Carolina’s Mexican Food has a long-established reputation of making some of the best Mexican Food in the Southwest. It is a business that began as a dream of Manuel and Carolina Valenzuela in the 1950’s. In the early years, the couple concentrated mostly on making homemade tortillas, burritos, and tamales, selling them out of the back seat of the family car at wrestling matches and to migrant workers in the fields, always making sure the food was fresh and prepared in the traditional way taught to them by their parents. Yet from that meager beginning, with a lot of hard work, their dream became a reality. Manuel and Carolina opened their first restaurant at 105 W. Hilton, it was so small that two people holding hands could touch opposite walls. The grand opening was in the Spring of 1968, they used their savings of $400, and Manuel’s expertise of trading and bartering. Carolina’s first tortilla employee was Elvira Castellanos de Abril, who just happened to be the one who taught Carolina all her cooking skills, and was also her Mom. Elvira’s pay consisted of a few dollars for Bingo, with a ride to the Bingo Hall at the American Legion Post #1, no contract had to be drawn up, just a hug and a kiss.
Super awesome mexican food and hands down the best tortillas I've ever had. The staff was friendly and helped me try some of the best items that they are known for! We got 2 combo plates that had a little of everything and it was all great and delicious.I can't wait to go back and get more tortillas to take home!
Ordered Carolina's for my sons rehearsal dinner. They did not disappoint. Jasmine delivered and set everything up for us. Everything was so nice. All disposable items were of great quality - which is the only thing I was concerned with. The food was amazing!
Tacos were broken and very greasy, cheese crisp just has a wad of cheese plopped in the center. Terrible. Would get my money back if i could.
I used Carolina's for my sons rehearsal dinner and it was a total hit! I was nervous at first because it's super casual but the whole experience was awesome! Jasmine was our delivery/set up girl. She was on time, polite and set up everything perfectly. All the bowls, plates, cutlery and servicing utensils were all great quality.And the food was amazing! I would only suggest having business cards or menus to had out to my guests that kept asking me where I ordered all this wonderful food from. And the churros were another hit! My go to for small catering events from now on.
Carolina's has a couple surprisingly good offerings amongst it's otherwise mediocre Mexican cuisine. You order cafeteria-style in a spacious, somewhat industrial floor. Seating is open with some outdoor dining. Your order is brought to your table.If all I ate were the little churros, I would have been duty-bound to give 5 stars. These little nuggets of deliciousness are worth the visit alone.As for the chips and salsa, I give them 4 stars. You must order them separately, and it's plenty for two people. It comes with red salsa and your choice of green salsa or pico. All are very good.For the entree, we got the carne asada burro. Here's where things feel off the rails. First, the meat was basically ground beef. No asada flavor detected. Second, the tortilla (though made in the shop) was nothing special. Thin and dry. In addition, the side of beans and rice was nothing to write home about. Not bad but not nearly as good as many other places.I'll be back for the churros and perhaps some salsa but that's it.
Terrific Mexican food. Carolina's has been around in Phoenix for many many years. They still make tortillas the old fashioned way with lard and their paper thin. Some of the best Mexican food in the entire Phoenix area.
The plate of green enchiladas was not good, didn’t have any flavor, and the rice had bits that were so hard.My husband had #16 and the machaca chimichanga was way better. Service was good. They originally messed up our order but were kind in changing it!
beautiful place inside is nice and clean. I ordered a beef taco it was good & a chicken chimichanga it wasn't fried all the way through so it was soggy instead of crispy and really dry maybe add enchilada sauce to it and cheese inside to help with the dry chicken. the butter tortilla which is one of the reason I feel in love with carolina's was dry cold & next to no butter :/ very disappointing however I will be back and try again maybe it was just me getting use to the menu next time I'll let 'em know about my butter tortilla cuz if they get it right it's delicious
Always the best tortillas..! Breakfast was cheese and chili relleno with beans and rice. If you eat in early in winter at the Country Club location, dress warmly. :-)