I'm not typically a fan of Mexican food, and when I do get it, I usually stick with a shrimp taco on a corn tortilla and some queso. We were in town for our annual family vacation with my in-laws and siblings, and Carmelita's is one of their favorite go-to spots. We went on a Tuesday evening around 6:30, and it was definitely busy, but we were able to get a table for 7 (1 child and 6 adults) within about 10-15 minutes, which was not a bad wait at all. The restaurant was very clean, and the service was quick and friendly. We started with the queso, which was so good I completely forgot to take a picture of it! My fiancé recommended that I try the Jiba Dinner, and I'm so glad I listened. It was surprisingly delicious, and I would absolutely order it again. I'm still not a huge fan of Mexican-style chicken, but the quality of the chicken was actually really good. I also appreciated that they were able to accommodate my gluten intolerance by swapping the flour tortillas for corn tortillas. I honestly can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm already looking forward to coming back to Carmelita's! It's definitely a new favorite for me. read more

Carmelita's - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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As someone who doesn't eat mexican I was very satisfied with the food. Big portions so there is plenty for leftovers. I had the tropicana fajitas and had a couple bites of the jiba dinner. All were very delicious. Service was really quick. It felt very local and personal inside. It reminded me of small restaurants I like back home. read more

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First time here good service GOOD food will be back Servers were awesome as well nice clean place read more

I'm in town for a track event at OIR and didn't want the food truck again. Searching yelp, it looked like all the local restaurants have different names but serve the same food. So it was a blessing to find Carmelita's Mexican. It was very busy when I arrived, which I found out was a good sign. I sat at the bar and had some nice ceviche. Just the right amount of heat. This will be on my list for future visits. read more

Always fantastic food and service. My favorite meal are the Pork Chile Verde or the Jiba burrito. Either one is enough food for 2+ meals and they are both reasonably priced. Be sure to check out the super hot salsa or the habanero salsa. read more

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We stopped on July 1 for dinner. There was a long line so we decided to eat at the bar. Service was very slow. We received salsa and then 10 minutes later chips. Our drinks came quickly but our food order was not taken for over 30 minutes. As we were waiting people were having their children sit on the floor behind us. We will not returning any time soon. read more

Excellent food & service. This place beats any other mexican restaurant around the entire lake area, as I have eaten at them all. read more

Carmelita's - Tamales w/pork carnitas on top, rice n beans - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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Food was good! Service amazing ambiance what you would expect from a Mexican restaurant- charging for refills!?!?? Charging for credit cards?!? Minus two stars. Need to work on completing the tortas and California burrito (only two inside). Ned's improvement!?! read more

Carmelita's - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

Terrible rude. ‼Would not seat me in a booth many available. Young man claim he was boss he was abrupt and rude. I am a disabled Veteran with authentic my medical service dog. Having been here in a booth many many previous times with no problem before I am not comfortable sitting at the one open table he said I must use-in a high traffic area by the door. read more

Great food and great service and beautiful place. Best food by far. Great margaritas.

Ordered the huevos and chorizo...very good. New fave. Will order often. 5 star Also got the chicken chimichanga...good...4 star Excellent service Only ordered soft drinks (Pepsi products ) read more

Poor this is my own fault but on a Friday night I had the worst service I've had in many many years. Had to chase down a waitress and then get up and pay for my meal because I could not round up the same waitress to give me my check This obvious problem needs to be addressed by management... It was not the read more

good, inexpensive food, it was fast to come out which i liked. they also have complimentary chips and salsa for the table as soon as you sit down! when i went every table was cleaned very quickly too read more

What a wonderful experience and the food is always great. Totally recommend! It is always a great value. We're either stuffed or taking some home. read more

I was so excited to try this place after reading all of the great reviews. The service and salsa were amazing! The margaritas were good but not great. We had the cheese dip and felt the same way about it. My husband ordered a beef chimichanga. He thought it was pretty plain. I ordered a beef enchilada and beans. The enchilada normally comes with cheese dip on it. That seemed odd to me so I asked for it with red sauce. It was really bland. The beans were pretty runny. I'm glad we tried it, but we won't be back. read more

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Fresh authentic Mexican cuisine is worth the stop! The staff is extremely friendly and very knowledgeable with how they cook their food. They have a lovely margarita menu that is worth the glance! read more

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Get the chonky dip! It's amazing! My other favorite is the chicken quesadilla. Haven't had a bad meal here. read more

Excellent food excellent service this restaurant is not a fast food Mexican restaurant their sauces are very good and I have to say the Margaritas are even better highly read more

Highly disappointing, not sure why I expected more of an authentic experience, but that was the last thing we received. Complimentary salsa was bland and muy caliente salsa was also underwhelming and not spicy. We both had the lunch chimichangas and they were mediocre at best, pictures included. Rice and beans were nothing to write home about, actually straight out of can. Wait staff was decently attentive, but the poorly executed and over priced Mexican could not be overlooked. If you consider yourself a Mexican addict, like myself choose something different. Presentation not bad, but don't be fooled. read more

Carmelita's - Beef chimichanga lunch - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

Late review. Visited in late September on vacation. The food and service were quite good. Since we were there post-tourist season, we weren't sure what we'd find. This place was packed with what seemed to be locals, including several Spanish-speaking folks. Our server was a native Spanish speaker which was only was a problem when we asked her a few questions about items on the menu. We figured it out and ordered. The food was fresh and delicious. I had a chicken tostada, with juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a crispy corn tortilla. Hubby ordered Nachos Supreme, thinking it would be a snacky lunch. The photo doesn't do it justice. Nachos were piled high, layer upon layer, so that a family of four might have been satisfied. Of course, it too was tasty, fresh, and full of flavor. Hubby barely put a dent in it. We would definitely go back here anytime! read more

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Food is fabulous, great atmosphere and wonderful service. I always enjoy eating there.

