Carmelita's Kitchen Carmelita's Kitchen
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  • Carmelita's Kitchen


    31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, United States


  • Carmelita's Kitchen


    +1 949-709-7600


Service options

+ Outdoor seating

+ Delivery

+ Takeaway

+ Dine-in

Highlights

+ Fast service

+ Great beer selection

+ Great cocktails

+ Great wine list

+ Serves local specialty

Popular for

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Solo dining

Accessibility

+ Wheelchair-accessible car park

+ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

+ Wheelchair-accessible seating

+ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

+ Alcohol

+ Beer

+ Cocktails

+ Coffee

+ Comfort food

+ Organic dishes

+ Small plates

+ Spirits

+ Vegetarian options

+ Wine

Dining options

+ Breakfast

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Dessert

+ Seating

+ Table service

Amenities

+ Bar on site

+ Toilet

+ Wi-Fi

+ Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

+ Casual

+ Cosy

+ Romantic

+ Trendy

Crowd

+ Family friendly

+ Groups

+ Locals

Planning

+ Dinner reservations recommended

+ Accepts reservations

+ Usually a wait

Payments

+ Credit cards

+ Debit cards

+ NFC mobile payments

+ Credit cards

Children

+ Good for kids

+ High chairs

+ Kids' menu

Parking

+ Free of charge street parking

+ Free parking lot

+ Parking


Carmelita's Kitchen menu

Tampiquena de Carne Asada

hand-cut prime skirt steak served over red cheese enchiladas

US$45.00

Prime Steak Fajitas

served fajita style with rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole

US$44.00

Famous Carnitas

our original family recipe using hand selected prime kurobuta pork

US$31.00

Prime Pork Chile Verde

slowly roasted with cilantro, onions, garlic and fresh tomatillos

US$29.00

Organic Chicken Fajitas

served fajita style with rice, beans, guacamole and cream

US$29.00

Pollo Serrano

organic jidori chicken, serrano cream sauce, rice, poblano and avocado

US$28.00

Seafood Trio

bacon shrimp taco,shrimp lobster enchilada and a shrimp-lobster chile relleno

US$36.00

Shrimp & Bacon Tacos

on homemade corn tortillas with melted cheese, fajita veggies and salsa valentina

US$26.00

Full Menu

Discover Carmelita's Kitchen

Carmelita's Kitchen is a charming, must-visit restaurant nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. If you're craving a hearty, flavorful meal with a touch of warmth and comfort, this cozy spot is the perfect place to satisfy your hunger. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with a warm ambiance, friendly staff, and a menu that will make your taste buds dance.

The menu at Carmelita's Kitchen offers a blend of classic diner favorites with a twist, showcasing fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Whether you're a fan of breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there's something for everyone. The portions are generous, and the variety ensures that no matter your craving, you’ll leave happy. A popular choice for many regulars is the signature "Carmelita's Breakfast Burrito." Packed with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sautéed vegetables, and a special house-made sauce, it's the kind of dish that makes you want to come back for more. For those who prefer a lighter option, the fresh salads with grilled chicken or shrimp are a fantastic choice, offering a balance of flavors that are both satisfying and refreshing.

One of the standout features of Carmelita's Kitchen is its ability to maintain a friendly, local vibe while offering a quality dining experience that rivals higher-end establishments. The restaurant’s owners and staff take great pride in their work, ensuring that each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail. This dedication shines through in the flavor profiles of their meals, which have earned the restaurant loyal customers who return time and time again.

A quick look at the reviews for Carmelita's Kitchen on various platforms reveals a pattern of praise for not just the food but the service as well. Guests consistently highlight the attentive and welcoming staff, noting how they go the extra mile to make each dining experience feel special. Whether you're coming in for a quick bite during lunch or enjoying a leisurely dinner with friends, the service at Carmelita's is consistently top-notch.

The restaurant’s location also makes it a convenient spot for locals and visitors alike. Situated near local shops and scenic spots in Rancho Santa Margarita, Carmelita's Kitchen is an ideal place to drop by after a hike or a day of shopping. It’s the perfect combination of great food, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it a go-to for casual dining.

