Like many other places in Boone, this restaurant is perfectly serviceable. Food and service experience is consistent, and considering where you are, the offerings and food quality is pretty solid. My go to are the fajitas but I've seen tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas get ordered by others I'm with all without complaints. Food comes out pretty quick also so easy in and out for lunch. read more

Dad and I recently had supper here and choice La Carreta for 2 reasons: 1. It was one of the few restaurants that he hadn't been. 2. The family of the Wife of a local Subaru service tech that I know owns the restaurant. That's not really a firm connection, and I didn't mention anything until we were about the leave. La Carreta is attached to the American Inn and currently has a few extra rooms that they're not using. When Dad and I were here, it was busy enough. Service (by the Wife's Uncle I think) was pleasant, welcoming, and helpful. We also had a nice comfortable booth, with warm chips provided. Dad had some sort of super burrito, while I picked a spicey grilled chicken dish (pollo loco) with tortillas.. We both enjoyed our big portion choices and I appreciated not having refried beans, and enjoying the meat for what it was. Our spice was about right, and there was no need for hot sauce. Mexican beers rounded out our meal, with the final check being very reasonable. Here's what my local Subaru service tech emailed afterwards: OMG!!! I'm glad you went Eric, what did you think of the food? read more

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The food is very good and the service is pretty good very nice and great people. I did go there one time and got the tacos and my "uncle" got the fajita steak thing and before this he said "oh I'm not picky..." Really Tim, ya nice try buddy you are the most pickiest person I have ever met. Anyway he got his food and surprise surprise he didn't like it. So if you go there just remember my uncle Tim and how he was a really big cry baby. Thank you. -Jace read more

La Carreta - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

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Nice homy place with friendly and attentive staff. The menu has a lot of variety without being overwhelming. Give the margaritas a try! Everyone raves about them! Plenty of bigger tables for larger groups plus cozy booths too. read more

La Carreta - Beef Barbacoa - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

The subtitle for the name of the resturant says "authentic Mexican" and while I don't know much in the context of what is and what is not authentic mexican food, I certainly enjoyed the Texas fajitas that I ordered from the resturant! These particular fajitas are beef, chicken, and maybe 3-4 shrimp...I wish there was more shrimp on the plate, but the combination of chicken and beef was at least worth the extra $1.50. It also put on quite a show when it arrived to our table, as it was steaming and sizzling delicously! The corn tortillas were a pleasant surprise as well. And maybe this is something that an authentic mexican resturant does, because I typically associate corn tortillas as being crumbly, and break easily when folded, yet these were a little more "elastic" and easily held the generous amounts of meat and veggies that I scooped into them! The waiter was nice and pleasant, I wish that he had been a little more attentive to the lack of water refills we were experiencing at our table, because we had to pull him aside and ask him for a pitcher of water, but the food arrived quickly, and the place was hopping with business as it was, so I can't complain! TLDR: Good fajitas, not enough shrimp, but great corn tortillas. Nice waiter, need more attentive table service, but the place was busy. It was an okay time. read more

La Carreta - Christian and the bros - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

I could possibly give a review with one sentence that would say it all but I don't think Yelp allows that short of a review. They charged us a dollar.. for hot sauce. At a Mexican restaurant. A dollar for hot sauce. That should be enough for you to get back on Highway 30 and keep driving East to Ames. The most bland food this side of Cracker Barrell. Dry unseasoned meat, runny tateless salsa. I don't think they even used salt. Service was meh. Very outdated decor. read more

I'm so sorry, but the food is not good. At all. Like. Any Mexican I know would be ashamed. Did they even think about their heritage? Do they know what a Tamale is? The service isn't great either. They charge extra for hot sauce, when their "salsa" is literally tomato chunks and spaghetti sauce. My grandma is gonna visit me from Mexico, and I will be taking her in ever opposite direction from this place. Pinche cabeste. read more

The atmosphere is the best! My family loves going to La Carreta. The employees give the best service. The food is amazing. Everything I have tried has been delicious. read more

I've only had La Carreta catered when someone orders it for a Boone area organization, but its standard Americanized Mexican.

Super Burrito was very good. I liked the chicken side better than the beef but it was all delicious. The portion size was huge and had enough left for another meal. I'd definitely recommend La Carreta. Great Mexican food for Iowa. Service was very good as well. read more

Had dinner 12/26, quieter due to after holiday-order arrived wrong. Ordered Margarita as sign stated $3.25 margaritas on Monday and Tuesday charged $4.75 and when asked server was told only lime flavor at that price. Will not be going back! read more

