We had been here years ago and the food was as good as I remember. The service was friendly and prompt and we ate family style to try a variety of dishes. We had the house special mole and although I really enjoyed both my husband and son found it a bit too sweet for their liking but loved it with the handmade tortillas. We had tacos both the al pastor (delicious) and the carne asada. The pozole was generous and a really winner as well as the chips and guacamole (really good tortilla chips) and loved the fresh salsas, especially the tomatillo one. The one dish would avoid next time is the tacos dorados that were overly dry. Great meal and hoping to be back sooner next time especially since it is a brief walk to the Pie Bird pie shop for dessert. read more

See all

Good was great, it's small but quaint! Grabbed a table at the restaurant bar top and it was fun to watch them make the food as we chatted. Employees are so sweet. Definitely recommend giving them a try for a quick bite. read more

Same same. So good. The molé is incredible. I can say enough, really. They're super friendly, the margaritas are strong and delicious. Highly recommend. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Mole' Negro Oaxaqueno - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

I've never had a mole before and was excited to finally try it. It was absolutely delicious, it was sweet, smokey, and the pork ribs fell off the bone. Tortillas were included and there was small salas bar. It was very busy but we were able to get a spot on the communal table. The servers were so quick and were attentive in filling water. They gave some recommendations for us since we've never been. They also had the beer Victoria and our friend was so happy to see it being sold here! Rare sight apparently. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - mole negro oaxaqueño - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Still, after all these years, one of the best restaurants in Seattle! These are hands down the VERY BEST TORTILLAS I have ever put in my mouth! The lady behind the counter rolls them out fresh! She obviously makes them with love! Great people watching on the patio, but their bar area is so cute too! We both got the carne asada plate. I loved the charred chili on top of the steak! Also their guacamole is phenomenal! So so delicious! I like their salsa bar too! The hibiscus drink was a bit sweet but good! Beans were the bomb- I absolutely would LOVE to know how to make beans like them!!! They have an awesome, after 3 pm, drink n food happy hour too! Definitely worth the drive to come here! Of course, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE! read more

See all

Great food! Whenever we are in Ballard we eat here. We had early dinner on a Saturday and wished we could have gotten two orders table outside. It was a hot day, and it was pretty hot sitting inside. I had the enmoladas which was delicious. The steak was cooked beautifully and it was very tender. The mole is on point. My husband had the Carnitas Plato. The pork was fork tender and melted in your mouth. I wish I could cook pork that delicious. Fresh tortillas being made constantly by the woman behind the bar. They can't be any fresher. I also like getting my own salsa. We don't have to bug a server for more. Their guacamole is also super great. Yum! read more

See all

Im from Texas and actively miss Mexican food from the south and this place met my expectations. I felt like I was back home. My friend and I both had the red entomatadas and both loved them! Will definitely be back. I also had a mezcalerita and it was fantastic! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Entomatadas Rojas - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Another great meal. I had the birrierria lamb rack. Soooo tender. Delicious seasoning. I wanted a bit more heat and used some if their great salsa. My other had the mole chicken - cant stay away from ordering it. The chips came hot and crisp to the table, all 3 salsas were enjoyed. Also ordered the guacamole because you just have to. A busy Saturday evening and the quality remained high. read more

See all

Went to this spot on a Friday for lunch and it was pretty busy for being a workday, we grabbed the last outside patio that was big enough to fit our group of 5. The service was very nice and friendly. The outdoor area is so nice and fun and it's a good spot in the heart of Ballard. Overall I thought the food was good and decent, nothing crazy. I thought the al pastor was pretty good and strong in flavor and could've had nicer balance with the veggies and citrus, I think the best dish out of the group was probably the fish tacos as it was much lighter and well balanced. I did really like the agua Fresca and that was the best part and just being able to sit outside and enjoy. 3 stars for the food, 4 for the vibes and ambiance. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Agua Fresca watermelon - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

A nice sunny day calls for an outdoor lunch! Tried La Carta De Oaxaca in Ballard today and sat outside! We got the Lamb Birria and the kids quesadilla! The food was 9.5/10, the quesadilla was a nice touch with the lamb birria! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Lamb Birria and Kids Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I got the Al Pastor tacos and the tamarind agua fresca and both were excellent! The service was slow likely due to the server/customer ratio being off. My drink didn't come out until I was eating my last taco but I'm attributing that to how busy it was. Overall, I would recommend and would go back to try other menu items! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Tacos Al Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

