La Carta de Oaxaca
5431 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA, 98107
La Carta de Oaxaca Menu
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Address :
5431 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA, 98107 - Phone (206) 782-8722
- Website https://www.lacartadeoaxaca.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Linda L.
I love the atmosphere of this place. It's really hip and always crowded, but it still feels homey and intimate. In addition to this, the food is authentic and relatively cheap. However, it is a bit bland and the flavor combinations are weird. I ordered a chicken mole tamale, and it was both too sweet and too salty. The masa was also a bit dry, probably due to the thinness of the tamale itself. I definitely prefer the tamales at Guanaco's Tacos. We also ordered the tostadas, which were excellent. The meat was flavorful and the shell underneath stayed crisp. My fiancé ordered the special, which was short ribs. What he received was unexpected (he was expecting them to be dry rubbed and spicy) because it was more of a stewed meat. However, that was our favorite dish of the meal. The ribs were very tender and flavorful. Also, I must say that the rice and beans here are the best I've tasted out of all Mexican restaurants I've ever frequented. We also ordered a pozole (soup), and it was underwhelming, very watery and bland. However, by far the best part of the experience is the salsa bar. They make about 6 different salsas, and they are all delicious. The last time we went, we were also seated in the back room at this very long table, and the ambiance was very unique and cool.
(4)Steve P.
Take a breath. Try something new. GET. THE. MOLE. Yes it is chocolate based, and chocolate really does make everything better. Oh, and call ahead for reservations or else be prepared to wait for a very, very long time. My friend Catherine turned me onto this place, and now I seem to crave it fortnightly. The food is simple, authentic and so bursting with flavor that you will melt in your seat as an ecstatic 'mmmmm' forces it way past your lips. One important note: chips and guacamole (highly recommended) are NOT complimentary here.
(5)K P.
Wanted to love this place, as it had come highly recommended by a friend. I left satisfied but not really understanding what all the hype is about. First, the place was packed at 6pm on Sat. We were told 20 minutes to wait. Got seated 55 minutes later. Ugh. I would never have agreed to wait 55 minutes. So that made me crabby to start. Then they seated us at the bar. That's cool cuz you can see the cooking going on in front of you. It's not cool because it's like being in a kitchen--hot and greasy. I went out to eat because I didnt want to be hot and greasy. Food: Good. I had the mole and my husband had the carne asada. Portions are not huge but I was happy about that. We both pretty much finished our plates. We also had a picaditos to start. That was very mediocre. I felt like the corn tortilla it was served on was kind of old and the whole dish was cold. Hubby said the margarita was good and strong. Service: Meh. I ate a big piece of jalapeno and my mouth was on fire. No one ever came to refill water or beers. We drove all the way from Redmond for this place. Won't do it again but if I lived in the area, it
(3)Desiree H.
I have been coming to Carta de Oaxaca for about two years. I love it so much, it is basically the only Mexican food that is acceptable now. I love the salsa selection, small sizes that aren't greasy, and the low prices. The food is always amazing, and I am addicted to anything mole. The wait can be a hassle sometimes and often we are stuck in a very tight spot. This last weekend I got to overhear a very entertaining conversation with a 25 and 37 year old couple. So funny! Great spot for food, friends, and eavesdropping.
(5)Teresa T.
Came here for dinner on a Wednesday night and the place was busy and packed. Waited around 30 minutes at the bar which wasn't so bad since their margaritas are a delicious way to pass the time. Got the salsa and chips, chicken mole, halibut tacos, picaditas, tacos el pastor, pozole, and another dish I can't seem to recall. The picaditas and mole were my favorite items on the menu. Mole is such a complex dish that you rarely see it on traditional menus so I jumped at the chance to try it. The sauce was complex, deep, and slightly sweet. It was actually so sweet that I don't know if I could eat too much of it plain but in combination with the tender chicken and salsas from the salsa bar it was excellent. All the other dishes were hits, it seems like you can't go wrong here. The tacos el pastor were probably my least favorite dish though. Overall the prices are great and the food is delicious!
(4)Logan S.
Good food, terrible service. I'm really torn about this place. We've been a few times, and never had great service. But the food was worth it. This last time we went though, they messed up our order, then tried to charge us for a more expensive item (which is what they brought us, but is not what we ordered). In trying to resolve the confusion, our server made up a story that he had told us the dish we ordered wasn't available, and that we said it was okay to bring the other dish (this was a complete fabrication though!). The manager then came by and told us that we shouldn't have eaten what we didn't order, we should have sent it back. Overall a very unpleasant experience, and I doubt we'll be back.
(2)Tina L.
Overall: good Mexican in a clean modern setting. I was convinced I'd never find anything in Seattle that comes close to the Mexican I've had in SoCal, but I was wrong. If you are looking for authentic Mexican, can't travel out of Seattle to find it, and you're willing to pay more than taco truck prices, La Carta is worth a try. I'm always happy with the well-balanced flavors I get in the dishes I order. A lot of taco joints tend to douse their food in grease and salt, but La Carta seasons in moderation. I recommend trying their chicken soft tacos. They are actually not on the menu, but I learned I could order the crispy chicken tacos that are on the menu and ask them to substitute the shells with non-fried tortillas. A winner every time. This place also makes a delicious sangria. The restaurant's location in the Ballard historic district is great but you'll need to budget time to find a parking spot and wait for a table, especially if you go for dinner. It's always busy!
(4)Andrew L.
I'm not sure if I just didn't get what everyone else is getting, but I'm not entirely convinced this is the best Mexican in town, as everyone else seems to be raving so positively about it. I have been to many of "authentic" Mexican restaurants in California, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Mexico itself; and granted it's not bad; it's actually decently tasty for what it's worth, however I just can't seem to shake the opinion that is place is just A-Ok. I'm used to the slightly grandiose portions, with large explosions of flavor embedded in various texture profiles. What I got here was a nicely sized meal, perhaps smaller than what I am used to, granted it very much might be that it's from the Oaxaca region, and not the more widely accepted tastes to central or northern Mexico. I had their "Entomatadas" dish, which was tortillas with sliced beef, and while I'm used to medium rare for my meats, it was certainly well done but a bit too chewy for me. The meat was seasoned lightly, which was to my liking, and the tortillas here, which they claim to be home made, tasted like it. That was a welcome highlight to what was an okay dish. My friend had their Molé which, she enjoyed, but from what I could tell, she didn't entirely think it was amazing either. I was fortunate to partake in her plate also, and their Molé Negro was flavorful, but didn't have much of a punch, which I was expecting. I couldn't tell if their version has chocolate in it, plenty of chilies it did have, but it was tempered, I was hoping it to be spicy like Molé Rojo. When I think Molé, I tend to think of Poblano or the spicy cousin Rojo; but from the likes of it, I just expected something familiar, and got something different; which would explain my lack luster experience. Final Verdict? Well, it's a busy place, you WILL wait, no reservations either... however people must like it for one reason or another; it's not the food style that you would normally see if you spend any time in southern California, New Mexico, Texas or northern Mexico; I surmise these might be what people consider "healthy" portions, unfortunately they were rather small in my eyes (I eat a lot of food, I'm 6'1 and constantly hungry). Look, the atmosphere is good, the feel of a local modern Mexican restaurant isn't lost here, but I'm used to the shady hold in the wall Mexican diner/café, in terms of authentic foods, and this isn't it.
(3)Amy H.
Festive atmosphere, simple yet electric salsa bar, killer guacamole, and a shrimp ceviche tostada that finds it's way in to my dreams. . often. So worth the wait.
(4)Michelle S.
La Carta de Oaxaca is truly outstanding. It possibly may be the best Mexican food in Washington. Dinner started at the bar with a delicious sangria for her (me), and a tasty margarita for him. The guacamole was great (though I did add some spicy salsa to it... had to start in on the heat as soon as I could). They were super-busy on a Saturday night. We were told our wait would be about 30 minutes. However, after sitting at the bar for 15 minutes, we were seated. Nice! Their servers were great and helpful with our questions. And there were two older women (I'm assuming Mexican) making the tortillas while we were there. Very good tortillas. Finally... the MOLE is to die for. And so is the Carne Asada. Wow! We strongly recommend going here. I want to go again! Right now!
(5)Shannon H.
This place was recommended to me as a great eclectic authentic mexican place to go on my friend's Cinco De Mayo birthday. I was NOT disappointed! Small line at 11:30 when they opened. All were seated immediately upon opening. Very small 'rustic' type dining room, maybe 25-30 seats. The kitchen was open and there were half a dozen cooks/chefs working away even before we were seated. We ordered some classic margaritas and the quac. The quacamole was VERY good. but the margaritas were AMAZING and not sweet at all. Obviously made with fresh squeezed lime and little, if any sugar, and certainly weren't lacking in the tequila department ! ($8 each). In addition, there is a little 'salsa bar'. They had some great pico de gallo, and maybe 6 other salsas, ranging from mild to 'OMG THAT'S HOT'. They were complex in flavor and not just a bunch of pureed chilies. I had read a couple other 'yelpers' mention the halibut tacos so I mentioned this to my friend and he took the recommendation. He was glad he did. He said they were the best he has ever had (and he is hard to please). It almost seemed like they did kind of a ceviche thing with the halibut, but then grilled it quickly (for the light smokey flavor). A little cabbage, veggies and an AMAZING sauce. I think maybe a mango/garlic/lime type thing. They were great. I had the No. 23, which were the garlic/spiced/lime prawns, and came with yellow rice and avacado. The prawns were very fresh and cooked perfectly and the sauce was slightly spicy and very good. Service was amazing. At one point, we had asked for another order of quac and recived it in no less than 20 seconds. The place was extremely busy, but the staff were readily available and pleasant. Me and 'the birthday boy', recommend this place highly.
(5)Jiawen S.
Best Mexican food in town in my opinion! The wait can be very long but well worth it. The mole there is to die for. The only dish I'm not too impressed with is the tamale.
(4)Hannah L.
I have been meaning to write a review of this restaurant for a while. Overall, I really like this place, because their food is always fresh and yummy. My only complaint is they don't have very many vegetarian options, so I usually end up getting the Chili Releno with cheese. I went there last week for Cinco de Mayo and the breakfast was great. I wish they had this menu all the time. I really like the chips and guacamole and the salsa bar. The pico de gallo is always fresh. It's so good that I sometimes eat it as my appetizer before the meal. Overall, a really great place if you like Mexican food and happen to be in Ballard.
(4)Julie K.
I had heard many good things about this restaurant, so my expectations were high, and, unfortunately, were not met. The food was simple and good, but I was surprised by the careless presentation. My chicken mole was served with rice, one thin radish slice, one thin orange slice and a small sprig of parsley. A tiny bit more effort would do wonders. My grandma, who was from Mexico, used to make rosettes from whole radishes to garnish the food she made. Those rosettes weren't hard for her to make, or expensive, but they made her dishes seem more special and served with love. Some radish rosettes and maybe two or three orange slices and something green, such as dressed shredded cabbage or parsley would be a more appealing garnish. Besides my issues with the food presentation, the service was unfriendly and rushed. I felt like the servers wanted to get me and my well-behaved teenage son out of there as soon as possible so they could replace us with customers who would spend more money.
(2)Diane C.
I have been hearing about La Carta de Oaxaca from almost the moment I moved to Seattle. I finally made it about a year after being here. Beyond being just really fun to say, it's fresh, authentic, satisfying, and the Mexican food you've been looking for. We ordered some guacamole (yum!), carne asada tacos, and the entomatadas . I would eat them all again right now! I'm sorry to be this person but...being from California I didn't get why people were so excited about the salsa bar. For California, it is run of the mill, but this is Seattle and it's definitely a treasure. Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Honestly, it's because I'm one of those Californians who was spoiled by a wealth of fresh regional Mexican everywhere i looked. I know...it's annoying. If you're looking for fresh Mexican, hit up La Carta de Oaxaca, but be prepared to wait. This place is busy every night and in the summer, it's crazy...but totally worth it.
(4)Carla S.
Unbelievably delicious! In my opinion, the best thing on the menu is the chicken mole tamales steamed in banana leaves. To die for! Inexpensive, delicious, excellent service every time. I've been dozens of times and always take out of town guests here. Plus, I always take a tamale or two to go for the freezer. :)
(5)Willamenia B.
If you're expecting Americanize Mexican food like you find at Aztec you won't like this place. The servings also aren't super-sized overflowing with re-fried beans, rice and cheddar cheese on a plate the size of a platter. It's Oaxacan style so bring on the mole sauce! Everything is made fresh daily and we've never had a bad meal here. Try the spicy fish soup, chips/gac and any dish with mole. Parking is terrible in Ballard for any restaurant and be prepared to wait for a table for dinner unless you eat early or late.
(4)Andrew R.
love coming in here for the best Mexican food in Seattle- the mole is delicious, salsas are tasty, service is on it- it can be hard to get in for a table, but it's worth the wait; They are willing to serve real mexican food rather than the generic fare you get at most americanized, cheddar cheese dripping places Enjoyed the chicken mole- a nice bone in chicken thigh covered with their dark complex mole sauce that is what I imagine I'd get after a quest through Oaxaca for the real deal- super simple with rice only, allows you to really savor the flavor without distractions the quesedilla was crispy and delicious with some real mexican cheese and drizzles of crema and avocado chips are so fresh, hot and tasty and guacamole is perfect alongside limeade was refreshing and just the right sweetness service was good, although they do have to juggle lots of tables when it's busy it's not the cheapest, nor the biggest plates, but I'll choose this any day over any other sit down mexican option in the PNW
(5)Missy R.
Our family loves this place! We eat here weekly! The staff is sweet and super efficient! Sit at the bar and you may get extra hand-made tortillas. The salsa bar is delicious and there is something here for all of us! I even get to-go's for my daughters lunch.
(5)Lisa R.
Recommended by a local friend, my group of 4 ventured here on a Tuesday night, and a busy one it was! Ballard was hopping, parking was hard to come by, and we waited almost a half hour to get seated on the back patio. We sat next to some nice people who said they visit here often. My fiance and I ordered 3 entrees for both us to share, and the whole group got chips and guac as an app. The chips were great - hot, not too salty, and definitely fresh. However, we didn't realize there was a salsa bar until most of the chips were gone :) Eric R. and I had the lamb birria (leg of lamb stew with rice, beans, and homemade tortillas), the entamatadas (thin carne asada with tortillas smothered in tomatillo sauce, Oaxacan cheese, and Mexican crema), and chicken tamales with black mole in banana leaf. The lamb melted in our mouths, it was soooo tender. The tamale was really tasty, even just the masa part! My personal fave was the beef. I love tomatillo sauce, and it was zingy and spicy. The whole combo of everything and having thin and non-greasy beef made it so perfect. Each dish had a radish slice too, mm! We also had beers to wash it down. Service was iffy but we got everything we needed. Food was hot and came out fast. I would go back if I return to Seattle!
(4)Jason K.
If you are craving Mexican and happen to be in Ballard, La Carta de Oaxaca won't be a bad choice. It's nice to start out with tortillas, 4 kinds of salsa, and Mexican Beer with a side of lime before the main course. I had the Chicken Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno, which is the first time in my life having Mole. Not too bad! The place is pretty cozy, and can be crowded during peak hours. Fortunately I came here before enough people came here where the waiting list kicks in. All things considered, check this place out if you want some Mexican food in Ballard.
(4)Raquel D.
Food was delicious, but this place fills up FAST. If you don't arrive right when they open, prepare to wait.
(4)Jake M.
Food is fine but it isn't good value for money.
(3)Regina D.
Wait a while in line to be blown away from authentic Mexican food. Great to impress dates and fun with a small group of friends.
(4)Amber B.
I liked La Carta de Oaxaca just fine. They have a small menu geared toward foodie hipsters. The portions are small and it is pricey. My margarita was pretty standard. The atmosphere was very authentic Mexico and the redeeming quality was the salsa bar. Also crazy busy - we waited 40 minutes for a table by the door.
(3)H.T. N.
This place is great! The food was outstanding...the halibut fish tacos were perfectly cooked and spiced. The chips came out hot as they are home cooked with a mini salsa bar. I can't wait to go back to try more food! The only down fall was that the portions were really small for the price you typically pay for Mexican food.
(4)Conrad C.
I came away from Carta de Oaxaca thinking I'd liked it but feeling vaguely disappointed. Yes, it was good, but after all the hype I was expecting more. Usually when I've eaten at a place, I can quantify my reaction immediately without thinking too hard about it. For Carta, that was not the case. This is one of those times I wish I could give half stars, in which case I'd give 3.5. But this is not 'Nam - there are rules. So I'm giving them a 4. Wifey and I showed up at 6pm and the place was already packed. No big surprise there. We took the host's recommendation to wait at the bar, and we probably only had to wait 30 minutes, maybe less. Wifey got a beer, I got the standard margarita. I was pretty disappointed in the margarita. It simply was not good quality. It wasn't the worst I've ever had, but it was worse than average. That's pretty strange for a restaurant that strives for great Mexican. Anyway we also got the chips and guac. We couldn't resist because we saw others getting it. The guacamole was really fresh and tasty, and the chips were piping hot. It was great. Eventually we got seated, and I got a michelada (Dos Equis). It was much spicier than others I've had, so be warned that it might be more than you ask for. The plates are pretty small, as others have said, but they're not that expensive. Many (if not most) are between $6-$9. I had the molotes, which were really good. A combination of potatoes, beef sausage, and cheese rolled into fried tortillas that look like cigarillos. Later, since I was still hungry, I got the tacos al pastor. Not the best I've had, but good nonetheless. Wifey got tostadas, which she enjoyed as well. The best of all three dishes was definitely the molotes.
(4)Quinn I.
Yum! This is truly some of the best Mexican cuisine I've had in Seattle -- and that's a feat around here! This place was fun, funky, and very small on the inside! (Listen to the other reviewers and get there early if you want a seat. it was only a Wednesday evening and the place was still filling up fast.) The Mole was excellent, and that's usually the golden standard for me when it comes to trying a new Mexican restaurant. The only issue I had with this place was (as some others have mentioned), the service was rushed and impersonal. I get that it's a tiny restaurant and that they are trying to turn over tables fast, but at one point I feel like the head waiter dude was legitimately tapping his foot, waiting for me to finish my beer so we could leave. I'll definitely come back because the meal was excellent, just maybe not around dinner time. Other Things Of Note: Portions were normal sized, not the "Obese-American-Mexican-Food" platters that you might be used to. Chips and guacamole was $5 (!) and also not very generously sized. However, that might be a blessing in disguise!
(4)Joseph M.
What I remember about travelling to Oaxaca was another exchange student who was living there who also came from Washington state. One thing she said about the food in Oaxaca: There are so many types of mole. The times I've come here the food reminds me of being in Oaxaca, especially the mole. It's not the same old mole that you get off the shelf or at other Mexican restaurants. Actually, I think of this restaurant as "Oaxaqueño". The portions are just about right. I love their "Carne Asada Plato", flavorful and the meat grilled to perfection, and their "Mole Negro Oaxaqueño", ¡RiquÃsimo!
(4)Kiki M.
FINALLY! THE DAY HAS COME! I was able to eat the the beloved La Carta de Oaxaca! I had heard many tales of the wonderful food yet with it constantly being packed I could only ponder its greatness. One night after a stint at Ocho, the tides turned. We lucked out as two seats at the bar next to he kitchen were open. Our view consisted of workers preparing food with lightening speed. A very well oiled operation exists here. Despite how busy it was a waiter greeted us promptly. We ordered some margaritas and looked over the menu. Everything sounded delish and as soon as I saw the word "fried egg" I was sold on the Oaxacan enchiladas. My friend ordered a quesadilla, chips and salsa, and the chile rellenos as he insisted I needed to try them. Our food arrived at a timely manner and I couldn't wait to dig in to the enchiladas. They were doused in sweet dark sauce and the fried egg sat on top patiently waiting for me to devour it. I was very satisfied! The chips were warm and crisp and the salsas from the salsa bar (yes, there is a salsa bar) were all fresh and full of flavor. The chile rellenos were decent. My only complaints concerned the margaritas which were boring for lack of a better word and the egg cake (at least I think it was egg) that came with the chile rellenos was bland. Aside from those two items the rest were excellent. I am happy I was finally given the opportunity to try La Carta. While the food was good I think the hype is a tad bit overblown but that wouldn't discourage me from eating there again if I had the chance.
(3)Jason C.
Get there early because it gets jammed pack. That's about all you need to know because it's obvious the food is excellent here. If you disagree, shut up. On a side note: I once saw the owner and his family eating at a near by Pho place. There was something really satisfying know that this guy digs pho. I'm not sure why, but it made me like his restaurant even more.
(5)Shila B.
The next actual food place we stopped at was La Carta de Oaxaca @ 5431 Ballard NW. This is apparently the best Mexican in Seattle. I am not going to lie, the food was f-ing good. My partner in crime and I sat outside 'cause it was way too f-ing hot inside. I felt as though I was an onion bathing in salsa, very uncomfortable inside. I can just imagine what it's like for the workers. Either their air conditioning was broken or they really wanted you to feel as though you were in Mexico, the full cultural experience. We didn't get any chips and salsa either after waiting 20 minutes. The food wasn't timely either, however, we were able to hit our other target destinations after so I wasn't as pissed as I normally would've been. I had the fried beef rolls which were really good and the partner in culinary crime had fish tacos. He was satisfied with our meal, however, for what it was it was excessively expensive.
(3)Lawrence L.
Not bad - the servings look small but I found it quite filling - must be smart portioning. The best thing about the food here is the sauces - they are very nice. The seating is very cramped and the chairs don't move easily with the friction against the tiled floors.
(3)Katie S.
It's funny that this place has an almost cult following. Yes, the dishes are tasty and they work some fierce mole action. That word also describes many of the salsa bar offerings. FIERCE. Which is awesome. There are a couple things that removed two whole stars from my review...one, and the most influential, was the fact that the help was warm and friendly right up til the SECOND they stopped thinking 'feed 'em' and started thinking 'street 'em!'. It was seriously like the cold, unfriendly twin of our waiter came out from his basement chamber where he'd been in a particularly tense meeting with an IRS agent for suspicion of tax fraud. And his allergies were acting up. And his girlfriend just cheated on him. That is about the sort of scenario I picture that would produce the level of friendliness I saw. He literally reached in front of my fork as I stabbed my last bite of food to take my plate. If he'd come out and placed the bill on the table with a post-it saying GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE it couldn't have been clearer. And this was at lunchtime...there was still a booth at the window and about 8 places at the communal table left. Also, and this wasn't a real problem for me as it was lunch, but seriously - they serve their entrees on salad plates. If you're a big eater or even a really hungry small eater, you might not get enough. It was about the amount I would serve a child. Again, with the two tortillas (wonderful) that came with my pork mole (also good butcept the pork could have been a lot more tender), I had enough, but my male dining companion could have eaten more, as he got the relleno (ONE RELLENO, SMALL---honestly, I thought it was a smallish slice of fried green tomato when I saw it on someone else's plate!). The table next to us were eating when we arrived, and I thought they were on appetizers. Nope. They were all still hungry, and after mains, they ordered guac and chips to fill in their belly corners! LOL...where does that happen in a Mexican restuarant? Oh, right: At LCDO. So..... The upside is the food is skillfully executed, mostly, nice flavours, lots of punch in the salsa department, but if you're hungry by all means order an app! I would never stand in a long line to eat here. I'm gonna try the place north on Greenwood I hear so much about.
(2)Dima S.
I have friends that were born and raised in Oaxaca.They brought me to this place and I appreciated the suggestion.Homemade food,mole galore! -chocolate mole and grilled chicken with a hot hot hot jalapeno and Aha Toro. Delisioso!! It is a busy place with a kitchen where made from scratch dishes are created.Reasonably prices,friendly humble people. Try it !!!
(5)Dylan M.
Tasty food but slow service and way overpriced portions.
(2)Adam P.
Anything this good is worth the wait, which normally ends up being up to an hour at peak times. If this is the case, one must find their way to the back bar and order up one of their amazing margaritas and then stare deeply into the picture of the Pepper King. His Danny Trejo-like gaze will hypnotize you into acceptance that yes, it is in this place that the best Mexican food exists, and all other places are forever ruined. When I speak of Oaxaca, my heart swells like the expanding pillows of fresh masa that turn into their fresh tortillas. My body heats up like their piping hot baskets of chips. My pants tighten...from all the gluttonous consumption. Their 'ritas are the best I've had in a restaurant, and their freshly made chips and salsas are ridiculous. You could easily ruin your appetite on just those, but even stuffed to the gills on booze and snacks there's always room for anything on their menu. Not a clunker on the list. The menu itself is probably delicious. Slather it in their mole, and it eats like a meal. There's Mexican food, and then there's Mexican food that transcends the genre. This is the latter. My scale: 5 of 5 Stars - Would make a special, even long-distance trip to go here, and evangelize its greatness to others 4 of 5 Stars - A go-to option, even if there were other more convenient or less expensive options available 3 of 5 Stars - Inclined to give it another shot, just to see 2 of 5 Stars - Would not go back, once was enough 1 of 5 Stars - Would actively avoid, would recommend against going to others, experience filled with great sadness and regret
(5)Tina P.
Fantastic! Service is quick and friendly. And the food is worth the wait! I highly recommend the fish tacos and mole tamales. I always leave this place a happy camper :).
(5)Kate S.
Delicious food. Holy cow. I recommend everything. This is by far the best Mexican place in Ballard. Unfortunately services is a little slow if you pop in on a busy night. You're likely to wait 20-45 minutes for a table, and don't expect your water glass to be refilled very quickly.
(3)Sara F.
I recently moved away from Seattle to the last frontier, aka Alaska & have to say, this is one of the places I'll miss the MOST!!! I've been to Mexico several times & this place has some, if not the most, amazing, authentic, delicious, fresh TRUE Mexican cuisine in Seattle! The tortilla chips, fresh salsa bar & margaritas are WONDERFUL & I love the service. The owners, servers & cooks are all wonderful to interact with & watch, (you see the cooks right behind the counter), I love them! Not to even mention how great the price is here, you can eat by yourself for very little dough or get a bunch of "tapas" to share. I'll be going here every time I visit home, it's a true gem!
(5)Just Y.
The best Mexican food in the area. You just can't go wrong with anything you order. The place may look like a hole in the wall, but take the plunge into the madness and you won't be sorry. Its small, very crowded, cramped cheap tables, very loud, usually hot and humid, interesting afternoon hours, and just a few staff members. You will most likely get to wait for a seat somewhere, and make sure you order everything you're going to need for your stay when the server comes because you may never get a chance to talk to him again. They have a bar, but it really isn't a bar. Make use of it during your meal if you need another drink.
(5)Aaron F.
I lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for three months. Since my return, I have not been able to enjoy a "Mexican" meal in the Unites States. Oaxaca is the region most famous for its cuisine, particularly its mole negro sauce (which features chocolate as a main ingredient). Upon entering, we were told there would be a 30-minute wait; I started to turn to exit when a woman put her hand on my shoulder and said "it's worth the wait" with the biggest smile. I sure owe her one, because dinner at La Carte de Mexico was like stepping back into the city of Oaxaca. Order the chips and Guacamole ($5) to get started and pay a visit to the salsa bar. The chips are clearly home-made, and delivered scorching hot and crispy. Next up was a tomale ($9) with mole negro sauce. If you've never had a tomale, you must try this. If you have had a tomale, you must try this, because odds are you've never had a real one. The banana leaf is large and thick, the contents tender, with the hint of chocolate from the mole sauce in the end. Then we had the enchiladas, which were unlike any you'll find in the US, but not as special as the other items we chose. Then we had Moletas, another unique taste and texture. Finally, we had the house special, the "Mole Negro Oaxaqueno", a small piece of chicken covered in mole sauce with tortillas and rice. The chicken was perfectly tender, but the best part was the clearly homeade tortillas. As if it couldn't get any better, the restaurant also features Mexican prices. 5 dishes came to a total of $40. The plates are on the small side, sort of like Mexican tapas. In general, I recommend 1.5-2 dishes per person.
(5)Jessie R.
It makes me nervous to visit a ultra-hyped, crowded, no-reservations-available restaurant. I'm not fond of crowds, and even less fond of being super hungry not getting instant stomach gratification. But, I also love Mexican food, and in this town, that can be a problem. So for part 4 of my birthday dinner (yes, I've been celebrating all week and will milk it for all it is worth, dammit!) we headed over there. We showed up at around 8:30 and after grabbing a marg in the bar area, were ushered right to our table. No wait! Bonus! There were only two of us, so that could have helped with the instant seating. We ordered the tostadas, the tacos al pastor, and the entomatadas. All were delicious and authentic, but the tacos were my favorite by far. When the check came, we noticed that we were charged for chips AND guac, even though we didn't order the guac. Oh well. We did eat our weight in salsa, so I guess that is ok. Overall? I loved the food, but wish that I didn't have to go to a uppity, walls covered in cliche black and white photos of rural life in Oaxaca, filled with trendy diners-type of restaurant to eat it. I don't need my authentic Mexican food fancified. But as it is hard to find such good food anywhere else in this city, I'll be back.
(4)Nicole C.
Make reservations! It's tiny. It's beautiful. It's delicious. & it's actually Mexican food. Say goodbye to Azteca forever! The service was quick, the food was cheap + tasty. What else do you want? You might have to order 3 different items on the menu, though, since the portions are pretty small. But it's allllll sooooo gooood.... musttt.... go.... back.... soon...
(5)Matthew P.
First off, the good: The food here is wonderful, authentic and worth twice what they're charging for it. I almost cried when I first tasted their mole negro and the quesadillas--using authentic Oaxacan cheese--where perfect. The guacamole was, while not the best I've tasted, by far the best I've tasted in Seattle and the pico de gallo was perfect. I loved Oaxacan food in Oaxaca and this place is spot on in its food. Unfortunately, food alone does not a great restaurant make, which brings me to: The Bad: This restaurant is just plain unpleasant to eat in. It's way over-crowded, I was continually getting bumped by the guy sitting at the table behind me getting out of my chair was quite an adventure. It's very stark, white walls with b/w prints on them, plain tables and chairs, and bright lighting. Finally, it is LOUD!!!! I mean really, really loud. Don't plan on actually having a conversation while you're here (or make sure you get all your conversation done during the 45 minutes you're waiting for a table). I will definitely eat their food again, but I'll make sure to order it to go so I can eat it in the comfortable confines of anywhere else but here.
(3)reese h.
FRRRIIIICCCK! Me encanta La Carta de Oaxaca! Yes, the wait is long usually. But if you go at 12:30-1pm on a Saturday, it should not be a problem...closer to the 2pm range (they close up at 3pm for a few hours), they get slammed again. This strategy has always worked for me. They know they are hot s#!t, but I have never ever been treated poorly, and the food/drinks are consistently delicioso. I like: Mole Negro (pork), Tacos Fritos, Fish Tacos, Salsa Bar...en total! Te amo, La Carta de Oaxaca, siempre.....
(5)Lance T.
Craving delicious Mexican food unlike any other restaurant? Take a spin in to La Carta de Oaxaca and start with a michelada, margarita, or drink of some sort. A michelada may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy spices, salsa, and beer then your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised. Next comes my favorite part, the food. They have a wide variety of delicious entrees and an amazing salsa bar. My all time favorite dish as of today is their Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno. Lastly, I absolutely love the abundance of photography filling every surface area of the walls. Space seems to be their biggest drawback where you may be literally elbowing a complete stranger on the next table over, and customer service is just okay. With food this good who cares about all of their drawbacks right?
(4)Anon y.
Best mole poblano in town.
(5)Kyle N.
As a new resident of Ballard, I have been making an effort to try many of the great restaurants and bars in my new neighborhood. The more I walk around, the more I find! For a foodie like myself, this reality is both fantastic and a little dangerous! One location I hadn't tried until yesterday was La Carta de Oaxaca. I had heard great reviews from my wife and acquaintances and once I discovered Anthony Bourdain ventured to Oaxaca, I placed it at the top of my dining "to do" list. Approaching Oaxaca I thought my wife and I would have to wait a while, as every seat appeared to be full. Thankfully, we were able to sit at the "chefs" bar which overlooked the action in the kitchen. Watching the women work in Oaxaca's kitchen explained how we received our delicious chicken mole so fast! Each individual has clearly mastered their role and churns out delicious plates of food every few seconds. One individual's sole role was making their delicious home made tortillas and her efforts provided me with a delicious vehicle to transport my chicken mole and rice. The food at La Carta de Oaxaca is simple, light and delicious. From the chips and guacamole to the mole, there was one common theme; freshness. It was nice to enjoy a margarita, chips, guacamole and chicken mole without feeling I needed to take a nap. This reality likely explains why the space was packed. La Carta de Oaxaca appears to have a diverse fan base spanning from young to old. Without a doubt, they have one more fan after my experience last night.
(4)a b.
Super delish. Been here a couple of times with friends who live in Seattle, every time its amazing.
(4)Alison P.
l love this place. The Mole house special and the Lamb Birria are so good l'd volunteer my dishwashing skills in exchange for food. You can't come here without being willing to drop a few bucks on a top shelf margarita. Neither too sweet, nor too sour, l have yet to find a margarita that tops it, and there's nothing more disappointing than a high quality liquor drowned in too much mix. l'm pretty sure they don't use mix, and that may be the most important difference. One night, they made the mistake of giving us the wrong liquor, and they were happy to accommodate us by providing a new drink, while dryly reassuring us that the mistake wouldn't go to waste. l thought that was pretty amusing. The only downsides to this place are the wait, and the size of the place. lt is so popular that it is almost always packed. Not a problem, though; there are several places on that block -the Matador, Peoples' Pub- where you can grab a drink in the interim. lt's worth it, and since we always factor in at least a ten to twenty minute wait, we know what we're in for. With a meal like that to look forward to, l'd be happy to starve myself for the rest of the day just to savor it that much more.
(4)ash w.
This place is amazing! The margaritas are so yummy, the friendly & fast service is always a delight and the food is amazing! I'd eat at this place every day if I could afford it. I love the open kitchen and the close seating so you're right next to your neighbor. I've had several people suggest things to eat, it's a really fun atmosphere!
(5)Sweet P.
i'm originally from california and have been on a mission to find seattle's best mexican food. tough critic, i am.... short and sweet--their mole was so good the bf inhaled the entire plate in 3.5 bites. i had the halibut tacos which were SO good we went back the following week for them. service was friendly and polite considering we were there on amateur night (saturday ~10PM). yummmm, i'll be back...
(5)joel m.
If you're really down for a Seattle-style hotspot authentic taqueria style din-din with a blast of flava (both local and not-so-local), hit Carta Oaxaca. They open for dinner only and you have a shorter wait, that is, the smaller your party. Not to say that 8 or more groups are not welcomed, but you'd better be in line early if you plan on eating together. THey boast traditional dishes; I had the tostadas del camarones (crisp tortillas with layers of salsa, popcorn shrimp, and cabbage). They were a bit limey, but nonetheless scrumptious (and i'm clear of scurvy for a while.) Try the tacos w/ asada. And the guacamole with chips for starters.
(5)K C.
Give me an A, give me a M, give me an A, give me a Z, give me an I, give me a N, give me a G! What's that spell?? AMAZING! Our friends took us here and we are so glad they did! The atmosphere is cramped, but there is such an energy that you forget about your tight quarters. The guac was some of the best, the chips came out fresh and hot, and the salsa bar rocked! What especially rocked was the chili relleno! Finally-someone knows how to cook a chili relleno! We had that, the fish tacos and the mole negro. Everything was authentic and delicious! Our son got the Carne Asada taco and he gobbled down the meat! The Cadillac Margarita was amazing and had a good balance of tequila and juice. You can seriously see the love going on in the kitchen. We are going to have to get to Ballard more for this place!
(5)Casey A.
Tacos Al Pastor are possibly the tastiest tacos I've ever had. So good I insisted my vegetarian girlfriend try a bite and even she thought they were delicious! Also tried halibut tacos and empinada, very good. Some pretty spicy salsas at the salsa bar, liked 3 of the 4 I tried. Definitely planning to go back and try some more...gonna be tough not to order those tacos al pastor every time though!
(4)Erika S.
I moved away from Seattle to Kailua, Oahu for year. And one of the reasons I am excited to be moving back to the emerald city is the DELICIOUS molé at La Carta.
(5)Saul E.
Great food. Great Margaritas. Make sure to share items.
(5)Dan F.
This was my best meal in Seattle. We spent a week here on vacation, and ate all over the place, but this was my favorite spot in Seattle. My favorite food is tacos and my favorite tacos are al pastor. Everybody makes them different. Here they had that perfect combination of sweetness and heat with just the right amount of garnish. Dumbass that I am, I missed the whole salsa bar, only seeing it on the way out the door. The guacamole was good enough that I wasn't missing salsa anyways.
(5)Tony D.
I"m not an expert on mexican food but i know what i like. The mole here is sublime. I always get the lamb mole and the meat just falls apart under your fork which is just so exquisitely beautiful it almost makes me cry. It sounds silly but if you saw what i had to eat at the work cafeteria you would understand. The portions don't look like much but if you get the chips + guacamole on the side it fills me up and I'm satisfied. I don't like the communal tables, its not appropriate for restaurants and its a stupid trend that needs to friggen die. Furthermore the salsa is nothing special so i had to take a star off for that. The waitstaff is always friendly so I'll keep coming back.
(4)Larry J.
Our experience here was somewhat hit-or-miss. A few decent dishes, some not so good. Definitely didn't live up to the hype, but that's hip & happenin' Ballard for you. Serving sizes were small, so eat lots of chips and salsa to fill up. I came specifically for the Caldo de Pescado, spicy fish soup, which sounds much better than it is. The menu doesn't tell you that it's made with catfish, but it's worth noting if you dislike catfish, as I do. When I tasted the muddy river bottom funk in the soup broth, I knew I'd made a mistake. Might have been better with cod, but it wasn't a great soup to begin with. Maybe thankfully, it was a rather small bowl (not worth $8, by any stretch). The only thing I came away with is an interest in researching this soup so I can make a better version at home. Good luck, amigos!
(2)Jason P.
Holy crap this place is good!!! I love Mexican food, but every time I've tried to go here they've been packed. Yesterday my girlfriend and I went around 5pm and beat the crowds...I'm so glad we did. She had the tamale and I had the enchilada, and we shared some tostadas and chips and guac. Everything was great, but I wouldn't get the tostadas again, as they are pretty standard and similar to the chips with guac and salsa from the bitchin' salsa bar. But the best part is the reasonable prices and reasonably sized dishes. Most Mexican restaurants, hell most restaurants of all kinds, give way too much food. These portions are perfect, and all under $10. Go early or go late, but go to Oaxaca!
(5)Wilson C.
i think i might be in the minority when it comes to my review about this place, but here's why - was meeting some friends for dinner on a weeknight, got to the restaurant and it was packed, must be pretty popular on a weeknight to be that full. went to the bar to get a drink while we waited. pretty good service there, it was quick and prompt. some of us in our party got there a bit before us and got on the wait list. lost track of time, but i guess the wait was about 30 mins-ish. most of the tables there are long communal tables, so get ready to be seated right next to other people unless you have a huge group that can take up the entire table. overall that place is pretty small and it can be a while to get a seat, i can't imagine the wait time on a weekend. i ordered the chicken tamale wrapped in a banana leaf with mole sauce (i think they put that sauce on everything since i saw several other different looking dishes with that same sauce on it). food came pretty quickly and it was pretty good and the mole sauce was a nice addition. it seem however, that they do use the same mole sauce on a many of the items there. oh yah, and the items are on the small side, so be prepared to order a few to share and what not. overall the food i tried was good, but the place could have been a tad bigger.
(3)Cecile D.
This place has EXCELLENT food. I absolutely love their mole sauce and their tamales. Yum! I'd give it five stars but it is always too busy and the seating could be better. It is worth the wait if you are not in a rush though! It's worthy to note that the dish portions are fairly small though so if you have a big appetite, consider ordering more than one dish or go tapas style and share a few with friends!
(4)Nestor P.
This restaurant has a good compilation of traditional mexican plates coming from this famous region of mexico. Besides the good traditional food, what I like is the "salsas" and the "pico de gallo". They have a self-serve dispaly of salsas and pico de gallo that are the perfect complement for the food. If you seat at the bar, you can see how they make their own corn tortillas and you have a view of the busy kitchen. The service is very good and fast, the place is small but deserves the waiting time. The decor is very simple but offers a good view of this region of Mexico through a nice selection of color and black & white pictures. parking could be a little be complicated because the restaurant is located in a small street.
(4)Jennifer G.
Cold beer with lime. Check. Great bustling atmosphere. Check. I was surprised how lackluster the food was. My palette must crave more spice and flavor that the previous reviewers.
(2)Wesh W.
Hard to give this review, especially in light of all of the positive reviews I've read about this place. Other reviewers are right about the amazing guacamole. Yep, nice guacamole. On the other hand, the service was slow before, during, and after the meal. Not just "Hmm! It's kinda' slow!" slow, but "Holy crap did someone kidnap our waiter" slow. At our table (the big long one in the front of the restaurant) every party around us at some point or another was sitting in their seats with hats & purses in-hand, waiting to get their check. Then there was the meal itself. The carne asada tasted like some sort of sauce substance instead of roasted meat. Tried tasting meat, but couldn't. I saw meat on the tacos and everything, but it just didn't seem to taste like anything. This is a giant problem, because I ordered carne asada, not sauce-stuff. The food on my second plate was cool, clearly either was prepared early and incompletely warmed for plating or was plated and allowed to sit long enough for the mole to mix with the sour cream and congeal into a lukewarm layer of indistinct stuff. I didn't want to be hard on 'em. Could've been a bad day, but my ex-wife's meal was no better. Points to a pattern. The margaritas looked good. They'll help me get over STILL not being able to get good Mexican food in Seattle.
(2)Kristen G.
One word: love! I have never had a bad dish here! it's a seattle must!
(5)robin s.
I've been to this restaurant 3 times. It's always busy and there is good reason for that. The service is fast, the atmosphere is alive and buzzing with good vibes. And, most importantly, the food rocks. I mean that. This might be the best Mexican food in the city for a sit-down feast. I adore it and highly recommend it. I used to never order mole anymore in Mexican restaurants because it was either cloying or bitter. These guys renewed my faith in mole. Wonderful!
(4)Mike H.
This place was excellent. We caught it during Christmas, so the line wasn't too crazy. From what I understand, it can be quite the wait otherwise. The basic decor betrayed the tastiness of the chile rellenos. I've had the same dish at other restaurants, and they've pretty much paled in comparison. They got the egg batter just right, nice and flaky. The portions were just right, enough to fill your stomach, but not leave you wheezing afterwards. Nothing at all like American sized portions you might find elsewhere. The price was also very comparable to the size, so you could mix and match and try out different dishes. Finally, it was perfectly spicy. I definitely recommend La Carta de Oaxaca, if you can handle the lines. However, it's well worth it!
(5)Melanie L.
This was the first time I didn't miss having rice and beans with my meal. We got there around 5:30 (hoping to beat the dinner rush) and we got a table right away.....Within 5 mins though there wasn't an empty seat.... We immediately ordered their house margarita. Holy mother of.... it was strong. Everyone was ordering the margaritas... I had been warned about the small plates so we ordered a plate of carne asada tacos, the mologates, and the fried cheese quesadillas.... I was going to try the Mole but opted to try the molegates. The plates we had (plus chips and guac) were the perfect amount... I love their salsa bar and their guacamole.... I highly recommend just trying all of them because they were very tasty. Everything on the menu is good... and cooked to order. The only thing I didn't care for was the seating.... It was fine but a little claustrophobic... but who cares when you're stuffing your face full of yummy Mexican!?
(4)Matt W.
Overpriced! $10 for a small chicken thigh and a half cup of white rice?? When they brought out my (lunch) entree I was like- where's the rest of it? The mole was OK, not the worst I've had but on the sweet side. Loud dining room. Would not go back.
(2)Todd L.
"Um, OK, we'll go have Mexican" (as I look forward to big piles of cheddar and globs of Masa). " Hey, let's go to Mexico to get lunch or even Tuscon or El Paso....' (any thing to avoid to typical "mexican" lunch which will involve 40000 calories from fat, canned refries and greasy rice). But lo...........is that an empty table at La Carta de Oaxaca? I heard this place is awsome, (I wouldn't know as the other four times I tried to get in the joint was swamped.) Entomatadas with tomatillo sauce. Light yet filling, satisfying my primal need for steak and, at the same time delighting my taste buds with perfect seasoning and the cheese.......oh the cheese.......not gooey piles of cheddar but real handmade mexican cheese, like grandma Guadalupe used to make.....Ok, no Grandma G but if I had one.....and was Mexican.......this is exactly how she would make cheese, perfect in texture and taste. The portions? Well America, a meal should not be 65000 calories. I finished my food pleasantly full without being too full, a feat not normally associated with a mexican meal. My girlfriend did not finish her food (and she is NOT a wimpy eater) so, of course, we can't let food go to waste............ her dish was incredible as well. Grandma Guadalupe would be proud........and shocked to find this food in Ballard. Good ol' fictious mexican grandma G. God bless her heart.
(5)Kat C.
I love an excuse to go to Ballard just to come here. Yes, you will probably have to wait but the shop next door is a great place to kill time and find amusing things to look at. Typically I am not a huge fan of Mexican food when I go out. Too greasy and I am not a lover of refried beans out of a big can. This is FRESH. Real Oaxacan Mexican food- the flavors are dynamic and the prices aren't bad. Portions aren't huge though but at least I didn't overeat either :-)
(5)Jonathan A.
Went here for the first time last weekend, and it's hands down the best and most authentic Mexican food I have had in Seattle. Delicious tacos and the salsa is awesome!
(5)Daniel D.
One word. Mole'. Eat it. Love it. Live for it. Its that good.
(5)Francisco A.
This is the best Mexican restaurant in Seattle. I am giving this place five stars despite the fact that it only deserves three. The fact that it is in Seattle warrants the extra stars. I'm Mexican and, obviously, I grew up eating Mexican food on a daily basis. Here is my ranking system for Mexican food sources starting with the best and working down to the worst. My grandmother's kitchen My mom's kitchen Good real Mexican restaurants (either in Mexico or places like San Antonio's "Mi Tierra") Street vendors Mediocre Mexican restaurants * Good Mexican chains like Papasito's or Chipotle Bad Mexican Restaurants (Azteca) Fast food crap (Taco Del Mar) This place ranks on the level of a mediocre Mexican restaurant. It's very decent, I'd even take my mom here, but I obviously wouldn't pass it up for a place like Dallas' "Calle Doce." The fact that it is in Seattle, which happens to be a town mostly void of decent Mexican food, it sits atop an altar of food amazingness. I had the mole and the shrimp cocktail. Both were great, but what makes this place truly special are the tiny details such as the freshly made chips (they have that special warmth I hadn't felt since I was back home), the simple but perfectly executed rice, and the perfect balance of spices throughout the meal. With Mexican food, the simplest element (such as the beans or the tortillas) has to be so well made it could stand alone as a meal in itself. I could have made an entire meal with just the rice. This place ranks up there with the taco trucks and "El Puerco Lloron" at Pike's Place.
(5)Aaron M.
Yes wait is long, but I loves me some Oaxaca yummy in tummy
(5)Alexis X.
I haven't eaten at many Mexican restaurants in Seattle. The best Mexican I've had so far was purely by accident from a taco bus in a parking lot near Northgate Mall, and at La Hacienda (on the way to skiing at Steven's Pass). I was raised on Mexican food in Tucson, lived in Phoenix and L.A., and have been all over Mexico, including Oaxaca. La Carta was not worth the 2 hour wait. The salsa's and guacamole was bland, and the overall food lacked authenticity and flavor.
(2)Geetika A.
i live near the mission in SF, so im smoldered by mexican and tapasness. but even a year he left seattle and we had consumed obscene amounts of aforementioned taqueria and tapasness, my bf still talked about la carta that I'd never gotten to try, so when we visited seattle, we went. Oxacan food is slightly different than the mexican i was use to, but in a good way.Size wise each portion is slightly larger than the tapas style serving.. they dont take reservations, so be ready for a wait and half on weekends, ive heard its not that bad early in the week. we waited 1.5 hours...and i have to admit it was still worth the wait. It helps that the Ballard area is lined with wine bars and boutiques to kill time and the restaurant bar serves up a delicious boozie margaritas so really, it could be worse. when we finally sat down, heres what me and my 2 dinner mates ate: quesidilla: yum quesidilla that is then fried. how could you go wrong? chicken mole: AWESOME mole sauce. drool. chicken empanadas: uptil now ive only had the south american style - smaller dumplings, fried. these one is served in a tortilla, and its delicious. hailbut tacos: im obscessed with fish tacos. these ones are grilled, with a chipotle-moleish sauce on top. not the BEST fish tacos ive had, but pretty damn good. cheese enchiladas with fried egg on top: the fried egg on top is what makes this dish, it adds texture and weight and balances the enchilada sauce. from now on, my enchiladas will also come wearing a fried egg. guac and chips: super garlicie guac, in a good way. though my favorite type of guac is more limie, i enjoyed the garliciness, even if i could still taste it hour later. carne asada tacos: i dont eat beef, but my dinner mates said these were also winners. hmmm writing reviews at airport = gratuitously long review.
(5)Zack G.
We caught them during their lunch hours: 11am - 3pm Tuesday - Saturday We arrived around 2:45 and the place was dead. We didn't notice the hours. The food was perfect --- hot, flavorful, fresh, and unique. The prices were very reasonable. I had just taken my last bite of taco when the server took away my plate. I guess I didn't really need that orange wedge, but this brings me to my one gripe. I understand that they all just wanted to go home, but we weren't lolligagging. We were going at a good pace, but they took away our plates the second we were finished, stopped refilling beverages, and insisted that we pay the bill immediately. The employees in the back kept talking amongst themselves then looking at us. Like I said, I understand that they want us out so they can leave, but next time, warn us that you close in 15 minutes and don't push us out. It left a funny taste in my mouth.
(4)Elaine S.
OAXACA.... I like to yell it, OAXACA! Seriously salsa bar- awesome! 'Ritas- strong yet delicious! Chips- amazing! Little old ladies making my tortillas.... love it! Expect to wait at least 20 minutes, but it is well worth it.
(5)Won M.
When you go to this place, even though you may not be a Mexican you will feel at home. Not because of the atmosphere, because it's quite busy in there. The servers are running around the tables in blur speed there. BUT, what I am talking about is the food. The second you bite into WHATEVER you order there, you will be at home and you will be complete. Food here is the ultimate comfort food. All of the dishes are created beautifully from scratch. It looks and tastes just like how you imagined what a perfect home-made traditional Mexican food would taste like. I had the Empanadas, Chile Rellenos and some Tomatillo sauced steak dish. My GF said, I kept mumbling something but she couldn't understand it. I don't know what I was saying either. It's a must go. Oh! And make sure you say that Oaxaca right. Say it with me everybody, "WHA, HAWKA!"
(5)Bethany L.
This place is so freaking good and very fairly priced. The chips and guacamole cost extra--though they don't say that when they ask if you if you want some-tricky. But the food is brilliant!!!!! Definitely eat here.
(5)Sean F.
I have a sociologist friend who lived on a farm in Oaxaca for 6months. He shared a bed made from a board with the farmer, his wife, and their daughter and son. Many a night he feigned sleep as the farmer and wife made sweet love on the plank next to him. La Carta de Oaxaca makes delicious food, but the wait can be excruciating.
(4)Tamra G.
Best mexican food in Seattle. The wait can be a little annoying but it is always worth it. I've had the halibut tacos and the cheese chile relleno and both were delicious and just the right size. The bartender's margarita is also potent and tasty! Don't pay for the guacamole-it's a ripoff.
(5)Mark R.
Great taps and amzingly delightful cadillac margaritas. The service isn't that great. They won't seat you if your entire party isn't there and they've screwed up our reservations more than once. But the good food and drinks keeps us coming back. If you're willing to sacrifice amazing service for great Mexican food, then it's great. But if you have a party of 6 and only 4 show up, know that 2 strangers WILL be joining your table.
(3)Josh B.
Very good and very trendy. Expect to wait at least 45 minutes for a table during dinner. The food is very simple and it's all a la carte. My favorites here are the pork tacos, the fish tacos and the guacamole. Update: Barrio or Senor Moose is better for food and drink. If it is a fun scene you are looking for, stick with Oaxaca.
(3)Matt F.
I don't like mole.. It's the only thing I order here. I love this place, I wish it wasn't so busy.
(5)Joy B.
overpriced, noisy and very small portions. there's lots of great mexican food in this city and this is not it. sadly it's not worth the wait.
(2)Cynthia M.
I was here about a year ago and was blown away by their variety of mole. I'm a die hard Mole freak - even tried to make it myself one Christmas when living in San Diego. It's unbelievably hard to make and if you're not careful, you can end up with something that tastes like burned rubber....so I slavishly appreciate the great mole. Everything I ate here was wonderful....and the waiters work hard to get you your food....it was super crowded. But any place with such a devotion to first class mole, and many varieties of it, is worth going to and suffering in whatever way it takes to get a chance to sample the cuisine. I had the radical, dark, intense mole - and it was everything it was supposed to be. Bravo.
(5)Doni W.
I'm new to Yelp, but I knew that Oaxaca had to be one of the first places I wrote about because it's AMAZING! I've tried numerous dishes there (you can easily do that, you see, since most are only $5-8) and they are all equally as orgasmic as the others. You must always order the chips and fresh guacamole, and you should always, ALWAYS partake in one... or more... of their margaritas. You'll be on your face in no time. The ambiance is right up my alley, although you must also be okay with the possibility of the whole communal table thing during busier hours if you're in a small group. Speaking of, it's best to just avoid coming here during the prime-time lunch/dinner hours as the wait can reach upwards of an hour (and you WILL be waiting outside as their space is limited within). Besides, the thrill of having to time it just right to come here makes it that much more desirable... kind of like an underage tart. The yearning makes you stronger.
(5)Sheila Y.
I get to throw in that I'm from Colorado and our Mexican packs a pretty mean punch. The pork tacos here and the sopas are pretty decent, bordering on great. The salsa bar is fun and the Margarita's truly are wonderful. I hate how they rush you through and the last time I was here we were right by the door (yuck)! I wish they would open a bigger space or do something to make people feel a little more at home. Anyways, the prices are decent, the portions are not disgustingly large and they are not afraid of spice, which is hard to find in this town. I think next time I will try what some of the other yelpers have recommended so that my 3.5-4 star review can be revised to a five.
(4)Elisabeth J.
Gah. I love this place. I've been there many times, on different days of the week and different times of day, and it's always amazing food. Good rule of thumb: if you haven't seen it on every other Mexican menu you've ever seen, it's probably what you should order at Carta de Oaxaca. So, entomatadas, molotes, etc., rather than tacos, quesadillas, etc. That said, though, the chips, salsa, and guacamole (oh, the guacamole!) are excellent. It is pretty crowded at dinnertime, but lunch is usually pretty relaxed. Also, I find it amusing that their margaritas and many of their dinners cost exactly the same amount ($7 - a cheap dinner and a moderately pricey drink).
(5)Jenna M.
My boyfriend and I met another couple here for dinner on a Saturday night. As soon as I walked in the door, it smelled of my friends kitchen in Yucatan. We put our name in, ordered a few (delicious) margaritas at the tiny bar and were surprised to be seated within 20 minutes as the place was packed! We sat down righ behind the "Salsa bar" and ordered chips and gauacamole asap. Delicious. We quickly decided on our entrees which for me, was halibut tacos. The prices were right (I think the highest was $10) and the dishes were modest in size. I would suggest possible splitting 3 things between two people? But it was satisfying, and not filled with greasy runny beans as is the case with some other mexican restaurants. Another round of those delicious margaritas was in order and we were done with dinner in less than an hours time. I would suggest for any one to go try it, the open kitchen shows hoew authentic the place is! Im a fan
(4)Ninja S.
I sat in here and drank a Bohemia while I watched someone eat. They threw down on two tiny tacos at $3 each and some little fried whatsits for $7. A total of $13 not counting a drink for a couple of nibbles of Mexican food. Well hey. Sure. It better be damn good for those prices. It smelled tasty and the presentation is really classy. I'm sure that the people who run this place know that they're the only game in town for decent Mexican food, so it's priced accordingly. It is a crowded place. If you are on a corner you are going to get jostled and bumped into every moment or two while you are there. Just things to keep in mind. I have no doubt that I'll actually eat here in the future.
(3)Geoff N.
Have you ever had a craving for the richest, most flavorful Mexican food possible? Have you ever wanted some south of the border flavor minus the trouble of a burrito baby making you bloated and sluggish for the next nine months? Have you ever wanted Mexican food that amounts to much more than beans and meat in a tortilla? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" then Carta de Oaxaca is your place. Located in the heart of Ballard, Carta de Oaxaca serves up authentically delicious Oaxacan food... I know, go figure... The wait can be long, but that's okay because the margaritas are massive and the mole is so rich, it tastes of chocolate. Also, be sure you don't miss their fantabulous salsa bar.
(5)baja s.
should be called, la rip-off. ok, so i used to really like this place. i'd wait 45 minutes to get a table. BUT, the last 3 times i've been there, i have been overcharged on my bill. we actually thought it was a joke the last time, but no. they have added dishes that we never ordered. and once, told us they had even delivered a dish that we never ordered or got! the quality of the food has gone downhill and gotten smaller. just ate there today. 2 adults, 1 small child. 2 moles and two tacos, with chips and agua fresca NO ALCHOHOL. it was 60 bucks! while the mole is pretty tasty, the amount of chicken that came with it was the size of 2 wine corks. for 9 bucks? i'd rather go to the taco truck on 45th (Rancho Bravo). which is much better, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg for lunch. and, what's with the attitude of the host guy?
(1)Yiling W.
My friends and I went here based on excellent Yelp reviews. The wait for a table on a Saturday night was not too excruciating, although we ended up sitting outside where it turned out to be chilly. The chips and guacamole (and salsas of your choice) were awesome. Normally, that doesn't count into meal rating considerations, but these were good, and the chips were warm and crunchy and salted just right! I regretted ordering my somewhat soggy quesadillas, which initially appeared to be smothered in some chocolate-like paste (beans, I think). However, I was in complete envy of the pork my boyfriend got, which was delicious. Unfortunately, the portions were somewhat small, and since I was with 3 hungry guys, that contributed to some degree of disappointment. Although I would go here again just for the pork (sorry..can't remember the name of the dish), and also because the pictures on the wall are neat and it's a posh place to go, I probably won't end up there again since my dinner partners were somewhat put off.
(3)A J.
I have no idea what took me so long to try this place. Might be because its closed on Sundays when I usually am in Ballard for the farmers market. Well I was missing out because the mole & sangria here are amazing. This place can be loud and some of the tables are family style so not a great date place but its still a great place to go!
(4)Tiffany S.
There is insanity going down in Ballard, and its name is Oaxaca. Apparently, on any given Saturday night, I am not the only one eating dinner at 5 o'clock. I felt like a moron asking our friends to meet us there so early but, let me tell you, we were first in line outside at 4:45 and soon there were ten people eagerly standing behind us. I get it. You're popular. Since we didn't have our whole party with us, we had to wait in the bar while the rest of the hungry mob populated the place like a replicating virus. No biggee - we could eat at the bar, and we had first shot at the bartender when we needed new margaritas. We had the bar to ourselves and it felt like our own little private party...for about 20 minutes and then the bar was mobbed. By the time our friends showed up, it was uncomfortably packed and the chances of us getting a table were nil. So we left. I'll be back on a quiet Monday or Tuesday but never again on a Saturday. Too hard to share it with friends.
(4)aditya s.
Could be really Great... I asked a (white) manager why they dont try using some naturally raised meat. His answer: "we're trying to be authentic" not only does that answer strike me as rascist, but it is also friggin stupid. The food and drink: great, unless you're a vegetarian or care about organic meat. Will I ever go back? Hells no.
(3)Scott W.
My fiance and I wanted to go out for dinner. So we originally went to Matador for happy hour nachos and margaritas. They were packed so we continued our search. We have heard that this place is amazing and that we should check it out - so thats what we did. Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan. Over-priced in all categories. $8 margaritas, $5 chips and salsa, small portions. What happened to free chips and salsa? We got 2 beers and essentially 4 tacos (from dishes that we ordered) between the two of us and it was $26. I like my mexican food in big portions and this was not the case here. The food was just enough to fill me up, but when I buy mexican food at a restaurant, I want to eat until I am stuffed. I did like how they had a lot of different salsas though.
(2)Zach G.
Go to the taco bus or Senor Moose instead, if you like to eat good things and not be treated like part of a herd of cash cows. Another yelp misstep. Can't win 'em all, I guess. Went on Saturday afternoon, and the place was busy but the wait to be seated was quite easy, no more than five or ten minutes. The wait to have our order taken was another matter, however. The service was surly, there was no water/coke refilling, and not once were we asked if we needed anything, if our food was edible, if we'd like to be plowed into by a waiter lurching across the restaurant, nothing. Once we were done, getting the bill took another ten minutes, and only after actually physically grabbing a waiter to get his attention. We were sitting at the communal table, and it did appear that diners sitting at standalone tables got better service. Whatever. The food is fine. I found the mole to be unpleasantly sugary, but that's a stylistic decision, and obviously some people like it. The fish tacos were no better than the ones at Cyclops in Belltown (maybe worse, in fact); the quesadillas were simply dreadful, with almost no flavor at all; the ($4, now) chips and guacamole were not a good buy. The chips were warm and tasty, but the guacamole looked like it could have come from a mix, with a weird, ultra creamy texture I'm not sure could be attained without a blender and some sour cream. This guacamole was very obviously never anywhere near a molcajete, and I can whip up a better batch from scratch in under five minutes. Apart from the service, the place is ok. It's reasonably inexpensive, although not necessarily when compared against other Mexican restaurants. Better service would give it three or three and a half stars. Addendum: I've been back a couple of times now, due to circumstances largely beyond my control, and if you're going, the only decent thing I've had is the tacos al pastor. The service, it just gets worse and worse. One prick of a busser tried to take my plate while I was literally taking the first bite of a taco that came on the plate. Then he came back and was in such a hurry to grab the plate that we had extended, hot, man-on-man-arm action and I almost got a lap full of all the shit I didn't want to eat. Gotta turn those tables over, I guess. Money to be made from all those gringos. Well. Fuck you. I'll help keep your tables open by never going again, circumstances or no.
(2)Nicholas C.
They have great service and great food. The appetizer chips are incredible and the menu has a lot to choose from. They also have a salsa bar with many different salsas to choose from and an actual bar if you want a cocktail or beer. The counter top is heated which is a plus for cold days. I really recommend the halibut tacos.
(4)non o.
Great sangria. I'm all about sangria and they make some strong one! really good! My favorites are Tacos with BBQ pork, Cane asada tacos, and halibut tacos. Sooo yummy! Their portions are small so we can order some different dishes and share. Their mole was too sweet for me though. I know that this place has a long time to get in but it worth the wait.
(5)Jasmine M.
Some of the most unpleasant, unhappy people work here. Not to mention the clientele. It's good but not great, and I do not know why people wait forever to eat here. It's a trendy place for trendy people, probably why I'm not enamored by it. But if you are, then good for you and your inability to be an individual.
(2)sheena w.
After all the yelping, I was expecting a lot from this place... unfortunately, it did not deliver. The chips were good, the salsa was okay--the best was the pico de gallo, and the rest were so-so and somewhat bland. The guacamole was likewise bland... my conservative, white, senile boss in southern California could make better guacamole, and $5 for a tiny bowl of it here seemed pretty steep. Molotes: SO disappointing... extremely bland. The potato was starchy and clung to my mouth in an unpleasantly dry fashion, I couldn't see or taste the beef sausage, and the sauce was flavorless. Tacos Fritos: Slightly better than the molotes, but only slightly. Likewise very tasteless. Tacos Carne Asada: Have never tasted carne asada that's so BLAND. Tacos al Pastor: My favorite of the four, which doesn't say much, but at least the meat packed some flavor. And did I mention the portions were teeny tiny? Perhaps I'm spoiled by my Southern California upbringing, but the bite-size portions combined with the absolute blandness that seemed to be the restaurant's theme, was not nearly enough to justify the prices, however low they were, or another visit.
(2)E M.
Sorry seattle yelpers, but this place sucks! maybe because i'm from san francisco and i'm surronded by taqueria's everywhere, but this place was aweful. please don't think i'm a hater beacuse our bill was $83 for the 3 of us and i still tipped $17. only one star for the nice friendly staff, but the food was aweful. ***UPDATE*** OK, i changed the rating to 2 stars since i shouldn't really expect good mexican food in the pacific northwest.
(2)Scooby W.
The best damn Mexican food in the state of WA. Great Margaritas, Guacamole and Mole. Its on the rotation. See you again soon, real soon.
(5)Brandi B.
I have had mole negro from countless friends abuelitas but never dared to eat it out much unless in a Oaxacan restaurant. There mole is soooooooooo delicous I crave it daily. Holly Mole. In addition to the mole the molates, halibit tacos, tostads, carne asada, number 1, lamb barria are all tasty as well. They also have a mezcal menu which I love and try the tamalito salsa it is the best I have ever had. thank you carta I was losing all hope for mexican food in Seattle until I found you.
(5)Elissa F.
I would go again and again. It is worth the wait. The mole chicken is the best. I also enjoyed the margaritas. The chips and guacamole were fantastic as well. The wait staff was friendly and very helpful. Go with a group if you can and everyone can order different items off the menu so you can share. We also had the Michelada, I loved it.
(5)Christie S.
I can't say much more than all the rest of these folks have said. Why I'll definitely be back: 1) Fantastic margarita. Sweet, tart, salty and strong. 2) Delicious chips! Salty and crunchy and delicious!!! 3) Legit ass salsa. Authentic and mexican as hell. 4) Super warm spot to take that Seattle chill off.
(5)Michael K.
Absolutely LOVE Oaxaca! I had a bad first visit in which I didn't like what I ordered. It was the empanadas and I just wasn't a fan. But my girlfriend insisted that this place was legit and I came back and got the halibut tacos... and it's INCREDIBLE! Their food is awesome. A definite must! I just wasn't a fan of their empanadas but their food is made with quality and worth the wait!
(5)Casey M.
I love this place! My first time going there and was incredibly impressed. Its a tiny place and it is loud but they have an open kitchen which I love. Everything was so clean and sanitary looking. I sat up at the bar to watch the kitchen staff, the bar looked like an old flat top grill (pretty neat!) There is a delicious salsa bar that you can help yourself to, the pico de gallo was fantastic. It probably took a while before someone came to get our order, but we didn't care because we were fascinated by watching the kitchen staff work so smoothly. We ordered chips and guacamole, their tortillas are homemade, we watched one of the workers press and cook them the whole time. The guacamole was fresh and had the perfect amount of lime or lemon juice. Halibut tacos were wonderful, they were juicy, flaky and had a fresh taste. The rice and beans were fantastic! Some of the best I have tasted in a restaurant, definitely authentic. I will be driving back to Seattle just for the food here!
