Carolinas is, in one word, a dive. But they've got the best Mexican food around! This gem is just around the corner from Bank One Ballpark (now known as Chase Field), and the reviews for this place are always top-notch! They make fresh tortillas, bigger than your head and the homemade salsa is to die for!
Nothing is made until you order it, hence the long lines at the lunch hour. Enter on a weekday around lunchtime and the place is packed with firemen, Police, Military guys, construction workers and airport employees, and for good reason. Nothing on the menu is over 6 bucks. I get the #9 which is 2 shredded beef tacos with rice and beans. $4.35 . You can’t beat that. I like the shredded beef inside the tacos...it's seasoned perfectly and has a slight garlicky taste. The shells aren't the Taco Bell kind...the hard, premade corn ones. These are corn tortillas, filled with the meat then deep fried. This makes them really crispy and tasty. It's the way I make my shells at home when I make tacos. YUMMY! The chimichangas are wonderful and the machaca plate is fabulous! I don’t think there’s a bad dish on the menu. They make their own guacamole and they have menudo on Saturdays. They even make their own tortilla chips. A large side of chips and salsa is a measly $1.29. A chicken chimi with sour cream and guac is $5.25.
You can either call your order in and pick it up at the takeout window or eat in. Like I said, the place is a dive, but people don’t flock here for the décor. They do have breakfast, but I’ve never had any.
Their website is www.carolinasmex.com. Read the reviews for yourself.
So if you find yourself hungry before or after the game, take a short drive to the barrio and have a great meal for not alotta cash!
The original location is 3 blocks from Chase Field, on Mohave Rd and 12th st. There is another location up North on Cactus Rd. , for those of you up in that part of the Valley.
Mon.-Fri. 7:00AM-7:30PM
Saturday 7:00AM-6:00PM
They’re closed on Sundays.