This place is a 15/10 like the best mexican food ever, whoever put one star can go eat nasty Taco Bell, if they can't tell the difference between real food. I come here at least twice a week and every single time the food just hits the spot. if you're in town or just passing through, don't miss out and stop by. read more

Quick authentic Mexican lunch spot. If you're looking for some tacos, burrito, torta, quesadilla, tamales for lunch and you are in the area. Here's your spot. Pastor burrito and salsas it comes with are solid. Very fast friendly service. Small indoor are for ordering and some outdoor picnic tables. read more

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always in the search for a good taco so I stopped in and grab some tacos. They were very delicious.

Very authentic and delicious. I had a taco de pollo, taco de carnitas, and taco de Beria. I also tried a burrito de carnitas. All were awesome. The tomatillo salsa was mild with a nice lime flavor, and the red salsa had a bit more zing. Overall delicious. I will go back. read more

Carnitas Carmelita - Taco de carnitas, taco de polo, and taco de berria. - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Good food, made to order, every day might be a little different. Fresh ingredients and friendly people.

This is 1 of the jewels of Chattanooga and you'd be hard-pressed to know it's there. Amnicola between gas station and Subway, we affectionately call it the taco shack. If you're looking for tacos with lettuce, cheese and sour cream, stick with taco bell. That's not a criticism, eat what you like. But if you want authentic Mexican street tacos...this is your place. Very small dining area. Think food truck with dining room. Or maybe the small house craze if all it contained was a kitchen and dining room. Every taco I've had here has been excellent. The al pastor and chorizo are my favorite though. Staff is friendly and courteous. Lunch that hits the spot every time. It's so good that I scarfed them down before thinking about taking pics. Smdh. Maybe next time. read more

the carnitas were poor quality and extremely greasy. tasted like reused oil or fat. not a very good taste, will not be coming back.

These are the best tacos I've had in Chattanooga hands down!! Carnitas Carmelita is this incredible authentic Mexican joint situated in a tiny shack off Amnicola Highway--- honestly I wouldn't have given this place a second look passing by but I'm so glad we wandered in! My boyfriend and I had a great lunch experience here. The service is fast, the prices are cheap, and THE FOOD IS GOOD. The first bite I took out of the carne azada burrito I ordered was so tasty and flavorsome--- officially my favorite burrito in town! My boyfriend had ordered chorizo tacos and a pollo (chicken) burrito. After trying his chorizo taco I immediately regretted not ordering my own. Everything we've tried at Carnitas Carmelita so far has been delicious! Don't let the exterior throw you off. This place is a must try! read more

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This is fantastic food! I don't know enou to say if it is only Mexican, but maybe South/Central American would be better descriptions? Really, really good. read more

came here and ordered a burrito supposed to have beans rice, pico de gallo chicken. Was just full of rice a little bit of chicken probably two little pieces of tomatoes. The worst burrito ever had for $10. I could've gone to Taco Bell for better. read more

At first glance, this was a super tiny shack in the middle of nowhere Chattanooga next to a rather sketch looking gas station. When you do go inside, you walk into an incredibly cramped 3 table establishment. But upon walking in, you are greeted by some of the friendliest people as well as some of the best tacos I have ever eaten. My gosh, cooked to order for a cheap price, double corn tortillas, fresh ingredients, I can go on and on. In short, the tacos were so. good. It may be in the middle of nowhere, but just for the tacos, it was definitely worth driving out there. Definitely give this place a try! read more

Carnitas Carmelita - Tongue Taco, Chorizo Taco, Carne Asada Taco - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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I went here with only moderate expectations, and it turns out that I had still set the bar too high. First of all, I asked for tacos with carne asada AND chorizo. For most places, it's an easy upcharge for an extra meat... but not for the taco Nazis. No second meat for You!... on top of that, the carne asada tacos that I did get were not good....at all. It was more gristle than meat. To top it all off, the canned drink that I bought had a mouse turd on it. I won't be back. read more

Carnitas Carmelita - My drink came with a mouse turd. Free of charge. - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

I had a hot date so this was a logical spot after visiting the Zoo. Drove from Alabama for the zoo and thisbtacobstand. My date is Mexican so we went extravagant. We had Tripe, buche, al pastor, chorizo and lengua and they were delicious and flavorful. The tortillas were tasty and the best ones cause my date said so. Will visit again in hopes of trying the birria. read more

