Carmela's Mexican Restaurant

Carmela's is always serving up great food. From salsa and chips starter all the way to tres leches cake for dessert, I've enjoyed each of my trips here. I like their soft shell tacos with carne asada. You can get 4 tacos for 11.95. They also have a gigantic burrito for 19.95 that will keep you full with leftovers. Take out can have a bit of a wait, so dine in is a great option if you have the time. I will continue coming here.

Last year I stopped in this little restaurant while making a drive down the pacific coast highway and I still catch myself thinking about the California Burrito that I got. Hands down the best Burrito I’ve ever eaten in my life. I’ve considered flying back across the country just to stop in and grab another. 10/10

Having lived in the Central Valley all my life, I feel like I've been pretty spoiled by great Mexican food. Since moving to Humboldt County, we've been struggling to find one that approached the same quality of what we're used to--but I think Carmela's might be The One.

The service was wonderful and the food was amazing. My friend swore up and down that their mole sauce was some of the best he's had. It also just had a really chill vibe. Basically, we'll probably be making return trips!

Incredible skinny margarita, tamale and shrimp taco. Excelente!

Had Chile Relleno and a glass of Modelo Special.

I really like this place. The happy hour specials are great and they have all the usual combo’s. The portions are huge. The Burrito Loco is no joke essay.

Their in-person lunch specials are very reasonable, especially on Taco Tuesdays. I love their enchiladas, taquitos, and burrito supremo (which I always get with green sauce). Always a solid amount of food, and one of the few places where you can still get a filling and tasty lunch for less than $10 a plate.

Celebrating my employees 5-year anniversary with tacos and homemade flan by Carmella herself these guys always come through for our staff appreciation days and we really want to say thank you!
Heidi
Owner/Practice Manager
McKinleyville Animal Care Center

Amzing enchiladas!!! We showed up right before closing. They served us anyhow.. the bar tender took our order at our table. He was very pleasant. When we got the food the portions were very good sized. But other than that, the food was the absolute best enchiladas, rice, and beans, I believe I have ever at in the 40+ years I've been alive!!!

The mole burrito was phenomenal, one of the better mole sauces I've had. The burrito was massive and very reasonably priced.

Had a monster burrito here for Halloween. It was excellent. The massive burrito was perfectly cooked and seasoned throughout, and all the veggies tasted fresh. Definitely recommend giving this place a try, but the monster burrito is apparently a Halloween-only thing. Too bad.

I had the sope lunch special with chicken & it was delicious. oh & the horchata was delicious as well.😋😋😋🤩😍 the staff are nice. there are newspaper boxes in front of the restaurant. there are no boxes of napkins at the tables tho, unlike the one in Arcata.

Our absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in McKinleyville. Everything here is great, except for the hot sauce. The mild sauce is okay, but the hot sauce they give you with chips just tastes horrible (it's hot, but horrible hot isn't what I like). We often have to mix the hot sauce with the mild sauce just to get something edible with a wee bit of a kick to it. That aside, everything else is excellent (and I come from an area of the United States known for great TexMex and authentic Mexican restaurants). The staff is usually friendly and on the ball, and the atmosphere isn't stuffy, so you can be casual. Very family-friendly as well. Also good for large groups (although you should call in ahead of time if you need a lot of seats, as large groups are common here).

Best pazole I’ve ever had. Carnitas and rice/beans were very good also.

The huaraches is delicious and Gorditas is delicious too
I’m recommend 100%
The service is really good
Thank you we are front Redding Ca.

Authentic Mexican food, two options for salsa hot and mild so amazing! Quesabirra tacos and flautas were so on point. Muy bien. We'll be back again for sure very happy. service was beyond exceptional!! Drinks we delicious as well! Come here for Authentic Latin food and great service!!!!!

9/2/23 long overdue, they've improved better than before. Outdoor patio seating food is improved much fresher! Great drinks too!!

Amazing Mexican food, great drinks, fantastic service!

Love their fajitas quesadillas, now they are serving oysters!!!

I had baked fish tacos with guacamole and a Corona & it was really delicious. Service is good and waitstaff are nice and food is reasonably priced. I highly recommend Carmela's if you are ever hungry for Mexican food in McKinleyville, California.