Carmel’s Southwest Grill

It’s a shame they only deserve two stars. Their food really is pretty good, but their service is AWFUL. My wife and I went there for dinner the other day and the place was almost empty and the hostess told us it’ll be a 10 minute wait. We asked why since there was only three or four families in the entire establishment. She said the servers weren’t ready.
What does that even mean? We’ve had really negative experiences with the service in the past so we left immediately and laughed about it the whole way to a different place.
But if you do go, they have the best fish tacos I’ve ever had.

I eat here at least three times a month. It’s close by home so bad it’s convenient too. Waitresses are good for the most part, but the chicken and fish tacos are always amazing! I like the patio area too when the weather permits.

Mislead by the current rating. Name, style and classification of food is misleading. Food was not that good. Disappointed. Possibly a good place for night life.

Great food and absolutely awesome service. The cheese sauce is incredible with the spinach mixed in.

Good prices! The fish tacos are out of this world! The patio is heat and the wait staff is friendly. We’ll be back.

In reality this is a 4 star review but I’m going to give it 5 starts to offset some stupid 1 star review.
Let’s first get one thing straight. This place is a neighborhood dive. It is what it is and I’m good with it.
Maybe they read the reviews and hired new employees? Out service was excellent. Like really excellent. The margarita are served perfectly. Ice in the cup and margarita in a pitcher without ice so it doesn’t water down. If the other reviews are complaining about that automatically discount their review.
The food portions were huge and the food was really good. Not amazing but really good. Margaritas were really really good.

Food not great but my husband likes the jalapeño burger and I stick to the fish tacos, so we don’t have high expectations. It nearby, the margaritas don’t suck, and it’s one of the few places we can have a beer on a decent patio and keep the kids happy at the same time.

I don’t know why this is called a «southwest grill.» We moved to the area in he summer and this was the place we first had lunch while looking for houses in the area. We may have been the only patrons at the time, and the server/​bartender really made us feel welcomed. We also thought the food was very good, while the décor and cleanliness could be better. We live close, so we have been back multiple times and have sampled many items from the menu. The margaritas are good (I am and easy mark on alcohol) and the food has been overall good, though there have been some notable missed. It does seem like the wait on food is just a bit too long. So far, so ok.

Best margaritas in the Dayton area, wish they would bring Blackhawk Entertainment back, I loved DJ Missy on Wednesday night’s!

I actually enjoy the food and atmosphere here but the service is spotty at best. Meaning it’s hit or miss. I’m not really sure why they separate the margarita from the ice because when you pour it over the ice it goes everywhere. At least put the margarita in a glass with a pour spout.
Chicken fingers are fantastic and even the portions on the half orders are nice. The salsa tastes like store bought and the spicy salsa is just minced pickled jalapeños. That was a bit of a disappointment.

Just had fish tacos (blackened) they were excellent. Ask for Cathy as your waitress she is great!

Hadn’t been there for years and probably won’t go back. Bobaritas were blah, like a cheap mix, the atmosphere on the patio was a little trashy and could be improved with a little cleaning and better amenities and the food was just slightly better than OK.

While some folks swear by this place, it has lost the charm it once had.
I’ve been a few times recently, and the results were consistent so I figured I’d write a review (vs before, a few years ago Carmel’s was highly inconsistent with the service or food…).
This place is alot like Elsa’s — they say they’re a Mexican/​cantina type place — but the menu reads like an American grill with some Mexican items thrown in.
My first issue is, if you call yourself Mexican in any regard, you better make spicy food actually hot when you say it is spicy. Let’s take the «Extreme Baja Tacos», for example. They do taste good, but they aren’t spicy. Not even remotely. I’ve had them twice just to make sure… The other example is their in-​house hot sauce — its pureed pickled jalapenos. If you call it hot — use fresh jalapenos.
The other issue is the staff. They don’t seem happy. They’re adequate, and mostly get the job done — but it isn’t quick or with a smile. In a place like this, chips and salsa should be delivered just after being seated — not having to ask, wait, ask again.

Simply awful. Locals swear by the place, but a $ 4 weak, mostly mix Martguerita on Happy Hour Monday and a bartender who never asked about food or a second drink? I noticed how it seemed to take hours for the repeat customers to get their Mexican take-​out, but that wasn’t a problem for the die-​hard Carmel’s Fans. Am I going back?
Nope.

The wife and me took my daughter here to celebrate daughters b-day.got great service .the food was very good, we also got a pitcher of margritas which was very good. so all in all I would go back, so give them a try,

Not a fan of the food.
Am a fan of the margueritas.

Fun place… can get crowded on a Saturday night. Nothing earth shattering about the food, but it is definitely above average… have never had anything that was bad. Margaritas by the pitcher is a bonus… although it’d be nice if it was a wee bit cheaper. Manager Bob is a kick ass dude!

This place is great! It’s got an interesting menu… the food is good. Service is friendly and fast. Carmel’s has a neighborhood feel to it. We’ve never used it but they have an awesome outdoor seating area. I would definitely check it out!

We love going to carmel’s and sitting outside on the huge patio. Service can be slow, but the servers are great and remember us when we come in. Try a pitcher of the bobarita and get some of the green salsa and quaso.

Visited there Yesterday (09÷05÷09), as part of a group…
The host (/​Owner?) was very nice, he greeted and escorted us to meet our group at the patio outside.
Didn’t eat much so I can’t really rate the food but I ordered the fried coconut covered Ice cream for desert which was mediocre…
I have a sweet tooth but it was just not that tasty (too coconutty).
Iv’e been told drinks are pricey ($ 7.50 for a shot of patron), it’s hard to tell since I’m used to L.A. prices.
Service was great (the waitress was a friend of the people in our group).
The outside patio was very pleasant, specially on a warm evening, very refreshing! Although I didn’t see any heaters in case it’s chillier.
I would not recommend siting inside as it’s kinda stuffy & ugly…
They have a full bar inside but it kinda looks like where old people go before they die.
The outside lot has this game where you throw sacks of sand into a wooden whole. (it’s like a non-​sophisticated bowling– cornhole, just got informed). Which was interesting to watch other people play. Next I ‘ll try it myself but meanwhile I will be practicing in my mom’s in-​law leaving room.
Restrooms were ok
Plenty of parking front & back.
I would recommend this restaurant if you come in a big group (4+), you’re not picky about food, grab few beers and have a good time with your friends.
I wont recommend it for a date or if you are hungry for more upscale food.
I would defiantly come back if my friends gather there again and I will also keep ya’ll posted.
Yalla Bye!