Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar - Santa Ynez, California

Greg

I love the atmosphere on their outside deck on a warm day, but the food is increasingly hit and miss. Fajitas are usually a safe bet but I thought I'd try the veggie tostadas for a change. They served an impressive looking mound of veggie-like color and I quickly learned that about half of that was peppers and onions. A little too much for my taste. The other identifiable vegetables were primarily summer squash, zucchini, and lettuce. Unfortunately, the squash was mostly raw. Some of the peppers, onions and corn had charred edges, but all of the squash was cold and raw. I think it would have been much better with properly cooked veggies, including the bell peppers and onions. But the service was great and the margaritas are always good here, and it took a couple to help me forget my rather disappointing $60 lunch for one.

david R.

Excellent Mexican food. Good menu. Lots of bar choices. In center of town

Brikiera

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Dos Carlito's Restaurant & Tequila Bar, and let me just say, it was an absolute delight from start to finish! First and foremost, the food was simply incredible. The enchiladas were a true standout, bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. And don't even get me started on the chicken tacos - they were like a fiesta in my mouth! Each bite was a delicious explosion of taste that left me craving more. But it wasn't just the food that impressed me; the service was exceptional as well. Our waiter, Eri, was incredibly attentive and really went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed. His friendly demeanor and professionalism truly enhanced our dining experience. Now, onto the ambiance. The restaurant's interior exuded an authentic charm that instantly transported me to the heart of Mexico. However, what really stole the show for me was dining outdoors on the patio. The ambiance was simply unbeatable, especially on a beautiful day. It was the perfect setting to enjoy a meal with friends and soak up the sunshine. If I had to nitpick one thing, it would be the sautéed veggie tostada. While the flavors were delicious, I couldn't help but notice that the veggies were a bit on the raw side. However, this small hiccup did little to detract from an otherwise stellar dining experience. Overall, Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar exceeded all of my expectations. From the mouthwatering food to the impeccable service, it's clear that this is a gem of a restaurant that shouldn't be missed. I can't wait to return and indulge in more of their delectable dishes!

Alyssa B.

One of the places I still return to in the valley. The quality of their food is consistent and always great. You get so much food and usually walk away with leftovers. If you go for dinner, before 5 there will usually be no wait; after 5, especially on the weekend, you can expect to wait for a table.

Leslie S. (. P. M.

We LOVE dos carlitos! Been coming here for years, whenever we pass through Santa Ynez. We even visited two days in a row this past weekend.... They have amazing salsa, to die for margaritas (Cadillac, baby!), food, and service.

I always get their two item combo: crispy chicken taco, cheese enchilada, and their caesar salad. It's soooo good, fresh, and flavorful! You won't be disappointed.

Mark Y.

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.

Dee H.

Went for lunch, and had the carnitas taco. The meat was tender and tasty. Guacamole good as was the salsa and black beans. Service was excellent, waiter very attentive and friendly. Will definitely eat here again when in Santa Ynez again.

Tasha O.

We have been coming here for a long time and typically are very impressed with each visit. However, this visit warrants a review. The food was great, as always. The service however, was awful. It wasn’t very busy, like the norm, but all aspects of our dinner were uncharacteristically slowwww. I ordered a specialty cocktail and it was wrong both times. I didn’t say anything considering the careless vibe of the night. My husband wanted to maybe tell the manager . Once I went to the bathroom and discovered the toilet paper just plopped on top of the holder, I figured they weren’t even there. So, unfortunately our experience was reflected in the tip. Again, food was good and correct (yay kitchen staff!), but seriously everything else needed work.