(5)Kirsten E.
It is VERY hard to find good Mexican food in Seattle. La Carta is one of the best. It is consistenly good. Every time I go, I know I will get a great meal. They automatically give you chips to try the multiple AMAZING salsas you can dish up yourself so you get as much or as little as you want and can mix them up! This is a great place for 2 or 4 people. Perhaps a casual date. I am not giving 5 stars because they are so busy that sometimes you end up getting rushed out of the restautant.
(4)Jennifer W.
I just drove up to seattle this past weekend and I had to squeeze a quick lunch to this place just because I have missed this place :) This little mexican food restaurant can get busy during lunch/dinner rush hour but the food is definitely worth the wait. My favorite is the Caldo de Pescado (spicy fish soup). It's not that spicy but has a good kick and taste to it. It is served with warm tortillas and for a cold, rainy seattle weather, this is perfect. My friend even made a comment that this bowl of spicy and sour soup is good to cure hangover. I've had their chile rellenos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, and few others. So far I have been one happy customer :) check their salsa bar too..
(4)Elizabeth M.
So good! Eat here. Always busy, but worth the wait. Grab a margarita. They've got a great tequila selection. The tacos and guacamole are my favorites. Great prices and the portions are modest (works well for me).
(5)Trip C.
Met a friend here for dinner on a Friday about 6pm. The place was PACKED. Like as in, to the gills, no there is nowhere to stand while you wait for a table, excuse me as the waiter rushes by loaded with plates of yummy food, packed. We sat at the bar. It was empty! And as it turned out, it was one of the best spots in the place. We tried a sangria (not as good as my friend's proprietary Sangria, but his is tough to beat) and chicken mole negro Oaxaqueno (black chile mole with chicken, served with white rice and tortillas), the house specialty. I realize I am in the minority here, but I was not "wowed" by the food. It was good, but it didn't kick me in the pants and make me fall in love with it. I have made mole before many times and I left feeling a little underwhelmed. The good news is, for those who love La Carta, there will be that much more room as I probably won't make it back.
(3)Chris S.
Pretty awesome food although not your traditional Azteca plate full of nasty beans and rice. It can be very busy so your best bet is to not eat most of the day and go in after 8:30pm when you are hungry. The seating way tight here so if you are afraid of crowds, you might want to have a drink or two prior to sitting down. The Cadillac margarita, and quesadilla fritas are the best things on the menu. The salsa is all laid out with no labels but live a little and get the orange one on the end, you won't regret it.
(4)Anna S.
My previous experience with mole had been underwhelming until I had dinner here last night. Best. Mole. Ever. This is authentic Mexican food, not the heavy Tex-Mex that is often billed as Mexican cuisine around here. The atmosphere is lively and loud. I will definitely be going back, although I'll probably avoid weekends, as I know it can get very crowded and the wait can be long.
(4)Melissa S.
One of my favorite spots to go! Try the mole sauce with pork! And be sure to get the guac with chips. Watch out, they're closed from 3pm-5pm. The staff is great and the salsa bar is yummy! Seating is limited so don't expect to have a group of 10 seated right away. They have tables for 2-4 people and one really long table...during busy hours, you may be seated at the long table next to a fellow patron. Not too awkward! Pretty cool atmosphere, actually. I'm already anticipating my next visit!
(5)Lauren M.
Amazing food at very decent prices. Love to have a meal here!
(5)Tman S.
Pozole is what I go for. fork tender pork served in a rich,multi spice broth. Served with cabbage,clantro and onion. I would take Anthony Bourdain or Mario Orange Crocs to this place just for the soup and hand made tortillas that rival crepes' Fish tacos are tasty too.
(5)Sarah W.
You know it when you smell it. Authentic Mexican food. The smell of masa, cliantro, lime, onions, and flank steak. This place nails it. Fresh corn tortillas. Picante tangy salsas. Ice cold beer. Try the entomatadas--do not be afraid of the beef, and choose the tomatillo salsa. Go for lunch and walk around the Ballard neighborhood afterwards. Easy to access by bus or car (or bike!).
(4)Sonya L.
I don't know how it took me so long, but I finally ate here! I'd heard the place was great and, considering how many people are waiting for a table outside on the sidewalk on any given night, the food was supposedly fantastic. It took about 20-30 minutes to get a table, which wasn't too bad considering we had margaritas in the bar while we waited. Plus, we got a great table next to the window, which was really nice. We split the following: chips and guacamole, tostadas de camerones, halibut tacos, and the enchiladas. Everything was super tasty and really reasonably priced. I dug the fried egg that came with the enchiladas and the sauce was really delicious (whatever it was!). The margaritas are STRONG. I'd read in the reviews on here that they were strong...and those reviewers were right on. Thumbs up for the salsa bar. And oh man, their pico de gallo is the spiciest I've ever had - so many jalapenos! I will definitely be back here - I really liked it.
(4)Cynthia L.
I come here for tacos and the salsa bar! I have gotten a tamale once, but... it didn't have enough corn for me (in other words- it was more authentic than I was probably prepared for). They can seat you pretty quickly, on a Saturday night at 7, my date and I only waited about 15 minutes. Not ideal for a large group, although they can (and have) made it happen before for us. Amazing service! I love how busy everyone is, they are all definitely doing their jobs, which I appreciate.
(4)lydia g.
There are three different types of Mexican establishments in the United States. 1: The Aztecas. (Over-sized, generic Americanized entrees, not bad, but not great). 2: The taco trucks: (Cheap, simple, tasty, and the slightly more sanitary version of food vendors you would find in a mercado down south). 3: The gems. (La Carta de Oaxaca, the Galleria on Broadway, etc. the menus are limited, not generic, tasty, and authentic). La carta de oxaca es sabe rico. The food is prepared exactly the same way that the senoras in Oaxaca that rule their house with an iron fist prepare it. The mole negro is bursting with flavor. It is the perfect mix of about 9 different spices creating the perfect spiced chocolaty tasting sauce. La carta de Oaxaca even has chapulines. Translation: grass hoppers. They are not listed on the menu, but a classmate and I ordered them. They were served to us fried with a dipping sauce. In the state of Oaxaca these fried little chapulines are a big deal. Mezcal is also served here. Very expensive, but worth trying if you have not tasted it before. Be careful because it will bite ya' one shot of the mezcal can bring out the feisty. The photography on the walls is beautiful. After returning from a month in Oaxaca I was missing it. I went down to La Carta for a little piece of my favorite place on this planet as I enjoyed a sol, chatted with the staff in Spanish and enjoyed the Photographs of Monte Alban. I especially love the big photo of the grandaddy...the grandfather of some of the staff.
(5)Sam T.
Really!?!?! It took me forever to check this place out and now I regret waiting so long!!! Here's what you need to know: The guacamole is awesome, buy it. The pico de gallo was super fresh. The HOT salsa was actually hot and muy bueno. Order the empanada with curry chicken, trust me! Mmmmm, empanada.....Well now I know what I am having for dinner tonight.
(5)Jin Y.
I came here late on a Monday night and was able to get a table for two without waiting. Finding the place was a bit tricky though, I walked right past it without realizing. The food was the best Mexican I've had in WA to date, and better than many places I've been to in Los Angeles. I split the ceviche, tacos al pastor, posole, and mole negro oaxaqueno with a friend and we both ate until we were stuffed. Everything was delicious, but the mole negro oaxaqueno definitely stood out. The mole sauce was the best I've had, smoky and savory with just the right balance of spice from the peppers and sweetness from the chocolate. I was a bit wary about the service after reading the reviews here, but they were quick and courteous and that's all I really needed. At any rate, it's worth putting up with some brusque service for the food. I'll definitely be eating here again soon.
(5)Michael H.
Seeing as though it's extremely difficult to find good Mexican food anywhere in Seattle (I do miss Chicago for that!), I feel this is a very good place to go around here. It's always packed, but the service is attentive.
(4)Tom B.
Great vibe, very informal, very frickin packed all the time. Awesome, beautifully made humble food from old traditions. Few ingredients, simple preparations. Lots of moles--amazing moles. Friendly and efficient place. Clean and bright. Dirt cheap compared to most American restaurants of comparable quality and freshness of ingredients. It has been said that the portions are half the size of Azteca's for the same price, but...Oaxaca makes their food there in the kitchen when you order it, instead of unloading it off a truck from a centralized kitchen in Renton and then running it through a salamander. I love a bargain as much as the next guy, and will eat at Azteca sometimes, but Oaxaca has the good grub at a very very fair price for the quality. Spectacular tequila list.
(5)Roberto T.
This is not the mexican food you get from places like azteca etc, its flavor is more authentic to southern mexico. This is evident in the spices used, had the cammaron de ajo, tacos fritos, and carne asada. Tortillas, rice and black beans were good. Carne was flavorless, lacked seasoning. Service was quick, unfortunately we were seated in the back, where it was not too appealing. The prices were high for four of us ($90.00). If you are in the area its worth a check out but I will only be back to check out the lunch.
(3)Maria K.
I agree that this is the best, and most authentic, Mexican food in Washington. We lived in L.A. for decades and have been consistently horrified by the lack of real Mexican food here. The food is fresh, varied, authentic & interesting. Not a sloppy fried bean or wad of low-quality cheese in the place!
(5)Kathleen H.
This place does it right - flavorful food, not heavy at all, reasonably portioned and priced. I love that the diverse selection of entrees fit on one side of the page. Keeping it simple so you can order right away and eat soon! You will clean your plate and not break the bank - perfect harmony! It's the real deal. So stop settling for sub-par Mexican food and get to La Carta immediately. It's worth the wait, but if you are impatient, then go for a late lunch.
(5)Alex M.
This may be out of this world for Seattle, but to a Los Angelino we're sitting at just about average. The food was interesting and authentic but didn't send me over the edge. The drinks were strong but lacked flavor. Service was solid and friendly. Overall I'd say give it a go, just don't go out of your way.
(3)Mehitabel A.
I grew up in Southern California so I'm a Mexican food snob of sorts. I am not crazy about every single thing on La Carta's menu, but I will say this: Their mole negro is as good as any I've ever tried, and their posole is hands down the best I've ever had. I'd go there more often, but parking is next to impossible and nowadays the place is pretty nearly always packed when I go.
(4)Brent T.
Best Mexican restaurant in Seattle hands-down. It's a small restaurant on Ballard Avenue that is always crowded. However, despite their limited number of tables, the servers manage their tables like pros. Thus, if you are waiting for a table, I suggest that you stay close to the door and remain alert at all times. No matter where you are on the waitlist, if you are not there when they call you the first time, you can be sure that they will skip you and move on to the next guest in line. And all those people who complain that they are being rushed through their meal... they are right, but deal with it. They rely on their fast service to get in as many customers as possible. They do give you time to enjoy your food, but they are conscious of those who are "lingering around." The food is full of flavor and served tapa style. All of their dishes are great, but I recommend their Halibut fish tacos. They are fresh and just the right size. Tequila bar is amazing as well. Note: Please do not bring your strollers and expect to be able to roll them into the restaurant. There's such limited space as it is. If you are bringing your kid, be prepared to carry them into the restaurant. Sorry, that's just the way it is and you are not the exception to the rule.
(5)Dave F.
Finally left the Eastside early enough to get in this place before it becomes a madhouse. The Mole lived up to its billing--really good. That being said, the food here is really heavy. One entree probably feeds a a normal family of 6. OK, I exaggerate. Anyhow, this place is worth trying. Don't know if I'd go back, but worth trying once.
(3)Jessica K.
Simply the best, most authentic Mexican food in Seattle. Yes, it's too busy on the weekends. That's because it's great. Yes, it's more expensive than a taco stand. That's because it's very high quality food and should be respected as such. Try the Entomatadas with green salsa and the Picaditas. Awesome. Their other location "Mezcaleria" in Queen Anne is great as well.
(5)Cami G.
Some people are so impatient. Look, this is REAL Oaxacan Mexican food. They cook as you order. They don't re-heat yesterdays leftover pork, or the beans that sat in the freezer over night, or microwave chilled Mole that came out of a can. No, everything is made fresh, from scratch, and on the spot which is not a common concept at so many generic "Mexican" establishments. So be patient, they're making you and a hundred other people an awesome meal. Enjoy the photos and paintings on the wall. Engage in conversation with your hot date. Munch on the homemade chips and take advantage of the awesome salsa bar. Chill. So. The menu is limited but it changes. Excellent Halibut tacos.... the Empanadas are great, too. Can't go wrong with Sangria or a fine glass of high-end chilled tequila on the rocks. Prices are VERY affordable and while the portions may not be exceedingly large, you can still eat everything on the plate and feel satisfied. At least I do.... every morsel! And who needs leftovers? Just jaunt on over to La Carta de Oaxaca the next day if you're craving what you had eaten the night before. Mexican food should not be re-heated anyway, remember?
(5)Luis P.
As an expert in Mexican cuisine I can say that La Carta serves one of the most authentic delicious Mexican food that I have had in Seattle. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that it can get very very busy,and therefore service might be anywhere from bad to terrible. Also, there will most likely be an hour wait for a table if you go in the weekend. And to all the people who are complaining about the small portion sizes-- Yes, they are smaller in comparison to traditional Mexican restaurants but I for one enjoyed that I wasn't stuffed like a Chile Relleno!
(4)Wiley G.
Yummy Yum Yum!!! I happened upon this place on my mom's last night on her visit here in Seattle. She was craving Mexican food. I'd been meaning to come here since its on Seattle Eaters 38 essential restaurants so I decided to try it out. I'm so glad I did. I love the salsa bar. I ordered the Carne Asada which was delicious. the meat was cooked and flavored just right. We also ordered the Spicy Fish Soup to share and that was very good as well. The fish was cooked just right and seasoned very well. Definitely a must try as its not something you see on the menu very often at other mexican restaurants. I was afraid that the wait would be long since we went there around 630pm. But we were seated right away and we had a party of 4. The service was great too. Very attentive but not too much so. Food came out all at once and promptly. And the drinks are yummy as well. Will come back here for sure.
(5)Shawn M.
I wish I could tell you how the rest of the menu tastes, but unfortunately I love the Halibut fish tacos so much that every time I go here that's what I always order. The Halibut is so fresh and moist and flaky in the perfect way fish should be prepared, and the sauce is heavenly, like nothing I've had before... and of course the salsa bar, too many delicious choices to pass up! Next up I need to find a place that prepares cuitlacoche (mexican corn truffle) based dishes , yum, aka "corn smut"!
(5)Kevin A.
Amazing! After leaving Tucson and Los Angeles I have been yearning to find good Mexican food (I still wake up in the middle of the night from flashbacks of the horrors I found in Charleston, SC and Groton, CT). La Carta de Oaxaca is probably the best, most authentic Mexican restaurant in Seattle. From their sweet and savory mole to their carne asada tacos, each of their menu items are simple and delicious. I love their salsa bar and their awesome guacamole. I also love that each item is relatively small and inexpensive. Meaning that I can order two or three different items. This place is always packed, usually with a line formed outside, but it's always worth the wait.
(5)Maddie J.
Still my favorite place in Seattle, only I love them even more after I had my birthday there this month. They managed to seat our party of 8 (not an easy feat) very promptly on a friday night, and gave us GREAT service. The food was amazing as always, my party basically got one of everything and it was all incredible. They were very prompt and very patient as we brought our own cake, took our time ordering and eating, and split the bill 6 ways.
(5)Chris L.
Awesome Mexican restaurant with incredibly good food. Came here for dinner on a Saturday night. The wait was at least 30 minutes, but it was well worth it. Got the Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno with pork and it was awesome. My wife got the halibut tacos, which were also very good. Prices were very reasonable. We will be back!
(5)Nolan H.
Be prepared to wait. There is a reason for this. La Carta de Oaxaca has only so much Awesomeness to spread around in a given day! This place is freakin' amazing! Let's start with the phenomenal salsa bar. There are 7 different flavors to choose from. All of which are very different from one another. Now, you are not limited to just 7 different flavors, because mixing is encouraged! Create the ultimate salsa experience by mixing them all together. Salsa Orgy!!!! All over your mouth! Whoo! Sorry, I went off on a pretty disturbing tangent for a second there... The food is top notch. It is all made to order right in front of you by the most badass looking batch of Oaxacan ladies that I have ever seen. These women know how to cook and they aren't afraid to show it. My recommendations for first timers are the Al pastor tacos, and pretty much any type of Mole platter that they have. It's all good and it's all flavorful. If I have one last piece of advice, it would be to come early in the week when it's less busy. The only thing keeping this establishment from getting 5 stars is the waiting period. There is only so much space to go around and they fill up quickly. If they tell you the wait is over an hour, just go eat elsewhere and save yourselves for another day at La Carta. You will not regret it.
(4)Eric D.
This is one of the top Mexican/Hispanic restaurants in the region. Terrific, very authentic dishes, unlike many others. Three of us ate and drank our fill for $70, it was a gorge-fest... No gloppy cheese and soupy refried beans, just well prepared food. Meat that is really marinated, well seasoned, not so spicy your tongue goes numb like other such spots, this is all flavor. The rice is not splashed with tomato soup, it actually has flavor. The tortillas and salsas are very good...although you can get as hot as you want I tend to go medium and for the best taste. In all you should have a good meal.
(4)Henry S.
I've never been to Mexico and I have very few Mexican friends so I don't know how does authentic mexican food tastes, but La Carte de Oaxaca is by far my favorite mexican restaurant. I can say that the asian in me like their food very much. Be advised that sometimes there's a pretty long line during busy hours. I've been here 5 times and only once I was lucky enough that I had to wait 30 minutes before I was seated. But nevertheless, I always leave happy. The menu is extensive but not overwhelming and the portion is a bit on the smaller side though for me, it's the right amount. No, you can't get a burrito here but you can get other much more delicious food such as: Mole' Negro Oazaqueno and Posole. Don't forget to order their homemade chips and guacamole to keep you company while waiting for your food - trust me, it's so good! I believe it's their uniqueness that set them apart from other Mexican restaurants which keeps me coming back for more. If you haven't been here, I highly recommend you to try. It's not your ordinary Mexican food but you might fall for it just like I did.
(5)Emily T.
I've been told all about you, Peer Pressure. And my mom is one informative lady. Trust me, I ain't jumpin' off any cliff with the rest of you all. So I may be shunned by the 200 reviewers who say otherwise, but I'm going to stand my ground and make my mom proud when I say La Carta de Oxaca is overrated. Here's the setting. A warm, summer day. La Carta de Oxaca doesn't have air conditioning. There's a wait about 45 minutes long. People are packed into tables like sardines into a can. You're shoveling down food covered in chile sauce and salsa. Elbow to sweaty elbow with strangers. Sound comfortable? Not so much. I wouldn't bring a date here and I wouldn't bring out of town visitors, unless you don't care to actually hear much of your conversation. As I said, I'm in the minority, this place is popular and the staff is slammed. Your drinks may show up after you've eaten most of your meal and you may have to wait to get noticed if you need anything else. If you're just looking for an authentic Mexican meal, then give this place a try. The food is good, but not great enough to make me sing its praises.
(3)Kevin C.
As an Angeleno in a previous life, I consider it my responsibility - no, my duty - to take every opportunity to point out how superior the food in Los Angeles is to that of Seattle. Exhibit A: La Carta de Oaxaca. This place has about as much Oaxacan flair to it as I have a claim to the British throne - which is to say very, very little (holding out hope there's at least a drop of blue blood in these veins). When I think of Oaxacan food, I think of mole. And when I think of mole, I think of a mosaic of flavors so friggin intense you want to drown in the layers of nuts, chile, chocolate, and the other dozens of spices and possibly also marijuana they grind into that thick love-paste. Instead, I got a faintly smokey, mostly one-note sweet imitation of one of Mexico's greatest sauces. Sad Face. Definitely don't understand the crazy lines or the hype. Plus, this place is in Ballard, which might as well be in Mexico for someone from north seattle. Save your money and your time and instead buy a ticket to LAX and immerse yourself in the glory that is real mole.
(2)Ashu B.
I have been here many times and am always pleased with my dish. I order the same dish with thinly sliced steak and rice, and it's consistently good. The freshly made warm tortilla chips are great accompanied with salsa from the bar. Love the ambiance of the place and the service is always good. I have heard wait times can be crazy. First time I waited about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. On weekdays have always been seated immediately. Located in hip Ballard area with plenty of shops and cafes.
(4)Trevin C.
I wanted to love this place since everyone raves about it, but I just can't do it despite eating here multiple times. Half the dishes I've tried here are mediocre, and the other half are fantastic. The dishes that I have liked have been inconsistently good. What makes it worse is that the wait for a table is usually insanely long. There are much easier places to eat at that make food more consistently good.
(3)Drew M.
FINALLY went here and it was amazing! I was fearing the worst when we got there around 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday. Luckily the weather was bad and we only had about a 30 minute wait. We sat at the bar over looking the kitchen, watching over the masters at work! Everything was great, from the chips, guacamole and salsas, to the margaritas! I suggest ordering a number of dishes and plan on sharing. We had the steak tacos and cheese quesadilla, but everything that was coming out of the kitchen looked amazing. I'm definitely planning on going back to try more. Of course, the rushed service and larger communal tables aren't going to be for everyone, but this is one of (if not the best) better Mexican restaurants in Seattle. Also, when we were leaving around 8:30ish, the line was longer than it was at 7:30 p.m.!
(5)Zina S.
One goes to La Carta de Oaxaca for their mole. It's true the place fills up quickly and a long line of people willing to wait to be served sit outside on the sidewalk. Tortillas are freshly made on site by the lovely tortilla ladies. While not totally paleo friendly this is a great place to find mole north of Oaxaca, the land of chocolate and mole. Their tamales are not excellent, just ok. Go there for their fresh tortillas, mole, and the ambiance. It is very authentic! Ole Mole!
(5)Michael G.
Wonderful dinner and great restaurant!
(4)Caylee B.
This place is fun. Great decor. Sometimes hard to get in, so go on off hours. Food is usually pretty spot on. Salsa bar is awesome unless you're anti-community-food. Not been overly impressed with the beverages.
(4)P W.
Because we're early birds, we got there at 5pm and got seated right away. First of all, the chips and guac were phenomenal -- as was the salsa bar. The house margaritas were power-packed, and not overly citrusy....the sign of a mix well-done. the enchiladas and tamales we ordered were top notch. And a bill for under $24 per person as the icing on the cake. Great place, cool photographs on the walls, incredibly authentic. Will be back soon!
(4)Jayme T.
So far this has been the best sit down Mexican restaurant I've been to in Seattle. I ordered the Al Pastor Tacos and Fried Cheese Enchiladas. Both were tasty. They dishes are simple are reasonably priced. The mole on the fried enchiladas was tasty. The restaurant doesn't blow my mind away but it satisfies my Mexican cravings. I'm pretty spoiled with delicious Mexican food in Los Angeles, but this pretty good for Seattle standards.
(3)JoAnna L.
OMG!! Was taken here on a date last night, had to wait a bit for a table, but it was totally worth it. We got sat at a little table in the middle of the restaurant, it was a little loud, but we were able to talk just fine. We got the chips & guacamole to munch on and it was delish. My date ordered the chile rellenos which he raved about and it came with homemade tortillas and I ordered the mole' tamale...wow. It came wrapped like a little gift in banana leaf and it was SOOOOO good! The mole' in the pork meat in the masa surrounding it was just delicious. We also ordered some sangria and it was really good. Prices were very reasonable as well. I loved the pictures on the wall and the staff was awesome. I am ready to go back real soon. My date also made a few trips to the salsa bar, he loved the pico de gallo and the salsa verde :)
(5)Jennifer M.
So delicious! I'm a little annoyed that it took my boyfriend so long to suggest this place for dinner when he knew how good it was, haha. I'd say it's the best Mexican food I've had in Seattle, but that's not exactly a huge compliment. But it's some of the best Mexican food I've had *anywhere*. We started with some chips and guacamole, and they were great. A lot of places get away with making this a filler snack, but the guac was fresh and the chips were delightfully salty and still warm. We split the entomatadas and mole negro (with chicken). Both were so good that I can't pick a favorite. Some of the best mole and verde sauce I've had, coupled with tender meat and freaking amazing homemade tortillas. My only complain is I wish we would have had more of those yummy tortillas! The drinks were pretty delicious, but a little pricey for me. Will probably just focus on the delicious food next time I come back. As a warning to others, it's a little loud - didn't bother me, but I can see some people not liking it. And it was crowded, though we got lucky and a spot for two people had just opened up and we didn't have to wait like larger groups.
(5)Allison F.
This is a decent Mexican restaurant, but I honestly don't see why everyone flips head-over-heels for the place. First of all, it's always ridiculously busy and there's basically no parking. If you're a Ballardite like me, this really isn't really problem, but if you're driving in I'm sure it would be quite frustrating to wander around looking for a parking spot for 30 minutes and then waiting another 30 minutes for a table. Second of all, the food is good, but it's not amazing. Some of their dishes like the tacos and enchiladas are very satisfying, but I'm not impressed with the mole. Honestly I've had more flavorful mole negro in Minneapolis, Minnesota than I've ever had at La Carta. On a positive note, the prices are decent and their salsas are very tasty.
(3)Ellen M.
There are a lot of reasons to love this place. The rich favors and well balanced heat in the dishes made my mouth very happy. I am not alone in loving the mole negro as it is fabulous. The guac and selections at the salsa bar are delicious as well and the even the house margarita is great. The reasons this isn't a five star rating? It's LOUD-like dining in a beehive-even on weekdays. It is on the pricey side. La Carta sits in the nebulous place of not really being a fancy spot but priced like it is. So it's not a place I can afford to go all the time.
(4)Erik M.
Yum. Just... yum. If it wasn't such a friggin' hassle to get a seat here on any given night of the week, I'd certainly eat here more often. Fortunately my new job is just across the Ballard Bridge, so I can take advantage of their weekday lunch service, which also tends to be stupendously busy. While I have yet to have a less than outstanding dish there, for me it's all about their mole. Their tamales de mole negro make me swoon, with a perfect balance of rich mole and sweet corn tamale. I scrape the banana leaf wrapper with a spoon to make sure no morsel is left in the crevices. For dinner, I tend toward the mole negro Oaxaqueno, which feels a bit more like a meal with the rice wrapped up in a tortilla. Their margaritas are top notch as well, very flavorful and strong - the perfect complement to your Oaxacan meal. The biggest problem is that it's next to impossible to plan an evening that has any kind of schedule constraints that includes La Carta because you don't know when or if you'll get a table. And when you do get a table, the service can be a little hit and miss. They do pack as many tables as they possibly can into the smallish space, which makes for occasionally uncomfortably cozy dining with the table next door, but you could very easily double the size of the dining room and still deal with capacity issues. I suppose the constant line out the door helps maintain the cache La Carta has built over the years, and it's certainly worthy of the hype. Unfortunately it also makes for many more plan B meals at another restaurant when the clock is ticking.
(4)emily r.
I come here for pozole and agua fresca. These 2 things are done riiiiiiiight. the pozole is SO good. SO. GOOD! It is worth the insanity that is parking in ballard, the crazy line that is always pouring out of this restaurant, and it is even worth sitting at the counter that is near the tortilla skillet that will burn you if you rest your elbows on it for too long.
(5)Minda w.
Too busy! Long wait! To-go is fast though =) Chips and Guacamole & mild salsa - I love their fresh chips and chunky guacamole. Pork Mole - When I heard this was made with chocolate I had to try it. It has a bit of a sweet earthy gritty taste but it's strangely yummy. I couldn't eat too much of it in one sitting though. Loved the yellow rice that went with it too. Stewed Lamb - I'm not crazy about lamb but this was pretty good. It wasn't anything too memorable though. I prefer the mole over this one. Both dishes came with a lot of sauce so you could actually make two meals out of it by getting more chips and rice. Or maybe add your own meat to the extra sauce. Yep, I'm all for getting the most out of my meals. Enjoying to-go in the comfort of one's home = happiness =P
(4)Derek M.
This place is always busy. After eating here, I have a pretty good understanding of why. If you go in a small group (2-4 people) you won't have to wait long. If you have a larger group, plan on waiting for up to an hour for a table on the weekend. Great Oaxacan style food. The carne tacos and tacos al pastor are to die for (6 bucks for two). Rather than free chips and salsa, they offer chips and guacamole (5 bucks). It's great guacamole and the chips are always piping hot. There's a salsa bar that allows you to choose the spiciness and flavor of your accompanying sauce. The little bar in the back is a great place to hang out if you have to wait on a table, and they mix a decently strong margarita. They also do take-out orders. Since I work close by, it's nice to know I've got delicious Oaxacan food just a phone call and a short walk away. The only downside in the summer is how hot it can get inside this place, but I've worked out this nice little equation that's helped me out: outside heat + a crap ton of patrons + grills that are constantly blazing - air conditioning = At least 2 Margaritas.
(5)Mandy W.
I really love this place but was disappointed to find out they now charge $3.00 for a second round of tortilla chips. We always go for their $6.00 chips and guacamole to start off our meal and usually like an additional basket of chips to enjoy the salsa bar. $3.00 seemed a bit steep for a small basket of chips... Very disappointing!
(3)Allie B.
Probably the best Mexican food I've ever had. Cute place, though a bit cramped. I was relieved that they didn't go the usual route of cheesy mexican decor like most places. I don't know what everyone else is talking about, they didn't charge us for chips and guacamole. Kick ass salsa bar. My boyfriend and I ordered the chicken tacos fritos and carne asada plate and shared them. Delicious. Good portions, left feeling full, but not uncomfortably stuffed. And the most expensive thing on the menu is $11!!! Can't beat that.
(5)Kevin R.
Really miss Carte too, and I live a 5 min walk away once again. Have recommended and brought people there for years, but never again. After being out of the country for 1 1/2 years, the three times I've been in since May have all been bad in one way or another, mostly having to do with the way we were treated. Used to be a "home" vibe in there once upon a time, despite the numbers waiting to get in, but the past times was just callous and the last time was simply rude. I spoke to them about it and essentially received an attitude akin to "whatever, there are plenty of others waiting to get in and take your place"... No hay mas para mi. Yo no voy a regresar. (I've added a star back again, simply because their food is indeed tasty. i just wish their attitude had not done a nose-dive.)
(2)Bridgette F.
Cute restaurant with awesome photos. Delicious margaritas. Amazing #8. Quesadillas with guac, cheese, sour cream sauce, cilantro and beans. $8. GREAT chips. Very, very hot and salted.
(4)Kristin C.
I hate places with a wait. I mean sure, that usually means they are good. But if you have a really long wait, and the food isn't amazing, you are more likely to be disappointed. That is my opinion anyways. That being said, it took me a really long time to try La Carta de Oaxaca for that exact reason. According to Yelp it is ALWAYS busy. I don't go to old Ballard that often, it took me even longer. Since my boyfriend works nights, and La Carta is closed on Sundays, basically the only time we could go was Saturday night. Which means, we just didn't go. My friends and I went to a Tuesday night movie at the Majestic Bay though, so I figured 530 on a Tuesday would be a good time to try it, without the wait, and the crowdedness. I don't really like crowds either. We were able to get a table outside on a warm summer evening, and start off with some margaritas. Which sadly, were not the best I have ever had. For $8 I expect a good quality margarita. I could make a better one at home. I will admit they put a decent amount of tequila in there though. We ordered the chips and guac and got some salsa from the salsa bar(let me tell you, I was glad we got a table outside, cuz it was stuffy in there). The chips were fresh and delicious, a little salty though. The medium salsa had some good flavor, the mild was a little bland though. The guac was fresh and tasty. I am not a huge fan of guacamole, but this one was good. I had the molotes(which I ordered as the #12, because I didn't know how to pronounce molotes correctly). It was a deep fried tortilla filled with potatoes and beef sausage covered in red sauce and guacamole with some lettuce. It was good it had a lot of flavor, I really enjoyed it. The only reason I am giving a 4 star is the price though. I felt that for the ambiance, and the quantity, it was a little pricey. Its mostly served tapas style, and each dish is $7-11. We each only got one dish with the chips and guac and a margarita and it was $19 each. Kinda high for the quantity and quality of the food. I would still go there again though... as long as there wasn't a line.
(4)Larissa B.
Good fish tacos! Quiet room in the back for our large party! Efficient and quick waitstaff.
(4)Etta H.
I love this place! The seating process can be a little intimidating if you're easily scared off by long lines and bustling, tight quarters - but if you put your name on the list and go next door for a cocktail while you wait, you'll hardly notice the time passing! We were seated at a large table with lots of other parties - which made the experience all the more enjoyable. Take a look around at the other places in front of patrons and find something, anything, that looks good to you! The menu is long and if you're not too picky you can't go wrong. Being from Southern California - La Carta de Oaxaca is not the most authentic I've ever had - but definitely the best Mexican I've had in Seattle so far. The prices might seem low for someone from the area that hasn't traveled south much... but this type of place would usually be half the price per plate in SoCal, so I wasn't too impressed with the prices. So, despite having to compete with my hard-to-please pallet for Mexican cuisine - this place is still awesome! I loved the atmosphere... and the salsa bar rocks! The service is absolutely excellent and everything I tasted was very good.
(4)Keith R.
This review is based on customer service, not food. In fact we did not get to the food. On a Wednesday evening, we went into La Carta de Oaxaca for dinner. One of the people in our party was elderly and quite obviously not suited for standing up for long. Despite the restaurant having 7 or 8 empty tables, they would not seat us because only 3 of our party of 5 had arrived. The 2 stragglers were about 10 minutes behind us. The waiter invited us to stand in the bar until all of our party had arrived. I pointed out that we had a rather frail person with us, and asked again if he would seat us. He said no, we had to wait. Really? I could understand a restaurant not wanting to seat a partial party if the place was full, or even nearly full. But, at this time there were probably 25 empty chairs. Disgusted by this lack of basic decency, we left and went to a nearby restaurant which seated us immediately. Now, in addition to extremely poor customer service, in the 5 or so minutes we were there, I thought the place lacked any ambience and was loud despite having only 12 or 15 people in the restaurant. I also thought it was dirty and had a strange smell in the bar area. I know I will never go back to this place. There are plenty of good mexican restaurants in the Seattle area that deserve a table of five hungry customers more than La Carta de Oaxaca.
(1)Che C.
Good food. Had to wait a for about 20 mins, but I was expecting that. The staff was friendly and my cup was never empty, that's saying a lot because I drink a lot of water. The price was real good. My favorite dish would be the BBQ pork tacos. The carne asada tacos were good too. This is probably the only Mexican restaurant I've ever been too that chips and salsa was not free. 5 bucks for chips and guacamole, both were very good.
(4)chris m.
Best Mexican food in the Seattle. As good as it gets without a days drive south - try the mole.
(4)Jennifer R.
There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said - this place is yum-alicious! Had to wait 30 minutes on a Friday night, which is par for the course. Strolling around Ballard offers plenty of entertainment while you wait. Once we were seated, the service was speedy, if a bit brusque. The house margaritas were just o.k., but the food was outstanding! We had the halibut tacos, wrapped in fluffy, light tortillas, and the entomatadas - grilled beef with more tortillas, Oaxaqueno cheese, and a delicious red sauce. We were scraping the plate to get the last bits of sauce and cheese. Delish!
(4)Andre D.
Best Mexican Food in Seattle? Quite possibly. I just moved here from California and this place is lacking in the food from down under. Go with the Mole chicken, the hanger steak and rice, and some chips with some fresh guac. Don't forget your Negra Modelo. Now you're cruising. Tell your friends to meet you and have a great time. Delicious.
(4)Kathy A.
The food here is soooo flavorful! Absolutely delicious. The salsa bar is awesome (although it's a bummer you have to pay for chips). Their Mole sauce is so authentic and really an incredible treat so anything you can get with that sauce will be fantastic. Unfortunately, this place is typically packed at dinner time and there is a long wait. Also, it's a little bit expensive for the portion sizes you end up getting. All and all, it's really good food you just have to be patient and pay a little more than you usually do at a mexican restaurant.
(4)Jim M.
Seriously, I must have hit this place when the regular cook had taken the day off. I sat at the steel bar by the cooks and watched some really poor effort go into making the food. I ordered a chili relleno and a tamale and both were the worst I have ever had. The chili relleno had to be leftover from the day before, there was no way it was just cooked. I eat a lot of Mexican food and cook even more, what I had was not good Mexican food. They did have good pico de gallo which I smothered the food in. Which is the only reason I did not send it all back.
(1)Sarah S.
We happened upon Carta de Oaxaca on a Monday night looking for a place to eat. We ordered several different plates to share. The pozole and the tacos al pastor were good, but the mole tamale was excellent. The plates were fairly modest in size. The place was very noisy, even on a Monday night. All-in-all, I would return again.
(3)Logan V.
A full restaurant means good food. But this was beyond full. The restaurant would have been quaint except for the crying children, and the 45-minute wait for a seat was only tempered by a pleasant trip to the neighboring Buffalo Exchange. The service was polite but brusque and they gave us our bill before any of us were even done eating -- that means "get out" in sign language. Did I mention there were crying children? I was pleased for the relative peacefulness of Ballard Ave after the cacophony inside. But the food was alright, probably among the best Mexican I have had in Seattle. Vegetarian food, please! I could count the choices on one hand. However, I appreciated the use of legitimate Oaxaca cheese, which was especially tasty in the quesadilla. The mole just wasn't quite there. The complex flavors were not quite balanced (sweet dominated salty). Since mole is a staple sauce in food from Oaxaca, this affects the entire menu. The tortillas served underneath the mole were fresh corn tortillas -- thanks La Carta for not bending to America's obsession with flour tortillas! Skip the chips and guacamole. Although the chips were fresh from the fryer, $5 just didn't seem worth it for the few chips we got. The guac was also lacking in personality. This is a long review for a complex restaurant. In short: bad service, bad atmosphere, good food. However, too much sweet mole with too many people enjoying too few vegetarian options will probably keep me from returning.
(4)Amir J.
Barely average food. Not even remotely close to the wait, We waited 45 minutes for a table, which is about the norm for good places in the city and we ordered pretty much half their menu since we had a party of 6. None of the dshes we ordered were memorable. The tortillas and rice were the only good thing on the menu. The fried quesadillas were bland, tacos were dry and mole was just about average. Agua Verde and even Cactus are miles better than this place. On the upside, trying so many dishes ensured that I will never have to go here again. This might be good for Ballard, but not anywhere else. Heck, I even considered walking over to Matador (eww) for some real food until I saved the evening with a trip to Cupcake Royale.
(2)E K.
I noticed this place once just walking around and felt SO lucky, like someone had just graced them into my appetite. I have heard of this place, and thought it'd be more run down than it appeared to be. I say this is the REAL stuff and more! It is tapas style, Mexican style-affordable bite size foods. The carne asada- YES! The only thing is that the empanada's are not like the ones I had in Mexico City (or anywhere else in the world I've been). They use a flat flour tortilla, (is it maybe a oaxaca thing? I dont know.) so it slightly resembled a quesadilla. Nonetheless, whatever they stuffed inside was awesome. To top things off, there is a sauce "bar"...get all the sauce that you want! Something about all-you-can-eat of anything feels less classy, but I absolutely love it. Portage Bay seems to pull their toppings bar off as somewhat classy too, so there. I love La Carta de Oaxaca. One thing I can't help with is which sauces I thought were exceptional and which weren't. I tried all of them and they weren't labelled, so there's no way I could remember. At least you get to try it yourself with any order! Yes the portions are small, like what you get on the streets of Mexico, or even a taco truck, but you can't beat the quality! Anyways, it is dark inside, but the food looks clean! If only I was back in Seattle and I could try their tamales, rellenos, etc...
(5)M H.
Whenever I'm around Ballard and it's not a Sunday (they're closed) I must go to La Carta de Oaxaca .. this resto never disappoints! It's usually extremely busy, so the door/host guy, who's super friendly, will take us to the back bar and we'll have a drink while we wait, which most of the time turns to us just eating there. We've had two different bartenders, a guy and there's a girl there sometimes, and they're both very skilled and also friendly... I mean, the service here, is simply as amazing as the food! The entomatadas with the tomatillo sauce are to die for! We usually order 3 different dishes, share them between two of us, leaves us room for dessert, and that's more than plenty! I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups or families with kids during dinner time but lunch is fine as it's not as busy.
(5)Sara D.
This was my second time dining at La Carta, and I must say it was excellent! We started with two very strong and delicious margaritas, homemade chips and guac and an order of moletes. Yum! I ordered the enchiladas which came with a fried egg on top and my partner ordered the Halibut tacos. We were stuffed. I like the modern dining space. Only draw back is how busy they are, and you have to wait! The summer months their patio is open and it is great. I be back very soon.
(4)Karen D.
High marks for taste, authenticity & super fast service. We had tamales, fish tacos, & chicken w/ mole sauce, all delicious. Portions are really small--entrees are appetizer sized. (Providing a free basket of chips and salsa would help!) Prices are reasonable though. Servers were efficient & polite, but not especially friendly. The restaurant quickly filled for dinner service after we arrived at 5:30, and the noise level rose to the point we had to holler at each other in an effort to converse. The small interior space is crowded with tables--my seat was jutting halfway out into the main aisle and my dining companion couldn't push his seat away from the table more than a few inches. Would consider returning but during a weekday lunch when it's less likely to be so busy.
(4)J K.
One of the best eateries in town. Excellent food, reasonably priced with great service and ambience. The mole tamale is incredible!
(5)Nick B.
I went here for a friend's birthday. This reminds me a lot of Chile Pepper in Wallingford, in that it is an upscale version of Mexican food. The food is quite good, not too greasy, but it definitely lacked any sort of wow factor. For the price that you pay (which will be well above what you would expect at your traditional Mexican restaurant) it doesn't deliver. I also thought that the ambiance took a hit because of how crammed the place was. We were 4 people at a table and if I dared scoot myself a bit too far to the left I was quickly greeted with the hostility that is common when one man's buttocks accidentally touches another during a meal. So overall this place is okay. I would like to go back and try another dish (mine was smothered in mole sauce).
(3)Masa M.
If you're from California, you'll be disappointed after feeding into the hype of this place. It's okay. I can safely say that it's the closest thing to Mexican food I've had in Washington since moving here. People rave about their halibut fish tacos, but I found them disgusting. The fish was far from fresh. I even ate here 2 nights in a row this weekend just to make sure I gave the fish tacos a fair shot...FAIL. I've yet to find a restaurant here that knows how to season carne asada properly, this place included (how is it possible to f-up a carne asada?). Their mole sauces are good...very authentic Oaxacan-style. Be sure to order chips and guacamole as an appetizer with your beers. The guac is homemade and you can really taste the avocados. Their chips and tortillas are handmade which is a good thing...but I'd love to bring the crew from King Taco up here for a few days to teach them the proper technique on preparation and seasoning. Their tacos al pastor are passable. To narrow it down, their best menu items are their soups. I had the abodingas on Friday and the pozole on Saturday. Both were reminiscent of the soups I used to have at my friend's house in LA. They serve full bowls, so if you're not super hungry, the soups are plenty hearty and will suit you fine. We ended up ordering 2 plates each among the 3 of us. We walked out of La Carta de Oaxaca with the feeling we were going to explode. The prices are reasonable, but slightly on the pricey side. But I suppose you have to pay a bit more to eat the closest-to-authentic Mexican food in the area.
(3)Chris R.
If God cooked food (which I'm sure She does) it would taste like it was made at La Carte de Oaxaca! Some people say Chipotle, others say Taco Del Mar... I say, "what the fuck is wrong with those people?!". Especially when you can get some of the most authentic food from the Oaxaca region right out of Ballard. Between the fresh salsa bar to the tamales, the food here is some of the best Ballard (read Seattle) has to offer. Do not skip this place of you have a chance for a visit. The "small" plates will fill you up and they are inexpensive enough to grab two. Grab three if you're super hungry, or four if you're planning to share. Besides, I you're a geek like me you have to appreciate a Google search for Oaxaca produces their site above everything else. SEO for the win! With that: 5 stars for the food 5 stars for the price 4 stars for the fresh salsa bar
(5)Jim D.
[Probably 3.5stars] The guac was ok, not amazing. My tostada was very tasty. I feel we could have had a bit more chips for $5, all around the portions were a bit small. But then again, I hate overly large portions. I did love that we came in at 945pm, and the place was still hop'n. As a night-owl, I love to see that.
(4)Kevin S.
After moving from Austin to Seattle, I was attempting to find descent mexican food, which has proven to be difficult. La Carta de Oaxaca was the place I was looking for. The menu features great interior mexican dishes that are delicious and affordable. This place is very loud and seating is at a premium. If you are looking for a quiet peaceful dinner, this is not your place. The overall decor though is very nice. See you soon La Carta de Oaxaca.
(4)Lucas M.
great tamales, wrapped in banana leaves.
(5)Jon D.
The food coming out of the kitchen might as well have been coming straight out of Mexico. In considering any regional cuisine, the balances of flavors unique to that area or even village should come sing-songing out from that plate onto your palate, and La Carta does Oaxaca justice. Leaning onto the sweet, spicy, and savory, the dishes featured deep spices. The chile relleno was definitely spicy, stuffed with flavorful chicken. The chicken leg smothered in the house mole sauce was complex and rich. The enchiladas were finely complimented by the fried egg they came with. The hot, fresh chips came with a fantabulous guacamole, and the fresh salsa bar had quite the selection. Each dish came with beans and rice, savory and tasty. The restaurant is small and well packed with tables. A short wait, however, the wait was spent standing in the doorway. There is quite a bit of toustling and jostling that goes on, though everyone was generally friendly about it. Not the most comfortable of places, but hey, it's a cute little space with lots to look at in the meantime while you ware waiting for a seat. It's hectic, but fun and tasty. You can tell that the dishes have some great history behind them. Service was prompt and sufficiently attentive, but with the hecticness of the little restaurant it can be a little difficult to flag someone down if you need anything specific.
(4)Dub N.
I can sum this place up in 1 sentence............ This is "authentic" Mexican fast food. (all i wanted was a beef burrito with rice or regular soft taco's, you will find no such "regular" Mexican food here, only "authentic" dishes you have no idea what is) You will like it here if: -you are YOUNG -you want CHEAP FOOD -you want a SMALL MEAL Yes it is tasty, yes it is cheap. If that is all you can imagine for the perfect restaurant then this is your dream place.
(3)Nerick M.
This is the best Mexican food I've had so far in Seattle. If you love tapas, this is the place to go. Although it's a small establishment, I've never had to wait too long to get a table. People are moving in and out of that place so fast that there's always a place to sit. The service is very fast and friendly. My favorite dishes have to be the mole tamales, pork tacos, and the lamb birria. They are all just so delicious. Be sure to check this place out. It's a great restaurant to chill out and have a bite on a Friday and/or Saturday late night. You won't be sorry you did.
(5)Audrey H.
I can't say anything much about this place that no one has said before. This place is hands down my favorite mexican restaurant. I refuse to go anywhere else. The people that work here are friendly and the food speaks for itself, after years of going there I've been able to sample all their dishes. Yes, the guac and chips are $5 and worth every sent. My favorite dishes have their famous mole. We've brought a ton of out of town and even local friends who haven't been here, and this place never fails us. Love.
(5)David L.
Ok Seattle, here's the deal - this is the best Mexican food in the city. If there's anything in life that I positively say I'm an expert on it would be tacos, burritos and the rest of the amazing spicy food from south of the border. Growing up in Southern California with a couple stops in Arizona along the way and way too many trips to Rosarito, Tijuana and other places where you would get shot these days I have lived my life searching out the best Mexican food I could find. Hungry for lunch - Mexican food, hungry for dinner - Mexican food, wasted from too many Jaeger bombs at 2 am - MEXICAN FOOD! (what do drunk people eat in Seattle? Dick's burgers? Yuck. But I digress...) La Carta de Oaxaca easily gets 5 stars from me despite it's tiny location in the parking hell known as Ballard. Yes, the vapid hipsters elbowing me as they push their way into the closet sized bar annoy me to no end and the estimated wait time they give you is about as accurate as Sarah Palin's book. However, once I have my first sip of their amazingly powerful margaritas all that crap falls by the wayside. This place has everything that I love about great Mexican restaurants - fresh ingredients, awesome salsa that they aren't afraid to make spicy, and a menu that ranges from familiar to exotic. The wife and I have eaten here almost weekly for the past 4 months and after trying pretty much the entire menu I can say that you can't go wrong with anything on it. I highly recommend the posole, entomadas, and the pork mole.
(5)Cookin B.
If this was any normal place getting critiqued for the quality of its al pastor tacos I would give it two stars. But in this case, the bartender makes a delicious Margarita. I love the loud atmosphere and standing at the bar eating tacos. Makes me feel like being cramped into some city eatery and that's why this dining experience is an appropriate 3 stars. Look, sorry guys. I see you work hard, herding in all the white folk, paling out buckets of mild salsa Fresca while the other more hotter ones go passed by, but that al pastor is not al pastor. The tortillas nice, tacos presented simple, bu that meat was dry, too liquidy and sweet. It wasn't spicket roasted, thinly sliced, chopped, thrown on a grill and hit with a little chopped pineapple and minced onion, garnish with cilantro, salsa verde, avocado sauce, lime. Why soupy braised pork, that's internally dry? The molotes were tasty little bites that resembled potato fried tamales but lacking much sausage and avocado as described. Nothing more than a quick eat, as I am out to find Seattle's best al pastor. El Sabor is next on my list.
(3)Darcy H.
Food at Oaxaca is delicious, and I love the design of the space. Together those equal 4 stars, all the way. So why the 3 star rating? Getting rushed through my meal is why. Despite the heartfelt images on the wall and authentic recipes, this place is all about flipping tables and squeezing cash out of its customers posthaste. Flip. Flip. Flip. You done? We got your money? You're gone! Adios.
(3)Ana D.
I have lived in Mexico in the past, and I have spent a decent amount of time researching Mexican cuisine (ummm... I mean eating Mexican food), but I can honestly say that this place has some of the best Mexican food I have tried in the Pacific Northwest. It was a bit on the pricey side, but I'd totally rather skip 5 taco truck trips for one order of Chicken Mole here... The waiters are not Mexican and can't pronounce "Pozole" right, but I won't knock them too much because they are but they are super nice and cater to your every need. It's open pretty late for the area and the decor inside is cute and bright. Mmmmm... God, I love Oxacan food! Now I'm hungry.
(4)Alexa W.
Really good. High points on salsa bar and tacos, also tried the goat and it was really good. I'm from Cali, and this is one of the best Mexican joints up here.
(4)Daniel P.
Tacos al pastor - more pineapple than we have had before - and interesting spicy mixture Tacos pescado (halibut on the day) - nice, clean fish, good flavor Lamb leg - small cuts of perfectly braised meat - very good - and the best mex rice I have ever had. I did not know it could be so fresh and tastey Moloties - very interesting flavors - I loved the crunch of the fried crust
(4)Andrea Z.
I can't beleive I have not written a reveiw for this place yet. I have been here more than a few times and each time I am always impressed with the food and the service. The wait is never a fun one but it's worth it. The salsa bar is awesome...I wish they gave me bigger bowls because I end up having to go back over and over. Margaritas are nice and strong. The food has never dissapointed and each time I am left with a new favorite! Mole Negro is AMAZING!!! Just be prepared to wait if you have a large group and they will not seat you unless your whole group is there.
(5)Alison M.
Heard about this place a year ago and finally made it in for a try. The restaurant was hopping, yet we were sat within a couple of minutes of arrival. Overall service was excellent; waters were constantly filled and bf's cadillac margaritas were nice and strong. Well strong according to my taste, but to an Irishman he thought it was perfect! What to order? We started off with the traditional chips and guacamole. Be warned, this is not complimentary like your standard/chain Mexican restaurants. But who can refuse chips and guac? Fresh, homemade guac! Mmmmm... Anyway, I made my way over to the salsa bar and took 4 of the 5 salsas. Didn't tell my bf that one of them was labeled "fire". That was the first one he tried and it took his breath away! Lol... He loved it and kept eating, as it became his favorite. Ordered the ceviche, which seemed like it was sitting for a while and became a little "overcooked". We also had the 2nd best fish tacos ever! For the best, you need to travel to Maui and go to the Paia Fish Market and order the ahi fish tacos. It will not disappoint!!! Back to Seattle and La Carta de Oaxaca, sorry I got a little sidetracked. Portions are small so we put in another order and got the chicken Mole Negro Oaxaqueno and Albondigas with beef. I was a little hesitant with the mole, as I have never met a mole that I liked until now. With a hint of sweetness, the chicken was extremely moist and fell off the bone; it was accompanied by rice and homemade tortillas. The broth was my favorite from the albondigas, but the entire dish was delish. We were extremely content at this point and thoroughly enjoyed our entire evening. Best thing about this place is the small portions, as we were able to taste 4 dishes. Can't wait to go back and try other items.
(5)Dee M.
This place is so good! I am a fan of their chips and guacamole with the salsa bar, enchiladas, fish tacos, margaritas, the great wall art, the busy cramped seating.... Ok I am a fan of all of it. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the wait. Though I fully understand that small, popular restaurants are tough to get a seat in, it seems a little hit or miss. I find that it's good to have a backup place to eat just in case the wait is insane. Now I'm hungry.
(4)M K.
Overrated *clap clap, clap clap clap* Overrated This was our first time here so maybe we ordered the wrong things, but with the high praises given for this place it doesn't seem there should be a 'wrong' item on the menu. We got the Mole Negro which is the house specialty but I have to echo other patrons, the only flavor I got out of this was sweet. Mole is supposed have an incredibly deep multifaceted flavor that has developed over many hours of cooking. That was not this. However the pork did seem to have been braised properly as it was very tender. We also got the tacos fritos - big mistake. I've had store bought taquitos that tasted better. The sauces certainly improved them but they still couldn't be redeemed. The service was brusque on a night the place was half empty. We'll probably try it one more time before we write it off completely.
(2)Steven B.
I'll say this up front, I love Mexican food. I love it, I could eat it everyday without complaint. And I mean real Mexican food, not texmex, American style, blah blah blah...But dear, dear, Seattle. You have some of THE WORST Mexican food places on the planet. This is one of them.... So, I'll make a long story short. The food is WAY overpriced, bland, and the portions are very small. I get it, it's supposed to be small and trendy, Rodger that. But the waitstaff is snobby, the decor is boring, and the food, wow. Bland, served at room temperature, and very pricey. I'm not sure what everyone else sees in the place, but I'd stay away. The only saving grace to this place is the great bartender, and the good selection of tequila. Now if the food would be on par with the drinks we would be in business.
(1)Barry B.
Whenever I eat at a restaurant, I ask myself if I'd drive across town to eat there again. After two trips to La Carta de Oaxaca, the answer is "no." It's not that the food is awful or even mediocre - only that it's not exceptional in any way, despite the raves of some of the other reviewers. Hence, three stars. For $5, you can order a basket of standard restaurant corn chips and a small bowl of guacamole. The same fare, at the same price, is available in dozens of Mexican restaurants throughout the city. At our most recent visit, we had a serving of fish tacos (halibut) that were fine but not wonderful. They were similar in some ways to those served at Tacos Guaymas, but more expensive. And they were dissimilar enough to the wonderful fish tacos served at Agua Verde as to be disappointing. We also had two servings of chile rellenos, one order filled with cheese and one with a chicken mix. Both chile rellenos arrived looking like two-week old cow patties - brown, limid things, soaked in grease. Now, I'm not a foodie and don't really care all that much about "plating" but this was disgusting looking food. The rellenos' sodden appearance set my stomach to "acid" before the first bite. Compare these to the chile rellenos at Tacos Guaymas, which come with a light breading, crispy and appealing. The chicken chile rellenos tasted fine - not special, but fine. The chile itself was perhaps the hottest, spiciest I've had in a relleno, but that was okay. The beans were ordinary, the rice were a bit above ordinary. The dish came with corn tortillas - fresh and generous, a great way to scoop up the rice and beans. Prices are normal - we spent, with tip and without booze, less than $50 for three people. Service was moderately efficient. We had to ask for refills on water and these were slow to arrive. There are several family-style tables which the voyeur in me thinks are quite wonderful. This is not a place for intimate conversation - the volume level reminds me of restaurants in Philadelphia where shouting appears to be the norm. So, if you're in the neighborhood, enjoy La Carta de Oaxaca. If you're not, you can eat the same or better food while reducing your carbon footprint.
(3)Jamie U.
Hands down the best Chile relleno ever! I love love LOVE La Carta. The food is great and I love getting lots of small plates to share. Don't forget to order a margarita or sangria. They don't use nasty syrupy mixers, FRESH lime juice and fresh juice in the sangria. However, make sure you have a DD after a couple sangrias. They will totally melt away a bad day. The only reason I couldn't give a fifth star is due to the seating. La Carta is so good that they are constantly busy. There is a line waiting at opening for seats. When those seats are filled, its uncomfortably crowded. Also, they are a bit pricey for the portions. Not bad, but enough for me to save it up for a special Mexican night or if I have an un-dieing craving for a relleno and a delicious fresh lime margarita. If you haven't been you're definitely missing out.
(4)Amanda R.
Happiness lies in fresh fish for me, and La Carta de Oaxaca hits the spot with their tacos. Like everyone else I love their salsa bar but hate the wait-times due to limited seating. Unlike everybody else, I enjoy sharing tables with other patrons-- it provides the opportunity to burst that Seattle bubble and actually share conversation with a stranger. Rare in this city. 4 solid stars. Yummmm.
(4)A.J. S.
I am ashamed to find I haven't written a review for this place. This is hands down one of my top places to eat in Seattle, my beloved hometown. I'll eat here when not hungry at all. I'll wait on the street in the rain waiting for a little table just to eat here. I'll sit down next to little children that stare at me when I have fish taco innards dripping down my cheeks. The service is fine, the 'ritas are DELICIOUSSS and the menu hasn't dissappointed me. The first time I went, years ago before I was the adventurous eater I am now, I ordered something here with PORK SAUCE. And even then I loved it. The soups, the tacos, the salsa bar everything is amazing and is truly a gem in Seattle.
(5)Jedd K.
My most recent discovery! And boy, it is awesome!! Was searching one day through my yelp nearby, and found this mexican greatness. Luckily, I went with a party of 6 so we ordered multiple plates and I got to try them all. Here is what I had and what you should get! (sorry I forgot all the numbers and exact names) I ordered the fish tacos, people say Taco Del Mar has really good fish tacos, I agree, but these fish tacos were amazing! It does, however, have a similar taste with most fish tacos. The only thing that made this better than the others were the fish they used, it was so fresh and delicious, which made this fish taco superior to others I have tried! I read reviews and wanted to try the ever-so-popular Mole, which my brother ordered so I ordered something else. I regret not ordering the same thing as him because dang, this mole was so good. He gave me one bite and I asked him to trade me immediately, sadly, he didn't :P. This is #1 recommended if its your first time here! I would also recommend what my other friend ordered, the lamb (something). I am a personal lover of lamb, and this lamb was perfectly tender, shredded pieces. Also, the sauce they used complemented it perfectly. Delicious! I also got a margarita, and is in-fact one of the best margaritas I've had, but a bit stronger than the others I've had. So, why 4 stars? I would give it the almighty 5 stars, but I had to take 1 off. I am a big eater, and one order, although delicous, was not enough to fill me to my liking. If you are not a heavy eater, and love mole, this is the place to go!
(4)Jeff S.
I hate waiting in line and large crowds, so after 2 yrs of walking by this place I finally found a window of opportunity to try it on a Monday night. Damn good food. The fish tacos are perfect, corn tortilla, halibut and a smokey chipotle sauce. Excellent guac and chips, and an array of self-serve salsas. A little pricey - $43 for 2 fish taco plates, chips and 1 Pacifico.
(4)Eli B.
Parking always sucks in Ballard, but its worth the hike in for this place. Fantastic fish tacos, truly great Oaxacan Mexican food. Amazingly, we often get seated immediately even though it's packed to capacity.
(4)Paul B.
This place is WHOA. Of course I've heard about this place from dozens of friends, and passing by each time after going to the People's Pub helped a lot too. Today we finally decided to pay a visit after we realized it was 10pm, and we didn't have dinner yet. Usually there's lines out the door, but today we got lucky and we got a seat right away. I ordered the MOLE NEGRO OAXAQUENO (I think..?), found it to be incredible! We looked up the recipe for this online and found out it takes 45 minutes to prepare and 4 hrs. to cook. Crap. Haha. But I ended up getting it pretty fast, and it tasted really unique and good. Though the most delicious part of the meal were the tortillas. They're not your typical Safeway fare. Lastly, the service we received was really good. The waiter checked up on us often, and was super friendly. I will definitely-100%-go out of my way to return and try the rest of the menu.
(5)Jeff B.
F this place. The complete lack of hosting made me leave. I showed up last night with 2 people, total, and there are people standing in the entry way waiting, so I wait along. There is no where inside to wait, other than the tiny bar in the back (which was packed) I ask the others waiting if anyone's been around taking names, they say yes. Wait 5 minutes, no one. Go inside and ask a waiter, who barely gives me any courtesy whatsoever and points towards the back...I wait around inside for a minute then a guy shows up and takes a name for other people who had shown up after me. That's it, I'm out. Get your act together. I don't care how good your food is, there are ways to control these issues. It was a Thurs. God help anyone going here on a weekend evening.
(2)Lisa C.
Some of the best mexican food I have ever had outside of Mexico. I actually delayed writing my review for awhile because I don't want more people to know how freakin' awesome this place is. This place is a little hole in the wall run by fabulous people who do things like make tortillas by hand and smile all the time. The line to get in is usually out the door, and once you're in the place feels like home. The tables are wooden, the lighting nice, the conversations loud and fabulous art on the walls. A margarita here is equivalent to at least 2 in any other place. One night I had 2 and practically stumbled home - in a very happy margarita haze. We've enjoyed the fish tacos, entomatadas, shrimp cocktail, and chile rellenos. YUMMMYYYYY
(5)Scott K.
Yogi Berra once said, "Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded." I say, "Cary a Pitbull CHMIG-666 Blowhorn and little things like lines and crowds tend to be slightly easier to disburse". .$30 on Ebay people. Start taking notes, because I don't know how much longer I can give this advice away for free. Oh... and as everyone has pointed out... this place is good with a capitol "G"! The absolute best thing on the menu is the banana leaf wrapped tamale! Get it and you can thank me with a hug... I live three store fronts down.
(5)Jimmy Z.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Seattle. I always have a good time when I go, and everything on the menu is terrific. The plates aren't huge, but they're priced well, so usually if I go with another person we each get one plate for ourselves and then split something as an appetizer. The place can get pretty busy but it's worth the wait. Although some people seem to think it gets a bit chaotic, the management is extremely efficient and the service is very quick. There is also a small bar in the back that makes the wait go a lot quicker on a busy night. The salsa bar might be my favorite part. 6 types of salsa with different spiciness levels, plus pico de gallo. For anyone that loves spicy sauces, their hottest salsa will definitely make you sweat! Dishes I'd recommend: steak, pork, or fish tacos, mole, entomatadas, pozole. And their drinks (sangria, margaritas, etc.) are great and pretty strong.
(5)Curtis C.
This is an awesome joint with a minor problem that keeps it from a five star. The food is amazing. Its a different approach to the typical Mexican food were used to in the US. The food is from the Oaxaca region of Mexico. I find the food sweeter and less spicy. Everything is good and above reproach. The drinks are top notch. Cadillac magaritas are my favorite and it meets my picky taste. The atmosphere is very cool and cozy. I love the huge photos of the people of that region. Here comes the negative. The wait is crazy! Since the food is awesome, the wait is crazy, even for the Ballard region (waits of an hour is very common). If you have time to blow, show up here and drink at the crazy busy (and small) bar.
(4)Sung P.
Oh my - finally a hipster joint in Ballard that lives up to the hype of all the dirty hipsters inside. Living in Seattle for most of my life, I've almost always been disappointed by its offerings in terms of Mexican food. Gorditos is great, but sometimes you want something a little different. I can't believe it took me 30 years to try this place out because it quite simply rocks my face off. My favorite thing is the simplest item - the tacos, with of course spicy pork. mmmmMMM. That's about all I have to say - just great, savory, well-cooked mexican food that's actually reasonably priced. Definitely recommend
(5)Philip K.
I swear I've already reviewed this place but I guess not. Anyhow, let's just say the food is excellent. I'd never had any sort of mole before but my wife and I absolutely loved it and now we actually look for it whenever we go out to other Mexican Restaurant. The tacos carne asade were as good as I've ever had. I would say that I had been brainwashed into thinking that tacos have to come with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Fortunately, I've rewired my brain to know otherwise but still, I'm normally not a fan of the authentic tacos as I find it's too many onions. But Oaxaca's tacos are perfect blend of ingredients. We also had some ceviche along with our choice of Mexican beers. Despite the jam packed dining area where we ended up sitting shoulder to shoulder with people we'd never met before, we had a great time eating great food. But the worst part of this place are the prices. The food is excellent but when your bill for three plates (which only comes with two tortillas each) and two beers runs over $40, I have to question whether it's worth coming back to. I cannot doubt the taste but I also don't believe Mexican food should cost that much for such small servings. Subtract the beers which ran up the tab roughly $8, to average out $10 a plate is very much inflated. I understand this is Ballard but come on. The prices make this place 2 stars. The food is an outstanding 5 stars. Taste always trumps price so I'll give this place 4 stars but when you charge me essentially $5 each for a tortilla with mole, carne, or ceviche, I find it hard to justify coming back and waiting in line. If I won the lottery, I'd be back more often but even then, it's just not a good value. But if money is a non-issue, definitely try this place out.
(4)Tatyana Y.
Fing good! It is a little different than your original Mexican food because its from a small city of Oaxaca. Fresh salsa and chips is a must....The pork stew is excellent. It is also busy most the time so realise the service is a bit slower sometimes but take a chill pill and get a drink at the bar yourself....yuppp
(5)S R.
Hands down, they have the best salsa and chips in town! I can't remember the name of the dish I usually get, but it's amazing, my husband get's the fish tacos, amazing too. This place is worth the wait, whch you do wind up waiting to get in often, any night of the week. It's that good.
(5)Krissy A.
Delicious!! It was a little hard to find location wise but it was very good food for very cheap prices! Everything was very unique and daring. The steak tacos were great.
(5)Shy A.
good food. busy place. i always feel a little like i'm going to have a panic attack when i come to this place. always teetering at the doorway, hoping to see a seat pop up....watching *almost staring* at each person eating hoping that i would be able to "time" their departure...and feel a slight anxiety attack when i see more people piling up behind me.... something has to be done about the seating! who goes first? who's next? i can almost imagine someone losing their mind waiting for a seat to open up...lol their food is good...i'll continue to come back but i'll leave the waiting to my companions and grab a beer next door....or walk down to senor moose....
(3)Seth D.
