Welcome! We are a family owned and operated eatery. We are proud
to be as excited
and passionate about the business as we were that first Monday, May 20 1984, when the doors opened, and as we say in the business -We got slammed.
San Carlos has many factors to consider for their ongoing success: San Carlos itself was named after founder Lee Jorgenson's father, who grew up in central New Mexico, and shared a fanatical love of chili, the old west, and could brew a mean pot of green chili stew. Lee himself, a sometimes crazy Swede who fell in love with the restaurant business with his first busboy job at age of fourteen, and has considered himself in second Heaven ever since; the unflagging support of loving wife Marianne, family and the long tenured staff.
Best Appetizer Taste of Edmonds Grilled Chicken with Santa Fe Sauce 1994
Best Entree Bite of Seattle Herbed Crab Chimichanga 1996
Best Barbeque Bite of Seattle Mesquite Smoked Texas Ribs 1998
Bainbridge Island Chili Cookoff 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009 & 2010
"When we first opened in '84, there was not much in the way of any Mexican food in the Northwest, especially on our side of the water, and we happily began to fill that niche. As time progressed, with Lee's background in the Hotel and Club businesses, and extended stays in Texas, Arizona, California and numerous forays into Mexico, a Nuevo Mexican/Southwestern style began to emerge in the San Carlos menus that has led to numerous regional food awards, and recognition as a pioneer in the the Southwestern style that has emerged in the US in last fifteen to twenty years." And don't let me forget to mention that San Carlos also serves the Best Margaritas in the West. Featuring among others: the Santa Fe (with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice), the Lemon Drop, the Prickly Pear, as well as our killer house Margaritas, twelve local and regional micro beers on tap, and a tasteful selection of wines by the glass, bottle and from our private seasonal wine list.
San Carlos has always based their marketing strategy on a deep and abiding involvement in the community, and there is always some kind of activity going on, from the Annual Poetry reading (featuring local writers of many talents), to fundraising events benefiting junior athletic and academic endeavors. Watch the website for future events, and come join the fun.
We are delighted to have you visit our website, and we hope that the content on these pages will give you enough of an idea about us to encourage a visit soon. We have friends all over the Greater Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula, (from all over the Northwest for that matter) who make a point of visiting as often as possible. We love to have you compare us to your favorite neighborhood restaurant and we like nothing better than having a visitor from the South tell us that ours is the best Tex-Mex they have ever tasted!!