Why 5 stars? Because the food is excellent, but the price is even more excellenter. --- --- --- On a quest to eventually try every Tex-Mex restaurant in the Greater Houston area, Carmelitas has avoided me for far too long. I'm not in Downtown Conroe often, but on this specific day, I was actually in the area for jury duty. So this was my morning: -Show up to the courthouse, assuming I would be sent home within minutes. -Hearing my name called 7th in a room of about 200 people. -Moving to the official jury selection room with 30 people. -Being chosen for the 6 person jury. -Hearing the opening statements from both sides. -Breaking for lunch and walking to Carmelitas. What a day, right? But onto the food: When I initially walked in, I was told I could take part in the lunch buffet for $13. They showed me what it consisted of, and while it was tempting, I really just wanted to order fajitas, and fajitas were not amongst the many options in the buffet. I also ordered some chips and queso, mostly so that I could throw some queso in with my fajitas. I was really surprised how much I liked it. The fajitas didn't come out sizzling, and this was a very small operation, so I just kind of figured it would be "fine," but unremarkable. But here's the reality: it was all really good and there was a LOT of fajita meat on the plate. My three tortillas were all absolutely stuffed. And the fajitas were only $17.99. If you go to some of the bigger chains, the price will be 2x that at minimum and you're definitely getting a lot less meat. Another nice touch was that the pico and cheese came in an edible soft taco casing, that was actually awesome to not only hold said items, but also to eat. I definitely plan to return with my wife and can't recommend Carmelitas enough! read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Chips and queso - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

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I was on my way back from an MD appointment and wanted some good tex mex huevos ranchero. They stop serving breakfast at 11 a.m. So I tried the lunch buffet. I tried the chicken mole and the pork guidsada. The chicken mole had a good flavor, however, I don't think it is homemade. The pork was ok, but it's difficult for pork not to be dry. The refried beans were good. The rice was terrible. I don't think they fry the rice in oil when they cook it. I couldn't eat it. The flour tortillas were not homemade in house. I won't be going back. I wish I could find a place w good, fluffy homemade flour tortillas. read more

Familia owned and operated! Near the courthouses in downtown Conroe. Local classic! Carmelita the proprietor has been at it for 27 years. Love this real homemade Mexican food! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Simple relaxed seating and quick service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Service and food was great, We had the lunch buffet it was very fresh. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Restaurant is very quaint!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Quaint & cozy little spot that we have passed often, and we decided to stop in today.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They are open for breakfast 8-11, then lunch buffet 11-3. We tried the lunch buffet- delicious! Chicken mole, chicken fajitas, beef enchiladas, chicken enchiladas, rice & beans, ground beef tacos or tostadas, and veggies. They also offer a variety of desserts, and they make their flour tortillas! Always a plus! Service was great! [[HIGHLIGHT]]And the music was not too loud- we could hear each other talk.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Amazing food and home style service. Everything here is made from scratch and it really sets them apart.

Carmelita's a quick drop in & eat style restaurant. The food is a steam table style setting like you're at a brunch buffet. The food is good and there is plenty of it so bring your empty stomach. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting inside is small & quaint.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If I had any issues, which I really don't, it would be parking. To which it's not the fault of the restaurant with it being located in downtown Conroe. Service is quick & the staff is very nice & accommodating. read more

Husband and I had breakfast here. And OMG the food was so delicious, we're thinking of coming back soon. Hubby had the huevos rancheros, he enjoyed his meal, he ate everything on his plate. I had huevos a la mexicana. It was delicious as well, cleaned my plate completely too. Oh the tortillas are homemade. Definitely coming back soon. read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Huevos a la mexicana. Homemade flour tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

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Carmelita's is one of a few Conroe restaurants that seems to truly understand good food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You won't find a fish tank or chandeliers or expensive decorations that seem to be priced into the menu.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Here you will find friendly staff who care about your experience, friendly customers being Conroe natives and those curious enough to explore, and the best Mexican food in Montgomery County. Come hungry. read more

