Yea it is, Dipshit

Been there many times over the years when I want to scratch that itch for the kind of mexican restaurant experience I grew up with. Nothing fancy or pretentious, good portions, rockin' drinks, warm chips and plenty of cheese and lots of flavor. The "white trash" controversy here is amusing. Lisa apologized, which was the right thing to do. Anyone who is still offended is probably white trash (which by the way is not a "racial slur")

We eat at the Milwaukie La Carreta's once or twice a month (we no longer go to the one in Gresham, because we got tired of being treated badly for not speaking Spanish -- which doesn't mean we don't understand what was being said in Spanish).

We love the food at the Milwaukie La Carreta's, but we've discovered its best visit is in the afternoons. Every time we've gone in the evening we've risked the service being iffy -- ignored by a waiter, food didn't come, etc.

But our afternoon visits are wonderful. Great food, fun atmosphere, great service.

Everyone on here who is complaining is either severly Mentally Retarded, complete idiots, drunk or cheap. Get over yourselves and if you don't like La Carreta then don't go there you morons.

I went to La Carreta 3/28/09 for a friends birthday party. The food was good. The drink was fine. Wish I would have been there sooner. My friend had a bad time cause she was being impossible. She eventually eased up because the wait staff was unbelievably courteous. Its a big restauraunt that very popular so go with the flow and dont be a mean customer. Things can always be worked out. I think the waitstaff is ultra classy. Jackson

La Caretta actually does serve authentic Mexican food. There are several things I've eaten there that have been tried at other restaraunts that I've only tasted like that in Matzatlan & Halisco. The "racial slur" was a bad idea on a forum website like this, but I'm sure all of the outraged responses came from people who resembled that remark, but not even close to the Mexican slurs I've heard come from "respectable caucasians", even owners & employees of other service-related venues throughout town. Wanna hear a good Mexican joke? Yes, La Carreta is on the edge of, "Don't go to the neighbor's house cuz they'll eat you - No! 1st they'll get you addicted to meth & then eat you, but it's still not Estacada, and it's actually just blocks away from what one would normally consider "hip" SE. So, no pun intended, it's on the border. Just get real, & if you go, go for the authentic food & tasty drinks & not for social debate & you'll have a great time. Duh!

You must admit, though, at most any other establishment, any employee who called customers a racial slur would be sent packing immediately. It's all well and good if you want to laugh it off and continue giving them your money. Fine, that is your choice. Enjoy! Or you could opt to patronize one of the thousand other Mexican restaurants in Portland that offer better food and don't blatanly treat their customers with contempt. At the end of the day, it's your paycheck, and completely up to you how it's spent. Happy New Year!

C'mon man. Nobody likes white trash. You're loud, obnoxious, and tip poorly. If you don't want the wait staff to talk smack about you than don't act like a douche. Say please and thank you. This should be common sense. Oh my god, mexican's talk smack about gringos? Who knew? Relax a little. Going crazy about low level racism like this is just nit-picking. What matters is that the food and booze are both cheap and supersized, if a little low quality. La Carreta will git you drunk and git you full, on a budget. Merry Xmas everybody.

Joe, have you read the other reviews? Their attitude hasn't improved at all. They still are regarding their customers with disdain. Look how they ruined that poor girl's 21st birthday and made it out to be the customer's fault. And I don't appreciate it when bilingual people talk about me right in front of me, do you? Especially when I'm paying to be there? I do identify with flyboy's remark. If they don't like white people, why on earth did they set up shop there? Who did they think would come in?

You hate racist yet you call out a women (by name) of latino decent and tell her to move back to Mexico, Real classy. The girl made a mistake 6 months ago and has been chastised enough, let it go. The food is greasy but good & reasonably priced, drinks aren't bad either.

Not condoning racism does not make someone a whining pussy, asswipe. I won't support any damn racists with my hard-earned dollars. Nice to know you do.

Hey Lisa Orellana, since you hate "white trash" people so much, I know where you can move to where there are hardly any! It's called Mexico, maybe you've heard of it?

I like this place a lot. The booze is cheap and plentiful. The food is pretty crumby, but it gets the job done. The hipster plague has failed to infect this place yet. Go ahead with your boycott you whining pussies. More room at the bar for me.