Wow kind of like a hole in the hole of a wall. Seriously this place has like 3 tables. It is nice to be able to sit but the layout actually interferes with people trying to come in to the place. However that didn't stop any of us very determined folks from ordering and getting our food. Menu board is fairly simple but I couldn't help but think I bet they do it all very well. I got carnitas with a side of Guacamole. You don't get a lot of guacamole. I kind of thought when I saw it, is that all for $2.50?? However it is so very tasty. It is like a mix of pico and guacamole or something but I loved the flavor combinations. My carnitas were really good, though the outside of some of the pieces was tough. Gosh the corn tortillas have to be home made, again some of the best I have had. And you get two salsas with the meal to make little pork tacos. Rice and beans were great. I will come back and try other stuff. The place doesn't jump out at you so you probably should put it in directions if you want to find it. It is next to a gas station and parking is also a bit tight. read more

Carnitas Carmelita - The place is tiny. Normally means it is really good. - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Oh goodness. I'm sure I'll get some flack about this, but I though it was just ok. I got a couple of tacos and a burrito. The flavor of the carne asada was good. No issue with that. The al pastor tasted nothing like al pastor. No chunks of pineapple, none of that great flavor and seasoning. Plus on my tacos I said I wanted everything on them, cilantro, onions, etc. If there was any of that on my tacos, I didn't see it. The limes they gave me were dry as a bone. Not even a drip of any juice. The burrito was good. Again, nothing really stood out as amazing to me. Maybe I caught them on an off day. I was so excited to finally get to go there after reading all of the great reviews and seeing pics, but it seems to me like I was at a different place as mine was just 'eh'. read more

I'm not a California native, but have been enough times to know when I see authentic Mexican street food. Let me tell you: this is the best authentic Mexican food in Chattanooga for the price. Taco Roc is also good, but they raised their prices when they started getting more popular around Hamilton place (thumbs down). I have been going here for years now, and every time is consistently good. The tacos are definitely the go-to item here, with your choice of meat. I would HIGHLY recommend "al pastor", but if you are feeling more adventurous try the lengua, it's great here :) Bottom line: inexpensive, high quality Mexican street food. Note: try the new "imitation pork rinds" with some hot sauce read more

Pleeeeese come here on the weekend, weekdays are sometimes crowded and I'm here two to three times a week. Nobody around Chattanooga makes carne asada the way I like it and Carmelita's is no exception but everything else is excellent. Top recommendations are anything with carnitas, tamales are great and the fish tacos perhaps the best I've ever had. It's TINY, if there's three cars parked there plan on getting it to go. You pay after you eat or when your to go order is ready. read more

This place is as authentic as one can possibly get for Mexican food. The food was pretty similar to what I had when I visited Mexico. As the culture dictates, it is not vegetarian friendly although the rice and beans were delicious. My friend had the carnitas and carne asada tacos. Just like a true taco should be. Corn tortillas, meat, onions and carnitas. None of that Taco Bell inspired nonsense. It most certainly is a shack. A must visit shack for anybody that wants authentic tacos or delicious beans and rice. Oh. And the prices were ridiculously cheap. I am not sure how much they charged before but they are still pretty darn cheap. read more

Great hole in the wall restaurant. Several meat options to choose from. The salsa they provide is tasty but not to spicy. read more

Carnitas Carmelita - a menu for a mexican restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Please for your own tastebud's sake don't pass this little gem without grabbing at least a few authentic street tacos. It's not fancy, but it's clean, the food is FANTASTIC as it's cooked to order and the mom and pop that run this are so nice. Their menu is small and simple but FULL OF FLAVOR. They have tortas, tacos, and quesadillas mainly but with about 9 protein (meat) options. Steak, shrimp, tongue (lingue), chicken, carnitas, Barbacoa, chorizo and a few others. The sauce they give is home made and great and will set your taste buds on fire (if you're not used to spicy stuff). They have a green verde salsa and red. Both have heat. I placed my order, waited maybe 5 minutes (at lunch) and then was given my order. This is not amigos or el meson, this is an authentic Mexican street taco stand and I will most definitely be returning many times in the future. The do accept debit and credit as well as denero (cash) and have a nice variety of Mexican and American sodas and drinks. For the price and quality and friendliness I have to give this little shack a 5 star review. Try them, you won't be sorry. (Oh the portions are generous). read more

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For those of you that know what true Mexican food taste like, this is the place for you. As a child I lived in LA and often my family went to Little Tijuana. The food there taste exactly like Carnitas Carmelita. I've read several of the reviews and all I can say is go to Taco Bell if you don't like true Mexican food. read more

We mad a trip through Chattanooga SPECIFICALLY to eat here. The last time we were in the area we were sad bc it closed so early. So we were very excited that yelp said they were open until 8:00. But it was closed again!! Even though we were there at 5:30! The sign on the side said open and the sign on the door said they were open until 6:00. Someone needs to get the times set right! Very disappointed. read more

fantastic food in an easy to miss location, dont sleep on this place! fantastic tacos, tortas, and burritos!

