Carlos O’brien’s

First time visiting this location and the experience was just ok. Was greeted horribly when we walked in. After a table was ready for our party, they would not seat us because all of our party was not there.
Then the service was decent at best. The server kept apologizing about the delays because it was cinco de mayo and they were not expecting the crowd. Lack of planning on the managements part. Food, well subpar. I’ve had better at a food truck. The dinner was cold and I was not about to send it back due to the long wait to get it.
Hope my next experience is better. I give places two try’s to impress me.

Wanted to have a couple of Margaritas in honor of the National Holiday ;-)
Margaritas were decent… for pre-​prepared stuff. Salsa… not so much. It was tomato juice with some chopped up jalapenos… if that.
The service is what lacked. A lot. They had the bartender tending bar and taking care of all of the customers. You could tell he was a bit overwhelmed and was annoyed when asked for anything. Everything took forever. Once he finally brought out our checks, we waited another 15 – 20 for him to pick them up and run them. I know it wasn’t his fault, however, management should have taken note and had someone help him run food and such. He was doing everything and there were quite a few people in the bar as it was happy hour.
One last suggestion, many of us go to happy hour to unwind and enjoy a beverage or two. Allowing children in the bar is a touchy subject, but one that I think needs to be taken into consideration. There is plenty of seating in the restaurant area. Just sayin…

This had to be worst service and food we ever had!!!
We have been loyal customers of Carlos O’Brien for over 10 years (12^th St. &Northern) …when we moved to Avondale, I was so excited to know that there was one up the street… Wow!!! What a huge disappointment, the service, quality of the food and the décor was AWFUL!!! NEVER going back to the Avondale location, will have take the drive and go back to the one we know and love…

Be prepared for a long wait and food that will make you grateful for having filled up on chips and salsa. The salsa is very obviously made with canned stewed tomatoes and have massive chunks that are sure to turn off the ‘mater hater in your family. The chile con queso dip is a crime against cheese (unless you are living in a college dorm and limited to only a microwave). Service while friendly was very slow. The restaurant is very loud, maybe we can blame that on why my order was wrong twice in our visit. I asked for water with lemon, got tea ($ 2.25 for a drink I did not order). Asked for no beans and not only got the beans but a thick layer of beans under the rice. The tomatillo enchilada is hot for the sake of being hot. You can almost not taste your food which in some cases could be helpful as we did not taste anything worth coming back for. The chicken in the enchilada was not seasoned at all. Neither of us finished our meals because it just was not worth eating. No one stopped to ask if the food was okay, no one stopped long enough that I could tell them I did not ask for tea. Not a great customer experience, will not be repeat customers.

I think their food is improved from my previous visits. I will come back sooner than the last visit.

Yum! Try the Pollo fundido! Quick service and clean restaurant. This is the best mexican restaurant that we have found in the west valley.

I’ve eaten at the original location for 20+ years & was so grateful when we got a location on the West Side. We cruised in for a lunch. The server was quick, quick & the food warm & on par with what I remember. My only complaint would be the beer had a funky taste on the back end like the lines need an old fashioned cleaning. Other than that oddity it was a great local lunch find.

Visiting from out of town.
Was just off the 10E, easy to find. Signs out on Avondale are convenient.
Chips and salsa were good. The service was great and extremely helpful.
The chimi’s my wife and I had were both on point.
We will definitely be eating here again when we visit.

I have to say I was disappointed with the ambience — or lack thereof at Carlos O’briens. The décor is more «Cafeteria-​Style». On our visit it was not busy so we were seated immediately and a large basket of chips and two kinds of salsa were promptly delivered to our table. I have had better salsa however, my lunch companion thought the salsa was good.
I ordered the chicken fundido as did my lunch companion. In what seemed like an impossibly short time our orders were placed in front of us. I have to say that the entrees served at Carlos O’briens are of very generous portions. In fact, there was enough there for two to share. You definitely get your money’s worth. However, I really didn’t care for the taste of the chicken fundido. The chicken was very dry and the sauce didn’t have much flavor.
On a positive note our server, was very attentive and wanted to make sure everything was to our liking.
.