We really enjoyed our visit for dinner here ! Our recent stop was our first at Carmelita's. We were pleased with the friendly service and atmosphere. After a brief wait for a table (they were very busy) we were seated at a clean/comfortable table. Shortly after we were greeted by a very friendly waitress & served the most tasty chips with salsa. We made our selections and the girls enjoyed margaritas while the order was being prepared. The food was wonderfully flavorful, plated well and served very hot. Prices were actually very reasonable especially with the jumps we've seen recently. The portions were more than fair which made this stop a win in our book. Definitely will visit again whenever in the area. Don't hesitate to stop here. We would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Mexican food ! read more

Carmelita's - people eating in a restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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Really surprised by our trip to Carmelita's while in town for a family vacation. We had a party of ten and the lobby was packed. I assumed we'd wait at least an hour but we were seated within twenty minutes. There's a bar in back so we grabbed a drink as we waited. We never ran out of chips, salsa, or water. Service was excellent. Fajitas were great and veggie quesadilla was just what I wanted. This is a lake place kind of Mexican restaurant - I saw brats on someone's fajita platter! It's Americanized and a little untraditional but you can't ask for much more in a lake town. We all had a great time and I'd recommend anyone make a stop for a cheap, giant marg and a good time. read more

Carmelita's - Salsa, cheese dip, and frozen margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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There is nothing on the menu that you'd be upset with - it's all so amazing! I love the Carmelita's burrito and ALWAYS get the guacamole dip; I don't know what they put in that stuff but it is seriously the best. Service is fast and friendly. read more

This is my favorite Mexican food restaurant ever! I love everything on the menu! My favorite is the chile relleño and the Carne Asada dinner and the Pollo Loco! All three are perfection in a plate! The margaritas are absolutely delicious and pack a punch! Staff is friendly and service is fast! There isn't a better Mexican restaurant anywhere around the lake! Non smoking restaurant and non smoking bar! If you crave a legitimate taste of Mexico, this is the above all others! read more

Our Sunrise Beach/Laurie go to Mexican restaurant! SO MUCH FOOD for a great price and better yet... the staff is SO FRIENDLY!! The fajitas are flavorful. They don't skimp on the complimentary chips and salsa. The burritos are ENORMOUS!! If you like Buffalo sauce then give the Buffalo burrito a try. It's a crazy twist but good! We always have a takeaway box. read more

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Had a very pleasant afternoon at Carmelita's during an off-peak winter weekend. Great, friendly service. Large portions and quality food. Enormous margaritas. Hope it's this good when things get packed this summer! read more

Well, I was totally surprised at everything From the outside the place that looked somewhat foreboding and the food. I walked in and the place was large,airy, clean and inviting. I sat down and someone came to answer questions and to give me ideas on what to order. The margaritas have an orange base so they are not only good but I have no problems with stomach acid from the limes like most margaritas. The food was amazing and pretty authentic not Tex-mex. The Chile Relleno was one of the best I've ever had. I added the white cheese sauce which made it even better. If you have never had it I suggest you get one al la carte. My wife had the burrito with the name of the restaurant and it was huge and very good. Laurie has a great restaurant that they can be proud of. The service was good and like I said I was amazed. I will be back and looking forward to it. read more

Carmelita's - Med. margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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I love your tacos de carne asada and salsa... but when my husband and I are local Laurie regulars and I call to make a pick-up order and get put on hold, and immediately hung up on.. then I try to call back several times and it seems you blocked my number. I know your open and that you're busy... we were willing to wait however long but just wanted to get our order in. I was really disappointed read more

Food and margaritas are fantastic! Love all the wait staff! We go at least once a week April through October!

Very good!! Love the chonky dip! Margaritas are very good (little expensive). Had a chicken enchilada and it was delicious! Food came out really fast and it was nice to visit. read more

Such great food and even better margaritas. Be prepared for a wait if going on a weekend night. Also parking is a little tight but you can always find a spot!! They have a bar area and you can play Keno, if you like to gamble. read more

New place in town so we tried it and so glad we did! The chips and salsa was amazing. The entrees were very delicious and the margarita was good. The service was very friendly, helpful and quick. Another great go to place this summer. read more

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Wonderful Mexican food. Had burritos and tacos. Too much to eat and the taste was fantastic. Chips and salsa too. Another place to come back to. Oh, the service was top notch too. Can't miss! read more

Carmelitas is a great Mexican restaurant here in Laurie. The food is great & the service I received from Griselda was touch-notch. Griselda was the best waitress I've ever experienced! She is the best & Carmelitas backs it all up with amazing food. So delicious read more

Carmelita's - Mexican Near Me - Gravois Mills, Missouri

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If I could rate this place 10 stars, I would. Not Tex Mex but authentic Mexican. A little mix of the various cuisine areas in Mexico; The North, The North Pacific Coast, The Bajio, The South Pacific, you get my drift. Prob one of THE biggest and best burritos you will ever consume. A great selection of Mexican beer and Tequila. The wait folks beyond awesome. Extremely attentive service. When you ask for something extra like hot hot hot sauce, they be on it. Go. Eat like Maximilian would eat. Bon A-petite..... read more

Best burrito, chips , salsa , Awesome service with a smile Plenty on the plate Best margaritas read more

Love the food . Love the service. It's very friendly. Great Margaritas too. It's great having them on the West side.

Best place for Mexican on the west side!!! I recommend this place for other people that don't live at lake ozark!!!!

Love this place! Always packed, but service is great! Love the choricheese dip and the margaritas are so strong. Always the first place we hit when we come in town. read more