Dos Carlitos

70

483

1856

6 months ago

Stopped at Don Carlitos for lunch while visiting in the area. We had the chicken tacos and the guacamole. The tacos had flavorless, unseasoned chicken chunks, and the guacamole also didn't have much flavor. We left unsatisfied and hungry. The place was mostly empty when we were there, and our server was hard to track down. This is not a place I would return to given the other options in the area. read more

Dos Carlitos - Guac and chips - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Chicken tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Alexis N.

101

267

518

1 month ago

Dos Carlitos brings fresh Mexican food to Los Olivos. I enjoy going and sitting outside on their patio.my favorite item on the menu is the steak tostada. It's fantastic! read more

Dos Carlitos - Steak tostada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Troy W.

84

205

635

2 months ago

Figured we would stop in and try this place. Very happy we did. The people are very nice and the food was fresh and excellent. read more

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Alex K.

492

1746

39040

7 months ago

It's been years since I was last here. This visit, some friends were craving Mexican and I remembered coming here a few times. Like prior reviews, it's more Tex Mex for me. But food is still good. It's a nice little restaurant right in the heart of Santa Ynez. A cute little town with restaurant and some shops. Theres plenty of parking along the street as well as a small lot behind and to the side. You'll find parking somewhere. There's both inside and outside seating. I personally prefer outdoor as it can get stuffy inside. It's not that big inside and the seating area are over sizes chairs so it can feel stuffy. Just my opinion. Regardless, the menu does offer pretty much loads of dishes. The salsa and bean salad that's brought out with chips is always good. Don't fill up on it though. Drink wise, it's was quite strong this visit so worth the money. Also, the guacamole was good. Decent amount for sharing. A few dishes were had. The grilled chicken salad which was quite nice with the dressing. Then there was the shrimp tacos. The shrimps were pretty big which was nice. Two tacos with a small sides of beans, guacamole and salsa. Also the chicken enchiladas with both rice and beans. And the carnitas meal with rice and beans. Food is good and flavorful. It's alway busy so they're doing well. Each visit, it feels like it's more of the locals that visit versus tourists. Overall, the visit was nice. Chips with the salsa and bean salsa were good. The meal was enjoyed as well as the margaritas. A little pricey for Mexican food but with location, it works. More Tex Mex in my opinion but much appreciated and enjoyed. Friendly staff and good service. read more

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Karen L.

0

31

0

11 days ago

Finally a Mexican restaurant will delicious food! The enchiladas mariscos were wonderful! I wish they had blended margaritas though.

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Ginger H.

0

10

0

20 days ago

The food is delicious, but I wish the enchiladas had more sauce. Excellent guacamole and a nice variety of dishes.

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Julia R.

31

74

303

1 year ago

Dos Carlitos is such a gem in the SYV! I've been coming here for ~8 years and the quality has stayed superb. I actually prefer this location to the SB original Carlitos for a few reasons. The service is always great with friendly staff and accommodating chefs. You start out with the signature salsas and chips, the black bean/corn salsa is one that I have yet to see at other restaurants and I think it adds a really unique touch. I always order the guacamole which is fresh and comes in the traditional molcajete. I love the chicken enchiladas, they have so much flavor and the portion is huge! The best beans and rice I've had locally as well. All of the ingredients are fresh and amazing quality. The steak burrito is another favorite, so juicy and flavorful. I love the interior vibes of this place, it's rustic and classy at the same time. All of the drinks are phenomenal but I always opt for a classic dos carlitos marg. So refreshing! This has been a go to place for celebrations in my life like graduations and birthdays, and I will definitely keep coming back and recommending it to family/friends when they are in town! read more

Dos Carlitos - Chicken enchiladas, steak burrito - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Chicken enchiladas, margarita, black bean and corn salsa - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Mae L.

138

133

397

11 months ago

Service was great Cameron was a blast! He was very personable and attentive. Shrimp empanadas were delicious and they did not skimp of the shrimp! It came with chopped papayas and some green leaf lettuce and together the bite with some spicy salsa *chef's kiss* perfect bite of sweet gooey, savory and spicy (this is coming from someone who does not like papaya). Margaritas packed a punch and were nice and citrusy! Rice was very flavorful and the taco was nice and crunchy and the beef nice and tender. The relleno was - mehhh, pretty bland, but the rest of the meal made up for it. read more

Dos Carlitos - Patio seating on a warm day! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Shrimp empanada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Shrimp empanadas - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Combo - relleno and crunchy beef taco - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Shrimp empanada split open - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Chips and salas - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Susan W.