Clearly, we had a different experience than those of you who are raving about this place. .. We were apprehended at the door by a surly little general with a greezy jheri curl (apparently the owner's bro). For whatever reason, he refused to seat our group until the fourth person, who was minutes away, arrived. Of course, in that interim the place filled up, and we had to wait an hour for a spot at the communal table. The waiters were as charmless as the creep at the door: never cracked a smile, testy when asked questions, no eye contact, dishes slammed down: the works. I ordered chicken mole, which turned out to be a side dish of thighbone with a little flesh on one side, covered with a lukewarm, corn syrupy mess. The portion was so small I had to eat dinner after dinner. (And, yes, I understand the small plates trend, but if the waiter had been doing his job, he'd have explained to me that this dish wouldn't suffice as a meal in itself.) The one bright spot of this miserable experience was the barman in the back bar, who was friendly and competent. However, his niceness and efficiency will not be enough to ever coax me back here. I'll hit the real Mexican food in White Center and Burien where they say please and thank you and smile at their customers...
(1)Dan A.
This place is one of the best spots in Seattle!!! Damon is one of the most engaging and knowledgeable bartenders in Seattle. You want to know about any tequila or mezcal, he is your guy. Jessie and the whole crew are awesome. It's a high energy joint with an amazing buzz when you come in. The artwork is well placed with stunning shots of Oaxaca. I have been coming here since it opened and never once have been less than blown away by the food, drinks and service. The tacos will haunt your dreams!!! Make sure to say hi to the best parrot in Seattle, he keeps an eye on the back.....
(5)Linsi M.
The best Mexican I've had in years in the Seattle area. We heard about La Carta de Oaxaca from a friend. And it was well worth the trip to Ballard. We got there at 4:45pm, where there was a small line of people already waiting. Then, when we got our seat, in about 15 minutes after opening its doors, there was a wait outside. We ordered the Carne Asada and Mole Chicken. I'm itching to go back there for more. Plus, they have a great salsa bar ranging from the mildest selection, to burn your mouth off choices. Definitely a great spot to go have a beer and authentic food!
(5)Mini P.
This is as good as it gets for authentic Mexican in Seattle. I love this place and can eat here everyday. I would have to say that it does get packed and you have to get there early. I wish they can expand their restaurant because I am always sitting very very close to strangers. Which is fine, as long as they don't spit when they talk! From the margaritas to the carne asada, very good. They are not good at advertising the chef's specials, but ask for them. They are amazing!!!
(4)James W.
Delicious, inexpensive, and authentic! Best tortillas I've every had. The place is busy and very loud, but the food is amazing. Service is consistent, but the bathrooms could have used a spruce. Will visit again nevertheless.
(4)Lee A.
When I get to Heaven (yes, I'm a Jew and a Heathen, but my dog is going one day, and I'll assume he'll work a deal for me), I'm going to sit down to a platter of their chicken mole and never get up again (followed by frites from Le Pichet). The most rich and delicious sauce I've ever tasted. All this and fresh tortillas, properly in house fried tortilla chips, and lightning service from the nice bartender (we sat at the bar, so I don't get all the "service sucks" remarks, frankly.) Place was packed, too. I've eaten a lot of Mexican food, having lived in the Mission in San Francisco for years - but this is deee-licious. The portions were not large, but honestly folks - does everywhere need to be the Cheesecake Factory? I had a rich meal without falling into food coma. This is how the French eat, you know. I like you, La Carta de Oaxaca. I like you a lot.
(5)Stacey S.
I went to this place for my birthday one year, with a group of friends. I the food was fantastic. Especially loved the Guacamole and the Margaritas! Looking forward to going back!
(4)Sheila P.
BEST mexican in Seattle...hands down!
(5)Laura N.
Hands down the best Mexican food in Seattle. Please note: this is not Sonoran (aka let's put cheese melted on everything) style. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as I love it too. Oaxaca is all about flavors, mole, fresh tortillas, salsa bar, and the margs. Pork mole is my personal fav. The servers are fantastic here. They keep a crazy busy place moving and are very friendly too. Yes, there is often a wait, but cozy up to some strangers in the bar, get a margarita or Pacifico and just relax and get ready to enjoy this place. I am also obsessed with their photos and decor on the walls. One of my favorite places for a date night.
(5)Katie P.
Great Mexican food at a good price. When you first arrive at Oaxaca, you'll probably have to wait for a seat. Sometimes the wait is 5 minutes, other times 45--but the food is worth the sticking around for. This is the go-to place in Ballard for my friends and I, and it's consistently good. The portions are maybe a bit small, but you get chips and salsa beforehand and get plenty filled up by the time your meal is over.
(4)Meghan S.
Wow! I think I died and went to food heaven. I arrived at a normal dinner time and the place was packed! Luckily my date and I were able to snag a table outside...(finders first!) Everyone around us seemed to be happily enjoying their meals and I could see inside that the restaurant had an awesome salsa bar and eclectic decorations on the walls. Outside it was nice weather on the small but quaint patio and chips and guacamole were brought out to us right away. I tried the sangria which was very strong, authentic tasting (just like I can remember from Spain...well the times I remember drinking it), and it wasn't too sweet which you often find with sangria. The guacamole tasted fresh and homemade. I ordered the Moletas and my date ordered the Halibut fish tacos. Both had the most wonderful mixtures of flavor with a hint of spiciness making you think " Ay caramba"! I suggest you hurry to Ballard right away to try this place no matter how long the wait!
(5)Monique H.
First off there is no substitute for mom's homemade Mexican food.... but if there were one, this would be it. We went Friday night around dinner time and it was pretty busy. We had a beer while we waited, which wasn't long. The service was quick and good. The guacamole was good, a bit too blended for me but tasty. What I like most was that the menu only included traditional dishes. I had the albondegas, which is a meatball soup with veggies. It was pretty good and you get two freshly made corn tortillas. My friend got the chicken and mole negro, I had a bite of her chicken and mole and it was flavorful. I recommend this place over any of the other crappy chain places. Parking is horrid so be prepared for that. I'll be going back to try other dishes, especially since I can't get mom's cooking. Enjoy!
(4)Geoff K.
I can't say enough good things about the pork mole and the chicken mole. The sauce is just amazing, and this is coming from a guy who didn't think he even liked the stuff. And don't be alarmed at the absence of a knife with your place setting -- the meat just falls apart with some gentle prodding of the fork. They must slow cook it for hours. The halibut tacos are wonderful, too! And the margaritas and sangria remind me of the old days when I lived in Texas. Make sure you order some chips when you're here: Not only is the guacamole astounding, but they have this amazing array of salsas at the salsa bar, and some of them have some pretty incredible kick to them. They don't take reservations, but if you arrive around when they open for dinner and put your name in, they'll call your name right around the time you're finishing your first margarita in the bar area. Be aware that the portion sizes may strike you as a bit small, but they make up for in quality what's lacking in quantity. And trust me, you'll leave here one satisfied customer. And if all that weren't enough, they have a tequila menu that takes up half a page.
(5)Alli M.
WANT BOMB.COM MEXICAN FOOD! welp here ya go! This place is SO good! the price is right... chips are made fresh. everything is amazing! im definitely a regular here. cant go wrong with this place. Take a look at the pictures on the wall. its actually people of their family back in Mexico and also pictures of the part of Mexico that they came from. they will have interesting stories to share it if you ask about the pictures. everyone is super friendly. it gets Super busy.. but i guess that's what you should expect when you have such an amazing staff, restaurant, and good drinks! :)
(5)Debi F.
This is one of my absolute FAVORITE places to eat, I think it is the bomb! I always start with the chips and guac, and then move on to something else. I have ordered the entomatadas the last few times I have been there, and feel completely satisfied in doing so. Plus that, I can always eat a little something off of my husbands plate. Sharing is good. Other things to note, the awesome salsa bar, and the deliciously strong margaritas. Delicious!
(5)Leonardo R.
so i heard from some friends that this place was really good and authentic ... we had some friend visiting from LA and NY so on saturday night we decided to give this place a chance for our first time. we drove for about 30 minutes to get there,put our name on the list and it was about 30 minutes wait so we decided to go for drinks to Volterra(read my next review). 30 minutes after we seated and start digging the menu,by that time the smell of the place already made us straving :) everything smelled so good like truly mexican fondita :) so we orders our chips and guacamole to open our appetite even more the chips were hot and salty just how i like them and the guacamole was tasty meantime we were deciding what to orde,so my GF and i went for halibut tacos,picaditas,tostadas(beef),empanadas, our friends went for the mole,picaditas,entomatadas and shrimp tostadas ... the food arrive and my halibut tacoes were so damn fresh that they even didn't stand 2 minutes against my mouth :) everything else was so good or i would day SABROSO !!! see 3 of us were are mexican and we know what to expect from real mexican food so this place has it truly mexican food !!! prices are good for what you get. the decor is very interesting i wonder is the guy in the pictures is the owner? who knows only thing i know is that the food is awesome !! will def come back and bring my fam ! ipb
(4)Marcy N.
mmmm... my favorite Mexican place. I finally had a chance to try it for lunch. The Carne Asada Plato is my favorite. I don't know how they do it but it's really yummy and the price/portion is just right! The variety of hot sauce and pico de gallo is awesome and I'm a huge fan of fresh made chips that come fresh out of the fryer so be careful not to burn your fingers or your mouth. I really like the open kitchen where you can see the ladies hard at work making fresh tortillas. The service is usually very efficient at dinner. Today at lunch it was a bit slow. Since it was my first lunch experience I can't say if this is usual or not. We got lucky with finding a parking spot right out front and also getting a table as soon as we arrived.
(4)N-P H.
fabulous mexican food. The food isn't drenched in grease with cheese piled high like other chainy restaurants around here. I'm particularly fond of the Entomatadas with the tomatillo sauce. It's grilled skirt steak with homemade corn tortillas smothered in the sauce. Downsides: Small portions, and there's no parking in Ballard. If you go around lunch or dinner, expect to wait about 30 mins for a table..the place is small with a few communal tables.
(4)Dan L.
"Mole! Bloody mole! We aren't supposed to talk about the bloody mole, but there's a bloody mole winking me in the face! I want to cut it off, chop it up, and make guacamoooole!" youtube.com/watch?v=x0Yl… Been here twice, once on a weekend and once on a Thursday. Both times I had to wait 30+min for a table. The Bar is very small, but worth being crowded for the margaritas they mix up. The Mole is definitly the best thing I have had there, but the fish tacos are also really nice. A little bit on the small side for portions so make sure you get yourself some chips and guacamooooooooooole!
(4)Chet F.
Yep, thats right only 3 stars. I think the PNW is deprived on it's Mexican food. While Oaxaca is good, I don't think it is all that. Maybe we just ordered the off dishes of the night but the Tacos Fritto's and Mole were good, yet meh. Yes, the guac is also good but shouldn't it always be no matter where you go? I would actually take Chipotle's guac over theirs *fellow Yelpers gasp* except for the Chipotle out by the airport, no bueno. Next up were the salsas. I loved that they had a selection of 5 or so to choose from but they had little flavor, and no hot salsa. The server kindly had a cook in the back whip up a hotter one but it consisted of mostly cayenne pepper with lil flavor at all. Mucho gracias for the effort, BUT no bueno. FYI, you don't not get complimentary chips with your meal. They do not take reservations, and parking is...well you know, it's Ballard. I guarantee we will be back, and I hope i get to write muy bueno!
(3)Mo H.
Maybe it was an off day, but I was shocked with the service. I went to eat with 4 friends on a weeknight. We put our name on the list and waited in the bar. Once we were seated a 5th friend we didn't think could make it showed up so I squeezed in on the booth side. Basically what it comes down to is they wouldn't let our late friend order food or even a beer. When he walked up to the bar to get a beer our waiter came over and told us he couldn't sit with us becuase we'd reserved for 4. I understand it's a small restaurant and it was croweded but we weren't in anyones way. I was flabergasted that they would turn down business, and treat us that way. To make matters worse I ordered Tostadas without the Beef, and the beans were COLD! Sorry but if I wanted cold beans I'd grab a can at the grocery store and eat straight out of it. I'd like my dinner warm...thanks. Maybe it was a bad night, and I will give it one more chance, but if I get anywhere near the same service or mediocre food again I won't be going back.
(2)Katie A.
It is against my better judgment to write this and frankly, I'm just selfish but this just might make your day: Oaxaca now has a deck out back. Apparently it's been open for a month or so now = where the hell have I been?? Anyway there's a large, communal table and it seats about 16... and for some reason, their margaritas taste better whilst dining out there too.
(5)Rodney W.
My last couple of visits and/or attempts to visit have been a bit of a let down. Food is still great, but the margarita quality is a little inconsistent (I expect a perfect margarita everytime for the price) and I they seem to enjoy the luxury of lots of patrons all night every night (I am becoming irrelevant). Enjoy the volume while it lasts, I'll be looking for another favorite. I am sure I will be back, but probably when I know the place won't be so busy!
(4)Patrick H.
Really enjoyed my food. When they offer you guacamole at the beginning of the meal when you sit down they should somehow let you know they are charging for it but whatever - nice up-sell technique.
(4)Law P.
Living in Seattle for a little over a year, I had yet to find an authentic Mexican restaurant that had the taste, quality, and SOUL of Mexican food from my former home of Southern California. However, PRAISE TO JEEBUS I have found it in this spot in Ballard just across the bridge from me! I had the albondigas soup to start off which was THE BEST of it's kind that I've ever had in my life. Just perfect broth and meatballs, although I do wish that there were a couple more of them. Followed by a couple carne asada tacos that rivaled my absolute favorites from this place in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. The steak is so tender and perfectly seasoned. I would only have enjoyed it better if it they had little dollops of guac on them. Washing everything down with a cold Pacifico, even in 50 degree weather made me reminisce about fantastic times in Mexico with good friend when I was younger. La Carta is easily the best Mexican eatery in the Seattle area, and I'm sure if I took any of my SoCal friends there I they would definitely agree. I mean c'mon, the ladies that work there look like they were kidnapped from the best taco stands in Oaxaca, they have those aprons I'm so familiar with and everything. Please go there, please also try something with the mole sauce they have, it is PERFECT.
(5)Sara B.
Tried them out tonight. I'm a little confused as to what everyone is raving about. I highly recommend spending your money at the Matador across the street. They were pretty busy, which I can totally sympathize..BUT when I see plenty of employees standing around just talking to each other there's no excuse for sloppy service. We were both pretty thirsty and it was hard to get attention for water. When we sat down the waiter asked us if we'd like some chips and guacamole. We accepted because many Mexican restaurants do offer free chips and salsa, we thought that this was the case here. We felt a bit mislead when we saw a $5 charge for it on the bill. We also ordered the enchiladas, and there was NOTHING inside them. Simply tortillas covered in sauce. We couldn't figure out if this was a mistake or just an Oaxacan way of making enchiladas?
(1)Logan B.
This place has gone down hill. I generally like places that don't try to make up for quality with quantity, but both the portions and the quality have really declined. My Chili Relleno was soggy and lacked flavor. It tasted as though it was cooked days ago and reheated in a microwave. And the meal was comically small. Overall, overhyped.
(2)Dan N.
Noisy place to eat. Fresh food, but I got to order chips, come on. Not going back. I don't understand the hype about this place at all.
(2)Karen L.
I have been to La Carta many times. The food is always consistantly good. I love the salsa bar and the atmosphere. The only thing that sucks is that you may need to wait for a table due to the popularity. YUM!
(4)spring f.
with el camion it is like, with la carta, it is LOVE. i've eaten here once or twice a week since moving to seattle, and i don't plan on stopping. this place is amazing if you love Oaxacan food. plus, the staff doesn't mind if i practice my spanish with them, which is an added bonus. the mole negro oaxaqueno is amazing, and i love love love the molotes. those are the two things i order most frequently (along with the chips - seriously, get an order of chips), although everything i've ever had there is amazing. oh, and bring your ID - they're going to card you, no matter how old you look.
(5)Sarah H.
Love this place! I love everything I've tried here - warm chips and guac are a must as are the margaritas. I've tried many of the entrees and they are delicious, fresh and not too greasy or cheesy as is often the case at lesser Mexican restaurants. The one drawback is that it is often very crowded with a line out the door, but they are used to these crowds and you usually don't have to wait too long.
(4)Danielle H.
Freshly made salsa bar, warm chips and great atmosphere is the perfect way to kick off any mexican dining experience in my opinion :) The chicken tacos fritos and quesadillas fritas were unreal. the mole here is the perfect combination of mild mild chocolate and spices. Sweet yet spicy and completely not overbearing and too thick as some places can be. My boyfriend doesn't even really like mole and was going nuts. The cotija cheese on top of it all YUM. Muy muy delicioso and I will be frequenting this place OFTEN. Next up, mole' negro plate!
(4)Michael E.
Just order this: 1 Marg 1 Negro Modelo a guac and chips a #17, red and green (the carne is just so good) the mole, which ever number it is, pork or chicken, your choice then repeat. It's all so good. Just eat it.
(5)Meagan K.
Hands down this is my favorite place to eat in Seattle. Maybe anywhere. The service is always friendly but not overbearing, and the mole is far and above the best I've ever had. The portions are small, but I always leave stuffed. I usually start with chips and guac then fill up on chicken or pork mole and a margarita. The best part? For two people, the bill is usually under $40 including drinks. It's totally affordable and worth the wait, if there is one. If you get there as close to opening as possible, finding a seat is usually pretty easy. Looooove it!
(5)Agnes K.
Reasonably Priced, Good but not extraordinary mole and service. Been hearing a lot about the yummy and fantastic mole at Oaxaca so finally gave it a try. I would say that it is definitely worth a try IF there are no line-ups and if it is a cool day. The mole was quite tasty but not worth sweating while you eat or waiting in line for any more than 10 minutes.
(3)Cam T.
Tequil-ya, tequil-ya you are my Achilles' heel! *hic!* Oh, the nights when we've crowded our way in among the hordes of happy, friendly, tipsy patrons; all snugged up to the bar ogling the pageantry of mass margarita creation like kids lined up to for animal balloons. Ngaaaaah, shaken, not stirred with a soupçon of Cointreau thank you very much! Let me just say, when these bad boys & some nachos are the only thing in your hands while waiting for your number to be called, exuberant cheering for other people's tables, buying shots for random strangers in blue & gold who suffer from a rare subset of Tourette's ("Go Bears!"), & starting all words with the sound "sh" is de rigeur. *hic!* On the occasions that we've made it to the table without a scant forest of agave in our bellies we've been happily sated. The tamales de mole negro has dark sweet mole with a hint of raisins, fluffy masa, looking like a tropical present wrapped in banana leaves. Hearty & filling but not heavy & coma-inducing. If you're a starchophile, check out the molotes: potatoes & beef sausage with salty Oaxaqueno cheese fried in a tortilla. It sounds like a post-clubbing gut-bomb but actually isn't greasy. And who doesn't love the halibut tacos with a creamy smoked chipotle sauce? Most items come in threes which makes for sharing & good-natured poaching. Sigh. All this reminiscing about my favorite hangouts in Sea-town is making me hungry & maudlin. *hic!*
(5)Chris G.
Despite the long lines, it didn't actually take that long for a table for two on a Wednesday night. After getting a table, our order was taken quickly, and the chips and salsa delivered quickly. This is where the good part stops. It took another 40 minutes for our food (two standard orders off the menu) to be delivered. It took us about 10 minutes to consume the small portions, and then another 30 minutes to get someone to deliver the bill. The food was OK, but the service was miserably slow, especially for a Wednesday night. I wouldn't go here again.
(2)Melissa K.
I'd sell my brother for dinner here. Any takers? Points that keep me coming back, regardless of the sometimes crazy lines of people waiting - margaritas that are fresh the best chips and guacamole you can find the freshest tortillas around chicken mole that pleases me...and I normally hate mole smokey tostadas simple carne tacos authentic enchiladas with egg lovely photos covering the walls
(5)parviz d.
best mexican food I've had and I've had some authentic mexican food down in Mexico.
(5)AC C.
Fantastic Mexican food - probably the best in Seattle. So why the 2-stars? Service! A short, stout waiter there was extremely rude when a bunch of us went there. 4 of us had dinner and during dessert, another friend just wanted to pull out a chair and chat for few mins. This is when this waiter threw a fit saying that the new guy has to go stand in the line again if he wants to enter the restaurant. On top of it, he then refused to serve our table any more food and slammed the receipt on the table yelling publicly in front of everyone. I told him that the food is so good that we wanted to come again but he is not helping the cause. He remared that he didnt care if came again. Apparently, he is the d*ckhead brother of the owner who us supposedly very nice. Sure, but he should be kicked out of that place and out of Ballard.
(2)Sarah V.
I'll give Oaxaca 4 stars just for the bartender. The first time I came here, I came with a date and we were waiting for a table in the bar. We sat up at the bar (luckily, because the bar is super tiny and it gets ridiculously packed!). The first margarita was awesome. The second was even better. Then came the mezcal. A guy at the end of the bar bought a round of mezcal for us because I was asking the bartender what the difference was as compared to tequila. The tradition is to take the shot of mezcal and then bite on a lime dipped in salt mixed with dried worm... I tried the salt mixture once and almost threw up. No more of that. I guess the guy was so entertained by us, he bought us another 4 rounds of mezcal. Then came the crickets. Supposedly, people eat these things like sunflower seeds. I tried one, wasn't too bad after 6 drinks. Then I proceeded to get everyone in the bar to try one. I suddenly became the most popular patron, everyone wanted to try the "sunflower-tasting-but-a-little-more-chewy" cooked crickets. All-in-all a very entertaining night at Oaxaca. We didn't even go to our table when we were called because we were having so much fun in the bar. I've been here several times since, and as far as the food goes, it wasn't to my taste because I am so used to my Grandmother's style of Mexican cooking (a different region of Mexico). Oaxaca flavoring (mole) was a bit too sweet for me. Chips & Guacamole is probably my favorite thing to eat here.
(4)Pete M.
We hit this place during the 9pm Fri evening rush! Had to wait about 20 mins to get seated but after that it was great service. The margaritas are strong and tasty. Tried the halibut tacos and the carne asada tacos first. Both were good, though I'd rank the carna asada above the halibut. The halibut was fresh and cooked well but I didn't think it was the best for a taco dish per se... The dish that stole the limelight was by far the tamales mole negro. Wow - this was really amazing. The tamale was piping hot and fresh and the mole was wonderful - not too overpowering. The pork in the tamales was succulent. The best meat of the three we tried by far as well. Wish we got more mole dishes! Oh yeah and the dishes were pretty cheap -- $7-$10 for what we ordered.
(4)Mailani W.
Oh MAYN! I've had you on my "to do" list for some time. But you know it's all about the right timing. I've cruised by a handful of times just to pout at all the attention you were getting. I wasn't scared. And then one fine afternoon lunch I came to check-you-out. All I have to say is that I accept all your shortcomings. I can tune out the Ranchero music, as long as you keep the pico de gallo bowl full, and bring me freshly made tortilla chips & guac. This probably isn't appropriate but I did gnaw the banana leaf wrapped around the tamales to get every lil bit. You are that phenomenal. Word of advice, go during slower times, early/late lunch to ensure you get a piece. Don't pull the Friday, Saturday night card and bitch n moan. You know this! Don't front.
(5)Grant P.
I have been here countless times and have never left disappointed. I love the consistency at La Carta; always tasty, always fresh, and always extremely busy! At least People's Pub is next door to soften the 30-40 minute wait. The halibut tacos have become my "go to" dish, along with the delicious and always spicy michelada! I can't recommend la Carta enough. Don't be lame, schedule accordingly, get your name on that little list, remember your number and go have a drink. La Carta is worth both your time and money.
(5)Heather W.
I'm a vegetarian and this place isn't the best for vegetarian fare (just keeping it real) but the two (maybe three) things on the menu that are appropriate for my consumption are quite tasty. YES THE PORTIONS ARE AMERICAN SIZE SMALL. This means the portions are normal/healthy/perfect so if you're on a diet and haven't the willpower to refrain from eating everything on your plate, this is a great place for you. Eat it all and still stay Paris Hilton thin! Wow I just incorporated Paris Hilton into a Ballard restaurant review. That's some bold reviewing right there. Prices are good (almost Denny's cheap!), the sauces and flavoring are very unique (the black mole is suuuper rich), the salsa bar is amazing, and the guacamole ohhh the guacamole. I would wrestle in guacamole this good and happily take a face plant. Take a date here (after 9PM) and look super cool, but please...do not complain about having to pay for the chips and guacamole. That's tacky.
(4)Nina N.
You had me at quesadilla fritas.... Really do you really have to ask me what quesadilla frita is?... let's just say... amazing.. crap my mouth is watering just thinking about la carta.... I came here with some of my girls, and that was probably the worst idea ever!!! we had to wait so long, and I wish I could have just ditched them and ate by myself.. it was that good.. so good I would have joined a random person's table good, slap my momma good, say my name good.... and last but not least leave my boyfriend good.. well not that good.. but you get my point!!!!.... so worth taking the trip to ballard..... fyi : just sneak in a bottle of vodka because the wait is really long, well don't sneak in a bottle, but be ready for the wait...
(5)Jason R.
Great fish soup, I like how you can assemble your own salsa. Prices are decent. Get there early since seating is limited.
(4)Sharla B.
I grew up in Southern California and I also spent a year living in Mexico City. I LOVE mexican food. I like to think I am a pretty good judge of it ae well. I was not that impressed with the food here. It was good, but the portions were very small. Mexican food is served in abundance, with over flowing plates, all sorts of salsa, and tortillas to accompany it. I may try it again to make sure it was not just a one off experience, but there are better places for me to try, so who knows!
(3)Quynh-An P.
This place is tasty! I ordered the molotes last night and wolfed them down before the boyfriend could have any...we were supposed to share. Whoops. I've also had some sort of potato croquettes here before, and loved those. I didn't see it on the menu this time though...but that's ok. I've had the mole negro in the past, and while it's really tasty I've been spoiled by tasting Rick Bayless' mole in Chicago and nothing will ever compare. This comes in second though...definitely. We sat on the deck in the back and it was nice and cozy. I didn't have a margarita but everyone else I was with seemed to be enjoying theirs. Good stuff.
(4)Josh B.
- decently boozy but overpriced margaritas (not on the menu, $8 apiece) - delicious fresh tortillas - waaay overpriced chips (&5 for a tiny basket... most were crushed-up... also, wtf happened to free chips @ mexican restaurants?) - 5 or 6 salsas (up at t
(3)Colleen W.
It's a casual, fun scene with some great art on the walls. Who doesn't get a kick out of Mexican wrestling photos? They're in the mix. The plates are very small but satisfying...Mexican tapas. We filled ourselves with fresh chips and guac (not complimentary), Molotes (fried potato and sausage torpedo-looking things), Tacos Al Pastor (sweet and tangy pork tacos), and Mole Negro (sweet, spicy, chocolatey, coffee sauced pork with rice). The get-it-yourself salsa bar is fun if you like to experiment with flavors. There are about five to choose from. It's a tight squeeze in there, so I'd recommend it for a fun dinner date. You'll have less of a wait for two. We only had a 15 minute wait and did so in the tiny bar area. We had a great bartender who made mean margaritas in a hurry, so the wait didn't bother us.
(4)Jenny B.
We had passed by this restaurant many times because the line was too long. We knew it had to be good. It was great. We finally bit the bullet and signed up for an hour wait. We had a drink across the street at Matador to pass the time. The food was beyond words. Our tapas style meal included halibut tacos (delicious), empanadas (I think w/ chicken - they didn't seem fried). I would be willing to try anything on the menu. Although we live about an hour away, we find reasons to go to Ballard to eat at La Carta. Worth the wait! Service is great even though they are so busy.
(5)Dietrich H.
We just kind of happened upon this place. We were wandering around Ballard District checking out the boutiques and all the shops and just walked right in. Luckily, it wasn't too busy and we sat down pretty much right away. Right when we walked in, what struck me was the decor. It's freaking awesome in there. I love the way they've got pictures from Oaxaca all along the walls, I love the lighting... it's just really cool inside. The decor aside, the food is amazing. We had a number of dishes, but what I really loved was the grilled meat and the chicken and pork mole. Flavorful and very well made, this is my first try at Oaxacan cuisine, but it definitely won't be my last. I'm hoping they're all as good as this one, but all future places have a lot to live up to.
(5)Nicole E.
WOAH!!! You will almost certainly wait for a long period of time before you are seated, but this gives you time to stand by the bar and indulge in a perfectly crafted (and strong) margarita...or 2. I believe the food you will eat here is worth the wait. Mushroom empanadas, chips and guacamole, fish tacos. Mmmmm. Portion size is perfect, service is great, ingredients always fresh. A fun place for date night or with a big group of people.
(5)Mike T.
Sure it's crowded, but here's a tip. Go after 9:30 pm. They're open to 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends. It was 9:40 on a Saturday night and surprisingly I was able to walk straight in and sat at the bar in the back. I ordered the fish soup which is pretty much a bowl of spicy fishy goodness with carrots and some sort of squash. The bartender was way friendly and even though the main dining room was bustling, my food came out pretty quick. I left 2 empty bottles of Pacifico, some fish bones, and a soup bowl licked clean in my wake. I then proceeded to drop a $20 bill ($15 plus a generous tip) on the bar and thanked the bartender as I was a very happy man.
(5)Stevi C.
I'm moving to Seattle later this summer and was recently there for a week looking for houses with my husband. His cousin took us here for some amazing Mexican food, the likes of which we had never seen before. I've been told I'll miss Mexican food, but I actually don't love the stuff all that well to begin with. When you're a vegetarian, you get really tired of combinations of beans and rice, but traditional Oaxacan food opens up new food windows for me. I had my first ever chile rellano here, and it was fabulous. It was spicy, but cooled down a bit by the delicious, fresh Oaxacan cheese. The portions were spot on for the price, and I love that they spice up their black bean side dishes. I also loved the cranberry margarita I had. You can tell the place is really popular because it was packed. We just happened to get there at the right moment to snag a table. I would definitely go back once I live here!
(4)Anna C.
HORRIBLE SERVICE. No wait--- I mean HORRIFIC. I made reservations a week before my event & the staff screwed it up big time. The co-owner could care less too. He was sooooooooooo mean to me and my friends (10 of them) & I asked him several times if he could be nice & he told me "no!" He didn't g care about him and his staff messing up my reservation & he was seriously the rudest person I've ever met. I will NEVER go to this place again because we were treated so horrible. To top it off--we were celebrating a baby shower & the staff was even rude to the expecting mother!!!!
(1)Phil S.
There is a ton of hype for this place, and it is certainly unique. However, I do not think it's all everyone is giving it credit for. To begin with the wait to get in the place is huge, we waited the better part of an hour just to get squished into a small table with no buffer between other parties. The food is good, but not great. It is nice to have some semi-authentic Mexican food, but I wouldn't classify it as great. The serving sizes I thought were kind of small and pricey for what you got. There is better mexican in this town, though I will give them props that they have a different twist on a traditional Mexican joint.
(3)Shasta B.
like the food here as most of it is gluten-free and fairly flavorful. love their fresh homemade corn tortillas and salsa! HATE their servers! they are consistently unfriendly, and often times outright RUDE! they seem irritated to even have customers! "well, excuse me for visiting your establishment and paying you money to serve me food and drinks!" the last time we ate here, we sat on the back patio at the large communal table. one of the servers came out to make room for more people by shoving us and all our our food/drinks to the left... and then he came out again and shoved everything to the right leaving us no room to breath, let alone sit and eat. we got up and decided to stand while waiting for our bill. i would give them 4 stars if it weren't for their TERRIBLE service!
(2)Taryn P.
I've been here several times and tonight I actually feel like the service is good... Great in fact. We were told there was twenty five minute wait and the bar was full so we went to the back room and got seated immediately. That was the beginning of the best experience I've ever had at la carta. The food is always delicious but until tonight I hadn't had great service.
(5)Julian B.
I'm writing this review after my second visit to this place and goddamn if this isn't the best Mexican food I've ever had! Seriously. The food is as authentic as the hype. Things that make this place awesome: -few blocks away from where I live -everything on the menu is less than $10 -salsa bar -portions are perfect, they're just enough to fill you up, but not to the point of gluttony or wastefulness. -amazing food both in taste and presentation The only downside this place has, and it's not really a big deal, is that there is usually a line up and a waiting list to get in. Grab a drink at the bar and this time usually flies by. It's worth the wait! The Halibut fish tacos are BOMB!
(4)Michael C.
This is the absolute BEST Mexican restaurant in Seattle!!! Go to here as quickly as you can and sit at the counter and watch the cooks prepare your most excellent meal!
(5)Teresa Z.
Every once in awhile I am hit with a craving for Mexican food that cannot be denied, and must be satisfied. Sure there are many places that serve perfectly adequate versions of the hum drum, overly done tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but what about those who require more than a "Chipotle fix"? Well, my margarita starved friends I have the perfect place for you, La Carta de Oaxaca.La Carta surpasses and challenges almost everything we've grown to expect and accept from Mexican cuisine. As is the case with most of my dining adventures, I decided to try La Carta at the urging of friends. So on a chilly Friday evening, we headed over to La Carta for dinner. We arrived around 4:30pm, and there was already a line of hungry, damp people waiting eagerly for the clock to strike 5pm, and the doors to finally open. I was amazed at how quickly the place filled up. Within 10 minutes of opening, they had a wait list of about 20 people. Immediately I thought that either this place has some damn amazing food, or these Seattle folks will do anything to get out of the rain. Since only half of our party had arrived, we couldn't be seated at an actual table, which was a bummer, considering I had patiently waited outside in line for a half an hour, in the cold, rain, but whatever, I wasn't bitter. To the bar we went! We approached the bar with mojitos on the brain, but settled for margaritas, since they were fresh out of mint. The margaritas were made just the way I like them...strong! They definitely do not skimp on the booze at La Carta. We also felt an obligation, in the name of research of course, to sample a pitcher of the house sangria. It was fruity and refreshing, like drinking liquor soaked sunshine. By the time the rest of our party arrived, the 30 minutes we spent outside in the rain was no big deal at all. If you're alone and looking to grab a bite, La Carta has many mouth watering small plates for you to enjoy. However, the key to a fully satisfying experience is to dine with a group. We ordered the succulent, Lamb Birria, a stewed leg of lamb, which was fall off the bone tender. It was served with rice, beans, and picco de gallo that was so good I could have easily had a meal of it alone. We also ordered the Tacos Fritos, Carne Asada, and Enchiladas. Each dish was delicious and packed with flavor. It was like a meat party in our mouths. Everything at La Carta is fresh and handmade, from the fabulous guacamole and seven different salsas, to the tortillas and the mole sauce. I have never been a fan of mole sauce. I've tried it many times in various different places and cities, and every single time, I walked away feeling as if my taste buds were just assaulted by some chocolate mutating coffee monster. Since La Carta's specialty is their mole sauce, we ordered the Tamales de Mole' Negro, and the Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno. Both dishes were stellar in every way. The mole sauce was rich, yet subtle, with a light hint of coffee and chocolate. Hands down the most balanced mole I've ever tasted. Still, I can only eat it in small doses. Also, as enjoyable as I found the Tamales de Mole' Negro, it wasn't exactly user friendly. I appreciated the authentic method of wrapping the tamale in a banana leaf, however, when said leaf was piping hot and saturated with mole sauce, regardless of how delicious, it made for a messy and slightly annoying dining experience. After my tamales smack down, we moved on to the desserts. The two house specials were Flan and Pineapple Tamales. To be honest, I have never found flan appealing. I've had it on many occasions, flavored in various ways, and never walked away with the desire to have it again. However, La Carta's flan left me wanting more. It was a creamy, smooth, vanilla flavored slice of custard heaven. We were all pleasantly surprised and sad we only ordered one serving for the table. Our biggest regret of the evening though was hands down the Pineapple Tamales. Perhaps it was the pre-dinner cocktails or our lack of imagination, but we simply could not wrap our minds around the concept of pineapple flavored tamales. We all reluctantly took a much dreaded first bite, and simultaneous declared it our favorite dish of the evening. Forget everything you'd expect pineapple tamales to taste like. With a savory mixture of raisins, cinnamons, and spices, and a light hint of fresh pineapple, this dessert was so delicious we regretted not ordering more. La Carta De Oaxaca is a tiny restaurant that packs a mighty punch. It delivers quality Oaxacan Mexican cuisine in an atmosphere suitable for just about any occasion. The menu isn't fresh and innovative, but the care and artistry put into every dish is what elevates this Ballard neighborhood gem above all others. So the next time you're hit with that Mexican food craving, stop by La Carta de Oaxaca for a taste of the real thing.
(4)Loren H.
Three of us went for dinner on a wednesday night, finally finding this place without a line outside. By the time the bartender had wedged the lime on our margaritas, our table was ready. Started with chips and tasty guacamole (not mind blowing but enlightening) and then each selected one dish. Smaller mains here are perfect for light to medium eaters or for sharing. Food was quite delicious - we had two mole dishes and empanadas, and all three tasted great. Service was helpful and efficient. Can't give the five star award here until we've gone back to sample more off the menu, which I'm sure will be sooner rather than later. Recommendations: come on a weeknight to avoid longer wait times, and I would suggest capping it at three to four people. Talking across one of the large, shared tables was a bit difficult, and would be harder with larger groups. Margarita was well-balanced for sweetness but could've been a bit more potent.
(4)Meghan F.
Been here a 100 times, and I swear to Christ Oaxaca is hands down, the best authentic Mexican food on the planet. We had dinner here tonight, and I realized that I've never written a review...not that they need one-one bite, and you pretty much will die of happiness. To start-the scratch made Margarita's are to die for, and watch out-they taste like Adult Margarita flavored Capri Sun's and you could easily have 4 or 5 and then realize you had a few too many. The guacamole is fantastic-a little spice, a lot of perfectly ripe avocado, and under $5. I'm pretty sure we've had most of the menu, but here are my favorites. Entomatadas-grilled, marinated, thin steak-great flavor. Served with authentic tortilla's fried in red sauce-amazing. Halibut Fish Tacos-Top 3 on the menu for flavorful perfectly cooked fish, spicy sauce, perfect. The Mole-either chicken or pork, you can't go wrong. It's sweet, it's smokey, it's spicy, it tastes like the best cup of coffee you've ever had. Served with fresh made tortilla's and rice-Top 3 for sure. Taco's El Pastor-holy smokes, amazing, flavor explosion in your mouth-you probably will die when you eat these. We've had a few other items-seriously I've never had a bad meal here, not even close. You'll wait at least a half hour, maybe 2 hours-but it's worth every single minute of waiting because when you eat here you will die and go to Oaxaca heaven. I'd eat here every single day of the week.
(5)Ryan B.
Truly FANTASTICO! Authentic and eclectic, Oaxaca made my mouth water. Camarones and guac to start; I enjoyed a fish taco special that was perfectly done. Guests are encouraged to visit the salsa bar to accompany the tasty treats - nice touch! Sitting out on the back patio was fun too, overlooking the bay, the communal seating allows you to get to know other diners. Ballard is a vibrant neighborhood, so there is plenty to do before and after your Oaxaca fiesta!...Check it out.
(4)Bach F.
Probably one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants outside of Mexico. Real sauces and real black beans. I have been to the real ones in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo. This is the real stuff!
(5)Derek P.
If there is a home-style Mexican cooking all powerful being, I think s/he calls La Carta home. I used to think I knew good Mexican food... I finally discovered what GREAT Mexican food was. And dammit, the place is only a few minutes drive from my house! Visited for the first time tonight. Arrived as it opened and within 10 minutes the entire place was full. Patrons waiting to get in are civil and organized enough to form a waiting line outside the door awaiting their turn as full bellied customers leave. Definitely start your meal with the chips and fresh guacamole. This coming from someone who never understood the attachment that some people have to the smooshy green fruit. I've been craving that dip all night since we left. Margaritas were a little heavy on the salt, but alcohol is alcohol is alcohol right? From there my short little friend and I shared #19 and #20 from the menu - Entomatadas & Lamb Birria. Personally, I thought the lamb was a smidgen on the dry side. Still flavorful, but could definitely use a little more of that sauce. The Entomatada was perfecto. I could probably eat that all night until my heart gave way or the chair legs buckled underneath me. We passed on dessert - only because we were both too full to continue. Customer service was outstanding, the best that I have ever had (if I have ever been quoted saying those same words in a different review, someone please strike said comments and reference La Carta from now on). Despite being seated somewhat off to the side and in the corner behind the large family table, someone was always checking to see if we needed anything else (dip, tortilla shells, refills, etc). We'll probably be here all next week for dinner. We usually end up hitting every item on the menu on various days before we move on. It's too bad Yelp doesn't accept video uploads, I had a small clip of how my dear friend hogged all food ;)
(5)Sarah S.
This place is excellent and won't break the bank. It's always packed, and for good reason; so when you go, don't let the wait scare you. They were very quick and efficient about getting us a table, and the food was so worth it! Best Mexican food we've had since we moved away from Texas. The salsa bar was fun and actually spicy!! Order anything with mole-- you won't regret it!
(5)LL C.
i do not know what all the hype surrounding the chips and guac is about..there was nothing to complain about, but it wasnt as spectacular as i expected.. the house margarita was good the MOLE WAS AMAZING! do yourself a favor, dont look at the member, just oder the mole
(4)Bryan J.
Good Lord this place is good!!! I had the Pezole which was amazing spicy full of flavor!! I highly recommend that you go check out Oaxaca because it is the best mexican food in the city!!!
(5)Trevor L.
Went on a Friday night expecting a wait. While they were busy, they seated me within 5 minutes. We had two Mole dishes, and they were just phenomenal. The flavor complexity and authenticity of the food delivers a worthy 5 stars! Perfect portion size. I wasn't stuffed or starving, but I was extremely satisfied! Try the Mole!
(5)Tom W.
Great authentic Mexican food. One of the best in Seattle.
(5)Connie C.
Good food (my tacos enchiladas were great!) but overpriced. Chips with guac for $5? No thanks. $10 for three tiny tiny tiny enchiladas? Yeea... again, food was tasty, gotta give them that. But portion sizes vs. cost are a bit sad.
(3)Josh P.
The line here can be pretty daunting. They don't take reservations so you have to be there in person to put your name for table...along with the other 830 people waiting around. Oh and theres the parking...pretty hard to get. Sound like its not worth going to? You couldn't be more wrong. The food here is(according to my friend from Costa Rica who knows more about this than me) from the Oaxaca region of Mexico, which to me translates to doesn't have goopy cheese and hot sauce on everything like we can sometimes get used to. Their tacos, chicken mole and stuffed chiles are different from "traditional" Americanized Mexican food but oh so delicious. The mole is in some dark sauce(mole probably...) which is just slightly sweet but savory at the same time. The warm chips with guacamole is a great and fresh way to start your meal. Oh and they have a salsa bar which you can help yourself to as much ask you want, which translates to awesomeness. Be prepared to wait even on a Wed night(1hr + on weekends) but you should check it out. If not thats fine, just less of a line for me...
(4)H. A.
Best mexican food I have ever had! Nothing about this place disappoints. Fresh hand made tortillas, salsa bar, and the best molé ever. I only have tried #14 and #18 the two molé dishes. The chicken is absolutely delicious but their roasted pork is unbelievable! This place puts your favorite Mexican restaurant to shame! Be prepared for long lines out the door, but its well worth the wait. mucho mucho bueno!
(5)LadyinFuchsia S.
This place is great. You can see the amazing food being made directly at the giant comal in the back. The food is simply delicious. The recipes for the more complex dishes are spot on!! The pozole is absolutely delicious. The tacos are well seasoned, and the price is absolutely fair for the quality of food you are getting. I will definitely be going back!!
(4)T.J. S.
La Carta de Oaxaca....siempre mi amor! Esta muy bien!! My Spanish is terrible but the food here was in a word...PERFECTO! We arrived with a literal bang. A stumbling drunk crashed headlong into our car after we parked. I knew this was going to be an awesome evening! We walked in and found it to be busy with good reason...all the delicious looking plates on patrons tables, the fresh salsa bar, and the stiff drinks flying out from the tiny bar in the back. Make your way to the back bar, talk to the servers to get a number, and open a tab with the friendly, extreme drink mixologist...and token white guy. His margarita creations and knowledge of the Agave was too cool for school. He knew his stuff. Hopefully you're not drinking too much by this point, having playful convos, or messing with your iPhone or Blackberry. We were doing all three and missed our number but who cares. Mas Tequila!! We ordered some chips and fresh made guac at the bar and made a couple of trips to the fresh salsa bar. Pico de gallo with varying heats on the verde y rojo salsa....it was a small piece of heaven. Our number was called and we got a nice table to share with another couple. The air had an electricity and the food was sparking bolts of delicious lightening. We had and highly recommend the Tacos Carne Asada (bien!), Mole Negro Oaxaqueno (muy bien!), and the Lamb Birria (Dios mio!!). i almost cried when tasting the Lamb Birria. Also think I snapped 6 or so pictures just to make sure the food that was rocking my world was real. So for the authentic tastes of our neighbours down south please go to La Carta and try anything on their menu. Besos y Abrazos
(5)K F.
I love the salsa bar but I wasn't thrilled with the halibut tacos. Not the best margaritas either but the service is good and the atmosphere is nice.
(4)Noel J.
The Good: Mole is my single favorite food on Earth, and this is one of the best I've ever had. If I were to just base this review on the merit of the Mole Negro Oaxaqeno, I'd give this place 5 stars. Fresh made tortillas are always a winner. While these weren't the best I've had, they were good. The Bad: My step-mother is a tamale connoisseur, and this concoction wrapped in banana leaves was puzzling. I love authentic, but (as she pointed out) - not a lotta bananas anywhere near Oaxaca. Unfortunately one of the worst tamales ever. The... rest? I've been spoiled by good guacamole at Colibri (San Francisco). Given how relatively simple it is to make amazingly fresh guacamole, I have to wonder why so few places pull it off. Good selection of drinks. I approve of the trend in this country of vastly diversifying Tequila selections. The place is packed, so be prepared to wait. We had a party of 8, so it's understandable that it took a while to seat us, and I don't hold that against them at all. Three Stars +1 on the strength of the Mole. I will definitely return.
(4)Christine Z.
The BF & I know we LOVE a place & their food when during the meal neither one of us is talking! CHICKEN MOLE, never disappoints!!!
(5)Annie L.
I love Ballard. But I don't love trekking to Ballard. It's far and the chances of finding parking are slim to none. And I will trek to Ballard for La Carta de Oaxaca. Why? Because you can judge a Mexican restaurant solely on the quality of their guacamole. I'm being serious here. I've never had a bad experience with Mexican entrees if the guacamole is a hit. Because it's affordable. La Carta may look fancy from the outside, but once you sit down, you realize that it's actually pretty cozy and chill. If my memory serves me right, they have long picnic tables like they have at Oddfellows. Because they have mole. And it tastes like real mole. With that said, I wouldn't recommend visiting this place on a weekend unless you're willing to test your patience.
(4)Daniel G.
I'm the 579th review of La Carta de Oaxaca - not too sure I can add anything more. Hum . . . how about this: I live in DC, and whenever I visit my friends in Seattle (once or twice a year) we always come here for dinner. ALWAYS. That's how good it is.
(5)Rim E.
k the food is good depending on the mood, but lately it started getting worse 2 weeks ago was the final straw for me, the main server in this restaurant refused to seat our party (we had reservation for 4 people and waited 25 mins) because one person was running late although 3 of us where already ready and available and had arrived.. the worst part he was very rude more than 75% of our party were present, i expected us to get seated .. instead the main server was rude
(1)Charles J.
If crowds and cramped quarters are not an issue for you, then this would be five stars. The food is fantastic. It rivals some of the best places in Mexico. A must-try is the Mole. (There are several Mole items on the menu -- we tried them all.) What a treat!
(4)Michelle B.
Screw you Texas! I don't need you and your delicious Mexican food anymore! No longer will you have a hold on me now that I've found La Carta de Oaxaca! I think I giggled with delight through my entire meal. Each time they brought out a plate I kept thinking I had finally found a place that got it! A place that uses real Mexican cheese. I would do bad things for Mexican cheese. Their margarita was hands down the best margarita I have had in Seattle. Get it on the rocks and with salt, do anything else and I will snag your place in line, cause damn it's crowded, and you have clearly proven you do not belong here with your sham of a drink order. Some people recommend going early so you don't have to wait. I think I would rather wait than deal with the 15 families with small children they had crammed in here at 5:00. It's just creepy when a kindergartner wanders over to stare at your food and no one says anything. No longer can people start a review with "Well, I'm from Texas so I know what Mexican food should taste like..." Now we have our very own fabulous Mexican food. Deep in the heart of Washington! Yeehaw!
(4)B P.
This place is located in Ballard which means it's hard to find parking. Expect to stand in a line and wait. This place is constantly packed... which means!!! GOOD FOOD. Although there is a line, the line does usually zip by. I don't mind waiting if it means I'll be able to eat their food! Authentic Interior Mexican Food. Oaxaca is known for their mole, cheese and chocolate! And this place does not disappoint. I knew this place was a winner when I was converted to be a mole lover. I typically hate mole... it's sweet with all sorts of nonsense mixed in it, but bless this place for having it spot on. The mole with chicken is spectacular. I recommend ordering a few dishes and sharing with the table. Their portions are tappas portions. There is a small salsa bar where you can go and scoop your own salsa and pico de gallo to bring back to your table. You will be sitting close quarters with people around you. The place is super tiny! Amongst other things, their tacos are simply astounding, and their Cadillac Margaritas will knock a grown man off his butt. Their flan is wonderful as are their Pineapple Tamales with ice cream! Their service was really refreshing. We asked for dessert, and 10 minutes later, the waiter came to the table and told us, "I'm sorry. I forgot to put your order in. Would you still like to order the two desserts?" Blown away by honesty. He didn't lie to us and tell us that the kitchen was slow! He told us he forgot about our table and our desserts. The waiter deserves a smile and a round of applause for his honesty.
(4)Carolyn S.
My favorite thing about La Carta de Oaxaca is that everything we tried seemed to have complex and layered flavors. Not your typical run of the mill ethnic restarant. It seems that every item on the menu was carefully considered and the recipes perfected over time. Their guacamole was even different than other places. There are a few drawbacks. It's Ballard, so parking is tough. You'll probably have to pay. Also, seating is limited. We were there on a Friday night and ended up at a long table (probably seated at least 20) with two other groups of people. Both sets of people had kids who cried, screamed and threw food the entire time. (Isn't that what McDonald's is for?). It's an old cavernous building, so sounds really carry. We also like the fact that the portion sizes were smaller than most places. We took no leftovers with us. Prices were competitive, so we felt that at some point they cut back becuase they were sickened at seeing people waste so much food. All in all, a good experience, but I think my expectations were a bit too high. Ever sine moving back to Seattle 4 years ago I have been in search of the perfect Mexican restaurant. This just isn't it for me. (Sorry!)
(3)Shana H.
Decent food but very few vegetarian selection and no vegan selections. Nice ambiance but wait till is long (on a Sat evening, i guess).
(3)candice s.
Service was OK - everyone polite for sure. It was busy at lunchtime. Food was fantastic and authentic. Small portions but not too little.
(4)Zach P.
Hands down, our favorite restaurant in Seattle. Probably eat here 2-3 times a month, easy. Worth every minute that you wait, very fast usually if you get there before 6-7ish. Safe to say we have had just about everything on the menu, and I am particularly fond of the tacos al pastor and the carne asada plato. Wife usually goes for the halibut tacos or the tostadas. Wait staff is great--always the same friendly people. Also, love the aesthetic of the place as well, seating, small bar and of course the GIANT portrait of the Oaxacan staring at you. I actually bought the print, not sure where I am going to put it but just had to have something that reminded me of this place when I am not there. Go to this restaurant, 'nuff said.
(5)Boo P.
This is the best thing to happen to Ballard since it became a part of Seattle. Ok, so that might be an exaggeration...but I think I would like to live there. If you want a burrito, go to Taco del Mar. If you want actual Mexican food, full of tomatillos and queso fresco and magic, come here. I personally love the albondigas- yummy little meatballs in a vegetable broth. I'm not very spicy food tolerant, so this is a perfect dish. However, I've had their tacos and those are also pretty fantastic. They have tortilla chips which are great, but the price is kinda steep so you might as well bring your own bag to munch on while you wait for a table. Also, don't pass up their agua fresca, last time I was there they were serving a refreshing hibiscus one. Yum! Although some people have complained about portion size, and I agree their plates aren't huge, I have never left hungry. Last time I was there for lunch I only ordered one plate and an agua fresca, and I left with an enormous food baby. I was completely stuffed. Then I saw that newish fro-yo place and decided I still had a little room left... tips: if you hate waiting, go for lunch. Much less crowded, basically the same menu. Also, the place is filled with these cool photographs of people looking really intense in their cowboy hats. These are fantastic if your dining companion is boring.
(5)Jac J.
OMG My friend took me here last night and all I can say is "Muy Bueno!" I heard that there was always a line at this awesome place and I was lucky that evening that we were sit right away. We started on Guacamole and chips. I normally disliked Guac for its "fatty" taste it leaves in my mouth but this Guac was sensational! It was smoothed had amazing texture and did not leave an oily feeling on my tongue. The Chips were freshly made sprinkled lightly with sea salt making a perfect partnership between smooth and rough texture when it jumps into your mouth. For Entrees we ordered the Halibut Tacos and the Mole' Negro Oaxaquento. I normally dislike Mole for mush of taste sensations it causes me but this was perfect. The Chocolate blend wasn't too over powering that it really added to the pork it was sauteed in. The Fresca of the day was Hibiscus which is one of my favorite afternoon drinks. I will definitely come back again! The service was quick, friendly and attentive, the food's quality was delicious and satisfying and the price is alright. I would have given this place 5 stars except that the price was a little steep for the quantity of food we were receiving. Halibut Tacos ($10) I think $8 would've been more reasonable. Overall a great experience! This place was delicious! Must Try: Halibut Tacos and Fresca of the day!
(4)A H.
We walked in around 8pm on a Thursday night and were immediately given a table! Magic! It was as if they knew it was my first time and wanted to make a good impression. The service was great, welcoming and not intrusive. The setting was just right. Bright, open, wonderful photos on the walls surrounding a huge mirror. You could even see the flames from the kitchen as your food was being made! The food? Delicious and fresh! You must start out with their guacamole, fresh and chunky! I had the house specialty with pork and it was divine. It almost had a chocolate flavor. Highly recommended! Great margaritas too! Was that fresh lime I tasted? I think so.
(5)Kira A.
Uh duh! This place is fantastic: Chips OMG, salsas sooo good, Enchiladas were delicious and margarita was great. Just be strategic with your timing. There was a line at 4:30 on a Saturday (which is 30 minutes before they open).
(5)Nicki W.
Holy Mole! They are known for this heavenly sauce for a reason folks! OMG, my taste buds are forever tainted as they will never be able to go back to the ordinary again. Otherwise, get here early and allow yourself at least a half an hour to find a parking spot or take public transportation. Expect to wait even if you arrive when the doors open, but it will be worth it. The food is reasonably priced but I suggest ordering family style so you can share with the group and ask for a vat of the Mole so you can dip everything in it! Depending on what you order, the portions can be on the small side. Be warned, the margaritas are stiff so be careful or you may find yourself atop a table! I loved the plank table seating and beautiful photographs collaged about the restaurant. So much to look at, so many tastes to enjoy and coversations to share or overhear. Oaxaca is a true experience of the senses.
(4)Rufus Figgums L.
Pros: Lively atmosphere. Fresh ingredients. Good guacamole. Cons: Poor service- it took a while to get water, servers never came by to check on our food, and our bill was incorrect. Not worth the wait and the hype. Portions small for the price.
(3)chris t.
This is based off a lunch visit, and I will probably return to try more stuff, but on first investigation I would say its a bit pricey for what you get. I got the al pastor tacos and some chips and guacamole. The tacos were good, citrus-y, which was nice, and the guac was decent, but for 11 bucks, it wasn't anything that bowled me over. I have had equal or better at pastor at various taco trucks or stands and always cheaper. I will update after trying some of the mole, but for lunch I think its a bit pricey.
(3)Ron D.
Good food in a bustling, high-energy, atmosphere. The portions are small so order multiple items if you are a big eater. Try the Cocktel de Camarones as a starter.
(4)Michael B.
Ok, I promise to try this place again and order something different. My enchiladas smelled exactly like sweet pipe tobacco. The guac was clearly not made from scratch for a small scoop it was $5. Authentic? I think so....I'll give it another whirl and report back.
(2)Emily T.
OAXACA! This word is crazy and has lots of vowels and you pronounce the X differently and... it's really fun to shout... try it. Aside from an excuse to draw attention to yourself by loudly saying funny foreign words, Oaxaca just didn't offer thaaaaaaaat much to wow me. I will admit that I am not a snobby Mexican food connoisseur. I'm not all hardcore about having an "authentic" meal, and I'm pretty easy to please. Like, the Matador's HH nachos? Perfect, don't care. We all know any Mexican venture is really just an excuse for me to drink margaritas... Keeping all this in mind, I dunno. With all the accolades Oaxaca has received, I expected a little something more... the food was definitely good, but I feel like it's really overpriced when you consider the portion sizes. Also, I expected more atmosphere, I felt like I was sitting in a cafeteria because it's so loud and crowded and has awkwardly bright lighting! For some reason I always pictured it more sultry and like... "romantic Latin nights" style, not "I visited the same taqueria in Tijuana during college" style. The only difference in atmosphere is the art on the walls, which doesn't really go with the rest of the scheme, in my opinion. The staff is great, the food is good yet pricey, the margaritas are strong... so yeah, I'd go again, however I just can't get as excited about this place as most others seem to be!
(3)Greta D.
wonderful wonderful mole. Great place for lunch. Back patio is fantastic. Nothing but great things to say about food and staff. Packed of course on evenings - cuz it's good.
(4)Josh W.
OK - that's it. I f-ing dare you to find me better tacos al pastor within the U.S.A. I went back here last night and I'm pretty sure I blacked out from an overdose of deliciousness. Bring an extra pair of pants...
(5)J s.
i have tried different time of the day, different days of the week, it is always packed and busy...... But I do not mind the wait, knowing the great plates I can get if I waited...... once you are seated the service is quick, and while waiting you can order drinks at the bar..... Mole and fish tacos are my favorite. wish they would open 2nd location somewhere.......
(5)Evin G.
As everyone else has already said, it is great! Try the mole, you wont be disappointed.
(5)Steven B.
okay, so the food is flavorful.. which for seattle, is a rare thing. unfortunately, they try to serve mexican food with a snooty atmosphere with insanely small portions... also, they have a bunch of different salsas they serve in bowls you have trouble dipping a chip into. oaxaca, you are doing it wrong. will never go back.. this just in, one of their employees, "damon m" sent me an insulting and vulgar email because of my review.. classy.. maybe his manager will be in today.
(1)Sara V.
Great place to go if you're looking for good food in Ballard. Very affordable and delicious. Walked in a got a table right away! The staff were attentive and the food was served quickly. Fairly small menu but my friend and I both really enjoyed our food. I'd go back if I weren't moving!
(4)Marie M.
I am not usually a fan of Mexican food. But this place changed my mind. There is food without the cheese. The mole negro was divine. The coffee was really tasty and the lamb (who knew there was lamb to be had in a Mexican eatery) was cooked to perfection. The place is casual and can get noisy so it's not the best place for a romantic dinner.
(5)Cathy G.
WOW!! One thing about not workign much is the wonderful opportunity to g ovisit so many wonderful place sinSeattle. Thisis another long tiem favorite. I arrived about 1:30 on a weekday. It was practically full.. long lunch hour. The waiter tried to smile. The place was packed and LOUD. I was sat quickly and my order taken quickly. Only 2 waiters, one busser adn maybe 4 or 5 cooks! WHEW and ita a small place. BUSY. There is a salsa bar. I had 3 chicken tacps.. and aske dfor sloced cabbage to go with. My neighbors went on an extravaganza and had 4 or 5 dishes for 2 of them. They were recommeding things to a friedn who came in later. I recall coming here one eve before going out dancing.. the margaritas are stupendous as is the red wine./ Definitely a 10!
(5)Elnora H.
The first time I visited La Carta, it was around midnight on a weekend, and the place was jam-packed with a wait to boot. That's when I knew there must be something amazing here that's worth waiting 30 minutes to sit at a cramped family-style table. Make no mistake - the place is relatively small and almost always crowded for dinner and late at night. But I'm willing to overlook that because the food here is top notch. From the moment the friendly hosts and servers greet you, despite the sometimes hectic atmosphere, you are taken on a delicious journey through an authentic Oaxacan meal. (Bonus - the wall decor is great to look at while you're waiting.) I can compare the quality and authenticity of this food to what I was served when I studied abroad in Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula. The food and experience here is reminiscent of that amazing experience. A few highlights (although you can't go wrong with anything, or so I've heard) are the margs, the house made guacamole, the salsa bar, tostadas de camarones, shrimp cocktail, the quesadillas (made with fresh cheese that's amazingly NOT dripping with oil!), and the chicken mole. At the time I tried the mole sauce, I was not eating meat, but my dad ordered the dish and still compliments it to this day. I can't wait to go back soon so I can experience the amazing chicken mole for myself. I know we are usually used to having a 10-page menu of food and drinks to choose from, so for some people the short menu may be frustrating. But really, there is no need for an extensive menu here. The food is fresh, authentic, and delicious. Why ruin that by adding anything else?
(5)Mike H.
Best chips and guacamole ever, several salsas to choose from, small portions but very tasty food - especially the Mole Negro Oaxaqueno. Their wait staff are not exactly outgoing. One of their newer guys actually smiles at his customers ... I'm not sure he will be working there much longer. But it doesn't matter. I go there for the food!
(5)Neil G.
Been coming here since it opened. Amazing food, drinks and atmosphere, Seattle needed this authentic and creative vibe and I'm glad it's going strong. New addition on queen Anne is great as well! Just brought my friend who was born and raised in Oaxaca, mexico here last week for the posole and halibut tacos, with a horchata, and he thought it was the best he'd had in the pac nw. Great friendly service too, and love to see the ambition and drive by the owners to expand...these guys know what they're doing and I wish the best success to them!
(5)Awesta M.
I really do love this place. Just walking in makes me happy. It's been open for years and everyone who runs the place is still there. Considering how constant turnover in restaurants can be, it's very refreshing to see the same hosts, waiters and staff year after year. That's why even if it's been 1 day or 1 year, I always know that the food I order from there will be consistent and I think that is a trait that is underrated in restaurants. I love the chips and salsa and must always give myself a lecture before sitting down that I must eat them in moderation because I'm there to have other food. But once I take a bite of the first one all my good intentions vanish. My next lecture comes in the form of "do not drink several margaritas" alas another good intention gone to dust. They're just to good to pass up. Final lecture, don't stuff yourself to the point of pain. Foiled again!! How can I not eat up every last morsel. Go big or go home!! So as I'm rolled back home, I realize that next time I should just quit with the lectures. Total waste of time...
(5)M C.
As a poor graduate student in LA and SF, I've always pride myself on my comprehensive reviews of Taco Trucks. Now they even have taco trucks in Seattle. Just wait one day Top TenTaco Truck List. Imagine my surprise when i show up and they have a tequila menu, and handmade tortilla, wow! Service = surprising good, considering how packed they were Ambiance = tight space, unique location, great lighting, very festive, Love it all Food = Have to admit not fully used to gromet Mexican food just yet, Mole sauce is quite interesting, chip and quacamole if awesome. Never can go wrong with Patron Gold! Crowd = always a line, always a party. Get ready to party! Price = $$$ Favorite = one of the few upscale Mexican I've been Worst = the waiting in the rain, check out the pub Final Say = Well worth the wait, yum yum home made tortilla.
(4)Nicole W.
I love this place! Delicious authentic food. The fish taco's are super yummy, especially combined with their hand made tortillas... Its a little small and cramped but its worth the limited elbow room!
(4)Tom B.
OK, I have to laugh at the reviewer who complains about paying for chips here. Yes you do - but they are made when you order them. They are the hottest crispest tastiest tortilla chips I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant. So he can go get them free with his dinner and they'll be cold out of a bag, Costco chips. And every dish Carta Oaxaca makes is like that. Made to order and better than you can find anywhere else.
(5)Boyd M.
It is busy. It is loud. It is authentic. The family is fantastic. First there was Zach (gone to do his own gig at OCHO down the street), now Jason wields those margarita making guns around the bar. He is a great guy and always ready to help. No matter how crazy! You don't like crowds? Try lunch here mid week and early. They open at noon and close around 3pm. Don't expect margaritas, just mexican beer for the lunch crowd. I may be biased. I have eaten here almost every week for the last few years. I don't think we ordered anything but #19 for the first year. Now I go crazy if I don't have fish tacos at least every other time I visit. We go here every time we make the pilgrimage to our Holy Ballard. (We are currently shipwrecked on the Hill in Beacon). This is fuel in the tank so we can do our duty and belly up to the bar at Hazlewood. Ballard is not what is once was. It is changing and that is OK. I long for the old days, but I will hold on to some of the places and faces that connect me to that time... La Carta is locked high on that list of what I have loved about this part of town for a long time - great people making great food and drinks. I am in! Hope I see you there!
(5)Natalie W.
I am a huge fan of this place now. There are great black and white photos on the wall and a clean modern feel to the atmosphere. Plus a few tables on the sidewalk to try and score next time. We had no wait time at about 7 on a Friday night. We hopped into a place at the counter and watched the fresh tortillas being made right under us as we browsed the menu. I found the menu a mix of typical authentic taco truck like fare and things you would find at Senor Moose. Lots of mole items and clear simple dishes. We ordered the tacos al pastor and the tacos carne asada. Plus a basket of fresh chips and homemade guacamole. The tacos were $6 and the chips/gac $5. My roommate threw in a order of sangria as well. The food was fresh, fresh, fresh and flavorful. I found the quality better on my tacos al pastor better than any others I have had. The guacamole was good, a little on the creamy side, and needed a little salt according to the roomy. The sangria was very strong but still drinkable- good to know! What really sold me was the fabulous salsa bar... I have a weakness for them and La Carta's were fabulous- verde, red chile, chipotle, red, salsa fresca. The flavor on the salsas was cleaner, clearer, and more potent then others I have enjoyed before... I love this find! The only thing that kept it from being a 5 star was having to randomly stand for a while and wonder where we go to try and get seated. Plus, the fact that the counter was extremely hot to the touch and radiating heat resulting in diners that shed clothing quickly and chugged the water.
(4)Derwynn D.
They are known for their mole, so try it. I did and didn't regret it. The chips/salsa/guac were splendid. This spot is the anti-Azteca. The bar counter is warm, just like it's staff. I can't wait to go again.
(4)Allison B.
The margaritas here get 5 stars, hands down. I thought they were amazing. However, once you take into consideration that long wait, packed interior with people smacking their elbows into your head and having to flag the waiter down for the NEXT margarita, the service gets a 3. I'm guessing Seattlelites think this is great Mexican because it feels fancy and this place gets buzz but now that I live in Cali, I know the best Mexican doesn't come in the prettiest of packages.