After my partner became a U.S. citizen, we knew exactly where to celebrate--La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard. It's our favorite Mexican spot in Seattle, hands down. Word is, the restaurant got its start when Gloria Perez cooked her mom's Oaxacan recipes for a local culinary expert's family--who were so blown away, they helped her open the place. Taste the food, and you get it. It's more than a meal--it's a story, a legacy, and a masterclass in flavor. Everything on the menu is a win, but I keep coming back for the tamales, their deep, complex mole, the lamb that falls apart like butter, and carne asada that's bold and perfectly grilled. The tortillas are made fresh, the habanero salsa brings real heat, and there's a level of care here that's rare--every bite tastes like it came from someone's home kitchen, not a restaurant line. The space walks the line between casual and elegant, and the family-run team makes you feel like you're part of theirs. Honestly, I think they deserve a Michelin star--but even without one, it's one of the most consistently outstanding meals in the city. When we talk about what makes America special, this is it--flavor, heart, and family, all in one place. read more

See all

I think this is one of the best Mexican restaurants without having to drive to southside. Places in Seattle are overpriced and underwhelming and getting worse all the time. I don't feel La Carta is any more spendy than lesser options in Seattle, and I feel the quality for what you get is much better. Their plate presentation is attractive. The menu and the food are straight forward. While I like some dishes more than others, I feel like I can pick anything at La Carta, and I'm going to like it. Would I get the house specialty mole? Yes. The flan was perfection. Smooth, creamy texture with a light sauce on top and around the plate. This is how flan is supposed to be. We have had margaritas and mezcal drinks and enjoyed all of them. The tortillas are hand made, and you can tell. We have had great service, friendly and efficient. They have a casual and familiar indoor seating area as well as outdoor seating. The tables near the front door are particularly cute in that the meal takes on that cafe feel. La Carta has stood the test of time as well. They started in 2003, so 22 years of celebrating Oaxacan food is a statement in itself. read more

See all

About 7 years ago my wife and I came here and had a very rude server and the food took forever. We said we'd never go back and today we took a chance on lunch..our server was nice until we realized after sitting there for over 40 minutes and watching other customers being serves that someone forgot to put our orders in. We should have left at this point...the food was fine, but something that should have taken 20 minutes took an hour and we got mumbled apologies but nothing was comped, offered or discounted. We will never be returning and will never recommend it to anyone. Mistakes happen but the entire staff played dumb about what happened with our food and they don't own the mistake or make for it. I always thought this place was a little overrated though the guac and tortillas are great the tacos are incredibly overpriced for not including any sides....go somewhere else. read more

We were looking for a dinner spot in Ballard that had space for a larger group without a reservation, and La Carta de Oaxaca was the perfect fit! I ordered the lamb birria and it was delightful. Also loved that we could just grab more salsa as needed from the bar. I also appreciated that they had us wait for our table in an area inside near the bar, rather than outside in the rain. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

It's...OK I truly don't understand any hype. Everything is overrated, over priced...it all just lacks... is it bad by any means? Not really. The food is alright, but in my opinion lacks flavor. $14 for (3) small chicken flautas that despite having multiple sauces, didn't have much spice?! Chips and salsa cost extra and again lack flavor. Tacos...fine. Worth the $$?! Probably not. The staff are great Drinks are good Ambiance is lacking. I was surprised by how crowded it gets over the weekends. I just haven't been impressed. Gave it a few tries and don't think I'd return read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I like this place. Good vibe and friendly services. The thing I don't like is there should be coat hanger and seats for 2 near the window needs to be wider. It is too small and uncomfortable. The food is great. I'm no expert in Mexican food so can't tell if it's authentic, but I live the family vibe and feel like the food they make is dedicated to the culture, the hometown people want to represent. I love it. One note for the owners is you guys should serve cool/warm water during winter for people. Just ask beforehand. read more

A staple in our Mexican rotation not just in Ballard but in Seattle. Vibes are good, happy hour is great and their dinner plates are consistently delicious. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Below average food and extremely rude staff. Okay so we walked in at 2:45 and didn't know that it closes at 3. They could have let us know then and there that they aren't accepting any new customers. Our data wasn't working as we travelled from Vancouver and were hoping for wifi and we even explained the situation but the waiter was super rude and said no. He also said you only get 5 mins to order and you have to pay before coz we won't be doing anything after 3. Unfortunately we were so tired and hungry that we still continued to sit there. We had promised Mexican food to our 7 year old and TRY changing that last minute! Even when I asked for sauces I was just pointed to the station without any word. Dude I don't live at this restaurant I don't know your system! Use your words! Oh yes and just before he got us the bill he was super nice and that pissed me off even more! Food was below average. No real taste as such. I will not recommend it to anyone. Stay away. read more