Dang La Carretta, think y'all use enough LARD in your food? Christ on a cross!! I'm from the South and even I think it's too much! And don't think we can't tell you're talking about us right in front of us. I don't know what constitutes politeness wherever you're from, but here it's considered RUDE! If I want to tolerate that I'll go get my nails done! Buh bye TTYN!

We have driven by La Caretta for 20 years and we had thought about stopping there tonight, but after all the white trash talk we will join your Boycott and head on down the street to our favorite Italian place which is way more expensive but polite and very good food. I took my wife to the Italian place for her birthday and they treated us like Gold... adios La Caretta.

I brought La Carretta take out home to my peeps and they still are giving me shit about it! Greasy greasy greasy!!!! the meat was stringy and tasteless.. and way overpriced for what you get.. They weren't pleased with the resulting toilet issues either.. not all of them but 2 out of 3 is alot when you all share a bathroom. And I'm the bad guy for bringing them this slop! i'm sticking to Taco Bell,cheaper andnot a gamble.

I actually recently ate at La Caretta and loved it the fajitas were amazing and have gone back 3 times since. The service wasn't exceptional or friendly but the food was great and reasonably priced. After searching for a menu online to order from their tonight I encountered this site. I read what the owners daughter said and calling your customer base white trash is far from a good marketing plan. I am really disappointed because I thought the food was great but I will not take my business to an establishment that regards their clientele as "White Trash". I guess I will have to find a new Mexican restaurant.

La Carretta has the worst service! And now have become the most unprofessional restaurant I have ever dealt with. "Victoria" the hostess double booked our party the night of my daughters 21st bday and then the other hostess tried to blame the error on us! Unfortunately Victoria had already shown me the book that had all the parties in it, it had our party listed with my phone number and the time/date. The restaurant double booked us and because we got their later than the other party we had to sit downstairs amongst the other customers. As the staff stood at the desk discussing in Spanish how they were going to fit all of us in at tables in the main area the employees did not have the courtesy to ask us, or explain to us what was happening, so 20+ of us just stood in the entrance waiting for someone to tell us what was going on. My son who is fluent in Spanish listened and understood the entire conversation the staff were having at the main entrance desk and they were actually discussing how the mixup was our fault! Really just because your spanish doesn't mean Americans don't speak/understand Spanish and you should be more professional no matter what language you are speaking! After the meal we were not offered any compensation on our dinners, even though combined we spent well over $500.00! When I asked if they were going to take anything off our bill, the employees of La Carretta stated we had good food/service so, no they would not. What a bunch of SHIT! I would encourage you if you want to book a special occassion find somewhere else than La Carretta. As I stated when we were at the restaurant, if we did not already have 20+ people waiting to be seated we would have left. The employees are very unprofessional and I actually had to tell one hostess to stop talking to me, that she was rude and I didn't appreciate it. What restaurant employees that you have encountered would ever argue with you over a mistake that has been made and caused the customer more discomfort than they have already experienced? Only La Carretta employees. I would encourage everyone who reads this to go elsewhere if you want good food AND good service. El Indio in Gresham has great food and Outstanding service! They would have never treated their customers in such a manner and would have definitely offered some kind of compensation if you chose to stay and eat and try to make the best out of a bad situation. Special occassions only happen once, so don't ruin yours by going to La Carretta on Holgate/McGloughlin in Milwaukie! They SUCK, their service is less than favorable and their front desk professionalism is nonexistent! I agree with the other note I read BOYCOTT La Carretta in Milwaukie!! Stay tuned...I am sure one of their less than professional employees will have an equally unprofessional comment to mine! Eat El Indio for Great Mexican food and Great SERVICE.

the announcement of the newest website:

lacarretaflymag.com

Trust me, if this ho Lisa ever ordered food at any bar I was working at the movie "Waiting" would have nothing on me. Her simpering apology came after a boycott was suggested not before so it doesn't mean dick in my book. Then she has the nerve to lash out at a customer who was clearly in the right and put down her party's behavior when if the bar hadn't fucked up in the first place there wouldn't have been a problem. (It's obvious "Lisa" and "La Carreta employee" are the same person.) Now there's more people who won't be back because of her. Someone needs to contact the restaurant's owner and inform him that this skank is damaging his restaurant's reputation on this site. How would one go about contacting him directly?

