Carmen's is our "go to" restaurant for delicious food, good drinks, and great service! Carne Asada Quesadilla, Carnitas and Chile Relleno are our favorites! Carmen's is tops! read more

Best in the desert! Food and service is exceptional. Restaurant is super clean and nice and cool. read more

Carmens Mexican Restaurant 4 Stars Overall Food Rate 3/5 We ordered two combination plates. One came with beans, rice, and two chicken tacos. The other included a chile relleno, a beef taco, an enchilada, beans, and rice. The food was decent overall, but it didn't quite stand out enough for us to rate it higher. The service was excellent--5/5. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made the experience enjoyable. The bar drink was made to perfection, and we also enjoyed an authentic Mexican Coke made with cane sugar, which was a nice touch. The atmosphere was 4/5--comfortable and inviting with a good Mexican restaurant feel. Overall, Carmens was a pleasant experience, especially because of the great service and drinks. The food was just average for us, which is why we're giving it 3 stars for food 5 for service 4 for atmosphere...so a good 4 read more

Carmen's is always a charming little spot with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. The menudo tasted fresh and was especially enjoyable with the side of refried beans and warm tortillas. One of the highlights was the chile güeritos, which were absolutely delicious topped with mayonnaise and soy sauce. Overall, the food was very good and the friendly service keeps me coming back. A solid choice for a comforting and satisfying meal. read more

Been here a few times and I don't understand the higher reviews. The steak came out grey and had no seasoning at all. I really wanted to like it here but the cooking style just isn't for me. Didn't care for the flautas or the quesadilla which are very simple items to prepare. Food quality is mid to say the least read more

Carmen's was a delight! We were craving Mexican food and this was Bomb. They were so friendly and welcoming! The restaurant is so charming and casual. The prices are fair, big potions. The food quality is excellent ! I am so excited to have found this little gem by my house! Thank you for a wonderful early dinner! read more

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We walked in and the AC was pumping on a 100° day after food at Desert Falls. The cart guy recommended the place. We trust locals, being from temecula and visiting. Place looks very clean and kept. Workers had chips on the table before our butts hit the seat. I ordered a stuffed shrimp Bellpeppers thing that you put mayonnaise on, soy sauce, and lemon. Wow! Tastes explodes on every bite. Very unique to this spot. Try one, or ten.... They're technically called Chiles Gueritos !! So good! Worth coming just for this! read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Also for carne asada fries - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Service terrible. The workers stood around and talked. Took a while to take our drink order. Food not good either. The margarita had no taste and weak. The worst chili relleno I have ever had. The beef in the taco was tough. Won't be going back. read more

Caldo de res one of the cleanest recovery caldo you can ask for. Packed with meat and veggies. Lengua was tender and not gamey. That pepper with shrimp appetizer is unique and delicious. Friendly staff. Glad to find authentic mexican flavors out here! read more

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Great food, chile gueros are awesome. Micheladas are top notch, and a chill place to people watch. read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Chile guerito relleno de camaron - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Great food, nice service, not too crowded. We had Carne Tampiqueña and a dinner chicken tostada tonight. Excellent. Last time there we ordered their table side guacamole. Pricey, but worth it. No wonder the owners recently were recognized as one of USA Today's Restaurants of the Year. Same owners operate the El Mexicali Cafes in Indio. "Carmen's" is named for the family matriarch. read more

We went to this restaurant at 11:00 am and only had 1 table with 2 people, we ordered Beef Fajitas and 1,Horchata; and took for ever no kidding at least 25 minutes for 1 order with 2 tables. The Horchata was bad flavor needed more sugar flavor kind a blend and watery, the beef fajitas had nice green and red peppers but the meat was to hard to chew and was all watery not a nice sauté flavor. The price was $26.50. But the meat so hard not tender at all. Bad experience. read more

Tried Carmen's for the first time. We were greeted promptly and friendly around 5:45. The place was not that busy so we ordered some drinks and they were out fast. We then ordered enchiladas and carnitas. I asked if the tortillas were hand made and my waiter told me unfortunately "no". My wife said the enchiladas were really good but unfortunately my carnitas were just fair. It looked like they were chopped up to put in a burrito or on top of a salad. Some of the small pieces were good but most were dry and very hard to eat. The ambiance in Carmen's is nice and very friendly. I'm going to try this place again and get one of their special dishes as I really want to like this place. read more

Always the best food and people. Everyone is smiling in this place - it really makes a difference!!! read more

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Wonderful food and service! Our first time trying and we will certainly be back. Very welcoming and so delicious!! read more

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What a fabulous place. I came in for lunch pick up on Saturday at about 2. I asked if it could order carnitas on top of my tostada instead of chicken or beef, and can I have the beans on the side. . A nice young lady came over and said we can do anything you want! That's a five star experience in my book and I will be a loyal customer forever. Everything was outstanding. They also gave me lots of salsas . Guacamole, and sour cream on the side. Also chips too. The total was only $31 for enough food for two days . That's the way to, run a business in my opinion. read more

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The food is authentic to my Mexican culture. So Delicious! And the staff is very cordial and courteous. Place is clean and orderly Enjoy if you get a chance to go there read more

Service was slow and they weren't even that packed, queso fundido chorizo was real watery, my chilaquiles chips tasted stale and were hard to eat. Definitely not coming back. read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

I don't usually leave a review but we came in 30 mins before closing and got sat down with smiles. Then waiter recommended certain dishes and he was not wrong. The birra tacos were amazing! Great experience. read more

