After passing by this place a few times, wifey and I finally tried this place for dinner this past week. I'll cut to the chase and say that our visit was probably the worst service we've ever received anywhere! It took 15 minutes to get our drinks, and I even had to go to the bar to get a water for my wife since the chips and salsa kinda made her choke up... I ordered a torta and it was actually okay... my wife ordered a taco and enchilada combo. The taco shell was rock hard and her rice had some hard rice chunks that were just bad. It was nice that you could get more salsa at their bar, but I guess they expect you to because the guy never refilled our salsa when he brought us a second basket of chips. Some parts were okay, but this is definitely not a place that I would recommend for Mexican food. Try Alberto's, El Torito, or Rodrigo's instead. read more

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Nice place went in for Tacos and was helped by Nessa..great service family friendly environment

Food is not great at all and the service was horrible. Took 15 minutes to get drinks 20 min to get chips and 45 minutes more to get our order taken after being sat down. I had to ask the hostess about who our server was supposed to be. Then our server forgot to put the order in and we didn't get our food for another 50 minutes later. read more

In Murrieta our family's go to for great mexican. Good service and even better drinks especially if you go with their house margarita or their Cadillac marg. Also can't go wrong with their taco salad. Always leave here satisfied. read more

Ordered a breakfast burrito to go about a year ago and it was delicious. About a month after that we decided to dine in. My breakfast burrito was once again delicious but the service was terrible. We've never gone back until tonight. It was 117 in our little town today, so we wanted to eat at a nice cool place. We walked in and the ac was cranking and it felt great in there. It wasn't busy and we were seated right away. It then took 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order. The waitress was nice but she lacked in the service department. She gave the very least amount of service required. The beans and chicken in my chimichanga were so dry that it was almost not edible. I used 2 bowls of salsa on half a burrito just to try to moisten it. I don't think we'll be back. read more

We love this place for taco Tuesday. Maria makes the best skinny margaritas wait staff is amazing always.

Went there on Saturday with my family Mary was our server she was really nice our food was really good my family and I enjoyed it we got the fajitas which are my favorite and the mango margarita was the best especially with this heat read more

10/10 was delicious service was up to par decided to even order food to go definitely will see again

I gave this Restaurant a solid 3 stars. The margaritas, chips and salsa were good. The food was ok at best. It could have been better if it was warm. Service was slow and understaffed. The ambiance is good with nice covered patio seating only to be ruined by wild kids baseball team running and yelling all through patio and parking lot. I didn't rate this place a 3 star solely on this event but on a combination of things, cold food, too long for food to arrive from time of order to table, taste of the food in general and management having a blind eye to disorder and mayhem and not taking control of the situation. read more

Very good and satisfying food. They offer a huge menu with a big range of choices. There are 3 of these carnita restaurants I believe. But, a big f.y.i. these restaurants and the Brandon's Diner restaurants are pretty much the same. Same owner. there's a lot of similarities. I felt like I was at Brandon's Diner but with a nicer decor all around. The restroom alone was very nice looking. The waitress was very polite. It was four of us and we all ate and had a great time and meal. The salsa and chips if delicious and can be a tad spicy. Me and my family always go over board on the chips and salsa before are food comes out. I don't know what to say, it's addictive and hard to stop. Lol. They also have a walk up salsa bar with containers and lids. And the bar looks very nice to sit and have a drink. read more

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Brought my mom here for lunch after previously eating at their other Murrieta location. This location is way nicer, furniture is newer and updated and the restrooms are cleaner. Food is the same at both locations, they also have a salsa bar here. I tried their crunchy shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada combo. The food is pretty good and a reasonable price. They also offer a children's menu with Mexican/American options. Haven't been dissatisfied at either location yet! My family and I will definitely be back here. read more

The crispy chicken tacos are super good! If you're with a big party and not everyone can agree they have a large variety of food to pick from on the menu!! read more

The Salsa and the chip's were so good! Not spicy at all, but full of flavor. Definitely coming back

If I could give 0 stars I would. This place sucks. We came in here to eat and they were only serving street tacos? Wtf? It seems like they're only wanting to stay open to serve drinks. I'm sorry but people should only be here to EAT during covid. read more

