Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria

The tacos are good enough to make GSP a pleasant experience, and I don't like malls. Great fresh corn tortilla ls, generous fillings, delicious vegetarian and vegan options. And the staff is very friendly and warm.

Tried Carlitos for the first time and my expectations were blown away. The food was amazing and extremely affordable! My bf and I got a little bit of everything to try. We ordered the 3 quesotacos special with chicken, fish, and brisket. All 3 were filled with so much flavor. Additionally we tried their chocolate churros and passionfruit aqua fresca which were also delicious. The service was cooked to order and very fast. We ordered and received our food in less than 5 minutes. Will definitely be coming back every time I’m at Garden State Plaza!

Whenever my husband and I come to Garden State mall, our brains are so conditioned to expect a food court meal that it took us some time before we realized this lively taqueria existed. It's on the top floor (or the ground level if you're coming from an outdoor parking lot) and one of several mall eateries that aren't in the food court.

The ordering decision tree proceeds as follows:
1) Decide whether you want tacos, cheesy tacos (called, or a platter,
2) Pick your proteins (vegetarian options available), and
3) Determine which toppings and accoutrements you want on top of your tacos.

The best part of ordering was seeing the fresh masa and tortilla press right behind the counter, a reassurance that these tortillas would be as fresh as one can get.

And they were. Not only that, the meats inside them were incredible. We tried the birria, carne asada, crispy fish, and smoked chicken, all of which were conversation-silencing delicious. I'm also not a bit embarrassed to admit I sipped straight from the small cup of that rich consommé that's meant as a dipping broth for the birria tacos. If I had to pick a least favorite from the bunch, it would be the smoked chicken, but that's not to say they were bad; the other ones just blew me away far more. The chicken tacos were packed with tender meat and redolent of smoked wood, a flavor I wouldn't have expected to encounter in the middle of a shopping mall.

Most of the restaurant space seems to be reserved for the ordering and food prep area, but there's a decently sized seating area right outside the restaurant and even more places to sit a little further away from Carlito's if the tables are full.

The food is very fresh and it does have some good flavor to it as well as the customer service I received from yaroc and Olga in garden states plaza don’t miss out you won’t be disappointed 😊

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria is a hidden gem! The food is incredibly delicious—authentic flavors that hit the spot. From the tender meats to the perfectly seasoned tacos, everything tasted fresh and satisfying. Plus, it’s super affordable, which makes it even better. Great spot for a quick bite or a casual meal with friends. Highly recommend if you're craving real-deal barbecue and Mexican street food!