit. Let's talk food, because this place delivers. The New Mexican potstickers are one of those dishes you think about even when you're not hungry. Perfectly pan fried, crispy edges, packed with flavor and then there's that sweet corn cream sauce. It's rich, slightly sweet, a little smoky, and unlike anything I've had anywhere else. I literally make sure the plate is spotless before our server comes back. It's that good. Another appetizer I always go for is the skillet nachos. They come out bubbling hot in a cast-iron pan, loaded with cheese, green chiles, and all the toppings that make nachos dangerous. The chips stay crispy, the two salsas are full of flavor, and the green chile corn queso... that deserves its own paragraph. It's creamy, slightly spicy, and completely addicting. All of us were scooping it nonstop until we finally admitted defeat and ordered more. It's the kind of dip that disappears without anyone realizing how much they've eaten. Moving on to the entrees, the Osso Bucco is a full show stopper. The pork shank is so tender it barely needs a fork it just melts. The flavor is deep and slow braised, the kind of comfort food you savor. The calabacitas add this fresh, warm, roasted veggie flavor that balances the richness perfectly, and the mashed potatoes are smooth, buttery, and the perfect base for all those juices. It's a beautifully built plate start to finish. Another favorite of mine is the stacked enchiladas. The carne adovada is perfectly seasoned and insanely tender, and when it mixes with the hatch green chile chicken, you get this layered, hearty, authentic New Mexican flavor that's hard to find outside of New Mexico itself. Every bite hits. And honestly those are just a few of my go tos. You really can't go wrong with anything here. Now the drinks deserve their own spotlight. Their margaritas? Some of the best I've ever had. They're balanced, not overly sweet, and you can tell they use quality tequila. I highly recommend the prickly pear for something bright and refreshing, or the blood orange for a richer citrus flavor with a little tang. I'm also obsessed with their espresso martinis. Smooth, well balanced, not too sweet, and you can taste the quality of the liquor and espresso they use. I've ordered espresso martinis at a lot of places, and nothing compares to theirs, Carlsbad Tavern just gets it right. And if you're not in a martini mood, their Paloma and their mules are equally on point. Before leaving, dessert is non negotiable. The churros with ice cream come out warm, crispy on the outside, soft inside, and paired with ice cream that melts just the right way. Their Dulce de Leche dessert is another must sweet, creamy, rich, the perfect finishing touch. The restaurant itself has such a cool vibe. It's interesting and unique in a really good way especially the patio with the water running through it. It feels like its own little oasis, one of those patios you want to sit on for hours. And I can't say enough about their management and owners. I wanted to give a shoutout to our server because she took such great care of us, and we ended up talking with Andrew and Evonne. They were both so genuine and friendly. I told them Carlsbad Tavern is my favorite restaurant in all of Arizona, and they couldn't have been more appreciative. If you're anywhere near Scottsdale, do yourself a favor and go. You're honestly missing out if you don't. I already can't wait to go back again very, very soon. read more

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Amazing happy hour, great service from our waiter Steven, and most importantly the food and drinks were delicious. My husband and I tried 5 different margaritas - prickly pear, strawberry, blood orange, melon jalapeño and cucumber jalapeño. We had a great time hanging out on the patio. For food, we shared the green chile corn queso dip, the green chile quesadilla, and the New Mexican potstickers. We both love New Mexican food and sought this place out on Yelp before we came. It definitely did not disappoint and we were so glad we made it here on our short trip to Scottsdale. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Prickly Pear Margarita - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

This place is an absolute gem if you love a good divey vibe with personality. Even the menus were designed like old-school newspapers highlighting Carlsbad. We came on a Friday night, but the wait was exactly what you'd expect for a popular spot. Our waitress was incredibly fun and lively. The food was solid and satisfying, with a wide variety on the menu. While they offer everything from burgers to meatloaf and pastas, the Mexican food clearly shines, and a lot of the items are fusion food. I ordered the shrimp tacos appetizer, and it was a generous portion (perfect for when you're not super hungry but still want something flavorful and healthy). My boyfriend got the Chipotle Stroganoff pasta, which was surprisingly good; the beef was extremely soft and pull-apart tender. Decent portion size for the price! The bar area was buzzing with energy, complete with colorful lights and TVs playing sports, making it a great spot to hang out even if you're just grabbing drinks. Overall, this was a fantastic place to unwind, especially if you appreciate strong theming! read more