(4)Dan P.
I've never before thought of Mexican fare as delicate, but there it is. Amazing, soft, flavorful, pleasant, inviting, warm, sensuous, delicious Mexican food. I wouldn't call it gourmet, but only because it's just not that pretentious; it is that good. It's also simple, and small, but your stomach's cheers of delight will drown out the wallet's woes. I'm still more likely to be a regular of your friendly neighborhood Taco Bus, but this was some great stuff.
(5)Ane P.
If you can find parking, you're in for a treat! A great big Mexican meal kind of treat, that doesn't leave your stomach feeling as though it aches or is filled with unnecessary grease. Their sangria is wonderful, but every last one of their dishes are made to order with the freshest of ingredients. Everywhere you look, there is art depicting Our Lady, whicih is very comforting if you ask me ;) If you are planning to dine with a handful of people, make sure that you call in your reservation in the morning, as it's typically busy. Simple, tasty, and authentic. I like it.
(5)Matthew L.
This place was packed on a Tuesday night - a good sign. Thankfully, we arrived just before the rush of the crowd. I like the idea of the community table that functions as the restaurant's centerpiece. You feel like you're eating in somebody's gourmet kitchen - perhaps that of a wealthy Oaxacan family. To start out, we ordered a round of margaritas. They were sweet and easy to down, but not exactly strong. Mom would approve. Perhaps I've just become a heavyweight in recent weeks. We coupled our margaritas with some very fresh chips and some smooth, easy to eat, guacamole. Each of us then ordered another plate. One friend ordered the Pozole - a pork and hominy soup. The hotness of the spice in the broth overpowered all other flavors for me, but I liked the not too tough, but not too mushy texture. My other dining companion ordered the tacos al pastor, which were also overpowered by a hot spice, not allowing the natural flavor of the pork seep through. I ordered a tamale con mole, beautifully wrapped in a banana leaf, which when unwrapped seemed to take up half of our table. The tamale itself was prepared with very sweet cornmeal, and the sweetness of the mole sauce made this even more dessert-like. As I prefer to eat smaller portions for dinner, the appetizer sizes of the dishes worked for me.
(4)Mike M.
This place is way over rated. The portions of food are tiny for a Mexican restaurant,the service is very slow and not to friendly. They actually charge for tortilla chips!! The restaurant is way to small and loud to really enjoy your dinner. I have had much better Mexcan food,better service,and larger portions for less money. The taste of the food is good but does not fill you up. Try antojo in lynnwood for truly great Mexican food and free chips and salsa bar!!
(2)C. M.
The food here is good, but the house margaritas are amazing! Highly recommend.
(4)Jenny D.
What deliciousness is this?! And how have I never been here before?! I came here for lunch today after my friend and I's trip to Lunchbox Lab was abruptly halted by their 3-day closure. I'm actually happy our plans weren't followed through because this place astounded me! I was a bit apprehensive because I am not a huge fan of Mexican food just in general and because most Yelpers groaned about long lines at the door. Lucky for us, we were seated immediately at the kitchen bar (there were some tables available as well, but I opted to get closer in on the action) and our orders taken immediately. Food: We started off with chips & guacamole, the classic Mexi staple. The chips were quite good, great texture, and not too brittle. Tasted very much like corn and very little like processed crap bearing the name of Tostitos. Yup, Frito Lay, I am hating on you. The guac was OK but nothing special. Personally I think I can make better guac; the avocado wasn't as fresh as I would've liked and there could've been some more tomato, cilantro, and cayenne. So appetizer would've been probably a 3-star. However once our entrees arrived I changed my mind immediately (or actually, my mind was blown so it changed itself). I got the Tamale Mole Negro (not the house special Mole) due to all the raves on Yelp and my friend got the chile rellenos. I was at a loss for words. The presentation was beautiful--wrapped in a banana leaf--and actually gave the dish something other than a pretty factor. The corn mixture outside the tamale was not all heavy or dry. It was spread very thinly and evenly across the banana leaf and had gotten infused with a nice, moist flavor during the steaming process. It was good enough to eat on its own without all the wonderful salsas from the Salsa Bar. But then the real treat was the mole sauce--it was decadent, rich, but not a weigh-you-down thick. It was a teensy bit sweet but had a wonderful mixture of flavors that you experienced throughout the process of eating it. I added some of the salsa verde for a bit more spice but that's completely optional as it was delicious alone. The pork was cooked beautifully and was incredibly juicy as well. The black beans on the side were delicious and cooked just before they took on the unappetizing mushy bean-ness many other Mexi places are guilty of. My friend's chilles rellenos were quite good as well. The outside batter wasn't fried completely evenly but the inside chile was nice and spicy and full of the flavor. The pork was on the dry side, but acceptable. The tortillas that came with it were excellently crispy. Service: Our waiter was very prompt, served us our chips & guac almost immediately after ordering, and directed our geographically challenged souls to the Salsa Bar. We were served food extremely quickly and everyone was professional and prompt. It is lunchtime, it is busy, but I didn't feel neglected or overlooked or anything. It was refreshing. Ambiance: Busy, loud, sort of like a taco truck in a restaurant scaled up with a bar. The theme of the place is a bit confused but I sort of liked it--it was a bit quirky. Definitely not a good date spot because it's loud but a great place to take someone you've been dating to show them your Seattle culinary prowess! Price: $8 for the entree and $5 for chips/guac is very reasonable. Especially for the quality and service (plus free parking out front) is fantastic!
(5)Shen L.
This place has good Mexican food. Eating here enabled me to realize that Mexican food is so much more than the cheese-laden, black-pepper-ful stuff that is served at Americanized Mexican restaurants. Coming here for my roommate's birthday was great, and they were nice enough to seat us (large group of 12+) in the outdoor area in the back. [Make sure everyone arrives on-time, otherwise they won't seat you!] Anyways, we all started with a round of sangrias and margaritas and...they are much stronger than they might appear. I ordered the Mole Negro Oaxaqueno with pork, which was good, although I had hoped the pork would be less tough. I had recommended that a friend order the Posole (pork and hominy stew), and realized later that I should've taken my own advice! Her dish was much tastier. =)
(3)Mo M.
The room is crammed with tables and zooming wait-people, the kitchen is packed with petite chefs making awesome oaxacan food, and the tiny bar is packed with patrons waiting for a table. Not-to-be-missed - a one of a kind place, with delicious food, served in reasonable portion sizes. I have tried many things on the menu, but I always come back to the mole. There is an outdoor terrace in the back with a large communal table, which can be nice on a warm evening.
(5)Perry S.
The food is excellent and their salsas are the best I have eaten outside of Mexico itself. The three stars comes from the portion sizes being very small. The tacos are fabulous, but overvalued for the portion size. Ordering just chips without guacamole seems to be difficult sometimes. The staff doesn't understand that some people want to try the salsas with just chips. The staff is quick to refill drinks and orders. Great place!
(3)Nanako E.
I think this place is overrated. I got the pork mole and the portion was tiny for what I paid for it. The flavor wasn't mind blowing. It was good but not enough to make me want to come back again. And the wait was ridiculously long so be prepared for that. I've had much better mole for a better price with better portions!! Not that anyone is going to listen to me because this place has too many 4 & 5 star ratings. But jus' sayin'.
(3)Chris J.
Tasty and mostly authentic Mex with solid quality, atmosphere and service. Seating could be better but they cram a lot into a tight space. Well done, amigos!
(4)K S.
Some of my greatest nights with friends involved much of the evening crammed into the bar, drinking my fair share of their o so yummy margs, mainlining chips and salsa. Their Margaritas are definitely in the top 3 in the city!
(5)Tonya N.
Wow, this place is great... excellent authentic homecooked mexcian food. 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, a drink and dessert = $35. This place was recommended by foodie friends from Mexico and its their favorite place in the city. We finally got around to coming here and am so glad we did. Mole complex, pollo very moist, Halibut tacos were fresh and light. Fun atmosphere, the service is very friendly and warm. They only take reservations for groups of 10 or more for the deck out back. Highly recommend and will be a regular here for sure.
(4)Torstors D.
In my opinion, this is the ONLY great Mexican food in Seattle. Carta is sooo goood!!!! Their chicken mole plate and pork/chicken mole tamales are to die for. Handmade tortillas, salsa bar, unpretentious setting, reasonable prices...EXCELLENT!!! I love it here. On the weekends the wait can be long, but with so many bars nearby, saddle up to one of them while you wait, but be sure to be back there 5-10 minutes before your number is called so you're not skipped. :)
(5)Shirley H.
If, like me, you grew up in a place where the only Mexican available is known as "Tex-Mex" and is covered in a requisite pool of cheese, refried beans and sour cream, Oaxaca will blow your mind. Mexican food, the real stuff, manages to be both bold and subtle at once--it's both delicate and hearty, deeply flavored all whilst being impossibly light and fresh. The dishes I sampled for my first (and certainly not last... I'm already longing for a return trip) visit were revelatory, which was embarrassingly clear to anyone sitting in the vicinity by my near-orgasmic moans of "oh... my... god..." throughout the meal. The guacamole and still-warm fresh-fried tortilla chips are a must. The guacamole is appropriately chunky, with flecks of tomato--none of this pureed-till-it's-baby-puke stuff. Next up, the tamale de mole negro. Once you unwrap the banana-leaf-encased packet of delight, scoop up some of the soft innards and dunk it in the dark, complex mole sauce, and you'll be struck by the wonderfully complicated flavors at play. Sweet, fresh corn... savory pulled pork... deep, intense sweetness from the mole. We were scraping that banana leaf with such vigor by the end, I almost contemplated eating the wrapper itself--kinda like what kids do with cupcake liners. The empanadas were excellent, although a different kind of empanada than I'm used to seeing--instead of being a fried, dough-encased creation (along the lines of, say, a Puerto Rican empanada), Oaxaca's empanadas resemble quesadillas. The filling--either chicken or mushroom--is encased in a folded, fresh tortilla, and all is served with a ramekin of that great mole. We opted for the mushroom version, which was incredibly savory, and their interpretation of the empanada was light and refreshing. During the summertime, almost nothing hits the spot like a good fish taco. They're so fresh-tasting and perfectly substantial without weighing you down. Oaxaca's version tastes like summer--bright, peppy pico de gallo, a crunch of cabbage, and tender hunks of halibut. Get 'em while they're hot, because it looks like it's only a seasonal addition to the menu. Yes, it's busy, as other reviewers have noted. There's an easy solution to this problem: Fight your way inside, track down the guy bustling around with a notepad, take a number. Go around the corner, grab a drink at Hazelwood or any number of fine Ballard drinkeries, and 30 minutes later, your table will await you. And then, you can get down to eating. And--joder--is it good.
(5)John H.
AMAZING mole. Mole, mole, mole, mole. Holy mole!
(5)Laura B.
I'm really, really not sure what the fuss is about here. I came, I went, I left with a pretty high bill and a still growling stomach... the tiniest portions I've eaten at anything other than a foo foo artsy restaurant, and the food was bland, the sauces tasted like some stock stuff from a jar... um... the chips were pretty good? I mean... it wasn't the worst food I've had... it's right on par with eating boiled potatoes in Europe for 3 months... but both times (one I paid for, the other I had no say and no investment in)... it was extremely crowded (location is great, I'll give em that) and noisy... slow service... never filled our empty water cups, even after I asked... and did I mention I left hungry? I've eaten mole there (oh how I hoped for the same slow simmered yummy dish I've eaten with some awesome abuelitas...), I've eaten entomatatas... I've eaten the ok-but-very-americanized guacamole... I've eaten whatever my friend ordered that involved filling a tortilla with meat and beans and such... and I've eaten other things that I don't really remember because I was trying stuff off other plates. My standards may be too high... like I enjoy food as made by the people from the region in the style they eat it at home... I enjoy the hole in wall places full of people from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central America... I enjoy the many homes of immigrants I've been in... I do not enjoy paying a fortune for inexpensive ingredients and bad service, so I do not enjoy La Carta de Oaxaca. I've yet to meet a family from south of the US border that skimped so much on ingredients, from portions to spices--good grief, this is the whitest Mexican food I've had to endure... (I'd honestly rather have tex-mex... and I don't like tex mex 99 times out of 100... sigh... this makes me feel like I need to go back south, far south... on either side, it'll do... this just won't do. I have yet to experience good Mexican food or good Indian food in Seattle... please, someone PROVE ME WRONG!)
(2)Tracy W.
I have been to Oaxaca on a few occasions now, and have yet to be disappointed. A word of warning however, if you want to go, plan ahead, as there will be a line. I try to either go for lunch or an early dinner. With this strategy, I can typically grab a seat at the counter without much of a wait. This is also great in itself as you can watch the chef's work their magic. Oaxaca is set up for community seating, so it's not a place you would go for a romantic evening. The prices are great; I think the most expensive item was $10, the portions are just right and the food is delicious. I have several friends from Mexico who confirm this place is the real deal; no American Mexican food here. I love the enchilada dish, my absolute favorite. Their enchilada sauce is the best I've ever had. I have also had the fish tacos which were very tasty as well. Very lightly breaded, delicate, flaky fish, not overpowered with sauce. The chips do not automatically come with the meal, you have to pay $3.00 for a basket of chips, but when you consider they are made fresh to order and served with a generous serving of homemake guac, it's well worth the price. Fresh salsa is available at a self service counter as well. Oaxaca has a tiny, full service bar in the back. I only consumed an adult beverage there once, a Lemon Drop, and the bartender made it to perfection. High praise when you consider the majority of drinks he was making were Margarita's. The service is prompt and no frills. The efficient team works together weaving through the tightly packed tables and wandering guests with skilled ease. Oaxaca is my new, favorite Mexican restaurant.
(5)Amanda R.
If you've got the time to wait and are really craving good Mexican food, this is the place to be. The portions are smallish but I always order a few things with friends and then we share tapas style. The sauces are good and spicy. Watch out for the chile relleno! It was painfully good and piquant. I like the salsa bar...if you can get to it. I've never seen the place not crowded. Like I said, if you have the time to wait, you'll be rewarded with deliciousness.
(4)Andri P.
Had dinner here and had to wait for 30 minutes to get a seat. It was really crowded. The atmosphere is kinda fun. Great salsa bar, very fresh, especially love the pico de gallo. Ordered myself the Fish Taco. It was pretty good, I think. I would described the restaurant as high end authentic mexican food. Just the food alone, I will say that it almost make me bump the rating up to 4, but considering the size and the price, I think overall of 3 stars is fair enough to say. Not sure whether I would go there again, maybe one day and order another kind of food. but definitely not my usual designated place for authentic mexican restaurant.
(3)Sarah C.
YUMMY! They were crackin' on a Saturday night around 10pm. There was a wait but there just happened to be two seats left at the bar- so we jumped on that. the chips & guac are fresh and fantastic. salsa bar- me likey. beef & pork tacos- awesome & not to mention, homemade tortillas enchiladas - it was sweet because of the mole - and the cheese was nowhere to be found. is that authentic? not sure. overall, pretty darn good for seattle mexican - probably #1 - closest thing to a finer dining taco truck. which i love.
(4)Briana R.
I used to work in Ballard and came here all the time, but that wasn't the only thing bringing me back. If you're in the mood for a big plate of tex-mex or a mission style burrito, turn around. But for small plates of traditional Oaxacan fare, this is the best. For a quick lunch, their fish tacos are as good as it gets, and if you're feeling indulgent add a basket of their fresh tortilla chips served with guacamole. When dinner rolls around they serve the same menu, with the kind of margarita you look forward to all day at your desk. They've also got some of the best mole I've ever tasted. With everything you get, be sure to take advantage of their great salsa bar. My only complaint is that it can get a little pricey. Add up the chips & guac, drinks, and a few small plates at dinner and it's not exactly a cheap eat. Portions are reasonable but not huge, so don't expect to take home a doggy bag. That said, there's something to be said for fresh, tasty Mexican food, and I think the waiters might know me by name now...
(4)Sarah B.
So delicious! Really! Have more recently had the carne asada, lamb and chile rellenos. All delicious! They give you the right amount of portions so you don't feel like a rolly polly as you walk out the door. Their guacamole is great too and it is just an overall very enjoyable atmosphere with great service to boot.
(4)Eugene C.
I realize I may be getting hate mail for this, but I just have to be honest. I have not been as impressed as others, and I am not going to try to sell the kool aid that everyone else in Seattle seems to drink. The food is just okay (tried the chicken mole and carnitas tacos). Portions are kind of small for the price. Chips are extra (say what!!?). It may have something to do with my personal taste or what I ordered, but I think the place is highly over-rated. On top of that, it's often hard to get a table.
(2)Rita R.
I have terrible luck with Mexican restaurants. Every place I choose is mediocre and leaves me feeling lousy afterward. This place wasn't my choice, so I'm not surprised by how awesome it was. This is one of the best Mexican experiences I've had in a really, really long time. I had the Molotes and all I have to say is YUM. It's nice to see some original food choices on the menu, and there are several more that I'm anxious to try. Thanks to Christine for a great dinner choice!
(5)Some G.
Their "Caldo de Pescado" is one of the best soup I have ever tasted. The flavoring is just perfect. I'm not a big fan of Mexican cuisine but this is one joint I will go to and even line up for up to an hour to get my order of Caldo De Pescado. Food: I haven't tried any dish except Caldo de Pascado but this dish alone is worth the trip to Ballard. Service: Reasonable for a restaurant in this price range. Not too punctual but also not too laggy. Parking: It's Ballard... So it can be tough. We typically spend about $25 (plus oppurtunity cost of waiting an hour+) for 2 people... J/k about the oppurtunity cost but there is always an insane line.
(4)T H.
Simply the best Mexican in Seattle. We've tried them all but La Carta is the only one we come back to again and again. They open at 5:00 and get there early if you want to get a seat and avoid a long wait. Then again, waits aren't bad, there are lots of shops nearby to browse through while you kill some time. We've worked our way through the entire menu over the past few years and have loved almost everything. When you go, here's what you need to get. Cadillac margarita (adds Gran marnier to make it extra delicious) Halibut tacos - my current favorite Tacos al pastor - not as good as my favorite place in DC but nice Tacos carne asada - my wife's current favorite Lamb birria Tamale de mole negro - slightly sweet and very good Posole - a must order. On a cold rainy Seattle day nothing tastes better than La Carta's posole. Add in a staff that is always friendly and efficient. (a marvel given how the place is always just packed.) and you've got a real winner. On those cold winter days try to get a seat at the bar by the tortilla station. You'll not only get delicious food but also have toasty warm seat to watch the crew in the kitchen work their magic.
(4)J K.
I like the atmosphere and the people who work there. Sometimes it takes a while to get a seat. I like how you can choose and fill up your own salsa. I also like how you can order several small items.
(4)Kay C.
Good strong margaritas. The food is good but some of the portions are smaller than I remembered - if you are hungry, the bill can add up even though everything on the menu is less than $10. Good atmosphere and good location in Ballard too. Good place to start off the night.
(4)Tai T.
I've been frequenting "Oaxaca" for a few years now. I just want to give props to one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. This place is so good that my friends that say "I don't like Mexican food" love this place. After being tarnished by crappy plates of Seattle Mexican beans and rice for so many years... This place has converted many... including myself. Five stars for great food, drinks, and ambiance.
(5)Diane T.
I found this place to be a little underwhelming. We went with a large group for a birthday party. I was pretty happy with the overall service, but we were packed like a can of sardines in the back area. No one in the group was super impressed with the food. I had the mole negro oaxaqueno. First of all the portion was really small. It was just a tiny drumstick with half a scoop of rice or so. The meat was falling off the bone and tender, but the mole really wasn't anything special. My husband had the Lamb Birria, which was also cooked well, but again nothing special. The food prices are pretty cheap(I guess not given the portion size), but the drink prices are not. Expect half of your bill to be drinks, even if you just get one.
(3)K J.
One of the first places in Seattle I ever went to, & as a local of more than two years now, I'm always still impressed.
(5)jen b.
Ohhhhh Oaxaca....sigh, so tasty. We usually come to Oaxaca for special occasions or "date" type nights, and it's always great. My boyfriend is from Denver and craves authentic Mexican food. I first took him here about two years ago for his birthday, and he was sold. And seriously, this boy is a critic. Especially with Mexican food, he is not easily impressed. By now, two years after originally going there, we have tried about everything; and everything is good. There have been things I haven't loved as much as others, but never anything that I have not liked. The only thing about Oaxaca, is the damn line. This is a tiny joint, and there are lots of people who love it just as much as us. They don't take reservations, so we usually try not to go with more than four people in our group. With such limited space, there is no point in going with a big group, you'd be waiting forrrrrever. So though this might be a pitfall for some, but for us, it makes it that much more special- a place we reserve for nights when we want to go out together and have a nice meal. With not taking reservations, I must add though- if you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday night, GET THERE EARLY. If you don't want to be waiting outside in a pack of starving people, trust me. Even at 6 on a Friday night, we had to wait for a half-hour. However, this place is worth the wait. The prices are good, the guacamole is great, the menu has something for everyone, and the margaritas are delicious. If you haven't been, you gotta go.
(5)Jav V.
Super good margaritas. A help yourself salsa bar..... and they're all good. The food was good, but I wish I go the tacos carne asada instead of the tacos fritos. They were better.
(4)Me H.
So I've given La Carta two tries and maybe the third would be the charm but I'm not that interested in waiting in line one more time. The first time I went we were the last two people seated at 5pm. I was like SCORE we got in! Unfortunately we were seated on top of two tables, seriously right on top of them, I had a hard time fitting my fat ass between the tables to get to my seat but I sucked it in and managed to squeeze by and sit down, though my ass did knock something over on the table, opps. We of course started with the chips and guacamole which came right out. Both were good and so was the pico de gallo from their salsa bar. I went with the tacos al pastor and wasn't that impressed with them, they didn't wow me like I expected them too. We shared a quesadilla which again was just meh nothing exciting basically the food was just something for my molars to work on. I guess I should add that the table to my left really turned me off too. I was in shock that the lady was eating the pico de gallo by spoonfuls and kept making the guy with her go get refills and instead of getting chips and guacamole she just inhaled like six bowls of pico de gallo while waiting. Who does that people?!?! Than she had the caldo de pescado and used her fingers to pull out the pieces of fish and ate it like a fried chicken leg than she'd scoop the broth out and put it in to an empty pico de gallo bowl and drink it like a shot. I was so confused and at this point I had to turn to my right which wasn't any better. A table full of kids who had snotty noses and liked to eat and cough with their mouths open I was so over La Carta at this point. The next time I didn't have the disgusting dining companions but I had a bit of a wait, which I kind of expected since the first time I had no wait. Again I started with the chips and guacamole which I've come to discover are the highlight of the place if you throw a little salt into it but not really worth the price you have to pay for them. This time I tried the enchiladas and the mole and again neither wowed me. With all the rave reviews I expected to be blown away, I expected a explosion of flavors and yummy food in my mouth but I got nothing. Apparently I only like Baja styled Mexican food not Oaxaca sorry.
(3)Jim C.
Our friend, Nancy C. had tipped us off to a good authentic Mexican place that she had found in Ballard. Having major cravings for Mexican, we decided to drive across town to check it out for ourselves. Weary of "good" Mexican food thousands of miles north of the border, we were expecting yet another 3-4 star Mexican experience. To our surprise, the food was excellent, unique, tasty, and worthy of all the extensive high praises. This has definitely become one of our favorite spots in the city. Our cravings have turned into an addiction satisfied by weekly visits to Ballard. The wait can get unbearably long, however, if you go with a small group of two you should be able to get a table fairly quickly.
(5)Ruben R.
Just got back from dinner here and it was quite good. We ended up ordering the Empanada, the Halibut Tacos, and the Tamales (chicken). It was all quite good, though I think my favorite was the Halibut Tacos. They had were verrrry tasty and had the slightest hint of spice. Which I found to be quite nice considering I find most ridiculously spicy things to lack any flavor behind that. So I was quite happy with it all. Will definitely go again. Oh and be warned, if you burp loudly while sitting near a girl that appears to be on a date, she might just give you the stink-eye. Oops. Good food for sure though, and a chill vibe beyond the stink-eye girls.
(4)Tu M.
Had heard A LOT about this place being amazing, etc. over the years and finally decided to give it a try... We went on a Friday evening for "date night" and were prepared for a wait, since they don't accept reservations. Needing only a table for two, we waited for about a half hour before being seated. Mind you, the restaurant is small and we were seated in the exact middle of it.--You need to go to the bathroom? Kitchen? This large table of folks basically sitting with me? That group of tables behind us? Well, you must walk right next to our table. Right next to. Like, I had to scootch my chair in constantly. And I'm a small person. Therefore, it made having a conversation uncomfortable, since others can hear every word you say to difficult, since you can't hear over said others' conversations. Not cool. The food: I had the mole chicken and fish soup. The fish soup was not very good, but the chicken mole made up for it. Also, my michelada was delish--nice and spicy. In the end, I'm just not convinced this place is all that special. You can get this type of Oaxacan food elsewhere with larger portions and at a much better price.
(2)Brian Y.
small chicken mole mexican food that lacks soul stick with taco trucks
(3)Pat B.
The bartender was crabby, and fought me tooth and nail about my drink order ... he misunderstood what I requested, and it went downhill from there. I've eaten at LCdO many times, and it all adds up to this .... they act as if you're lucky to eat there. I just won't go back. Last straw today.
(1)Ari G.
Pozole is amazing! Mole is amazing! Chips and salsa are amazing! Another 5-star review. Only complaint is that they seem to be a bit stingy on giving refills of their chips. Liking the outdoor patio too, any additional seating at that place is a welcome addition.
(5)Jason C.
Awesome Food! This is the kind of place EVERYONE should try. I've already been here twice in the past month or so. The pricing per dish is right, portions a little small, but the food that comes out is DELICIOUS. I've tried the lamb dish (good), halibut tacos (good), enchiladas (great), tacos fritos (soso), and the chips and guac (good appetizer). There's always a wait for this place, so make sure you either get there early (doesn't take reservations), or get a number down and take a brief walk around ballard and come back ready to eat. Service is reasonable, considering how busy they always are. If you have a big appetite, you'll probably have to order more than one dish as portions are only moderate-light. (friendly to lighter eaters since the cheese and some sauces may fill up smaller stomaches faster). Only cons I can think of are, how there's always a wait to be seated and the seating "quality". If you show up around 7, expect to wait at least half an hour. There's almost always a list of people waiting about 5 parties long. As for the seating, the chairs and tables seem a bit "picnic table"-like and not that comfortable. They probably built this restaurant in order to serve as many customers as they can by making food as fast as they can, and having customers leave after they finish. All in all, expect to get good mexican food at reasonable prices with smaller portions. Almost border-line mexi-fast-food feel, but unfortunately, you gotta wait in line to get this good food.
(5)Christine C.
Some restaurants get so popular that they can afford to sacrifice customer service. Like, a lot. This is one of those places. The food was good, the portions are smaller than traditional American sizes. Go during lunch or a less-popular weeknight dinner. Or, go on the weekends if you are okay being patient and you don't have any special needs (large group, dietary exceptions, etc).
(2)Kimberly O.
ok. I've been hearing about this place for ages. went for my birthday dinner. It was very crammed in. very loud. The waiters were not very friendly. our chips took too long (we were starving) and they charge for them. huh? other than the chips their prices were very low and the portions smallish. great for tasting around. but... my empanada was weird and dry and tasteless. and my tamale was disgustingly sweet. really gross, I thought it was a mistake. On the other hand my mom's lamb dish was great and the mole my honey had was delicious. also the tacos were good. loved the various salsas at the salsa bar, though beware some are very spicy (yum) and none are marked. I don't need to go back.
(2)Nic J.
If I lived in Ballard, and believe me I wish did, I would eat here all the time, it is very good Mexican food. I just find myself wanting a little more spice.
(4)Victoria S.
Wonderful Mole! And the Guac was delicious... It would be five stars - as a local joint in Ballard, eating outside enjoying the people and the scene that evening... but the service really isn't very attentive. Could be that the place seems pretty constantly busy... but just don't expect your water glass to be refilled.
(4)Pierre G.
This establishment is always packed - & rightly so I tried : - Mole Negro Oaxaqueno [Black Chile Mole with Chicken with White Rice and Tortillas (2)] - $9.00: You get one smallish, moist and tender chicken breast [bone included] in a deep, lovely mole sauce; I love this combination of flavors; I only wish there was more meat, which is justified at the price; The white rice is also very flavorful. - Quesadilla Fritas [2 Fried Cheese Quesadillas covered with quacamole, beans, salsa, Oaxaqueno cheese and crema Mexicana] - $6.00: Again, a third quesadilla would be welcome at this price; This is a gooey, crunchy, cheesy delight - It's unique so try this The salsa bar is right in front of the cooking area; Hot sauces and pico de gallo are offered - you scoop what you need The service was brisk and attentive; It's open late, so arriving after 9:30pm shortens the wait; Ballard parking is a challenge....
(3)Michael C.
Worth the Wait .. Oaxaca's busy! You'll may wait huddled outside the door for a table, but it's so worth the authentic eats. Step inside and grab a drink to start things off at the bar. You're in for a treat.
(4)Valentina V.
What can be better on a chilly Seattle night than making your body the recipient of delicious, warming Mexican food...Oaxaca style? For two weeks, Ryan and I wanted to go to La Carta. We finally did last night. So, hum, let's see. I live in Atlanta, where you can find maybe the best Mexican food in the U.S. after California...I mean it, real Mexican food served in Mexican mom-and-pops extensions of their kitchens...to serve some patrons. Ryan has a very good tooth for Mexican, as this is his last-meal-on-earth type of food. La Carta delivered a nice experience for us, especially when it came to our entrees. If I had to dissect this dinner, I would say: 1. Crowded, crowded, crowded...loud, loud, loud! We had an adjacent table where two couples were doing shots (oh, God, shots with Don Julio, at $10 seem like an unforgivable sin), and screaming "Everything's big in Texas!" Just a note, one of the ladies had big, faux blonde hair and lots of makeup...go figure. The dude next to me bumped into his glass of water and it fell and broke right next to my feet...well, yes. Apologies accepted dude from...Australia? 2. Seating took some time that we a) awkwardly spent standing at the entrance; b) then moved to the bar to get a couple of terrific salt Margaritas, although Ryan thought they were a little too much on the strong alcohol side. I loved them! 3. Chips and salsa! There is a salsa bar so you can select from at least 5 options. Ryan chose the red tomatillo (spicy!) and I chose the green tomatillo...mm mm. 4. Appetizers. I chose Tacos Pastor and Picaditas to share. The Pastors where solid, and I liked the fact that the hot salsa allowed the flavors to shine. The Picaditas were good, the sopes were a delight but the topping (pork sausage and beans mit guacamole) was a little bland. 5. The kings of the night, the entrees. Ryan had the Entomatadas, which came with Tasajo beef (great flavor and well cooked) tortillas, red sauce, Oaxaqueno cheese (real one, mm mm) and crema Mexicana. It was really good. I had the Tamales de Mole Negro, and it was delicioso, delicioso! The mole was on the verge of being too sweet but fortunately it stood on the good side. The stew was consistent and tasty. BUT what was outstanding was the tamales dough. It was so good I couldn't believe it. Soft, not crumbly and with a touch of creaminess that had me sighing non-stop. I love the rite of unfolding the tamal...there's a national dish in Venezuela that is similar to this one, and it made me happy to get to eat something like it in Seattle...it brought up good, 'ol memories! 6. The shot of Don Julio Anejo we shared as a pus cafe. There is nothing better in the world of liquors than a good, tequila anejo. Don Julio is superior. We had it by shared sips, somehow a romantic touch to the crazy, loud experience La Carta is. 7. After debating for a couple of minutes, I ended up ordering the flan. It was good and creamy, not very sweet, but I love flan that way. Loved it. Service was slow due to the insane amount of patrons, and I feel I got better service because I spoke in Spanish to them (they are all Mexican peeps, and at the very little chance I have to enjoy my maternal tongue in Seattle, of course I did order my stuff in Spanish, hehe!) It was a strange experience. I think we've had better Mexican in Atlanta, but we truly liked La Carta because the food feels so genuine, and true to what Mexican cuisine is. I loved to see the beautiful Mexican lady leading the open kitchen. She seemed really busy but still had this almost beatific expression on her face that hypnotized me!
(4)Leah B.
This is seriously the best, most authenic mexican cuisine I can find in Seattle. It's also the most simple menu and pricing around. Nothing pretentious about this gem, it is in a great location and always busy with regulars who know the score. My personal favorites are: the lamb burria- slow-cooked lamb with yellow rice and tortillas, the chicken mole- I usually cannot stand mole sauces- this one ROCKS! Kind of like a barbeque-y, chocolately masterpice. The halibut tacos are pretty good, always a helathy choice. And of course everyhting is made fresh, there are three or four salsas to choose from and the guacis also simple and divine. Enjoy!
(5)Erik C.
Hey Yelpers, Why do I keep reading reviews about how no Mexican restaurant in Seattle is like the one you go to in southern California? Are we in southern California? No. Does the food in Mexico taste like it does in southern California? Not really. Maybe in some border towns. Sit back and enjoy a different region of food then you're used to. If you forget that you're not at a southern California taco stand, you might just enjoy yourself. The food here is superb. Outstanding flavors from a region of Mexico most restaurants don't serve. Ya the service kind of sucks, and it's one of the busiest places in Seattle. Who cares, the food is outstanding. Albondigas soup on a cold day is worth the wait. If you can sit at the bar you can put back a few of those tasty margaritas while you inhale the food.
(5)Stephanie O.
Eh, went to try out the tacos in this place after hearing so many great reviews. It was packed on a weekday night. More pricey than a taco truck, but a few dollars cheaper than a regular Mexican place, the tacos are ok. The salsa bar has quite a few options which is nice. My friend, a vegitarian, ordered a chile rellano. When she got it, it looked to have some sort of meat in it. It was strange. Food was over all kinda meh. Not awesome, not terrible. However, what was terrible is how they tried to rush us through our meal. Yes, it was busy, but we were two friends wanting to talk and enjoy our meal, not scarf it down and run out the door. We had to flag people down for more water. As we were finishing our meal and our drinks, they took our, empty, water glasses and kept asking us if we wanted anything else, multiple times. We had barely finished eating, its not like we had been sitting there for 20 mins. We left knowing we would not return. Better places to go in Seattle that allow you to enjoy your meal.
(2)Quinn R.
The atmosphere is lively and fun. Certainly crowded and you'll most likely be sitting next to some strangers but whats wrong with that once in a while? The margaritas - eh. Chips & guacamole - D-lish-us Mole - tasty but almost too sweet Quesadilla - Good but actually a bit plain Flan - also a bit plain Carne asada tacos - this my friends is why I'll be back. Overall good experience.
(4)Matt L.
Only been twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. I had an amazing pork dish for lunch portioned appropriately (not American-sized)and at a good price. Tried their fish tacos for dinner and they are fantastic.... I remember walking by early this year and seeing a sign on the door that said they would be closed for a couple weeks while spending time with family in Oaxaca!! I definitely respect their priorities.
(4)Jean K.
This place is a far cry from the droopy cheese laden soggy tortilla nightmare I call Mama's...its worth it for a trip just to watch the gaggle of 4' tall mexican ladies making the tortillas near the salsa bar...and the salsa bar! I love fresh chips...and sampling all those salsas can make you so full you wont have room for dinner if youre not careful. If you like mole, you wont be disappointed. And so cheap! The decor and environment make it a fun place to go. Be prepared to wait, but the last few times I've been there I haven't had to, even with a group of 8.
(4)Adam S.
Food was pretty good, but holy crap expensive for the serving size. I hate going to places to eat and leave hungry. We waited for ever to get in. But we were excited about this place and decided to deal with it. Once seated we got waters right away and gave a drink order. Once the drinks arrived we had to wait for over 30 minutes to place our order with the waiter. Once we did the food arrived in a timely matter. However the plates were soooo small and there was so little food that we had to order more. That took another 20 minutes. No wonder there is such a line to get in, everyones dining experience takes welll over an hour. In the end I was still hungry so we left to grab an appetizer somewhere else. The food was good and the Mole was great, but come on, give a little more rice or something. There are plenty more better Mexican places to eat than this place.
(2)Kal A.
Always great. Food is fresh and always yummy. Great lively atmosphere. Lives up to the hype (as long as you don't go during absolute peak time and wait forever). I usually go early or late, and sit at the counter or bar.
(5)Diana G.
Some great traditional mexican food in Wa! I always order the fish tacos or mole. The chips and guacamole are a must! Portions are just right and even better to share different plates with friends. Expect to wait during prime hours but definitely worth the wait! Cozy bar and the drinks are great compliment to the atmosphere! My favorite Seattle restaurant.
(4)Jeremiah J.
This is one of my favorite places in ballard. Incredibly priced for the great food. Only problem is that it is always packed and rarely get a chance to eat there because of the parking and long lines. A must if you have never been.
(5)Eva L.
You know you are dining in an authenic Mexican restaurant when you don't leave overstuffed with cheap flour tortillas, fillers (rice and beans) and chedder cheese. I heard a rumor that most of the staff are from the Yucatan, except for the Bartenders. Good eatin'. Pretty amazing photography from that region, as well.
(5)Betsey S.
After hearing and reading so much praise for Oaxaca, and then waiting an hour for a table, I was excited when we finally sat down. Despite having my head bumped every three minutes by traffic going by, I was still optimistic. But when my enchiladas finally arrived, and they were really, really sweet (not authentic sweet, dessert sweet), the honeymoon was over. I asked the waiter if they were supposed to be that way (nicely, of course), just to make sure I hadn't gotten part of a rogue batch. They were almost inedible, and I am no picky eater. I really felt like crying. I am a true slave to my blood sugar, so it was a big ol' disappointment - I didn't feel anything but sadness. But our waiter was really cute, and I enjoyed the margaritas (strong and delicious at the same time) very much during the hour long wait in the teeny, tiny, very small bar (where I had my head in a stranger's armpit. Luckily, there was a straw in my marg).
(3)Rich W.
Great mole! Felt like the service was top notch. It is my definite 5-star sit down Mexican food experience in Seattle.
(5)Amy L.
This was a little uppity Mexican place in Ballard. I was ready for some good authentic food, but was a little disappointed. I ordered the empanadas and they just weren't what I was expecting. So, I ordered the wrong thing and should go back and try something else. I'm thinking after looking at these other reviews I should have tried the mole!!! I have to give their guacamole props though. It was some good stuff. I also really enjoyed the salsa bar.
(4)Charles R.
436 reviews! Ugh. This place is soooooo overrated. I mean, it's fine, but seriously...come on folks! Really? I found it to be kind of bland. All the authentic trappings are intact and the food is solidly decent, but it's just not that darn good. I found the food to be totally forgettable and NOT worth the wait.
(2)Chris W.
The food is sublime, well worth the opening lines. The salsa bar is undeniably great, the staff friendly enough but usually busy, the crowd is closely sat to you but also friendly.
(5)Jen P.
Don't hate me for giving this place 2 stars! Hear me out, folks. To give you a brief background: We moved up to Seattle from LA about a yr ago. That said, we've been very spoiled with good Mexican food. My husband and I are huge fans of Mexican and have grown to be very particular about it. We've been on the hunt for great Mexican restaurants here in Seattle. We've heard so much about this place, so naturally, we had to try it out. Plus, every time we walked by, there was always a ridiculous line. So today, we finally decided to have dinner there with a couple of friends who were also from LA. The minute we sat down, we were all so hopeful. We were SOOO excited to eat. We assumed that it had to be better than any other mexican or latin joints especially with all the hype. Then we all took a bite into the food......and our facial expression immediately changed from excited to royally disappointed. The food was worse than we imagined. The general consensus was that it was super salty and lacked the true Mexican flavor. This is what we ordered: - Taco Carne Asada (The meat was super salty and really dry) - Empanada (This was NOT an empanada! It was a quesadilla on steroids and the shell was NOT crispy at all!) - Carne Asada plate (Again, the meat was salty and had a strange bitter after taste) - Chile Relleno (The breading/coating on the chile was too thick which made it extremely soggy) Again, I realized that my comment/ratings may be harsh and even a bit unfair. I want to give it the benefit of the doubt by saying that maybe the restaurant was having an off night. *Shrug* But, to be completely frank, I was actually a bit offended that this was the best Mexican food in Seattle. I'm pretty certain, we won't be going back. However, one positive thing is that it was reasonably priced -- so at least we didn't feel completely jipped. The place seems to always be packed out, so I figured, one bad review isn't going to put this place out of business. But, I had to at least voice my opinion.... Here are some alternative Latin restaurants to check out: - La Isla in Ballard (Puerta Rican) - Pasos in Queen Anne (Mexican) - Paseos in Fremont (Cuban)
(2)Vanessa T.
You say to yourself: "I feel like Mexican food". Now if you are a veteran Seattleite, you suddenly begin to think of overly salted chips with reused salsa from a can, and a chicken enchilada that looks more like a melted block of cheddar cheese sitting in cold tomato paste. See, La Carta De Oaxaca shouldn't even be categorized as such. Here, you get fresh HOT chips and salsa (no, its not free so if thats why you go to Mexican restaurants - don't come here!) from the salsa bar, delcious entrees like Tomales wrapped in a Banana Leaf, Mole de Oaxqueno with delicous chocolate mole sauce, halibut tacos, and even a FABULOUS fish soup. To top it all off - a yummy, simple Margarita on the rocks. Come to think of it - I rarely see cheese on any plates. La Carta de Oaxaca is a restaurant on its own - great authentic food for a very reasonable price. However, with the waiting time these days - I spend as much time, money, and stomach space to order as many a variety of plates as I can bear. In turn - it makes a great place for dining with friends and all splitting plates together. So if you want the cheese block (which, to be fair - has a time and place of its own) and premixed margarita slushies - hit up Azteca. Then go to Carta de Oaxaca and experience real Mexican food.
(5)Steven B.
Very nice. Much more authentic and tasty than the typical "#10 can DIY Mexican restaurant kit" joints usually found in the Puget Sound (e.g. Ixtapa, Las Margaritas, etc)
(4)Lisa L.
Authentic,so everyone tells me. Margaritas are good, but the wait was long. The food gave me a home-y, warm-fuzzy feeling, and I loved it. Also, it was a stew :) My husband had fish tacos (basically) and he said it was fresh, but just a pinch beyond good (almost great).
(4)Talia T.
A taco truck makes its way into a tasty Ballard venue. I have no clue if it was ever a taco truck but La Carta has authentic feel. I've had a tough trip to find wonderful authentic mexican in Seattle but know this place is a gem. As for parking - don't. You don't want to have to remember you drove there after the SANGRIA! 1 glass is perfect, 2 and I'm a party for the night. Some of the most tasty and strongest sangria - salud! Cheap small sized mexican fare. I love the tacos al pastor. 2 arrive on your plate and I could easily down 4. At $6 a plate, why not?! Carne asada, chile relleno and halibut tacos all deserve a shout out. The guacamole is pure and honest. No weird additions, just true to form avocado dip with a bit of tomato, salt and pepper. The salsa bar (free and fantastic) is a feat! It makes me wish I had 5 hands so I could get one of every salsa in a single trip. Yes, there is a wait but I've been there in the line at opening and still had a full meal by 5:30pm. Satisfying and worth every second of wait time!
(5)Dave M.
Awesomest mexican food in town, as far as I'm concerned. Especially try the mole (not the kind that burrows in the dirt or spies on your agency from within) accompanied by one or more house margaritas; don't forget to avail yourself of the salsa bar, and do be sure to tolerate the tight seating and noisy atmosphere--the only reasons why I'd knock this down from five stars--for which the aforementioned margaritas are a convenient palliative.
(4)Seattle F.
I had some very good food. Granted the portion was small, but it was seasoned well. I'm guessing mexicans eat smaller portions than Americans. In the end I was happy and from what I'm told it's authetnic Oaxacan food.
(4)Brad H.
Brilliant food. Tight but lively and fun atmosphere. It's a must try for Latin American food. The guac is amazing too.
(5)Sean E.
La Carta de Oaxaca is one of the best dining experiences in Seattle. A taqueria is a taqueria, but this place is something else entirely. Alas, everybody else knows this and you will probably have to wait a very long time for a table. There's a bar, though, so at least it's a pleasant wait. This is a lousy place for a quiet romantic evening, a night out with the kids, or a family reunion, but it's a great place to eat spectacular Mexican food. That's why you're here, isn't it? This is not the standard big plates covered in beans and rice experience. Plates are small and somewhat cheap. Go with other people so that you can order a bunch of stuff and pass it around the table. These are the same entrees you know and love from other Mexican restaurants and taquerias, but there's a certain level of care present in the flavors and presentation that greatly exceeds that of Azteca or your favorite taco truck. I would go so far as to recommend every dish on the menu, but my favorites would be the molotes and the tacos al pastor. Chips and guacamole is a required order. Individual items run in the $5-$7 range, so a full meal runs about $10-$15 a person before margaritas. Carta de Oaxaca is loud and crowded and the service can be hit-or-miss, but this is one place where a 40-minute wait is no reason to stay home. The food is top-notch, the drinks are great, and the photography on the walls is amazing.
(5)Rowena D.
I love this place! La Carta de Oaxaca is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Seattle. I love everything on the menu. The halibut tacos are the best. Their salsas are also pretty good too. It does get really crowded here and the wait can be long but the food is so worth it.
(5)AxeMe A.
Most people from the Pacific Northwest who know this place, love it. For those skeptical transplants jonesing for a tasty taco, cynical from EPIC FAILS, La Carta delivers a modest amount of authenticity, great pricing, and a lively no-frills dining area. The bar has a nice heavy pour.
(4)Jessie P.
OMG! From the moment I walked in I was an instant convert. Something about the combination of really BEAUTIFUL blonde tables and neon lit black and white photography, in a Mexican restaurant of all places, somehow inspired and delighted me. And then I was greeting by the sweetest man that I think there has ever been made. Followed by a delicious margarita. I've been back a couple of times and always get the same thing (and try bites of everyone else's...): the CAMARONES (imagine a shrimp ceviche on a crisp tortilla covered in avocado, yum!) and the ENTOMATADAS (green sauce por favor!). Here's the trick though: show up EARLY and eat a snack first. Weekdays before 6 you can usually get sat right away, but I've easily waited for an hour on the weekends, especially with a large party. They're happy to bring you drinks though, so mellow out, pretend you're on vacation, todo es bueno. Gracias. xo.
(4)Jon X.
La Carta de Oaxaca (wahaka) is a great Mexican restaurant with good quality eats from the Oaxaca region of Mexico. The atmosphere is very charming with photographs and regional displays on the wall and the staff is friendly. Sitting at the counter is a great experience since you get to see your food being made. Needless to say, the carne asada taco here is great! Some would say the best in Seattle. But what really makes this place special is the Mole which I hear is a Oaxaca specialty. It's not for everyone, but the dish is definitely unique as it's prepared with chocolate as one of the main ingredients. So next time you're in Ballard and you're craving great Mexican food, try this joint.
(4)Argenis F.
The food is awesome. The portions are small. Service is good. Parking is a pain - but then again this is Ballard.
(4)Colleen C.
Love this place! Such good chips and guac! Watch out for those margaritas - the bartender makes a mean one. You think it's a virgin, then 10 minutes later your feeling a little loopy. I would have given it 5 stars if I was a fan of the mole. I guess I just don't like mole sauce since it's too sweet. Everything else is great! The halibut tacos (#21) are the bomb as are the enchiladas. The salsas are wonderful (pico de gallo one is my fav) and the service is fast. Get there early so you can put your name in. There can be a hour wait - no reservations :(
(4)Andrew C.
I am a big fan of their chicken mole - although its not a chicken breast as some might expect. Also, their pork tamales were quite good, and uniquely wrapped in a banana leaf. The sangria was good and generous in size. All in all, pretty good.
(4)Michelle R.
One of the best things I ever tasted. Service is a slow but worth the wait.
(4)Jeena P.
Yummy authentic Mexican food. Better off going on weekday nights as weekends can be very crowded and usually have long waiting time.
(5)Dennis B.
I had a great time there. The food was great and we didn't have too wait long for it. Very authentic Mexican affair. We got there at 6:30 and got a table right away, but if we had waited longer, they got very busy for a Monday night. I had fish tacos, which were quite tasty. I really like the decor in particular. The pictures and photography on the wall is very cool. It is nice to go to a Mexican eatery and not see the same, tired old stereotypical decor.
(4)Kerri S.
I really enjoy this restaurant. I had #23 shrimp and rice. It was super spicy and delicious. Don"t forget to visit the salsa bar!
(4)Katie M.
I've struggled to find good mexican food in Seattle. I really enjoyed La Carta de Oaxaca. I've heard it can be awhile for a table, but at 7pm on a saturday when we showed up, we didn't have more than a ten minute wait. The guacamole was amazing. I've never liked any guacamole before, but this I couldn't stop eating. I highly recommend getting the chips and guac. There isn't a whole lot of vegetarian things on the menu, which is a bit of a bummer. The salsa bar is awesome, go up and get whatever salsa you want, and as much of it as you want. The margaritas looked delicious although I didn't get one. The resturant itself is pretty small and the tables are really close together, which can be fun for some and anxiety inducing for others. The service was great. (: Yum.
(4)Aaron D.
Everytime we go, it is always more than incredible. We tried it on whim one night, I think the only time we didnt wait for a table, and have been faithful patrons ever since. Oaxacan food at its best!
(5)Todd M.
It's a fun family style dining atmosphere but the food is average, it's cramped and it's expensive. Much better option is El Camion if you are in Ballard
(2)Amanda H.
Delicious! The only way I can describe this gorgeous food: taco truck mixed the professional chef. They take everything great from a taco truck and add a spin. Their drinks are great too--staff recommendations are always incredible. I wish they took reservations because the wait in the summer can be long.
(4)Andrew O.
The first time I went to the place I thought it was cool. The second time we made reservations for my husbands birthday. However one of our party members was a few minutes late and they refused to seat us saying that they won't save any seats for people who are not there. . . isn't that what a reservation is????? they never said anything when we called in to make the reservation. The staff was also pushy and rude to us and the food was not as good the second time around. Honestly, I have had the same quality of food from a taco truck. I don't know what all the hype is about. . . one person gets going on how good something is and everyone else follows. . . Based on my second experience I don't think I will ever go back.
(2)Danica K.
I had avoided going here because every time I walked by (for years) there was a huge line and it was crowded. Finally the bf and I bit the bullet and went rather early on a Saturday- only a 20 minute wait. I have to say that the food is worth a wait- well worth it. And it's probably going to be crowded and loud like it was the night we were there- and every night I've walked by it. But the food (and 2-3 strong-ass margaritas) will make you forget that you HATE crowded, loud places. The mole will make you moan, the chips and guacamole are hot, salty and fresh and the margaritas are strong as hell. It's loud in there but it's probably because of everyone talking about how great their food is. I have at least three more items on the menu earmarked for future noms. Well done Oaxaca.
(5)jeffrey T.
in reading the last review i noticed that someone was complaining about the lack of AC and the fact that the place is too packed and the service is hit or miss. Personally I go to restaurants not for the experience, or the decor, or having my hands washed by someone, but for the food. And the food here- is hands down the best mexican in the NW. Everything I have had here was presented well and tasted amazing, and the mole....ahh the mole is divine. if you dont like restaurants that are noisy and packed, pick a less popular one or one that doesnt have a line out of the door. Like, Canlis or something if you want a place thats nice and quiet where the service is top notch. and Everything on the menu is worth a try, I have had most and can say with clarity, is worth it.
(4)jinny b.
Very authentic, very delicious. This place gets really busy so I always go right at 5 when they open. If you try to visit this place at 8 on a Monday you will likely still have to wait to get in. Go early. Everything I have had here has been so, so good. The salsa bar is awesome and their guacamole must be amazing because I eat it and love it and I actually don't care for avocados or guacamole for that matter. The portions can be a little small so I recommend getting a side of rice or splitting an additional item with your dinning companion.
(4)Mark D.
Went here this past weekend while on vacation there heard about it thru a friend that lives in town. This place has really good food i had the pozole which was amazing the salsa bar is great too! I am originally from San Antonio and there is great Mexican food in SA but this place really know what good food is about. I cant wait to go back and try something new!!!!!!!
(5)Tiffany S.
Some of the best mexican food I've ever had!! Be prepared to wait a while, this place is busy ( a sure sign you know it's good ) I love the salsa bar and that you can watch them make thier own fresh tortillas.
(4)sabrina a.
So, I like. Really like. The food wasn't perfect, hence the 4 stars. But when they get it right - de-friggin-licious. We had the fried quesadilla to start (thought it would be more "fun" that chips and guac, not the best decision i've ever made) and it was actually quite bland. needed heat and salt. so i added both. much better. three of us split the entomotadas (absolutely sublime, the meat was fabulous and perfectly cooked), the pork tacos (sublime again), the mole with chicken (yum and yum again), and the taquitos (boring. needed heat and salt. a theme, apparently). It actually took almost 10 minutes for someone to come over and ask for our drink order, but it's cool - there are plenty of things to look at on the wall and plenty of people watching to do. well, and also talk to your friends, i suppose. many many points for the salsa bar. not the fact that they HAVE a salsa bar, but for the actual salsa. good heat and layer of flavors.
(4)steven b.
WTF?! i was getting salsa at the salsa bar when i saw an employee, "damon", spit into a girl's food! disgusting! the place was too crowded and busy to find the manager.. we just left in disgust!! fire that guy!
(1)Tim G.
I like this place a lot. I hate parking in Ballard.... Great salsa bar. Good drinks. Gotta try it if you haven't been here. Parking in Ballard is the worst. Anyone remember when it was just the Tractor and Hattie's on Ballard Ave?
(4)Kyla C.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle! I love this place. I've been coming here for years now and I'm never disappointed. So many things to love...the margaritas (strong and delicious), chips and guac (and homemade salsa bar), the open kitchen (those ladies pump out a lot of food), the atmosphere (loud and energetic)...I can't get enough of this place. If you're looking for a romantic or quiet dinner, this is not the place for you. And if you don't want to wait for a table, try another restaurant. Try the carne asada tacos, halibut tacos, quesadillas, chicken mole and tamales, all my favorites. The food is authentically Mexican, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Dawna L.
Sorry La Carta de Oaxaca. After my first, and last, experience at your restaurant today, I can't say that I will be back. I am a huge fan of Chile Rellenos and the one I ordered today at this place was by far the most disappointing one I have ever tried. I actually didn't eat it. I took two bites and when I realized my mouth and tongue were swelling up from the heat, I stopped. Having lived in Los Angeles most of my adult life, I have never experienced a Chile Relleno that had this much heat. Imagine my surprise when the manager came over in between my drinking 4 cups of water (which didn't help) and let me know that I was eating a jalapeno! They make their Chile Rellenos with jalapenos and neglect to mention this on their menu or when you order. Granted, I am not a fan of spicy food, but you must warn people. I couldn't eat. When I asked to just eat my rice since my mouth was burning, he took the plate and said they would charge me for the rice if I kept eating it. So I sent the food back and couldn't think to eat anything else because my taste buds had been burnt off. 7 hours later, I am still hurting. Another gripe - only corn tortillas, they looked home made but if you are not a fan of maiz tortillas, then you are out of luck here. Chips and guac are offered when you sit down and its not til you look at the menu do you realize they charge $5 for it (at least for lunch). My husband had the carne asada plate which was the smallest plate I have seen. Another reviewer mentioned salad plates for meals and they were spot on. He mentioned that the carne asada, while not bad, was by far not the best he has had in Seattle (Tequila's on 85th hits the spot there). Servers seemed rushed for a not too busy on the first day after our horrendous snow storm. This place definitely is scene-y and I can't say I will be back. To each his own, but the good thing about yelp is that you can speak your mind and let others know so they don't make the same mistakes you did.
(2)Julian G.
The size of the plates are not your typical 'merican fair... You'll eat everything on your plate and seriously think about dessert. I would love to give this place a perfect score.. but because of the long wait times... no chance in hell. If you're thinking about this place, seriously call in your order and get it to-go!
(4)Andy K.
I may be a gringo but I'm perfectly happy waiting 45 minutes to eat here and I'd do it again. Showing up at 7:30 led to getting a table at 8:15 or so. That would be unacceptably long at almost any other restaurant but it quickly became obvious that the wait was worth it. Everything I tried was delicious. If you're a light eater or not very hungry then one dish will be fine for you, but otherwise seize the day and get two or three or four or... ! Pork tamales were dense, rich, and steaming hot. The tacos al pastor (BBQ port) were a great contrast between the chewy tortilla and tender, finely diced onion, and slightly sweat meat inside. The guac was very good, but not jaw dropping. It was worth ordering for the excellent chips that come with it, but I'd like to see them be a little more generous than the 1/4 cup of dip you get. The whole scheme of smallish dishes I find very appealing and it's enjoyable to sample a series of dishes rather than committing to a huge platter of rice, beans, cheese, etc. that you see at amerexican joints. The downside of La Carta are three fold but none of them are deadly in my mind: If you're starving, or in a big group, the wait is going to be a total non-starter. Don't even try at prime time. Second, the service is less than attentive. They're all business and if you don't know what you want the first time they come around you're going to wait a while before they're back. Don't have too tight a schedule for getting out of the place Last, the space is unfortunately loud. The room is wide open and has nothing to absorb all the noise so it just reverberates and amplifies until you're shouting to be heard across your small table. It's not a deal killer, but it makes conversation hard.
(4)Erin W.
So many restaurants could take a cue from this place. Friendly servers (not in the condescending way but actually seeming sincere), totally reasonable portion size, unpretentious décor and food with FLAVOR not just extra salt or filler. The person I ate with pointed out that they don't bother with the extra sides of rice and beans - a good call because, really, who really needs it when the entree is well executed? My fish tacos were awesome: very fresh and I may have even tasted a little love in there. Mmmm... I was especially grateful that I left the place feeling satiated but not disgustingly full as is often the case with Mexican places. I'd rather pay for a normal sized meal sans doggie bag than fork over the extra and have to deal with leftovers. I'll be back.
(5)marie g.
I am in love with this place, the food is unique and flavorful! The mole negro con pollo es muy sabroso. They also have a salsa bar with five different salsas, all yummy. If you want to eat like a real Oaxacueno ask for the "chapulines." They are not listed on the menu, but indeed they do have the fried grasshoppers. Service is fast and friendly. Every time I have been here the place is packed. If you want to beat the crazy lunch rush, arrive at 11:50 AM. The place is decorated classy, with beautiful photography. You will not find Azteca or Las Margaritas decor here. The large picture of the important man on the wall is the great grandfather of some of the staff.
(5)Constance B.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? I lurve the tequila bar. It gets super busy and you'll have to wait, usually in the rain. You'll want to order some guacamole and some mole mole. And probably a lot of other things, and share with the table. The women cook and the men serve. Which means the food is better than the service! But it's not terrible service, they are just very busy and they don't speak English well (usually. I'm not racist, okay?) but they've never been rude.
(5)Philip M.
The loud and shove them all in atmosphere that brings in the Seattle( wish I lived in Williamsburg NYC) hipsters flooding to this spot, turns me off. I do like the look of the dinning room. But I feel I could cook better at home than they can at their restaurant...blind fold me and tie one hand behind my back...I still think I could do a better job. Salsa Bar is cool but not enough to keep me coming back for their lackluster food.
(2)Neal M.
As far as Seattle goes, this is the best Mexican food I have found. The flavors are fresh, tasty, and make me want more. The pricing is a bit higher than other Mexican places but it is worth it. The wait can be long but otherwise it is a very pleasant dining experience.
(5)john h.
Fuuuuuck, this place is the worst it deserves negative stars.. I would be able to review the food if the manager didn't make us get out of our seats because one of our friends went to the store to get medicine. He outright called my friend a liar because we only had the 5 of the 6 at the table. We already had our drinks half drunk when he made us get up. He wouldn't even let us order our friends food that was on his way back. By far the worst customer service I have ever had in my life. He even got one of his busboy goons to stand behind us in a threatening way because we didn't want to get up. When we got up we didn't want to pay for the drinks so he threaten to call the cops on us. PLEASE DO NOT EAT AT THIS PLACE. THEY ARE RUDE AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)Larry R.
Delicious food, quick service and reasonable price. I really like the atmosphere, it's just fun to see people are literally enjoying their food and having great times. They're constantly packed, so go there like 8 pm or later.
(4)Kyle F.
The food is good, but the story here is you are served lunch portions for lunch prices at dinner time. The portions are not enough to fill up a man for dinner. I went here with my gf; I ordered the mole, the house special and she ordered the tacos fritos. The house special was a joke, it was just a chicken thigh, yellow rice, and 2 tortillias for $9. After my plate was clean, I helped my gf with hers, luckily she doesn't eat much. Hers was a good, but again, small portions as well as other items I saw being delivered to other tables.. I will be going back, the quality is there, just need to order mo' food.
(3)Lizzie M.
I have to mention (like I always do, in band camp-esque mind numbing repetition) that I am from Phoenix, Arizona. And that is near...you guessed it. Mexico. In high school and college the late night eats were found in the central city "authentic" joints where you placed your order in Spanish. So, that's what I'm used to. Now I live in Seattle. I spent the first year and a half scouring the city for authenticity in Mexican food. Something spicy. Fresh guacamole. Street-style carne asada tacos. And folks, it's all here at Oaxaca with an extra added feature...ambiance. Now don't you dare go there...I want to be able to get a seat a few times a week without you people making me wait! EDIT: I saw that someone below said that Oaxaca is expensive. WTF? What did they order? My boyfriend and I routinely get out of there for $15 before tip!! Both of our entrees are $5 and we get sodas. I guess if you drink a lot of margaritas the bill would be high, but otherwise this is one of the best, most inexpensive meals in Seattle. I promise!
(5)Krissi P.
Oaxaca, I know everyone loves you and raves about you, and I'm very sorry, but I'm just not that into you. Maybe it's your hard-to-get game playing (not open Sundays and an insane wait time when you are open) or the small portions, or the small vegetarian menu, but I really don't think we need to see each other anymore. Your margaritas are quite lovely and you should be proud of them, but for me, that's just not enough, I'm looking for a little bit more in my life. Don't take this too hard, I know you'll find someone new.
(1)Devin G.
I don't know how one reviewer could question the "authenticity" of La Carta de Oaxaca. The brothers that run it are from Oaxaca. The menu was created by their mother. Most, if not all, of the kitchen staff is from Oaxaca. This is like no other Mexican restaurant in Seattle. It's nice to finally have an authentic regional Mexican restaurant here. The location is small, and filled with family style tables. The walls are covered with wonderful photos of Oaxaca by local photographer Spike Mafford that can distract anyone from a good conversation, or spark one, even. La Carta's staff is friendly and accommodating. The menu is filled with extremely flavorful dishes that are a bit on the smaller side. The prices are quite reasonable. It's a refreshing change from the more common Mexican restaurants that are inexplicably expensive and pile so much mediocre food on a plate that it's overwhelming. I usually get by with an order of chips and guacamole and my main dish (plus a margarita and flan to share). If you're really hungry order two main dishes. Even though I've enjoyed everything I've tried, the Tamales de Mole Negro (#14) is by far my most favorite item on the menu. Be sure to arrive within 15 minutes of opening to avoid a wait. Arriving at prime dinner time can have you waiting upwards of an hour; it's worth it. They're also open for lunch now, and I've found it to be much less crowded then.
(5)John J.
A Seattle staple -- simply worth going to. Crowds are perhaps too much most nights, so try to plan for a good wait.
(5)K. F.
Just walking in to this restaurant and looking at the dishes on diners' tables made me start salivating! This place is delicious! Our group of four ordered an assortment of items and split them. The perfect idea since we all wanted to try just about every last thing on the menu. I loved everything I tried. From the guacamole to the tacos to the salsa. If only this restaurant was in my town--I'd eat there every night!
(5)Heather S.
I love this spot. Only problem is, it's not in my neighborhood. Always great food and service. I would like to see a change in the menu, perhaps seasonally. Great spot.
(4)Jon L.
Yeah, I'm gonna blatantly pile on this. Best Mexican I've had. Excellent mole, margaritas & atmosphere. However - my (now ex) anti-carnivorous gf was limited to the two (small) seafood plates on the menu, so be ready for the meat. Then enjoy it immensely.
(5)Kristin M.
I've been searching for good Mexican food since I moved here from California, and I'm happy to report that La Carta Oaxaca does the trick. I had the chicken tamales and my hubby had the enchiladas -- very tasty. What's more: The portions aren't mammoth. I actually consider that to be a good thing! One issue that I actually hesitate to mention: I was polishing off my tamales when I found a hair in my food. I'm not a hygiene fanatic or anything (I have a giant dog and cat -- you get used to random fur in your food), but this kinda grossed me out. The server was very apologetic and didn't charge us for that entree. Service is very good in that regard -- brisk, efficient, professional.
(4)Carol A.
There is a reason people are willing to wait in line for sometimes two hours for a table here! For delicious food in a lively upbeat setting and great value to boot, La Carta de Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HA-kah) is among the best in Seattle. Everything on the menu is delicious and the salsa bar has a wonderful variety of about 5 or 6 different salsas. I absolutely recommend the pork with the mole sauce and the cold soup with the shrimp. The walls are covered with interesting photographs and portraits, merging Oaxacan imagery with the space's simple modern white interiors. The waitstaff are always friendly, and I continue to see the same people working here year after year, which speaks well for the restaurant management. So, get there early to avoid the wait, or plan on hanging out at the bar and enjoying a few Negro Modelos.
(5)Robyn S.
I wanted a quick lunch and decided to try out La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard. I heard they had really good tacos. We got lucky and found parking immediately right in front of the restaurant. (unheard of on a Saturday at noon!) However, there were no seats available so we had to put in a to go order. The menu wasn't too extensive, but I saw a few good options....I ended up ordering the BBQ Pork tacos. The interior of this restaurant was cute. They had framed photos covering one wall, a small bar in the back and an open kitchen where you could see the cooks preparing the food. After a 15 minute wait, we had a our food in hand and bill to pay. $7.00 for two tacos? Yikes! The to go package I was carrying was tiny. No chips and salsa. No other types sides. Nothing. Just two small tacos. Hmm...these better be the best tacos ever! After getting home, I complained about the size once more before diving in....but I'll admit, they were good. They were damn good! Fine, fine...the next time I'm craving *good* tacos, I'll shut up and happily pay the $7.00 again.
(3)Karli F.
yum, yum, yum. this is my favorite Mexican place in the whole city!! they have a salsa bar that is all home made and its really good. the women cook right in the open which gives the place a nice feel to it. the atmosphere is nice. there are Mexican photos covering all the walls. most plates are good size for a good price. the guacamole is delish as well. the quesadilla is my fave i cant help to get each time i go even thought i should try more. i have in the past and i always come back to it. the margarita is yummy and reasonably priced. the staff is very friendly and quick as well. my only complaint if i had to have one is that it is pretty popular which equals crowded most nights. however the wait is never very long to get a table. i have not had to wait past 15 minutes.