0

3

18

2 months ago

Nice place good food and service. Here at lunch. Portions are large. They give two salsas either chips. Nice atmosphere typical of the region with of horse pictures read more

Dos Carlitos - Chicken verde enchiladas plate - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Robbin M.

179

1040

2787

11 months ago

The food was by far some of the best Mexican I've had. Extremely healthy servings and the service absolutely fabulous. In door or out door the atmosphere is adorable. My only complaint is the price points. Extremely overpriced for Mexican food. Nothing reasonably priced. read more

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Joe K.

0

34

2

3 months ago

My new favorite Mexican restaurant. Over 2 visits with friends, we have tried the fish ceviche (fresh and tasty), chicken quesadillas tasty and large) and plain no salt margarita on rocks (great). Today, we went again and we split a 2 soft taco combo plate. Carne Asada taco was perfectly grilled medium and large portion meat with perfect toppings. Greens avocado salsa on the side added great flavor. The rice was special and I loved it. The black bean were creamed with cheese. Also excellent. The other taco was a beef Al pastor style and my wife loved the pineapple pieces and flavor. I too thought it was great. Lastly, 3 type of salsa with the chips. All excellent and unique as one was tomato based medium heat, then a nice spicy dark salsa, and 3rd was a corn and Black Bean mixture which we devoured. read more

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Ava S.

0

22

0

26 days ago

This place is pretty dirty if you really look the ACs have inches of dust on top of the ductwork. Unfortunately my chicken smells like dog food and it's not even shredded chicken pretty gross. Places overpriced. The seats inside are pretty dirty and sticky I bet they never get a wipe down they're pretty worn out with all the money they charge for meals they should invest in some really nice seating. And on top of that there's server was rude ! read more

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Amy R.

64

206

724

7 months ago

Fantastic Mexican food right in wine country. It was recommended to us by a local winery employee, who raved about the Quesadillas. We had a great table outside and honestly the food was wonderful. Really big portions and we should have shared ! The guacamole is served in a molcahete and is great for sharing. Also for appetizers we had the empanadas which are HUGE and packed with the filling you choose, easily a meal. Our 5 party members had Posole (red/pork) BIG bowl! Shrimp, Caesar salad with Salmon for protien choice, combo plate and the chicken quesadilla.. they also serve a mango iced tea that is refreshing. We left with to go boxes and full bellies! Service was timely and refills for tea, water came without having to ask. The food was not overly spicy for our friends who are spice adverse. The shrimp were large and plump and did have a lil kick to them but she said they were so delicious she pushed through and kept eating. See pics to appreciate the size of plates you will get! As we got our food those pesky meat hornets began to show up and that is a draw back when dining outside in warmer climates. Those pests aside Dos Carlitos does it right and you should definitely drop by , try the quesadilla!! read more

Dos Carlitos - Shrimp , giant spicy and delicious - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - That famous quesadilla!! We got chicken and they packed it FULL.. shareable ! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Posole with hearty chunks of pork - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Caesar salad with fresh dressing and salmon this was a giant salmon slab! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Combo plate taco, enchilada and she opted for salad over rice and beans option. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Melissa L.

98

182

661

1 year ago

The food was superb, we brought my daughter to dinner for her bday. This was her 1st time here. She was impressed with the restaurant. The service was fantastic, our waiter kept checking on us making sure our glasses were filled, and our experience was going good. He recommended the margaritas . He was spit on with the flavors he suggested for us. The ambiance in the restaurant was so inviting and gave the vibe of Mexican dining on the Patio while eating inside, while it was raining outside. We enjoyed our bday celebration, and recommended if your in the area, enjoy yourself at this great restaurant and the food and margaritas as well. You won't be disappointed. read more

Dos Carlitos - Enjoying some time at dinner with family - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Janell R.

0

7

14

4 months ago

Cute establishment, ambiance is lively. Servers were super nice and attentive. The food was good, and presented well. I liked that they had the option for black or brown beans, you don't see that often. Overall would recommend to check it out. read more

Dos Carlitos - steak torta - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - pomegranate cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Kapualani B.

40

126

62

1 year ago

We stopped here on a recent vacation. The location and patio are very nice. The prices are a bit high $26 for a combo plate but I think it's worth it given the atmosphere and there are not many other choices for Mexican in the area. I had the combo plate with chicken enchilada and chicken taco. Both were good, the taco had a nice crispy shell without being oily. My wife got the beef tostada which was a fail. I think of a tostado as a crisp tortilla with a pile of shredded lettuce. This came in one of those tortilla bowls. There was large amount of big chucks of meat that was somewhat tough, a good amount of guacamole. There was not much lettuce and it was cut in large chucks and overwhelmed by the meat and guacamole. Would not order this again. read more

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Lori A.