Rarely do I follow up with a business' poor service but I'm at the point where I feel "enough is enough". I usually just figure its a "bad day" and let it go. However... last Tuesday (May 9th), I called for a quote for a la carte tacos "to go" expressly for Mother's Day. After a brief hold, I was given their "Taco Tuesday" price of $1.99 each. I re-iterated that I needed the regular price as I would be placing an order for Mother's Day and would be picking up the order. The updated price was $2.50 each. I had just called a competitor and was quoted the same price. We are regular customers of Carnitas Express so I placed our order with them on Thursday the 11th. The total was quite a bit higher than I had anticipated so I questioned the gal working at the counter. She said the price per taco was $3.45 each. I told her I had been initially quoted $1.99 but then $2.50 and now it was $3.45? All she could say is that prices "went up" and shrugged her shoulders. Honestly, I had an inclination to cancel but let it go because I was already there and we are frequent patrons. However, my irritation set in and I called Friday evening about 9 pm and explained why I was upset. Just prior to making the call I had looked on their website and noticed a fourth price of $2.95 for a la carte tacos. She said they were now closed (btw, the website says they are open until 10 pm) and that there was nothing she could do and that the price is $3.45 per taco. I asked to speak to the manager or owner - someone else to discuss this with. After a brief hold the shift manager came on. She also said there was "nothing she could do". I asked who else I could talk to even if it was the next day - perhaps another manager? Owner? Or? I was told the owner would not be in the entire weekend but that another shift leader would be in the next morning about 8:30 - followed by "they wouldn't be able to help either". See where this was going??? I did not go in on Saturday as it would have been a waste of my time. Now fast forward to Sunday. Our pick-up time was 2:00. My husband and son in law arrived at the restaurant about 2:00 plus or minus 5 minutes. Personnel could not even find our order much less it not being ready!!! My husband said they eventually found "our order" on their computer but it was actually a completely different order for a completely different party. So, he told her what the order was supposed to be. Luckily, I had given my husband the paid receipt. Magically they "found it" and said it would be prepared immediately and be ready in about 10 minutes. 45 minutes later it is FINALLY ready!! In the mean time I have hungry adults and grandchildren waiting at home. This was not a huge order - 20 tacos and salsa - that's it! Keep in mind there was never any apology. No offer for a price adjustment, no anything. My husband said the restaurant was somewhat busy. However, there were empty tables and only 2 parties waiting in the lobby area. Its not like the restaurant was slammed. We have been patronizing this restaurant since it opened - quite a while. Sometimes we go once a week. The food is good and the service is at least decent even when it is busy. I am not happy at all. I need to cool off before I even think about returning and for sure will not be ordering for a large party. We felt like we were a "nuisance" both on the phone and in person when attempting to pick up the order. That is in addition to the price discrepancy and getting 3 different prices for tacos (actually 4 if I count the website)! I realize we are just one couple, but still. No one could help? No one was even willing to talk about a price adjustment? 45-minute wait for a lost order? No apology whatsoever? Poor service all around. Very irritating and very unfortunate. read more

Great food and super friendly staff! One of my favorite places to go eat and their margaritas are great too!!

My husbands meal (chili verde plate) was nice and hot and he said delicious...Mine...not hot except for the beans. I have definitely had better. read more

Very reasonable prices great food and great service. I would definitely come back here anyday. read more

Carnitas Express - Mexican Near Me - Murrieta, California

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This place is kind of like if IHOP and El Toritos had a baby. The menu is very broad and kid friendly, so if you've got anyone in your party who isn't especially up on Mexican food, there is a fair selection of burgers, breakfast items and other fare you might expect from places like the above mentioned IHOP and Denny's. I'm especially fond of their mozzarella sticks. Portions are very generous, and prices are very decent for the amount of food you get. It's rare that I leave here without a box. Their wet, pork tamales are also dang-diddle-um-delicious. Making myself hungry thinking about it. In the past, service has always been good, with only occasional moments where you feel you've been forgotten. The longest waits I've had for drink refills or chips/salsa refresh have been when they were exceptionally busy, which seems often enough that the place kind of recommends itself. Takeout is a breeze if you're ordering through Yelp!, but if you're particular about prep, I'd recommend going in. The Madison Ave location is very spacious, with a dim, cellar like atmosphere. In all, a pretty nice sit down place that isn't hyper expensive. read more