"VERY DISAPPOINTED " No Stars!!!! I have given this business more chances then one person should give but it's the only Mexican spot within 15 miles of where I live so I tried to eat local but I am done. I went there for lunch today and I got the Texas fajitas and my husband got the lunch taco salad we also got a cheese sauce. Our order came out to 33 dollars, 33 dollars for 2 meals and a cheese sauce that is no bigger then a side of ranch you get with a salad. Then they forgot our chips. Gave us the salsa and cheese sauce but no chips. Then when asked for a receipt because I wanted to see what I'm being charged so outrageously for they hand me a written one that just said what we ordered on it. I am sorry to do this because I know times are hard but you guys are ripping people off and not thinking twice about it. When I tried to call and speak to someone about this and maybe try to resolve the issue they acted like they couldn't understand me. I am sorry but you guys have lost me as a customer forever. Nothing you say or do will ever get me to come back in to your restaurant. 31 dollars for junk food and a 2 dollar To go fee nah you can keep it. It would be different if your food was to die for but it is mediocre at best. Below is a photo of the 5 dollar cheese sauce they gave me without chips. Very disappointed!!!! read more

La Carreta - a table with pies and a bowl of soup - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

It's a 50/50 sometimes great sometimes not so great. The fried ice cream is not fried and the cornflakes are usually stale and soggy

The food is really good. The staff is very friendly. The service is fast. I give them 10/10

The food is good here, but the lack of salsa sucks. I realize there is COVID precautionary measures going on, but the salsas are small and each person should get their own. Not one salsa for two people; please quit being stingy. Every time I visit I have to ask for more salsa and chips. Super annoying. Otherwise, a decent experience. read more

Great owner, staff and restaurant. "No love, no tacos" is the perfect way to live life and solve problems. Thank you for the great food and for spreading love in your community. read more

Very good Mexican food that stands out as an excellent option amongst the several restaurants, fast food joints and pizza places in Boone. Service is fast and friendly and food comes out quickly and hot! Try the enchiladas verdes tapatias and/or don't be afraid to customize any of the dishes...they will try to make your food to your liking if they can! Beware Sunday lunch time and any time there are 2-3 large groups being served...service can get a bit inconsistent, tho the food and friendliness remains quite good at all times. read more

La Carreta - Enchiladas verdes tapatias - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

Definitely doesn't look like much when you're passing by, but I'm always pleasantly surprised with the food! Their service is excellent, timely, and they make sure to get everything right. The food is right on queue with typical Iowa Mexican cuisine but nonetheless, delicious. I also recently learned they offer delivery so this may become a staple when working from home!! Definitely in the top 3 food places of Boone. read more

This place used to be Dynomite, Granted the service has always been and still is. The food is now becoming subpar. It's like they quit cooking with salt. The food is now bland. Pretty sure they still are under the same managment. It is always packed for lunch. I don't know why anymore. I have been eating here for years and just now starting to see a change. Still,the service is excellent. Chips are good but the salsa has turned into a red soupy flavorless mess. I will only give this place one more try. read more

The food was well packaged for delivery and very good. This was my first time ordering from them. There are other menu items I want to try so I will order again! read more

Lovely Mexican food with cheerful waiters and waitresses. Always busy which says more than I can.

It is very rare that I find myself in a position where I've been left with no choice but to warn others about a restaurant. Being a connoisseur of good food and a chef this is the choice I've had thrown at me in the form of an awful experience, on a plate . It is apparent to me that the people of La Carreta, although nice people haven't the slightest clue of what mexican food is or should be. Upon entering the restaurant I was graciously greeted and seated right away. This was the high point of my evening. I took a gander at the menu with high hopes and was instantly concerned about a few of the options. Flautas made with flour tortillas should have been a first clue as to what I was getting myself into. I ordered a combination plate with a beef tamale, one enchilada, SPANISH rice and beans. I also had ordered a side dish of a chile relleno. I was excited to get started. As I awaited my meal I gave the chips and salsa a running start only to face plant into a hurdle. The cold tasteless chips were accompanied by an extremely mediocre rendition of a salsa. Store bought would be a good guess. Thank goodness my food arrived quicky because I had only made it three or four cold chips into the evening before pushing it away. The food arrived with a smile I will say that much, and was placed in front of me. The combination plate looked pretty traditional which eased my concern. The second plate also arrived and so did my questioning yet again. My chile relleno all by itself on a plate looked like nothing more than a ball of cheese taking a nice warm swim in some grease on this chilly night. I remove the layer of cheese only to find a greasy glob of ground beef. Where was my chile? I found it, a small slice of green chile was stuck under the cheese. I ate my slice of chile and slid the grease trap to the side. I started in on the beans and cheese. The beans had some flavor which is unfortunately more than expected now at this point. The SPANISH rice was a pale and very tasteless addition to the plate, and I mean almost zero flavor. Not to mention the texture was a bit mushy. I feared my next extreme adventure in the beef tamale but I was hungry so I continued. The texture of the masa can vary depending on where you are and the type of tamale that you are eating, however, it was just so horrible and again tasteless. Unimpressed and confused I rolled into my final dare, the enchilada. It was covered in sauce and a little cheese so I was confident that I could possible end my night on a higher note than it started on. The sauce was extremely bland and somewhat sweet, I tasted almost zero red chile in this red sauce, to make it more exciting my enchilada was filled with that same greasy mess they call ground beef. I was disgusted by the end of my meal, the salt shaker was my only friend there that night. I quietly paid my bill and left the building. Please, locals and people passing through.....there is a very nice looking McDonalds right down the road. Or if you absolutely need a taco or something mexican don't settle for La Carreta or Taco Johns (that's a whole different story!) Just keep going to another town close by for mexican food. Again I hate to be the guy to say these things but I was left with no choice. To the nice people at the restaurant, please consider looking into the execution in which you create your food. Unsalted and mushy food is no way to make friends, smiles only go so far. I truly am sorry, but it's intervention time. Mexican food is a rich, bold and beautiful food and if done correctly you will never see a review like this again. Good luck and God speed. read more