26

41

6

10 months ago

Highly recommend this fine establishment! One of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara county. Not only is the food outstanding but it's consistently great! As well as the service being top notch. Saturday we stopped in family of 6 adults and 2 kids and as is customary for a group that size they added in the tip, what is not customary or have never seen before is they wrote on the tip line that it was already added in! Class Act for sure other restaurants can learn from this. We have double tipped before as we didn't notice a restaurant added it in. This is just another reason amongst many that you should eat here! read more

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Karl S.

136

813

2138

2 years ago

Visiting Solvang and asked our hotel front desk for a Mexican food recommendation. Try Dos Carlitos about 3 miles up the road in Santa Ynez. We're glad we did. Great Mexican food. Awesome Margaritas. I got the Al pastor street tacos. My dining partner got the combo plate and chose an enchilada and chili releno. My dining partner grades Mexican places on their chili relenos, this one was definitely top 3. The restaurant evokes a late 1800's California ranch house. Very pleasant. Some very good Mexican here. Try it, you'll like it. read more

Dos Carlitos - Combo plate. Enchilada and chili releno in there - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Cadillac Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Al pastor tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Jasmine R.

0

4

2

10 months ago

I was here at Dos Carlitos over the weekend coming from Los Angeles for a family trip and we decided to stop here we ordered chicken nachos and found a bug in our nachos!!! The workers at the restaurant said it is shredded beef but it looks like a whole animal!!! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE SO F DISGUSTING!! Does this look like shredded beef to you guys?? read more

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Liza H.

11

68

69

2 years ago

I've been to Dos Carlitos twice now -- once in 2021 with restricted dining during COVID-19 restrictions so we got take out, and then again this week. My husband and I dined in the evening and sat outside on the patio facing the street. It was a quiet evening, with nice air temp and it was a lovely experience. Both times, the food was excellent. I recall having ordered the Pasilla Chile Relleno last time and then yesterday I ordered the Pozole. Both were excellent! The Pozole was such a large serving that I took half home for lunch the next day. The broth was flavorful and rich and the side platter with all the ad-ins was perfect. My husband ordered the Huarache with Grilled Steak and enjoyed his meal immediately. We don't get drinks, so just had glasses of water with our meal. The waitress provided friendly, consistent service, checking in with us numerous times to make sure all was well. I would dine here again on future visits to the Solvang area if I were wanting Mexican food. read more

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Darrell K.

0

23

1

1 year ago

We really had a great lunch today at Dos Carlitos! The chips and salsa were great and we loved the black bean and corn salsa! We had the chili verde and taquitos- both were delicious, and I have to say that the chili verde is one of the best in So.Cal! We always stop by this restaurant when we are in the SYV, and this visit was amazing! Thank you! read more

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Jim W.

0

37

4

6 months ago

Great handmade tortillas. Had the Al carbon shrimp tacos and they were large shrimp and deveined. Good tasting guac. Good table salsa and great service. read more

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Tom W.

0

35

9

1 year ago

We've been coming here for about five years now, haven't had a bad meal. We enjoy sitting out on the patio and taking in the great small town atmosphere. Today's lunch included carnitas tacos for my wife and a combo meal with a chili relleno and a crispy chicken taco for me. The tacos come with homemade tortillas and a healthy portion of the selected filling. They are always delicious and you have to be really hungry to finish both. My combo was possibly the best meal I've ever had at this restaurant. The crispy taco was great and the chili relleno was definitely next level. Absolutely delicious with a little heat from a fantastic sauce. The service is always friendly and attentive. Just a great place for lunch or dinner. read more

Dos Carlitos - Crispy taco and chili relleno - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Carnitas tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Kristy W.

0

2

0

3 months ago

we were visiting from San Francisco and stumbled upon this restaurant. A little pricey but by far the best enchiladas I have ever had in my 58 years, my husband agreed read more

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Liz U.

0

16

1

3 months ago

TRASH!! Nasty food with high prices. The meat is tough and flavorless. The pozole had no flavor and had no meat in it. I will never come back here!!! read more

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Allan G.