(4)Charles C.
La Carta's portions are disappointingly small! I'm not one of those Americans who is always looking for a super-sized meal or an all you can eat buffet, but when I order an entree I expect it to be moderately filling; especially when it's preceded by an appetizer! That said, as far as flavor, they served up some of the best Mexican food I've has in Seattle. Judging by their selection of tequilas and the amount of patrons whom were enjoying libations, one might have a better experience if they treat this establishment like a Tapas bar that serves Oaxacan cuisine.
(3)Danika M.
Yum! Oaxaca has the reputation as Mexico's best state for mole. La Carta de Oaxaca specializes in Mole Negro, and it is amazing. They didn't give me a knife for my chicken, which was fine because it was fall-apart tender. The best Mexican food I've had in Seattle, lately. My non-meat-eating friend was limited to two menu options... But he liked his mushroom Empanada. My Margarita was good, but hella strong. One note: They ask you if you want chips. They cost $5.
(5)R J.
FANTASTIC....one word to describe the place. All the ingredients were so fresh and you could taste the freshness in every bite. From the chips to the limeade I ordered. I had the halibut tacos and my buddy had the mole which he described as absolutely great. This place really did justice to my taste buds. The salsa bar was awesome and I just could not get over at how fresh everything was. Although the size of the entrees were not that big but the price to portion ratio was just right. I just really enjoyed the fact that it was a simple menu and they nailed everything on there. Absolute bliss......go there if you haven't yet because you're missing out!
(5)dana b.
Que rico!! The wait for a table generally sucks, but the food is 100% authentic and homemade and incredible. They even make their tortillas by hand (you can watch them make 'em while you wait for your table ;). A few secrets to getting in: 1) Be there at 5p on the dot. 2) They serve food late -- I think till midnight! So if you're checking out a show at the Sunset or bar-hopping in Ballard, come by after 9p and you will likely walk right in. 3) Lunch! They just starting serving midday, if you're a lady (or gent) of leisure. It's so worth it!
(5)Marta T.
I like to think of La Carta de Oaxaca like Mexican tapas. Bring a group of friends, order a couple things, then a few more, repeat until everyone is satisfied. The traditional tacos rock! Just don't let yourself get too full on chips. Not only is the food delicious, but I appreciate a place that stays open and serves food late (they are way too few and far between in Seattle).
(4)Alicia C.
The place is tiny but the wait was short. The plates were a bit smaller than I'm used to but I was satisfied so i guess that is all that matters. The salsa bar was fun. I had the chile rellenos and it could have been a bit fresher. It didn't seem as if it was made to order. My husband enjoyed his pork and thought it was well seasoned. The margarita was tasty. Not bad.
(3)Kim O.
im kind of a wuss and i dont like spicy things. then why, am i eating at this awesome authentic mexican place? i dont know. anyway, i ordered the tacos fritos and they were able to make them without any spicy sauces, so the flavor was a little bland, but its my fault... because i am a wuss. ive been here a few times and will definitely keep coming back. the only bad part is that is usually really crowded and you have to wait forever to get a table.
(4)Lesa W.
You might have to wait and hour + to eat here, but you won't regret a minute. The food is amazingly delicious, authentic and reasonable. Do not miss ordering the mole - so good it makes me hungry and ready two wait yet again for an amazing meal at this Seattle treasure.
(5)Miss H.
Great food, drinks, prices, and friendly and attentive staff. This is the second time I have been to this establishment and was reminded why I love this place. Everything we ordered was delightful, not too heavy and very fresh. Dishes on the menu are on the smaller side, but are great for sharing for two to three people if you just want a taste of everything. If eating alone, 2 dishes would be the right amount to order. Food lowdown: Yum to the shrimp tostada and to the halibut taco (pan seared not deep fried). I would definitely recommend these two for a first-timer. Lamb and pork was very tender. The mole sauce is a bit sweet for my taste. The rice is really light and fluffy - loved it. Flan is excellent with a nice smoky caramel flavour. Decor: Clean and white with striking black and white (with colour photos sprinkled throughout) framed photos of the people, food, and city of Oaxaca. One of the factors for such a great review, the staff. I love them; no matter how busy, they check in, clear plates without being overbearing. A must stop if you are in Ballard.
(5)Meghan S.
This place KICKS ASS. Always yummy. Yeah, you have to wait and you might end up at a community table and the drinks aren't cheap, but the food more than makes up for that.
(5)Ambre W.
I had the halibut tacos. Portions are smmall and sides not included but taste and quality are amazing. The tortillas are amazing. Very loud atmosphere and crowded but the food was worth it.
(5)tracy m.
I guess that I too will throw in my own "I lived in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, CA, so I know...". La Carta de Oaxaca is the real deal. I had been warned that Seattle doesn't have many good Mexican restaurants, but this proves that rumor to not be true. I went at about 1PM on a Saturday afternoon, and I managed to find a small table for myself inside. It was loud, but I wasn't there to sit in silence, I was there to eat. The carne asada tacos were bangin'. Having lived in Gilroy, I place a high value on garlic. This had the right amount of garlic to make me smile. The only reason that they did not get a 5 is because of the limited menu. Perhaps a 4.5 would be a better score. There is something to be said of doing only a few things, and doing them right... I shall return VERY soon.
(4)Maribel C.
I love this restaurant so much I chose to celebrate my birthday here with a group of friends. The funny thing is that whenever we come here it feels like we're trying to get into an elite night club! This place is buzzing and for good reason. The food is excellent! But there's a catch: the wait can take 30 to over 60 minutes and they take no reservations :( Some of my favorite dishes include the Albondiga soup (just like Mom makes), Tacos al Pastor (to die for), Pozole (with a red broth), Entomatadas (a dish I personally make the most at home; this one comes with a bonus side of delicious carne asada not mentioned in the menu) and finally the Birria (meat is cooked perfectly). Another thing I like about it is that you really get what you pay for in terms of proportion that's why it's relatively inexpensive and the reason we stock up on food. By the time all our food arrives we're bound to have a real Mexican feast!
(5)Evan M.
Good sushi in Seattle? Check... Good Dim Sum in Seattle? Check... Good Mexican in Seattle? FINALLY! Yelp has saved the day. Coming from the Bay Area I was deathly afraid that I would find no decent Mexican food up here. Everyone I spoke with confirmed my fears. I started to have nightmares and endless bouts of depression. But, no longer! La Cara de Oaxaca is the place to go for Oaxacan-style Mexican food. Now, if you're looking for the Cali-style "fresh-Mex", this place is not for you. Here, they specialize in moles and the like. First, start out with awesome homemade chips and their salsa bar. They have so many different kinds, each one punchy and delicious. The red chile salsa is dark, hot and smoky. The pico de gallo style is wondiferously fresh and spicy. Yum times two. Next, we had both the al pastor and the pork mole. The mole was dark and sweet. I mixed some of the red chile salsa in and it was fantastic. The al pastor was citrusy and different than I'm used to, but still damn good. Also, if your walking there, try their fantastic selection of mezcal, it's served with a slice of lime and a slice of chile lime. Ooh, nice! Finally, the deserts are great too. We had the flan and the sweet tamale with ice cream. Oh, goodness. I've never had a sweet tamale, but it was so good. It has raisins it in and is served hot with ice cream and pineapple. Oh sweet succulent corn, why do you tempt me with your tastiness?! The decor of the place kicks butt too. It gets pretty crowded as the swanky folks start dropping in, but we had no trouble getting a table around 6pm. Check it out.
(5)Anthony B.
perhaps my favorite Mexican restaurant, festive, fun, and upbeat.
(4)Desiree V.
I guess I had really high expectations for this place when we went here because of how EVERYONE raves about it so much. We arrived really early because I was told there is always a wait. So, since it was 5:15 we got a seat right away. I wasn't crazy about paying for chips & guac because all I really wanted was the salsa. I liked that there were different salsas to choose from. I thought the food was pretty good, we sampled four different entrees, the quesadilla, the mole, and two others. The service was good. It was pretty spendy for what you get, but the food is pretty good.
(3)Diana H.
I have been here too many times to count on my fingers and toes. Their small portions are perfect for splitting between your party, and their service is friendly - even on the busiest day of the year. But don't take this to mean they will let you sit there and dilly dally - on some days they have up to a 45 minute wait for a reason... people crave their food!!! My personal favorites: tacos al pastor (pork soft tacos) and tacos carne asada (steak). Their shrimp tostada is a little too salty for my tastebuds, but their guacamole is fab. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes to sample a lot of different, little dishes and who likes "authentic" Mexican. Muy bien!!!!
(4)Brytt N.
This is the best Mexican food I've had in my life, hands down. While backpacking in Mexico for 2 weeks, I spent a week in Oaxaca. Their menu is authentically Oaxacan, including their DELICIOUS mole tamales, posole and tacos. The salsa bar is always fresh and delicious, and their guac is amazing and good to fill up on before dinner. There's usually a wait, especially between 6-8, but I usually take that waiting time to go get a drink at the People's Pub or a cupcake at Royale.
(5)Shantala A.
Food is totally awesome. The helpings are not very big, like other mexican restaurants i have been to.Varities of salsas to choose from. But, this may sound a lil weird...we spotted a coupla waiters dipping the straw into the drinks and tasting it before serving ...and no, they din't put the straw back in the drink :) But how many of us would like our drinks being sipped by the waiter?Otherwise, it's the best mexican restaurant i have been to!
(4)Mud B.
A friend and I shared plates of the best empanadas and halibut tacos I've ever tasted this side of the border. The place was packed. The tacos were small and extremely delicious. The empanada was delicately flavored and extremely delicious. I LOVED the many amazing photos on the exposed brick walls in the Old Ballard building that houses this restaurant. The staff is friendly and laid back--you can walk in and sit down wherever you want (if there's room!). Just being there made me long to do another long, crazy road trip to southern Mexico.
(4)Brian B.
I was quite impressed with this little place and by the looks of the crowd so were many others. Molotes,entomatadas,quesadilla fritas, and tacos carne asada were what we ended up having. I was impressed with the first two and not so much with the second two. I agree with other reviewers that portions can leave you still hungry, but if you supplement with chips and guacamole or salsa, you should be good. This isn't Southern Californian good, but it'll do. I will definitely be back since I've been underwhelmed by the offerings from other places I've encountered thus far.
(4)Lucie A.
I think this place is great! It has a kinda diner-y feel with great, unique food. The Quesadillas Fritas are amazing. Good margaritas, awesome salsa bar. With an appetizer and a couple beers and entrees you leave muy satisified and can get out under $45 including tip. The staff is REALLY efficient and courteous. People who have a problem waiting in line when an entire (huge) restaurant is full have clearly never had to the privilege of working in the food industry. And if you can't figure out how to split a check between you and a couple friends, how have you come this far without getting hit by a bus? Just kidding, but seriously folks. La Carta rules.
(5)Cynthia C.
Not bad but so busy I would recommend going on a weekday. The food is all on the side so you might have to spend a bit. The salsa bar was good but mild.
(4)Jon C.
Overrated, but good, and unique for Seattle. A couple of items are incredibly damn good. The entomatadas will keep me coming back. Perfect, juicy, thin slices of steak with Oaxacan cheese and tomatillo sauce. Much of the menu is decent, but not remarkable. The tacos al pastor do not live up to the name, and the birria is unimpressive. You're better off getting either of these at less expensive, less polished Mexican restaurants. In most cases, the plates are quite small. If you have an appetite, a couple plates should make a meal. Is it because there just aren't many places around here to get this type of food that WAY too many people are always there, crammed into seats, jamming the door, and spilling onto the sidewalk? This place is well worth a try. Just expect to wait for a seat when you go. I recommend putting your name on the list and heading over to the People's Pub for a drink while you wait.
(3)anita c.
In a word: YUM! We waited about 30 minutes for a table, which ended up being two seats at the counter overlooking the kitchen. And what a view: All of the tortillas were being made to order; the all-female cooks were moving fast but deliberately to get their food out to the noisy Friday-night crowd. We were conveniently close to the salsa bar, which had 5 or 6 freshly-made sauces. We started with guacamole and chips; the guac was on the creamy (as opposed to chunky) side, but tasty; the chips were fried to order. We moved on to picaditas -- sort of a mini pizza of grilled tortilla with a smear of porky black beans, cheese crumbles, and drizzled sauces-- and molotes, which were a bit like potato-and-chorizo-filled taquitos. We ordered a pork tamal with black mole steamed in banana leaf, but got chicken instead. Even with chicken, it was delicious; I can only imagine how amazing it would be with pork instead! wub.gif The chile relleno -- which we ordered with cheese filling --was perfectly battered and properly cooked. Though it lacked sauce, I would still vote it one of the best I have ever eaten. My only wish was that it would have been bigger. Like all of their plates, it was just a few tantalizing bites. Black beans in varying stages of thickness and smoothness made appearances throughout the meal. On the picaditas, they were blended with smoky lard, and used as a sort of sauce. One of the larger dishes came with a small ramekin of mostly-whole beans topped with shredded dry cheese, and the other came with a pool of saucy, partially-smashed ones. The food was very authentic, startlingly fresh, and entirely worth the wait. At under $50 (including tax, tip, and 4 bottles of mexican beer), it was also a stunning deal. The service was welcoming and friendly, despite the crowd of people. The decor was fun without going over the top into Latin kitsch.
(5)Chris C.
607 Yelp reviewers cannot be wrong! Yummy tacos, nice atmosphere. Plan on waiting in line if you hit during prime time on Friday/Sat. The great thing is, if you get sick of waiting you can always march down the street to hit Matador.
(4)MissMaryAnn D.
**Update 7/2007** Other than the fresh homemade tortillas and the albondigas, which I can make just as well at home, the food here is not special enough to warrant the wait or the price. I guess Seattlites are so hard up for good Mexican food, they think this is the !dios mio! version of the holy grail, which it is not. Go to Senor Moose and have almost anything - especially the moles - which are authentic and excellent, and their guacamole is better and a much better deal. If you're the type who must be at THE newest, trendiest spot - then this is your place. __________________ "muy bueno" They do Lunch now! I could not *believe* I was gonna miss La Carta on my latest city trip, so I called, even though Yelp says they open at 5. Even though their website says so too. Liars. Open! Yea! albondigas - as good as homemeade. really. so good tacos al pastor - mmm mmm, porky yummy good tortillas - hey! is my tia in the kitchen!? hibiscus aqua fresca - too sweet, didn't seem fresca to me. going back tomorrow ... wonder if i can get albondigas by the gallon? TWO DAYS LATER: Slurp slurp slurp -mmm albondigas... slurp slurp Tortillas. She's not my tia, but someone's tia is back there cranking out those tortillas. Dios mio, what a busy lady! Mole. Complex, spicy and chocolatey like its supposed to be. Go get some. Now. Before I eat it all up. They don't call it La Carta *Oaxaca* fer nuthin' Burp ... ahhhh
(3)Susan C.
Not a local but had to try this place. I went apprehensively since I'm from southern california and some of the best Mexican food north of the border can be found in LA. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised but the tasty authentic treats available at La Carta de Oaxaca. Maybe I just love Oaxacan food. I took a star away for the ambiance. Not my idea of a nice meal when we're all packed in like sardines and I can barely hear myself think. Reminds me of something I would experience in a trendier West LA but I was turned off by the noise, crowd and unfriendly staff here.
(3)Trevor R.
IMHO, as good as dine-in Mexican food gets in Seattle (the alternative being various taco trucks). The margaritas are near the top of the list too. (The ones at Cactus might be slightly better, though a few dollars more.) The biggest drawbacks are the ever-present crowd and the parking difficulty. The food is also slightly pricey when you consider that you'll need to order several $5-8 small plates to get a filling meal. However, it's definitely worth the occasional visit. It's best to go with about 4 omnivores and order one of everything.
(4)Hunter W.
Moved to Washington from California last summer and have quickly learned that Washington does not have good Mexican food. This is the best place I've found, and to be honest, if I want Mexican, I'll come here. Too many bad experiences elsewhere. I can't understand why Washington folk don't understand Mexican food, but clearly they don't. I can't quite give them 5 stars because I've had plenty that was better, but this is the best I've found in the area, worth checking out for sure.
(4)Adam M.
Ayy, SABOR! watch the senoras prepare your (delicious, reeealy delicious) food in this cantina setting. The photography and the lighting is not welcoming from outside, and it's loud, but once you are eating you are in heaven. Beef entomatadas make any taco bus look like taco bell, and for less than $10! Also try the pork mole. You may have to wait over an hour, but if you do the math, it has to be worth it (there are other places to eat in Ballard, so if the wait was "too long" people wouldn't be there to make the list that long, get it?), and besides, Mary assured me she wouldn't take me to a place that wasn't good. Fresh tortillas, and real oaxaqueno cheese (no cheddar here). There is an unusual custom here of seating groups of 3 or 4 with other strangers on a big table, so be prepared to eat next to someone you don't know.
(5)ryan r.
I really enjoyed the quick service and authentic vibe that Oaxaca offered. I was impressed by the variety of Tequilas as well. Standing room only-small ba, no waiting area.
(4)Monica P.
Oh, how I love this place. The food just melts in your mouth. Their salsa bar is so delicious and unique. They have some extra menu items at lunch, so that's a good time to go. But they also have great margaritas so it's nice to go in the evening if drinking during the day doesn't work for you. It's a toss up, I'll have to go on the weekend I guess so I can have my drink and eat my lunch specials too. The braised pork at lunch time is oh soooo good.
(5)Amy A.
Bland food, crabby waitstaff, long anti-climactic waits, need I say more? One star for good tequilla, but that's all.
(1)Brutha Bill ..
I've sampled a good majority of the food off the menu as the servings are "Tapas" style but the Oaxacan way and the food is above par. A place I will visit many times over. The place always seems to be very busy and waits can be long with the type of seating they offer. It reminds me of the many Basque restaurants I've been to where it is family-style seating where you will be able to listen in on another group's conversation... intentional or not. The one frustrating thing about that aspect is that if you go as a duo you may end up sharing a corner of a table while getting elbowed by the stranger next to you. Seating is hit and miss if you are a large group because most likely there are other large groups dining and you'll have to wait for them to leave. They serve pretty good margaritas but maneuvering in and around the tiny bar area while trying to avoid the servers(if you are stuck on the end) is a logistical nightmare. Please rehearse the following: "Excuse Me!" Love the homemade salsa varieties... when the bowls are full. I'm bitching but I do like going there regardless of my rants. Good cheap food and I love Ballard.
(4)K P.
I love this place. I think the ambiance is great, the menu has a good selection with reasonable prices, and I've never had a problem with the service. I HAVE found myself here at siesta time, which is rather disappointing when I am in the mood for a late lunch. But, that's my fault, not theirs, I should know better! Go here knowing that this is not Azteca. This is real, fresh, quality food, not some Americanized cheese-laden substitute.
(5)Jonathan B.
This is quality Mexican food. There is a reason there is a wait, and that does stop me from going more often, but it is FANTASTIC. For people who like authentic Mexican food... My mouth is watering. I just noticed Krissi's addition to the reviews....I may have to come up with a list of unwritten...soon to be written rules in regards to reviewing. Vegetarians going to an authentic Mexican restaurant expecting to be catered to is the equivalent of a Carnivitarian going to Carmelita expecting them to have beef/chicken/meat on hand. La Carta is the best Mexican food in Seattle...bar none. Even if your experience isn't full fledge vegetarian why give them one star?
(5)Carrie M.
I love this place! I brought my mom for dinner one night and we both had the mole. My mom said it was orgasmic and wanted to go back the very next night! I haven't tried much else besides the mole because it's just that damn good...
(4)J L.
Oh my goodness. Pray for a table and get ready for incredible food. The mole' is the best I have ever had by far. Freshly made chips and guacamole along with some nice salsa choices. Haven't come across a bad menu item yet. Portions are purposefully small yet filling. Now open for lunch with full menu and a better chance for a table. Staff is friendly and efficient. Best Mexican food in town??
(5)Nicole J.
Ok...so let me start by saying I Love Oaxaca and I love La Carta de Oaxaca..normally...however...Yes I do realize that this place does not need my patronage, lines are always out the door, the food is consistantly fabulous and the services (aside from the bar) is also consistantly short and abrupt. So who loves Oaxaca more then me...my husband so for his birthday we decided to invite our friends and have a celebration Oaxaquena style. Unfortunately that night, both bridges were up, a game on and some movie being filmed so parking was even worth then usual...so guess what..that reservation I made...too bad,so sad..well actually they didn't care. They basically told our friends that were about 15 minutes late, to get out and make room. We (the ones that actually got to sit down about 8 out of 18) ate our meal but it was no longer a celebration. I guess we'll have to spring for the plane ticket next time. The one exception to this was the bartender. He was awesome and super attentive. I am not sure that the food no matter how good it is makes up for the loud cramped space with NY style service. (why do I feel i should apologize to NY for that?)..and the holier then thou tude? So it will take a lot for me to go back...the guac however is to die for.
(3)Lily H.
Way, way over-hyped. This may be the "in" place to go on Ballard Avenue (and the decor /lighting are certainly original), but the wait (even after we had left for a half hour having left our name on the waiting list and came back) was still about AN HOUR from the time we actually got seated. (And then though the restaurant was fairly full, there was no line outside). There seemed to be about one or two waiters. We had to go up to him and ask him for a beer, which he brought in 20 minutes without a glass. At least a couple of tables (the people arrived after us) were served ahead of us. The condiments were very good but the waiter did not tell us we had to go up and get them ourselves. The portions are miniscule but tasty. The Mole Negro Oaxaquena was one, albeit delicious, drumstick. The Tacos Carne Asada was also very good but slight. I don't blame the waiters or staff, but the manager is obviously making BIG BUCKS and not making it a very pleasant experience waiting and waiting and waiting. For that kind of a wait...well, very few things are worth that. For more bang for your bucks, and service (and if you don't want to have to wait an ordinate amount of time) go to Gorditos in Greenwood; Peso's Kitchen & Lounge on lower Queen Anne (the chicken fried steak with spicy jalapeno-corn gravy was perhaps not as "high-brow" as anything on the menu at La Carta de Oaxaca but much heartier and just as delicious); or, for that matter, Guaymos (sp?) at several locations around Seattle.
(1)Jeff C.
Tapas style meals, authentic Mexican food in seattle (which is rare), fast and friendly service. A bit expensive and their salsa could use improvement, but I'll be back here.
(4)Kim C.
I think it's hilarious that people compare Oaxaca to Azteca. It couldn't be farther from it. If you are looking for a "hot plate" enchilada combo platter, covered with cheese, you will not find it at Oaxaca. What you will find is amazing guacamole, homemade tortillas, fresh salsas and the best damn mole sauce this side of the border. This food is legit and I dare anyone who thinks otherwise to take it up with the women cooking it in the open kitchen. Yes, the line is really long for dinner, so try it at lunch if you want to become a believer. If you do go at night, put your name on the list and walk next door to The People's Pub for a beer and a board game. By the time you're finished, your table will be ready.
(5)Chanda I.
finally found a mexican spot in seattle worth raving about. i was surprised to see it busy on a thursday night and we had to wait for about half an hour. got some strong margaritas and mexican beers, salsas lined up for your taking, fresh chips and quacamole- i almost felt like i was back in so cal (tear). although, in cali, the items would be bigger and cheaper and the interior wouldn't look so cute- in other words, it's mexican food seattle style. the restaurant is filled with lots of photos of people and things of oaxaca. plates are small, $10 and under. i like to think of them more as tapas and good for sharing. the place feels really cramped adding to that homey touch but a little annoying when so busy. i had to sit up at the bar where it was hot because you are right where the cooks are. but then again, you get to see the cooking in action. i had the molotes, which was beef sausage inside fried tortilla, kind of like a mexican dumpling. good stuff.
(4)Mina I.
No wait! Awesome chips, great margaritas! Unfortunately, I found out the hard way the mole sauce is made out of almonds (allergic) and felt really sick for the next 24 hours. It's still A-Ok because I didn't die from it (-: Woo-Hoo!
(3)Renata B.
This place ROCKS! I stood in line and it was definitely worth it. I don't think I've ever had better Mexican food than here! Everyone that waited on us was so gracious and kind and the food was fantastic! I didn't want to leave, however there was a huge line outside waiting!! I will definitely be back!!!
(5)Ashley C.
This restaurant has quickly become one of my favorites, the food is amazing and so authentic! What keeps me coming back for more is the delicious tamales and mole, yummm! The plates are small for dinner so its best to eat family style, or one plate would be a perfect lunch sized entree. The restaurant is small with limited seating and every time I have been in its been packed, so don't be surprised if you end up waiting around or end up sitting next to some strangers. The service is 'in and out', which is nice for the line of people waiting for a table. It's definitely worth the wait!
(4)Soren L.
It's crowded most of the time, the portions are small, and you won't get a lot of attention, but the food is excellent. Even if you're not a fan of mole, you have to try it on your first visit. If you're going to like it anywhere, it's going to be here. Also: Limeade. It's good.
(4)elle t.
I love this place. My fave are the pork tacos - worth the wait!! Guacamole and chips are so fresh, and I don't mind waiting so much when I get to eat those during the wait.
(4)Tazzy M.
This place rules. Its freakin busy. But thats because it is the best place in Seattle for some AUTHENTIC, good Oaxacan food that does you right. The wait is usually well worth it.
(5)Julie F.
Great for sampling several different dishes and one of the few places in Seattle that serves tacos al pastor. Get there early or be prepared to wait. Also be prepared to sit close to your neighbors.
(4)Ian B.
I went back to La Carta with my new Mexican girlfriend from Michoacan, and overall, we had a pretty delightful time. We sat outdoors for the first time under the heated headlamp and were warm enough to take off our coats in about 50 degree weather. We got the tamal de mole, entomatadas, and the chile rellenos. The mole is definitely one of the best things at La Carta, however, my girlfriend was able to identify that a few ingredients like pears seemed to be missing. All the same, it was as thick and delicious as ever. We both agreed that the entomatadas were lacking some kick. The chile rellenos are probably one of the most under-rated menu items at La Carta, since they are so labor-intensive to make authentically. These had a nice kick. My girlfriend said that in her hometown they are actually served with a tomato soup...which sounds exquisite to me. Another great night overall.
(4)John H.
I'm not so sure I'd call this "authentic" mexican food; rather it's fresh and gourmet. As mentioned, definately get there before 7 - we went 6:30 on a Tuesday and still had to wait a couple minutes for a table. It's pretty easy to figure out your order, as there's only 20 dishes offered. Jonathan made a great call on the Mole - wow! Oh, and don't forget the $3 chips and guac. The salsa bar is a disappointment, but the chips are the best I've ever had. Also make sure to get a Magrarita, which is big and not overly sweet. They don't provide water unless asked.
(4)Emily C.
Everything here is really good - although it better be considering the price:portion ratio. The wait isn't so bad since it's located in the heart of Ballard and there is no shortage of places to get a drink. I love the chips, guac, mole, albondigas, tacos carne asada, and everything else I've tried here. It's hard not to feel like a tool when you first get your food but no one really needs the massive portions of calories that is expected at your average Mexican restaurant. By the time I've finished my food it's no longer an issue.
(4)brian a.
Delicious, but limited for vegetarians and, to a slightly lesser degree, pescetarians. Chile relleno is very tasty as are the enchiladas (with a fried egg). It's always so f*@%ing busy that I rarely go. And when it's busy it's *really* loud in there.
(4)S B.
Awesome Food! Small plates allow you to order a bunch of things to try. A bit of a wait, but it moves quickly and you can hang out by the crowded bar.
(5)jenn a.
La Carta de Oaxaca is my favorite restaurant in the city. Here's what I like about it followed by some tips and tricks to having an enjoyable experience: The chips: The chips are made fresh and are super delicious. I usually eat a basket of them by myself and have to be cut off. The "chips and guac" at La Carta is reason alone to go eat there. The carne asada tacos: It is a simple flavor explosion. It is what I think of as "authentic" Mexican food...no cheese or sour cream or refried beans you'll just regret later. The meat is marinated and put onto a FRESH tortilla and then topped with a little bit of cilantro and some onions. I usually top with a salsa from the salsa bar and go to town on those bad boys. I could eat them every day. And, its only 6 bucks. Which in this city, is a pretty good price for such delicious food in such a good atmosphere. The tortilla lady: there is a woman who's only job of the night is to make tortilla after tortilla after tortilla. I've sat up at the bar and watched her work, methodically and with purpose, churning out the tortillas only to have them immediately snatched away by the person I'll call the "meat person" who throws meat on it and its immediately brought to your table. The atmosphere: It isn't a taco stand. It is a trendy, eye pleasing little place. Yes, the wait can be long, but if you are like me and the wife, you know the right time to go. More on that below. My favorites: the carne asada tacos and the molotes. The molotes are potato and some sort of meat mashed up, wrapped up in a tortilla, and deep fried. Then they are topped with black beans. They are delicious. When we go we each order some tacos, and share the molotes. That said, I don't think there is a "bad" thing on the menu. Things to note: 1. **For the American with boundary issues, there is a big "community table." And you will be sat at it and it will feel like you are eating with people you've never met and if you're anything like me, you'll end up listening to their conversation more than yours. 2. It gets busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. If you're like me and the wife, you know the right time to go, or you go and put your name in and go have a drink at the People's Pub right next door. If you don't want to wait, do not go at 7 o'clock on a Friday night. If you don't want to wait, go to Azteca down the street...(insert sarcasm). 3. They open at 5. They do not serve lunch. So if you are taking grandma out for dinner, go right at 5 and you'll get in right away. 4. They are closed on Sundays. 5. They WILL NOT SEAT YOU UNLESS EVERYONE IN YOUR PARTY IS THERE. I've seen it happen time and time again where some dumby is "parking the car" and the Mexican dude says, "sorry, we can't seat you unless everyone is here," and then the person gets enraged and leaves. So just expect that, and make sure you're party is ALL there to be seated. The dude won't budge on this. We've tried. Even on my birthday, someone was late, he didn't care. Food is worth it. 6. Finally, don't go here expecting to be coddled and cajoled. This place is run like a machine. You go in, you eat delicious food, you leave a decent tip, and you leave.
(5)Jamie C.
We really like this place, read below on the eats, I agree. My one suggestion would be to check this place out at lunch if possible. Dinner-time is PACKED! It is a nice place for lunch too because of the small tapa-like sizes, you won't overeat. The best mexican place we have found in Seattle for sure. Don't go here at night with a romantic date, its very loud, more fun with a group of friends.
(4)Tara B.
I have upgraded to 5 stars, 4 was harsh, and it seems less crowded as of late. I think it has been around enough for most to have tried it. New places are opening for people to try as well, and it is more doable. Also, my friend has been bartending there for a while now, and he is a great bartender. Also a good friend. You should go, see Jayson at the bar. Be nice and tip generously. But be warned. If you mix the green salsa and guacamole, you will ooze the onion smell till at least the next morning, till you shower, brush and mouthwash. Sometimes it even lingers till after your americano. :(
(5)Jonathan C.
This is easily the best regional Mexican food to be found in Seattle. Many of the employees originate from Oaxaca, the tortillas are handmade, and the salsas are artesian and complex spicewise. The portions are small, but inexpensive. Oh, and the mole... it cannot be topped. Dinner hours only, and lines do form, but I could not speak poorly of the place. Ballard has a lot going for it, and this is just one example.
(5)Ephrym H.
Holy Mole! This place has great chicken mole. Also had the beef tacos (next time I want the fish tacos), spicy fish soup (soup was good, fish not so much) and empanadas (it was ok). I got a sample of the spice infused tequila, WooooEeee, couldn't hang with it so I got a Pacifico instead.
(4)Laura P.
The best mole in town, totally worth the wait, just get a number and pop next door to the people's pub for a beer. The tamales are to die for...really nowhere to go wrong here.
(5)Allie S.
My first visit was ok.. I was not a fan of the mole and it seemed a bit expensive for the portions but I would like to try it again now that I have read all the good reviews, maybe I just ordered wrong that night.
(3)Lori M.
I really enjoyed this place! It certainly wasn't a replacement for the taquerias I miss in California, but I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner here. The decor is very beautiful and tasteful. The walls are covered almost completely with wonderful framed photographs. The portions were a bit smaller than expected, but that really means you can have chips and some of their great salsas from the salsa bar, an entree, and dessert and not feel overstuffed.
(4)Cally G.
This is a unique little Mexican restaurant in Ballard of all places. It's a bit packed, which makes it very loud, but that can be fun. I know some people aren't fans of the shared tables, but I like them; I think they add to the uniqueness. The pork chili rellenos are to die for. If I remember right, they also had a nice tequila selection.
(4)Yoshi S.
Went with the chicken mole, it was ok but not the best. The same could be said for the guacamole. The price and fresh ingredients are hard to beat and they have a great selection of tequilas. Worth returning with a smaller group during lunch but it is a little out of the way for me.
(3)Matt R.
I considered giving it less than 5 stars because the surrounding art takes itself too seriously, with somber sun-squinting Indios and macro legume shots taking up wall space similar to a pretentious art gallery. I frankly would rather have posters of Sabado Gigante!!!! But, really, it's all about the food, and therefore it deserves all cinco. I kept on being prodded to visit this place at the behest of my coworker who knew I was both a foodie and from Texas and therefore ready to visit a place that will meet or exceed my expectations. So I brought my out-of-town arm candy there last weekend, and it was sorprendente - finally, a Mexican menu that is clearly tipico, a fire-hot, pepper-flaked salsa bar that gave me a warm feeling of the best restaurant moments back home (Austin), and fast service that's no-nonsense and all about gringo turnover. I had the entomatadas, which I thought would have only a bit of meat, but instead appeared before me in 5 minutes flat resembling a cut-price carne asada with a queso blanco-tinged tortilla side. Very nice and just the right size. My friend had the mole, which was, according to him, the best he's ever had, and according to me, the best I've had north of the Brazos River. Looking up at the ladies dutifully playing tiddly winks on the grill with little balls of corn, yet also frying to the left and yelling back to their boss on the right, it seemed like an old-fashioned, Mexican version of UNIX, preemptive multitasking at its most human level, juggling 13 tasks with processing power to spare. I hope they get paid well and send good money back home to Oaxaca, or Michoacan, which is probably where they are actually from. They are the true examples of immigrant spirit - they add something to our landscape that is only possible through direct importation. We'd never know what we were missing unless they were here to show us that Taco Bell is about as close to Mexican food as the Falkland Islands are to Great Britain. I could wax poetic about these ladies and the food they create, but just go down there, put yourself on the list, wander around Ballard for 15 minutes, and then be prepared to taste what it's really like to eat comida tipica. If you're not impressed, you clearly can't handle the truth anyway.
(5)Debs L.
Delicious, authentic Oaxacan food ... from hand-made tortillas to fresh salsa to fantastic mole to halibut tacos. The service and strong Margaritas are just as good, if not better. Always a (more than) satisfying experience!
(5)Molly T.
Love this place! Great tasting food from Oaxaca....not really Mexican food..but very different...The best dishes are the chocolate mole!! always crowded...but nevertheless cant go wrong with great tasting food south of mexico!!
(4)Mark E.
Stopped for lunch on Friday afternoon, was seated straight away. The menu had some very interesting items. We ordered, the food arrived very hot which is always a good sign & was very tasty and good value at $6 & $7 a plate. The major issue is how they a can charge $3 for a Coke with no refills ????
(3)robert w.
Without a doubt the best Mexican restaurant in Seattle, great place to take a date if you don't mind the wait.
(5)Kai K.
I could eat the entomatada's with the red sauce every day and the Tacos Al Pasor and the Talmale de Mole' negro. The margaritas are good too!
(4)Maria C.
Two friends, one born and raised in Mexico, told me that this was the best Mexican food in Seattle and I had to go. Who was I to argue? I'd never had mole before. What a world class idiot I've been to omit mole negro from my life. Thanks to Oaxaca I'll never eat at an Azteca again. Ever. Molotes - had never had them, could now eat 5 plates by myself given the chance. Actually, that's not quite as piggish as it sounds since the plates are not oversized American portions, nor yet small tapas plates, but somewhere reasonably in the middle. Ok, it is piggy, but try them and you'll join me in gluttonous greed. I've made albondigas at home before (thanks Food Network for the recipe) but my meatballs are golf balls compared to theirs. Their meatballs start melting the second they pass your lips. The photos on the walls are great slices of Oaxacan life and the family style big tables are fun, especially if you go with a group and get a bunch of plates and share. If you want to avoid the inevitable crowds, or at least not have to wait a long time, go at the stroke of 5 when they open on a weeknight, like a Tuesday.
(5)Pete C.
It's true about long waits and disconnected service, but man, the food is good. And it does indeed come quickly after your order is placed. After some scary experiences at other places, i stopped ordering mole years ago and just tonight tried it at La Carta. Wow. Very good. My wife's steak with tomatillo sauce was even better. This place is a keeper.
(4)Derek R.
I hate when I walk into a restaurant and say look at this place...I know its gonna be good...it looks authentic...lots of people eating and am disappointed cause the food sucks...unfortunately this happens way to much...but La Carte comes with it!! The place was hoppin at 9 pm and settled down to some guac and chips and some tasty salsas from the bar...The chips were hot, crispy and fresh...A nice cold margarita washed em down...then I moved on to the chicken mole'...It was delicious...the chicken so tender the mole with that depth of flavor that makes ya wanna order it on everything....Then i got some carne asada tacos which were good...not great but better than the taco truck across the street from my house....Sooo there ya have it...I wanna go back right now for some more Mole mole.....
(4)James B.
Their al pastor is one of the best foods in the world. Plates are well-suited for sharing but you will want to order more than one. The prices are reasonable (most plates between $6-$10); that being said, I find it funny that people actually complain about not being able to have a full dinner on one plate. NEWS FLASH!: This isn't 1981, food cost money and $6 for pair of tacos is very reasonable; especially considering the location. It is a very busy restaurant and I don't believe that they take reservations. With that in mind, don't expect to be seated readily on a Thursday night at 7pm. Show up with your entire group or be prepared to wait while a better organized party is seated. I don't fault their first-come, first-serve policy (for complete parties) because it keeps the tables rotating rather than full of people waiting for their friends. We all know that by S.P.T. (Seattle People Time), 15 minutes is more like 45. If you have to wait for friends, have a drink at any number of establishments on Ballard Avenue.
(5)jeremy n.
This is one of the best authentic Mexican places around. The halibut tacos are sublime, the carna tacos equally as good. The beer is always the perfect temperature and the margarita's strong. Go for lunch to miss some of the longer lines. Also, the tortillas are made fresh front and center. Excellent!
(5)Sophia B.
This is one of my top five Seattle restaurants. It's a beautiful, unusual space with great art. The photography on the walls makes me want to whip out my camera and head South. The food is exceptionally tasty and the portions are just the right size for me.
(5)Steve c.
What are you waiting for? Go eat here now!!
(5)Claudia N.
Food is ok. I guess for Seattle, it's actually good Mexican food. Service is not good, not good at all. We had a table that sat 5 , 4 of us came in got seated and ordered an appetizer, then about 10 minutes later our other friend whom was parking met us and they told us they wouldn't serve him. Our orders weren't t even at the table yet. He explained the policy but somehow this one did not make sense. I think this guy took one of the rules too far. We explained nicely, he was just parking, and there was his assigned seat at our table. The guy rudely yelled at my friends and said he could not order. I don't get it, I have never been so embarrassed for me, him and even this service. The other two friends at our table were two beautiful Mexican ladies, they were also horrified with the service. I truly make it a point not to bash or write negative reviews, but this had to be addressed in my opinion. Enforcing policies is great, but this was not the policy nor the way to speak to your clients. Thanks
(1)Keiko G.
This is the best Mexican food I've ever eaten in my life. I mean my god. Luckily I went early on a Wednesday. When it was raining. My brother tells me this place can get super crowded these days. OK. Before I go further, I'd just like to talk about the salsas for one moment. You know how when you go to a shitty Mexican restaurant and they have all those salsas, the one with fresh tomato and onion is always the best one? Well, they have that one here, and it's their worst one only because their other ones are soooooooo amazing and flavorful. Make sure to get a bowl of each one. Also, there are ladies in the middle of the restaurant making tortillas. Some damn fine tortillas. Great service. Beautiful space. We ordered a bunch of stuff, so I'll rate it from best to so-so. 1. Mole. There's a reason everyone is recommending it. It's not heavy like most moles. It's light yet satisfying. Fantastic. 2. Posole. It actually ties with the mole for me. Slow-cooked and ever so tender pork chunks in this soup that tasted like... what chili wished it was. So good. 3. Tacos Carne Asada. If you have somebody who wants to be a little less adventurous. Get them this. You can't go wrong. 4. Albodingas. Soup made of meatballs and vegetables. It was good. Not as mind-blowing though. 5. Some kind of something "Camarones". I don't know why I ordered this. It was just shrimp and a bunch of stuff on a tortilla. Boring. But that was my fault, I think. 6. Enchiladas. They're just really sweet. Way sweeter than the mole. And that's chocolate. I can't imagine that many people loving this. It seemed super Americanized or something. Order something slow-cooked and you're golden. That's where they shine here.
(5)Avalon Z.
The food was certainly tasty, but between the huge prices, a cafeteria-like dining room, and food presented on the plates to match the cafeteria feel, this was certainly not worth all the hype I had heard.
(3)RowerRob C.
Food is EXCELLENT. I have a Mexican friend who barely speaks English and is only here for a year to study English... I took her out here on a date and she said the dishes taste like home... very authentic, etc. The tamales is like nothing I've had before. Plenty of self-serve salsa for your chips.
(5)Christian D.
I'm a bit torn about writing a review for Carta Oaxaca, because I don't want to drive any more people to one of my favorite spots. But the cat's already out of the bag. Definitely my favorite mexican restaurant in Seattle. For anyone who's never had anything but tex-mex, Ã la Mama's downtown, get ready. How Ballard got so lucky is beyond me. Really no complaints, but it can get very loud. I really wish they'd put some rubber feet on the chairs! The sound they make when they're dragged across the cement floor is really annoying. If you've been there you know what I'm talking about.
(4)Wendy M.
Very noisy! If all you want to do is eat, come here. Don't even try to carry on a conversation unless you can do it in sign language or if you can read lips. Food is delicious! Try the mole or the asada tacos
(4)Juan and Claudia V.
This place is not special but only ok. Thanks again Seattle Yelp. The first impression that I got was that this place was in the middle of a European like upper class neighborhood. No wonder it has impressed the locals. Other than the reasonable price for 5 meals and drinks (which came around $70), the food was nothing out of this world. The best to describe portions is that don't go there hungry and think one tamale ($8) with chips and guacamole ($5) will fill you up. The best part was the tacos but tacos are not that hard to make ($7). So its one for $3.50 when you can go to a taco bus and get a similar quality for $1.50 or a special of 5 for $5.00. Do the math. The mole is not out of this world and its sad this is what you consider or refer to Oaxaca or Puebla mole. It was good but nothing out of this world, in the end it was mole with chocolate. The problem is the build up this place has and good mole is just a hint of chocolate. Definitely a place I will not return but thanks for the experience.
(3)Shyam H.
This is like a mexican party at an art gallery. Margarita's and the tequila shots here are very authentic. The fish soup is my favorite on a winter night.
(5)kristi t.
Portions are pretty small. Carne asada was a bit lacking in flavor, tasted like just salted grilled steak, and came pretty rare. Their "house specialty" Mole Negro pork came with two cubes of pork covered in sauce and some rice on a small plate (maybe 6-7 inch diameter). Sauce was unexpectedly sweet, but otherwise well seasoned. Probably should have ordered 1 or 2 more dishes. Nothing special about the "salsa bar" (mild, med, hot, verde).
(3)Mandy C.
I'd been meaning to try this place for years. YEARS. I admit I am ashamed. I am also extra doubly ashamed because I live in Ballard. Shame shame shame. Please don't stop reading because you're disgusted with my sheer & utter lack of common sense and good taste. I had always heard that LCdO had good food and put it on my list. I finally made it here last week & let me say, I'm glad I went but sorry I waited so long. We managed to get a table without a wait so that rocked. Normally this place is pretty crazy I hear & have seen when I walked by it. I ordered their house specialty - the mole with pork. It didn't look like a lot of food when it arrived but the mole was yummy; on the sweeter side with not much heat (if you're looking for some flamin mole, this may not be the place for it). It was tasty, as was the guac & chips. Of course there's the salsa bar where you can get your fill of the hot goodness all-you-can-eat style, which I like. My friend had the carne tacos and said they were really good as well. I like the vibe of this place. The decor was cool with great photos all around. It just felt genuine. I'm a fan. ;)
(4)Christine D.
I'm from so Cal so I have pretty high standards for Mexican food. This place has my stamp approval. Went there with my friend Tim had a couple of margaritas to whet my appetite. 40 minutes later we were finally seated in the bar section overlooking the kitchen. You can watch the Oaxacan women make fresh tortillas. We ordered, food arrived and literally did not talk through our meal. That is how good it is. Enough said. Stop reading this and GO!
(5)Sadie J.
Great margaritas, tasty food for a great price. But expect a wait and don't be bothered if you are seated with other people. It's worth it.
(4)Vanessa F.
Holy guacamole! This place is crazy tasty. There are a bunch of salsas that you can go and get for yourself. The margaritas kick ass. I was very happy here.
(5)JP A.
Hands down the best authentic Mexican food in Seattle! If there is better, let me know, I am a Mexican food addict! Completely worth the wait for a table. The fish tacos are amazing. The salsa bar is great because it accommodates heat thresholds for the whole party. The selection of tequila is also good and the margaritas are handmade. Friendly staff.
(5)Michael C.
Oaxaca is excellent. I love it, everything about it is excellent. I would eat there everyday if I could. Crowded, so get there early.
(5)Mike Y.
It's really sad that the management of what could be a nice place to eat is so rudely discriminatory against dog owners. The manager required that my friend's dog be tied up 25 feet away, practically in front of the next business over, in order for us to eat outside. We refused, left, and won't return due to the poor, inflexible treatment. I don't know of many places with outside seating that won't allow a well-behaved dog to be tied on the opposite side of the railing separating the patio tables and the street side. What? Does the restaurant think they own the sidewalk, too?
(1)Mills F.
My hopes were dashed. "Salsa bar" (really?) people raved about does not deliver...honestly, they tasted watery & lacked mucho flavor. Same goes for guac. No kick, no punch, no heat. The al pastor tacos were flavorful and I'd order again, but the halibut...nothing spesh. I'm from TX, I adore Mexican food, and in my humble opinion...this food is not worth waiting for.
(2)Dustin D.
Best Mexican in Seattle! The wait is worth it. Servings are a little smaller than most Mexican places so be sure to get plenty of chips and salsa (the guacamole is delicious).
(5)Maria H.
I live in Kansas City and frequent many Mexican Restaurants here. I am Hispanic American but I have never experienced a more rude and misleading business. I don't know if the food is good as we never had a chance to dine there. I called making reservations and spoke with the owner more than once. They have a special area where you can reserve a table. On their website it states you can make reservations for 20. I changed it as it changed & eventually up to 18. He yelled at me and said I could not change it any more. I added but on your website it states 20. He also said if we were 10 minutes late our reservations would be given away. I had a bad feeling about this man & business but kept our reservation. My daughter graduated and we travelled from Ohio, Colorado and Kansas. We were early by 15 minutes and I approached him. I told him our party had arrived and he snapped back,"all of you." I said no but they will be. There were 10 of us. He said we had to wait till all of us were there. I said but we are 10 minutes early and he snapped back 15 and we go by my watch. It was cold and I had small children with me. Finally he allowed us to go in but had people sitting in the same room on a bench waiting to take the small table next to our bigger one. That was ours too but 3 members of our party were parking the car and had not walked in yet. He gave away our table to the people sitting on the bench. A couple members of our party grew angry and referred to a particular body part of his and he said we all had to go. He has a huge picture "of the Blessed Virgin on the wall. I am also a patron. But he is a terrible, little man that does not deserve to hang her picture on the wall. He treats his patrons like the soup nazi in the old Seinfeld episodes. Do not ever make reservations for this place as they are horrible. Thank God the pizza place next door was so kind and inviting and the night was not ruined.
(1)Dan H.
I have been here numerous times after I have heard all the rave about it. I think the Summer is the best to go unless you can go there right when it opens. Be prepared for the wait if not. Which could be outside if there isn't room in the back bar. They do take your phone number down so you can go elsewhere to grab a drink. I had a bunch of different dishes and it was still under 20. The mole tamales, fresh tortillas, salsa and tacos al pastor were some of the best I have had in Seattle. On a side note my friends whole family is from N. Mexico and they ordered togo plates after their dinner. They said "its some of the best S. Mex food they have ever had" and all the way up in Seattle. I only gave this place 4 stars because the wait does suck at times. Hopefully, after we frequent enough they will be able to get a bigger place. :)
(4)Bryan M.
Really good salsa and food, just slim picking for Vegetarians. Generally really packed but if you go in the summer the outside seating is awesome.
(3)trace p.
Well I won't start my review with, "I'm from Texas" even though I am but I did eat here last weekend and COMPLETELY agree, it is money! Margaritas were mighty fine & made the wait no problemo!! Great food, great atmosphere and contends with ANY Mexican food (not to be confused with TexMex) that I've ever had.
(5)Brandon S.
This place is great for a late dinner. If you arrive between 5-7, good luck getting a seat within thirty minutes. However, if you arrive after nine, I've noticed that a majority of the seats are empty and people are automatically seated upon their arrival. But if the late dinner idea isn't an option, wait at the bar while you're waiting to be seated. The bar provides an array of drinks to help take your mind off things while you're waiting for your number to be called. The only caution I would offer regarding waiting at the bar is that on Friday nights, the bar can get pretty packed early on, so you may want to try grabbing a drink at one of the nearby bars instead.
(4)Jessica M.
The bartender makes a mean Michelada -- with the hottest house-made salsa in lieu of Tabasco and other miscellaneous hot stuff that usually goes into the shaker. I had a big slab of beef with tortillas in green sauce on the side (#19), which was tasty but rather plain. The enchiladas, however, were something special, sweet and red with a fried egg on top. Taste your guacamole first...a few dashes of salt at the table were a significant improvement. Yes, it's still loud. Yes, the wait is still long. Go have another Michelada.
(4)Danielle B.
The food was yummy yummy and the staff was great... also I have to note that I love choices and help yourself bars so the salsa bar was awesome! My only complaints were that you had to pay for your chips (which are normally complimentary) and that you can't be seated until your WHOLE party is present and accounted for. We had to give up our position in line b/c our third person wasn't there yet (she was actually parking her car and walking down the street but we still couldn't get a table). Oh and the place is pretty inexpensive... what more can you want?
(3)michael w.
I remember about 3 yrs ago when NO one knew of this place...it was always so good. However, it was too good! Now everyone on the west coast I think has heard of it! You cant get in the door without waiting an hour. In my opinion, its not that good. Good, but no hour wait good. Travel on and avoid the hype.
(4)Jose G.
The best authentic Mexican food in all Seattle. The place is always packed, so be prepared to wait to be seated.
(4)L H.
i chose this place to have my 24th birthday dinner inspite of the long wait time for my group. The good thing about the location was that we could wait for our table at the bar next door - apparently many others had that idea as well. when we finally got seated - it was a fantastic birthday meal with shots of patron and all. The food portions were small, but it was enough for me. i tried the mole and thought it was perfect - also the salsa bar had lots of different options. i dont think i'll find any other mexican restaurant more authentic than this.
(5)Eric A.
It's okay. most of the food was bland and over-priced. Maybe we just got the wrong things but it wasn't that good. She had the Halibut Tacos and I had the Tacos Frito and we shared a Coktel del Camarones. As the rating implies, it was just A-OK. I don't see what the big fuss is...
(3)Megan B.
After all of our walking and boozing (or boozing and walking) we were pretty hungry, and decided to finally brave the crowds here. It had been so highly recommended to us by so many. Meh. They messed up our order. But their al pastor tacos were pretty good, but I've had pineapple with al pastor at the aguascalientes taco truck in eagle rock, and they did it better. Plus- small portions, big prices, so-so service.
(3)Tram N.
The place was packed for lunch around 12:30 on a Thursday afternoon. Plus, with their reviews, I was expecting a whole lot more. $5 for a tiny basket of chips and gaucamole is A LOT to ask for. Since we didn't get the gaucamole and just got the chips, they charged us $3. Still too much for just chips I could have gotten for free at Azteca. That pretty much set up the rest of lunch. I ordered the tacos carne asada and wanted to sub chicken for it unstead. It took a few minutes before the waiter finally agreed. My friend ordered some special they had for the day. We had been thinking of going to Gordito's instead, and should have just stuck to our initial choice. My two taco's were equivalent in taste and the same size to the one's you can pick up at a taco truck for way less. My friend said his food was good, but for a small eater, he even admitted that the portions there were too small for how much you paid. Our food was OK, but just super overpriced for the quality and quantity. The best part of the meal was their pico de gallo.
(2)T. B.
Every latin american person I talk to always touts this as the most authentic place you can go in Seattle for true Mexican food. The menu is simple, the dishes are divine. Fish tacos are amazing. They're also well known for thier margaritas. Expect a wait if you go during peak dinner hours. But, because service is fast and people are normally moving on to after hours activities in Ballard, you shouldn't have to wait too long.
(5)Magnus S.
My mom is from Mexico, and this is one of the few Mexican restaurants that I like to take my mother to. While it doesn't rank as the absolutely most authentic place you can go to, it is a nice restaurant with great Mexican food that isn't a roadside taco bus. Look, I got nothing against those places myself, but try taking a typical Seattle date to a taco bus and just see how far you get.
(5)Amy E.
I don't really understand the top 10 restaurants in Seattle status and long waits for tables...I guess I've been living in California too long.
(3)Natala M.
This place is fabulous -- even if it is always crowded. They have all the requisite mexican beers on tap and delicious food to compliment it. The cuisine is what I would classify as "real mexican with a little bit of california cuisine" -- essentially it's stylish quality food. The dishes are all served as small plates -- so be prepared to order a few things and to share. My favorite is the house specialty- pork mole with white rice (really butter covered rice) + tortilla. it's fabulous. They also have a nice salsa bar. Salsa verde -- mmm!
(5)Alexi M.
(Insert Spanish Catch-Phrase Here) I love this place; it has the 2 qualities that I enjoy most in a restaurant: inexpensive, tasty food & great drinks (if you can push your way to the tiny bar). Yes, it gets very crowded on weekends, so expect a wait. Order a few of the strong Margaritas and you'll forget that you are starving, you may even forget that it has been raining for 27 days straight! If you are a seafood fan, you must order the ceviche tostadas. The mole dishes are great too. Everything is reasonably priced, so order a bunch of "comida" (I couldn't resist) and enjoy the fun, loud (sometimes eardrum shattering) atmosphere. Sidenote: My friend saw Dave Mathews eating there once and she talked to him while they waited for the bathroom, that's the whole story, not that exciting I guess, oh well......then she pinched his nipple (better, eh?)
(5)Chris B.
I somehow just realized that I hadn't written a review for one of my favorite Seattle restaurants. The only two bad things that I have to say about this place are: sometimes it takes a little while to get seated, and sometimes one of their salsa bowls is empty. The margaritas are a mitigation for that first problem. Anyway, yeah. Sit down and order 2 or more things per person. Get a soup. The pozole is amazingly meatily delicious and is what I usually get, although sometimes we go for the fish soup, which is spicily delicious. The tacos al pastor are unbelievable. We often get more than one order, because everybody deserves some. And if you come with an odd number of people then you can fight over the last one. The beef tacos are great too, but don't pick them in place of the pork. So from there, move on to whatever strikes your fancy. It's all great. I usually get a shrimp, either on a tostada or in the cocktail (with charming saltine delivery system!). I like the skirt steak. And many little rolled things with green/white/red sauce. Can you tell them apart? If you can't, go more often! The mole is a little sweet, I have to admit. Sometimes I fantasize about getting an apartment in Ballard and then just spending all my time at the little teeny bar by the tortilla press.
(5)Carrie H.
Can you believe I have only been here once?? Husband man says this place sucks. WTF. I was THIS CLOSE to divorcing him right then and there. I need to make it back here with my ladies... and get a man friend who like Oaxaca as much as everyone else.
(4)Jennifer S.
I heart La carta. I have had an amazing meal...and margaritas (on the rocks with salt) every time I visit. The wait can be brutal, but if you squeeze into the bar with some friends an hour can fly by. Go with a few people and order one of everything...it is so good. Love the design too.
(5)Nik D.
I love La Carta. All the food is excellent, service is quick, prices are great, atmosphere is beautiful. The only thing I dislike is the wait to be seated. There should be a sign in sheet, or an attendant, it's confusing for people that come in, and new customers shouldn't have to go into the restaurant and find a server to add their name to the list.
(5)Thomas B.
Go. Wait if you have to. The mole is incredible. This is one of the few places that I have ever been to that I feel is unique. The food is great. Just go.
(5)Tim O.
Amazing (and spicy) fish tacos. Great guac. Love this place!
(5)Anna A.
This place is always always busy. You might need to set up a tent at 8am to get a table at 5pm. That said it is very authentic Mexican food the kind you find in Mexico City. Staff is friendly and the decor is nice. They have a little back bar for waiting or you could leave your phone number for the 45min wait and decide to eat somewhere else.
(3)Stacey W.
Great food, loved the salsa bar! My only complaint was that the vegetarian options were lacking, but they were super accommodating when i asked for substitutions or changes.
(4)Tammy V.
you know i was really leaning towards the 3.5 stars. this place is cute and i really never go to ballard --- ever. (is there anything there besides the locks?). a small but not too cramped restaurant, picture frames line the walls and make this place seem cool yet simple. the service here was pretty good, they were very friendly and always assisted us with a smile. in my group we probably ordered atleast 4x. (our food, 2nd order of food, margaritas, more bread, etc.) it was a very busy friday night and it was a few different people helping us. in a way this was different (then normally have one server) - but they never once got confused on who/what left off where. the food was pretty good. mexican like i've never had it. overall the food content was good but there wasn't a wow factor to it. which is why i would have taken off the 1/2 star if we had 1/2 stars. i had a #19 (?) which was pretty good - i'd probably order it again if i went again. the thing i like and don't like about this place (in one!) is the small portions. i love it because i can never choose one thing to eat, i like having a variety, but i don't like it because you end up paying a lot more than you're used to. although the small plates range from $5 to $10 or so, if you go when you're hungry you can mos def dent your pocket. randoms: - its mostly street parking unless you wanna pay for a lot (so it'll take forever to park!) - come early @ like 5pm because the lines for dinner can get crazy! - when it gets busy you might be forced to share a table w/ another party ps. the chips are good and a salsa bar is offered in the middle of the restaurant. two plates + margarita = $30.
(4)Adolfo O.
Don't believe the hype! For crying out loud, do not get carried away. The first thing you should ask yourself when you walk in there is why aren't all the Local Oaxacans eating here? There are many in Seattle but they don't believe the hype. As a good friend from Oaxaca tells me, "they don't serve anything that is good Oaxacan food." Heck ,if they were serving good Oaxacan food there would be crispy, salted crickets as an appetizer with a good Mezcal to shoot it down. I don't even see Mezcal on the menu but Seattleites are going oh wow! best mole, salsa, etc. Carta de Oaxaca is a good taqueria with a few other good things but it is not exceptional. Oaxacan food is some of the best food in Mexico. Their Moles are the best and Carta de Oaxaca does not duplicate them. It is a good restaurant but six dollars for two tacos, give me a break. There are other taquerias throughout Seattle that make fresh tortillas that don't charge you three dollars a taco. Heck using the freshness and fresh tortillas barometer would qualify Chevy's as a good Mexican restaurant but it takes more than that to call it the best. Heck, their pozole doesn't even have hominy in it. How the heck can you sell pozole and not put hominy in it. Heck pozole comes from Nahuatl that literally means "blossomed corn". How can you not put hominy in pozole and call it pozole. I don't speak for all Mexican but take my family's opinion for what its worth. This is good but authentic give me a friggin break. If it was authentic all of us Mexicans would be beating the place down to get in. For an example check the crowds at La Barriga Llena, now there's authentic. Even the friggin Chorizo hanging from the ceiling makes one's mouth water. La Carta de Oaxaca is no better than a good taco truck where the food is cheaper and you can bring your own mezcal. How can you have a Oaxacan restaurant and not feature Mezcal. Did I mention the pozole- an embarassment to Oaxacan Pozole. Caveat: I've been told that they do serve Mezcal and the pozole does have hominy. I guess they just forgot to put it in mine- which is like forgetting to put chili in Salsa.
(2)Earls C.
Interesting and refreshing take on Mexican food, but overall a bit disappointing. Seattle having Mexican food based on the many regional variations is a much needed graduation in an otherwise boring and homogeneous Mexican food scene. Having said this, I was somewhat disappointed. The pork tamale with mole was undeniably tasty. However it was too sweet, and the corn meal was ground so fine and mushy it reminded me of "cream of wheat", the horrible mush porridge my Irish mother used to try to feed me before my Cantonese father intervened with proper food. The halibut tacos were a huge disappointment. Served cold, with a batter that was chewy and not crispy as it should be. The sauce tasted like thousand Island. The pablano pepper was also cold and not crispy. Finally, the service was arrogant and rude. I came in with my family, which included my grandma. We were waiting for one more in the group, and even though they had two tables open that could fit us, the jerk of a host said "we don't do add-ons". I told him my grandmother was in the group and would appreciate if he could make an exception so she could sit (because again, 2 tables were wide open), and he decided to imitate the soup nazi from Seinfeld. In any case, the rude service did not affect my analysis of the food. It was interesting, but average in execution, flavor, and quality.
(3)John S.
This place is so awesome! Strong drinks from the bar while you wait (cuz there's always a wait) and stellar food. The small plates work great for sharing and you don't get weighed down with all the usual filler at most mexi places. Stopped in last night and the wait actually wasn't that bad. We got some drinks (marg for me, some potent sangria for Melissa) and chips and guac at the bar. Once seated we had four plates; mole w/ chicken, camarones cocktail, pork tacos and the tostadas. They were all excellent. Love the pictures on the walls but my only beef is it gets super loud in there, making it almost impossible to have a conversation.
(4)Becca C.
I love Oaxaca. Yum. I especially like the extra large table that small groups have to share. It adds an element of community. The large photos are also amazing. The food is great too, of course. I especially like the quesadillas. I normally don't like Mexican (too many over-processed foods) but the small portions that look and taste so good have changed my tune. I bring all my friends here, and I crave it whenever I pass by it on the street. The wait staff is also muy simpatico and friendly.
(5)Katie L.
The Best Margaritas Ever + Slammin Mexican Food = More Carta Please! Upside:Delicious small plates, great drinks, ideal to order and share with friends. Downside: (just to be objective) Crowded, no reservations, and they shut down from 3 until 5, so no late lunches or afternoon margs!
(5)Karen A.
I've had lunch at La Carta de Oaxaca twice. Both times the food was delicious, with extremely fresh ingredients and exciting flavors but -- I'll never go back there again because the music (recorded) was deafeningly loud. I couldn't hear a thing the waiter said, and, with a friend the second time, we had to scream to hear each other. In fact, the only thing I could hear over the music was the shrieking of the two unsupervised little kids whose parents were allowing them to race around the crowded restaurant. What a madhouse.
(3)Pickle b.
I really enjoyed my meal here the other night. I sat at the counter and watched my dish being made. These women are amazing. After a delicious quesadilla, I received my chicken mole. The chicken meat fell off the bone (no need for a knife!) as I piled my freshly made tortillas with the buttery rice, chicken and salsa. I am not from the south so I can't speak for accounts of 'authenticity' but this was heaven. Side note: From my perspective of watching the waiters and bussers, they dealt with some annoying customers. And I'm not sure why some critics want more from brown bodies whose primary job in this country tend to be in the food industry and as hard labor. This may be in Ballard, and yes, the crowd is definitely of the lighter variety. But Ballard certainly isn't an escape from race relations in WA, or the US for that matter. Why would I smile at you when chances are you wouldn't give me a second glance on the street?
(4)Rebekah B.
Being from New Mexico, I have a complete appreciation (addiction?) for quality Mexican food. And I have to say, as far as the offerings in Seattle go - this is one of the best! And don't go in there without trying one of their kick-ass margaritas too!
(5)Andrea Z.
Love love love! One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle! They have the best authentic food for dirt cheap prices. So refreshing for being in the city and in one of the trendiest neighborhoods.
(5)Myung L.
being from Texas, i've had my share of latin flavors. their salsa bar is the closest i've had to authentic here in seattle. where'd all this sweet chipotle come from? in black beans, in salsa? yikes!!! be assured there will be a wait, the guys will put you on the list, perhaps without a smile but when you are seated, you can be sure to get your food hot and fast. if you have no aversion to bones, try the fish soup. its warming and full of love.
(5)cynthia q.
the fish tacos were the most awesomest (hate to say it but even better than papalote) ... i think it was the hand-made corn tortillas. or the super fresh fish. or both.
(5)Pamela L.
What hasn't been said about this restaurant? It is always delicious, fresh uncomlicated food, great beer and very nice margaritas. The decor is lovely black and white photos and the staff is fantastic, and fun even when the place is packed, which is always! Very tasty salsa bar and yummy guacamole. We usually choose 3 small entrees to share and have out server pick the 4th, the servers pick is always the best :) A great place to take an out of town guest.
(5)V F.
This is a great little happening place. I like the family style seating although it gets ridiculously loud in there. The food is really good here but a little pricey for the portion size. The mole and lamb dishes are among the best thing on the menu. Best part is the wide array of self serve salsa that are complimentary, I prefer this to the pricey Senor Moose option that isn't as good. The carne asada is tasty but upwards of $9. for a very small tapas like portion, there's certainly better out there. The tacos are really good as well as the soup. The empanada is beautiful but pricey at $4. per. Careful of eating at the grill bar, the metal gets very hot, not so fun when you're eating on it. Also, beware vegetarians, last time I came here with a vegetarian friend they would not make any concessions for her, which really limited her options.
(3)kristhian s.
I once went there got handed a number and waited about 20 minutes the line did not move that much so went some where else instead. My family is from Oaxaca and having lived there 7 years I have tried authentic Oaxacan food in Oaxaca. I have seen the reviews on several sites about "La Carta de Oaxaca" and they seem to be doing something good because most of them come back with atleast 4 stars. Having said that, and having looked at their menu. I can honestly say they don't even come close to offering the Authentic Flavor that is known of the Oaxacan Cuisine. Maybe they should change their name to simply "La Carta". If you don't offer the following food items as part of your menu please refrain from using the name Oaxaca as part of your restaurant name: 1. Tlayudas, 2. Chapulines, 3. Mole Amarillo, 4.Mole Coloradito, 5.Quesillo, 6. Tasajo, 7.Memelas 8. Chocolate de Agua o Leche. I could keep on going. But Instead I will throw two names that offer a better alternative to the menu put out by "la Carta". Take a drive down to Burien and try: El Sabor de Oaxaca, or the peeps who live in Greenwood try: La Casa Azul. Here is your one star "La Carta"
(1)Andy D.