See all

This is a hard three-star review to write. La Carta de Oaxaca delivers on flavor, but I'm still so famished writing this review. Plus, the wait, not for a table, but to be served was painstakingly long. My wife and I came here on a Tuesday night and we got bombarded by a delicious aroma upon stepping in. We fortunately snagged the last open table, as it was packed. We noticed a few red flags: A lot of other tables didn't have food and we're waiting. We had to wait several minutes for water, and then had to flag another person to get a waiter after waiting for about 10 minutes. After ordering our food, we waited an additional 25 minutes for our food to arrive. I get it, they may be short-staffed, but it made both me and my wife a bit grumpy. I ordered the lamb birria and my wife got Carne Asada tacos. My wife said her tacos were pretty filled with meat, but the tortillas were lukewarm at best, like it's been sitting out on the counter for a while. My lamb birria had great flavor in the beans and rice. The lamb was very tender, and although some parts of it were over-cooked, it was not bad. What was disappointing was...the rack of lamb itself. Each rib was the size of my middle finger, and I was so disappointed with its size. I was licking and gnawing at the bones for all the meat, and needless to say, I'm still very hungry. Overall, meh. I know it sounds harsh, but they seem understaffed, and waiting for such a long time for any service just made us hangry. The food ain't bad, but I'm sure there's better restaurants out there in the cool Ballard area. read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Lamb Birria - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here last night for an impromptu dinner and was very impressed! Their mole sauce is to die for. Got the Enmoladas, which is corn tortillas soaked in the mole, with skirt steak. Hubby and I were both drooling over it. Also got the lamb birria which was great. Lamb was cooked perfectly. And their house-made corn tortillas....omg. Best ever. Hubby thought they were flour at first (which he prefers) but even he was obsessed with these. Drinks were also good. Get the spicy marg! I think we'll be back! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Enmoladas - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Everything was delicious and authentic. Staff was friendly and food was made quickly. I absolutely recommend!

A place that used to be better, but it still pretty good. Yes, it's a bit expensive for Mexican food. Yes, it's a bit blander and less spicy than other regional cuisine. Yes, it's still extremely tasty. Service is hit or miss (you're in Ballard, they're hip, so they can't always care about you). Great part of the strip with nice ambiance. You might like it! read more

food was excellent and came out super fast even with a semi-full dining room. service was prompt and kind. prices are reasonable.

The tamales are the best I've had outside of Mexico! Even the rice and black beans they serve alongside the very tender and tasty tamales are so tasty! No gloopy cheese here; just an abundance of flavor. read more

The pros: -good ambiance -fast service -was willing to accommodate vegetarian request The cons: -not many vegetarian or vegan options on the menu -service wasn't super engaged read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Vegetarian tacos - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

3.5 stars - 4 stars food, 3 stars service, 2 stars value. Echoing fellow Yelpers, food is overpriced - portion sizes are small. Al pastor tacos and carne asada tacos are both tasty, however, tacos are small - an order contains 3 tacos. If you're hungry, you'll want to order more. Lamb birria is melt in your mouth tasty, slow cooked and flavorful! Rice and beans are outstanding. Housemade chips and guacamole are decent - the chips are fresh and come warm. Have had better guacamole elsewhere. Some reviews state customer service over the phone leaves much to be desired - definitely true. The staff that answered the phone was borderline rude - appalling. read more

The service at this restaurant was pretty good, we got seated pretty much right away. All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered a pozole, ceviche de pescado, some fried tacos, and fried quesadillas. The pozole wasn't the best, it didn't have much flavor besides garlic. The ceviche was alright, fried tacos were ok, but the fried quesadillas were good. We also ordered a mezcal flight, specifically the ilegal. Which had añejo, reposado, and one other variety which I can't recall. It was a bit pricy but a good experience to try different ones. I'm pretty particular about Mexican food so I probably wouldn't be back unless I wanted to try some more mezcal. read more

See all

I've spent the past 7 years listening to people say this is some of the best Mexican food in Seattle. It took that long to convince me to give this place another try. I'll concede this being better than my previous experience, though not by much. The rice was smoother than I remembered and my side of beans had sauces on top to add flavor. Unfortunately, the chile relleno was a real let down. The cheese was solid inside and the batter around the pepper was thick, soggy, and added nothing. I pity anyone who thinks this is what a chile relleno should taste like. Maybe next time it'll only take me 4 years to give this place another try. read more

Holy fuck. Top 3 Mexican places I've eaten. Everything was perfect. Worth every penny.