56

351

637

2 years ago

My wife and her family are from Mexico so whenever we travel some place, we always like to try Mexican restaurants to see how "authentic" and tasty their food is. On the way back home to San Diego (12/23), my wife happened to come across Dos Carlitos on Yelp and we thought that we would try them out. I am so glad we did! When we walked in, we were told to pick the table and after we did that, they brought out some fresh tortilla chips and salsa that was definitely home made. In fact, the salsa was so good that we ended up purchasing and taking two large cups of it home with us. When we served the salsa on Christmas Eve with my in-laws tamales, everyone loved it! My wife and I loved our lunches and each of us took half of it home with us because it was so much food. You will not leave here hungry! My wife and I are planning a trip to the area next year and will make it a point to stop by for dinner and drinks. Thanks team for a job well done! We look forward to returning. read more

Dos Carlitos - Tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Huaraches! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Vladimir E.

88

79

29

2 years ago

We have been coming down to Solvang and Santa Ynez area for years. About 5 years ago we have discovered Dos Carlitos, and now it has become as much of a food staple for every trip as some of the classic area favorites. The place has great selection of taquilas and if that is your spirit of choice, than you will not be dissappointed with your "spiritual" experience! I would highly reccomend a steak quessadilla as an appetizer, however it is large enough to be a full meal. Generally speaking all portions are enough for two people... and if you are on a diet... for three... Overall it is a great place to refuel yourself after a day of quality drinking in the nearby wineries... read more

Dos Carlitos - Red wine sangria - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Rasta R.

19

34

15

9 months ago

Wow! In point! Steak Burrito amazing!!! Chile relleno with cheese enchilada off the hook! All salsas and guacamole to die for!!! Excellent service... tequilas omg excellent. Please you hot yo check it out read more

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Vanessa S.

0

5

7

8 months ago

One of my favorite restaurants in town!!! Love the service and the food!! My favorite is their Chile Rellanos Or their shrimp taco plate!!!! read more

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ama i.

0

2

0

8 months ago

Could be the worst sit down Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. The food was bland and tasteless and the service was so slow. read more

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Jon G.

Elite 21

40

275

119

1 year ago

Haven't been here for 10 years but had to make it a stop as we loved this place. And guess what the waiter remembered us. This is some of the best Mexican food I have ever had the staff is awesome the food fantastic drinks solid. You really can't not try it. Enjoy and you're welcome!!!! Keep going strong read more

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Ray F.

806

1225

5734

3 years ago

Was in town recently on business and had the chance to grab some lunch out on the patio on a sunny afternoon. I was seated promptly upon entry and my server followed shortly with a menu and some fresh chips, red salsa and a little corn bean salad. After I looked over the menu a minute or two my server returned, I went for the Fajitas Pollo, the fajitas appeared a sizzling skillet with grilled chicken with green peppers, onions and tomato. A combination of beans rice and sour cream on the side plate also came out with my meal. Along with some very nice corn house made tortillas. The fajitas were good, the grilled chicken very flavorful and juicy, the assorted sides worked well enough to get the job done. A nice lunch in a chill spot on the patio on a sunny afternoon, not bad. 4 Stars professional staff, good food and a comfortable environment, worth a visit 00871 read more

Dos Carlitos - current menu - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - offerings - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - salsa, corn bean salad and chips... come out with the menu - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - pov - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Fajitas... Pollo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - sizzlin... - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - Chicken fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Daniel R.

307

24

11

11 months ago

Couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. The wife and I sat outside. Servers were incredibly nice but the star of the show was the food. Had the steak wet burrito and wife had the tacos carbon w/ carnitas. The steak in the burrito, the guac, the rice everything was just absolutely spot on. read more

Dos Carlitos - Steak burrito - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Emily F.

Elite 24

7

88

11

1 year ago

DELICIOUS! Love the no frills ambiance coupled with 10/10 food. Great for kids. Highly recommend the pork pozole.

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Baby J.

Elite 16

12

140

4

1 year ago

The staff is much improved post covid, service is great now, drinks have always been great..... food is consistantly good except the chicken is dry half the time. Still the best spot in town and we keep coming back. read more

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Gohar K.

339

2137

10436

3 years ago

Our first time at Dos Carlitos and won't be the last. We enjoyed our dinner after a fun day of winery hopping. We walked in without reservations and were seated right away. The dinner rush hadn't started yet so we got lucky. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. He made some recommendations for drinks and food. We were very happy and satisfied. Great location Great service Great drinks Great food We will be back again when in the area. read more

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Mark Y.