Yes, 5. Hole in the wall, check! Great food, check! I love these sleeper dining establishments. As everyone has said, it's really good. I had several types of tacos (Tongue, Chicken, and beef) and the SO had the Torta. It was quick, super tasty, in my budget and the staff very friendly. I'll be baaaaccckkkk! read more

This place is fantastic authentic Mexican food. If you have never had a Torta this is the place to get it. Our favorite is the pork hence the name however chicken is equally tasty. We have had pretty much everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. It's appearance is deceiving since it's a small building in the parking lot of a gas station but seriously they are so nice and the food is great. If you've ever been out west some of the best Mexican food you can get is a small hole in the wall place you might not stop at ever but you would be missing out as locals would tell you and this is a perfect example. read more

Had the Tamal and the good old beans and rice. Wow. Good food, no argument. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about. read more

I stoped by to get a quick bite with some friends, I know authentic Mexican food from one that isn't. To begin with the tortillas were not authentic nor handmade. They were packaged and they were the smelly ones too. I also order a torta and it was a bit dry and kinda stale. I had to eat it bc I was hungry but wouldn't return there on my own will. I hope they improve they do have potential. read more

Round two, had the carnitas and the shrimp taco and of course my favorite carne asada. Carnitas was good, shrimp was great! At least 7 shrimp in the taco, for a mere $2.50. Every time I'm in town I stop here, the folks are lovely and the food is damn good. read more

Best tacos I've had in my life. Lengua, carnitas, tripa, and buche are all a must. Can't go wrong and the price is great too! read more

Carnitas Carmelita - Tacos de lengua, carnitas, y tripa (left to right), didn't get a picture of the buche. - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Love their tacos. Cheap and tasty; very fast service at lunch.

I was optimistic when I walked in but didn't stay long enough to try the chicken torta I ordered. After putting in my order the waitress took money from another patron and then proceeded to slice the bread for my sanwhich without washing her hands. Another patron walked in to make an oder, the waitress put the bread down, wiped her hands on her pants, and then picked up her pad and pen to take their order. Once done she walks back to the bread and begins making my Torta again.....without washing her hands!!! I didn't expect anything fancy but I do expect some level of sanitation. It was a glass wall so you know I can clearly see you. I left. read more

This is authentic Mexican food based on my bf who lived in Mexico for 3 months. This is not an elegant sit down place but it is a down to earth eatery for takeout. I would definitely come back when I am in town and recommend this. Place: small pink shack Food recommend: beef burrito and tacos Price: inexpensive This place is great. I did not give 5/5 because the tamal was doughy and lacked the flavor that I am used to in Cali. I used to buy my tamales from a Mexican woman who sold her food out of a grocery cart in front of a Hispanic grocery store. read more

Good little taco place, not many of you know this but you can get 1lbs of pork for 5 dollars if you ask

We stopped by on the way home for some dinner. I'm so sad that we don't live closer to Chattanooga. Service is sweet, the tiny place is spotless, and the food is amazing! I got a beef tongue burrito. I need that beef tongue in all of my food. Husband got a beef tongue taco and a fish taco, both of which were fresh and tasty, and chicken tamale. We don't get REALLY good tamales very often in Alabama, so this was probably the best part of the meal for me. Pillowy masa filled with shredded chicken and tomatillo sauce. I could've had two of them and called it a day. Hopefully this place will still exist when I go back through Chattanooga 5 years from now. read more

Thanks Yelp, excellent suggestion! Would have never stopped there on my own. Tacos were great and so was the servic

First off I think it is funny that someone thinks that going to California would let them know what authentic Mexican street food is like "I'm not a California native, but have been enough times to know when I see authentic Mexican street food." The carnita meat itself is pretty authentic. They actually cook the pork in lard in a large copper kettle which is the authentic way to do it. It still does not have the same flavor as in Mexico, but it is really good. They tortillas are below average just like all the other tortillas in chattanooga. If they would take the time to do home made tortillas it would make a huge difference. It is definitely one of the best Mexican places in Chattanooga, but thats not saying much. I think it is very good, but if you have had real Mexican food it will not live up to your expectations. If you go I would definitely get the carnita meat. Most Mexican food in the U.S. is terrible and nothing like the real thing. This place is good and they are on their way to doing it right, but they still need to change some things. The bottom line is that it is very good for Mexican food in the U.S., but not authentic. read more

Totally surprised! I went to eat here entirely based on the ratings. The building is not much to look at and I almost passed it up just based on the outside appearance. Glad I stuck it out and went inside. Very small dining room, three tables and less than a dozen chairs. Was clean inside for such an old building. Ordered a pollo burrito. They brought grilled jalapeños, sliced limes, and two bottles of salsa, one red one green. Food was delivered to table very promptly. An overstuffed burrito filled with chicken, beans, rice, cheese, cilantro, tomatoes. It tasted very good. Very fresh tasting. I will be back without a doubt. Don't let the location or the outside appearance keep you away. read more