Carmelita's Kitchen — tacos in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Carmelita's Kitchen

4.6· 1,011 Google reviews·$$

Carmelita's Kitchen is a Rancho Santa Margarita, CA taco spot known for Mexican food, casual Mexican fare, and a neighborhood restaurant feel, with a 4.6★ rating across 1,011 Google reviews.

Rating
4.6
Loved by locals
Reviews
1,011
Google reviews
Price
$$
Mid-range
Known for
Mexican
Casual tacos

Best for

Group dinnerSit-down meal

Why people love this place

  • •Highly rated by locals
  • •Reasonable mid-range pricing
  • •Good for casual tacos
  • •Located in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
  • •Strong Google review volume

Order like a local

  • →Order a sampler — two or three different fillings — to find your favorite.
  • →Try at least one of the house salsas. Ask which is the spiciest.
  • →It can get busy at peak hours — aim for early lunch or mid-afternoon.

Good to know

Cuisine
Mexican
Vibe
Sit-down restaurant
Good for
Walk-ins, takeout
Bring
Cards usually accepted

Frequently asked

What kind of tacos does Carmelita's Kitchen serve?+

Carmelita's Kitchen is known for classic Mexican tacos, plus the usual taquería staples like rice, beans, and house salsas.

Where is Carmelita's Kitchen located?+

Carmelita's Kitchen is at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Is Carmelita's Kitchen good?+

Carmelita's Kitchen has a 4.6★ average across 1,011 Google reviews — loved by locals by Rancho Santa Margarita taco standards.

How expensive is Carmelita's Kitchen?+

Carmelita's Kitchen sits at $$ (mid-range) — typical for a Rancho Santa Margarita taquería.

Taco Love Feed

Community posts · separate from Google
Log in to share a taco moment. A photo is required for every post.
🌮

Be the first Taco Lover to post what you ordered here.

Share a photo and a quick take — help the next taco hunter pick a winner.

  • • What taco did you order?
  • • Was the salsa worth it?
  • • Would you bring a friend?
  • • Best time to go?
Log in to post

More in Rancho Santa Margarita

La Tia Tacos & More — tacos in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

La Tia Tacos & More

4.1

, Rancho Santa Margarita · $ · 30 reviews

View Taco Joint
Celinda's — tacos in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Celinda's

4.3

, Rancho Santa Margarita · $ · 397 reviews

“Basic counter-serve eatery serving classic Mexican fare such as tacos, fajitas & breakfast burritos.”

View Taco Joint
Todos Santos — tacos in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Todos Santos

4.3

, Rancho Santa Margarita · $$ · 411 reviews

View Taco Joint

Looking for tacos in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Carmelita's Kitchen is one of many great taco spots in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Browse the full guide to Rancho Santa Margarita taco joints or map a weekend taco road trip across the region.

Explore more