I am hispanic/white (but I look white) and my girlfriend and her teenage son are white and there is no way we will eat at la Carreta now that we have read these bigoted comments out of fear that they will do something to our food. What also worries me is this employee reads this site and there's certain blogs here that may have given her ideas. I don't want me or my loved ones eating any spit, snot, or tampon salsa because whites aren't liked there.

with a birthday party shouldn't be such a big travesty. I am here to tell all Eastside P-Towners that there is a place called Tacho's on Burnside in Rockwood-ish land...say like 189th and Burnside, give or take a block or two..?? My friends cousin had an impromptu 21st b-day party there and it went off without a hitch. I posted pic's of the party on my Barfly profile. I have been there 3 times, once with a group of 11 unannounced and it has been great each time. No $3.00 Nacho's, however do you really want to eat $3.00 Nacho's..???

And here you have yet another 'I don't care' employee attitude as exhibited previously by 'Lisa'. You feel 'ashamed' for US? That's a hoot since YOUR establishment was the one who screwed up. 'Trying our best'? Your best would have been to live up to the reservation that had been obligated to and given the group the room upstairs as discussed not only 2 weeks previously but also the call made to the family the day before. You're doggone right the 'lady' was upset. It was her daughter's 21st birthday and she had done her best to make plans. Please don't patronize us by advertising your crappy menu in your response. We don't plan to be back and your attitude is one of the reasons. Also, please keep in mind potential customers read this column. Don't feel ashamed for us. Feel ashamed for yourselves. It will eventually become the ruin of La Caretta. People have a choice. And I do have to hand it to you. La Caretta does have food and service like no other. Think about it.

To the lady who wrote the comment below.. we're sorry about the miscommunication, we sat you in ten minutes and gave you the best service. I feel ashamed for you, we we're trying our best and you began to get really loud and uncivilized and most the restaurant noted that. Anyways La Carreta Mexican Restaurant gives the best service and food. We have employee meetings every month to remind everyone that good SERVICE and food is what we mainly strive for. We must be doing something right since we're always packed, it must be the specials and i'll list them so you can come try them for your selves.

Note from Kyle :
I deleted your ALL CAPS shilling. Please feel free to consult our advertising page.

Was to attend a large pre arranged birthday party at LaCaretta for my son's girlfriend's 21st birthday. They have a large gathering room upstairs and the family called two weeks in advance. Even got a call the day before the event to confirm they were still coming. Unfortunately, when all 20 or so of us arrived, they couldn't find any record of the reservation AND had booked the room to another party. In fact, the hostess got a bit rude about the whole thing. So why would 20 people just show up and make THAT story up? I thought we should just walk but we stayed instead. They crammed us all into the middle of the restaurant around families, etc. Of course, it was a 21st birthday so there was alcohol, etc. I would've been mad if I were one of those families. This is why they reserved the private room in the first place. We ordered and everyone got their dinner eventually. However, I sat there for 15 minutes before having to tell the server I hadn't gotten my food. She was apologetic but I thought it really annoying after what we had already gone through. All in all a really horrible experience for such a special occasion. I for one will never plan an event there and likely won't even return considering the 'Americanized' mexican fare is mediocre at best. And please, whoever the manager is, don't think I'm being racist cause I'm not. Your event planning ability pretty much sucks whether you're mexican or white trash.

Lisa, I count exactly 2 negative reviews and 5 positive reviews that were written BEFORE you wrote your little tirade. That's a pretty good ratio, there was simply NO need for you to "defend" your family or your business. All it did was make matters worse.

I'm sure some of BarFly's users will take note of your apology and appreciate the gesture, and I'm sure others will suspect it as nothing more than damage control.

For future reference, here is a better example of repairing damaged customer relations:

Recently an user who wrote a negative review about the service at a specific club. Instead of throwing a fit when she read it, the manager chose a more pro-active approach - she requested more info, then fired the problem employee.

