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Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
8.9
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Carbon runs a late-hours counter-service taqueria where steak, barbacoa, and veggie tacos come off the grill fast for dine-in or takeout. Locals lean on it after games or late shifts for affordable plates, salsas with some heat, and reliable hours that stretch to 11 p.m. most nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Taco, Barbacoa Taco, Veggie Taco
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-volume, late-night counter spot known for fire-grilled tacos at budget prices.
Who should go: Night owls wanting fast, flavorful tacos and burritos.
When to visit: After 9 p.m. for post-game or post-shift taco runs.
What to order: Steak tacos, barbacoa tacos, veggie taco for balance.
Insider tip: Order a mix of tacos and a burrito to sample multiple proteins in one visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; generally available but can tighten after games or late events.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; workwear, jerseys, and hoodies are common.
Noise level: Moderate — counter-service bustle with music and grill noise, but you can hold a short conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes; may spike during post-event rushes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick counter turnaround.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, burritos, and customizable builds.
Vegan options: Limited — can build vegetable-focused items if you skip cheese and crema; confirm ingredients when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Partial — corn tortillas are typically used for tacos, but cross-contact is possible on shared equipment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangouts than formal dates — it’s counter-service, fast, and practical for a quick late-night bite.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is first-come with most guests ordering to-go during busy late hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals — simple tacos and burritos work for older kids, but seating is limited and late hours skew adult-leaning.
Best For
Better for: Fast, grilled-to-order tacos late at night at budget prices with reliable hours and quick counter service.
Skip if: You want a sit-down experience, large group seating, or extensive vegan/gluten-free accommodations.
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill is a delivery-heavy, late-running spot known for hefty steak burritos, tacos, and nachos built on char-grilled meats. It’s more utilitarian than destination, but West Town residents lean on it for satisfying weeknight takeout and late-night cravings. Reviews highlight bold flavors and portions over ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Burrito, Al Pastor Tacos, Chicken Nachos
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Char-grilled meats and oversized burritos geared toward delivery and late-night cravings.
Who should go: Night owls needing substantial burritos or tacos fast.
When to visit: Late evenings when you want delivery-friendly Mexican comfort.
What to order: Steak burrito, al pastor tacos, chicken nachos.
Insider tip: Customize heat levels on salsas and consider splitting a burrito—they’re large enough to cover two lighter meals.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually available on nearby residential blocks but can be tight late at night.
Dress code: Very casual — hoodies, jeans, and sneakers are totally fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly takeout traffic with some dine-in seating.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on delivery volume.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though pickup might take 10–15 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burritos, tacos, and nachos available.
Vegan options: Limited — order veggie options without cheese or crema.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available, but the kitchen is not gluten-free certified.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for casual and low-key — this is more about hearty, late-night burritos than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and first-come seating with most orders being takeout or delivery.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals — the space is informal and portions are generous, but there are no special kids’ amenities.
Best For
Better for: Char-grilled steak burritos, late-night cravings, and reliable takeout.
Skip if: You want upscale dining, cocktails, or an ambiance-driven Mexican restaurant experience.
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
8.9
Since 2007, Carbon has been a West Town staple for build-your-own burritos cooked over an open flame with unusually fresh grilled meats and roasted veggies. Locals treat it as a go-to for hefty, sauce-laced burritos that split the difference between health-conscious and late-night craving food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mother Clucker Burrito, Al Pastornado Burrito, A Fish Called William Burrito
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Live-fire grilled meats and custom burritos with unusually fresh toppings.
Who should go: Burrito obsessives who want big flavor without fussy dining.
When to visit: Lunch and early dinner before peak delivery and late rush.
What to order: Mother Clucker Burrito, Al Pastornado Burrito, fish burrito.
Insider tip: Ask for extra house salsas and lime to tweak each bite.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in West Town; usually manageable but can tighten during dinner hours.
Dress code: Totally casual — hoodies, jeans, gym clothes all fine.
Noise level: Moderate — order-at-the-counter vibe with steady traffic, but you can still chat easily.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on delivery volume and walk-in traffic.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait aside from brief rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — you can build burritos with grilled veggies, beans, rice, and toppings.
Vegan options: Yes — order veggie builds and skip dairy-based sauces and cheese.
Gluten-free options: Limited — flour tortillas are standard, but bowls without tortillas work for gluten-avoidant diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into super-casual, counter-service dining. It’s more about great burritos than ambience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only with counter ordering, and tables usually turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — relaxed seating, customizable food, and fast service work well for families with school-age kids.
Best For
Better for: Fresh-tasting, grilled-to-order burritos with customizable builds at affordable prices.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service restaurant, cocktails, or a linger-over-dinner atmosphere.
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
8.5
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill is a counter-service spot in West Town known for hefty burritos, fire-grilled steak tacos, and late-night hours that run to 11pm every day. With hundreds of reviews praising portions and flavor, it’s a reliable choice when you want serious Mexican comfort food after most neighborhood kitchens have closed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Burrito, Steak Taco, Elote
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Big-flavor, fire-grilled tacos and burritos served reliably until 11pm.
Who should go: Late-night burrito hunters who care about portions.
When to visit: 10pm–11pm when the late-night crowd rolls in.
What to order: Steak burrito, steak taco, elote.
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsas on the side to customize heat and acidity.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking in the surrounding residential blocks; usually manageable but may require a short walk during peak hours.
Dress code: Totally casual — streetwear, hoodies, and late-night comfort attire are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate — there’s steady counter traffic and music, but you can still hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak late-night windows, especially after 9pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short line at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burritos, tacos, and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with custom orders (no cheese, crema, or mayo-based sauces).
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available, but there’s no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for a casual, low-pressure food run — especially late at night — but it’s more takeout-style than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating. At busiest times, you may need to wait a few minutes for a table to clear.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual meals — portions are big and the vibe is relaxed. Best for older kids or teens rather than very young children late at night.
Best For
Better for: Late-night Mexican comfort food with hearty burritos and grilled-steak tacos at budget-friendly prices.
Skip if: You want cocktails, table service, or a quieter, more formal Mexican dining experience.