Don’t let the name confuse you. This restaurant is very definitely a mexican restaraunt. I’m not sure where the Irish flair in the name comes from. My wife and I always have to find a good Mexican restaraunt wherever we live. It’s one of the ethnic foods that we can both enthusiastically agree on. In Decatur, Illinois, Carlos O’ Kelly’s is our dining choice. The food is good, the atmosphere is good and the service is good.

Now I always feel that the test of any good mexican restaraunt is the salsa. The salsa is what prepares you for the mexican dining experience. Carlos O’ Kellys does not disappoint. While the salsa is not perhaps of the quality you would get at a Casa Gallardo Grill, it is still a very good blend. They use just the right balance of Cilantro and Garlic. And the heat while not overwhelming leaves a nice pleasant glow in your mouth. Of course Salsa is nothing without the chips. The chips are always warm and not too salty.

Carlos O’ Kelly’s signature dish is the Chicken Picado if you try no other dish there then you must try this one. (warning: this is not a dish for people with cholesterol problems) It’s a perfect blend of marinated chicken fried in butter and mixed with green onion, garlic, and monterey jack then topped fresh tomatoes and chives. Put it into a tortilla and eat like a fajita. It’s replaced fajita’s as my wifes favourite mexican dish in fact. They also have the other standard fare for mexican restaurants: Taco’s, burrito’s, chimi’s and so on. The sauces are really good although I’d prefer some of the red sauces to be more fiery but for the area it’s about right, this is the midwest after all. They really shine with their cheese based sauces. The Pablano sauces in particular are creamy and have just a hint of the sharpness that makes a good mexican cheese sauce.

The restaurant is very family friendly and smoke free unless you’re in the bar. Service is competent although not polished like a five star would be. All in all I’d give Carlos O’ Kelly’s a 4 out of five.
[edit: I had forgotten one ingredient in the Chicken Picado. It has been updated to reflect that]