Try the Entomatadas. Absolutely incredible. They are to Mexican food what Con Te Partiro is to opera. What I dig about this joint is that you get stellar food at a reasonable price, and a crackin good atmosphere with great photography on the walls. The wait is brutal, but even my parents were up for it when they visited me this summer in Seattle. I've been an aficionado of Mexican food for years, from Diego to the Bay, the city is the bomb... Cut. This place is solid, save for the wait.
(5)Kim C.
So good! Tacos el pastor!!! The chips and salsa are amazing. I wish I didn't live so far away, id be in that place all the time. If you care about your seating or how much your waiter kisses your rhum, you might wanna pass...... if you care that your mexican food tastes like mexican food, id go, again and again and...............
(4)Brian S.
Best hand made tortillas in Seattle, hands down. Mexican food that tastes, well, Mexican. Takes me back to those great, simple, Yucatecan meals on warm Caribbean nights.
(5)Milaflor E.
the boy and i finally ventured out to Ballard to check this place out. i've been craving good authentic Mexican food in Washington and this is the very closest i can find thus far. the wait wasn't too bad for a Tuesday night at about 7ish. it was packed and waited for about 15 minutes. my first trying a mole dish and i liked it very much. the boy thought it was just a bit too sweet (he said it tasted like bar.b.q sauce). the portion was perfect! i also had the tacos al pastor (bar.b.q'ed pork in tortilla) and it was okay. too spicy for me though. he had the quesadilla fritas - looked pretty fancy but it wasn't outrageously great...tasted like a regular cheese quesadilla (perfect for the little ones) and he also had the entomatadas (grilled thin slice beef w/tortillas, tomatilla sauce, cheese, and crema mexicana) which was my favorite dish out of all of them. perfectly flavored grilled beef! so delish! we also had hot out of the oven (or fryer?) chips and the fresh guacamole...very yummy! he says it was just too crowded for him (not into the hustle and bustle atmosphere) and the food was just mediocre. he wouldn't come again but if i wanted to, he would (aww). so i guess you'll see us there again. i liked the place and i esp. like the portion sizes...a few goes a long way! the staff were very friendly & polite despite the multitude of people in such a small space.
(4)Laura P.
I didn't like their flan.
(3)B L.
Worth wait. Portions aren't big, but you can try different things. THe mole was REALLY yummy. Went on a date, didn't really talk during the meal. haha...i guess this should be a warning.
(4)Brooke S.
If you care about service on any level, don't go here. It's virtualy nonexistant. I'd imagine that's because they have a line out the door constantly and don't have to be nice, or even look you in the eye. Or even serve you for that matter, since it took us a lifetime to order/eat/leave. Jeez. I don't get the hype. Yes, the food would have been good if it wasn't cold. The guacamole was kickass, but that wasn't enough to save this place for me. The service did me in. Totally chi chi and lame. But if you like that kind of foodie crap, go for it.
(2)M T.
This is not some gringo hybrid of Mexican food denatured for the local population! This is real and delicious. So what if you have to wait to eat--it's faster than flying to Oaxaca.
(5)J D.
This place was packed last night. We stood squeezed against the bar in the back, and for forty-five minutes I sucked on the straw in my delightfully-sour margarita while trying to ignore the stink eye I was getting from two women who sat on the stools next to my corner, attempting to have a private conversation. (Where would you have liked me to go ladies? The place was freaking packed. And yes, red-headed, leather jacket lady: you should definitely break up with him. He obviously isn't the one.) We were finally seated at the big cafetera -style table in the front, sharing the space with what seemed like a super-fun birthday celebration. But the waiting, the sharing, and the stink eye were all forgotten when the food came: home-made chips with supercreamy guac, a mole the likes of which I've never tasted north of the border, chile rellenos that melted in the mouth, perfect queso blanco. Forget the birthday party, the fiesta in my mouth was the only one that mattered. Brings new meaning to the words "worth the wait."
(4)tina m.
Yummy, but small portions. And pretty expensive for what you get. The mole is awesome.
(3)Roy W.
Best Mexican joint in Seattle. Whenever I go there I wind up getting the Mole which is just fantastic. Their drinks are nice and stiff. It's well worth the wait to eat there.
(5)K G.
The bench seating creates a fun atmosphere and their mole is muy delicioso.
(5)Leah B.
Super service. Showed up right as they opened and had margaritas (pretty good...not great) in our hands within 5 minutes. I ordered the halibut tacos, my friend the carne asada. Quick! With a smile. However, it was so blaaah. The tortillas were the best part of the taco. Seriously delicious. But I didn't come for the tortillas! The salsa bar was pretty but I couldn't say I even liked any of them. I am a salsa addict. Nothing. I want a complete package, and so far I've been severely disappointed with Seattle's "Best Mexican". I only ate one taco and it was so flavorless I just had the rest to-go. nnnnNnnnnot a good idea. They didn't taste good later at 2 A.M. after a few other festivities, and for me that says quite a bit! I have to say though, that the the layout of the restaurant is beautiful. I love that people get freaked out sitting so near other people (i would think this is an interesting experiment to see who gets louder (The Perfomers) or who gets quieter (The Listeners/Eavesdroppers). Indeed, the photography is worth a second look.
(2)velma v.
nope nope nope what is all the hype? go down the road to senor moose for food that is 10 times better!
(2)ruthy g.
I'm a huge fan of authentic Mexican food and I feel that La Carta does deliver on certain dishes. I was there on a Thursday evening, I got there before the rest of my party arrived so I was asked to sit at the at the bar, even if it was only for another 10 min! Excuse me but I was there early hoping to get a good table for my party! So my party arrived and we were seated at the communal table with a toddler! Ok I said to myself, we can handle this. I ordered the Carne Asada plate, it arrive within 10 min, super fast but it was RAW. I returned it and I was brought a more evenly cook piece of meat. For the price of the plate I was not impressed, it lacked flavor and was not tender but chewy. We never saw the server again and was never asked if we wanted a 2nd drink. They make you feel like you should eat in a hurry and get the F.... out! The only people that deserve praise are the cooks, the rest of the CURRENT servers suck they don't even smile at you ! Frankly I'm not a fan and will be on the search for a new Authentic MX food place where I feel welcomed !
(2)Zeke Y.
Super bummer! La Carta and Mezcaleria have amazing food and usually the nicest of servers. A longtime customer, I reserved a table for 14 over a week in advance of my bday party, inviting, among others, my 94 y.o. grandma and a cousin with two new twins. The snow fell saturday night and a beautiful scene was set; alas, not to be at La Carta. Five of my party of 14 showed at 6:55pm, five mins before our reservation time. La Carta only allows reservations to sit when all members of the party arrive. I understand this policy as one that helps to keep us, the customer, honest and on time to our reservations. Unfortunately, due to the snow and no handicap parking available, my grandma and I were ten minutes late to the reservation because her walker was not moving easily through the snow. By 7:10pm, my entire party of 14 was in La Carta and ready to order. I hear La Carta, they get tons of customers, and certainly they want to move people through their restaurant quickly, but La Carta is not McDonald's. And my party of 14 certainly intended to spend well above the Dollar Menu. Nevertheless, the Carta manager was unmoving, and showed not a whince of empathy in turning away my 94 year old grandma, two baby cousins, and an excited party of 14, sending us out into the Seattle snowstorm without so much as an option for a table on a busy saturday night. Luckily the people at Matador (across the way on Ballard Ave) happily seated our large table (which had shrunk a tiny bit because the little babies could not stay in the cold weather waiting for us to find a new restaurant.) We had loved Carta, we don't anymore. They turned away a loyal customer group in us, would not let my grandmother stand inside out of the snowy weather as we were forced to completely alter our dinner plans, and most of all, showed absolutely no empathy compassion or even business sense (we spent over a grand at Matador) in dealing with our late party. Super bummer.
(1)Chalker S.
Great food and nice atmosphere! The portions are a bit small, but the food is so good!
(5)Steph C.
One of my lasts nights in Seattle, Michael K. and I went for dinner at The Walrus & The Carpenter. There was a long wait when we showed up, and since we are not normal, healthy people who treat our bodies with respect, we decided to spend that time getting a small first dinner. We got a table right away, and I liked the casual, festive look of the place. Service was fast, if not particularly friendly, and we were in and out with perfect timing. We had a round of drinks and shared one plate of mole, flexing our muscles of moderation. The drinks were a bit disappointing. I had the Primer Beso, a cocktail of pineapple infused mezcal, Triple Sec, and orange juice with a gusano salt rim. It was okay, and I liked the combination of sweet pineapple and smokey mezcal, but the gusano salt was so spicy it took over the drink entirely. I say this as someone who loves spicy cocktails - this one was too much. Mike had the Pomelo, a margarita variation with Sauza Silver, Triple Sec, Campari, and fresh lemon. Maybe I just don't love Campari, but I found this one to be overly harsh and bitter. The mole, though, made our stop more than worthwhile. We split one order of the mole negro oaxaqueño with chicken, and it was just delicious. The chicken was moist and flavorful, falling off the bone, and it came bathed in that rich, dark, spiced, complex black mole. The portion was small, though it's possible I felt that way because I wanted to eat more and more of it. We finished every drop of mole sauce with the fluffy rice and tortillas that came with the chicken. La Carta de Oaxaca has a pretty broad menu, but I'd have a hard time eating here and ordering anything but the mole. I can't imagine that anything tops it, and I'd like to stop in for another mole snack when I come back to Seattle.
(4)Liz S.
Delicious halibut fish tacos! The tortillas were amazing and all of the flavors were wonderful, especially the sauce. Very fresh ingredients. The tortilla chips came out hot and delicious as well. We ordered guacamole with the chips and the serving of guac was really only enough for one person. We tried a couple salsas from the salsa bar to use up the rest of the chips. Yummy salsa with a good amount of spice. I also enjoyed the sangria, which was on the strong side (how all drinks should be). One entree should be enough to fill the average person up if you also eat some chips and enjoy a beverage.
(4)Rob D.
This is one of those places that is so consistently good that you take it for granted. Been there at least a dozen times and I always leave thinking how amazing it is and how I need to go more often. Some of the plates are smaller and great for sharing. The mole is fantastic just the right hint of sweetness. This isn't a greasy enchilada kind of place. Clean presentation and great flavors on just classic traditional Mexican food. Salsa bar is always a plus and a long list of tequilas to try. I always try to order something new every time I go and I'm yet to leave disappointed. Can get crowded on the weekends but I've never had to wait too long when it's just two of us.
(5)Tan Lo S.
There is so much hype for this place, I never knew until I got there. I have always heard through the grape vine that this place was good & every time I pass by, there's tons of people outside. Que loco! We arrive, and check-in, only to find out there are a ton of people & we have to wait 40 minutes max. We agree to try it out & and wait. We left & came back 20 minutes later and waited another 10. We were warmly greeted by either the owner, or head person in charge. The noise level is loud--extremely loud, but not so loud where you can't have a normal conversation. We didn't have to yell, but it was just busy busy busy! The chips & salsa/guacamole are an additional $5, not free. We were seated and pondered what to order. Finally, after some thought, good service/water, we decide. We got the tacos fritos (pulled chicken) I think $7 or $8, the lamb birria (stew) $11, and the chicken empenadas (I think $7 or $8). We all shared the food so we could taste it. Sadly, I thought the best dish was the rice and beans. 1 friend said the stew was the best, while 1 enjoyed her fritos... I personally thought the tacos fritos were hard, dry, and not very flavorful. They were pretty much flautas. You had to add pico de gallo or salsa to bring about more flavor. The empanada was okay. It did not taste like curry sauce--more like cheese. I thought it had a weird taste to it and was not my favorite. The lamb birria wasn't bad. It was tender lamb, but not my favorite due to the lamb flavoring. Overall, I thought the food was about 3.5 stars. My friend, who is from Oaxaca, ME said that it was alright at the time. The servings are rather small & a bit pricey. The service was impeccable, even with the crazy busy wait staff. The salsa bar is cool but you do have to dance around the waiters/servers. Enjoy the crowd, somewhat tasty food, good service & long wait. I might come back, but it won't be my "go-to" spot.
(3)Katrina L.
One word: entomatadas. That's the only thing that we order here. The beef is tender and flavorful. The sauce is garlicky and delicious! I met a few people who go here and only get entomatadas as well and we became instant BFFs. It's hard to try something else! Their margaritas are strong and good. The wait hasn't been as bad since they opened 2 other restaurants, one in cap hill and the other in Queen Anne.
(5)Shawna B.
Nothing compares to Oaxaca for authentic, delicious Mexican food in this city. Everything is wonderful-- and their margaritas are SUCH an excellent way to pass the time while you wait for a table. Their locations in Capital Hill and Queen Anne are equally excellent (with less crowds), so i was thrilled to be able to eat their delicious food no matter what neighborhood i am passing through on a particular day. Get thee to Oaxaca!!!
(5)Emily R.
Quick turn around on the wait time, great cocktails, and great tacos. The mole negro was incredible! I definitely recommend this for a casual, delicious dinner spot. And, it's right next to the hot cakes :)
(5)Michelle M.
Good. Loud. Food is excellent...authentic. Our waiter kept disappearing but I think he was just slammed. Super good food. Parking almost impossible but it was a Saturday night. Couldn't hear the 3 other folks sitting at my table. But you don't need to talk...the food is crazy good.
(4)Eve T.
Am I missing something? Did I go on a bad night? I'm really confused about why this restaurant is rated so highly. Granted my husband and I went on a Saturday night at 7pm and there was a long wait- we still took our chances to eat at the "best" Oaxacan restaurant in Seattle. Man, 45 minutes of waiting and what a disappointment! First, I couldn't even hear over the loud music and conversations to hear what the waiter was saying. Second, they ask if you'd like chips and guacamole which in my experience in all Denver restaurants is on the house but here they charge $6.99!! We didn't even get a second fill of chips. Ugh! Husband ordered the "famous" mole tamale. The only thing we tasted was a sweet smoky chocolate flavor. Nothing more, nothing less. The biggest disappointment was my tacos al pastor. According to Wikipedia, al pastor means "Pork marinated in a combination of dried chiles, spices and pineapple...then slowly cooked with a gas flame on a vertical rotisserie... with a piece of fresh onion and a pineapple on top. The juice from the pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein and thus makes meat tender." The tacos al pastor that was served to me was nothing of this sort. I didn't even see a vertical rotisserie in their "open kitchen". The pork was chunky, not sliced or shredded, it tasted like it was soaked in sweet sauce for days. Their menu even says "barbecued pork". What a shame! If you want REAL tacos al pastor- I would recommend 5 stars, hands down Tacos Chukis in CapHill. Service was ok, they sat us down, took our orders, food came out quickly, then ignored us the rest of the night. I would give La Carta another chance but only if it comes to desperate times.
(2)James W.
Great food and amazing drinks. I was hoping for a casual place with simple yet quality Mexican food. The staff definitely delivered. My only suggestion would be to order an appetizer with your meal if you're hungry and ordering tacos as your entry. They're good but they aren't huge so they may not satisfy a starving person.
(5)Michelle D.
Delicious food and drinks. Loud communal atmosphere. My favorite taco place in town. I love the civiche, tacos and the strong margaritas. I almost always have to wait, but it goes by quickly. The service is fast and diner-like, but the delicious food makes up for it if you're expecting the loud communal atmosphere.
(5)Krisa H.
This is the sister restaurant to Queen Anne's Mezcaleria Oaxaca and shares many of the same dishes served there. The tacos carne asada are worth a visit and order 2 to make a meal of them. These little guys have a nice kick to them and come 3 to a plate. I also love their tortilla chips - always super fresh. We also tried the fried quesadillas smothered with guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream for the first time and they were a great start the night. All in all I'd go again but I prefer the ambiance of Mezcaleria more.
(4)Noemi M.
Ay, frijoles!!! Seattleites, you've got a real winner here! Let me start off by saying that my experiences eating Mexican food in the Northwest have been lackluster. Being of Mexican heritage and growing up in Los Angeles, I've had my share of some pretty excellent Mexican food, especially Oaxacan. So, when La Carta de Oaxaca was recommended to me while visiting Seattle, I had two thoughts going through my head, "Oh, wow! Really?! A Oaxacan restaurant in Seattle? I LOVE Oaxacan food! I need to check it out!", and then my other thought was, "Really? A great authentic Oaxacan restaurant in Seattle? I don't believe it. Serioulsy? Well, I'll give it a try." So, here was my experience at La Carta de Oaxaca... It was a drizzly Saturday night in November, and I was hungry. I walked into this place (I was in Seattle for a teacher conference) and it was packed! Lucky for me, since I was by myself, I was seated immediately by one of the friendly servers. I noticed that some of the staff here were either Oaxacan or Latino, and spoke Spanish. This quickly put me at ease and I felt I was back at home. Right away, they seated me with a bunch of folks at a long table. I really liked the whole communal experience. As I was seated, I took some time to look around. The feeling that I got from this place was one of celebration, it just made me feel happy inside, and this was BEFORE I ordered my food! This is definitely a fun place to eat a meal and hang out. I loved the decor! The place was fairly bright with all sorts of large pics on the walls of Oaxacan people and daily life. It was very stream lined. Really cool without the big fuss. Also, I noticed that Mexican ranchera music was playing, which added to the festivity of the place. Made me feel quite fuzzy inside. :) So, I ordered the mole negro Oaxaqueno (I grew up eating and LOVING mole), which came with rice and corn tortillas. My meal was so delicately delectable, especially with the richness of chocolate that is an important ingredient in mole. Even as I write this review, my mouth is seriously watering. SERIOUSLY. Dear me! I found myself sopping up the sauce with my tortillas, not wanting to waste any part of my meal! And though this place was rather hipster/yupster, it reminded me of a place that I'd find in a plaza in L.A. next to a laundromat and mini-mart. So down to earth and downright delicious. Folks, this place is the real deal. No fakers here. This food reminds me of the places you'd find in SoCal with their plethora of Oaxacan restaurants. So tasty. Mas, por favor! Another awesome reason why I should move to Seattle.
(5)Claire M.
An old faithful that never disappoints. iI have had everything on the menu and love it all. The delicious food combined with some stiff margaritas makes this a great go-to spot in Ballard.
(5)Adri F.
La Carta de Oaxaca does not disappoint. The food is solid and the product is consistent. The tacos are tasty and the salsa bar makes my heart smile a little. Sure it's always packed and sitting at the bar might land you next to a very warm tortilla grill. BUT! The pozole is all I need to make me visit again and again. Particularly on a cold rainy day...too bad we don't have enough of those here in Seattle. Right!?!?
(4)Kris L.
I feel this place gets a rare 5 star from me. After trying an over abundance of standard run of the mill Mexican restaurants, this place had some unique flavors that really surprised me! Great salsa bar and guacamole for a starter as well. I wanted to go around and try everyone else's food in the restaurant! I wish I had more stomachs like a cow! I try to only give 5 stars from a place that serves something truly superior or unique to my eating experience. This place serves a lot of meals you will know and recognize, but they do it in a style that is rarely seen and they do it well. Be prepared for eating in close quarters, talking the whole time about how amazing the food is and planning your return trip.
(5)Les T.
If Chili relleno is your thing, they do a great version. Most places these days over do it, and it becomes greasy and messy. Here, they let the basic ingredients do the speaking. Great, firm egg fry, and welcomed hints of smoky heat. It's awesome!
(5)Yessica H.
I feel like this place is 7/10 in my book but since we are in a 5 point rating I'll bump it up to a 4/5. I like to think of myself as a Mexican food expert. I like my tortillas freshly made and my salsa's spicy. This place had it. I loved the food and the artwork that hung on the walls. I liked the small feeling you felt as soon as you walked in. I would suggest it to any one who may want Mexican food, in Ballard. Don't get me wrong, I really liked this place but for the size portions and the prices I expected just a little more. I don't think I would drive all the way out to Ballad just for this food but I am happy I finally got to try it and see what all the hype was about.
(4)Bea G.
Crowd: We went on a Friday night, but only had to wait about 10 minutes. Tables are a bit close, so hope you like your neighbors! Drinks: My drink was STRONG but very tasty. Most drinks are about ~$9 Appetizers: We got the chips and guac. They also have a salsa bar, which is fun to taste 5 varieties of salsa. ~$6 Meal: We got the al pastor and mole. Both were tasty, but very small portions. If we hadn't had an appetizer, we wouldn't have been full. Noise Level: Definitely a bit loud. They could probably use some sound dampening on the ceiling. Service: Fairly quick. Not super friendly but not cold either. Overall: It was fine but nothing stood out to us as a reason to go back again.
(3)Tiffany C.
This reminds me of Tacombi in NY. Small, quaint, unique little place that offers dishes that have a twist on Mexican food. If you are expecting authentic grilled carne asada, chicken, w onion and cilantro with unlimited chips & salsa- this is not the place, but it is definitely worth trying out. My BF and I went on a Fri night and we were packed in there like sardines. We were actually pretty miserable, considering that the 2 couples we were squished in between at a family-style table, were screaming at the top of their lungs to be able to hear each other. I thought the food was delicious but my bf brought up a good point-- we ordered a total of 3 dishes to share between the 2 of us, and we both left still hungry! It def isn't like your usual authentic Mexican food restaurant that will leave you stuffed with leftovers from a super-sized burrito...
(4)Adam L.
I grew up eating food like this at my grandparent's house, so I was a little nervous that this place wouldn't live up to the Oaxacan food I remembered from my childhood. Specifically, I knew the mole would be a huge factor for me. I LOVE good mole, and Oaxacan mole is my favorite, but its easy to mess up, since there can be so many ingredients. I was impressed. The mole was sweet, just teetering on the edge of too sweet but when it was paired with the tortillas (fresh and delicious, also a big factor) it was perfect. The fish tacos were also out of this world, and they had a great selection of cheap mexican beer. I'll definitely be back, and I'm excited to try the tamales in some of that fantastic mole. The wait for this place was completely worth it.
(5)Pollyanna M.
Love the ambiance of this place - a little loud but friendly and inviting. Was greeted with fast-served (awesome) margaritas and chips/guacamole. They had a salsa bar nearby as well, with a good variety of options. The guacamole and salsas were fine, but the chips weren't that great. I ordered the Enchiladas Verdes Con Pollo and wasn't disappointed. Great authentic sauce in my opinion. Will be coming back!
(5)raymond l.
Not a fan of the mole Ranked: Tacos carne asada Mole with chicken --the line-- Tacos al pastor Mole with pork Mole tamale with chicken
(3)Richard C.
Having lived a significant portion of my life in Central America, I am always looking for authentic flavors from Latin America. This place doesn't dissappoint. The michilada is the perfect start, especially after a late night, and the salsa bar offers a great variety, from mild to very spicy! I highly reccomend this place to anyone looking for authentic!
(5)Amanda M.
The chicken mole. The guac. The salsas. The enchiladas. All so delish. One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. Cute atmosphere and fast service. Fairly inexpensive for the quality of food. Yum my mouth is actually watering just thinking about it.
(5)Terry R.
This place is always top notch. My fiance and I come here all the time. They simply never disappoint. The food is always awesome, the drinks are well made, and they are super friendly. If you are in Ballard and have never been this is a must dine experience.
(5)Lily S.
Best mole in the Seattle area...hands down. For real. And I don't even like mole that much, but daaaaaamn, I will kill some chicken mole here. This is also one of the only places I have ever gone back to the dark side and tasted a flight of tequila...without my jaw sweating - bonus! If you're there for lunch, might I suggest ordering the chilequiles - they're simple, spicy, and very filling - you can't go wrong. Actually, order anything - you won't be disappointed!
(5)Mig o.
I have been going to La Carta for a few years now. I can truly say this place is consistent with service and amazing food. We are never disappointed. Even when we have to wait for a table. Love this place and the margaritas are good! Hands down one of the best restaurants in Ballard.
(4)Dan O.
Looking for Mexican in all the wrong places... This joint feels fake almost like a hipstery version of Mexican food- cold and calculated...Which really goes against the grain of Mexican food. So.. The good: Salsa bar was nice and the rolling baskets of chips was great to compliment. It was by far the best part of our meal. After that it was fairly downhill.. Service was curt- no hello or hi.. Just are you ready to order... The runner/busser just drops food off like he's sliding your table Secret Government documents as he scurries away. The portions are Small.., take it for what it is.. But the prices are really not reflective of the value in terms of Quantity..Unfortunately it is neither reflective of Quality- the 1st can get overlooked but the latter not so much... For a lack of a better term... I think the food hovers around ... Mediocre. I ordered enchiladas in green sauce with rice and beans.. Beans were very good, but the rest tasted like the Amy's Mexican frozen dinner line (not knocking it- I think they're Tasty... For a frozen dinner).. But not at a sit down place. Rice was bland, the whole main entree was dull ... Wife had Tacos.. Dry with a little dash of dry... The Wife had Tacos and she didn't finish her plate. Overall .. Still in search for that complete Mexican joint.. authentic, honest & a great value.. Carta may hit some if these notes once in while but definitely not every time.
(2)Suzy R.
Very disapointed I was expecting better service and warm food. Got the opposite with stale chips that are not free, and very uncomfortable seating.
(2)Lynn H.
I'm confused as to why this place receives such high ratings, but I'll try to keep this short and sassy because from the corner of my eye I can see all of the highly rated reviews from other people... I tried the chips and guacamole with all of the different salsas. Mediocre. But hey did I come here to review what should've been FREE? No. The main course was no better. I had the Enchiladas Verdes Con Pollo and felt the presentation was lacking to say the least. It tasted the way it looked. Not good. It was flavorless and honestly I was questioning whether the chicken was past its expiration date. My BF had the Tamales De Mole Negro and not only was it a rather small portion, it was also tasteless. Oh how we should've just gone to Chipotle.
(1)Sara C.
Love, love, love. The best mexican that we have had in a long time (and we frequent Dallas, TX). Service is great and fast, especially our last visit. Gave the host my name and party size. We then found out that one of our friends was going to be late to dinner. I went back and told him that we were going to go grab a drink elsewhere and would be back and get our name back on the list. We returned in about 45 minutes and he squeezed us right into a table in the back because he remembered me. HUGE props for badass customer service there. House margaritas have a kick and will leave you feeling JUST right. Enchiladas served with an egg...are you kidding? Perfection.
(5)C K.
I've been loving La Carta de Oaxaca for years, and each experience has been delicious. Love the chile relleno, love the mole sauce (which is not saying anything unique--EVERYONE loves the mole here). Staff members are always friendly, but not fake or cloying. They are just friendly people doing the good work of cooking and serving delicious food to Ballardites, Seattleites, and the world! randomseattle.com
(5)Katie S.
I love La Carta de Oaxaca. Fresh, small plate, true mexican food. No gigantic, greasy plates of goopy refried beans and dried out rice here! Everything appears to be made from scratch and by hand. I'm a sucker for a good taco and the smokey sweet flavors of the Tacos Al Pastor are just one of my favorites. Since the plates are small, this is the place to order 2 or three plates, if you are out with a friend, or try one of everything for a larger group. Oaxaca in Ballard has a great "community" table that can be a fantastic way to meet some new dining buddies. If you don't like a crowd, I suggest going on an early week night when it is less busy. On the weekends be prepared to wait for a table. There is not usually much room at the bar so grabbing a beer at one of the many nearby bars is an option while you wait, although, I would make it quick since the staff turns tables at break neck speeds and if you miss your name being called you are out of luck. MMMMM....taco, tamales, and mole....oh my!
(4)Monica H.
Excellent enchiladas & cocktails. Tables were a little close for comfort!
(4)Alicia B.
Amazing authentic!!! So good!!!!! The taco and chips and bean!!!! And great price :)
(5)Monali P.
Sipping on my El Buho, a vanilla infused mezcal, and noshing on some crunchy, thin chips, creamy guac and spicy salsa, I'm pretty happy at La Carta. My favorite thing to order is the #15, the camarones marinated in lime, chili and garlic, served with rice and beans and a tangy tomato sauce, and slices of avocado. It really hits the spot. Flavors are popping, as is freshness of ingredients. Portions are not too large, not too small. I've had the mole before and while it's good, it's not the best I've had. But I've had homemade mole at a friend's place and frequented a Oaxacan restaurant in DC where I sampled every mole under the sun. So, I'm a bit picky. I also wish they featured squash blossoms, grasshoppers and an authentic hot chocolate drink. I've experienced these items before at a traditional Oaxacan restaurant and wonder why Carta chooses not to serve them. Maybe they do, but on occasion? What excites me is that the food here is tasty. The kind of tasty that awakens my taste buds. They also offer a crap load of mezcals (and offer mezcal flights!), service is prompt, and it's in my neighborhood. Granted, I won't come here on a weekend night. But that rings true of almost any good restaurant in Ballard. I don't like to wait in line and have to yell at my dinner companion to be heard. So I'll head over on a week night. No biggie. Also, seating is a little crowded and when full, it's hard to hold a conversation and you might unwittingly end up with additional dinner partners since the tables really are that close. But honestly, am I going to let lines and crowds determine my review of this place? NO. I like tasty Oaxacan food and legit tequila. I get both here, and I always leave satisfied, and feel that I got my money's worth.
(4)Jennifer B.
First off, if you are exceptionally hungry, don't go here - the wait is legendary for a table in this tiny place. But if you can wait, you will be greatly rewarded. I have yet to have something here I didn't like, but I do have two "don't miss" items that accompany any meal at La Carta: the fresh-made guacamole and the tamal de mole negro. Eat those and your life will never be the same. You're welcome.
(4)Andy L.
Here's the thing: it's hard to fuck up tacos. My wife ordered the carne asada tacos here, and of course they were good. Get steak and some decent tortillas, and of course you're going to be cooking up some kick-ass tacos. That being said, La Carta's tacos are pretty damn good. Also damn good was the lamb birria, my order. Tender chunks of lamb in a delicious sauce, served with an inadequate quantity of delicious flour tortillas. I don't know if they would have given me more tortillas if I asked, but the 2 I was given did not cover the amount of delicous things I had to put in them. Boozy, large margaritas. The wife and I were quite jolly after our meal and happily stumbled around Ballard for awhile. Let's get down to brass tacks: Pros: Boozy margs, lamb birria, salsa bar (really good), carne asada tacos (again, hard to fuck up) Cons: Not enough tortillas w/entree, have to pay for tortilla chips (derp), probably too expensive (but if you're desperate for good Mexican in Seattle, this is a decent choice.) This place gets 4 stars because of the lamb, the salsa bar, and the margaritas, all of which I would eat/drink all day long. I might have a drinking problem.
(4)Dubya R.
I love mole. If it's on the menu, it's in my belly. La Carta has the best mole I've ever had. Not too sweet, richly flavorful, with amazing homemade tortillas. Service was adequate and they charge $3 for chips and the (hot!) salsa bar.
(4)Gustavo M.
Expert tip before we begin: ask to sit at the bar on cold weather. The counter top gets warm, and you get extra whiffs from the kitchen :) On to the review. Two words: CHIPS & SALSA (Okay, 3 words, but who's counting!) They make their chips to order, you can see them frying, as your mouth starts watering in anticipation. By the time the cooks start salting them you're ready to jump in on the kitchen, because, if you've been there before, you know they're gonna be warm to the touch, and delicious every bite! If this is your first time, prepare to taste chip greatness! My favorite chip salsa in Oaxaca is their Pico de Gallo. I just came back from Mexico, and their Pico de Gallo reminds me a lot of the tasty "Mexican Salsa" I enjoyed in Puerto Vallarta. Sadly, Oaxaca doesn't offer this, but their salsa bar is varied, including several flavors that you can try--and Pico de Gallo is close enough anyway :) Oh, when I say try, I mean "try at your own risk", because some salsas can be REALLY hot! Just ask your server, and they'll tell you their names and whether they're hot or not. Bonus: mix in some Guacamole to your chip and Pico de Gallo to experience Aztec Bliss!!! Expert tip: even if you try spicy hot stuff, drowning the chip in guacamole will take the edge away. MAIN DISHES Try the Halibut Tacos for a different experience, or their Tacos Carne Asada (or pork when they have it) for a more traditional flavor. Beware of ordering too much. Every time I've been there, no matter how hungry I was on arrival, I've filled up on chips and salsa, cuz they're so awesome! If it seems like I'm going on and on about their chips, it's because they're so worth it! Actually, I think I could just go make the trip there just for chips and salsa! I swear just writing this review makes me crave it so much I can smell warm chips! Who's in?
(5)Erin H.
Awesome drinks and really good (a bit pricey) food! Prompt and friendly service. Nice seating out front and table in the far back with open windows. I had the mole tamale and was very pleased.
(4)Ji-Ae K.
LOVE this place! Just can never seem to get enough of their food. One of my favorite dishes is the chicken mole, it has a great flavor and sweetness that make my mouth water just thinking about it. I am pretty picky when it comes to guacamole and they do a good job with theirs, no out of the package stuff, freshly made and their salsa bar is great too! We pretty much get the same items when we go, tacos carne asada, tacos al pastor, mole negro (chicken), the guacamole and sometimes their margaritas (caution, they make them pretty strong!!). I highly recommend this place.
(5)Alden C.
As I continue to explore the Seattle area for Mexican restaurants and try to accrue a handful of them to be my "go to" places I came across La Carta de Oaxaca. It is nestled in the business area of Ballard and I was excited to give a new place a try! The place was full, all good signs to indicate that I picked a good place. And I did. Is it one of my "go to" Mexican places? Well... I was promptly seated by the host and had a very fine menu placed in front of me. I ordered the Enchiladas with Red Sauce and an egg on the side. The food is good. No doubt about that! The flavors are unique and I enjoyed the meal. The portions seem small to me. Especially for the price you pay. I know, you get what you pay for I suppose. The enchiladas did not have any sides like beans or rice and you do not get complimentary chips and salsa either. They do have a salsa bar you can use to accompany with your entrees. Despite those gripes the overall dining experience was good and I would consider going back.
(3)Chris A.
Since the last couple reviews for La Carta have been disappointing, let me set the record straight =]. For starters, I love Mexican food and La Carta De Oxaca is the best mexican food in Seattle, hands down. Being from SoCal, I've been having major Mexican food withdrawal. SERIOUS withdrawal. And I can say that La Carta De Oxaca satisfies my cravings every time. I will admit that its pretty pricey, but its tasty and authentic. If you like Mexican as much as I do, its totally worth the extra bucks. Its good solid home cooked Mexican food. So LGI, baby LETS GET IT. LETS GO. Tortilla Chips and Guacamole: Solid starter, but a shame you have to pay extra for the chips and guacamole. Nevertheless, I don't think I've ever gone to La Carta and not ordered chips and guacamole. I make a lot of guacamole myself and back in California and this guacamole is good. Tacos: All the tortillas are hand made from scratch. No store bought tortillas here. As a result the tacos are good. All the tacos are typical street style tacos with meat, onions, cilantro and salsa. My opinion is that the carne asada is the best but to be honest, the pescado, al pastor, or pollo are all good. Mole: Southern California has great mole, but I've never really been a fan. Not sure if its the color or the flavor, but even for me (a no-mole guy haha) the mole here is good. All my friends that enjoy mole, I've been told that the mole here is excellent. Lamb Birria: Muy delicioso. I love the lamb birria and occasionally they have a beef birria which is also good. The plate comes with a side of beans and rice and some more of those delicious tortillas. Make your own taco/burrito and have a nice dinner :) Summary: Good eating. Good good eating. There absolutely nothing quite like some good tacos and a beer. La Carta is great but just make sure you bring enough cash. The only reason i've given them a 4/5 is because I don't think any mexican food compares with food from east LA and San Diego, but this is a close second. =] Happy Eating!
(4)HeeBee G.
As far as local Mexican food offerings go, this is one of my better experiences. The restaurant is squeezed into charming little Ballard Avenue where parking can be a challenge. The place itself isn't very big and most of the tables are closely spaced or you sit family style around a long table...cozy. Unfortunately, it shares the rest of Seattle's aversion to air conditioning and can get a little stuffy on a warm day. We arrived at 2:00pm on a still busy Saturday and the noise level was appreciable. It isn't a place for intimate conversations. The kitchen staff was busy cranking out one dish after another and the aromas were amazing. There is also a nice salsa bar. I had the Tacos al Pastor (three soft tacos) the hub the Tacos Fritos (three crispy tacos). They do not come with side dishes...more like small plates. The drinks were lukewarm...would have helped to have a nice cold beer on such a warm day. Also, this is one of the few Mexican restaurants that I have been to that does not offer complimentary chips and salsa. C'mon....chips are as cheap as, well, chips... Although the food was fresh and tasty, it was still lacking the flavor profile of the places I remember growing up with in the Southwest. But, all in all, a good place for a fresh, bite.
(3)Sara F.
After wondering around in Ballard we decided to try this place. It was a Saturday night, and the tables were full. The waitress managed to find us 4 seats on a common table in the back of a restaurant, another cool thing you sit and eat food with strangers. Their chips are house made, warm and fresh and their salsas are really good, a bit spices but they are perfect with their house margarita. I ordered the mole oxacan and it was really good, I ended up finishing the whole plate, which I never do when eating mexican food. My husband ordered the carne asada and the meat was perfect. Probably will order it the next time I go there, yes I will be back. Everything was perfect, wish the portions were bigger though, we had to go eat at dicks after 3 hours and that's a first to me after eating Mexican. Usually I stay bloated for 2 days because of the beans.
(5)Kenny V.
Me gusta! I visited La Carta years ago and was totally impressed, only to forget the name of the restaurant and not be able to find the place again :'(. Through the help of Yelp, I was able to go back to La Carta de Oaxaca and it did not disappoint! A ~20 minute wait is usually expected as this place seems quite popular, but the food is worth it. Service is not spectacular and potentially slow if it's packed and later in the evening. A lot of the time I had to flag down a passing server to get something, but I can't complain too much since I always get what I want in the end. The menu is composed of 20 or so small dishes (~$9 a plate) that are perfect for sharing. I really enjoyed the carne asada tacos, halibut tacos, and mole pork. A lot of people will complain that chips + guac aren't free, but they're tasty enough to warrant it. Make sure to check out their salsa selections sitting out on the bar as well. What keeps me coming back is that La Carta is a different breed of Mexican food than your Azteca-esque restaurant. It strays from the refried beans and offers something authentic(?) and delicious.
(5)Tom S.
Excellent food and fast service. The carne asada platter is delicious, and their molé is really unique and complex tasting. Really nice selection of Mezcal, too. Will definitely be back. Also worth mentioning is that the portion sizes are perfect. Not too little and also not the mountains of food some restaurants call a serving for one person.
(4)Kt H.
So delicious! And such a great atmosphere. Great spice without losing the flavor. It's small so expect to wait but max of 20 min as they move people in and out quickly. And it's totally worth the wait. There is a back table area too that's nice and open.
(5)Chelsea J.
La Carta is deserving of its reputation as the best Mexican joint in Seattle. It's definitely one of my favorite places to grab dinner and drinks if you have a little time to wait for a table. Service is always nice and they're always busy. Last night I went with a group of friends and I was pleasantly surprised they were able to seat the 6 of us together in the back room. Nice! I had the tacos al pastor and they were packed with flavor. This is real bang for your buck at only $6 for 2 tacos! With the chips and salsa and guacamole plus the two tacos I was very full. The prices are so reasonable, too. My favorite dishes are the chicken mole, the tacos al pastor, and the halibut tacos. Who am I kidding, I love everything I've had here! Service was a bit slow and absent last night (no drink order refills, no one came to take our check) but that's forgivable because we were in the back room. I will be back again and again!
(5)Ali B.
The food I had was pretty tasty. I tried the albondigas meatball soup. But it was very crowded when we went for lunch on a Sunday. We were a party of 5 and crammed between 2 other parties at the same large table. I wanted to get some salsa to go with the chips (which are not free here the way they are at many places that serve Latin American food), but given how cramped it was, I just didn't think I could make it to the salsa area and back with my 3 year old. So I skipped it. I recommend going at a less crowded time.
(3)Marissa B.
This place was by far one of the worst dining experiences I have had since moving to Seattle. When I first got there, I was told that the wait would only be 10 minutes, which I figured was reasonable, considering there was only two of us. However, we ended up waiting for almost 45 minutes to get seated, and when we finally were, we were placed about 1 foot away from the couple next to us, which made for an uncomfortable experience. On top of that, we had to wait ten minutes after being seated to even get some water (and that was the only time that we got water all night!!!) Unlike most Mexican restaurants, they charge you for absolutely everything, EVEN THE CHIPS!!! All of the food that was served at this establishment tasted as if it came out of a can, especially the molé that was supposed to be their house specialty. I would say that you should avoid this place at all costs- if you can open a can on your own, you can have the same quality of food as La Carta de Oaxaca, only within the comfort of your own home.
(1)Stephen M.
Beautiful evening, highly rated restaurant -- what's not to like? Well, the service for starters. We arrived before my daughter to treat her to birthday dinner. We said the party would be 4, with one person on their way. We were seated back through the kitchen in an area with a 20' long table and multiple parties, 6 of 16 seats filled. Got a phone call from daughter, on her way, saying her boyfriend would be joining. Informed the server that we would be 5 instead of 4. A couple minutes later the door man came to our table and informed us this would be a problem and that he would have never seated us if he'd known my daughter wasn't arriving immediately (did he ask this at the front door? NO) We offered to have boyfriend seated at the end of the table to not have this impact the total number of seats available at the table. The doorman repeated about five times in 3 minute rant that he was busy and would have never seated us if he'd known. (Apparently paying customers are, well, just a hassle.) Daughter arrived two minutes later with boyfriend and the rest of the service and the dinner went ok -- impersonal service and drinks never refilled, but at least not UNPLEASANT. Thank heavens my daughter wasn't at the table when this happened, our other guest described it as "embarrassing" and actually thought we were going to get thrown out of the place. The food was good, tasty with relatively small portions -- and the service left a bad taste in our mouths. Yes, you're getting one sentence on the food and the rest about our ill treatment. It's too bad, really, since it's a place I wanted to like. But there are a lot of other places I can get good food, reasonable customer service, and frankly, respect. The food isn't THAT good.
(2)E W.
Charming tree lined street, small quaint restaurant. Some tables are family style so you may be sitting next to strangers. Street parking only so plan accordining. Attentive service. Ordered the chips & quac. Delish. A hint of spice in the chunky tomatoey quac but not too spicy for the kids to also enjoy. House margarita was generously poured & they hand many house flavors, but I went with the traditional. We ordered: Pork Mole: Sweet, chocolatey sauce, tender pork. A winner. Not a huge portion of port but enough to fill 2 6 inch tortillas. Beef rolled tacos: The best rolled tacos I have ever eaten ever & I eat Mexican food a couple of times a week! Authentic, hand made, deliciously seasoned shredded beef. Not spicy at all & perfect for kids. Yummo! Carne Asada tacos: My 10 yr old ate the first order in about 30 seconds. the meat was salty crunchy & tender at the same time. We ordered a second plate for the rest of the table to try. The consensus was 3 for the rolled tacos (with the carne asada a close second) & 1 for the Carne asada. Halibut Tacos: Tasty. The creamy salsa on top was sweet and spicy. It should be wrapped in 2 tortillas however as it immediately was soggy and disintegrated in my hands. I tasted just a good with a fork. 5 stars for food. 4 on ambiance. 3 on portion size - which is probably an accurate portion size but the food is so tastey we wanted more.
(4)Tracie B.
Holy mole and thats about it for me! I've heard a lot of great things about this place. Perhaps I should go back and take a regular with me to help me through the menu. I'll be back.
(3)eve s.
I really want to like La Carta de Oaxaca, really. But after my second time trying it, I think I'm just not a fan of this style of Mexican. I'm more of a Northern/Central Mexican food fan; I prefer pintos to black beans, burritos with machaca meat, creamy cheeses (no, not cheddar like they sprinkle on everything at Azteca!) tomatoey rice with potatoes in it to standard rice, tamales in corn husks (not banana leaves), salsas without chipotle flavor dominating, etc. It seems like everything here is "smoky"-- which is fine if that's your thing. For me, I like smoky in my barbeque. The portions are not very big here, and the prices would seem misguided. My husband and I ended up ordering a third dish to actually get us to "full" status. Oh, and $3 for a soda?!? Guacamole and chips are $5, know that ahead of time. For that $5 you will get less guac than a small scoop of ice cream-- think gelato-sized scoop. It's tasty, and not smoky flavored-- so it was my favorite dish. Sad, because I could easily make that at home. The special of the day was chilaquiles-- and they were decent, more spicy/zesty than smoky. If I find myself here again, I hope they are available because the other items I tried were just bland. Beef tacos fritos, cheese chile relleno, and my toddler's quesadilla, beans , and rice-- all were very bland, but smoky ;-) . The service is brusque, not as rude as I've read in other reviews-- but it was lunchtime. The interior is extremely loud! Seriously, do not come here for a conversation with your meal. I think this is intentional, so you will eat and get out ASAP. The salsa bar is fine-- again, lots of chipotle happening. I just can't see myself ever waiting to eat here. I think folks who really like this place must like chipotle flavor, a lot.
(2)Tasha B.
The current manager of this location has the worst customer service I have ever experienced. Me and my partner ate here last night and she ordered the fish taco's. When they came you could smell something fishy... not the good kind of fishy, the bad fishy. When my partner took one bite of them it was obvious that they were bad and the fish was rotten!! After complaining to the manager he asked if we wanted to order something else, while also informed us that we would have to pay for the high price meal regardless of what we ordered. We said you are going to charge us for rotten fish? he said he tasted the taco's and they were delicious and it must be that we just don't like the taco's" We tried to explain that it was not that she did not like the taco's it is that the fish is rotten. This manager went out of his way to continue to belittle and insult my partner by saying that it would be a different story if their is something wrong with the food but since we did not like the dish he would not be able to charge us for the lower price dish. I strongly suggest you eat at the Capital Hill location!!
(1)J F.
Yum! Bartender recommended a jalapeno margarita and it was.. on fire ;) Great food, we even ordered an extra entree to share just to have something else to taste. Great chips/salsa situation with massive bowls of many kinds of salsa self-serve right next to the kitchen. Fun/busy atmosphere. Great eats/vibe
(5)Kyle W.
Exceptional food. Great traditional Oaxacan fair. The portions however are a little light for the price. The staff is usually friendly and knowledgable.
(4)Misha T.
The fish tacos were really good but not for $14/3 tacos. I mean really, that's kind of a crazy price for 2 bites of food. And they don't have the molotes anymore. Sad days.
(3)Sajani S.
The lamb stew was amaaaaaaaze!!!! :D
(4)Rachel H.
Hands down best Mexican food in Seattle. The chicken mole is delicious, and a must order. Just the perfect amount of heat and sweet! All the other dishes have varying levels of success, but overall you can be confident that anything you order here is very tasty. The cramped space and wait objections of other Yelpers are accurate, but people are waiting for a reason. Ideally, time your visit for the early evening or a late lunch, to miss the full force of the rush. On the other hand, the walls are covered with photos of Oaxcan street scenes, and it makes the small space feel more expansive and aesthetically pleasing. (Note: Lunch served here only Tuesday to Saturday. So good.) After moving here from San Francisco, where I literally could walk out my door to get good Mexican food, I was grateful to the universe to stumble upon La Carta. Muy delicioso!
(5)Aniket P.
Been here several times over the last couple of years. The place is always bursting at the seams, so if you plan to come with a large group of people, get a reservation well in advance. Thumbs up to the Empanadas and Quesadilla Fritas. And the freshly made, complimentary tortilla chips.
(5)William M.
Great food, homemade tortillas. Service could be a little better. They were nice but we didn't know about the salsa bar. We had to ask for more drinks. The food was great I cleaned the plate.
(3)Sarah V.
I have never been to Oaxaca, so I can't personally vouch for authenticity... Overall my fiancé and I had a good time here, although I was hoping for a bit more flavor. Service was informative, the menu was well-rounded, the salsa bar was good, and we had some fun trying Mezcal. We shared several items- some dishes stood out, some didn't. Our favorites were the quesadillas fritas (cheese makes just about everything good) and the tacos el pastor (good portion of meat). The chips served with the guacamole were probably the best chips I've ever had, but the guac needed improvement. Really want to go to Oaxaca to do a little reconnaissance ;)
(3)Liz M.
Soooo goooood! The food was delicious! I had the huevos rancheros. Top! I also tried a bit of my friends' dishes. Everything was perfectly seasoned. The food came out quickly and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Cool interiors, too. Highly recommend!
(5)Stacy Y.
Went there for the first time tonight because a friend of mine recommended it. Can I just say this is a VERY popular place in this restaurant/pub/bar packed neighborhood?! I mean there are so many other choices but people would line up and wait for it. We got there around 7:30 and our number was 44. 40 mins later when we finally sat down, the number is already at 62! Tonight we ordered a Margarita and 4 plates (and yes, it was for the two of us :P): Halibut Tacos, Tacos Al Pastor (BBQ Pork Taco), Tacos Carne Asada (Beef Tacos), and Molotes (potato and beef wrapped in tortilla paste and fried). Margarita was delicious and strong. Our favorite is the pork taco, it is savory with a little sweet and smokey flavor (I love Los Agaves' pork taco in Fremont's Sunday Market! But I got to say Oaxaca's is even better!). My next runner up is the fish tacos, good size fish chunks and served with freshly made tortillas... so good. The other two items were okay, but I wouldn't bother to order again. And btw, their salsa bar has some great choices. The traditional salsa (with tomato chunks) is totally awesome. To me, what makes this restaurant stand out from others is: first, it's got a small selection of food. Not only this is good for the customers, it's also good for their business. And second is their decorations. It is different than other Mexican restaurants where they usually mix lots of colors, red, yellow, green, blue.... La Carta de Oaxaca has a very clean, bright, and modern feel. And finally, the food is simple but flavorful! Unlike other Mexcian restaurant's food (usually heavy on cheese and little greasy), the type of food they offer is like Mexican streetcar food...easier to eat and lighter (but tacos can get messy at times :D) Despite the long wait, the food was good and I would definitely come back again to try other dishes. Price is not the cheapest but still affordable. BUT don't come here hungry because the open kitchen and all that fresh tortilla smell will make you really really really hungry. I can't wait to go back and try more things!! In fact, I already know what I will order next time :P
(4)Brad P.
The restaurant was initially hard to find. Although they had a small sign on the curb, there was not a large sign that you would see from the street. The place isn't big - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. There is a small bar for food and a small bar for drinking as well as seating for about 25-30 people. When I got in they didn't want to seat me while I waited for my friend, so I happily took a seat at the bar. They did not have beer on draft, but there were several bottled selections that would go well with my food (I had a Negro Modelo). While I was waiting and had the time to look around I got the sense that this place was going to be relatively authentic and that they just didn't have the time to be anything they weren't. Decor was present but nothing over the top or too contrived. The chips and guacamole were really good and having a salsa bar is nice so that you have your choice of several options. We got three different salsas, all distinct in flavor and level of heat. This was a great way to start the meal. I ordered a pork dish served over the top of black bean soaked tortillas. It was not the BEST meal I have ever had, but I certainly didn't have any complaints. Service was a bit slow but very friendly. I am definitely not raving about this place but I would for sure consider eating here again. The location is good with a lot of cool places to walk to near by.
(3)Helena H.
Small restaurant. REAL AUTHENTIC FOOD (AND STAFF). Guacamole is alright, not as good as ROSA MEXICANO IN NEW YORK. Order a Carne Asada (Beef steak with rice, beans) It was descent. Not expensive, but Not filling. Dessert.. FLAN???? NOT impressed I've tasted better mexican, and cheaper, so this is more for the looks.
(3)Tony N.
Sadly I wish I can find a good Oaxacan food like this in the SF Bay Area. I am used to taqueria food, tacos, burritos, quesadilla, you get the point. La Carta de Oaxaca deviates the taqueria food I am so accustom to. It feels very homey the moment you step into the restaurant. If it is brisk outside, you will be warmed by the heat from the grill of the open kitchen. If you are not sure what to order (such as my girlfriend and I) we asked patrons sitting next to us if they are locals and if so, what they recommend. Seattle is a VERY friendly town. The caldo pescado taste very homey. You can taste mom's cooking (i am generalizing all mexican moms who cook here.) Anything mole, you cannot go wrong. If you are a first time patron, all of the salsas are a must try.
(4)Neal C.
Fantastic mole'.........taste, presentation, and service were excellent for our family. price was very reasonable for what we got. Definitely going back.
(5)Erin B.
Hmmmm...I am waffling between a 3 & 4 here. We have heard about this place over & over but been put off by the overflowing line out the front everyday of the week (especially when it is so easy to just go to a fav next door- people's pub). BUT it is my man's Birthday Week and as a Yakimanian he is a lover of all things Mexican, but had not had much Oaxacan food. We came & waited the requisite 25 min. Luckily- this is Ballard's main drag & there was plenty to look at. Not so lucky- the hounds of aggressive old people pushing to try to get their reservation in before us. patience old-uns! We were sat on the back patio which has ample space heaters. Not much of a view, but the ambiance was just perfect for a June evening. And I love group seating. A group next to us gave a first hand account as someone ran into an electric pole with their truck just outside & proceeded to put it back in place by hand. Ah, new friends. Service was sparse, and pretty slow, but its a madhouse. What I did not appreciate was being hustled like this is Applebees. "You guys wants some guacamole & chips to start?" Uh- the $5 appetizer? I don't like being offered something like it is complimentary when it is additional. Also- drinks weren't inexpensive at $8 for mixed & $4 for a bottle of beer. The biggest issue is that they wouldn't split our bill from the start so we got one huge tab. C'mon, a party of five? This is always messy as your friends say "we have $30 on it" and you're thinking they should have more like 40 on it and blah blah blah- MESSY and uncomfortable. Food prices, however, were low, and scrumptious. There wasn't a lot there for some plates (pork mole) but everything on the plate was finger sucking good. And the salsa bar is crying out for some accompanying chips. Enjoyed our time, but the crowd, the hustlin, and the liquor prices left a bit to be desired.
(3)Ellenar R.
The only way I can describe this place is simply amazing. They don't have a complicated menu with a million items and enormous sides to cover up any bland flavor in their main entrees. Simple dishes with amazing flavor. I had the Tacos Al Pastor and Quesadilla Fritas. When you have the words "fried" and "cheese" in the same menu item, you know it's a must-try. The cheese tasted awesome, not like the generic store-bought type cheese you buy in the groceries. And the fried tortilla gave it that extra crunchy texture to the melted cheese. Tacos Al Pastor...my mouth is watering just thinking about it lol. The verde salsa they used on it gave it a great tang to it...add a little lime juice...perfection. I definitely wanted more, but I needed to save room for dessert later. If you love Mexican food like I do, you must try this place. It isn't that chain-like restaurant flavor with fake bland Mexican taste. It's simple and tastes homemade because of that punch of flavor. The place is a bit small, but we didn't have to wait too long for our table. They told us it'd be about 25 minutes for 2 of us; we waited about 10. Service is quick. Our food came out super fast and I was pretty impressed by that. Wait staff is pleasant. They also have a salsa bar, but I didn't try it. My food was pretty happy without it. My future Washington visits will definitely consist of La Carta de Oaxaca.
(5)Myra A.
My fiancé took me to La Carta de Oaxaca yesterday, probably because I haven't been feeling well and he wanted to bring me to a spot where I would definitely love the food and make me feel at home (I moved to Seattle a month ago). A native from Los Angeles and having gone to college in San Diego, I'm all over good Mexican food. Before we ordered, I ran into an old friend from LA whose mother was in town. Apparently her mother insists that they go to La Carta de Oaxaca every single time she visits. They are both of Mexican heritage and her mom is (used to be?) a caterer in LA. That said, I knew this place would be good. And boy, it was DELICIOUS. My fiancé had the Molotes and I dove in for the Lamb Birria. My dish was perfect, right down to the savory and tender lamb chunks. I had a bite of Anthony's molotes and I wanted to eat his entire dish as well. Luckily I didn't because, though the plates aren't the ginormous family-style portions I'm used to from San Diego, they ended up being just right. I was full, satisfied and ready for some gelato for dessert from a gelateria around the corner. The place was packed when we arrived, but luckily, a spot opened up for the two of us immediately. I can see how it can be a bit cramped for some patrons, but I didn't mind it one bit. Service was quick despite the restaurant being filled to the brim. Two amazing entreés and chips and guac for $23, not including tip? I can't wait to return.
(4)Sasha C.
I came to have dinner with an friend. She loved the place but I had never heard of it. I drove around over and over and over trying to park, that's the downfall (one thing I hate about a lot of Settle restaurants). The salsa bar was great. The margarita was great. The sangria was great. I can't even remember what I had now but it was yummy. It was super busy but they sat us within 10 minutes which was awesome. The food was super yummy super tasty and seemed really authentic which was a great change from the Aztecas of Seattle. I highly recommend this spot!
(5)Aria D.
I was so excited to bring friends to the Ballard location since we had eaten at the Queen Anne restaurant and really enjoyed the food. I requested a table for 4 adults and 3 children. Once we were seated and had the children situated we were asked where the 4th person of our party was. I let the host know that he was right behind us and would walk in any minute. We were informed that all persons of a party must be present to be seated and we would need to give up our table even though we told him that we were prepared to order in advance for our missing guest. Naturally, the minute we walked out the door our missing person arrived. I turned around and saw that our table was given to what appeared to be a party of one. I understand the need to have policies but give me a break! My feeling was that since this place is so popular our business was not needed or wanted.
(1)Rona L.
I LOVE Mexican food... My friend and I found this establishment on Yelp while we were looking for Mexican food around the area. So with an hour before it closed for lunch, we made our way over here. We started with the chips and guacamole. Overall, it was good guacamole, although I would have preferred a bit more citrus or cilantro in it. The chips were nice and warm, and I couldn't stop eating them - even after I had finished my meal. They have a little salsa bar and although I didn't want to be THAT person that left with unnecessary amounts of salsa (just because it was free), I did grab a few to try; my favorite being the pico de gallo. For my meal, I ordered the Lamb Birria while my friend ordered the one the pork dishes that were featured on their lunch specials. My lamb was so tender and well-seasoned. It was accompanied with some corn tortillas, black beans, and rice. My friend's pork dish was also delicious. Yumm....This is not your local Azteca!
(3)Victoria C.
Great food, good atmosphere, great location, and super cheerful bartender and waiter. PROS: 1. Good flavors, except the mole was a little too sweet, even for me. 2. Cheerful staff! 3. Relatively cheap. Everything is under $10! 4. Delicious drinks! An extensive drinks menu including flavored water (I had agua fresca aka watermelon water and omg, yum) 5. Salsa bar! CONS: 1. Long wait times for tables and they don't take reservations. Expect to wait at least twenty minutes. 2. The mole was too sweet. Not bitter enough. 3. The salsa bar didn't have any labels so you have no idea how spicy the salsa you are grabbing is. 4. Chips cost money.
(4)Nio S.
As popular as this place is don't be fooled by the long line that stretches outside, the turn around time of customers coming and going is quick. I high suggest you place yourself in line and be prepared to have one of the best Mexican food in Seattle. Service is quick and on time. My favorite dish is the mole and tacos al pastor. This is a must visit and eat if you are visiting Seattle. As for the locals they know whats up with this place! ;)
(5)Corey G.
Went to La Carta...aaaaand...didn't have to wait to be seated! Well, I was there a little before closing, but still. Nice to walk in, and saddle right on up to the "kitchen bar" (got to watch las Chicanas do their magic in the kitchen). I went with a Mexican spicy beer...aka a Michalada. It was different, and not too bad. I was a bit famished and my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and I went for the pollo empanadas and the Tamales de Mole' Negro. Before I had my entrees I did have me some mouth-watering chips and guac (yes, the salsa bar is muy bueno). Once the empanadas & tamales were dropped, I was feelin it. I shoulda been a little more "conservative", but I just couldn't say "no" to this food. Then there's the salsa bar. La Carta in one word: Burp. Sorry...I meant to say EXCELLENCE.
(5)Andrea J.
La Carta de Dissapointa is a more apt name for what we experienced here; the only explanation I can give for the numerous rave reviews is that perhaps those reviewers recently completed their juice cleanses and hadn't had solid food in weeks. La Carta does not have much going for it--the space is oddly laid out and appears dirty, the service is brusque and slow, and the food tasted bland. We waited around for nearly an hour, and then once we were finally seated, promptly ordered some chips and salsa. These took at least 15 minutes to arrive and then we ordered guacamole and entrees. We had finished the chips by the time the guacamole came. I was sitting there thinking, "with service like this, the food must be amazing" but once the entrees arrived I was proven wrong. The hotly anticipate molé negro was quite bland--shockingly bland for food with molé sauce. There was also nothing with any texture on the plate--just mushy chicken, rice, and beans--not even a radish slice or crunchy onions.
(2)Sam B.
Great tacos. Decent margaritas. The restaurant is loud and tends to get be busy. The salsas aren't labled which can make picking a salsa to compliment your dish difficult.
(4)A B.
Yikes. When a Trader Joe's frozen entree (chicken mole with sticky rice) is better than this restaurant's signature dish, you know there's something wrong. It's also half the cost and has 3x as much chicken. What up? I lived in Mexico and worked there for over a year, have also been to Oaxaca, and never found any really good food in the entire country, in spite of taking advice from foodie travel writers on where to go. This stuff I got reminds me of my travels. Eh, nothing much to write home about.. The other food I saw whizzing by seemed to be the size of appetizers. I reckon it's an ok joint for drinks and a nosh, but perhaps that's all. The endless line of suckers aka naive white people, are the only reason this place stays open.
(1)G D.
I had the entomatadas and it was delicious. If you know and love real Mexican food, this will not disappoint.
(4)Gary W.
I can't make my mind up about this place. Seems everytime I walk by it's always packed and people lined outside waiting for a table. There's been at least a dozen times over the years I've passed by and said, "Just too much hassle, and seems too packed and loud inside". That said, I ended up going there last night to check it out and revisit my past. It's very busy and there's a constant buzz of people coming and going. No matter where you sit, expect to feel packed in and people shuffling past you just a bit inside your personal space. Since you'll most likely have to wait to be seated, my advice is get on the list and then immediately go to the bar area and find a spot to start drinking margaritas or cervezas unless you're in a large group as the bar area is about the size of trailer home 2nd bedroom that just has room enough for a queen size bed. When you get seated, I find the portions to be a bit on the small size for a mexican food place so order one of the appetizers; this is from a guys perspective... and order serially as the service is really fast. If you order everything from the start, you'll have the order within 10 minutes all on your table at the same time. I actually enjoyed the food and got the carne asada plate which came with a grilled jalapeno and an large plate of warm corn tortillas; I really liked the tortillas. As for the cost, with 2 cervzas, 1 margarita, 2 entrees and 2 appetizers blew about $53. I would have given La Carta de Oaxaca 4 stars for the food and the atmosphere is 2 stars so the average is 3.
(3)Rory L.
Began the meal with the tostadas de camarones and the picaditas. The tostadas are difficult to eat but well worth the effort. The chile rellenos were awesome-light batter and the pork filling matched up well. The tortillas that accompanied it were very fresh. We waited too long to eat our flautas. They were soggy- our fault. I was bummed. Service was efficient- we were seated quickly, served in a timely manner, and the check came when it should.
(4)Hannah L.
Why another review? Because...deep, rich, drunkenly fruity sangria. Because...warmly spiced tender tender tender lamb birria. Because...black beans laced with mexican and avocado crema. Because...light salty corn tortillas. Because...so many lovely, noisy, smile-filled nights worth waiting for on a cold Ballard sidewalk. Because...they bring you birthday cake. On their seventh birthday. ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Les deseo incluso años más maravilloso.
(5)Saroyan L.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Seattle. Everything is fresh from the handmade tortillas to the salsa bar. The portions are reasonably sized (no super sized plates here). The chips are fried to order and the guacamole is just perfect. Everything on the menu is outstanding, but my absolute favorite is the chile relleno plate. Service is always quick and polite. Drinks are always stiff. A++++
(5)Eric C.
It's crowded as hell, with table waits, and a bustling atmosphere, so that's hit or miss depending on what kind of person you are. The food and margaritas were a little pricey, but not horrible and everything tasted good. I had a good time here, but dunno if I'd cross the bridge to that side of Seattle just to go there again. Still, my home area is pretty devoid of good Mexican food, so I very well may return there.
(3)Hannah L.
My husband and I tried this restaurant a few weekends ago and we really enjoyed our experience. The food was very authentic and yummy and we enjoyed the laid back atmosphere. This place is kid friendly, and customer service was good. It is located in a very fun area of Ballard, but parking can be challenging, and so make sure to leave plenty of time to find a spot! The wait was not too bad when we went, but it was fairly early (about 5 PM). Generally speaking though, you'll most likely experience a wait if you're there for dinner on the weekend. One of the best Mexican food places in Seattle we have tried to date!
(4)Benjamin D.
More or less the worst service I have ever experienced at a restaurant. A friend elected to host her birthday party here and made reservations for 10 people. The host, who was casting intensely rude vibes to our group the entire time, would not seat us until the entire party arrived, leaving 8 of us standing outside in the rainy cold, while the table we had reserved inside stood empty. Eventually our 'gracious' host gesticulated at us to enter, thrusting a finger at the table and grimacing like we were the worst inconvenience ever inflicted upon him. We sat, began to peruse our menus, when lo and behold he came back over to us and in the most asinine and passive aggressive manner imaginable indicated that if we did not have our ENTIRE party (there were nine of us at this point) we would have to leave. Needless to say, we left.
(1)Jerry M.
Great mole and strong drinks.
(4)NGie C.
Been here twice. The food and the service both times has been fantastic and fresh. Just watch out for the smokey drinks if that's not what you're into (tasted like a smokey whiskey... Not what I was expecting...)
(4)Zoey M.
Great little place in the heart of Ballard. The restaurant was quite busy (always a good sign), but on the downside we were sat in the backroom of the restaurant. While quieter, it was less vibrant obviously and very warm in there. The prices here are very impressive. Everyone liked what they ordered. I had tortillas smothered in tomatillo sauce and a thin strip of skirt steak (cannot remember the term for this dish, I had never heard it before). Mole was good, shrimp tostada was good, tacos al pastor was really yummy. I loved the salsa bar as well. Also, the margarita was huge and delish. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Angela B.
The best chips & salsa bar I have ever had! They have about 4-5 different salsa's and they were all delish! And you can get as much salsa as you want :) Not too impressed with my meal though. When I think of enchiladas I think savory, not sweet. My enchiladas were sweet and I really didn't like them. They put a fried egg on top, which is kind of unique though. I had to put lots and lots of salsa on my enchiladas to make them taste good. The service was good, and the ambiance was fab! Place was totally packed for a Tuesday night. No other place in Ballard had anywhere near that many patrons. We got the last seat in the restaurant. Would definitely go back!
