Address:
La Carreta (Boone)
1215 S Story St
Boone, IA 50036
515-4325100
The Dish:
Endless Chips and Salsa (Free!)
Fajita Quesadilla (Me)
Super Burito (Tress)
Two Diet Cokes
$25 (Tax and tip included)
Grade: 1 Fork, 1 Spoon, 1 Knife
For the first time in quite a while, Tress and I were able to enjoy a night out to ourselves. We decided to hit a local favorite as we had not been there for close to four months. Regardless what we order, it is always a home run. Since we frequent there often, we know many of the wait staff which just enhances the overall visit.
Ambiance: Authentic Mexican Resturants are so much better than the Americanized versions. Always love the plants that seem to grow to great lengths and are strung out across the eating areas. The tables all have glossy prints on them depecting Don Quixote, an Aztec or Mayan depiction, or a rustic rural Mexican themed scene. Simple paintings (painted on the wall) complement the dinning room. Mexican music playing at a non-annoying level. Lastly a very clean floor and eating area make the place a highly desired resturant.
Menu/Price: Even though this resturant and many other authentic Mexican resturants share similar menu’s and pricing, all items are exactly what you would think they would be. From Fajitas, Chimi’s, Steaks prepared with Latin spices and sauces, to Tacos, Burritos and Combo platters, you can basicilly find something to tickle your taste buds. Expect to spend about $9 dollars per plate, but also expect to be very full! The most expensive dish Fajitas Costenas features crab, shrimp, grilled chicken and chorizo with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, served with a guacamole salad, refried beans, rice and totillas at $13.99 will require you to ask for a box unless you’re really hungry. Really everything on the menu is in my opinion underpriced given the quantity and quality of food you get.
Meal: As I mentioned before, we have been a frequent patron of La Carreta and have tried many of the dishes. Today’s choice of a Super Burrito and a Fajita Quesadilla hit the spot! Tress’s Super Burrito was a ten inch flour tortilla filled with beef tips and chicken topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream and served with rice filled her plate beyond what I like to call “useable plate space”. My dish was a ten inch flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, melted cheese and onions, served with rice, beans, and a mini shell with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo in it made me wish I could eat as much as I used to be able to.
Service: I also mentioned prior that we know many of the wait staff, today we were served by our favorite waiter. He has a daughter about Chloe’s age and he is always making sure our drinks are filled, chips basket is never empty, and stops to talk when he gets a free moment. Its really not fair to classify this as a sit down resturant because it really could count as fast food. There has been many times I have gone to McDonalds (in this case across the street from this resturant) and I have had to wait for my so called “fast food” for at least twenty minutes. At La Carreta, there have been times when no longer than seven minutes after our order is taken we have piping hot food in front of us! This is hard to beat and Taco Johns/Bell do not hold a candle to La Carreta with service like this.
Overall: I seriously could eat every single meal of the remainder of my life at this resturant and never get bored. The fact that the wait staff is really friendly and you walk away with a belly full and a few dollars bills still in your pocket just make this a must if you’re in Boone.