Carlee's

Great avocado burger and fries. Loved the char flavor in the burger. Intended to get the fried chicken, but they were out. Happy they were open on New Years Eve. This place is more bar atmosphere, than quiet restaurant. Some locals even recommended it.

One of the worst restaurant experiences we’ve had. It took them more than 1 hour to prepare 3 standard dishes - a pizza, a sandwich and a burger. Pizza was cold, sandwich was all burnt and burger was well done whereas we asked for medium rare. It wasn’t much busy on a Sunday evening so they don’t even have that excuse for giving us the worst restaurant service. Our server couldn’t care less and wasn’t even a bit apologetic about the whole incident. This was the only bad part of an otherwise great trip to Borrego Springs. There are lot of other good dining options in this small town so stay as far from this place as possible.

The sign is always eye catching when driving by, especially in the evening. Though it usually looks quiet and even closed from the outside, it was lively on the inside on a Sunday night. Music is not loud and obnoxious, and bar seating was spacious and plentiful. The bar tender acknowledged me And made my drink and took my order. I didn't see cocktail prices on the menu so I imagined I would get charged some exotic "desert" prices but I really only got charged like $7! I had an old fashioned and it was strong and well made. The pizza was not flavourful but it was a good size. I added pineapple and mushrooms on mine. You can tell in the picture that my topping just sat on top so it's like eating pizza and having the topping flavors on the side. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. The bar tender does not bother you and everyone else looks to be enjoying their time too. It's a good place to stop by for some drinks!

Out on a drive today to Salton Sea and Coyote Canyon, Borrego on Easter Sunday 2024. Stopped at Carlee's for dinner on my way home to San Diego. I said at the bar and Initially I was ignored by the waiter, Jonathan, 5 times passing by me before he even acknowledged that I was there. I know he was busy because it was medium crowd getting ready to leave But he could have said I'll be with you in a minute or even just acknowledge that was there the first or second time passing me. I ordered a steak sandwich with beer battered fries and a Modelo. $26 plus tax and tip. I ordered a medium rare steak sandwich and received a medium well on one half and well done on the other half. I didn't say anything since this was my first time here. Jonathan was actually pleasant and checked on me a few times which was nice. The food was just okay though, as the steak was over cooked and tough. The fries were OK. Nothing out of the park. I am not sure I would return here unless there's no other option, as it was just OK. Three stars.

We split the club sandwich with fries. It was excellent and was more than enough to split. It took a little while to get the food but it was pretty crowded so that makes sense.

food was soooo good & they came in really generous portions! definitely the place to eat at if u are in borrego springs :)

Burger and chicken sandwich were excellent with great crispy fries. Carlee's is what it is; a great local bar and grill that welcomes travelers. We were travelers, treated like family. Can't speak to the rest of the menu. The beer was cold, the sandwiches were good, and folks were friendly. We will come back when we're in Borrego Springs!

We came up to Barrego on a Thursday, and some local suggested coming to Carly‘s for lunch. We’re a little skeptical when we walked in the door, but after being in there for a few minutes, we quite enjoyed ourselves. We had lunch there, the food was pretty good, and the beer was cold. Although it looks a little bit like a dive bar, the place was full, and there’s plenty of parking on the street and around the back. If you’re looking for some good quick food and Carly can be the place, as long as you’re not there in peak hour when it can be a little slow, but otherwise enjoy.

Everything was great! From the hostess to weather warnings from our waiter and all the great food and drinks in between. We will definitely be back! Highly recommend!

One of the worst restaurant experiences we've had. It took them more than 1 hour to prepare 3 standard dishes - a pizza, a sandwich and a burger. Pizza was cold, sandwich was all burnt and burger was well done whereas we asked for medium rare. It wasn't much busy on a Sunday evening so they don't even have that excuse for giving us the worst restaurant service. Our server couldn't care less and wasn't even an bit apologetic about the whole incident. This was the only bad part of an otherwise great trip to Borrego Springs. There are lot of other good options in this small town so stay as far from this place as possible.

Probably more of a 3.5 but 3 will do. Popped in here after a day in the desert for a quick bite and left full and satisfied enough. Food is nothing out of this world but is decent, prices aren't crazy and seemed to be plenty of seating. I went with the fish and chips while my buddy had a burger substituting onion rings for fries. Food came out fairly quick which was nice but no onion rings. We asked about them and roughly 10 minutes later she finally brought over a large plate of them. Not the end of the world but nice to have them before you've finished your meal. All in all if in the area and hungry this isn't a bad place to hit.