(4)Brie D.
Decent. I expected better from the reviews I read. Also, service was pretty poor. The people working may hate their job.
(3)Asashoryu S.
I want to give this place a 4.5 but I can't so I give it a 4. It doesn't have the wow factor that I experienced in a Mexican super market in Phoenix Arizona when I had their fish tacos. But this place is damn good and damn authentic. Sometimes I see the stereo typical American complaining to the server that he or she doesn't like the food because he or she probably had too much taco time in his/her life. I recommend the fish soup without fish and extra vegetables(because the fish gives it a nice base flavoring but the fish itself is too fishy), mole chicken and the new chicken soup. Highly recommended and in my humble opinion the best restaurant in Seattle.
(4)David M.
I have a a 4 and a 6 year old and this is our family's favorite place to eat. arguably some of the best Mexican food in King County, great margaritas with top shelf tequila / Mezcal, and super speedy service. The wait staff won't give you the warm fuzzys with their style but they still are attentive and efficient.
(5)Winnie T.
Decent food and menu, but I simply was not absolutely loving this place, no matter how much I wanted to. I noticed someone else called it "hip and crowded"- which it TOTALLY is, so if you like waiting in long lines for tourist-priced average tacos at a squishy spot, this is for you? Price is a huge factor for me, and I felt everything was tiny portioned and overpriced. I loved the salsa bar, though, but it's in this really awkward rushy area where you have to scoot around to let the servers sort of dance around you. Service was very friendly, though, and this was an ideal location to walk around the heart of ballard (right?) in the evening. Maybe we're just getting too old and comfortable for trendy spots *cries*.
(3)James G.
Yummy! Order 3 entrees for 2 people if you are kind of hungry.
(5)David H.
Just because the service doesn't speak good English, that doesn't mean the food is authentic Mexican. First off, I've lived in Mexico and have been born & raised by the bean. And with the lack of actual Mexican food in the Northwest, my excitement going into this place was huge (despite my lowered expectations). Unfortunately, they're in-house enchilada sauce is atrocious. The negro sauce was not spicy at all and tasted super sweet (did they even use mole?). And when an enchilada plate comes with "meh" enchilada sauce for +$8 with no side dishes, it makes you wonder how Mexican the place is. Surprisingly, the empanada was good but tasted more Filipino-style than Mexican. The rest of the food is alright, offering that clean Northwest taste. But after you're done eating, you can't help but feel like it was nothing more than Mexican-style restaurant geared towards rich people that don't know better. What you'll find here: mediocre Mexican food, high prices, no side plates with entrees, and great customer service.
(3)Rebekah S.
Get the chips and guacamole! The chips are made fresh and the guacamole is amazing. I mixed the guacamole with three of the salsas from the salsa bar and was a happy camper. Ordered the vegetarian tostada and the waiter asked if I was vegan and if I wanted cream/cheese. The tostada was prepared SUPER fast. Looks like three tacos on a hard tortilla with beans, cheese, avocado, salsa... delicious! The man sitting next to me got the mole and said it was amazing as well. Service was great... my water was refilled when needed and the staff is very friendly.
(4)Chi-Kit C.
We went here a couple of weekends ago. It was packed, but the wait wasn't more than 15 minutes for the two of us and we were seated at one of their large 'communal tables'. I'm not sure if that's something they do every night, but it's a nice chance to meet new people and talk about what's good. As you've read, you do pay for the chips and guac, but the salsa bar is great. I ordered the Chile Rellenos and Chi ordered the Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno. The food was AWESOME, the servers were attentive, and we would definetly go back.
(4)Cale A.
Not your normal tex-mex, its a delicious change of pace for mexican food. Highly recommend.
(5)Richard U.
Good Mexican food in Seattle? Yes it does exist. I have been here on several occasions and just getting around to reviewing it. This place is pretty great and authentic. Unfortunately, everyone in town knows it! It can get very packed and usually there is a wait involved. Once seated, much of the tables are community seating meaning sitting elbow to elbow with strangers which doesn't bother me in the least but may irk some. As it gets packed in, the sound level is pretty loud so it can get a bit hard to here so if your looking for an intimate time no such luck. That being said the food is fantastic! Since it is a Oaxacan place, mole sneaks its way into many of the dishes in one way or another. Stuff I had recently: Lamb Birria: tender, savory and tasty! comes with spanish rice and beans/tortilla. Melt in your mouth amazing! Quesadilla: crispy and filled with I think queso fresco?Either way it was good Chicken Mole: I am not a huge mole fan, there has a nice balance of savory with just a hint of bitterness. Fish taco (halibut) suprisingly delicious! Usually fish tacos are fried but this has good quality halibut (not deep fried) with some type of slaw. Get this! Moletas: probably my least favorite of the meal (I ate it all anyways). potato mixed with sausage wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. Sounds better than it actually tasted although I suspect this is perfect stoner/bar food. Do hit up the free salsa bar with I think 6 or 7 different kinds of salsa. My favorite was the uber spicey/garlicky sauce which you can spot by the bright red color. Its got some kick so beware! Smothered everything with it and it was tastylicious! I felt prices to be fairly reasonable with serving sizes that were on the smaller size. The three of us each had an entree than split two more entrees between the three of us. What can I say, I hang out with eaters. If you don't mind the communal seating or noise, Come to this place!
(4)Samantha E.
I crave Mexican food, especially mole. As I live in Seattle and don't know how to make it, this is a very sad situation for me. Luckily, I finally made it over to Ballard and La Carta de Oaxaca definitely lived up to the hype. I ordered the mole tamales with pork, and they were pretty much everything you could hope for in this dish-- sweet cornmeal, tender pork, and about ten million flavors melding deliciously in the sauce. And served with a thing of extra sauce, just in case you need more. I'm not sure what was going on with the banan leaf wrapper and finding layers of corn dough in between the layers, but somehow this added to it. Love. The guacamole and chips were tasty as well. The chips were warm and fresh. I heard raves about the carne asada from around the table as well. A lot of complaints on here seem to be about serving size, and I think that depends on what you order. The mole tamales dish was a great deal for around $8, and the carne asada looked about right as well, but the portion size on the fish tacos looked a bit lacking. The other point of complaining is the wait, which really wasn't all that bad for us-- we had seven people and only were in line for half an hour or so. Brave the line. Get the mole. Do it.
(5)Neko-Ramen K.
This is my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant and I will not go anywhere else. Chips, salsa, guacamole, mole..... everything is fantastic! The restaurant is very tiny and always busy so I recommend Monday or Tuesday evening when they are less busy. :) Parking in downtown Ballard is tricky but I never had an issue finding a spot on early Monday/Tuesday.
(5)Christopher S.
I came here for the sole purpose to sample the famed mole, and was ready to break out a primordial scream of hole mole or give a Mexican rendition of Dean Martin (That's a-mole!), but unfortunately I have to admit I was underwhelmed. Granted, I have not sampled many moles in my lifetime, but I expected a sauce that requires several hours with 40+ ingredients to offer a greater level of complexity than what my tastebuds encountered. Many descriptions of mole describe the chocolate component as an aid in creating a velvety texture and hints of bitterness and sweetness to balance the savory and spicy components, but what I noticed was a diabetically sweet component that overpowered any other notes that could be detected, analogous to expecting an earthy red Syrah with hints of cherry only to end up with a sweet and fruity muscat. Since mole is not a common offering you would find at any chain Mexican eatery, I could see the novelty of a chocolate-based sauce as being a pleasant surprise combined with a well-cooked piece of pork and moist buttery rice, and given several varieties of mole offered in Oaxaca, perhaps this one is on the spectrum of sweet with subtle spice whereas my preference would aim for greater balance amongst all the components. The salsa bar reminds me of Barney Stinson's theory of "the cheerleader effect" on How I Met Your Mother where if you see a group of girls like a group of nurses or cheerleaders, together they all seem attractive, whereas when you actually examine each one individually, none of them are all that great (they do earn points for not shying away from the spice factor). Overall, it's best to come early to avoid the irritation of long lines and being rushed along; definitely worth a trip for a change of pace from the classic Mexican fare, but not sure if this is worthy of being a destination restaurant to hit up for the out of towners coming from states closer to the Mexican border.
(3)Julie L.
i freakin love you, Oaxaca! I think i tell at least one person about you every other day!!!
(5)BAJIBU K.
I was visiting for a week and the bartender at Tavern Law recommended this place. My cousin and his friends took me here on my last day in Seattle. The place was clean, the music was bumpin (we kept looking outside and expected to see a Mexican parade walking past us) and the food was great!! Being from Hawaii, we don't have a lot of Mexican food to compare this place to, but the food was flavorful and the best thing about it was that it wasn't heavy and it was very fresh!! I loved their self serve salsa bar and my fish tacos were amazing! I would definitely go and visit this place again!
(4)Sara F.
I love this place! The staff is awesome and the food is out of this world - try the carne asada tacos!
(5)Alex M.
I came here with my ladyfriend to check out a place I'd heard so much about. It was packed on a Wednesday night so basically it must always crazy. It seems to be a great hangout for the wealthier young people of Ballard. Basically, the salsa bar is awesome! The food was good but I'm not as blown away as everyone else seems to be. Maybe I'm not into Oaxacan cuisine? Still if I'm in Ballard I'm gonna head to Senor Moose before I head to La Carta.
(3)Julie S.
Everything I've had here is delicious. Try the mole, but I also recommend the Pozole, tacos, and especially the beans. Get the freshly-fried but not greasy chips and try all their salsas. Don't bother with the $8 margaritas, they're nothing special.
(4)Danielle M.
Yes, it is crowded and noisy here. You should not come here expecting a slow, intimate dining experience...I don't think anyone at Oaxaca would tell you that's the intention of this restaurant. There is indeed an emphasis on a quick turn here; that works to your advantage when waiting for a table (and you will wait for a table). The service may not be super attentive, but it is always efficient and polite. The food is out of this world; I recommend the mole and the fish tacos. I feel like it is priced appropriately for what you get, which is quality food and not overly large in quantity. If you would like more generous portions, Señor Moose may be a better option for you in Ballard. When we come to Oaxaca, we squeeze ourselves into the lil crowded bar, have an outstanding margarita and order of chips and guacamole (worth every penny) and usually find ourselves seated in the restaurant within 20-30 minutes. We know we may get seated at a communal table but feel like that adds to the experience and in no way detracts from the phenomenal food.
(5)Teresita C.
Tight quarters, no room to turn around, I think they serve small portions because: a. Servers are small and can't carry large amounts. b. If you eat too much you won't be able to leave your packed-like-sardines-table c. They want you to leave hungry. Those portions really ticked me off. 10 bucks for a single piece of chicken mole, a tablespoon of rice and two tortillas. The food itself was nicely flavored, but certainly nothing to write home about. Besides, my mother is Mexican and if I wrote her about this food she would laugh me out of town. The search for good Mexican in Seattle continues..
(3)Charlotte W.
LOVE LOVE LOVE This place. One of our favorite simple eat outs. Consistent. Delicious. Exactly what you want in a fairly inexpensive mexican restaurant. Love the staff and their bristlyness. It just fits the busy mood of the place.
(5)Melissa C.
Anything lower than a 5-star rating is for the poor soul who hasn't tried the mole. I wouldn't consider mole as my favorite food, but I just can get that flavor out of my head! The meat is tender and the sauce...ayayay! Parking always sucks and the place is always packed (ALWAYS- but think about it. is that really a bad thing?) But despite all of that, you really can't go wrong when you walk into a place that has a lady behind the counter fully equipped with hair net and apron, who's sole purpose is to make your life by dishing out as many fresh hand make tortillas as you want (Don't take that for granted Californians, you'll hardly find anything like that here in Seattle)! Mole. That's all I have to say.
(5)Bunneh L.
The best Mexican I've had in Seattle. I ordered a dish with thin-sliced beef and tortillas with a choice of red or green tomatillo sauce. It was AMAZING. I love their salsa bar too, which offered about 6 different varieties, including pico de gallo. The guac was good, but on the bland side. It definitely needed some more salt and lime, but I lived. But everything else was sensational. I can't wait to try the chile relleno next time. The service was friendly and the food came out in less than 10 minutes. Awesome! Warning: The wait to be seated was about 40-45 minutes, even though we arrived at 5:30 (they open at 5:00). Be prepared to stand outside in the cold, as the tiny bar in the back will be packed. It's so worth it though. The best thing about this place besides the food are the prices. My entree was only $10 and the entire bill ended up being $16 per person (before tip), including drinks, apps, and dessert. We all left feeling sickeningly too full. But happy. :)
(5)T H.
Their fish tacos are really good! The wait to get in, not so amazing..but worth the wait if you're just looking for some tacos. If you're looking for big portions however, this is not your place. The tacos are kind of small and it can get kind of expensive.
(3)Sarah D.
Don't bother making a reservation, you don't get priority for a table. Just arrive and make sure they give you a number when you get there. We had a reservation for a friend's birthday but the host refused to seat us without the full party here. We saw other groups show up, get numbers, and be seated, while we stood outside in the Seattle rain. Not sure why the Host wouldn't give us a number (we assumed it was because we'd gone through the trouble of making a reservation). Once we were seated, the Host realized there were only eight of us instead of ten, and he told us we'd have to leave until our last two friends arrived. We asked if we could go ahead and order, but we were told to leave. I've never experienced this--usually restaurants want customers to make reservations for larger groups, and usually ordering drinks or even dinner without the full party there is fine. In short: Don't make a reservation, insist they give you a seating number, don't come here with more than a group of four, and definitely don't plan an event.
(1)Shaman D.
Mole! Mole! Mole! For starters, this is a small place. They a few tables (2-4 tops). Or you can sit at the communal table. Most times, there is usually a 15-20min wait. But the turnover is fast. My favorite part, you can concoct your own salsa!! They have 4 types ranging from mild to hot. Mix them together or keep em' separate. They go great with chips/guacamole or any of the items on the menu! I highly recommend any of the Mole dishes (we had chicken and pork) - the sauce is thick and great for sopping up with your tortillas. There is a smokey sweetness with a hint of chocolate that makes you wanting more. We also had the fish tacos and the carne asada tacos, which have 3 street style tacos in an order. Oh, FYI, the dishes are perfect for one or get a couple and share!
(4)Christopher H.
I've been to La Carta de Oaxaca three times so far. I went the first time because everyone said it was one of the best Mexican spots Seattle had to offer. I thought it was unimpressive because the flavors just weren't there and the ingredients weren't that great, either. People said I must've gotten it on a bad day so I gave it another shot. Once again, unimpressed. I went a third time because I highly regarded chef in the area called my opinion cRaZy. This time I gave the restaurant every opportunity to do it right...I went during the week, I ordered seafood, and I ordered a margarita. The Good: The margarita was awesome. Kudos to this restaurant because I've really missed good margaritas since I left Chicago. So was the Pico de Gallo...definitely top notch. The Bad: The service sucked, but I'm starting to get used to this. I waited 20 minutes for a table, which I am normally happy to do. But when I see multiple tables open throughout the restaurant for 15 of those 20 minutes, I get annoyed. That feeling is exacerbated when I notice the host has been talking to some ladies with his back to the restaurant for a good portion of his time. Eventually I just sat myself. The Ugly: The Camarones. These were seriously overcooked and the sauce tasted like it came from a can. The presentation sucked, too, and I wasn't thrilled with any of the side dishes. I'll only go back for margaritas and pico de gallo while sitting on the patio to watch passers by. And the next time someone tells me I'm crazy because I don't love this place, I won't doubt my opinion even a little bit.
(3)Spenser J.
This place is awesome. Everything homemade and good margs (just lime juice, triple sec, and tequila)--simple and refreshing. Great salsa bar and guacamole.
(5)Jessica R.
Their milanesa might be as good as my mom's - definitely a must try. The salsa bar offers a nice variety and their guacamole is delicious. The staff is efficient and polite, sangria is my beverage of choice when I'm there. Other than taco trucks, La Carta de Oaxaca is the only Mexican restaurant to bother with in the Seattle area.
(5)Mackenzie J.
When it comes to Mexican food, you really can't get more authentic then this so far from the south. Tables are communal, which really wasn't a big deal because you can tell everyone was enjoying their food. I ordered Carne Asada and of course had chips and salsa. I loved loved the salsa bar. The carne asada and the salsa was just like the food my mexican cook I work along side back home shares with me. This is what Mexicans really cook in their own homes. It's amazing someone captured this. Most Mexican restaurants are so Americanized most of them are Tex-mex or Californian. There isn't anything wrong with that but it is mistaken for authentic. The food was also so cheep and you we were two feet away from the kitchen. We could see the little Hispanic lady tossing tortillas to order! This was probably my favorite meal in Seattle. I'll be back!
(5)Swe V.
Great food, decent amount of vegetarian options - they can make most of the items on the menu vegetarian and the service was very good (fast and courteous). The salsa bar is awesome, definitely try the spicy one if you can handle it :). For the first time, I saw a beer cocktail and thought I'd try it. It was amazing!
(5)Luke W.
I was as disillusioned as a person can be about Mexican food in the past few years. Everywhere I went was nothing but crusty re-fried beans, weeks old veggies and over-heated entrees cooked on-the-plate in the oven, each dish served with a warning of burning your hands from the waiter. La Carta saved me from all of that and reinvigorated my love of Mexican cuisine. Everything is fresh. Veggies snap with a crisp, the black beans are cooked well and fresh, the tortillas taste delicious and home-made (in fact you can see them mixing the batter and cooking them!) and everything has that un-describable quality that keeps me thinking about it and keeps me recommending it. My favorite so far include the Carne Asada plate (essentially fajitas, a good litmus test for Mexican restaurant, if they can't do the basic components of a Fajita correctly there is something seriously wrong) the Mole, and their ridiculously good Salsas. My only concern was my visit during Cinco de Mayo. My guest and I were sat at the bar right behind where they made the tortillas and the metal back to the counter top was so hot it literally blistered my kneecaps after a second of contact. The restaurant itself was unbearably hot that day. Not a big deal as it was Summer, but do not sit at the bar seating behind the tortilla station! Obviously that's a minor complaint overshadowed by the exceptional Mexican food served at La Carta.
(5)Laura L.
Great weekday lunch spot, a little cramped to bring your kid, but worth it. We came in for a weekday family lunch, and were very happy we did. I had the halibut tacos, which were on fresh, petite tortillas, and filled with fresh sweet and savory flavors. Despite their small size, I was quite satisfied, and found them to be the best fish tacos I'd had in awhile. My husband had the chicken mole, which was similarly spectacular, and reasonably sized (ie. not stupidly large.) My son had the chicken quesadilla, which made me think, kid, you're a lucky one. Seriously, it was a beautiful, and reasonable size quesadilla and my husband claimed it was delicious. Even the rice and beans on the plate were delicious, and many a restaurant seems to put it on the plate as mere window dressing. It's hard to get in on nights and weekends, but if you're in Ballard for a weekday lunch, consider checking this place out!
(5)Corina F.
Severely disappointed with the service here. I met a group for dinner and wasn't served. The wait staff was unaccomodating, rude, and honestly had a bully-like attitude. We had a reservation for the amount of people that showed but they weren't willing to properly accomodate. The food is expensive for what it is, even charging extra for chips, and there seems to be an indifference for customers. I was incredibly underwhelmed with the food on my first visit, very disappointed with the service on my second. I won't be going back. When expressing our concerns to the manager in a respectful way, he let us know that their system works for them and really expressed no concern for how terrible our experience was. Unfortunately the restaurant's popularity has diminished it's quality.
(1)C. Scott W.
Look my family of 4 to dinner on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Parking was a bear to find, but the wait was not too long. A side note, if you are going to have to pay for parking, make sure you pull into the 2nd driveway across the street. It's $4 instead of $7 at the first lot! The $$ rating for La Carta de Oaxaca is incorrect. My family does not drink and the total for our meal was the most we have ever paid for Mexican food! It should be $$$, not $$. An extra side of chips was $3.00 a basket, but we didn't care. They were addictive. The salsa bar is awesome and lived up to it's reputation! The food was amazing. I love authentic Mexican food and this is in the top 5 of all of the Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at. I had the Carne Asada and it was perfect. The beans and rice that came on the plate were great, too. My wife is not a beans & rice person, but she traded some of her meat to my some for his beans & rice! Enjoy yourself and time experience you'll have in Ballard while eating at La Carta de Oaxaca.
(5)Allen U.
Hard to find but worth the search--a hole in the wall from Mexico with tables --but with a cleaner feel--not an Azteca plate full of bounty but smaller plates of really tasty stuff--(think great saucing)-- Hot Tortilla chips with guacamole from Heaven @ $6 and make sure you try the salsa bar --in front of the bar cups for more salsa self serve--Lamb Birria @ $13 or Enchiladas Verdes con pollo @ $12 both excellent Holy Mole the house specialty looked and smelled great--@ $11 Cinco de Mayo every day--Al
(5)Eric P.
I've been here a lot over the years and it has never disappointed. I don't care about authenticity. I care about love for the craft (they have it), attention to detail (they have it), and good service (they have it). Our most recent visit was on a Friday about 8pm. They were unusually slow (aka, busy for most places), most likely due to the parade just ending. We were told to wait at the bar, but we decided to just sit there and eat. The bartender was very good. I just had a beer, but my wife's margarita was very good. So good we wanted to go back and get another after we left. The food? It's always on point. Molé, outstanding. Tamales, outstanding. I get them both every time. My wife said the tacos al pastor were great as well. Overall, I don't mind dropping $50 here, because you leave talking about how good it was. I will be back again and again -- forever.
(5)Brenna E.
I love this restaurant. (We all did) Nestled up among all these super hip restaurants, is this tiny, hopping, not expensive, really Fresh, authentic Mexican food restaurant. Good for Veggies too. I would come back here over and over and wish for Mexican food like this everywhere for every one.
(5)D T.
Service was good, even though it was super busy. Decent Mexican food. But for the price the portions are tiny. If I pay for a $12 entree I shouldn't be hungry after. I'm from California, and have been to Mexico, & other Central American countries. Again, decent Mexican food, really good salsa (fire is actually hot). But my enchilada was tiny.
(3)Erik S.
Definitely worth a try. Suggest ordering many entrees & sharing some of each. Salsa Bar spicy for Gringos. Noisy sliding chairs at communal table make loud atmosphere even louder. Similar authentic flavors to La Cocina, but busier vibe.
(4)Susan B.
My husband and I were underwhelmed by La Carta de Oaxaca. We went around 8 on a Wednesday night. The restaurant was crowded and loud, we were literally squeezed into a table, and service was cool and brisk. Chips and guacamole were OK. The chips weren't too salty, which I appreciated. I ordered the mushroom empanada, which was wrapped in a flour tortilla rather than a fried pastry. It tasted OK but was small, and I left the restaurant still hungry. The sangria was good, not very sweet and pretty strong. My husband and I both agreed that we wouldn't be rushing back.
(2)Jasmine A.
This to me is just a trendy place, the food was either super lime juice, to spicey, or really bland. We were all really disappointed. Maybe if we had mixed everything together in one it would have been perfect?
(1)Sharmi I.
Good homemade mexican food. Definitely try all the salsa and get an order of there guacamole. There chips are fresh and yummy. Great place to go with a group of friends.
(4)Jess H.
This place is HAPPENING. So busy! We got in right around 11 am, so we kind of beat the lunch rush. But about an hour later, it was super packed. First of all, just know that chips and guacamole is $5. The waiter asked us if we wanted to start with any while we looked over the menu, and my immediate reaction was yes, because most places give complimentary chips/salsa, right? Well, right there at the top of the menu, there was proof that it wouldn't be free. I nixed that order ASAP. Overall, I thought the prices were a little higher than I'd like to pay, but at least the food was delicious. I ended up getting the pozole, which looked small but in the end I was struggling to finish it. It comes with all the regular fixin's, and some tortillas. Btw, what hit me immediately upon walking inside was the intoxicating, alluring smell of fresh corn tortillas. Um, YUM!!!
(4)Blake K.
OMG so incredible. had the pollo enchilado it was so tender and melted in your mouth the mole was so dark and delicious fresh guacamole soon to be regulars here!
(5)Darin W.
This place had GREAT food but I was a little disappointed when it came to the portions needless to say I left hungry. I wouldn't say this is authentic Mexican food, it was more like Mexican food with a "twist" but like i stated....it was GREAT! Like every place you go in Seattle it was somewhat expensive, my buddy had tacos and I had a tamale, we both had a margarita and the bill was right at $50 with tip. The atmosphere was very nice and the staff was very friendly!
(4)Rhea H.
Great food. Yet the menu is small but diverse. If you want to try the special, make sure that you get there early because they only have a limited supply each night. Their margaritas are very strong and delicious. Very authentic food and atmosphere. This place will also get busy early and stay busy so make sure that you are ready for a wait. Keep in mind that the wait is worth it! Seating isn't always private.
(4)Paula B.
I've never had Oaxacan food. It's definitely different that what you would expect mexican food to be but it's so rich and flavorful! Get the chicken mole- it's a sweet stew made with cocoa and peppers. I know it sounds weird but you gotta try it. Think sweet and smoky.
(4)Cathy M.
Chips and the salsa bar are really really good. I'm not sure if we would have gotten free chips just for sitting down, but it seems like everyone orders the chips and guac because they're so good. It's worth it for the guac. My favorite salsa was the pico de gallo. One of the spicier salsa was a little too smokey for me and too pureed. I like chucks of tomato in my salsa. Entrees we ordered were good. I had tacos and my husband ordered enchiladas that looked more that taquitos. I'm sure they know their food better than we do. Even the shrimp cocktail I ordered had more shrimp than I thought there would be in there. At the end of the night, we were so full even though it seemed we did not order a lot. Make sure you don't order a bunch at once! The menu is tempting.
(4)London B.
Omg, this place is crazy, I mean, effin bananas! I don't even know what happened, who is what, what is who, but it's like a surreal dining experience. Imagine being stuck on an elevator for thirteen hours with fifty people who haven't eaten for days and they turn towards you with zombie-like, hungry eyes and somehow you are okay with it, accept your fate; you've closed your eyes and gone to your happy place. Well, this place is sorta like that experience. You line up outside with the famished herd peering into the dimly-lit windows of this tiny, magical hole of a place, then some guy (or two guys, they were identical twins) gives you a number (no names; they don't take names) and tells you it will be like a 45-minute wait, but in actuality it's more like 15 minutes. They rush you in, cautiously, you oblige, and sit you hip-to-hip next to some other horrified, malnourished stranger. You wait a half-hour, someone slides a glass of water down the bar and it lands in your trembling hands, they'll ask if you know what you want ( you do, 'cos the menu is anorexic with like 5 items on it), you shout, "Carne Asada Tacos!", they nod and then disappear. You get up and go to the packed salsa bar and select from an array of spiced, chopped delights; you watch the Tias make the tortillas in the kitchen and taste-test the Albondigas. Alas, your food arrives---imminent nirvana! The portions are miniature, like everything else in this joint, yet they pack a potent, flavor-ridden punch: cilantro, jalapenos, cumin, and garlic, cinnamon, lemon, and pico de gallo. The hungry wolves have been fed, no need for paramedics. It's all worth the terror and excitement. Hurry up and get your check and get the hell out of this place. There's an entire colony waiting outside salivating....
(4)Sarah A.
After our first experience at la Carta de Oaxaca a few years ago, we said we probably wouldn't return. But this place is so dang popular we keep getting invited there by our friends, so we have been back a few times. My husband and I joined some friends there on Friday night and the restaurant was super crowded as usual, but at least this time there wasn't a line down the sidewalk. We waited for just a few minutes in the bar before we were seated at our table, and this time we didn't have to share it with strangers, which was nice. Our drinks, chips and guacamole came right away, followed shortly after by our food. The portions were larger than I remembered and I absolutely loved my dish. So maybe my heart is warming to this place after all... I ordered the Entomatadas which was fresh and absolutely delicious, and my husband ordered the Tostadas and the Molotes because just one dish here isn't enough to fill him up. He said his food was pretty good but I really wasn't a fan of the Molotes at all. We left happy (and relatively full), but since we had to order three entrees our bill ended up being pretty pricey. So la Carta de Oaxaca still isn't someplace we'll go with any frequency, but it's a nice treat now and then...
(3)kim h.
fantastic unique food. i really like the carne asada plato and the quesadilla was pretty yummy too. the chips are made to order and i am a tortilla junkie. so this rocks my world. and i love the salsa bar!!! it gets really busy here on the weekends so get there early or be prepared to wait. just a heads up...
(4)Erin G.
Great prices, perfect portions, delicious food!
(5)Sarah R.
Ehhh not so much. The place is super small, super loud, & the tables are crowded together to the point where you're practically touching your unknown neighbor. All this I can forgive, if the food is outstanding! Sadly, it was not. The chips, salsa bar, and guacamole were delicious. Hot fresh chips with many different salsa choices are a sure fire way to my heart. But my entree was so disappointing - I cannot imagine ever wanting to try anything else they have to offer. I ordered the chile relleno with cheese inside. The cheese was SO strange.. the flavor and texture were like nothing I have ever previously experienced. It almost seemed meaty. Also, there was no sauce at all. It was dry as a bone.. and frankly it tasted odd. Definitely the worst I've ever had. The relleno came with beans and rice as usual... but they only offer black beans. A bit disappointing not to have pinto or refried. The real kicker is this- At the end of our meal, my friend & I lingered at our table for probably 10-15 minutes talking to each other. FOUR seperate times the same server came over to our table, grabbed something off of it and loudly asked if he could get us anything else. He seriously came back every 3 minutes to repeat this gesture. When he came at last for the credit card reciept and our water glasses, he told us to leave! I get that it's a busy, happening place... but asking patrons to leave? Really?? I suddenly felt stupid for having left a 25% tip. No, thank you - I like my Taqueria El Rinconsito over this overrated, uber trendy place.
(1)Amne N.
La Carta de Oaxaca serves the most legit Mexican food in Seattle! Always packed, but well worth the wait! Must Try: Tacos al Pastor and Carne Asada Plato P.S. The mole is to die for!
(5)Lisa B.
Not what I expected! This place is so buzzed about I had expected a hipster-ish place, dimly lit, snobby service, etc but it was none of those! First off, in spite of dire warnings about the wait, we were seated immediately (it helped that there were just two of us at 8:00, although it was a Saturday). The lights were bright, and it was more cafeteria-ish than I expected, but that's fine. Tables are very close together, and service was good if a little abrupt. Good selection of Tequilas - I get tired of the same old "house" margharita at every Mexican place (cheap liquor, premade mix). I got a pricey Anejo (can't remember which one) and sipped on it. The house specialty (chicken and mole wrapped in a banana leaf) is the thing to get. The mole is quite sweet but complex enough so you don't feel you are just eating syrup. Those with very big appetites might be disappointed with the portion size, but like I said this is not your typical enchiladas-rice-and-beans everything smothered in cheese and sour cream restaurant! Overall very good. You can tell care and thought goes into their cooking.
(4)Shane S.
Freshly made tortillas ,and a mini salsa bar. Very good posole with all the condiments! This place is a must try !!
(4)Caiti A.
a bit dark, stuffy, small...but the table turnover is VERY quick. like, seconds quick. carne asada tacos were really good - lots of cilantro and a good seasoned salsa. speaking of which, the salsa bar is solid. Good, authentic mexican - on par with Senor Moose. I should have known, but foolishly assumed the Empanada would be similar to that of some delicious central and south american places i've been (La Isla)....I was wrong. This empanada was plate sized, and while on a homemade tortilla, was not was i was expecting. Fresh chicken, yes...but lacking a bit in flavor. I prefer smaller empanadas, with crispier texture. HOWEVER...this is a hidden gem of a place; tucked on old Ballard near some fairly sketchtastic looking places. Don't pass it up.
(4)Jen C.
Ugh this place is heartbreaking! AMAZINGLY authentic and delicious food vs. EXTREMELY rude service; what's a girl to think?! The food here IS absolutely delicious, from the tacos fritos with chicken, to the carne asada plato, to the authentic mole and white rice. Everything here is truly a trip for the senses! But the wait staff here is so rude, it makes it hard to even enjoy the food. From the moment we walked in, we were treated as if we were a nuisance, and every step of the way we were made to understand that we were NOT priority and really just annoying the staff with our presence. I don't care if the place is a hole in the wall and hard to find: if the food and service are great, I'm there! But this place is only half that. Coming from someone who used to live in Oaxaca, Mexico, (which is the whole reason I came here!) the food here is straight from this beautiful state and really took me back to this region's scrumptious cuisine. However, that does not excuse the wait staff's manner of treating paying customers as if they are cockroaches on the floor.
(3)Liz K.
Still coming here about once per week for great tacos, guacamole, and the Bartender's Margarita.
(5)Candi K.
What is there not to love about this place. The food here is amazing. We got the guacamole and chips in their guacamole is delicious. I got the carne asada and my friend got the fish tacos. The steak was cooked really well in all the stuff was well seasoned. I love a good rice and beans. Service is great and we were able to find a table right when we came in. I've heard that the lines here can get quite long. I also like the salsa bar as well. I need to come back here soon.
(5)Dave S.
The salsa bar here is off the chain. Their vegetarian food is pretty good as well. As far as beer, they have a lot of mexican and central american options. All tasty. The prices are fairly reasonable and the decor of the restaurant is pretty good as well. The main downside is that it is crowded. The tables are super close together and it can be chaos here on busy nights. Worth it.
(5)Patricia O.
This is a very good mexican restaurant with the most authentic mexican food in the area. Is a modest restaurant but the food is delicious. The mole negro specialty of the State of Oaxaca is very good, spicy yet a bit sweet from the wonderful ingredients that are in mole. The mole negro tamales are also good and by far my favorites since they are wrapped in banana leaves which enhances the flavor of the masa. The molotes, picaditas and quesadillas fritas are also very good and as close as you will have them in Mexico. I like the serving portions which are not gigantic and make you want to go back for more! (if you are looking for big portions go somewhere else)
(5)Chris L.
Not good value at all for the dishes. I ordered the house specialty, the mole with pork, and for USD11 I got a whopping two, yes two cubes of pork, about 1 inch each, smothered in the mole sauce on one half of the plate, and about a small bowl of rice on the other half. Come on guys, really? That's like a tapas/happy hour portion that's worth no more than $5-6 bucks.
(2)Thigh C.
I thought this restaurant deserves only 1 star. 1. The server is described by my co-workers are "crabby". He was like "are you ready!" How many chips?! Dude, chill. 2. Ok, I've read this restaurant as the "Best Mexican Restaurant". That's the reason on why we went here. The way I describe their food is that... a mediocre taco truck like food served in a restaurant. 3. The server didn't show-up until it's time to pay. Nobody refilled our glass with water etc. The server just showed up and dropped the bill on our table. To make it short, we felt like this restaurant has this 'attitude'. It would be fine but the food, service and our dining experience didn't compensate to that. For me, Oaxaca = mole. Their mole was not savory. And yes, I've been in Oaxaca.
(1)Cynthia M.
I'm not surprised to read the other negative reviews. I ordered the chili rellano. Yikes, it was worse than awful. It was a thin, spongy in texture 'thing'. Underneath the rellano was a warm puddle of water. I will never go back. If a restaurant can actually serve something so awful, I won't go there.
(1)Jen E.
so I am up here visiting friends.... we are walking around and follow the smell of tortillas ...... we walk into the itty bitty restaurant and are greeted and seated. We get our drink orders in and get some guac and chips. The guac is pretty much just mashed avocados... which is good but could use some seasonings. As for the food .... pretty good and not what you find on most menus... they have some stuff like carne asada tacos (which surprise surprise the one time I did not try them) but the rest is not your typical fare you find. Now two more words.......SALSA BAR..... while not elaborate has like 6 different kinds, I tried two of them and were impressed. While I had to chase someone down to get water for our table and to then get our check..... it was worth it for a little bit of food that isnt what you would normally find in most mexican joints. The place is a little small so you may have to wait for a seat..... I would also not I repeat NOT recommend this place if you are starving..... as everything is ala cart ... and well not very big portions.... it is the perfect place to go get a wee bit to eat if you are feeling a bit peckish.
(4)Shanelle D.
The best mole. Period. The wait can be pretty long, but it is SO worth it! The tequila selection is fantastic, maybe a little too fantastic as I just discovered that I have been here twice, but didn't remember the last time because of the extensive tequila sampling. Hee!
(5)Angela K.
I live in San Francisco but my favorite Oaxacan restaurant is in...Ballard. Thnx Jacob for the awesome suggestion.
(4)Austin W.
Muy bueno! This place is scrumptious... serving small but authentic and amazing plates ($6-$12). Get a few 'ritas, some guac, and two plates each... you'll leave stuffed and happy. The interior is to die for with community tables and backlit photographs. Be prepared to wait if you come at dinner time.. this place is not a well kept secret anymore!
(5)Sausages A.
I have a serious addiction to this place. I try a new item every time I go, and I go often. That is not a joke. If you don't want to wait for a table come early for dinner, at 5, or come late for lunch, after 2pm. Its best to come with someone so as you can order a couple plates and share. It always feels like I'm missing out when I am not hungry enough to order the Halibut tacos AND the Pozole (an amazing Pork and Hominy stew). This place is one of a kind (here in Seattle at least)
(5)D D.
Good authentic food. A bit spends for Mexican food but tasty and authentic. Busy place so hard to get a able and IMPOSSIBLE to find parking in Ballard.
(3)Iris M.
Everything about Oaxaca is awesome!!!!!!!! I've never had anything there I didn't like. Once, I ordered a margarita that was too strong for me and the waiter was very kind and added some more sour mix to it. The guacamole is great, the chips are warm and crisp, and the black beans are fabulous. Nothing costs more than ten dollars. When you first get an entree, you might think that the portion is small, but after your meal, you will know that it is just the right amount. I really like their skirt steak. Yummy!!
(5)gotta p.
When going out to eat, I am of the opinion that a restaurant can't be everything. You don't go to the Met to eat cheap food. You don't go to McDonalds for Sushi. And you don't go to La Carta de Oaxaca for a quiet sit down 'entre' meal with the table side service that we are accustomed to in most of the US. The service is different for sure... sometimes fast, sometimes not. It is loud. You can rub elbows with people. BUT THIS IS WHY YOU GO THERE. It is a different type of eating experience and the food is fantastic. "Plates are small" is relative. It is like asking a pizza place how many slices a large is. Hell, I can make a Large pizze 48 slices if you like? The point is, this is a fun restaurant with great food that you can go and share multiple plates with friends for not an exhorbenant amount of money. I am used to going out and spending about $50 for some dinner/drinks with my wife as a night out. and after ordering 4 plates a few margerhitas and a few beers, it was just over that... so this is right on in my book. If you don't like that kind of price/atmosphere, then there is an azteca right around the corner.
(4)Nicole q.
My boyfriend is Oaxacan and he said that he thought his grandma was back there cooking,,,how fuuny. The chicken mole was so good,,,i love mole and you can see the little old ladies making the tortillas fresh,,,heaven. I also really enjoyed the picaditas,,,pork sauce on top just made the flavors pop. Chamucos tequila for $7 a shot is a steal too by the way. We went with people who live in seattle and couldn't believe that they had never eaten at this gem.
(5)James P.
I went to Oaxaca for a week, and stuffed my face silly with the delicious cheeses and complex mole sauces. When I found out there was a Oaxacan restaurant in Ballard, I had to go. They just about nailed it. The most significant missing item on Carta's menu are the chapulines, fried grasshoppers with chile and lime that come with nearly everything you try and order in Oaxaca. Thanks for the omission Carta! My only qualms about this restaurant are that it doesn't have a larger bar or a better atmosphere. This restaurant nails the basics, but a romantic dinner or a scinillating conversation is almost out of the question, thanks to a rather harried and loud setting. Oh well, this place is fabulous. Check it out, then fly to Oaxaca and try the real thing.
(4)Josh P.
Best restaurant in all of Seattle and possibly Mexico. Seriously, I absolutely love this place. I would throw out a case of Klondike bars for their pork tacos.
(5)Bernie P.
Great... Everything!! Can't wait to go back. Will clean floors for free food and drinks FYI CdO management!!
(5)Emily H.
Hubby and I have been coming since we moved to Seattle in '03 and began our quest for decent Mexican food. After five years of coming here, I can say that their quality hasn't dropped - it is one tough business, and the fact that they have almost all original staff says a lot about the place and folks running it. Think of it as a slightly upscale taco truck with a place to sit and better decor. Everything on the menu is good, my personal faves are the pozole, carne asada tacos, tacos al pastor, and halibut tacos. Order chips and quacamole, you will need it to snack on while you wait for your food during the evening crush. There is a new bartender this year, and wowza, his drinks pack a punch! If you aren't in line by 4:30 pm, you will have a wait. That's just a fact, so plan accordingly for a Friday or Saturday night. The seats turn about 1-1.5 hours after the first seating, so if you hit the second wave at about 6:30 PM you will have a shorter wait. The bar area is small, but you can order drinks and chips and guacamole to tide you over, or you can order a full meal at the bar - but there are only about 5-6 seats, and you will be bumped by folks reaching for their drinks and settling with the bartender. The best seats in the house on a cold day are at the bar looking at the kitchen. You get to watch the nightly ballet of the women cooking, and you get to heat yourself up on the hot-rock that is the 4-seat bar over-looking the kitchen. Beyond that, there are some private tables and one huge cafeteria-style table that either works for you or doesn't. We've had some awesome meals sharing with other people at the table and making friends, and we've had some meals with people that clearly were not socialized much as children. It's what you make of it. Get there early, and you'll get a table, or be prepared to wait so you don't have to sit with strangers. It is loud, loud, loud. So be sure to not need to talk to the person you're with. But honestly, the food is so all-consuming that who cares who you came with? Hand signals and mmmmmm will suffice.
(5)P X.
Met a long-time friend and his new wife at La Carta for dinner recently and were lucky enough to score a killer table on the sidewalk cafe area on a perfect Seattle evening...which really was a miracle considering the limited seating and militant host who will not seat you until everyone has arrived. After being seated, we waited about 15 minutes for a menu and to place a drink order, we were finally able to order up a few beers and a really fresh glass of limeade and that came out about 10 minutes later. We took the arrival of the beverages as the perfect opportunity to ordered-up a side of guacamole (Yummo!), the Hominy Soup, Fish Soup, and another item (which I am spacing on right now...but was a tortilla vegetable entree). It took a bit to get our food and we never got our waters-so we sucked down our beverages really fast with ever being offered a replacement. During the wait we were able to raid the really nice salsa bar and able to catch-up..so all was not lost. The food was good (which is the saving grace of the place), but we had to wait another half-hour for the bill to come, for the waiter to get the money, and return with our change. Too bad they never offered us more to drink...we could have probably had 3 more beers during our wait time!
(3)Deborah J.
I actually live in Ballard and had never made it to La Carta until last week. It was quiet, just after the lunch rush and I got a table immediately. While the mole was good, I thought it a touch sweet. I would've enjoyed a bit more kick to it. And the price, $9 for one chicken thigh, some overcooked rice and two homemade tortillas? En serio? That wasn't particularly cheap to me. Anywho, I would go back and give it another try, but not at peak hours. It wouldn't be worth the wait when Senior Moose is right down the street.
(3)anna h.
this is my go to Mexican restaurant! very fresh and tasty. chips and salsa is always fresh and really authentic. the guac is fresh and normally my fiance doesn't like guac but this is the only place where he will eat it! its very good and always a must! The margaritas were tasty and very strong. lemonade is fresh but the carne asada tacos are delicious! great location and easy to find parking. definitely a good eat!
(5)Phil S.
The food is good, but the entrance is guarded by an evil little man who mistreats his customers. If you can overcome that not-so-warm welcome and choose to stay, you may or may not receive service once you are seated. I noticed most of the staff was ambivalent or downright rude.One nice lady in the kitchen smiled at me - she should be in charge of the customer service. Also, the back deck, although nice when it isn't raining is covered with an awning. This awning allows cold air and rain to enter along where it attaches to the building. Brr!
(1)Linda M.
After hearing my friends rave about this place, I had to try it for myself and I'm so glad that I did. This isn't your typical Mexican place where your plate is loaded with tons of food and slathered in cheese. This place serves authentic Mexican food -- so fresh and genuinely homemade. Our table ordered molotes, mole and halibut tacos . Each dish was a medium sized portion and it was all so delicious. They also have a salsa bar with a variety of salsas. I can't wait to go back and try each and every other dish on the menu.
(5)Mary M.
for the hour and a half wait i expected the food to be EXCELLENT and it was....good..I mean...it was small and good. It wasn't great i'm not a huge fan of Mole and although my sister made it very clear that creating a great Mole sauce is like creating a masterpiece..i didn't care...it still tasted bland to me. I even ordered a side of jalepenos..thinking THIS will spice it up..nope they tasted like bell peppers..i was all together disappointed, not to mention by BF who has a hollow leg in which he must put all the food he can consume went home hungry as a bear! the crowed-ness was also a little annoying...i was bumped and pushed and 'i'm sorried' more than i can count and honestly i wouldn't have cared if my mole made me say "holy moley!" but it didn't and i do..so i won't, be back, that is.. Mare
(3)Kristin S.
Very interesting place. The plates here are pretty small so you could probably order two if you're hungry. Mole sauce is loaded onto every single dish so if you're not a fan I'd say this is not the restaurant for you. As others have mentioned the lines are very, very long but I went at lunch to avoid this pain and managed to get in right away. (Edit) The veggie options are also fairly bleak. I did find out that the lunch menu is a bit worse than the dinner menu for vegetarians.
(3)Ed K.
The portions are small, not so you eat less but so you order more. They recommend three dishes for every couple. This lets you try more stuff! I loved the black mole and the Entomotadas, thin tender grilled steak with Tomatillo sauce. There are lots of photos all over the place, and the signature huge photo of a southern Mexican man grimacing at you. Yes, we got the chips and guac and margaritas and yes, you should too!
(5)Laura A.
I don't know what Seth is talking about, this place is amazing! They are a small restaurant, but the line out the door proves its well worth the wait. Its family style seating, but the service is quick, and my drink is always full. The plates are smaller, so if you're really hungry, I recommend getting 2 dishes or sharing a third with whoever you're dining with. The food is always fresh, and who can complain with authentic Oaxcan food. I go here at least once a week with my boyfriend- and we've never had a bad experience.
(5)Nicole P.
mole tamales. thats all i have to say... oh, and great margaritas. affordable, loud, fun, yummy and just plain awesome. can't wait to go back.
(4)Omar S.
This, not Wild Ginger - or some gimmicky local chain - is my fondest culinary memory of Seattle. The freshness and quality of the food blends wonderfully with the warm and cozy atmosphere, and the service is wonderful. It's mexican food the way mexican food should be. One word of caution though. Be prepared for the line - it's a small place with a lot of demand. Ofcourse, the food is most definitely worth the wait...
(5)Angela S.
By far, BEST mexican food I have eaten in Seattle! Love this place..the mole & pork taco's are amazing!! I didn't care too much for the dessert, but everything else was great!
(5)J J.
Best mole ever! Best tortilla ever! Luckily, when I went, I avoided the usual looooong wait. Their salsa bar lets you try different types of salsa and their chips are as crunchy as it gets. I love their mole with chicken. It puts smiles on my face every time. I am lucky that its close to my work. It is fairly priced for a sit down restaurant. The service can take a while, but its only because they make everything.
(5)Laural B.
Two plates each, I guess that's the secret. The portions were just an eensy bit too small for me to be happy, despite filling up on chips and salsa first. Delicious otherwise. Get here early, it's not very big and gets crowded fast.
(4)B G.
Some damn good Oaxacan style, well priced and an enjoyable atmosphere.
(5)Jared R.
I would give this place five stars if I were rating it on decor, food, drinks. The service on Saturday night was not the greatest. It took a while to be seated even though there we empty tables and lots of people waiting for them. Once seated it took a while to get our order taken. Once we ordered we had our food in about three minutes which was great but then sat for a good long time to get the check. The service was less then stellar. There seemed to be only two people waiting on tables while seating people. The other strange little thing I saw was the bartender had to leave the bar to process credit cards which was odd and made it hard to get a drink in a reasonable time. Would I recommend this place.... Absolutely but be patient because if the place it busy like it usually is good service will be hard to find. The food was great the portions were on the small side which was fine. The food was fresh, the salsa extremely hot. Placing a sign on the salsa's explaining the hotness rating would have been nice. The Margarita was great but also $7 which cost more then almost every entree. That is my 2 cents.
(4)Peter S.
great molé, small plates, a little noisy... but here, these are good things! show up early, and there's less waiting. great food.
(5)Tyler R.
The menu consists of about 15 small dishes. Everything that was ordered was top notch. Great food, great atmosphere, and lots of tequila. I love the huge photos on the walls and the fact that the waiter bluntly told me friend "no, we don't make mojitos"
(4)nancy c.
if you arrive on a busy night, no worries! head to the bar, grab a drink and/or order chips and guac. the wait usually isn't too long if there's only two of you, and you can even order at the bar but it's limited seating and the crowd waiting behind you could be a bother. I've ordered everything on the menu and the only item I'm not too thrilled about is the empanadas. my favorites are the mole, tostadas, tacos, and posole all washed down with a tasty corona.
(4)Bebop Charlie A.
What a nice place to go and eat some authentic style Mexican food in Seattle. Though the place was packed with people it was worth the wait. I had the Enchiladas and fried egg plate and it was very similar to what you might get in Mexico. For my taste the Mole sauce was a bit too sweet and it overpowered the flavors of the other ingredients but that's only my opinion. It was still delicious. I wish I would have utilized the salsa bar to spice up my taco al pastor. Again, the taco was a bit on the sweet side due to too much pineapple chunks inside the taco. I should have picked the pieces out and added a little spicy salsa to perk things up. Still, I will go back and make it a regular spot for when I;m in the area and when I get the craving for some authentic Mexican food. Great place!
(5)Andrew B.
there are 150 reviews already. what more can i say. the line is worth the wait. oh, and they have mezcal.
(5)Lyndsey B.
I used to love this restaurant. Having lived in Mexico for three years as a young child, I find it difficult to find truly authentic Mexican food in the U.S. The gorgeous photography on the walls and the light boxes made me feel right at home. The food was yummy, spicy and flavorful (just as it should be) and I liked how loud it could get in there, as it truly reminded me of the vibrant Mexican culture. More recently, however, the food is less consistent. Dishes I used to love come out poorly. The only dish I always enjoy is the fish soup (yes, bones and all) - so good and the broth is delicious.
(3)Franklin D.
Comida perfecto. Or for those who don't hablo, damn good eats. This place has great mexican food, its probably some of the best I've had. However its also very expensive for the portion size, but then again I still can't complain, I just can't eat here as often as I'd like to. The seafood tostadas are so good that my mouth is watering just writing about them. Insert a picture of Homer Simpson drooling as he says, "Mmmm Tostadas..."
(5)seattle b.
Good food. Fast service. Good prices. A big plus for Ballard.
(4)Carl A.
mmmm chiken mole tamales and the salsa bar
(5)C M.
First off, the food here is phenomenal. It's really, really great! The restaurant offers a salsa bar where you can make your own concoction as well. The environment is fun and festive too! So that's what's great about this place. I have a recommendation however to the manager and that is to ensure that customers are getting their appetizers a little quicker without us having to ask where it is, as well as ensuring that the drinks we ordered actually arrive. Other than that, this is a great place!
(4)Nicole M.
This is officially my new favorite Mexican restaurant. Super cute place; I love the decorations/photos on the wall - it makes your dining experience feel very authentic. The staff was extremely nice, and the food was delicious! I'm usually not a big fan of chips and salsa, but they have the best chips/salsa I have ever had at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the halibut tacos; and they were so good and very filling! Everything here tastes very fresh.
(5)David V.
I am from Santa Ana California. I grew up eating this kind of food and learned how to make it from the age of 4, from a close neighbor friend that lived next door to me. I have very high standards when it comes to Mexican food. It is by far my most favorite food in the world. So, first we had to wait an hour and a half to be seated, pathetic. Once seated, I ordered the chicken mole and the carne asada tacos. The tortillas were great and fresh. The food was not very temp hot though, like it should be. The mole was OK. There was not to much flavor to it other than a little sweet. The portions were not worth the price I paid. $9.00 for a little bit of rice and the size of the piece of chicken was pathetic. $4.00 for two small carne asada tacos, pathetic. If I ordered the same identical order back home, I would have paid no more than 5 bucks for them both and I would have got more on my plate. This place is over rated. So, If you value your hard earned money do not eat here. I have had better food at some taco trucks on the side of the road than this place,and you get more food for less money. What a joke this place is.
(1)Latife N.
Try this place and you will never again associate Mexican food with wet refries, limp lettuce, or that awful gut-bomb feeling we all know too well. The margaritas are tall and tasty, and every single dish is worth trying. The tamales are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks; they're tender and delicious. Not only will grown-up friends and family love it when you take them there, the noise that your kid is making will be absorbed by the general din of the place and you won't get dirty looks from the other diners.
(5)Migs H.
The ONLY downside is the wait. Either go in for dinner really early or at about 10pm. It's Ballard, so of course they're pretty busy! When you order chips they fry them fresh. They don't have a full bar, but a fresh salsa bar and a Pacifico and who needs anything else? The kitchen is all open and there are always smiley Oxacan women making all the food. The tamales melt in your mouth. This is very traditional authentic Oxacan food
(5)LC M.
Today was my 4th trip to this place.... you really do develop a craving for mole after the first try. True to form, a line had begun to form prior to the opening at 5PM, and by 5:20, the place was full. This has been true each time I visited. While we never have waited too long for our food, today it arrived within 5 minutes of our order - super speedy. They have an interesting method of upselling...waiters ask if you would like chips & guacamole, which is a $5 price tag - rather than just delivering chips & salsa. The chips were served warm, and tasted very fresh. The salsa bar is not for wimps...I think there were 4 options plus pico de gallo! Highly recommend the ablondigas soup, and of course... the chicken mole! Oh and of course, a Margarita or two! For the regulars, note that outdoor seating is not just street side, there is a deck in the back too. If I could improve one thing about this place... the waitstaff could be a little friendlier and engaging - but they are quick, efficient, and attentive in terms of refilled drinks. They seem to be doing so well, maybe a smile and a "thank you" would be appropriate? They are however, non-intrusive, and not pushy. Well worth the trip from the eastside.
(5)Matt P.
Another great Yelp discovery! I wandered into La Carta de Oaxaca during the day to avoid the dinner madness proclaimed by other Yelpers. Upon entering La Carta de Oaxaca, I noticed the great collection of mostly black and white photography decorating the walls which is primarily Mexican inspired and a wonderful addition to the surroundings. Much to my dismay, chips were not initially served, but the dismay turned to delight when I realized the cause of the delay - the chips are freshly made for each table. SO, if you realize that you are munching through chips like a monkey does with bananas, be sure to ask the server for another basket because it will take a few minutes for them to appear. I ordered the Tacos Fritos (two chicken and one beef); the combination of the sauces over the top and the crunchy rolled tortillas was great. Next time around, I'm going for the mole which one of my friends ordered - it was scrumptious! The bar for good Mexican food in Seattle is set rather low in my mind, but La Carta de Oaxaca easily clears the hurdle!
(5)Sara E.
chirpy - that is standard industry practice and happens at EVERY restaurant and bar. the waiters are tasting the drink - in a sanitary manner - to make sure that it came out right. they're not stealing sips of your beverage - they're trying to make sure that you get the perfect cocktail that you ordered. just like the cook in the kitchen will dip a clean spoon into a sauce and taste it to make sure that it's right. now to the review - la carta de oaxaca is amazing. go there. the portion size is a BONUS meaning you can order a wider variety and try more things!
(4)Lani A.
The best margaritas in the city. Family friendly, solid Mexican food (feels more authentic than Azteca), doesn't try to overfeed you, and high-quality ingredients. Great to take your workmates for a drink and some vittles.
(4)Erin F.
The food is good, yes. The wait is not so good. And the service leaves a bit to be desired. As a new Seattle resident, I left wondering what all the fuss was about. Will I be back? Maybe. I tend to prefer my restaurants less crowded, a bit quieter and where its more of a dining experience. I couldn't help but feel the eyes of those anxiously waiting for a table boring into my back while I ate.
(3)Eric S.
great food, spotty service, don't go thurs-saturday as it is very busy. i like this place and want to love it, but the service can be very slow. also, their mole' is great, but after eating here over 10 times i can tell you that the size of the portion is all over the place--sometimes a good size, othertimes the size of a golf ball or smaller. great guac. choice of salsas is very nice but hard to get to....a good place for food, not conversation as it gets very loud. my suggestion is to eat outside on a tues or wed night when it is not crowded and the weather permits this. one of my favorite places for mexican in all of seattle, i just wish they would step it up a notch and have quicker service---frustrating to get served chips and guac but wait and wait and wait for drinks.....we would have bought 2 or 3 more rounds if the server came back to our table at a reasonable time frame. don't expect much for good service and you'll like this place even more than me.
(4)Vi N.
This is one of two really great, flavorful, spicy, and authentic Mexican places I've been to since I've moved out here! My boyfriend and I are big fans of Mexican food, but were disappointed by the few joints we had tried where the so-called spicy and heat in the food was extremely unsatisfying and bland. Thank God we found this place and are lucky enough to live walking distance from it! Cons: Gets crowded and busy extremely fast. Waits can be up to an 1.5 hours. Doesn't take reservations, at least not for small parties. Small portions. Not tiny tapas size, but small. Pros: Delicious spicy, flavorful, and authentic Mexican food. The salsa bar rocks! Best mole I've had anywhere! Speedy service. Amazing and generously poured margaritas!
(4)Leah B.
Holy crap is this place crowded, ALL THE TIME! We've been on a weekend (mistake!) and a week day (why is it packed on a monday?!). But it's always worth the wait. When I go, I usually get 2 dishes and everyone shares. Unless you get a table by the window, be prepared to get to know your neighbors. Most tables are connected to everyone elses. It can get NOISY. Me likey the Bartender Margarita :)
(4)Kristine N.
First off I want to say this was my second time going here. It is always very busy which is a good sign. The tables are far too close to one another. Most of my meal there was someone's butt either in my face or rubbing up against me. Since I sat by the salsa bar my head was pushed forward multiple times by either waiters or customers walking by. Okay now lets talk about service. This was probably some of the worst service I have ever received. Not only did I feel rushed to order when I wasn't ready I didn't receive a water until after getting my food. Since I work in the service industry I understood that it was busy and the waiter probably forgot. No harm no foul. Then when they brought the food out they messed up my order. I politely said," Oh I ordered the verde enchilladas. I'm sorry for the confusion." The girl then looked at me like I was lying and went over to our waiter. Our waiter came up and stated that I had ordered the halibut tacos. When I kindly disagreed he rolled his eyes and huffed away. Feeling like I had done something wrong I asked my boyfriend if I had said the halibut tacos. We both agreed that I not only said number 24 on the menu but also pointed to it while ordering. I tried to shrug it off and not think too much about it. While waiting 10 minutes for my food, my boyfriend being the gentlemen that he is, sat there and let his food get cold. I then heard the table next to me say that they had ordered something else as well. This is the point when I stopped feeling bad. I was now angry. It also didn't help that our food wasn't amazing, it was good at best. When we were finished and waiting for our check I was looking around and noticed that you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. It seemed as if all the wait staff hated each other. They weren't doing a good job of hiding it. I only gave them two stars instead of one because the food itself was good. I del like I could get something from a taco truck and be just as happy for a fraction of the price though. Won't be going back.
(2)Gary S.
I've eaten here twice. The first time I thought it was really good and I wanted to come back and try more variety before reviewing. The second time, I was amazed at the flavors and presentation. The tamales were out of this world fantastic, best I've ever had or probably ever will have. This is saying something as Seattle doesn't exactly corner the market in good Mexican cuisine. The environment at Oaxaca is lacking. It is a small, crowded, noisy place and the service is, well, concise. Not bad mind you, not friendly and welcoming either, just quick and to the point. Considering how spectacular the flavors are, I am more than willing to overlook the lack of parking and other minor nits that would otherwise make this a 5 star review. I want to go back again and again because I can't wait to try more of the menu!
(4)Carey T.
Visited Oaxaca last night, I'd visited before, it had just been a long while. I was there with my fella, and we wanted to be able to talk and have a little privacy. When asking about a particular seat, the only table that wasnt wedged between two other tables with couples or at the end of a long table, the waiter said no. I explained we wanted some privacy so we could talk so he relented and let us have the seat. Mind you, I go to establishments for the experience, not just for the food. We ordered several things along with some drinks. The bartender margaritas were alright, plenty strong but just okay. The best thing we ordered was the tamale mole negro. So good, as good as I remember from back in the day. But today I lamented that I actually liked the food at Tacos Bravos better and for way less of the expense. I will say that the turn around time on the booze was FAST! I think next time, we will try one of many new places that have popped up on Ballard Avenue.
(3)Allie F.
I've been to La Carta three to four times while I lived in Seattle and never really understood what all the hullabaloo was about. I honestly can't remember anything outstanding about it, and would rather go to Senor Moose or El Camion for good Mexican food, especially since La Carta can be so crazy busy all of the time. But so many people love it, so I don't know if my opinion really matters in this case :)
(2)Private C.
Ever since moving to Seattle I've been desperately trying to find a place that will fulfill my deep and unwavering need for mexican food. I've tasted my share of dried out chicken and canned refried beans, with an ever saddening heart, but tonight, a Saturday night that seemed like any other... my life was changed. Four friends and I went to La Carta de Oaxaca and it was absolutely fantastic. I'm from southern Arizona, so finding good mexican food in other parts of the country has always been a struggle. I had the Tamales de Mole Negro and the fried quesadillas. The tamales/mole were outstanding. The quesadilla was a little basic, but none the less delicious. We shared around the table and the Lamb Birria was great too. For those of you who know good mexican, I recommend this reprieve from the pathetic Seattle offerings. I think I need to move to Ballard. $125 for 8 dishes and 5 margaritas. Completely worth it.
(5)Kate G.
I can easily say as a former Seattle resident now in Denver that Mexican was not on my list of foods I needed to eat while in town. I eat really good Mexican in Colorado, come on! But we lucked into an early-ish 6pm dinner here on a Friday night with a group of four and only a few minutes wait. Just enough time to order some tequila from the back bar before sitting down. I ordered the chile rellenos, which at $8, is ridiculously cheap for what was the most delicious and least greasy version I'd had in a long time. I sliced my peppers (I went with the cheese filled but there are meat options too) and put them into the freshly-made tortillas and topped with tender and flavorful rice and beans. Honestly, it was so delicious, we all inhaled our food and were out of there before I even realized what had happened. The food was so great, it just disappeared instantly. It was definitely packed and loud inside, but our food was served quickly and we were even able to FaceTime with some friends in Denver, so it wasn't TOO loud. Or maybe we were just sheltered enough in our cozy corner. Regardless of noise and crowd, the ambiance was bustling and fun. The chips and salsa were spicy, super fresh and yummy too. Extensive tequila selection, if a bit expensive for 90% of the options.
(4)Chad Y.
I think this could quickly become my favorite mexican restaurant in Seattle. Simply put good quality and fairly authentic (although I am not an expert at this) mexican food. Prices are decent and they make a terrific margarita. The tortillas were fantastic and I have to say the guacamole put a buckle in my knees. Parking can be a pain...but let's face it, it's Ballard! Oh..and I skipped dessert here, but Cupcake Royale is right up the street!
(4)Rex B.
THE GOOD: Everything! This place is THE BEST THE BAD: The wait sometimes (But go grab a Margarita or Beer and be patient) THE LOWDOWN: This is the best mexican food place that I have had in Seattle, and even California. I have been here so many times, and I just can't find anything they do or make wrong. I have had nearly everything on the menu, and my favorites are the Halibut tacos, the Tacos Al Pastor and the Chile Relleno. Just go here, you will not be disappointed! Oh and I think I have a unique photo of the place :)
(5)Lauren B.
Tasty food and really strong drinks. Like, absurdly strong, to the point that I actually asked the bartender if he could tone it down for me, which he was a jerk about. BUT that was a minor issue. The food was delic and their salsa bar is cute and nice.
(4)Suruchi C.
Been here twice and I would say it was ok both the toimes. The Empanada was full of cloves flavor. No one likes cloves that much! This time we got the Tacos Fritos which was good and The Chicken Enchiladas which very great. Loved their rice and beans the most. I love going to this place because of the warm ambiance and fresh hot food. It is just what you need on a cold winter night in Seattle. Other than that, I've had better Mexican food.
(3)Rodica B.
This little Mexican food place is always bustling with people. If you come after 6 pm, you're likely to have to wait. I wouldn't go here for a nice, romantic dinner, but the food is exceptional (mole, fish tacos, enchiladas...yum!) and the portion sizes are very reasonable. They also have a great salsa bar, which I made sure to check out the second time I went and I definitely recommend it. If you like Mexican food - definitely try this place, but keep your expectations in check. Go there like you would go to Mexico, or Italy, or Brazil - embrace the fun, the noise, the bustle, and enjoy the experience. The staff is super nice and they will take good care of you. And if you still think it's too noisy, just have a few more glasses of their awesome sangria ;)
(5)Yen D.
Hand me tacos from a taco truck please!! I'd get more for my money with food with equal or same caliber. We had their chips and guac, and tried their pico de gallo, green salsa, chipotle and another sauce I couldn't identify, but basically very similar to the selection at Agua Verde. I was more a fan of their pico de gallo. I had their mole negro with pork and rice. It tasted ok with their nice chocolate mole. My 2 friends' plates were very small too, one had the carne asada with a side of rice and sour cream with guac and my other friend had the lamb birria. Carne asada didn't knock my socks off and neither did the lamb. All decent, but none stunning. I'd only go here if friends wanted to go here, but I wouldn't want to come here by myself. I miss the food in Mazatlan greatly... Forewarning, if you want to get a table, make sure all of your guests are there because if you're there during rush hour, they won't add a chair for your late guest. All your friends or companions must be present when being seated. They take no reservations!!
(2)Julie H.
Mole mole mole. Dang, I love this place! I've been to La Carta many times and just went back once again. Chicken en Mole, must try. Tacos al Pastor? So much flavor! Even the rice is crazy delicious. The plates are not that big, which is reflected in the price, but I love this because I can try more than one thing. The neverending salsa bar is good times for sure, I eat the pico de gallo straight. It is usually busy, so expect to wait. The bar is small, so finding a spot to wait for a table can be difficult, but the margaritas are good and I don't mind waiting around sipping away and anticipating my next menu move. Don't expect five star table side service. They don't remember what you ordered and they're going to expect you to. They are pretty busy and the service is fast, so I'm not at all offended that they don't present my guacamole to me over a white napkin-draped arm. It's an $8 plate and you didn't forget my drink. Happy.
(5)Kinney L.
Overpriced and boring. Go to a real taqueria (La Fondita #2) if you want good food for a good price.
(1)Ely B.