15

604

575

4 years ago

I visited here on my way to a camping trip on Figueroa Mountain, and it was so good I returned with my fiancée so she could try it too. This is a higher end Mexican place with fancy cloth napkins, so don't expect a dollar menu. Service was excellent on both trips. As soon as you sit down they deliver chips with salsa and a southwest bean dip. The salsa was pretty mild, but they have a spicy version that is just plain awesome with smoky serrano chili. I could eat that on everything. On my first trip I had a steak tostada. There was plenty of tasty steak, and it was topped with grilled green onions. Worth the price. On trip two I tried the mole poblano tacos and they were pretty good. I think I'll stick with their steak options in the future, though. My fiancée had a steak enchilada and loved it. She wasn't as impressed with the chicken taco, though. It was good, just not her favorite. They have an impressive drink menu, and she raved about her blood orange margarita. Alas, I was on the motorcycle and had to skip them all. Next time. read more

Dos Carlitos - Steak enchilada and chicken taco - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

Dos Carlitos - mole poblano tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Ynez, California

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Brien R.

4

13

0

7 months ago

Great location, good drinks. Food's ok, but pricey for what it is. Service is quite spotty - no sense of urgency as staff chat with each other, check their phones and decide when they feel like tending to you. read more

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Rommel r.

0

9

0

1 year ago

Had dinner here with my wife, SIL and MIL. Was not expecting the food to be very good.... Glad it wasn't good- it was amazing! The rice was fluffy, almost had a buttery taste and the pork pozole... wow. The carnitas taco amazing the burrito I had ... everything was delicious. The portions are in line with the prices... definitely would come back again and again and again! read more

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More info about Dos Carlitos

3544 Sagunto St
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Directions
(805) 688-0033
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.doscarlitos.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Dos Carlitos open?

Dos Carlitos opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Dos Carlitos close?

Dos Carlitos closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Dos Carlitos take Bitcoin?

No, Dos Carlitos does not take Bitcoin.

Does Dos Carlitos take credit cards?

Yes, Dos Carlitos takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Dos Carlitos have catering options?

No, Dos Carlitos does not have catering options.

Does Dos Carlitos have a drive thru?

No, Dos Carlitos does not have a drive thru.

Does Dos Carlitos have a happy hour?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has a happy hour.

Does Dos Carlitos serve alcohol?

Yes, Dos Carlitos serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Dos Carlitos allow dogs?

Yes, Dos Carlitos allows dogs.

Does Dos Carlitos have TVs?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Dos Carlitos have bike parking?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has bike parking.

Does Dos Carlitos have outdoor seating?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has outdoor seating options.

Does Dos Carlitos have parking?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Dos Carlitos wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Dos Carlitos is wheelchair accessible.

Does Dos Carlitos allow outdoor smoking?

No, Dos Carlitos does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does Dos Carlitos have free WiFi?

Yes, Dos Carlitos has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Dos Carlitos serves inspired Mexican cuisine with bold flavors in a lively ambiance. Featuring fresh, delicious fare and hand-crafted Margaritas from our cantina. A popular Santa Ynez hang-out for over 15 years!

History

Established in 2009.

Dos Carlitos was conceived from a desire to bring Santa Ynez Valley the eclectic spirit from our family's legendary restaurant, Carlitos Café y Cantina (EST. 1978), in Santa Barbara.

Meet the Business Owner: Carlos L.

Owner, Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Dos Carlitos Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
2 Reviews

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4.4(51 reviews)

0.0 mi

We just kind of stumbled upon Pony Kitchen but what a happy accident, I think this was my favorite…read moremeal of our trip We were seated at a cozy outdoor table and service was personal and attentive. My husband and I both got the three course, prix fixe menu and were very pleased with our decision. The meal started with a hearts of romaine salad that was a perfect medley of tastes and textures and just the right size. Next up was steak frites - the best steak I've had in a long time and the shoestring fries were perfectly cooked and savory delicious. The meal ended with a slice of olive oil cake topped with mascarpone crema and blueberry compote. Outstanding meal from start to finish.

