Carlos O’Kelly’s – Iowa City Menu – Iowa City, IA

Type : Mexican restaurant

Location : Iowa City, IA

Cantina chain serving classic Tex-Mex dishes in a modest setting with a casual vibe & a bar. Based on 929 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 3.9 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery

Carlos O'Kelly's - Iowa City 52240

Address:
1406 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: (319) 354-5800

Website:

Hours

Sunday 11 AM–9 PM
Monday

(Labor Day)
11 AM–10 PM

Hours might differ
Tuesday 11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–10 PM
Thursday 11 AM–10 PM
Friday 11 AM–10 PM
Saturday 11 AM–10 PM

Menu

Taco Street
Carnitas Pork $14.15
Hatch Pulled Chicken & Queso $11.99
Skirt Steak Diablo $15.99
Crispy Fish $15.99
Chimichangas
The Cadillac Chimi
A hot, crispy burrito-sized tortilla wrapped around grilled Fajita Chicken, cheese, and tender seasoned Fajita onions & green peppers. Topped with our famous Chili con Queso, sour cream and hand-diced Pico de Gallo.
$16.86
Chimi El Dorado
The ultimate Chimi, stuffed with Chipotle Chicken, cream cheese, Monterrey Jack, sour cream and green chilies, topped with Chili con Queso.
$16.86
Burritos
Fajita Steak Burrito
Grilled Fajita Steak, sauteed peppers and onions, rice, and Chili con Queso wrapped up in a large flour tortilla and topped with both Red & Cheese Enchilada sauce and a dollop of sour cream. Served with your choice of two sides.
$16.51
Sancho Especial
Seasoned Ground Beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes wrapped in a flour tortilla and covered in Cheese Enchilada sauce. Topped with Crema Fresca, tomatoes, and chives. Your choice of two sides.
$13.59
Chipotle Chicken Burrito
Grilled Fajita Chicken, sauteed green peppers & onions and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla covered with Diablo sauce – a creamy sauce laced with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers. Topped with sour cream and your choice of two sides. Mildly spicy.
$14.59
Suiza Con Pollo
Grilled Fajita Chicken and a blend of Monterrey Jack, cream cheese, and sour cream rolled up in a big flour tortilla and covered with Poblano Cream sauce and chives. Served with your choice of two sides.
$16.51
Enchilada De Monterrey
Pulled chicken and Monterrey jack rolled burrito-style in a flour tortilla and covered with cheese enchilada sauce. Topped with crema fresca and chives. Your choice of two sides.
$13.59
Apps
Legendary Chili Con Queso (1pt)
Our legendary Mexican-style cheese dip. One pint of Chili con Queso with a large bag of chips. Add Pulled Chicken or Ground Beef with extra charge.
$10.00
Legendary Chili Con Queso (1/2pt)
Our legendary Mexican-style cheese dip. 1/2 pint of Chili con Queso with a small bag of chips. Add Pulled Chicken or Ground Beef with extra charge.
$6.59
Fresh Guacamole (Pint)
Avocado, fresh lime juice, tomatoes, onion and cilantro. Pint of Guacamole with a large bag of Chips.
$11.80
Fresh Guacamole (1/2 Pint
Avocado, fresh lime juice, tomatoes, onion and cilantro. 1/2 Pint of Guacamole with a small bag of Chips.
$7.07
Quesadillas
Two large flour tortillas topped with cheddar cheese and a tasty blend of Poblano Chilies, Hatch Green Chilies, garlic and onions. Grilled to a crisp golden brown.
$12.97
Fajita Cheese Crisp
A fried flour tortilla topped with tender pieces of grilled Fajita Chicken, Monterrey Jack, and Butter Garlic sauce. Baked pizzeria-style and garnished with diced tomatoes and chives.
Chipotle Cheese Crisp – a spicier version
of the Fajita Cheese Crisp
$14.15
Naked Nachos Grande
Chip-dipping layers of Ground Beef, Chili con Queso, refried beans, sour cream, Fresh Guacamole, jalapefos, lettuce, tomatoes and chives. Tortilla chips served on the side.
$11.59
Carlos Salsa (Pint)
Our famously-fresh Salsa, made-from-scratch every day.
$5.90
Carlos Bag Of Chips (Large)
Large Bag of Carlos’ famous Chips
$4.72
Atomic Salsa
Our original spicy Salsa. Kick it up a notch.
$6.00
Carlos Salsa (Half Pint)
Our famously-fresh Salsa, made-from-scratch every day.
$2.00
Carlos Bag Of Chips (Half)
Our famously-fresh Salsa, made-from-scratch every day.
$2.26
Salads
Taco Salad
A crisp tortilla bowl filled with fresh mixed greens, and shredded cheese. Topped with tomatoes, sour cream, chives, and Southwestern croutons.
$12.79
Cantina Chicken Salad