Y'all, I haven't posted in quite a while, because no local restaurant stood out from the rest. Carmelita's doesn't just stand out, but stands way above all the competition in the area. Everything is home made from scratch. It's been open 25 years!! Why am I just finding this spotlessly clean, best of all the rest Mexican restaurant right here in Conroe, on the corner of FM 105 east and Pacific, just before the train tracks, on the right. Best Tamales, $10.99 lunch buffet, and OH My God! The Mole' is the best I have ever tasted...EVER!! What are you waiting for? Breakfast 8:00 to 11:00. And Buffet 11:00 until 2:00. Rick Cloutier read more

Excellent beef enchildas and pork tamales. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A small restaurant with a family run feel to it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Instead of hitting corporate fast food enter this family business that offers equally low cost meals but with an ethnic twist. You still can get your standard breakfast fare of omlets and pancakes, but why not step off those well beaten roads and have a glass of horchata and breakfast on Migas (I just ordered them and they are delicious even if I didn't know what they were.). This is a must repeat experience for me and a good break from your usual fast food breakfast place. read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Migas with for tortilla. - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

The food is excellent,we had the buffet si yummy we went at 11:45 we had beef enchilada,Carne Asada the one with the delicious sauce with vegetables,Mole ,rice beans,chicken fajitas,broccoli rice caserole. tacos they have the fixings to the side and fresh chips salsa and so many desserts and its $10.99 .They are so sweet too. read more

I really prefer small cafes and diners and this is just a Mexican cafe. Small, hole made good food. I've been here several times over the yrs and always the same, good. Today it was breakfast, migas y chorizo con frijoles. Muy buen. And most important, fresh made tortillas. Corn or flour. They have a lunch buffet that is return food as well. read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

Wow... What a lunch buffet. Enchiladas, tamales, fajitas, beans and rice. Perfectly prepared, spiced well, flavorful, and hot. A perfect lunch. Clean bright dining area. Friendly helpful staff. Fast service. Awesome. Warning... Some of the buffet food is a little spicy hot. Perfect. read more

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One of the best traditional Mexican restaurants in Conroe. It's always delicious and authentic. Good food, good service. What else do you need for a great meal? read more

What a great find! Stopped in for the $9.95 buffet and the enchiladas were delicious. Didn't even know I liked enchiladas before trying theirs. Liked the food so much, that I got tamales for $14 for a dozen. Tamales are one of the best I've had in Texas. Very reasonable price. Awesome staff! read more

Ordered the beef fajitas and mine came out in small tiny dried out strips. Th he waitress took them back and returned with a plate with only 5 strips. While these were cooked properly, they were tough and flavorless. Another plate of the same fajitas at our table were great. No consistency. Looks like you've got a 33% chance of getting something edible. Not good odds as far as I'm concerned. read more

Picked up pork,chicken and beef tamales for Christmas Eve. They were all fantastic! We will definitely be going back to taste other items on the menu. read more

Somebody gave me a package of 6 Carmelita's "tamales". They are huge but problem is that there is much of nothing inside all that corn meal. I could see traces of what appeared to be green stuff but even little of that. REAL tamales have outer wrapper of corn meal mixture and inner filling of meat mixture. Carmelita's had no inner filling. read more

I was just passing through and stopped for a quick lunch. Food wasn't amazing but wasn't bad, I got the $10 buffet so that could've been my mistake. Employees are nice and took good care of us. Quick service though, was in and out in 20 minutes. Recommend if you're looking for a quick bite to eat. read more

Great Buffett for lunch good price menu food also of course ate to much they also have tamales by the dozen to go mass is most plenty of filling great little place read more

For those of us who like to try "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants, the common experience is that 90% of them do not merit a return visit. But it is restaurants like Carmelita's that make the risks worth taking. Carmelita's certainly qualifies as one of those "hole-in-the-wall" venues. It is tiny (maybe about 8 tables). It is one of a kind rather than being part of a chain. Many of the people who work there are the proprietors and family members who have a vested interest in its success. Consequently, the food and the service at Carmelita's are both excellent. They have a lunch buffet but you can also order from the menu. I recommend the chicken mole enchiladas. You won't be disappointed. Prices at Carmelita's are low. They could easily get away with charging a lot more for their food. The only downside of Carmelita's is that they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Doors close daily at 3 PM. They say they might start serving dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. No world yet on WHEN they will start serving dinner. read more