Went with my fiancée for Valentine's Day. We both had the truffle tasting menu. The food was…read morefine, nothing to write home about. But there was one glaring problem. My fiancée ordered her steak well-done. I get it--an unpopular choice. But she doesn't order her steak well-done because she thinks it tastes better; she orders her steak well-done because she's squeamish and the red color freaks her out. When the steaks arrived, they were both medium rare. I called our waitress over and asked if they could cook my fiancée's steak a little more. She was apologetic and took the steak back. A few minutes later, my fiancée's steak returned...still medium rare. The kitchen had not cooked the steak more. My fiancée tried her best to eat it, but it made her feel pretty bad. While she was in the restroom, I asked our waitress what happened. She said she was very sorry, but the kitchen doesn't really "do" well-done steaks. Uh....why not? The thought that the kitchen was unwilling to cook my fiancée's steak more is utterly ludicrous. The restaurant business is a SERVICE industry. The object is making your diners happy, not maintaining your sense of dignity by refusing to cook my fiancée's steak to a temperature she's comfortable with. So, thanks to the kitchen's high-and-mighty attitude, my fiancée went home hungry. Unbelievable.

Inside Pony. Very nice inside space

Dessert!

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Food + Cocktails

Center Bar

4.0(1 review)

0.4 mi

The Center Bar is great for Frozen Drinks. I am a HUGE fan of the Mudslide. It is a blended drink…read morethat is served in a plastic cup. The chocolate sauce is dripped into the cup. Then they add 3 alcohol shots: vodka, Baileys a ??? One time I saw my bartender put Frangelico in it. The 3rd ingredient is normally a coffee liquor. I am not 100% sure that they add Kahlua or it's equivalent. Then they top it off with whipped cream and a cherry. You can take it to your machine, table, room, or pool. It is scrumdidlicious. It costs $8 or $9.00. You can pay with cash, debit, or charge it to your room. When you pay by cash or debit, give them your Players card as well. You will get points. I also love their Pina Colada. It is $8. One time, I asked to add a shot of Kahlua in it. That was another $7 or $8 bucks. Most bartenders do a measured pour. The hours are from Noon to Midnight. They also have a new monthly sign for their specialty drinks. In July 2021, I tried the Orange Creamsicle Drink. It was pretty good.

March 2023 drink list.

Pina Colada $7.00

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June 2022 cocktails

The Victor Restaurant and Bar

Here's a clean version that keeps your voice but tightens it up a bit:…read more We went to The Victor for Sunday brunch in Santa Ynez and it was kind of perfect. We started with Bloody Marys, which were insanely good. They were out of the Verde, but the bartender improvised and made us something even better. It came with what might be the best bacon I've ever had, which is a bold claim but I stand by it. He even came out to check on us and talk through what he was testing. We loved them. We ordered the deviled eggs with trout roe, which were to die for. Highly recommend. Then we split the breakfast sandwich. They divided it in the kitchen and brought it out with two side salads, which is always such a nice touch. Service was incredible, the atmosphere was lovely, and the whole thing felt a little indulgent in the best way. Exactly what you want on a beautiful spring day in Santa Ynez. Would absolutely go back.

I had the most expertly prepared sea bass I've ever had, and I typically order sea bass whenever…read moreit's available on the menu. It's my benchmark for good seafood. The skin was crispy but the meat was tender, and soaked with the broth that's drenched right at your table, the combination was mind-bogglingly good. Service was superb. The waiter even offered my dog a bowl of water. The outdoor patio seating was lovely, especially on a warm December evening in California. Experience an elevated dining nirvana here at Victor.

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Santa Ynez Billiards & Cafe

4.7(138 reviews)

0.1 mi

When you walk in, it's definitely not what you'd expect from a place with "billiards" in the name…read more Yes, there are pool tables--but it feels much more like a cozy lunch spot. There's also a full bar, a beer fridge, and a great patio, so it's really a mix of everything. The owner is super friendly and welcoming. The food is solid, and they've got a great selection of local drinks. Whether you're stopping in for a quick bite, a drink, or a casual game of pool, it's got something for everyone.

This place is just as good as other reviewers claim. It is a mom & pop family style restaurant…read more-bar-billiard hall. Unlike many other billiard halls this place is clean and has a family friendly atmosphere. There are three pool tables in good condition. Little close together, but workable. Used our own cues so don't know the condition of theirs. Only one rack on our visit. Full sized tables not the coin pay smaller kind. Was $10 an hour on our visit which is a good deal in our experience. Played about 1 hr 10-15 min and were only charged for an hour. Didn't good our ID while we played--old school small town trust. The bar has only beer and wine. They have glass door fridges like at a convenience store for soda, other beers not on tap, and some other drinks. Bartender also takes your food order. He was friendly. The food is fast food American and Middle Easter -Mediterranean. We got the chicken shawarma and kebob to go. Like many comparable places, the food quality and taste was very good but the quantity was a little small. If you are very hungry or a big eater, then you will need more than one entree. Prices were reasonable. Parking lot is a little small. Should be some street parking too. Seems like a local hangout in a tourist area. Was slow on a weekday between 2-5 with a lot of young couples stopping by for drinks and take out. Definitely the kind of family style and local place we like to go when on a trip. Highly recommend for a casual hangout on your trip to the area or to play pool. Yelp menu pics for this place were incomplete and too old. The app does not always upload my photos properly, but tried to upload the whole food and liquor menus posted on the walls during our visit.