Not only did she remedy the problem, she then emailed me and asked me to contact the user to pass along the offer of a complimentary meal and beverages as a way to make it up to him.

While I don't give out our users personal contact info, I'm more than happy to pass on messages directly to them.

My email is kyle@barflymag.com. I'll be happy to forward any such offers to Edella/Jinx/Gravylegs et al.

Okay so i recently wrote a review out of anger. I feel really bad and im not racist im full blood Mexican. Im sorry if i offended anyone honest. It's very heart breaking to read hurtful reviews about your family business. I was really angry reading some of the reviews because my father and family bust there asses to run the business with the best quality food and service. It angers me when people say our food sucks or the service is bad. I apologize and now understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Dont feel the need to boycott la carreta because of me, im just a girl trying to defend her family and it's business, but if you do choose to boycott well than im sorry and i hope you can come back some day if you change your mind. Sorry again if i offended anyone.

Lisa Orellano, who do you think you are, dropping the White Trash bomb not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES? Now what do you think would become of your business if all white people stopped going there? Their actually most of your business not half. Anyone who has a problem with racism should boycott La Carreta. You have made it crystal clear you don't want me or people who look like me to spend our money there. Now that I know how you feel I will gladly take my family to Mcdonalds instead.My kids like it better and their food's alot less greasy anyways.

wow 'nuff said

I work right by there and my coworkers and I get takeout from there all the time. Not anymore, we are all pissed about your racist comments and we aren't going to spend any more money there now that we know you hate white people. I'll be sure to spread the word to my friends and customers to not eat there. Who do you think you are calling half your customers white trash? Eat shit! How does your father Carlos feel about his own daughter driving away his business? You seriously should lose your job for this.

The last review had none. Not only was it not tactful, but it was racist and outright rude. After reading that coming from the owners spawn I doubt anyone will rush in. If the reviewer works there, that could explain the service end complaints. Yikes!

My father Carlos Orellana is the owner and we consider it a family restaurant and just because we're are not a white trash restaurant like red robins does not mean we're not good. By the way we were ranked toped one of the top restaurants by city search, try to avoid giving a bad review instead take your white trash to mcdonalds.

la comida mexicana....i loved it!! it's as close as authentic mexican food as you can get! and, the food is meant to be greasy....that's how we mexican's, hispanic's, latinos cook...with GREASE! So, sorry if you were looking for something without any fat...this is a close to mexico as i've gotten since living here. i love it, and the cazuelas are delicious and the carne asada as well!

Comin from the bowels of Milwaukie and being of the white trash variety...I can kindly say I loved this place so much.......It's where I took my prom date.This place gets you DRUNK!

The food was quite good, not the best. It was rather inexpensive to fair prices. You get what you pay for, quite a big plate of food. They had live music, which was very very good. They asked if I wanted them to play a song. I, being white didn't know anything so I said something that rocks! I thought they were going to play like some mexican rock but however, to my suprise they played Guns n' roses. They were kick ass with it, the guy even pulled off the solo fantastic. Of course I gave them a good tip. I'd suggest you to go.

The first time or two I was here it seemed decent. Cheap for sure. But after a few more tries the food is just too greasy, the service too poor and they cannot or will not make a decent cocktail of any kind. They couldn't even figure out how to make a drink without using well liquor even when I called a good brand.

I had their Tortilla Soup and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. My husband let me try his chile relleno and it too was yummy, light & fluffy unlike so many other places. Service was great and you can't beat the prices. I apologize for not finding use for the word "ass" in my review. It seems from the two reviews I just read that it might be a prerequisite!

Went to the gresham Lacaretta and this one and both have suck ass service and food. the Drinks Cazuelas are good but other than that,,,It is just beans and cheese slopped on a plate. Try Chez Joses west side and on Broadway. Real food not just taco bell put in a food processer. remeber you get what you pay for!

I love La Carreta. The food is awesome, the drinks are awesome and the service is awesome. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have a kick ass deal of 2 medium combo meals for $9.95. I always get my food quickly and never have to ask for a refill on my water. Drinks are decently priced and very well made.