I've been to Carlee's Place before for pizza... Delicious! ..... BUT made a massive blunder ordering their Friday "special" of catfish.... and I love catfish (not so much now).... but, to be fair... if they caught that sucker out in one of Borrego desert washes then I would not be complaining about the dry, tough, rubbery, overcooked flat something presented to me.... I would just chug a few beers and think to myself... whoaa... that was some dam catch... however knowing there ain't no catfish in the Borrego desert I could only surmise that "catfish" was 1. landlocked from decades ago and somehow crawled out of the Salton Sea treking miles to Carlee's Place OR 2. it bought in bulk from Sam's Club who probably bought it from overseas and someone forgot to ice it and stored it by accident in a dehydrater hoping patrons would buy a few drinks and be dumbed down enough to let it slide OR 3. just eat the hard crusty dry bottom feeder and think.... (being really stupid)... that must be all there is because who wants to create a stir in such a lovely place as Borrego Springs..... I DO!!!! So to recap.... 1. never buy a "special" (my bad) 2. Red Ocotillo has never let me down nor has the occassional rattlesnake or lizard that is stuck between my teeth... I would attach a picture but the pizza was last year.... the catfish.... hmmm.... you don't want that image.. ;-)

I've loved Carlee's for years, but it's time for an update. As summer arrives in the Anza Borrego Desert, things slow down a bit. But not so much at Carlee's! All summer long there will be car clubs, bikers and nature lovers hanging out in the cold a/c at Carlee's, swapping stories and eating some great food! The seafood gazpacho is legendary for good reason because it's unique and delicious. But this Southern gal needs to give some attention to the fried chicken, it's the BEST And it's the Sunday special this summer: 4 pieces of chicken, handmade mashed potatoes and gravy fresh vegetables AND your choice of salad or soup (that gazpacho!) It's enough food for 2 meals really. Owners Andy and Polly Macuga are community leaders, fun lovers and the best hosts for your desert refreshment stop this summer

Meh. The music was way too loud for dinner (perhaps lower it until maybe 9pm or so) and our food was cold. We ordered a pizza grinder and fries. The sandwich was cold and the sauce tasted like plain tomato sauce. Was supposed to have pepperoni but all I got was sausage. The fries were cold and VERY greasy but were pretty tasty. I really would have enjoyed them if they were hot. No excuse for food being cold, as we ordered one sandwich to split (not like we were waiting for other food and this one got cold waiting). We didn't want to send it back because we were tired and hungry.

I got a tuna melt on sour dough, which was really good. The waitress said she'd be back in a minute, but didn't come back probably about 20. She also took a long time with getting our check as well. The food also took a while to come out when all it was was a salad and a sandwich. We were there much longer than we anticipated because of this. There also was lettuce and a tomato for the sandwich included but was under the French fries so I didn't realize it was there until it was kind of soggy, same with my pickle. Would have been better for it to have been on the side of the plate instead of under the fries as I had to eat a bunch before seeing it.

This is my second time giving them five stars. The food was excellent, we ordered burgers, pizza, steak and everything was delicious. The servers were also incredibly accommodating and visited our table frequently. Ambience is good too, there is a bar area surrounded by lots of seating which is good for families. Will definitely be back here a third time.

There isn't a lot of restaurants to choose from around here, so I was glad I ended up somewhere with decent food and friendly staff. The menu offers a large variety of food. Some of the other guests informed me the best things are the pizza and the burgers/sammiches. I decided to try their BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger with a side of homemade potato chips. This was actually a really great burger! The bacon definitely could have been crispier, but they gave a very generous amount. The patty itself was perfectly cooked and juicy. The chips were insanely crunchy and I loved them. I was full, but had to continue eating them because they were too good to let go to waste. Don't know when I'll ever be in the area again, but I would stop here again whenever I am.

Tasty food and locals' hangout in Borrego Springs. Portions are generous and the food is fresh, tasty, and well-prepared. Service is just fine, too. Small wine list but large selection of specialty cocktails. The place has more of a bar than restaurant vibe and there's a pool table on the other side of the dining room as well. Been coming here for years when I visit Borrego Springs and have never been disappointed.

We were looking for a place to dine and check out the local fare. This place is quite the vibes. A little dive bar, jukebox, classic diner spot . service was great and we sat in a little cute 2 top booth. We ordered the ribeye and blacken shrimp pasta... honestly it was just ok but we will for sure be back again.