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The Restaurant itself is pretty nice lo e the patio are drinks are good but service and food not great...my son and I went in took 20mins for anyone to come take our drink order (mind you it was not busy at all) then another 20 to take food order. Then we get our food and it was soooo spicy ( didn't indicate on menu it was spicy) it was unbearable after 2 bits it took another 30 mins for anyone to come check on us we could get anyone's attention and after for asking for water 3 times we gave up. We will never go back. Well to the Mgr who replied to my post we didn't sit on the patio nor did I say we did i only took photos of it, 2nd not trying to be rude but I've had many NM inspired dishes and, I and my son love spicy food this was way beyond spicy to the point you could taste anything but the spicy. This is the second time I've been to your restaurant customer was the same the first time staff talking to much to eachother or on their phone. I always give restaurants second chance which I did before writing this review, there will definitely not be a 3rd read more

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This was one of the worst meals I've ever had. First we came in on a Saturday at 4:35 pm. It was not busy and the lady/manager was a total jerk to the hostess about where we asked to sit. There were 3 adults and 3 kids (all under 7) and they wanted to seat the 6 of us at a 4 top. It was bizarre as there was no one else outside or really even in the restaurant for that matter. Our waitress was lovely, she was attentive and awesome. Our drinks were refreshed often and she was quick to ask if we wanted anything additional. Our food came out quick and that was the best part about it. I got the veggie enchiladas and they were terrible! The veggies were undercooked and the textures didn't mess well - hard asparagus, cooked spinach, and slimy mushrooms and they were mixed with a clump of jack cheese. The sauce was tasteless. Overall, it was just an awful meal! Between the meal and the experience with the manager at the hostess stand and how she spoke to her employees, I don't think we will be back and we use to come often! read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Veggie Enchiladas Dinner - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Excellent lunch on the patio by the water fountains. Very pleasant! We had the chicken chimichanga special, the green chili pork burrito, and the stacked enchiladas. All were delicious. Waiter was prompt and attentive. read more

This place is good and has a late night menu that's very satisfying. Their Mac n cheese balls are amazing. I could down like 6 of those lol The sliders are great but could have more cheese and come with a side of ketchup or something. Other than that it's a good late night meal to have. The inside of the place is really cool and parking is great. Their staff inside is also friendly so that makes it even better. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Sliders, jalapeños Mac n cheese balls & Carne Asada Waffle Fries - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Plain awful to be honest. Cheese crisp was slathered in watery canned green chiles, which turned it into more of a cheese flop. Entrees were edible but nothing special whatsoever. Portions were terribly small. Chips and salsa are an extra charge which is criminal for a Mexican restaurant. Waitress was slow. Margaritas were about half the size that you'd receive anywhere else. Gone in 4-5 sips. The only redeeming quality was the atmosphere/decorations which were fun to look at. read more

Hubby and I decided to try this restaurant and were not disappointed. Prices were fair, large menu variety (meat and seafood), and the portions were huge! We were greeted as soon as we arrived and were directed to a table. Inside is "dark and cavern" like mood while the outside the have twinkling lights and a waterfall patio. We didn't bring the kids but they do have a kids menu which served the usual American fare for $9. I ordered the crab stuffed pobanos and it was very good. Lots of crab meat and flavor. Hubby ordered the NY steak and it was cooked perfectly. The sopapillas were a bit doughy. Would definitely come back. read more