Beef Shawarma

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Great Beer Selection

The Sports Bar

3.9(48 reviews)

0.3 mi

Everything was really good overall, but our drinks didn't arrive until we were already halfway…read morethrough our meals. The setup is really cool. you walk in and see multiple kitchens cooking different types of food all in one place. We tried a mix of sushi, tacos, stir fry, pho, and wings, and everything hit the spot. There's plenty of seating, and the large TVs throughout make it a great place to watch sports. If you sit at the bar, they even have casino-style machines so you can sip and snack while you play. Service was decent, aside from the delay with the drinks. I understand the bar was busy, but waiting until we were halfway done eating was a bit much.

I ate the shrimp tacos on blue corn tortillas. They were very good! Kitchen staff added the wrong…read moresalsa requested, later corrected. I sat down at the bar and waited for a good duration before being acknowledged with 4 staff at the bar. Shout out to bartender/server Liliana. Thank you. She's the best bartender there. Service with c ! Give her a promotion!

11/26/25 Waiting for pick-up order.

Carnitas: Housemade carnitas housemade pickled jalapeños & carrots, xnipec imes, pico de gallo or choice of salsa

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11/26/25 6 piece Chicken Bites, overdone and v. basic, 2.5/5

Vaquero Bar

3.8(77 reviews)

3.5 mi

The novelty of spinning records wore off fast, and what could've been a cool, defining feature for…read morethe place ended up feeling more like a missed opportunity. Kelly seemed more focused on catering to a small group of guys in cowboy hats than maintaining the vibe that actually makes this spot stand out. Instead of reading the room, she and her May 1st bartender colleague locked into a single stream of country music that clearly wasn't resonating with most of the crowd. That's really the frustrating part, it wasn't just a music choice, it was the complete lack of awareness or willingness to adjust. People weren't being heard, requests were ignored, and the whole "records" concept felt pointless when it was treated so rigidly. If you're going to lean into vinyl as part of the experience, it should feel curated, responsive, and a little bit special, not like someone just putting on their personal playlist and tuning everyone else out. The drinks were genuinely great, which makes the situation even more disappointing. The potential is clearly there, but the execution on the atmosphere just didn't match. If the records are going to stay, they should actually be used to enhance the environment, not limit it. Otherwise, it might be better to ditch the gimmick entirely rather than let it drag down what could be an otherwise standout spot.

I can see why this place is a Michelin star restaurant. It's worth the price but if you want a…read moreslightly cheaper experience then do the brunch. Honestly the steak is a have to and so good! The ambiance makes you want to spend your whole day there. The bar is well stocked and the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. I highly recommend you try if in the area.

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S Y Kitchen

4.4(1.1k reviews)

0.1 mi

•$$$

Perfect spot for a Memorial Day trip. Great energy and amazing food to pair with wine…read more Mushroom Pasta: Mind-blowingly good. A total standout. Prosciutto Platter: The ultimate wine companion. Flawless. Roasted Olives: Surprisingly delicious and a must-order. Pizza: Solid and well above average. A must-visit if you're in Los Olivos. Every single dish hits the spot. 10/10.

I'm laughing because I normally take pictures of my food and I wish I did!…read more Everything was seasoned perfectly, Very tasty! We ordered the Ceasar salad with polenta Croutons, we had the burrata prosciutto board and the mushroom pasta and we sub gluten free pasta. Love that they have gluten free options and a wide selection of options on the menu along with many specials. Can't wait to go back. The service was good The ambiance was nice from the cushions on the bench and concrete table. The olive trees added privacy Highly recommend

Butter squash soup

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One of my favorite Spanish wines

High Roller Tiki Lounge

4.0(300 reviews)

3.5 mi

One thing we quickly noticed in Solvang is that there aren't many places open late, so finding High…read moreRoller Tiki Lounge open until 11 PM was a huge plus! After a delicious dinner nearby, we stopped in for drinks, live music, and a good time and this place delivered. They had a great live band playing fun tunes that really set the atmosphere. The vibe was relaxed, lively, and exactly what we were looking for to end the night. Their drink menu is packed with creative and fun options. I ordered the Mango Michelada, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Our waiter was also fantastic, very attentive, friendly, and kept checking in on us throughout the night. If you're in Solvang and looking for a fun late-night spot with good drinks, music, and great service, High Roller Tiki Lounge is definitely worth stopping