We went on a Monday since they don't take reservations and the place was packed! Easy to get into, but still every place was taken and people were coming and going. Masks required to enter. Vaccination cards also required to enter. Outdoor seating available. I started with a sangria. It's strong and a true sangria, not just wine and fruit. This is brandy and triple sec with red wine and some fruit. Great flavor. Let me preface with I could eat and eat and eat everything we had. I'm glad it's limited or I would be a glutton ... we shared the molotes, he had mole' negro Oaxaqueño, and I had tacos de pescado which are made with halibut. I'm white, really white - like cheerios are spicy white - and the mole was spicy for me and my tacos were flavorful spicy but not too bad. But everything was great!! I can't wait to come back and taste some more menu items. Yum yum! read more

Had a friend in town who wanted a patio and a margarita. ¡We found both at La Carta de Oaxaca! I had Herradura shots and Dos Equis bottles and she got her margarita. She had the fish tacos and I had al pastor. Both were really good, as was the chips and guac. The patio was a nice ambiance and the service was great. I recommend this joint highly! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Tacos Al Pastor & Fish Tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Good Mexican food is hard to find in Seattle and so with a craving for it I decided to try this with my mom. We ordered the fish tacos, chips and beans, and the fish soup and I would like to say that it was all very good. I particularly loved the fact that the soup and tacos came with hand made tortillas which is always a plus! The fish tacos were a big small for my liking considering you get three for 15 dollars before tax. And the soup although flavorful, it was selfish considering it only came with One piece of fish! Aside from the greedy portion size and high price tag the flavor was good and so was the service! We walked in and were immediately greeted and sat by our lovely server. The ambiance was also something noteworthy as there was music playing, and plenty of warm decor. Overall I had a good experience but I don't think I'll be going back. I do recommend it if you're into smaller portions and don't mind spending a little more! Cheers! read more

Authentic as fux!!! Best mole and chile relleno I've ever had. Shrimp tacos super great too! read more

I ordered enfrijoladas since it specified that it was not spicy, when they arrived at my table and I tried to eat, it was spicy, I told my waiter and his response was "it doesn't seem spicy to me." What kind of response is that to your customers? I added eggs to my dish and I literally took pieces of eggshell out of my mouth, I couldn't eat them, the only good thing I can say is that they have good coffee, thank you but I don't recommend read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - eggshells - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cozy little Mexican restaurant with a great menu with something for everyone including meat, seafood, and vege options. I always get overwhelmed when menus are 20 pages long so I really appreciated the more curated selection. I enjoyed the guac+chips, carne asada plate, and the trying all the salsas from their salsa bar. I got a margarita with my dinner, and that was the only thing that was just alright. Given that good Mexican food is so hard to find without driving north or south towards the edges of the city, I'm very grateful to have found this spot! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Salsas from the salsa bar - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Omg such an unassuming little spot. Excellent service best tortillas delicious food! I would eat there everyday if I could! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Lamb Birria - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came on a busy Saturday late afternoon. There wasn't a clear direction on how to be seated and we kind of had to bother the waiting staff before we were greeted and seated. Once seated, the service and food made up for the wait and initial confusion. Would highly recommend the pozole! read more

La Carta de Oaxaca - Pozole - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

As a Hispanic person who moved to Seattle after growing up in California by the Mexican border, I've missed having good Mexican food. I tried the mole dish and it tasted very similar to my mom's! I devoured every piece as the sauce was perfectly balanced between being sweet and savory. A little pricey, but worth it. read more

We have been very curious about this one and finally got to try it. I would echo some of the reviews here. It was just boring. Overpriced for sure but boring. I was still hungry after an appetizer and two meals. They never checked if we wanted more beer. Tacos were great but very small street style and very expensive. Rice and beans don't come with tacos. I mean would that cost the restaurant a $1 to include? Not sure but such a ridiculous amount of food for the price they charge. They just came multiple times to pick our plates while we were still eating. It made us feel uncomfortable. Regardless, I don't think I see any reason to come back here. read more