Dropped in for the lunch buffet. I was surprised at how good everything was. It was less like a buffet and more like getting a plate at a big family dinner at home. The food is excellent, and service is outstanding. I mourn the fact that I've lived in Conroe this long without coming to Carmelita's. I had heard it was good, and it exceeded expectations. read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Yum - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

Great place! This is not a chain and not a cookie cutter breakfast place. It is real authentic food that tastes great for a great price. If you leave this place hungry or disappointed then it is probably something you did not them. If my grandmother cooked Mexican food this would be where I ate every day. read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Wow! Great totally worth the search. This is a seriously authentic clean and delicious breakfast. Great service and prices. - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

Never a particularly noteworthy culinary experience, but an inexpensive, fast buffet that is within walking distance from the courthouse square. Try the flan in the little silver cups. read more

We stopped in after reading the reviews on yelp. What a pleasant surprise! Small, quaint family owned - operated restaurant. Nice ambiance. We were greeted immediately and served promptly. My wife ordered a breakfast burrito and I ordered the lunch burrito. Both were delicious! No mass cooked foods here! Felt like we were eating a home cooked meal! read more

Carmelita's Restaurant - Nice! Small quaint little family operated restaurant in historic downtown Conroe. Nice prices and good food. The staff is excellent! - Mexican Near Me - Conroe, Texas

This was our first time here and the food was off the chart all original down home Mexican cooking. It might be the best I've had in Texas read more

My husband and I wanted to try this little place out. We were not sure what to expect based on diverse reviews. However, we went for breakfast and thought it was wonderful, authentic Mexican food. Will definitely return. read more

This place was amazing. We didn't know what time they closed and walked in at 2:55 and they welcomed us with open arms. The food was amazing i had the beef enchiladas and my boyfriend had the burrito. It was delicious. Highly recommended. read more

We just discovered this gem of a place in Conroe. Carmelita is so sweet and the place is so homey. People are treated like family and the flour tortillas and flan are especially good. The buffet has mole, rice, beans, tacos with homemade shells, enchiladas, fajitas, and the special of the day! Come early while everything is still fresh. They even offer local honey and fresh tamales to go! read more

This is one of those low key places many folks might overlook. I'm here to say, if you pass this place by, you've made a HUGE mistake! The interior is charming, the staff is extremely attentive & friendly, & the food i read more

This is presently where I go for a sit-down meal in downtown Conroe. The owner is one of the nicest ladies I know. It's very good for steam table food and very reasonably priced. I've never had anything unpalatable there. A buffet meal there can be very fast. The first four or five large serving tubs are the same, but often at the end of the line, there is something that they made because they bought too much from the produce man or had too much of from an Italian catering gig-- a non-Mexican vegetable or a pasta casserole- they are usually extra-delicious. read more

Tamales are very good. The lady is very sweet and helpful. Under a buck a Tamale and would pay double. Not a 5 star restaurant, but 5 stars for being what it is. I got 24 and 3 of us split a dozen and shared the rest with the office, Everyone enjoyed. Pico de gallo is just right good fresh ingredients. I will go back soon. read more

This place is a Conroe treasure!! They have a lunch buffet during the week that is as homemade as you can get. The tamales are the best around. I was lucky enough to be able to go during the week one time for breakfast and the breakfast tacos were also great. My favorite thing there are the hard taco shells... they are made in-house & have the perfect crunch. If only all my food could be eaten out of one of her taco shells When you walk in you're greeted by Mrs. Carmelita herself and it feels like you just walked into her home kitchen. My only "complaint" is I wish she was open on the weekends or for dinner. read more

Tiny hole in the wall, with only about 6 small tables. Lunch buffet is a fantastic deal, featuring a wonderful chicken mole. Dessert included. read more

Breakfast is incredible, if you're looking for authentic mexican food this is the place

Excellent tamales! Lunch buffet is very good. This is not a fancy place. If you like your food served with a lot of froo-froo, this is not your place. This place serves good food in a homey atmosphere at a great price. If you eat here, get some tamales to go if they have them. You will NOT regret it! read more