Let me start by saying whoever the owner of this place is, you need to step it up and help out. It is evident the owner does not care about the workers here. I suggest you work along side the people working tirelessly day in and day out and make sure they are supported AND valued. I would love to give this location of Carnitas Express a 5 star rating primarily because of Sunshine and the other two young ladies who were working their butts off when we came in today (around 6:15 on 7/3/22) but this establishment's owner deserves 0 stars. It was busy, their facial expressions showed dread with each group of people that came in and I don't blame them because they were having a hard time keeping up. But these three ladies did their best and it's so disappointing that they are clearly worked like this often and it shouldn't be like that. It is the owners fault for having such little staff members present expecting these three to do it all. Sunshine in particular was holding down the bar, serving 8 + tables, trying to take phone orders, trying to serve more people as they came in. Working in the food service industry is hard, it's even harder when you are expected to do it all with little to no support. I sure hope Sunshine and the other two ladies who were working so hard today get paid well and I sure hope the owner steps it up to support these people. It's not easy to find good employees like Sunshine. I will be back to support Sunshine and the rest of the employees here even though I do not want to support this owner. Now on to the food because after all that's why we came here in the first place. It's been a bit since we have come to this location as we usually go to the Menifee location. But I like this location much better as far as atmosphere goes. The food is decent. I love that they serve breakfast all day as my daughter loves having breakfast for dinner. My father who frequents the Menifee location loves this about Carnitas as well. The combination plates are usually my go to and my husband is all about the fajitas. Even though the food isn't 5 star worthy, it's still good. I will say the fajitas are amazing and something I need to get more often here. read more

I love this little gem in Murettea! We usually meet here with our friends. The atmosphere is great for that. Noise level: good Service: always friendly Food: always arrives fast & hot. What I like here: chili verde is really good! You can't go wrong with their ground beef tacos or there enchiladas. They also have a self serve salsa bar. read more

I was reading the reviews and all of the bad ones are about the service! I thought it was just me and wasn't going to post the last two horrible experiences that I had here, but..... . I love the food and had always gone to the one in Hancock, but was wanting more of a restaurant experience. Anyway, no one was there to seat us both times and the service was awful. The worst time, the waitress was absolutely horrible! Just to highlight, she never brought us chips and salsa until we asked 15 minutes later, then didn't bring us the drinks we ordered. Took another 20 minutes to come back to take the order and after 20 more minutes it came out.....wrong! Never checked on us and talked with another customer (she obviously new her) the whole time. Well just like another review, I tipped $1.00 so she would realize the bad service. Management is just as much at fault for not doing anything about this read more

Don't waste your time or money. The only Mexican thing about the place is it's first name and some of the wait staff. Not a good option for breakfast. Their coffee is straight up bad. Orange juice frozen ad dated. Won't risk trying their lunches or dinners. Try Taco bell it's better. read more

This is definitely my go to a Mexican place. I love their food. Their margaritas are awesome. Their prices are outstanding. And the service is spot on. Their patio is very large, and shady. It is the perfect place to eat read more

Went for late lunch to eat on patio. Sat ourselves and waited. We sat for 15 minutes. There was only one family and waitress helped them 3 times. Never once did she engage with us. Watched two other groups walk in and waitress already took order for Margaritas for them. 20 minutes of being invisible . Sad treatment since we are local and been patrons for years. New ownership? Whatever, service stunk. We got up and left. I guess we were still invisible since no one one noticed us leaving read more

Today 24 of September around 11 am I received a horrible service after 45 min there, only coffee was served. Horrible service!! Don't recommend this place to anyone that's non white. read more

First to arrive and last to be served. Actually, if I had not stopped a waitress and asked for a manager I would not have been waited on. The waitress that was assigned to my area seem to want to talk to other people rather than wait on customers. This is curious since a majority of her wages are based on her tips. Word to the wise - don't let a vacant waitress ruin your meal. Get someone who is willing and interested in doing their job. About the food. It is always good and the manager waited on me. read more

Service at the Murrieta Madison ave. Carnitas is terrible! Keep trying hoping the servers change because the food is good.