Carlos Grilled Cantina Chicken breast. Mixed Field greens tossed in our new Mango Lime Vinaigrette. Queso fresco crumbles, crunchy tortilla strips, crispy bacon, pico de gallo and crunchy pepitas. Fresh and tasty.
$13.59
Enchiladas
Seafood Enchiladas
Two flour tortillas filled with grilled Mahi and Shrimp along with Monterrey Jack and sauteed peppers & onions. Topped with a blend of two of our premium sauces – Poblano Cream and Diablo. Oven-baked and your choice of two sides.
$17.22
Enchiladas De Poblano
Two flour tortillas stuffed with Pulled Chicken and cheese and covered with Poblano Cream sauce. Served with your choice of two sides.
$15.99
Enchiladas San Carlos
Two Pulled Chicken Enchiladas made with flour tortillas, one covered with Poblano Cream sauce and the other with Diablo sauce. Your chance to try two of our most distinguished sauces. Served with your choice of two sides.
$13.79
Fajitas
Chicken Fajitas
Grilled Chicken served sizzling with onions, green peppers, warm flour tortillas, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and Pico de Gallo.
$17.69
Steak Fajitas
Grilled Steak served sizzling with onions, green peppers, warm flour tortillas, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and Pico de Gallo.
$19.99
Chicken & Steak Combo Fajitas
Grilled Chicken and Steak served sizzling with onions, green peppers, warm flour tortillas, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and Pico de Gallo.
$16.99
Fajita Trio
Three distinct flavors. Grilled Chicken, Grilled Steak and Chipotle-basted Shrimp.
$22.40
Shrimp Fajitas
Broiled Chipotle-basted Shrimp served sizzling with onions, green peppers, warm flour tortillas, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and Pico de Gallo.
$16.99
Combo Platter
Cinco Sampler
A five-item combo: A Pulled Chicken Enchilada and a Ground Beef Enchilada, both with Cheese Enchilada sauce, and a Ground Beef Enchilada with Red Enchilada sauce plus two Pulled Chicken Flautas with cheese sauce for dipping.
$15.99
Combo #1
A seasoned Ground Beef Enchilada, a Cheese & Onion Enchilada, and a Ground Beef Taco.
$15.09
Combo #2
Ground Beef, Bean, & Cheese Burrito, a Cheese & Onion Enchilada, and a seasoned Ground Beef Taco.
$15.99
Combo #3
A Ground Beef, Bean, & Cheese Burrito, a Cheese & Onion Enchilada, a Ground Beef Enchilada, and a Ground Beef Taco.
$17.22
Mex Grill
Steak & Enchiladas
A grilled 8-oz Sirloin Steak, lightly basted with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers and served with two Ground Beef Enchiladas covered with Red Enchilada sauce. Garnished with sour cream & chives and your choice of two sides.
$18.59
Chicken Fingers & Fries
Tender strips of Chicken Breast breaded and lightly fried. Served with Cantina Fries & a side of honey mustard sauce.
$12.59
Fajita Chicken Bowl
Grilled Cantina Chicken, cilantro-lime rice, black beans, tortilla strips, cheddar, sour cream, guacamole and fresh pico de gallo.
$15.99
Carlos Originals
Chicken Picado
Tender pieces of marinated Chicken Breast with Butter Garlic sauce with sautéed green peppers & onions, and melted Monterrey Jack. Topped with tomatoes & chives and ready to roll in warm flour tortillas. Choice of two sides.
$13.99
Shrimp Picado
Chipotle-basted Shrimp blended with Poblano Cream & Diablo Sauce with sautéed green peppers & onions, and melted Monterrey Jack. Topped with tomatoes & chives and ready to roll in warm flour tortillas. Choice of two sides.
$14.99
Pasta Diablo
Sauteed green peppers & onions, and rotini
pasta mixed with our Diablo sauce. Topped with Monterrey Jack, tomatoes, chives, and sour cream.
$15.99
Make Your Mex
M.Y.M. Enchiladas (2)
Choose your Filling, Sauce and 2 Sides
Our oven-baked Enchiladas made with corn tortillas and your choice of filling. Topped with your choice of a sauce and crema fresca & chives. Two Enchiladas
$12.59
M.Y.M. Chimichangas
Choose your Filling, Sauce and 2 Sides
A large flour tortilla stuffed with cheese and your choice of an Inspired filling. Deep-fried to a golden brown, covered with sauce and topped with sour cream and chives.
$13.59
M.Y.M. Burritos
Choose your Filling, Sauce and 2 Sides
Smothered Burrito Dinners made with a flour tortilla wrapped around your choice of an Inspired filling and topped with your choice of a sauce.
$15.99
Kids Meals
Kid’s Chicken Fingers
Crispy and delicious breaded chicken tenderloins. Choice of one side and dressing.
$6.00