This intoxicating piece of Mexican culinary decamped, marched three thousand miles and miraculously landed in the alluring Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. I say "miraculously" because Seattle is closer to Anchorage and Siberia than it is to Mexico. And it sometimes sadly shows in their Mexican fare. But not at Carta de Oaxaca--which is a splendid example of regional Mexican food. Everything is good here--the fish tacos, the salsas, chips, tostadas. !Viva La Carta de Oaxaca!
(5)Jessica H.
I've had a lot of different dishes here over the years but I recently had one that made the record books. Usually, I order the pesole or tacos but this last time I got the carne asada. I was really impressed with the tenderness and quality of the meat, it was delectable. The handmade tortillas are probably the best (maybe only) quality tortillas you can get in Seattle. I do like their margaritas but typically stick with a beer. Their salsa bar is super great too. One thing that deters me from this establishment is their service wait time. It's just borderline too much. I understand it's a busy place but sometimes (on weekday lunches) when there isn't a lot of people I don't get what the hold up is. Enough servers and not as many patrons. I don't have much of a problem getting a table but once I'm there it feels really drawn out. It is in a really fantastic location in ballard and if your lucky you will get a spot on the patio. Overall, if I would recommend one authentic Mexican place to someone in Seattle it would be here. I will continue to come here and would love to see them grow and improve.
(5)Megan W.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Seattle. Very authentic, full of bold flavors, and well priced. I always get their mole tamales and a spicy margarita. Expect a bit of a wait if your group is more than four, and they don't make any substitutions to their menu items.
(4)Sean L.
Phenomenal huevos rancheros, shrimp cocktail, and mezcal selection. Enchiladas were incredible: sweet in a way I'd never had before. By far the best Mexican food in Seattle.
(5)Kristi R.
Authentic Mexican! Not the overly cheesy crap served at chain Mexican restaurants. What a great find! We had shrimp ceviche, pork mole, BBQ pork tacos and the lamb dish. Everything was fantastic which explains the line out the door. We'll be back.
(5)Monkey T.
Several parties waiting, pretty full inside, hostess asks, "how many? 2? Okay, 10mins. You are number 15." She doesn't write anything down and yet we are seated right on time. How she do that? Seated against the wall, right next to others, it is loud like an audience to what feels like a circus. Monkey facing a wall of photos, one of which, features a striped, big top tent-like shade, tall flashes of fire illuminate the kitchen and the unmistaken tuba music blankets the chatter surrounding us. We are elbow to elbow and she talk that "omg talk" so damn loud. Sure, while there's a Monkey briefly on the table, I can't help but expect to see elephants walking past the door. Monkey do: CHIPS & GUACAMOLE- $6 for guacamole half the size of an avocado?! We mixed two servings of salsa with the guac to make it last CARNE ASADA TACOS- homemade tortillas, marinated steak, plenty of onions, cilantro & mild salsa. Fantastico! If the tortilla breaks while you are savoring every delicious bite, just shove it all into your mouth. Asada is chopped into small pieces as are the onions & cilantro. Mexican baby food. Monkey loved the tacos and is already craving our return...
(4)Willy M.
I like this place, came here for dinner the other night and it was already packed but we were able to slide in between some peoples. Seems to be family friendly with a nice large community table in the middle, some smaller tables around it for parties of 2 or 4. I like the decor, photos/pictures on the wall. Very relaxed place. We decided to order a few beers with our chips & guac, nothing like a good Tecate to wash it down! Great salsa bar at the kitchen counter area, they had about 6 different salsas available, from mild to spicy. I was sold on getting the Al Pastor tacos, comes with 3 in an order, pretty good! Meat was tasty & flavorful, I like the simplicity of the onions & cilantro with a nice salsa verde on top. A few hits of lime and I was mowing them down! I probably could've eaten a 6'er but didnt want to be all gluttonous! They make their own tortillas as you can see the lady making them up front. Service was fine, refilled waters quickly, checked on us a few times and was quick to give us the check when we were ready. Cool spot, definitely gets busy and hopefully you dont mind sitting close to others or community style or try to have this super personal conversation because we will probably be able to hear it.
(4)Rohan K.
We went here for dinner as a group of 8 on a thursday night. It was really busy but we got a table in 15 minutes which is pretty great. Started off with some chips, guac and salsa which was pretty good and fresh. I got the Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno (Chicken). It was really good. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the sauce was flavorful. My friend got the Pollo Enchilado which was also spectacular. Also the different fish tacos are really nice. The vegetarian items were ok and folks didn't seem to enjoy them too much. We ended up a flan which was absolutely outstanding and a must have. Overall the food was really good and the service was quick and friendly. My only problem with the place is that it's way too pricey for the tiny portion sizes. Most Oaxacan restaurants pride themselves on hearty portion but here you get tiny entrée that leave you nowhere near full. For the premium prices I definitely would expect larger portions. A solid 3.5 stars in my book.
(3)Mrs. A.
Great and worth the wait!! The food is excellent and priced fairly. The wait is pretty long on a Saturday night so get ready to hang out for about an hour. It's worth a try for sure and I know I will be back.
(5)Jennifer F.
Completely packed when we visited on a Saturday night, but the wait was just half an hour. You need to have your full party present, otherwise they won't seat you. We were seated at the table by the door, which is practically right against the door when it opens. It felt cramped in there, and it was pretty loud. I tried the carne asada plato, and thought it was good. The meat was flavorful, but was a little bit chewy. Portions were smaller than I expected, and no free chips?? Guess I'm just use to places with bigger portions, and that come with complimentary chips. I almost always have leftovers to take home, because I eat smaller meals, but with these portions.. I pretty much finished the whole plate in one sitting. Service also seemed scattered/lacking. They never checked up on us, and they only refilled our waters once.. when we were paying our bills. They also gave us more change than they owed us, which I guess was nice? But probably not good for their business. The server apologized when we let her know though. It also seemed like they round up, so they didn't give us exact change.
(3)Phoenix A.
I've given up and am resigning to the fact that the further you are away from Mexico...and 3 stars is nice. I've lived in Seattle for a little over 3 years now and have officially given up on my search for good Mexican food. I came here and met up with a friend. Prior to coming here, every person I asked about good Mexican food recommended this place. After being thoroughly disappointed for a while now, I wasn't the least bit excited. I started off with a strawberry margarita and indulged in chips and salsa before our entrees arrived. They have a self serve salsa bar. I don't understand this tiny ramekin phenomenon that I've only seen here in Seattle. Pecado Bueno over in Green Lake (or Phinney Ridge) had the same things but in paper even. I can barely fit a chip into the tiny cup to scoop up the runny salsa. What gives? For my entree I ordered the carne asada plate that came with black beans and rice. The rice tasted like it was cooked in fish oil. I like fish. I don't like it when my Mexican rice tastes like fish. Whatever. I ate everything. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't as great as everyone made it out to be. At dinner last night at Bottle & Bull, I shared this experience with a friend who has also lived in Los Angeles (where I'm from). She flat out said "just quit now. You're just going to waste your time trying to find good Mexican food." Now, I guess for Seattle standards, this place is okay, hence my 3 stars. For anyone else from near the southern U.S. border, skip it.
(3)Kitte K.
It's all about the molé here. My fave is the chicken molé tamale! I come here pretty often and the food is very consistent and the staff is very nice. For a cool experience, sit at the bar and watch the tortillas being made! Careful though because the bar gets very hot. Also try the shrimp cocktail. It's served with saltines and butter, which you eat with the shrimp! Don't knock it till you try it!!! Make sure to check out this gem in Ballard, well worth it!
(5)Nick S.
A Seattle classic by now. Love all the food I've tried here. The vibe is authentic. Fantastic place for a date.
(5)Jasmine J.
The chicken enchiladas and beef tacos are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! So amazing that after dinner we ordered both again to take home. The place is small and can become very very crowded but definitely worth every chair knock and slight shoulder bump to get to your seat. The food is fantastic!
(5)Huma K.
MOLÉ. The molé is not a sauce. It's a prayer. DO IT... Everything here is handmade, the tortillas, salsas... All but the bar is made in-house. NOT to be missed. Checklist: Mezcal. Molé. Flan.
(5)Natalie W.
Meh. The tacos at Tacos Chukis in Capital Hill are much better. We arrived around 7pm on Friday night. They told us there would be a 1 hour wait for a party of 4 but they called us to come after about 20 minutes. I ordered the carne asada tacos, which was pretty good but I've definitely had better. Of the 4 of us, none of the plates looked especially appetizing. Everyone in the party agreed that the food was just ok.
(3)Meagan S.
Here's the down and dirty low down: 1) Good vibe 2) Sign isn't prominent, so unless you know where it is, you could miss it; we did 3) Walk inside and wait until a server sees you - they will direct you to a table 4) Come early; my friend and I came at 6:30 on a Friday, had no wait, but when we left close to 7:45 pm the place was hopping 5) Going at not busy time is best for the noise level, because when the place gets busy it also gets LOUD, and that makes it hard to hear the person you are with 6) FOOD = delicious and good quality and gluten friendly; We tried the enchiladas with red sauce, and the carne asada plato - both things we would get again. The red sauce is seriously delicious and I have no idea what they put it in but it's to die for! It's also fun to try all the salsas. Know that the pico de gallo and guacamole are LACK LUSTER and FLAVORLESS. I can make better stuff at home with my eyes closed. 7) Overall, it was good portions for the price (you can easily share two plates, which was great for us), you'll leave satisfied and not stuffed, and your wallet will be intact too. My friend and I really enjoyed our time and our food, and will be back. I'd recommend for anyone, but this is not the place to bring kiddos, especially at peak times.
(5)Heather S.
I never thought I'd say this but I've had way better tacos in Vancouver. Vancouver, Canada. Mexican population: twelve. (Exaggerating, but you get my drift.) We started with the michelada which was underspiced and came with a weird stick of dried tamarind wrapped around a straw. Is it a stir stick? Do I eat it? Mostly it just got in the way. For our mains we had the halibut tacos and the carne asada tacos. Served on single tortillas (blasphemy), they were mediocre at best. The steak had the traditional onions and cilantro; the halibut disappointingly included iceberg lettuce and some crappy chipotle mayo falsely advertised as 'crema.' At $7 for the steak, whatever, but a couple overcooked halibut chunks for $14 is a crime.
(2)Steve A.
The food is excellent. The quesadillas are my kids favorites. The cheese is very good and the sauces on top are good as well. Good atmosphere, boisterous and friendly.
(5)Katie G.
The service was slow and the cocktails are expensive. None of that matters - the food and drinks taste phenomenal. Came in on a Saturday night at 8:30 and got instantly seated. I had a ginger cocktail and boyf had the primer beso (both $10). I ordered pozole: spicy, fresh, meaty and amazing. He ordered the mole specialty with pork: slight hint of chocolate, rich, shreds easily. The tortillas are clearly made in bliss, given that the whole place smells like you just put fresh cobs on a grill. I'm in love - we'll be back, and maybe get a michelada next time.
(5)Gisselle L.
A neighbor recommended this place and I am glad that she did. The food here is amazing and authentic. I came here and got the Sangria and the Halibut Tacos which were yummy. Super affordable and would come here again
(5)Antesa J.
Never Say No To Tacos. That is all. Every time I'm at La Carta I want to order, and then promptly eat, every single thing on the menu. My most recent trip was no different, though I finally decided on tacos el pastor and was not disapppointed. Delicious.
(5)Dan N.
Up in Seattle for the weekend hanging out with friends. Our foodie friends recommended we head to La Carta de Oaxaca for dinner so we and about ten others headed in there. Saturday afternoon, opening time (5:00). Geographically, Oaxaca is at the southern end of Mexico, almost to Guatemala. So your food isn't going to be "typical Mexican" as we consider it up here in the states. Additionally, while they have a selection of tequila's, their real selection comes from their Mezcals which are very popular in Oaxaca. I had never had Mezcal before, but I'm always up for anything once, so I got a chance to try a few, from both a sampler plate and then sipping from several ordered amongst our group. My friend described Mezcal, aptly, as a "liquid tire fire from heaven." I'm inclined to agree. I could best describe it as what would emerge if Tequila, Gin, and Islay Single Malt Scotch all got together in a tasty menage a trois. It is very strong--stronger than most tequilas I've tried--and has very substantive nuances to it. Herbs, smoke, florals, peppers, sweet caramel and more were varied with the selections, but all had a substantial "alcohol" flavor. They even had a few available that are distilled with poultry, though I tend to draw a line at "no chicken in my drink, thanks," and abstained from those. At up to $30 a shot (averaging $12-15) Mezcal also isn't cheap. Overall, I really liked the stuff, but Mezcal is definitely not for the feint of heart. On the food: wow. This was the Mexican I've been looking for. We tried their ceviche de camarones---shrimp ceviche as our appetizer. Fantastic. It was citrusy and went very well with the julienne'd pineapple on the side. Wife N had the Tacos al Pastor (pork) while I had the Halibut Tacos. I thought the pork tacos were very flavorful, and she really liked them, but the Halibut was the hero of the day. Wonderfully cooked, they had a very spicy sauce and fresh jalapenos that showcased the perfectly-sauteed halibut and wrapped it in a spicy glow. I'd drive back up to Seattle just for another plate of them. Flan for dessert was excellent, though the caramel sauce was slightly burned---it was still flavorful but I don't know enough about Oaxacan food to know whether the darkness was intentional. Either way, it was very respectable as a dessert and quite enjoyable. This is the place you go for Mexican food when you don't just want another plate of enchiladas or a regular burrito. La Carta de Oaxaca is where foodies go for their south-of-the-border fix. And every bite was awesome. Definitely on our "must return and eat here again" list.
(5)Britney R.
The food was good, but they gave you a portion big enough to feed a 3 year old. We didn't have to wait long to be seated, but I think that's because you can eat your food in less than 8 minutes. The chips and salsa are WAY over priced, I've never paid $6 for a half full bowl of chips and about 3 ounces of guac before. The cool thing about this place, is that they had a self serve salsa bar, they had maybe 4 different types of salsa to try. Carne assada had a nice flavor, but I would recommend not going if you are hungry.
(2)Latifa S.
First of many margaritas and seriously flavorful food!! This place has been serving fantastic Oxacan food and mean margaritas for years! I've discovered this place about 6 years ago. I must admit, I've only tried a few things from their menu during 6 years. But lately, I've had tried pretty much everything from their menu! Drinks - I had my very first alcoholic margaritas as a little 21 years old here :-). Yea, that first !!! I felt so special being legal , I had 2! Bartenders margaritas I believe. And I loved it!! Food- yumm with serious spice!! Lamb Birrira- pretty spicy and flavorful. Served with beans and tortilla. It was amazing. Mole negro oxaqueno - the sauce is delish!! Tacos al pastor - I like them all but my favorite has to be the carne esada. Carne esada Plato - yumm! The meat, the sauce, the pico. So well balanced. Halibut tacos- nice and fluffy! And that pepper cream sauce is kind of awesome. Posole -pork stew with cabbages, tortilla, onions and lime on the side. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo - Eee these are my absolute favorite. Flavorful and spicy chile lime sauce,big prawns, beans and flavorful rice. It has a whole lot of heat!!! Ahhh. It's soo good!! This is my crack!! And they have a salsa bar!! You can eat your heart out. They also have a small and tasty looking lunch menu that I have yet to check out. The wait has always been all sorts of crazy over here but good things are worth the wait. And with two other locations: you're in luck for some serious Oxacan food if you can't dine here. Wait at the bar, have a margarita or a mezcal! Watch them cook in that open kitchen or go outside for some patio seating. No matter what, you are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and your stomach. At $11- $15 per plates, you're also guaranteed to not break your bank. It's a win win from everywhere! Give of a try if you haven't. You just might get addicted.
(4)Ryan C.
I have walked past this place many times on the way to Molten cakes or Walrus and Carpenter. I finally took the time to step inside and grab some dinner. Ordering the shrimp ceviche was a strong start to the dinner. Very tasty with great balance of shrimp and onions. I took the recommendation to order the mole negro with pork. I thought that it was good, but I would have to say that the best mole that I have ever had comes from the Red Iguana in Salt Lake City. Don't get me wrong, LC de O was good, but it wan't the best ever. I do appreciate the hot freshly handmade flour tortillas that accompanied the mole. I did not have desert, but saw the pineapple tamale and ice cream at a neighbor's table. It looked good. What did I learn today? You have to order chips. Living in NorCal has spoiled me for expectations of a salsa bar.
(4)Osiris G.
Love this authentic Mexican restaurant. Worth the wait!!
(5)Chuck S.
Fabulous and authentic Mexican fare! The tacos are tiny but mighty in flavor. There is a help yourself salsa bar and you might sit at the table with strangers but it's part of the charm. This place was hopping and they move you in and out pretty quick. Love love!
(5)marissa p.
I usually love this place. But I have to give a not so great review tonight because they wouldn't let me special order:/ I usually get the tostadas with beef but I substitute pork. Tonight for whatever reason I wasn't allowed to do that. Lame.
(3)Ali D.
As much as I hate waiting in lines for anything (I'm an extremely impatient individual), La Carta is yet another Seattle establishment that manages to make me not even care about the long wait because it is just worth it. I love coming for lunch when I'm in the mood for Mexican (which is practically every day). Their portions are on the smaller side which is great if you're not super hungry for dinner or perfect for lunch. That being said, everything on the menu is absolutely scrumptious. Pure authentic, spicy Mexican food bliss. Their chicken mole is to die for; served with warm, homemade corn tortillas and aromatic rice, the chicken is fork tender and swimming in a rich, flavorful mole sauce. The chicken enchiladas verde are another favorite, topped with just a few of my favorite things: thinly sliced white onion, queso fresco, tomatillo sauce and crema. And, of course, a trip to La Carta would not be complete without an order of their house-made guacamole and chips and a swift Cadillac margarita. My mouth is literally watering right now just describing it!
(4)Emma L.
Great vibe and great place to people-watch. I tried the Tacos al Pastor. They're pretty good, but I've had better. The atmosphere and food are enough for me to give a second try. Stay tuned!
(4)David K.
Had lunch here with a friend yesterday. I see that it's highly regarded on Yelp, so I assume I'm missing something. I ordered the steak enchilada, which was covered in a sauce (maybe mole? it was dark and sweet), which was far too sweet - this opinion was shared by my friend who tried a bite of my enchilada. My friend got a couple of tacos (I forget which, but he tried two different styles). One was quite good, and the other was pretty generic. We also ordered chips and guacamole. The guacamole was good, but unspectacular (we had guac at El Boraccho the night before, which was liked quite a bit more). I quite liked their salsas and pico though. Other than that, the beer prices are reasonable ($4.50 for most), food prices were affordable (my enchilada was $12), and our servers were attentive and friendly.
(2)Elizabeth A.
Excuse me, porkers who say the plates at Oaxaca aren't enough food, how's your current weight? My boyfriend and I SPLIT the carne asada (I read three reviews complaining it was too small) for dinner and we are both perfectly satisfied after the meal. And for those of you looking for "real" or "better" Mexican food in Seattle? This is it!!! This is authentic Oaxacan food in a restaurant operated by actual (and, I might add, very gracious and lovely) Oaxacans! To those of you who have not tried Oaxaca yet, all three restaurants are wonderful, the food is delicious and the experience is fun. To those who expect more ... guess you'll have to go to Mexico. When you do, check out the beautiful city of Oaxaca. I'm sure they will welcome you and your unreasonable expectations with open arms.
(5)Brad J.
If your looking for Mexican good with quality of quantity in mind that place is great. The decor is classic Mexican kitchen. The counter seating is a nice touch. I had the Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno. The was a tad on the dry side the dish was great overall. I'd definitely get it again. The salsa's were not tame but not overly spicy. The guac and chips were fantastic also. Not your cheap mission style Mexican at all. Will be back
(4)Megan J.
Good, traditional Mexican (traditional good, not traditional greasy and cheesy, that is). Not easy to find in Seattle, but this place fixed my craving and gave me hope that my love for Mexican will not die a sad death having moved here. It gets busy, but grab a delicious margarita and wait for it!
(4)Megan P.
Consistent with my growing up in Texas, I rarely say no to great Mexican food be it Tex-Mex (aka not real Mexican) or a rich mole from the Mexican interior region. My brother was very complimentary of La Carta de Oaxaca so we decided to try it out on a Wednesday night. Having heard of the long lines that the restaurant draws, we got there around 6:00 and were promptly seated. The seating is limited and the space casual, so plan appropriately. My compliments go to salsa bar, which included pico de gallo and five or six salsas ranging in heat and flavor profile from classic tomatillo to complex roasted. All were delicious! I tried a margarita and was pleased to find that it was not overly sweet, as many places are apt to do. We started with some guacamole, which was a small portion for the price, but good nonetheless. I tried a mushroom empanada, which was similar to a sealed quesadilla. Unlike other empanadas I have tried, this version was in a larger tortilla and was not fried (no complaints). The mushroom filling was in a curry that was deliciously spicy and paired well with the citrusy margarita. I appreciated that unlike Tex-Mex, the meal was not accompanied by rice and beans but by a few orange slices to balance the heat. It was the perfect amount of food with just the right amount of spice to keep you wanting more. All of my friends thoroughly enjoyed their food and, although it wasn't the best Mexican food I have ever had, it is worth stopping by for the salsa bar and perhaps some mole.
(3)Jessica P.
One of my favorite places for Mexican food. It has very authentic Mexican food but sometimes the service can be slow.
(5)Hallie D.
I made sure to make the trip here for dinner before I left Seattle so I'm sorry to have to report that this place is not as good as its hyped up to be. The mole was very tasty, but I was a bit disappointed by the rest. I was recommended the chile relleno by our server but that and the shrimp ceviche were just alright. The halibut tacos were meh, kinda soggy and not very flavorful, nothing compared to those heavenly fish tacos from El Camion!
(3)Bryan M.
Amazing!! Love this place and will definitely be coming back a lot. Perfectly crafted Mexican food and atmosphere with awesome pictures all over the restaurant. This is a true gem of Ballard. Came in for lunch, got chips/guacamole and halibut fish tacos and the fried cheese quesadilas with some Corona light to wash it all down. Just perfect we weren't too full but we were definitely satisfied. The tacos were perfectly crafted, the fish was cooked perfectly and I could have eaten spoonfuls of the sauce. The only bad thing was that the tortillas on the second a d third tacos were really soaked and when I picked them up the insides fell out super easy, which wasn't that big of a problem because I just scooped what had fallen out with left over tortilla chips and my fork. The quesadillas had a perfect crunch on them and the cheese was so gooey. Our total tab was $44 which for a lunch out at a great spot I was more than happy with.
(5)Taren W.
Would give zero stars if possible, and I'm not sure where to start. Waited over 50 minutes for jeauvos rancheros, was never told about the salsa bar, only had 1 small basket of chips for 3 people and not offered additional chips because kitchen was closed at 3pm on a saturday, received burnt chicken in the tacos fritos, water wasnt refilled, asked by waitress to pay before we ever received the 3rd dish, asked by manager to pay right after 3rd dish was brought to table and barely took a bite of it. We explained the situation to the manager and he was completely unconcerned that we just received the last part of our order and demanded payment right then since they were closing. Will never go back here again!
(1)Melissa B.
Excellent authentic Mexican. Expect to wait for a table, it is always full. The service can be spotty, but the food here is delicious. They have a salsa bar with several salsas to choose from and a wide variety on the menu. I highly recommend the chicken tacos fritos, chips with guacamole, and a strawberry margarita!
(4)Felisa D.
I get super excited about food all the time so much so that it's hard to express how supremely good some places can really be and be taken seriously. IF I SPOKE IN ALL CAPS, WOULD IT BE MORE BELIEVABLE? THIS PLACE IS SOOOOO GOOD!!! Okay. Enough of me feeling like that crazy lady who reviews products on Amazon and has to use ALL CAPS and five million exclamation points to get her point across. But seriously. The enchiladas verdes con pollo. MAN. I've made that at home with pretty much the same ingredients but I can't for the life of me make it as good as they have it here. I think "crema Mexicana" is code for crack. Yes, there's a wait and no space outside (or inside) the restaurant to wait. Yes, they always freakin' run out of the little salsa serving cups so much so I almost walked over with my empty water glass to get me some salsa. It's cramped. The open kitchen situation makes you smell like the food for daysss. But it's all worth it.
(5)Tracey L.
I've had waaaaay better tacos then this place. I had the halibut tacos and I tried my daughter's Carne Asada tacos. we shared an Empanada that we did not finish and if we like something we usually eat it all...My husband loved the Lamb Birria though. Very flavorful. My hubby can make better Salsa and Guacamole. Probably won't come to this place again since there are better tacos elsewhere. Nice area though.
(2)George Kenneth M.
Delicioso! I love their chips and in house salsa. My favorite was their chicken mole. It is not a huge portion but enough to give you a taste of authentic mole y pollo.
(5)Chiho H.
It's soooo Mexican of Mexican. I'm Japanese so I can't eat American Mexican everyday, cuz those are too cheeseeeee / beannnnn. Too much thick and oily. But here, those are so different and simple, like mam's dish, homemade dish. I'd love to eat everyday.
(4)Michael M.
Pure awesomeness. Try number 23 the enchiladas. The ambiance is really family friendly, the drinks are really strong compared to other places I've been. Portions are perfect, just enough to make you feel satisfied, but not so much that you can't finish your meal. One of the best Mexican restaurants that I've been to
(5)Karen Q.
Came here 8 or 9 years ago on date night, and loved everything except the crowds and noise. Today is the day before Thanksgiving, so the place is simply packed but no line! Yay. The guacamole is pretty spicy, and the fresh salsa is even spicier than the dark roasted one, so heads up! Hubby had the chicken enchiladas and really liked them. The rice isn't the "typical" red and has a fantastic flavor. I had the tacos al pastor (pork) - which I ordered accidentally instead of the asada (beef). There were three small ones on the plate, perfectly dressed with a green hot sauce, white onion and cilantro. The pork was good but a tiny bit dry. The portion size was great for a small meal. I ended up ordering an extra plate of asada because I had my heart set on it... And it was totally worth it! Great flavor in the hot red sauce on those. Hubby ate the other two. Faaaaaantastic!
(4)Ruby S.
Blech... I still can't get that taste out of my mouth. If you have ever ordered the tamales here then you know what I mean. I got a big soggy slab of leaf on my plate loaded with mississippi swamp water and dry meat. Couldn't they have at least finished the plate by removing the big ol chunk of tree? No because how would they hide the hot mess so everyone else knows not to order it. I ate most of it so as not to be rude in front of my guests so trust me I know it was horrible, but woah mama! Its true what they say decent Mexican food is so hard to come by in Seattle. This place has good reviews because I have no idea why. Maybe the bartender overpours so people don't remember the food.
(2)Clay V.
Overpriced, poor service, food good. Went for lunch with a friend and ordered shrimp tacos. Waited for 30 mins and they brought out fish tacos. We were starving so didn't send them back. Bill came and it was $30 for 2 orders of 3 tiny tacos! I complained to the manager and he said we don't have shrimp. I showed him shrimp on the menu. "Oh we don't have shrimp tacos" There is no way the waiter didn't hear me say shrimp. If he didn't he wasn't paying attention. We were debating between the pork ($8) so I guess he thought he'd get a better tip. WRONG! He got ZERO! If you want great fish tacos that are 2x as big and & $2 go to El Camion on 65th & 15th NW or one of their many trucks around the city!
(2)Janite S.
Nice homemade Mexican restaurant. We were immediately greeted by hostess and sat by window. Tip.. Chips are extra but worth the price as they are fresh made to order. I ordered tacos which were delish! My mom ordered enchiladas also very good! I will be back here for another round of good food
(4)Catherine Z.
Love, love, love it! The food is delicious and authentic. Yes, the portions are on the smaller side, but in this case you are paying for quality and authenticity, not huge portions that you can find at fake Mexican restaurants a-la "Azteca." Everything is homemade. I had the chicken soup which was delicious, and had bone-in chicken pieces in it which made it very flavorful and rich, even for a soup. It came with wonderful, soft, homemade corn tortillas. I loved it! The service was definitely mediocre (had two people taking our orders and they forgot to bring our chips and guac which we ordered first), but again, you're not coming here to be entertained and coddled by the servers. You are coming here for the food!
(5)Rachel A.
Carta is one of our neighborhood staples. Not too expensive, not too ordinary, just right! And strong drinks, too! Portions are small but mostly calorie-dense. Chips and guac plus two entrees is perfect for two people. There aren't too many vegetarian options I like, so I'll usually get the halibut tacos and my partner will get the tamale de mole negro with chicken. Oh my god, I would kill for a vegetarian tamale de mole negro here. Please make it happen, Carta! Don't forget to visit the salsa bar! Possible urban legend: I've heard you can get fried crickets here from a friend who is a professional bug chef. (I mean he cooks bugs, not that he cooks for bugs.) But every time I've asked, there are no crickets to be had. Hmmmm.....
(5)Kim M.
We went in on a Monday night, and it was kind of surprisingly busy. We sat pretty promptly, but I'm pretty sure it was the only open table in the house--there was a little space at the big community table, but not enough for the 3 of us to sit together. Service was great. The server wasn't overbearing, but was helpful. Drinks were delicious--I think one member of our party had the Cadillac Margarita, and said it was delicious. The other two of us had whichever margarita it was that had the cranberry juice in it. It was delicious. They were certainly full of the booze. One beverage was enough for a wee buzz. Food was also delicious. I had the Tacos Fritos--and they were marvelous. And it was just the right amount of food (plus chips & guac). The portions were great--I left full, but not stuffed. Prices are decent, too. If you're planning on having a (hard, non-beer) drink with dinner, plan for about $20 before tip. Here's why I knocked off a star: We were at the table next to the door. And the door does not close all the way on its own, and it gets a little drafty. Between the other two at the table (who were sitting closest to the door), they got up 11 times (we took a tally for the sake of amusement) to shut the door. If restaurant staff noticed it, they'd close it--but more often than not they were busy, and we were closing the door. That said, this place is wonderful... if you're not sitting next to the door.
(4)Carly S.
If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is definitely a great option. I went in on a Saturday night and it was definitely busy but we got a table pretty quickly and the food came out quickly. The sangria was delicious as was the mole. Also, the salsa bar has a variety of options and is definitely a plus--all the salsa your heart desires!
(4)Alejandro C.
Amazing!!!
(5)Kara M.
This place has the worst service! The food is not inexpensive and adding that to the unaccommodating staff makes it a terrible place to go with friends. No happy hour prices, rude to customers especially if you are in a group. I won't be back. The turned some of my friend in the group away saying there wasn't room for them.
(1)Justin L.
It's our standard before going out in Ballard. Carne asada tacos, recommend doing an extra order to split between two people. Great prices and fast, good salsa bar. It's crowded and come early if you don't want to wait in line.
(4)Andres C.
Incredible gem all the way in Seattle!! The seasoning of the food is right on the spot. The guacamole is incredible. the selection of hot sauces have a wide spectrum for all different "spice" levels. If you like Mexican food this is a place to try
(5)David B.
Small. Crowded. Cramped. Noisy. Not expensive, but upscale Mexican in style, while still serving most dishes with rice and beans. Good rice and (not refried) beans. Rest of the stuff good too, but not belly-timber.
(3)Lolly B.
My boyfriend LOVES Mexican food so he will give this place 10 stars. I don't really like Mexican food, but still, this place was fun. They don't take reservations for certain group sizes. We were four and waited about 20-25 minutes for a table at 7p on a Wednesday night during early summer. Fun atmosphere - very noisy (in a good way)! Really fun music and vibe. Our meals were good and they gave us a complimentary flan for my boyfriend's birthday, which we were celebrating. The staff was friendly. My halibut tacos did taste a bit fishy and a little too fried for my taste on certain pieces (too fishy - I left those parts on my plate). Other than that, it was a great experience!
(4)Rachel A.
After hearing good things about La Carta de Oaxaca, I was super disappointed with the quality of food and drinks. At the recommendation of our server, my husband and I ordered the tamales and chile relleno. The tamale was decent (except for the tiny side of black beans), but the chile relleno was incredibly disappointing! The fried relleno was drenched in a bland tomato sauce, which added little to the flavor and made the fried coating (which in my opinion should always be crispy!) wet, soggy and flavorless. It's hard to mess up a chile relleno! Based on their online menu and long list of Mezcal options, I was also excited to have an interesting mezcal cocktail. I ordered what was essentially a margarita with mezcal instead of tequila. I wasn't crazy about the combination of flavors, and was disappointed that it was served warm. I had high hopes for La Carta!
(2)Valerie S.
La Carta de Oaxaca is one of those unassuming yet totally awesome places hidden away throughout Ballard--I originally visited here for a Tequila Tuesday, and then came back a few weeks later with friends because I knew it would be great food. I love that there are shared tables--eating in close quarters with fellow diners makes the experience more intimate and authentic, especially in such a small dining space. I also love that they do have small tables, and bar, and counter space in which to eat, if that's what you'd prefer. The food and cocktails are pretty stellar, and well priced (except for the guacamole I ordered at the bar the first time, which seemed exorbitant and totally overrated). I love that many of their dishes have slight alterations on Americanized Mexican food, which make them feel more exciting to eat. They also have a variety of delicious cocktails with both mescal and tequila--always good in my book. If you asked me my favorite Mexican restaurant in Ballard, and possibly most authentic in the city, it would probably be La Carta de Oaxaca. I've enjoyed both my dining experiences there, and I'm sure I'll be back.
(4)Maija M.
Three things you need to know: 1. Incredible salsa bar 2. Community tables 3. Effective bar I'm not a fan of shared tables, but hey, they have a salsa bar. Take my advice and lose yourself in the deliciousness that is their salsa long enough to forget that you're sitting next to a complete stranger that keeps trying to talk to you. If you're smart and order a margarita, soon all the worries in the world melt away, along with the advances of the stranger to your left.
(5)Charlotte C.
Things we ate, all of which we loved: Pasole, delicious red broth served with a side of cabbage and limes. Very very good dish. Enchiladas with green sauce, rice and beans. Delicious entree, rice was golden light. Mezcal selection is impressive as well as other agave drinks. Michilada drink with lime and tomato juice, tamarind chile stick. Limeade, refreshing and light!
(5)Denni P.
Best beef tostadas I've ever had. I love this quaint yet busy joint! The room is loud and crowded but isn't that the sign of a good restaurant? Parking is a challenge but parking is a challenge in most of Ballard. Try this place out, you can think me later.
(4)Kristin H.
Mmmmm, so good! Pasole, fish tacos, tamales... it's all so delicious. The flavors are intense and varied and wonderful. Great salsa bar, and the drinks menu is awesome. The prices are super reasonable too. There is a surprising amount of seating room in the restaurant too--there is a big enclosed porch in back. So don't get scared away if the front of the restaurant looks packed!
(5)Heather K.
As Yelp says this place was "A-OK" Food was delicious if a little on the spicy side. My dad is a mole connosseuir and after hearing about this place's mole forever we finally took him for his birthday. he LOVED it. I have never heard him not nitpick some aspect of the mole. The rest of us were underwhelmed. Portions are on the smaller side - perfect for some of us but others left hungry. Every round of chips was $3 which were not told about & often the chip basket wasn't even half full. Also, I'm pretty sure the rice uses chicken stock although I was told it's vegetarian... disappointing. The worst part was service. Service SUCKED. Forgot parts of our orders, we'd ask 4 times for a beer/refill/limes/chips & eventually just walk to the bar. Should've left a tip for the bartender instead of the snarky waitress. This place has a great, if noisy, atmosphere. Make sure you're OK with sharing tables. PROS: atmosphere, mole sauce, prices ($7-$13) CONS: portion sizes, $3 chips, SERVICE was the worst!
(3)Ally-Marie B.
Alright all you Yelpers.... It seems that everyone has gone here and now I can finally say I have! The food was blow-my-mind incredible. I had the Pozole. Finished every last drop and wanted to order some to go because I thought I would actually miss having it! The shredded pork was tender, broth was spicy and balanced in flavor. Came with home-made tortillas and toppings for tiny tacos. Chips were PIPING hot and the Salsa Bar was a great touch. We were sat immediately, the place was buzzing with people. Old, young, singles, couples, families and even a photographer seemed to be there. It felt like home, definitely a place to come back to catch up with a friend or three. Yum. Yum. Yum.
(5)Cynthia Y.
Fabulous fresh food and quick service too! Three of us shared the taco Al Pastor , the beef tacos, the halibut tacos , the specialty pork with mole sauce , and the shrimp ceviche , and the rice and beans . We ate it all up and throughly enjoyed the fresh ingredients and well seasoned flavors. The back patio was perfect less crowded and airy.
(5)Jesse L.
Good news: -Delicious food -Simple selection of authentic cuisine -Delicious drinks Not so good news: -Portions are small (The mole dish is one chicken thigh, a cup of rice, and 2-3 tortillas for $12 dollars.) -When busy, staff are scattered. -Dining room is too tight, crowded. -Dessert options were not available to us at the end of our meal. Conclusion: -Will try to visit during lunch and on a less busier day to really enjoy the food.
(3)Jenny E.
Did I order the one flavorless thing that this place cooks? I have heard rave reviews since it has opened, but refuse to wait in line and sit balls to a-holes with strangers. No food is worth cramped quarters. Walking by last Saturday night (9-14-14), there was an open table outside, so we grabbed it. Every other Yelper is right on about having multiple servers and them not being very friendly. That didn't really bother me. I ordered the carne asada platter. I was not really happy with what came out. The beans and rice were lukewarm. There was very little meat-two little hunks that were nothing special at all. Two tortillas on the side. For $14.00 I felt ripped-off. What the hell Seattle?! I do not understand waiting in line and throwing money at mediocrity. El Camion has this place beat in every single way!
(2)K M.
If I'm craving Mexican (traditional) food this is where I head to. Love the ambiance and design of the space, salsa bar, and of course the food! I had the verde tamales last time I went and they were great. It can be a little crowded depending on what time you visit, but it's worth the wait.
(4)Lauren C.
This place is AMAZING!!!! There is always a wait, unless you go pretty late at night (I think the only time I have ever not had to wait was a Tuesday at 9pm). The food is incredible, the atmosphere is fun, and the decor is very cool. Dishes are a bit pricey, ranging from $7-$13. While their guac is good, it's not worth the $6 price (chips+guac = $6). Their salsa bar is SO good. Portions may appear to be on the smaller side, but will definitely fill you up. Chicken Mole. DO IT. Took me about a year to actually try it (I'm someone who loves to try everything on the menu), and totally regret waiting so long. I've tried almost all of the menu items, and while they're all pretty amazing, the chicken mole definitely stands out as the best. Super flavorful, and the hot and fresh made tortillas that come with it pair quite nicely. Drinks are apparently super good and strong as well. Definitely check this place out but be prepared to wait for at least 15 minutes for a table!
(4)Jade L.
I ordered the carne asada plato , which had thinly cut steak with great seasoning. The rice was soft and tender. The beans were the perfect consistency with sour cream, guac drizzled all over it, but not overdoing it. Loved the small side of grilled onions that game with the jalapenos. The tortillas were not too soft, but just the slightest bit crunchy. The attention to every single flavor and garnish is what makes this place so delicious. I also loved the salsa bar. I got tons of pico de gallo and some of the hottest salsa, which was not to hot at first, but definitely develops into a heat! Definitely recommend!
(4)Willy L.
I nearly lost my mind when I tried this place. I've brought many friends back and recommended it to random strangers on the street! It's a must try.....try the pescado soup and halibut tacos. Drool
(5)James L.
Went on advice of a friend who frequents this place, nothing but ecstatic about here. We went right before they closed for lunch. We were still treated very well and had attentive service even though it was busy. The food was phenomenal. I had the chicken mile and she had the verde chicken enchiladas. The chips and guacamole were great, but pricey at $6. Can't wait to go for dinner some night and it is apparent why they have lines out the door. Excited for round 2!!!
(4)Darbie M.
So delicious! The food is so good here, I think they make the best mole sauce in Seattle! It's a litle bit more expensive than some places and the plates can be small but I feel like it's worth it and I always leave satisfied! Parking is kind of sucky because it's in the middle of Ballard but if you can park somewhere else and walk down it's awesome! The waiters are all really nice and the service is quick and efficient.
(5)Jim L.
Love this place. Favorite Mexican food in Seattle. Makes me less homesick for California
(5)Gina K.
Right as our party of 3 got seated we were asked, "would you like chips and guac?" Chips and guac... that didn't even cross my mind until it was mentioned. I had just gotten myself situated... but, yes! Of course I would like chips and guac while I peruse this menu... Who wouldn't? Chips and guac sounds delicious. So... "yes, please!" I asked another server what her favorite items were. #8, #12, #24. BAM BAM BAM. I got #24, the chicken enchiladas, which were amazing. The enchiladas were not soggy (actually had a crisp outer shell), and the rice was perfection. Beans were spot-on. Portions were perfect. You really must try this place. The #10 tacos were deliciousssss but would probably only be filling if you ordered the suggested chips and guac at the beginning. Oh, and the mole was a bit salty for my taste buds, but my friend cleaned his plate. PS. Salsa bar. Need I say more?
(5)C J.
During a recent 6 day stay in Seattle, my hubby and I ate here twice for dinner! Food is delic. We ordered the chile relleno, tacos el pastor, albondigas soup...all were excellent. Our only complaint is that the size of the guacamole was tiny, but it was tasty and left us wanting more. The tortillas were smoking, best we've ever had!!!! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT !!! Only wish we lived in the area so we could frequent it.
(5)Heather C.
The food was delicious. Our party started off as 5 (2 adults and three children) and then another friend joined us, then another. As 5, we ordered 2 drinks apiece for the two adults, lemonade, and appetizers. When the 6th joined us, we ordered one additional drink and dinners all around. As we finished dinner, #7 joined us and one more drink was ordered. At this point, our waitress came over and told #6 that friend #7 needed to leave because they needed that seat for another party. Weird. And tacky. When we got the bill, there were 8 drinks on the bill along with the meals and appetizers (plus $6 for chips!). My sister tried to talk to the waitress about the two extra drinks and the waitress ARGUED with her that we had 8 and not 6. After arguing with my sister for over 5 minutes, the waitress finally took off the two drinks. BUT she added on a 20% autograt! I asked the manager to take it off and she did. Waiting time included to discuss it, it took us 30 minutes to settle our bill.
(2)Kayan H.
Finally got a chance to experience this place after hearing so many rave reviews and it definitely did not disappoint! The wait was only about 10 minutes - much appreciated! Service was quick and food was delicious! I had the Poloze, which was amazing! I think everyone at the table tried it and agreed it was the most flavorful dish. Since it was a hot stew and the weather was cold that made it even more perfect. My husband got the carne asada, it was good. He put some sauce and rice and beans and meat into the tortillas and gave me a few bites and it was delicious. I preferred it all put together versus just eating the meat by itself. The salsa bar was awesome! Highly recommend!
(4)Mike R.
Great carne asada, chicken mole tamal was superb. Great food, friendly staff, superb drinks.
(4)Karen L.
We ordered the chips and guacamole to start and we also tried all of their salsas. Very good. Came here with the BF and a friend and we ordered the mole with pork, mole with chicken, tacos carne asada, tacos al pastor, and mole tamale with chicken. The tacos were pretty amazing. And I loved the mole with chicken. I've never had mole before and the sauce is sort of sweet and savory. The chicken was very tender. But the mole with pork was kind of dry. And the mole tamale was alright, but I would definitely come back for the tacos and the mole chicken!!
(4)Tony L.
We originally put our names down at Pestle Rock down the street, but when we were walking around the nieghborhood, killing time, we go in to La Carta immediately (must have ben good timing, since there was a wait 5 minutes after we sat down). It has been a few years since I have been to La Carta, but the place looks pretty much the same. We ordered: Chips and guacamole: I love that they are fresh made, but the price, at $6, is on the high side. Mole chicken: the sauce is really good, and comes with rice. You get one piece of thigh meat with the order. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo: 5-6 shrimp in a spicy sauce: good, but not too spicy The two main dishes came with tortillas as well. I would characterize the dishes as between small plates and entrees. We were planning on ordering the flan for dessert (looked good at the next table), but decided to just go ahead and get a to-go order at Pestle Rock to finish off our meal. The chips and two dishes, plus 2 non-alc drinks came to $40 with tax.
(4)Julie P.
This place is so worth the wait! We love going here and ordering lots of dishes and sharing them all family style between the two of us. Just about anything is great but I highly recommend getting the mole negro, enchiladas verde con pollo, and lamb birria. The large salsa bar is equally amazing, get some guac and chips to go with it. Hangout in the bar and have some of the stiffest cadillac margaritas ever (pretty much all of their drinks are stiff)!
(5)Anthony B.
My biggest complaint about this place is that I always forget they are closed on Sunday... Which is a bummer because I always crave Mexican on Sundays. This place is basically a feeding house. There isn't much to say about the decor here. It's just a cube filled to capacity with chairs and tables. The servers are always polite but they are clearly on a mission to feed the hungry masses so expect quick, to the point service. Their menu must have just had a rewrite because my favorite item (Molotes) dropped off the menu. Everything I've had here has been great! My family and I weren't the biggest fans of the Mole because it was very sweet. That being said it was still pretty tasty. I typically get the tostadas, al pastor tacos (which are heavy on the pineapple, but I love that), or whatever catches my eye. Everything is fresh and their corn tortillas are absolutely amazing! I'd try to avoid the chips and guacamole. It's $6 and the serving is tiny. I only do it sometimes because I want to enjoy their salsa bar more. They will keep giving you more chips if you ask. The salsa bar is self serve, and I highly suggest it. Their salsas are all delicious and they can get pretty spicy!
(4)Kimberly B.
Either we were here on an off night, or this place is way overhyped. I have to echo the sentiments about poor, very brisk service. Not a hello to spare? I was shoved into a 4-seater table while trying to explain that I wasn't with the other two people there, and the waitress came up and smashed the two tables together, rudely saying that she had to "make room NOW." Uh, all right. We had at least 4 different servers, and everything seemed really frenetic, but hardly polite. We ordered an array of things: chips & guacamole, chile relleno, mole pork tamale, and tacos al pastor. Th chips & guacamole were forgettable - downright flavorless. The chile relleno was actually gross - a sad, soggy lump of mystery filling underneath a weird tomato sauce that was watery and bland. We couldn't finish it. The tamale was fine, but awkward - one giant palm leaf + one tiny table & plate = awkward to eat. But, not bad. I found their "house specialty" mole to be really bland as well. The tacos al pastor were tasty, but tiny portion. Overall, it's reasonable for Ballard ($40 for everything + 2 beers), but forgettable. I'd go to Señor Moose or even El Camion any day over this place.
(2)Tim H.
I had really high hopes for this place, as several friends told me it was the place to go for great Mexican food. Sadly, my dinner here was only mediocre. The room is pleasant, service is brisk but friendly, and I like their salsa bar and the tasty chips and guacamole. As a recent transplant to Seattle, I have been disappointed by one Mexican restaurant after another--what's with Seattle? Chicago has loads of great Mexican restaurants. Sadly, I was about to be disappointed again. It's the food I didn't like. I ordered chile relleno, and it was probably the worst version of that dish I've ever had--and it has been my misfortune to have had some pretty bad examples over the years. I know this is a tough dish for restaurants to do well, as the stuffed chile is probably prepared ahead of time and maybe even frozen. How it is reheated before serving was not something that I wanted to think about much, but most of the time, it comes out pretty good. The dish that I was served here screamed "microwave" at me. A good chile relleno should be piping hot and filled with runny, delicious, cheese. The dish I was served here was simply awful, barely heated through. The cheese was grainy, stiff, and tasteless, and the chile itself was very flat and could have been cardboard covered with breading and sauce. I should have sent it back and ordered something else, but that is something I've never done, as it tends to upset my table mates. So: if you want to try this place, DO NOT order the chile relleno. Maybe the other entrée items are better--they must be, given all the great reviews here.
(2)Candie J.
The food is pretty good. I like the portions, just the right amount not the usual oversized portion you expect from a Mexican eatery. The place is loud, the noise of the dishes being clinched around is annoying. The service is good. The minute I put my fork down they swooped up and cleared our table. Not sure if they are tighty or just wanting us to leave. We will return to try another meal.
(3)Erin O.
Food is from Oaxaca southern Mexico and absolutely delicious. Take a role in the mole! Margaritas are amazing. chips are homemade, get the guacamole. service was excellent.
(5)Mengyu Z.
Chips here are soooo good. Grab as much as salsa u want is great idea. Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno is tasty. Cocktail made with mezcal and ginger is fantastic and well-balanced
(5)Cy W.
I was recommended the Chile Relleno and not too much not too little. It was just right. Mm mm good! It is a great place to meet with other friends for great eats and still catch up in conversations ;)
(5)Johnny Z.
It's always neat finding new places in Ballard! This is a small place so expect a wait if you're coming during the busy hours. Also the atmosphere is quite loud, and you'll find yourself pretty cozy to your neighbors at the adjacent tables. One of the waitresses here actually grabbed my jacket cuz she was going to sit some ppl down at the table directly next to mine. Big no no! You ask before touching someone's stuff, at least that's the etiquette I was taught. The food was decent, I really enjoyed the mole' negro. The chicken was soaked in that stuff which made a good compliment to the tortilla. also the rice was not overly cooked like some places. The portion was a bit small for the money you paid for the food. Also, beware, the chips & avocado are not free!! our waitress definitely snuck that in there lol. oh, and she mixed up our bill which was pretty annoying considering we only got three items, not that hard to remember! Probably wouldn't come back here, but the food was not bad. just beware of the atmosphere, small portions, and importance of clarifying things with the waitress.
(3)Lisa D.
Super authentic oaxacan/Mexican cuisine. Cheap and delicious. Everything is handmade and fresh. Awesome vibe!
(5)Rajah G.
I have been twice and everything I have had has been very well done. You can see in the kitchen and everyone is working cleanly and efficiently and calmly- which is odd considering both times in the kitchen was an all female staff.... Just kidding! Nice selection of culturally appropriate liquor. Better than the standard American-Mexican and the difference is they don't adhere to the formula that almost every ethnic restaurant in a foreign country does.
(5)Maren H.
After living in LA for 10 years I returned home on a search for good Mexican food and was sent here as "the place." Why? I have absolutely no idea. We walked in and were greeted by some rude guy, he told us to stand in some corner because there was nowhere to wait. we stood uncomfortably in our designated corner... we were about to leave when a table finally was ready. The food was fine, you want , the menu was big with a lot of options but absolutely nothing stood our or tasted better than something I'd find at a chain restaurant. I have no desire to go back, but if you are stuck..it's okay. WAY too much hype.
(2)Harin G.
How can I appropriately describe the most delicious Mexican I've experienced in my life? I will attempt. We wandered in thanks to yelp and my barista at Starbucks recommending this place. It was a full house on a Friday night but my husband and I found ourselves sitting at the counter with a front row seat of the ladies hard at work cooking up dreams and fresh tortillas. We started with the chips and guac and took full advantage of the salsa bar trying all but one in the variety. Every single crunch and bite was a celebration with new light into the happiness of life. Who knew chips could be so inspirational? I had the chicken mole. It was amazing, succulent, tender, .....you get the picture right? My husband got the carne asada tacos and didn't say a word as he enjoyed every bite. I know that he is in love with his meal when he doesn't talk while eating. I think it's because if he comments on how good it is, I will ask for a bite and he gets greedy and territorial when in love with a dish...and he clearly was! The portion is right on. It's not too much and it's just right to have to walking out satisfied and planning out when to come again. The margaritas were no joke. We each had one and not only were we euphoric about the deliciousness of the meal but we were like giggling schoolgirls thanks to our tequila buzz! To say that we will be back soon is an incredible understatement..,..hmmm what should I have for dinner tonight......
(5)Ben W.
I went in really wanting to like this place, but the food was just so-so and the service was sub-par. For two small quesadillas, chips, and two soft drinks, we paid $30. Not exactly a deal. The one redeeming feature was the salsa bar.
(2)Big T.
Awesome. This is the best Mexican Cuisine I've had in WA. The salsa bar is great. Wonderful family feel to the atmosphere. Thank you!
(5)Micah S.
Came here one night to check out the food because of all the good reviews but wow was I disappointed. The food was bland and portion was small. The tacos al pastor has no flavor. Food trucks in Yakima have better tacos than this joint. The chicken moles was way overpriced - $12 for a small portion of rice and one chicken thigh and two tortilla? We sat at the bar and had a good view of all the actions in the kitchen - except to see the chef hand-grabbed the raw sliced beef and laid on the grill and used the same hand to grab the cooked tortilla and served on the plate. This will be the first and last meal here. Not coming back.
(1)Robert M.
I have eaten a lot of freaking tacos in my day and these are at the top of the list. The homemade fresh tortillas were so good. The carne asada meat was actually fresh prepared in store and not from a bag from a food delivery service like Sysco or FSA (where fast food joints get their meat and most taco places now) We all got tacos except the wife who ordered a carne asada plate. It is lame they charge for chips and salsa. The have a salsa bar of unique salsas to try. Much smaller portions than usual too, but I don't think most people will notice the huge difference between the freshness of everything that goes into your plate. I mean this place sets itself apart from the vast majority of restaurants in this aspect. Five stars for food all the way to the bank.
(5)Phuong B.
I wish I could give it a 3.5 stars because 4 stars is just too much. Sure, this place is cute and in the central district of Ballard, but I fail to see why it is so special. Let's start from the beginning. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a fairly nice gentlemen who pointed us to our seats. At first, I wasn't really sure if he worked there or a customer as he had on regular clothing like jeans and a work T-shirt. When we got to ordering our food, we ordered guacamole as it was national guacamole day. I asked our server if the guacamole was made fresh and she said yes. So I requested no onions. Our waitress said they can't do that because they make their guac in a big batch.... That was the first sign this place is overrated. Please tell me how that is "fresh" guac if it's pre-made?! Whatever, so we ordered it anyway and I grudgingly ate it and enjoyed it at the same time. Entrees were pretty satisfying. We ordered fish tacos and ceviche, nothing out of the ordinary and portions were a bit small. However, food was really good. All that being said, how does this place differ from any other Mexican restaurant or even "hole in the wall" places? I can get the same service, same type of food for a lot less. Maybe, I could even get real fresh guacamole.......
(4)Tara G.
I really wanted to like this place since it was highly recommended from a friend, but it was an overall (very expensive) "MEH". Wish I read the reviews earlier but c'mon, I was feeling whimsical at the time! From reading others' opinions, it seems this restaurant is undergoing a business practice shift. Sounds like they're getting way too popular to manage and decided to treat people like $$$. But I wonder how long they will last with such awkward customer service. Anyway, there's plenty more competition. I'll just echo a few points already brought up: Right before you walk in, a bouncer (seriously, he just mans the door and doesn't greet you except to ask "how many?") gives you a number and hurries to address the party behind you. Awkward!! YES, this place is WAY OVERPRICED considering the extremely annoying ambience and portion size. It should be $$$ since we ended up paying $20/person including tip for chips, 3 dishes, and a $3 soda. The place is small so you're packed in like sardines and the service is rushed, leaving you with the feeling that your business isn't wanted or appreciated. It is also ridiculously loud, so don't expect to have a chat with your friend. The chips and guacamole, while pretty good, don't warrant the $6 price tag which they added to my bill AFTER they had already brought it to my table. Honestly, I thought it came with the meal like house bread you'll get at other places especially since the basket was tiny, but go figure. Don't expect flavorful, spicy Mexican food. I understand that this is regional, but everything tasted like it had a hint of MSG/MAGGI boullion in it (which I'm not necessarily knocking since I use MSG in cooking myself, but everything has a time and place). This resulted in all the dishes (even the salsa!) having a similar pseudo-salty taste, but overall bland spice background. For the price and quality, totally not worth it. It probably would have been cheaper and definitely more fun to drive to Eastern Washington to grab Mexican food there. Shoot, if you drive a Prius, you would come back with change in your pocket!
(2)Laleh J.
So delicious! Wow! I love Mexican food, and it is so nice to have found this place in Seattle. It's quite tasty, cozy, and a cute place to come for a meal. You won't go wrong and will really enjoy. Sit at the bar if you want to watch our chefs prepare our dishes!
(5)Stephanie K.
This place has amazing food! Ordered the halibut tacos with rice and beans as well as chips and guacamole and have never tasted such fresh and flavorful Mexican food! It was authentic and the menu had great variety with different items than most Mexican places. They have a cute little bar in the back and the kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant which makes it a fun and exciting experience in the heart of Ballard. They also have a salsa bar full of 7 different salsa choice that you get choose yourself. Will definitely be retuning here and recommending to anyone in the Seattle area!
(4)Jackie C.
My Mexican roommate and I drove down from Vancouver for the day, and I intentionally planned to take her here so we could order some authentic dishes. Needless to say we were incredibly impressed. The first thing my roommate said when we stepped in was, "Wow. It definitely SMELLS authentic. I wasn't expecting this." Our server started us off with some guac and it was delicious. We ordered some Taco Fritos and they came out hot, crispy, and flavorful. The rest of our meal was so good I returned for another meal some months after. Def a must when you're in Ballard.
(5)Deric P.
Great food at a decent price for being in Ballard. Had the pork mole and stewed lamb. The lamb was very good as was the pork. Salsa bar is cool and the homemade chips and tortillas are delightful. Guac was excellent too. The ladies cranking out hand made tortillas reminded me of making tamales with my grandma during the holidays.
(4)Adriana K.
Always a favorite for Mexican, esp. since you really have only Senior Moose or Azteca and I guess Matador to choose from in the neighborhood - and you can tell by the long lines that are ever present. There is a back bar, however, which helps pass the time, and a back patio as well. I have been told that its the regional cuisine which is why the moles are so sweet - and I love it! Their enchiladas especially. The tacos are less sweet. And of course, great chips with a choose your own salsa bar. I also really enjoy their guac (costs extra, naturally). They are usually pretty quick (once you get seated) and its a warm friendly environment that you may end up at a communal table, kitchen bar, front or back patio. A neighborhood favorite!
(4)Marc A.
Ahhh Oaxaca.... you are the best thing to ever leave Mexico and land in Seattle. Ahhh Oaxaca... with your family style bench seating, the "Lady K" and I have met some pretty cool people and overheard some great conversations. Ahhh Oaxaca... I have no idea how you make your mole but it is a recipe worth stealing! Ahhh Oaxaca... your tamales are so sweet and savory I cant believe that they are legal. Ahhh Oaxaca... last night I had crickets for the first time off the secret menu... that will be the last time I do that! :-) (see my photos) Ahhh Oaxaca... you are the best and there is no other. I don't mind waiting outside in the Seattle rain just to get a quick bite or a drink. You are so worth it! Ahhh Oaxaca...
(5)Joshua B.
So this is review #4,214,975 for this place, and probably at least the 1000th 5-star review, but it totally deserves it. I'm no expert, but this is the best Mexican food I've ever had outside of Mexico (and yes, I've actually been, twice in fact - so shut up). I had the Tamales de Mole' Negro with pork. Flavorful pork encased in black mole wrapped in a banana leaf. Man, what's not to love. I also tried a bite of my lunch date's tacos which were equally flavorful, with the spices and red sauce mixing perfectly with the crunchy shell and melty cheese. And of course, I had to throw in a Pacifico because I don't have to work this week. Lunch with beer and Mexican food pretty much can't be beat. I'll totally be back - worth the trip to Ballard (and that's saying something).
(5)K T.
Plain and simple, this place is amazing. Some of the best food I have ever had. Get the chile relleno.
(5)Jen L.
I just love it. It's clean and the staff is friendly and hospitable. - Guacamole, chips with salsa bar - fresh (6 different types, I liked 4 of the 6) - Halibut Fish Taco - delicious tortillas - Mole Negro Oaxaqueno (Chicken mole) - It's really hard to find a good mole, but this was delicious. Creamy and smooth. - Lamb Birria - lamb meat, amazingly tender served with a bit of beans, rice and tortillas - my new fav.
(5)Patty C.
Good authentic Mexican food. Over priced if you grew up on the stuff. I can't believe I dropped $20 on a very small plate of mole. I think I'll just save my pennies and wait until I can go to my Tia's house.
(4)Krystine M.
I honestly can not believe this place got the ratings that it did. This was one of the worst experiences I've had, and the food was not even authentic Mexican. Apparently people don't know what real Mexican food tastes like otherwise they would not be rating it highly. The food was overpriced to begin with and the portions were tiny as hell. We ordered the Carne Asada Tacos and the Carne Asada plate along with chips and guacamole. Guacamole was pretty average, nothing to write home about. I could make it easily at home. The chips were pretty meh. Tiny little triangles, overcooked and not really what I expect from a Mexican restaurant. The salsa bar was a joke; everything tasted like it came out of a jar. We also ordered a Coke and a Pineapple Fresca, which was literally a can of chunked pineapple poured into a glass with a little water to dilute. $3 for each drink and we never once got a refill. The Carne Asada Tacos were laughable. I've had street tacos in Tijuana and the ones served here were a joke. No self-respecting Mexican would ever serve this in Mexico. The tacos were so small I almost needed a magnifying glass to see them. I'm not kidding. The tortilla, if that's what you want to call it, was probably the worst attempt at a homemade tortilla that you could do. I'm pretty sure my cat could whip up a better tortilla than that. The Carne Asada plate? Another rip off. Tiny portion of rice, and a literal single layer of black beans. Not a scoop or pile of beans, a single layer. Then the meat itself. It was floppy. That's the best way I can describe it. There was no char on it like you're supposed to get with authentic Carne Asada. It was just sad and floppy like it didn't want to be there either. The food was horribly underwhelming and I could tell from the lady sitting at the table next to us that she felt the same. Once we got our food served to us, we never saw our waitress again for 25 mins until she finally came out with the check wanting us to pay for this dismal meal. We spent $50 on food that would barely satisfy a small child. If you want REAL Mexican food, please don't even waste your time here. This is not the place.
(1)Adam P.
Some of the best Mexican food of any style in Seattle. Sadly, that's not saying much, as although things are improving, Mexican food is still just a hobby for Seattle, not a serious, high quality undertaking full of passion. Anyway, this place is very good. Great flavors, generally well-executed. Tacos are nice and the Moles are very good as well. I wish they also had a more casual style restaurant/taqueria where you can order up and take it to go or seat yourself, because I don't want to have to spend $20-50 and wait a very long time and sit in a crowded restaurant just to get some decent tacos in this city. Now for my most pressing and relevant question: Why did a restaurant that claims to specialize in Oaxacan food decide not to feature Tlayudas on the menu? I know Oaxacan food is diverse, but it's not like the menu is taking so many chances that there isn't room for them. A Oaxacan place without Tlayudas is like a Thanksgiving restaurant without Turkey. Maybe the owners/chef have their reasons, but it does appear to be a huge oversight. Does this food really bring back the flavors, textures and styles of the amazing food I had during my week in Oaxaca? Although I'm no expert, the answer to this questions is still No (although, again the Moles aren't too shabby). That said, is the food served here is good, and they will probably be some of the best tacos you can find in Seattle. TIPS: tough parking, Be prepared to be patient (with the wait, the staff and the patrons crowding you from every direction), and if you're like me, if you're being patient, that might just mean you're drinking margaritas to keep it together, so even if you just wanted a few decent tacos in the first place, you may still end up leaving La Carta de Oaxaca short on time and $50 poorer.
(3)Andi M.
Fantastic. Eat here.
(5)Erin F.
This place is amazing. Coming from Nevada, I am pretty accustomed to delicious and easy-to-find Mexican food. I hadn't really found an authentic Mexican restaurant until we had been here. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because I don't think the portion sizes are large enough. I have a normal or even below average appetite, so if I finish a meal with plenty of room to spare, then I think most people will be left wanting more. Then again, the food is so fresh and delicious that maybe the smaller portions are worth it for heightened quality.
(4)Mk C.
Terrible waitstaff experience. Came in 30 minutes before their lunch hour was over and they rushed us through everything, throwing the bill on the table immediately after we ordered, not offering us drinks, or giving us salsa when bowls were empty. Food was lackluster matching their attitudes.
(1)Joel R.
One of my early favorites, and still the best. There are few places that can contend with La Carta de Oaxaca, Mexican or otherwise. Frankly, I'm not even sure that their other locations are as good as this one. Maybe they just kept the best chefs here, but whatever it is, I've never had anything less than a great meal here
(5)Tabitha T.
It has been almost two years since I have eaten meat at a restaurant, but after much debate my fiancé and I have chosen yup return to eating meat outside the home. LA Carta was the restaurant of choice for this new venture and oh my goodness it was just as tasty as I remember having eaten here almost three years before. Just like my visit three years ago I ordered the carne asada plato which is nothing shy of amazing. Thinly sliced perfectly cooked tender juicy steak served with rice and beans, jalapeños, and cilantro. You scoop it all on to warm homemade tortillas. The portion is more then adequate and there is a salsa bar if you need to add an extra kick to the already perfect dish. The prices are on par with what you would expect for quality food. With La Carta keep in mind this will not be your normal texmex experience. If you want that Azteca is near by and cheaper. The staff here are slow bit friendly so be prepared to enjoy your dining company while you wait. It can get really busy hear some nights so you may have a sizable wait for a table. Once inside however enjoy the tasteful decor, good food, and friendly slowish staff.
(4)D L.
The mole is fantastic! Other favorites are tostadas, tamales and entomatadas. Great salsa bar, good cocktails and in a fun pedestrian neighborhood.
(5)Krystin T.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner right around 5pm, which is right when they open. We were able to get a seat right away, which was awesome because as we sat there, more and more people showed up and had to wait. I had a beer, but tasted my boyfriend's margarita, which was pretty good. It's never my favorite when restaurants charge extra for chips & salsa ($6) but I have to say, the chips & guac were pretty darn good. Plus, the salsa bar is awesome - I only tasted a couple but they were both yummy. So why only 3 stars? I ordered the veggie tostadas, which had no mention of being, well, incredibly spicy. There were definitely some pretty hot peppers in the dish, which wasn't mentioned on the menu and had it been, would've put me off ordering it. I won't lie - it *tasted* good, but my mouth felt like it was burning off so it was hard to eat. I can see why this place is super popular - it's good food, a small space, and seemingly more "real" Mexican food than the typical Seattle-Mex situation. I just wish I'd ended up with something a little less mouth-burny. Next time!
(3)Ben G.
Best mole ever. Get the mole negro pork- you won't regret it. ( be prepared for friends to steal it)
(5)Jeff L.
Ate here on 9/18/14. Had the Chile Relleno and my dining partner had the chorizo and eggs. Both dishes were wonderful. Loved the whole black beans. The guacamole with the chips and salsa was a nice touch. Salsa bar not very fancy but everything was very fresh and tasty. Guess we got lucky on the speed of service because they were speedy and attentive. Great lunch. Will definitely recommend to others.
(5)Nantaporn G.
Great service, great food. When you sit down they will serve you freshly made tortilla chips with guacamole while you are waiting for your food you can enjoy this delicious appetizer.
(5)