Sad rude service, food was terrible, never going back! Don't waste your time or money! Trying to support local businesses but apparently this place doesn't need any help. read more

Just waited at the front for about 15 minutes. There was no one else in front of us. About five staff members walked by us and no one greeted us. I had to ask a male if someone could help us. He said yeah, and then just walked away. Dirty tables everywhere. The place had about five tables rated in total. Just pure laziness by the staff. We definitely left and will not be returning. read more

Worst customer service experience I have ever had! 1)seated before three others and still got chips and salsa last only because I had to ask for it. 2)never got water after i asked. 3) never got my tortillas with my meal, waitress said she will be right back and with more chips(neither happened). Had to ask another waitress for my tortillas. 4) still never got those chips nor any water. You're lucky I was nice enough to give you a $2.00 tip. You deserved ZERO........I actually tip very well for good service....Tips are earned...... read more

This place was very good the environment was nice in the salsa bar was awesome. The food was also very good I really loved the salsa! Their outdoor patio is awesome I will totally be going back soon! I got to say though that the restaurant name is deceiving and makes it sound like it's a fast food restaurant not a nice sitdown restaurant. read more

I had breakfast at this place about a year ago, & it was just so-so. So when a friend wanted to have lunch there last week I was hesitant but hoped for a better experience. The pork burrito I ordered was flavorless & so dry that I was unable to eat more than a few bites of it. I brought it home, considered what to do with it, but ended up throwing it away. There are much better Mexican restaurant choices around town, so there's no way I'll be going back. read more

First time at the is restaurant. Didn't mind waiting and understood they were busy. Service was horrible. Took way to long to order, to get food and the waitress acted as though she was bothered. Definitely a smile would break her face. I asked for breakfast burrito with light potato's. Let's just say I was lucky there was an egg in it. I still tipped 20% which I believe is right. Being a waitress it is code for me but is as if she was related or been there to long. Slow on top of it. Will not be going back to this location for sure. read more

Food is bland , wait time is also pretty long . Wouldn't recommend . Price is also High. Place looks good though . read more

Yummy, good, fast, friendly service. Great menu variety, BOMB TACO TUESDAYS!! really awesome burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, and variety of sorts. Have yet to taste something I don't like, only 1 item was bland the shrimp burrito- house salsa is DELISH and the chips are crispy and awesome! read more

Great food! The carnitas are in my experience are hands down the best! Flavorful and generous serving. One can never go wrong here, the service is great too! read more

The chips and salsa are so good! The staff are really nice but sometimes they do take a long time to check back in. Taco Tuesday is a hit with my coworkers. The margaritas are great too. read more

Terrible experience. They were not that busy but they put us in the back and forgot about us. I had to get up and ask for straws and more salsa and more water. We ordered a simple avocado salad and the breakfast special bacon & 2 eggs . Nothing difficult. Took over 45 mins. Then when she delivered the food she apologized and said we would get 20% off our check. We waited and waited for the check. Finally just got up and tried to pay At the counter. No 20% off. Just totally disorganized and very poor service. Food is blah. I would never go back and waste my time. read more

Today some coworkers an i decided on carnitas express for our lunch. We have an early lunch its more like breakfast for most well anyways we were seated an drinks were placed right away. After we got our drinks we hardly seen our waitresss except from across the place in passing. When she dropped off our drinks an placed our order she was off again and had to wait some time before we could get her over. We had to ask for straws and chips and salsa and when we did she was like o you want chips and salsa! Um yeah what males you think we didnt. She was very unfriendly an acted as if we were a bother for her to serve us. The food was actually pretty good. But the service not so much. So the 3 stars are for the food an i would give the service a 1 star read more

Carnitas Express - Mexican Near Me - Murrieta, California