Kid’s Taco
A fried corn tortilla filled with ground beef and shredded cheese.
$5.90
Kid’s Mac & Cheese
Steamy bowl of Mac & Cheese. Choice of one side.
$7.08
Kid’s Combo
One traditional enchilada in a corn tortilla and one hard shell taco. Chicken or ground beef. Choice of one side.
$7.08
Kid’s Pizza
One individual cheese pizza, just their size. Choice of one side.
$7.08
Kid’s Burrito
Ground Beef, refried beans, and cheese in a flour tortilla. Served with a dish of cheese sauce and choice of one side.
$5.00
Kid’s Quesadilla
A flour tortilla covered in melted cheese and grilled to perfection. Choice of one side. Add chicken for additional cost.
$5.90
Kid’s Hamburger
One quarter pound patty and their choice of one side. Make it a cheeseburger for no additional cost.
$7.08
Kid’s Enchilada
One traditional enchilada in a corn tortilla with cheese sauce. Choice of one side
$5.90
Family-Pack Meals
Monterrey Casserole
One of our most popular dishes served family style. Pulled Chicken and Monterrey Jack with layers of tortillas, covered in Cheese Enchilada sauce and topped with Crema Fresca and chives.
$35.00
Poblano Chicken Casserole
One of our most famous enchiladas dished to tame the heartiest appetites. Pulled Chicken and cheese, layered with tortillas and covered with our famous Poblano Cream sauce.
$47.20
Family Pack Pasta Diablo
A Carlos favorite ready for a hungry table. Grilled Fajita Chicken and rotini pasta mixed with sautéed green pepper & onions and our Diablo sauce. Topped with Monterrey Jack, tomatoes, chives and sour cream. Mildly spicy.
$40.00
Carlos Taco KIt – Ground Beef
A favorite. Seasoned Ground Beef in soft flour tortillas or crispy corn shells (mix and match, 12 total), with cheese, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes. Served with Fiesta Ranch Taco Sauce.
$40.00
Sancho Casserole
The Original Carlos Sancho Especial served family style. Seasoned Ground Beef, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes with layers of tortillas and covered with Cheese Enchilada sauce and topped with Crema Fresca, tomatoes and chives.
$35.00
Family Pack Chicken Picado
Our Famous Chicken Picado. Take out a pan of marinated Chicken Breast with Butter Garlic Sauce, sautéed green pepper & onions and melted Monterrey Jack. Topped with tomatoes & chives. Served with flour tortillas.
$45.00
Carlos Taco Kit – Grilled Fajita Chicken
Grilled Fajita Chicken Breast in soft flour tortillas or crispy corn shells (mix and match, 12 total), with cheese, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes. Served with Fiesta Ranch Taco Sauce.
$53.10
Carlos Take & Bake
Sancho Casserole
The Original Carlos Sancho Especial served family style. Seasoned Ground Beef, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes with layers of tortillas and covered with Cheese Enchilada sauce and topped with Crema Fresca, tomatoes and chives.
$35.40
Pasta Diablo Meal
A Carlos favorite ready for a hungry table. Grilled Fajita Chicken and rotini pasta mixed with sautéed green pepper & onions and our Diablo sauce. Topped with Monterrey Jack, tomatoes, chives and sour cream. Mildly spicy.
$41.30
Poblano Chicken Casserole
One of our most famous enchiladas dished to tame the heartiest appetites. Pulled Chicken and cheese, layered with tortillas and covered with our famous Poblano Cream sauce.
$41.30
Chicken Picado Meal
Our Famous Chicken Picado. Take out a pan of marinated Chicken Breast with Butter Garlic Sauce, sautéed green pepper & onions and melted Monterrey Jack. Topped with tomatoes & chives. Served with flour tortillas.
$40.00
Monterrey Casserole
One of our most popular dishes served family style. Pulled Chicken and Monterrey Jack with layers of tortillas, covered in Cheese Enchilada sauce and topped with Crema Fresca and chives.
$35.40
Sides
Pint Cilantro Lime Rice $5.90
Pint Papas O’Kelly’s $5.00
Pint Refried Beans $5.00
Pint Mexican Rice $5.90
Pint Fajita Veggies $5.00
Side Cheese $0.50
Small Pico $0.50
Side Lettuce $0.00
3-Pack Flour Tortillas $0.75
Drinks
Pepsi $0.99
Diet Pepsi $1.18
Dr. Pepper $1.18
Lemonade $0.99
Mt. Dew $0.99
Sierra Mist $0.99
Root Beer $0.99
Lemonade (Gallon) $6.99
Iced Tea $1.18
Desserts
Churros
Classic & Crispy. TWO Crunchy donut-dough sticks covered in cinnamon and sugar. Served with Cholula Honey for dipping. Order some for everyone.
$2.70
Sopapillas $4.99
Fried Ice Cream $7.07