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Do you have family or friends coming into town? In need of a unique lunch or dinner destination? This is the place. Celebrated my college graduation from ASU here. Had an anniversary dinner with my wife here. Recently had friends in town for Spring Training - yep, took them here. Fantastic atmosphere the second you walk inside. Friendly service and a cool newspaper style menu. It presents itself like a destination and it truly is. Photo opportunities outside by their waterfall and generous outdoor seating. New Mexican cuisine with plenty of spicy hot selections. Each dish is professionally presented and full of flavor. Great menu from the apps to the entrees. On our most recent trip I chose their chimichanga and my wife had a very spicy burger. Our table even split an appetizer and some fried ice cream as dessert. We know and love this place and as soon as you share it with visitors to the area, you'll already have future lunch or dinner dates when your visitors make plans to return to the area. read more

Came by with a group of 15 for a Saturday lunch. They were very accommodating and sat us in a nice shady spot and our server was well organized with getting our food out to us. The food itself feature a lot of southwest flair and was pretty scrummy read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Breakfast Tacos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Food was great. Ambiance was dummy good. Fish and chips were great, not sure what below review speaking on (lol ) Still looking for the bat cave ! 3/5 stars read more

Carlsbad Tavern - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

I like this place, but wish I could love it! The ambiance is cool, uniquely cave like inside. The service is terrific, friendly and welcoming. The drinks are pretty good, and not outrageously priced. So what's the problem? I find the food to be mediocre at best. Ordered the Enchantment Platter, pork stuffed chile relleno, pork stuffed enchilada, and chicken enchilada in a blue corn tortilla. Included rice, beans, and a small sopapilla. Rice, tasted old, reheated. Slightly crunchy. Beans were okay, but my personal taste prefers pintos over black beans. The chile relleno, supposed to have an egg batter coating, be fried to a nice crunch. This was not that. Lots of pork inside a soggy chile. Enchilada even worse. Tortilla was actually gummy. Again, packed with pork. The chicken enchilada was wrapped in a beautiful blue corn tortilla, but the texture was tough and chewy. Sopapilla was dense and doughy. I don't mean to be cruel, but I've been eating Mexican/ Tex Mex/ New Mexican food for 75 years. This place needs a huge food upgrade, bring it into the 21st century. BTW, charging $4.25 for iced tea that tastes like pond water is an outrage! read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Enchantment Platter - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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I come here all the time, especially after work, because it's always been one of my favorite late night spots. Having somewhere open until 2am made such a difference and I'm honestly really upset to hear that's changing. It won't feel the same anymore. A huge reason I've kept coming back though is Nick. He's genuinely one of the best bartenders hes always friendly, welcoming, remembers people, and makes the atmosphere so much better every single time. Great service is hard to find and he's a big part of what made this place feel like a go to spot for me. Definitely going to miss the late nights here and extremely disappointed we can't call this place place our after work spot read more

Food 4/5 - I ordered the Carne Adovada Plate, one of the top menu items. The seasoning on the meat was smoky, deep, and flavorful with a touch of sweetness. The rice, beans, and tortilla helped balance the meal out altho I wish there was a bit of seasoning to the rice and or beans. Or something citrusy to pair with the meat. Service 5/5 - friendly servers, seated right away and given water, asked for our drink and apps orders first then gave us time to think on our main orders. Our waitress was able to recommend good drinks and entrees that we enjoyed! We had a big group but still had good wait time on the food Ambiance 4/5 the decor is very fun and I enjoy the little aliens hidden throughout the 'cave' but I wish it wasn't so dark in the interior restaurant. I saw a table next to us even use their phone flashlight to read the menu read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Carne Adovada Plate - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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The atmosphere was vibrant, the portions generous, and the staff friendly. Such a creative menu! The Short Rib ($25) was large, fork-tender, and surprisingly lean. The mashed potatoes and vegetables on the side were also delicious. BF enjoyed his margaritas (all $12.25) and blue corn enchiladas ($17.50). The chocolate bread pudding with butterscotch sauce ($11) was incredibly rich and decadent. I wish we had gotten our server's name because she was truly so cool. The ambiance inside is inviting, and there is a lovely outdoor patio with a river and fountain running through it. We also loved the festive holiday décor! :) read more

