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Welcome To Carlitos Café y Cantina
Carlitos Café y Cantina is a vibrant Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Santa Barbara at 1324 State St. Known for its delicious food and lively atmosphere, this café offers a delightful outdoor patio perfect for enjoying sunny weather. Guests rave about the excellent service, with highlights like strong margaritas and flavorful dishes such as steak fajitas and enchiladas. The ambiance is further enhanced by live music, creating a festive dining experience. With its quick service and beautiful presentation, Carlitos Café y Cantina is an ideal spot for celebrations or casual outings, promising a memorable culinary journey in every visit.
Today's Suggestions
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CARLITOS TRADITIONAL
PASILLA CHILE RELLENO EN CALDO
GRILLED CHICKEN QUESADILLA
HALIBUT CEVICHE
About
Carlitos Café y Cantina
Welcome to Carlitos Café y Cantina, a vibrant Mexican eatery nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara at 1324 State St. This bustling café offers a delightful blend of traditional flavors and modern fare, guaranteed to tempt your taste buds and warm your heart.
As soon as you step inside, the inviting ambiance captivates you. From lively outdoor seating perfect for sunny days to a cozy indoor space that radiates charm, Carlitos Café is designed for enjoyment. The patio showcases a tranquil setting, ideal for savoring delicious food while soaking up the lovely California weather.
The menu shines with culinary highlights that reflect rich Mexican traditions. Guests rave about the steak fajitas, praised by Carmen Gonzalez for being delicious and arriving promptly. Meanwhile, the vegetable tostada impresses with its fresh, vibrant start to any meal. And don’t forget the chips, salsa, and corn-bean dip—perfect for sharing or indulging solo.
Beverages play a significant role in the experience at Carlitos. Renowned for their margaritas, this café also caters to all tastes. Whether you opt for a classic or a twist, like the frozen varieties, these drinks elevate every meal. As Fara M notes, the café offers “the best margaritas,” making them a must-try on your visit.
Service here is a standout feature, with patrons highlighting attentive staff like Jose, who not only ensure your drinks are just right but also create an overall positive dining experience. Other visitors appreciate the quick service even during peak times, ensuring that you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying.
Carlitos Café y Cantina isn’t just about food; it’s about community and celebration. Whether you're marking a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, as seen in Dana Culver's glowing review, every dish looks as good as it tastes, adding to a festive atmosphere ideal for gatherings.
In summary, if you're searching for a place that combines delicious Mexican cuisine with an inviting atmosphere and stellar service, look no further than Carlitos Café y Cantina. Its perfect location and alluring offerings make it a gem you won't want to miss!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ A group of us celebrated a 50th & everything we ordered looked beautiful and tasted delicious!! ”
“ We came on a Monday night, the patio was full so we decided to eat inside. It was nice, we were the only ones inside. Jose was our server, he was awesome. My frozen Margarita was STRONG... so he got me a shot of lime juice. I'm a lightweight with drinking though. They gave us chips/salsa/and corn/bean dip. We had the steak fajitas and vegetable tostada. We ordered and got within 10 min. They were both delicious. I would definitely recommend. Everyone was very pleasant. ”
“ If you are looking for a great Mexican restaurant with great vibes, you have to try this place. Loved the live music, the food and service. Outdoor patio is Beautiful. Oh, almost forgot :)) the best margaritas ”
“ The ambience was excellent. I'd say their food is pretty good, though I prefer Los Agaves'. But compared to Los Agaves, you'd be getting more wait staff and slightly better vibes. Although there are a few parking spaces on site, finding a spot can be tricky during peak times. ”
“ Convenient location with outdoor seating that makes it perfect in nice weather. Came at the end of the lunch hour and service was fast and great. The margarita, enchiladas mexicana and the chips and fresh salsa were all excellent! ”
“ The beautiful restaurant served excellent authentic Mexican food. I highly suggest the Sizzling Chicken Fajita platter. My girlfriend got the Carne Asada Tacos. ”
“ We got chips and two types of salsa shortly after sitting. Shrimp fajitas were excellent, and the burrito was huge and delicious. Highly recommend. ”
“ Found this restaurant on a busy day there was a wave of large crowd from a concert nearby that caused no table availability when we first arrived. The impeccable timing we made it a short less than 10 minute wait for a table and we were seated within 5-7 minutes of waiting. The food, ambience, decor, margaritas and service were great. The Bohemian Beer Battered fish tacos are perfection and very filling! The Shrimp and Steak Fajitas were also delicious. The shrimp were cooked to perfection also the steak was perfectly seasoned and tender. The hand made corn tortillas are perfect as well as the flour tortillas. The Casamigos Reposado margarita was strong and delicious. The chips and salsa are delicious. The churros were perfection and Im picky about churros. I definitely will be returning. Our server Joanas was great! ”