La Carreta - The chile relleno... - Mexican Near Me - Boone, Iowa

The food was delicious! They have a vegetarian menu which is great for those of us that need it. Friendly staff with great atmosphere!

Has to be one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area! A must try if you're just visiting Boone!!! And if you live here, I guarantee you've already been a million times and would agree with me! Love the employees! Always smiling and greeting you by name! Keep up the great food and service!!! read more

OK, I live in Texas so I get a LOT of good Mexican to choose from. That being said, I still prefer Tex-Mex over authentic, so my reviews will be skewed in that way. The place was about 80% full when we went, and it was pretty busy, with lots of traffic in and out, including call-in orders. So, the speed of the kitchen was a little slow, but not so bad that I got annoyed. While we waited, we had great warm tortilla chips and salsa that was surprisingly good. I love cilantro and this salsa had it, yum! I only got the Quesadilla Azteca, so not really a hard dish to prepare - but it was great., gotta say it was alot better than I expected. I LOVE the cheese they used, definitely wasn't Mozarella or Jack - much creamier, and YUM. Would definitely order those again. My dad got the Enchiladas Vallarta and cleaned his plate. My mom and aunt both got the Chimichangas, their regular order - both reported it was very good, as usual. All in all, a surprising treat of Mexican in small-town Iowa - don't hesitate to try it, I think you'll be happy you went. read more

Came from Chicago to visit my daughter we were looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant to eat at. Found la Carreta and it says it was authentic Mexican which is not. They don't have the option for soft or hard shell tacos, corn or flour tortillas. They only offer hard shells. They don't have orchata which every "authentic" Mexican restaurant I've been to has. The tacos don't have the options of cilantro,onions or avocados on the taco itself. The taco sauces were not provided. The chicken in the chicken tacos were dry and cold I think it came from a can, the chicken had no flavor whatsoever. Would not recommend this restaurant. Better food served at Taco Bell. read more

Stopped for a quick lunch. Food was okay. Nothing special, but nothing bad either. If your wanting something with a Mexican flare to it, then this seems like your best option in this town. Guacamole was good, but could have been a little hotter. read more

nothing was pleasant about this restaurant. poor service, weak drinks and understaffed.

Food was salty, and bland for Mexican food. When I asked for spice was given Tapatio. Not spicy at all.. This was American Mex. The staff was friendly read more

La Carreta is awesome. Chips and salsa are great. Get the queso dip too! I have had lots of different items on the menu and they are all good. Fajitas for two are my wife and I's favorite. Something else worth trying is the Mexican fettuccini. A Mexican twist on a classic dish. A little heat which I love. Super good! read more

Local Mexican restaurant, it is not authentic spicy Mexican cuisine if that is what you are looking for. If you want a good taco, burrito, etc., at a good price can't beat La Caretta. Love the fajita quesadillas, tacos, and burritos. Personal favorite, but again I am not big on spicy food. read more

I liked my food but not the long black hairs in it. My sister at another time had the same creepy thing happen. No this isn't great Mexican food but good and owners are nice...but I haven't been back in over a year and am tempted to report to state read more

Have had way better Mexican before but still really good! The shrimp quesadilla is awesome. So are carne asada tacos!!

My taco salad was a blob of bland hamburger meat with few pinch of lettuce shreds. My son's Carnitas was bland and tough to chew.

Decent food. Had a patio. Was nice to sit outside. We brought our dog and he sat on the opposite side of the fence. Nobody seemed to mind.

Typical American Mexican food joint. Nothing flashy, comparable to pretty much every small town Mexican restaurant in the USA. Not a mind blower. Just a solid choice in a town with few. read more

Very standard "American" Mexican food. Large menu, quick service, and the quality of the food was 3/5 stars. I'd make the suggestion that they offer the food a bit spicier. I asked for mine to be extra spicy, and it came out mild at best. For Boone, on a Sunday when there are not many options, this is a solid choice. read more

Excellent Mexican food. Love their beef tacos, fajita quesadilla, and burritos. The cheese dip is to die for. Salsa isn't chunky, so me for me that's great! Fast service and yummy margaritas. read more

We will eat here once a month. We've got two wiggly kids and appreciate the fast service. I like the enchiladas and the cheese dip for the chips. The churros are better here than most places in Ames even... Always order them with ice cream! read more

We eat here all the time and really enjoy it. The service is terrific and the food is pretty good as well. Great place...I recommend the Super Burrito! read more