Food are great! Their service is awesome! And they've got weekend live bands as well!! I always look forward on my Fridays and Saturdays now for their live shows.

First time here last night (Friday). Stopped in for a late dinner. My husband and I both ordered the special which was fried catfish, coleslaw and fries! Hubby also had a bowl of clam chowder which I of course shared... The food was excellent, fresh and hot. I wouldn't change anything about it. They have a really cool relaxed bar atmosphere with a one man band for entertainment and he was very, very good! What a nice evening we had, and we will definitely be returning.

Service was good, food was terrific. I had the medallions and my husband had New York strip, both cooked perfect and very tasty and tender. We will be going back on our next trip.

Great food and atmosphere! Very friendly staff, prices quite reasonable, large portions and awesome fries! Catch a bit to eat here

Large portions. Food tasted ok. Nothing special to write about. Lively ambiance. Was seated in the outdoor patio with heaters available. Critters of course were part of the atmosphere (looked like small kangaroo mice) so watch your feet. Only thing I would say needed improvement during our visit, was that it took so long to get our order. We ordered appetizers and some of our main dishes came out first.

Have you had the nachos? I have and I will be back. The best dive bar in the cutest town.

DELICIOUS! I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing the Impossible burger was! When I walk into a bar for lunch, I don't expect the food to taste better than the food at Carlee's! I expect "cheap" bar food. Well, the food was different from what typical bar food tastes like. It was so delicious! I ordered the Impossible burger on ciabatta bread. The bread was so soft, and the taste was just excellent. I cannot express how good it was! It was so good that we came back a few days later so I could have it again! The prices are very fair, and the atmosphere is fun. People came at all hours for the bar and to play pool, but conversing at lunch over the table was quiet. It was a great place to return to for pool or to hear a local band play.

Decent food served by friendly staff in a laidback atmosphere. Extensive menu but burgers are one of the better options here. The place can get very busy, especially when tourists are in town to look at the wildflowers.

The food was surprisingly delicious. The fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They're very attentive and the food did not take too long. The music is enjoyable and the inside is a typical diner like in movies. The inside is clean. I really enjoyed would stop by again.

Been in town 3 days been here 2 times !! First night I had a burger the wait person asked how I wanted it ?? Med rare .. and that's exactly how it came piping hot perfectly done .. today I split a flat bread with tomatoes basil goat cheese with my brother in law . Excellent, service was awesome both times .. I'm sure I'll be back a few more times before I go

Read and heard this place is a must when in Borrego Springs, so decided to have lunch here. Unfortunately, it was too hot to sit outside on the patio ( had Twinkle w us), so we got it to go. I got the vegan capers which was so good! Perfectly grilled fat tomatoes, yummy greens, and delicious tofu. The flatbread side I got was a perfect accompaniment. We also got the Turkey Sammy w fresh made chips, and Beyond burger w fries. Thumbs way up from our party for the food here. Room to improve would be a covered patio for the hot days for people dining w puppers, and that their to go containers be anything except styrofoam. Would definitely eat here again!

Worst experience ever. Been coming here for years and usually enjoy the mediocre food and dive bar atmosphere. Went in over the weekend and they refused to sit our group of 6 due to having 3 children with us. It was only 6pm and there were other children present. After a brief back and forth with a young lady who I had never seen in here before she changed her story to them being full despite them having multiple empty tables. This after the host had tried to sit us and was stopped by her. Not sure if it was racism or she just profiled us as we were comprised of children and large bearded white men who has spent the weekend in the desert. It was obvious she had something against us.To make matters worse we went across the street to the Mexican food place and 5/6 of us got food poisoning. Borrego Springs needs some new options and better people working in the existing ones.

Best Reuben of my life. Perfectly toasted bread, just the right amount of each ingredient, not soggy. Great corned beef!!! I'll happily travel 3 hrs again for this sandwich!!

Carlee's is reliably open no matter how hot or cold it is outside. Friendly staff and customers, good prices, $5 strong drinks and a decent selection of beer on top. Decent bar food also.

This place is an old standard. It's a bar and some tables around the outside. They have really good burgers and draft beer like 805. Hard to beat.