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Had a baffling experience at Carlsbad Tavern. We got seated and were very excited for our meal. We watched the table next to us get seated, order after us, get their food first... they got their dessert and check in the 35 minutes it took us to even get our boxes. When I asked the waitress about the delay, she flipped out, told me how busy she was and lectured us. She was extremely aggressive and said "don't tip!" and walked away. read more

Went to Carlsbad Tavern in search of happy hour and Carlsbad Tavern delivered! There was a nice variety of appetizers to choose from but the beer menu was a bit limited. We tried out the Skillet Nachos (no jalapeño) and meatloaf sliders (no ghost peppers). Both were good and the nachos still had some kick to them. Happy hour deals were decent and I wasn't able to finish the nachos. Carlsbad Tavern has been here for many years and I can see why. Food was good with generous portions. decor was interesting and a great patio. I should have come here long ago. read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Meatloaf Sliders - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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I really like the vibes, the bartender was great, food came out hot and fresh. Everything just need a touch more seasoning m, great fries cut and crunch and texture cooked well, but no seasoning. Hot fish flakey cooked well, no seasoning. My man got the habanero pepper burger and he said 4 out of 5 he thought it needed a more sturdy hearty bun. But burger was good seasoned well and spicy. The chicken dumplings with the queso were the best flavored and seasoned of all the items we ordered. A note for anyone that doesn't like green chiles / hatch chiles the majority of the food has those flavors. We'll definitely go back bc again that service and bartender were great! The vibes cool NM art and a full cavern feel as you walk up to the waterfall. read more

I love me some New Mexican cuisine, and this spot delivers! I was pretty sold by the entire bat cave concept, was impressed again by the newspaper windows and delighted once more after viewing the patio (it was far too hot to dine alfresco but maybe later in the season)! I had mixed reviews on the food, but most items were comforting! I'd certainly order the queso again, and while my prickly pear marg was not strong enough for my taste, it was tasty! I'd likely pass on the chilaquiles next time. It may be the batch I received but they were severely underseasoned. Overall, I'd definitely visit again! read more

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I love this place, super cute outside with the water. And cool old bar inside. Happy hour is such a great price for food and drinks. Had the coco margarita love the tropical taste. The Mac and cheese bites were so good and alittle kick to them. The chimayo dinner was absolutely amazing great rice, with grilled veggies and great taste chicken. We sat at the bar and service was fantastic. read more

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Best Patio in the Valley to enjoy some tasty food and drinks. The waterfall, river and music set a great mood. Steven our server was awesome. The seafood enchiladas were spot on. read more

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Despite my friends not really liking this place I loved it last night when we went for a couples dinner date. I just think we/they ordered the wrong things. I had the HH ribeye quesadillas, had to put in another order because they are incredible... the potstickers are freaking bomb.com too! We split the lobster enchiladas and it was just way too heavy but really good lol. The beans at this place are amazing Drinks are good too we got a couple spicy skinny margs and they were perfect. Next time I'm getting ribeye quesadillas, steak/chicken tacos, and or the chicken wrap dish on the sandwich section on the menu. I would get the enchiladas again but I would get no cheese and ask for the sauce on the side so I could actually taste the lobster! Overall I'm excited to go back lol will probs just go solo.... They have an incredible happy hour menu and that's totally my jam! read more

Carlsbad Tavern - Ribeye quesadillas only on HH - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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I have loved this place for years. The food and the ambience. Haven't been for a bit, might check it out today.

Adorable restaurant. I enjoyed all the food. Even in the winter, it wasn't too cold sitting outside since they provide heat lamps. The restaurant is super cute and I prefer sitting outside near the waterfall/water/moat. We asked for champagne glasses to be ready at our table when we made the reservation on the phone. When we showed up, there were two missing glasses. Other than that small misstep I don't have any real complaints. The food in general might be too spicy for small children fyi, so maybe order a basic quesadilla if your kid is sensitive. read more

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Really disappointed to hear about the new hours... I've been to Carlsbad once a week for the last year--all after 12am due to my schedule. Gonna really miss Nick and the crew. Hope they change back to a 2am close again soon. Adios Carlsbad! 1 star for the new hours--5 stars for the staff. read more