I want to start by saying that I have never in my life experienced such a negative response when…read morewalking into a place. I wanted to love this place because of the aesthetic however, the owner (guy who wears the golf cap) immediately seemed annoyed that my friend and I wanted to grab a drink there. He just handed us the menus without acknowledging us. For reference it was not busy. So we sat down and he did stop by to take our order. There was one couple next to us and WOW! He came and asked them "Where are you guys visiting from?" And that was a whole conversation. He then came back a few minutes later to ask how their drinks were. And my friend and I were not acknowledged one bit and we were sitting right next to them and were the only ones in the room with them so it was very obvious. We did not feel welcome at all. It was such a bad feeling so I will definitely not waste my time or money at this place if I were you.

Booths in Club 433

Seating area

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The Tavern

3.8(334 reviews)

4.3 mi

•$$$

We stayed at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern this past weekend and had dinner at the titular Tavern, an…read moreupscale contemporary restaurant in a reincarnated central California stagecoach stop dating back to 1886. The inn leans into the old west aesthetic, but the tavern is just elegant and attractive, with leather furniture, a high vaulted ceiling, and a lot of windows. It was pleasantly bustling on a Friday night, with what seemed like a mix of hotel guests and other visitors. Los Olivos has a population that hovers around 1,000, so this restaurant, like the stagecoach stop, is there to serve travelers. Accordingly, service was first class. There was a full bar with elaborate cocktails and plenty of wine from the area. We ordered two rounds of cocktails, as we planned to drink wine all weekend, and they were all very good. The Vaquero Campfire was a refreshing mezcal drink with pink peppercorn, honey, and charred grapefruit. The Cigars & Horses was a boozy mix of bourbon, yellow chartreuse, and smoked cinnamon. Los Rancheros Vistadores was a pleasantly bitter tequila cocktail, with reposado, amaro, Aperol, and orange olive oil. And the Pinochle Punch was a smooth blend of milk-clarified rye, cognac, and orange. We ordered wines by the glass to go with our entrees, and these were both lovely, too. The Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine and the Racines Mattei's Cuvée, a Chardonnay that must have some connection to Mattei's Tavern. The food was delicious. We started with a half dozen oysters with mignonette and lemon and Gin's tuna carpaccio, topped with scallion, radish, ginger dressing, and cold-pressed California olive oil. Then we had Mattei's house focaccia, served with cultured butter and herb oil, and the country pâté, with cherry, tarragon, and sourdough. The entrées were both excellent. The Channel Islands rockfish was beautifully cooked, served in a vibrant tomatillo sauce with hoja santa, with sides of roti, grilled avocado, and grilled lime. The Colorado lamb was tender and juicy with a nice spiced crust. It came with couscous, vadouvan, mint yogurt, onion, and dates. For dessert, we shared the affogato: vanilla ice cream, Handlebar espresso. Hard to think of a better way to wind down a big meal. We charged dinner to the room and got $100 through a hotel promotion. This covered some of our drinks. The Tavern is not a cheap restaurant, but it is a great one, well worth checking out on your visit to Los Olivos.

We made a reservation at The Tavern to celebrate our one-year anniversary, so it was disappointing…read moreto arrive and learn that our reservation had somehow been canceled. We had specifically chosen this restaurant because we were traveling with our dog and understood that their outdoor seating area was dog-friendly. We were told that the outdoor patio was closed for a private event. Since we had made our reservation more than a week in advance, it would have been helpful if the restaurant had notified us ahead of time so we could have made other arrangements. Unfortunately, we ended up having to leave our dog back at the hotel. To their credit, the hostess did her best to accommodate us and found us a table in the bar area near the fireplace. However, the location wasn't ideal for an anniversary dinner. Guests frequently walked and stood in front of the fireplace directly in front of our table, and at one point other patrons even sat down at our table, making what was supposed to be a romantic evening feel awkward and disrupted. The food itself was excellent, and we genuinely enjoyed our meal. Had it not been for the reservation mix-up and the restaurant's lack of proactive communication regarding the patio closure, this would likely have been a much higher-rated experience. Unfortunately, the service and overall experience fell short of what we expected for such a special occasion.