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Reviews

Taylor
We waited 15+ min with an empty restaurant to be greeted.

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Ashly Stark
Wow! Dinner AND a show! Waited 10 min at a place that was NOT busy, at all. Tons of dirty tables, no pre-busing. Watched the host chase after guests out the door who had gotten tired of waiting. She started yelling after them when they were leaving, followed them outside with their meals in her hands, and continued yelling at them as they were getting into their car! Then she came back inside, and continued to stand at the front of the restaurant, yelling at anther server, asking “what else was i supposed to do?!” We waited 20 min for pre-made margs as our server kept forgetting them. Had to wait for silverware, and was only brought forks, so i had to ask for knives also. Watched other guests wait for 25 min to be seated at a table that was clean, open, and avail since before they even arrived. No, they were not waiting for anyone else to join them. Will definitely not be back. Lunch should have been 40 min max, was an hr & 20 min

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Karley
No wait for a booth for two. Greeted immediately with Chips and salsa. Tuesday is $2 “mugoritas” upbeat modern atmosphere with text Mexican. Gluten free and vegetarian

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Stacey Frank
Great visit for the 1st time. I ordered birria street taco and they didn’t disappoint. Tuesday is 1/2 off the kids menu and that was awesome. Guac was 1/2 off due to happy hour. The Papa O’Kellys side was good! The host (blonde guy) was super nice and even checked on us after we were seated. Our waiter was good too. Will definitely be back.

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Michael Burkart
Service was bad starting with incorrect drink orders and meals served so slowly that first served were cold when last served. One plate was totally forgotten until we were almost completely finished eating. Portions were generally smaller than those at more authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. Very bland flavors to all dishes. Margaritas were sweet, and lacked even hint of tequila taste.

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Eugene Keitzer
Absolutely delicious, terrific food. Wife and I were blown away at how good their Chimichanga’s were and service was great! Brought us double chips and salsa by mistake which was very nice! Only negatives were some of the chips were oily and not crispy. Portion size on sides was kind of small. Overall excellent though. Can’t wait to go back!

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Mary Elizabeth
Beautiful inside, staff is good a little slow for not being busy but good and friendly. Food tasted really good.

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marianne satinsky
Haven’t been to this location before, loved the decorations, and chandeliers made of tequila bottles. Good service and food, love the nachos with chips on side, so soggy chips and you control what goes on top!

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Marcus Tan
I loved the salsa that came with the chips, it has a very nice texture to it, and the chips also has a unique peppery flavor that you don’t get often from most restaurants! I ordered a Chimichanga Dinner with Pulled Chicken, Cilantro-Lime Rice and Papas O’Kelly’s for my entree, and I absolutely loved it, especially the Papa’s! I also got myself a $5 Jumbo Margarita that was awesome! The one thing that was a little bit of a let down was the fried ice cream, I didn’t really enjoy it as I didn’t like the texture of it and I’ve had way better ones.

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Cheryl W
Things I liked – the wait staff – Kai and Carl were wonderful. The salsa – both red and green – are made in house and were outstanding. The black beans as a side – I could have eaten a whole bowl of them!

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