Why can't you be consistent? The first time at Carmen's was wonderful! Everything we ate was fantastic. The problem is: we went back. My husband ordered chile colorado again. The first time was great, but second time, the meat was tough and gristly, tasted old and like a poor quality cut. I ordered the carne asada with shrimp. The four shrimp were... really shrimpy. Honestly the smallest shrimp I've ever been served. The carne asada had a very good sauce but my meat was also very gristly and tasted like a really inferior cut. Service was slow, even with the place less than 1/2 full. I think one of the worst traits is inconsistency. Carmen's went from fab to drab. Don't go there. The owners either changed their meat suppliers or cut down on their budget. I'm almost surprised we didn't get sick. read more

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We live in the Bermuda Dunes area, and I had no idea Carmen's Restaurant was here! It's the sister restaurant to Mexicali Café, created in honor of their grandmother, Carmen. The food is exceptional, the margaritas are amazing, and the service goes above and beyond. They also have a great happy hour from 3-5 PM. Please come out and support this local gem--you won't be disappointed! read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Chilaquiles con Carne Asada - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Carmen's Carmen's Carmen's Yes say it over and over, for this is how many times i probably go a month. They have decorated this business for a comfortable yet festive look. Their food is so ethnically done. So yummy. The service here is spot on! If you like Mexican food, you'll like it here. read more

Outstanding food and service. Will definitely go back ! Same owner as Mexicali cafe ! But a smaller location.

Tonight was the 2nd time I went to Carmen's. The first time I was with my husband and we ordered two items off their happy hour menu, a couple of margaritas and fish and shrimp diabla. Everything was delicious, portions are generous. Tonight I was alone, I ordered a margarita and a three item combo. Again everything was delicious and portion was very generous. The waiters were very attentive both times. read more

Came for the Campechana which was excellent and well portioned. Also ordered the Chilies Guerito, which were also excellent. Clean ,courteous and well priced I will be back again and again.......... When I finished eating, I came on their website to find out more about them and they are part of the family El Mexicali Café in Indio, which is one of my favorite places to eat in the valley so nice to find the same quality same recipes a little bit closer to my home I recommend all three of these restaurants. They all have the same high-quality food. read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Campechana - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

EN: Hidden gem in Palm Desert! Amazing authentic Mexican food, great margaritas, and super friendly service. The birria tacos and fajitas were . You can really taste the family recipes. Definitely one of the best Mexican spots in the Coachella Valley. We'll be back! ES: ¡Una joya escondida en Palm Desert! Comida mexicana auténtica, margaritas increíbles y un servicio muy amable. Los tacos de birria y las fajitas estaban . Se nota el sabor de recetas familiares. Sin duda uno de los mejores lugares mexicanos del Valle de Coachella. ¡Regresaremos! Los clientes suelen destacar en sus reseñas la comida auténtica, el servicio amable y platillos como los birria tacos y margaritas, lo que ha generado excelentes valoraciones del restaurante. Tip para Yelp (esto ayuda a que tenga más likes): Cuando lo publiques, agrega 2-3 platos específicos como: birria tacos fajitas margaritas Rafael Oscal Chair Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce of the Great Coachella Valley read more

Excellent! Terrific customer focus. Above and beyond. Caution, don't confuse Carmens (near Wendy's) with the very bad Mexican restaurant at the other end of the shops. read more

Get the chili relleno! You won't be disappointed and you can get it as part of a Combination!

Been here twice so far with my friend. The costillas de puerco and Chile Colorado are bomb . The waiters are friendly and service is great. The atmosphere is chill. Food is so good, I will keep going back. read more

Love this place! I had the pork ribs with nopales and my wife had the taquitos. Everything was great and we got to try the stuffed peppers with shrimp and that was delicious too. So many things on the menu that I've never had before and that's what I love most about it. Great service too!!! read more

Amazing service, AND the food absolutely FIRE! Be sure to ask for the salsa matcha and please do yourself a favor and try the chiles guerros (be sure to eat them the exact way they recommend)!!!! read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Great service and good food. Went there for lunch, plenty of room at the bar....,.,,,,,,,,, read more

Carmen's Restaurant - Appetizer - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

The best authentic Mexican restaurant in Palm Desert! Amazing service. Comfortable and with a great selection of margaritas. Enjoy!

The place was small but clean and very friendly service!! The grilled fish tacos were super yummy and the combo plates were delish. We broke up our 8 hour traveling day and stopped by for a quick dinner. Thanks yelp! We'd do it again! read more

Been going to El Mexicali Cafe and 2 for some years now which is fantastic. Been to Carmen's recently (6-7-2025) and it's just as fantastic. Great food, great customer service and same family recipes. Todd R. read more

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Friendly service. Food very good - loved the fish tacos. But don't bother with the margaritas- nothing special.

Usually good. Soggy carnitas burrito. Cooks didn't give a crap. Forty cents worth of carnitas.

This is the best Mexican food I have found in the Coachella valley. I love their grilled fish tacos, which are never overcooked. The sauce is perfect. Absolutely delicious. We have been back a few times and the food is consistent. Our order arrived both times in 10 minutes. Ambiance is nice and the staff is very attentive and friendly. read more

The Mexican food at Carmen's is excellent. I ordered the street tacos al pastor for the second time there. I ordered 3; I ended up bringing 1 home because they were so big and delicious . The service is awesome. They come by your table to check to see if you're enjoying your food. I ordered sangria this time for my beverage. It was delicious and large,. It's not a fancy place but is very homey and clean. That will not be our last time there. read more

We had family visiting and for a small holiday party, we ordered asada tacos, shrimp tacos, birria, and more. Everything was wonderful and now my crew knows why we are thrilled to live so close to an authentic restaurant that delivers the goodness! read more