Looking to dive deeper into the experience at Carmelita's Kitchen? Their daily specials are something to watch out for. These dishes, offered only for a limited time, feature seasonal ingredients and unique flavor combinations. If you're fortunate enough to visit when one of these specials is available, you’re in for a treat. From a grilled salmon with lemon-butter sauce to a mouth-watering pot roast served with mashed potatoes, these specials showcase the restaurant's ability to deliver unexpected delights.

If you're planning your first visit to Carmelita's Kitchen, here’s a tip: don't skip dessert. The homemade pies, particularly the apple and pecan pies, are often mentioned as favorites among regulars. The crust is flaky and perfectly baked, while the filling is always fresh and flavorful-making it a satisfying way to end your meal.

Moreover, the friendly, community-oriented atmosphere at Carmelita's gives it a unique charm. It’s the kind of place where the staff knows your name after a few visits, and you feel like part of the family. The owners have truly created a welcoming space where diners can relax and enjoy their meal, whether alone, with friends, or with family.

For those who might be on the go or prefer to dine at home, Carmelita's Kitchen offers takeout options that make enjoying their delicious meals even more convenient. The packaging ensures that each dish arrives fresh, hot, and ready to be enjoyed, even if you're not able to dine in the restaurant.

In conclusion, whether you’re stopping by for a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a special occasion, Carmelita's Kitchen offers a delightful dining experience that combines great food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. With its convenient location, seasonal specials, and mouth-watering menu options, this Rancho Santa Margarita gem is definitely worth a visit.


Carmelita's Kitchen Photos

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Location & Contact

Get in touch with our support team


  • 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, United States
  • +1 949-709-7600




Clock


Hours

Our open schedules

Day
Monday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM



Reviews

  • The food is packed with flavor and super creative. The stars of the night were definitely the Shrimp Taquitos and the Pork & Pineapple Tacos. The taquitos came with shrimp wrapped in this crispy spring-roll-like shell (so fun and different!), and the pork with pineapple was an absolute flavor bomb. Didn’t expect it to be THAT good, but wow. Oh, and don’t skip the drinks! Sitting by the lake, with the warm lights, sipping on a cocktail—it was the perfect vibe to just chill and enjoy the night.

    JING WANG
  • I love the atmosphere, food and drinks here. I have been here several times and always been happy with the food and service. It is a very popular place, so we went for an early dinner on Wednesday and my husband's order was made with the wrong sauce. Normally we would just share a meal and eat it anyway, but I can't eat shrimp so he mentioned to our server Chris that we received the wrong sauce. They handled it very well and were very apologetic, remade the meal and went above and beyond what they needed to do. The manager also came by our table and apologized. Everyone was so polite and attentive.

    Adriana Pina
  • We had a wonderful dining experience with great service and fantastic food. The restaurant has an authentic feel and the heating patio with lake view is absolutely wonderful.

    Daan Pape
  • What a great experience, great food and with good views. I had the chilli Verde here and I have also had the al pastor tacos. Mathew helped us and the service was great.

    Alfonso Aduna
  • Kelly and Christina did a terrific job as our servers. This was the first time we have been to Carmelita’s and will definitely be going back. We sat out on the patio and the patio cover helped keep it very pleasant. We had tacos and enchiladas. I also had the cilantro and cucumber margarita—excellent! I also highly recommend the street corn cut off the cob. Don’t miss Carmelita’s!

    Nanette Hall
  • This was a fantastic dinner to end our California vacation with. My strawberry jalapeño margarita was fantastic and my fajita avocado salad with grilled chicken was superb. My husband enjoyed his chimichanga and he is hard to impress. Thank you to my brother and sister - in - law for taking us out for this delicious meal! I highly recommend it for anyone in the area.

    Lynn Straight
  • Carmelita's is now even better - in addition to their new patio cover with fans and heaters, they have converted all the tables on the patio to luxurious booths! Delicious food and drinks and great service on a picture perfect outdoor patio with a stunning view of the lake! Try the Pork and Pineapple Tacos with a Cadillac Margarita and then burn off some of their yummy chips with a stroll around the lake!

    Jackie H

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Carmelita's Kitchen

Discover Carmelita's Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita, where fresh, flavorful dishes and warm hospitality come together to create a delightful dining experience you’ll love!

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