The Mrs. and I hung out at Carlee's last night. Borrego Springs has very limited dining options. Even more so during the summer months. We have driven by Carlee's numerous times over our many adventures to Borrego Springs, but never gave it a try. We arrived around 5:30 and every parking spot in front of the restaurant was full and we managed to get the last spot in the lot next door. Walking into Carlee's we noticed that every table was full. There was a large party being held on one side of the restaurant which took up most of the tables. We managed to find a seat at the bar. The best way for me to describe Carlee's is classy divey. Jonathan was behind the bar and took really good care of us. Not only did he make great drinks, but he also made sure people didn't get out of line. If someone got loud or started cursing, he was on them. The menu at Carlee's is huge. Honestly, not what I expected. Everything from steaks to Mexican food. We weren't that hungry yet so we order spinach and artichoke dip as a snack. The dip was pretty good. It was served with what the menu called flatbread when it was actually pita bread. Later on, we ordered the Carlee's Supreme pizza to take back to our hotel. It was really good. The Mrs.'s only complaint is that the food was just warm not hot. Being that Carlee's is really the only decent dining option in town this time of year, it was a great place to people watch. Lots of local desert dwellers, some well off retirees, Hipsters, stargazers and a few lizards. Most of the restaurants in Borrego Springs don't stay open late. Even when it isn't ridiculously hot outside. Carlee's is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The bar is open late, just not sure how late.

Rumbled into Carlees' Place out in Borrego Springs the other day with my lusty buxom hiking companion in quest of some frothy suds & desert victuals. Positioned on the main drag, Carlee's' is a hip cool space with plenty of comfortable elbow room for all. The vibe is outpost cool with a warm friendly air......without doubt, a crisp calming oasis after a jaunt in the wild. Angela (behind the bar) is a skilled efficient mistress of mixology, crafting potent libations, while ensuring all patrons enjoy an elevated VIP experience. The menu offers all types of delectable delights sure to satisfy any appetite. Orders land in front of us lickety split.......abundant generous portions.....my sweaty hungry shawty executed her lunch sandwich & side with few final words...not even a final cig for heavens sake?!!? Delicious and fresh, neither of our plates stood a chance. As dreamed of, the beer was ice cold, frothy & fresh. A hearty honest thumbs up recommendation for this outstanding slop joint. Stoner Grub Rank: 9.0

Like many, I'm sure, my wife and I were tourists in Borrego Springs, and had vaguely remembered we thought we'd eaten here last time we were in town. It was a busy weekend (aren't they all?) and a bit crowded, but we were seated pretty quickly, although not acknowledged very quickly at all. So we left. But while we were standing outside, one of the staff, I think the hostess who'd seated us, asked why we left, we told her, and she completely turned the experience around, convinced us to go back in and we had an absolute blast. This is clearly a local hangout - for good reason - but we were treated very well from that point forward. I'll say more about the service in a minute but let's start with the food, because it is more than just solid, it's excellent. The steak bites appetizer is absolutely delicious. I mean DELICIOUS! Wasn't expecting that much flavor. And there are a TON of appetizers to select. In fact, the menu offers quite a wide selection, and we tried several dishes, because we ate here both days we visited. I mean, baked grinders, pizzas, great looking salads, quesadillas, fish and chips, it goes on and on. Nothing we had wasn't excellent. Okay we didn't have ALL those things but we did have delicious stuffed mushrooms, steak bites, chilled shrimp, it was all excellent. First day we sat at a table but second day we sat at the bar and had a great time there. Again, not regulars but treated as if we were. Really appreciated that. Bartenders attentive and friendly. Ambiance is fun - if you're into sports, you've got sports on several TVs. Billiards? Yep, there's a table. And the dining room was really interesting. Tables, the bar, and even interesting raised back seats. Hard to describe but behind the tables on the floor are a series of raised sort of open booths. I liked it. I see no reason not to eat here any time you're in Borrego Springs. And not just because the options are somewhat limited. Because Carlee's place stands on its own as a place with excellent food, friendly service, and great fun ambiance.

From my personal experience at Carlee's, I would not go back. We were sat at a table in the back corner. The table felt very out of place compared to the other tables. It was right next to where they kept their silverware and stuff too, which was a little awkward. Not a big deal though, just kind of weird how out of place it was from everything else. The service was really slow. Wasn't horrible, but it was nothing special at all. The food was probably a 2/5. Wasn't expecting anything crazy from a bar, but with a place that has such an expansive menu you'd think they'd care about the food a bit more. The sandwich I ordered was Ok. Nothing special, and it was put together lazily. The main issue we had with the food was the pasta. It was a small dish and it was 80% just cheese. Not worth the price at all. None of it was. The chicken wings weren't that good either. Overall we just had a pretty bad experience with the service and the food and would not return.