So disappointed! I use to go the Phoenix location as a kid with my parents. I remember having a great time, great food, and great atmosphere. We stumbled upon the Avondale location and I was excited to eat at Carlos O’briens again after many years. My initial thought when I walked into the door, why does it look like a school cafeteria? The atmosphere was just off! The server was slow. Our food came out before our drinks did. The food was awful! The only reason I ate my food was because I couldn’t bear to spend 12.95 and not eat it. I’m not one to complain, but the couple I was with did and received a comp on their bill for one meal. Unfortunately, all good memories I had of this place were just replaced with utter disappointment! I will not be returning.

We have always enjoyed the Phoenix location but the Avondale location is terrible. I went there today and got fajitas, Chile con queso, and a soda to go. They brought my soda and it literally tasted like it had insect spray in it… so did the guacamole. Maybe it was the foam cups, I’m not sure, but I have been sick to my stomach ever since, headache, and feeling horrible. I do not recommend eating here. Something is wrong with the food.

Decided to give them another try. Once again I ordered the Polo Fundido. It was over cooked and had almost no chicken in it. The salsa was so bland, good thing they have salt and pepper on the table. Has been a long time since we went here, we used to come every week. It will be a long time before we go back!

My wife found this restaurant and we give it 5 stars!!! The service and food were excellent… We were served chips and salsa right away and the chips were never ending… Our drinks were never empty… The food came out real quick… We ordered the taco salads and they were awesome… The restaurant is very clean… We were very pleased with this restaurant and highly recommend it!!!

Should be 3.5 stars.
Been here a lot because it’s right next to where we play soccer. Many weeks we walk next door to have a drink and some food. The salsa and chips are complimentary and sufficient. They serve a chunky and a hot sauce style. The chips are thin and made in house.
We often sit in the bar and the service is great. The manager has gotten to know us so he greets us every time we go. The beer is cold and they have a decent selection. The place is always clean and the atmosphere is good. They have a large room in the back for huge groups and a large patio for when the weather cools off.
The food is standard Mexican fare; adequate but nothing spectacular. I love the cheese crisp extra crispy topped with their shredded beef. I have found the shredded beef has better flavor than the machaca. The mini chimis with the jalapeño cream chese are good and so are the mini tacos.
Like I said this review is a strong 3.5 stars just not quite 4. I will be going back often. It is convinient, friendly, clean and quick.

Great food! I ordered the Carlos carnitas, and there was so much food! It looked like I didn’t eat anything when I was done because the portions are so large. Share a meal! My boyfriend ordered the polling fundido and he loved it too. Our waiter served us quickly, food came out super fast! The entire restaurant was quiet and not very busy.

Food was just ok. I got the beef tacos for me and the mini chicken taco for my son. My tacos were ok. I needed to add the salsa from the chips and salsa they had in the table to moisten them up. The rice was ok but the beans looked dried out and not appealing. Would probably not go again

Chips and Salsa = good
Margarita = very good
Service = very good
Carne Asada plate = not that great. Would not recommend.

My beef enchilada & cheese enchilada were VERY yummy!!! Loved it! Definitely will be going back again!
The guy who took the phone order struggled with English I guess as he only ended up having 1 order packed.
My husband’s 2 beef enchiladas were completely missing.

Checked it out during happy hour and I was totally happy with the result. They have a good kids menu too! The margaritas were great, the queso dip was amazing, and the jalapeño cream cheese is fabulous! There was a mistake with our order and they fixed it immediately. Totally will be back!

Great overall experience! As soon as we got in our server was very attentive and very professional. Even though it seemed pretty busy, he never bent under pressure. The food was superb! I love the home made tortilla chips and salsa, very original. I also ordered the Carlos Cartinas dinner, and it was awesome! I’m very pleased with the overall experience, so I give it a rocking 5 stars! Cheers to Carlos O’Brien restaurant the Best Irish/​Mexican Cuisine in the valley!