The perfect meal.... Carlees tequila chicken pasta and a cosmo! Sometimes it gets really busy so be patient! The bartender (tall guy) who was on Sunday eve March 19, 2023 is amazing!!!! He knows his craft and he keeps everything moving, no grass grows under his feet! He should be in charge of staff training. Cocktails are VERY reasonably priced and perfectly made. This place welcomes visitors and locals alike.

Located in the center of town. Decent parking on the street. Place has a funky look to it. Staff is friendly and attentive. Can get busy during popular seasons and weekends. Alcohol drinks are priced right and a good value. Food is good and the portions are large. Great place to grab a decent bite and a cold drink. Kids are welcome inside, but the place has a bar vibe. They still use styrofoam to go containers and was annoyed to be charged $0.50 extra for a cheep styrofoam cup for a coffee to go after spending $60 for a family dinner. At least if you are going to charge $0.50 for a to go cup, make it a nice insulated cardboard cup. Considering people are mostly in town enjoying the state park and nature, a more biodegradable to go option would be best.

We always come here, when we come to Borrego love the atmosphere, and the food. Last night I tried something I hadn't tried before, the Greek pizza, it was like a flavor bomb in your mouth, so good! Wish I had recipe so I could try and duplicate at home. Pic is me eating it next morning while camping! Try it.

Carlee's holds a special place in our hearts. We're full time Borrego Springs residents and Carlee's never disappoints, from the staff, the food, everything! It's a must stop when you're in town!

lousyi I heard the cook spits in food and the owner is a jerk and I've had 4 friends get sick from their food plus lousy entertainment lots of fights there.its a total dive,

Stop by for lunch. Convenient located at the center of town, Christmas circle where you can see all the sculptures in Borrego Springs. Huge menu, comfort food for everybody we order French dips, steak quesadillas , chicken salad, chicken tenders, cheese and bacon bake crispy skin Potato halves, cheese and garlic bread. Too much food for the party of 5. Very relax and full. Recommended

Great service, our waiter was kind and had a good sense of humor. The band was nice, maybe a bit too loud, and the food was delicious.

If one is ever hungry for chili, you gotta try Chinos chili! A mix of just right herbs leaving your mouth with a just right amount of heat that keeps ya comin back for more. Every server is knowledgeable & prompt. The food portions are bountiful. You get your monies worth on every plate. And it's hard to beat great bartenders who free pour. A must stop to cure one's hunger & thirst pains!

Excellent food! Went in after visiting Anza-Borrego and place was packed being lunch time. Took a little time for food but it was worth it. I had the club sandwich with fries that was really good. Everyone was surprised by the quality and enjoyed their meals

Stopped here cause it was on the way to havasu for Labor Day, was a bit busy but it's about to be Labor Day weekend so it made sense. Our bartender was really nice. The scenery was really nice for a bar well stocked and clean the vibe was amazing. If I ever end up coming back around this area I will def come here. Avocado burger was amazing and perfectly cooked medium rare.

We noticed that they were serving prime rib on Saturday night. They do an excellent job on their prime rib dinners. The service was excellent. Staff is efficient and friendly. The prime rib was even better than we remembered. A great place in the dessert.

Great food, excellent and friendly service in a warm and casual environment. Good music too!

We'd been to Carlee's years ago and had a good time. Our latest visit was disappointing. It was crowded and they were understaffed. Service was disinterested to the point of being surly. Even sitting at the bar it was hard to get drinks ordered. They messed up my food order twice. And it wasn't just us. They gave food to the guy next to us and came back a few minutes later and took it away, explaining that it was meant for someone else. I hope they get their act together, as there aren't a lot of other options in Borrego.

This place has friendly service and really amazing food. They make potato chips! Get the potato chips!

Food was good, service was slow and there was a dog inside the bar area but the atmosphere was great good times

If you're craving a burger and in Borrego Springs, come here. We came on a Saturday night and was able to get a table pretty quickly outside. The indoor area is very much a bar setting and quite loud (but hey, if that's what you're looking for, by all means). It took a while to get service and the server had mentioned they were busier than usual. Server was great overall, very kind. We decided on the house burger and portobello mushroom burger. Both were good, not the best we ever had, but for the area, this is probably the best you can find.

Always consistent, always great! Every time in Borrego a must! Always open year round!!!!!!

Nice place for a steak and a beer. Right on the circle in Borrego Springs. Check it out.

Nice place for lunch. Busy but we were accommodated at a booth. Their menu is very extensive. i ordered french dip and wife had blt sandwich. Both were very tasty although service was slow. It was nice they had card machines (which are used all over Europe and Canada). Would return try some of the other items.