Carlee's
American restaurant · Borrego Springs ·

Carlee's

American restaurant · Borrego Springs ·

Burgers, bar bites, live music & pizza in festive digs

Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null
Carlee's by null

Information

660 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Get directions

$10–20

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Information

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660 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Get directions

+1 760 767 3262
carleesplace.com
carleesplace

$10–20 · Menu

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Nov 30, 2025

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@verena
10 Postcards · 3 Cities

Exactly where you want to eat in a town like Borrego Springs. You're going to stick out like a sore thumb amongst the locals, but that's okay. Great vibes, live music, good food. Order a prime rib platter.

Borrego Springs
Carlee's

Jodie G.

Google
Sat at the counter and was served by Chino. He was attentive and friendly. Got the last of the day's special white bean soup, so good! Enjoyed Carlees' lemonade. Husband had the ribs that came with some tasty vegtables and delicious fall off the bone ribs. Great meal served quickly that more than satisfied. Stop in, it's a great place.

Mr B.

Google
Been coming to Borrego Springs a few years now, and have been dying to try Carlee,s. It is basically the centerpiece of the whole town, with definitely the best location. Being a senior, I am a huge Back to the Future Nostalgia kind of guy, so obviously I am going to completely love this place. Absolutely love the decor, the booth, and the whole setup is awesome. Everything was very clean, including the bathrooms. I sat at the bar, and ordered a beer. Yes, the number one complaint of slow service is definitely true, but I can understand that in this day and age, it is very hard to try and cut a profit. The menu with surprisingly huge, with definitely something for everyone. I wanted to order a pizza, as I saw many people picking them up for takeout. I asked a few locals and they told me the pizza was awesome. I really wanted to order one to go back to our room, but I could tell that it would probably not be a good idea since the restaurant was already pretty well full, and I did not really feel like waiting that long and was afraid it might ruin my beautiful visit here. Definitely a Local's favorite, and I'm sure a tourist enjoy it as well. I will Probably go back tomorrow an order a pizza just to see if it is as good as the locals claim, which I'm sure it is.

Nick G.

Google
Always love this place and stop in any chance I get coming down the area. Great food, you got to try the burger absolutely the best! Their giant chicken wings are really good also! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu and if you like to drink they have a full service bar and great drink choices also!

Carlita C.

Google
This place is a vibe. A true hidden gem, tucked right off the Main Street roundabout. After a long, hot day hiking in the state park, my boyfriend and I were exhausted, starving, and in desperate need of a cool spot to recharge. This place was exactly what we needed. As we walked in, a few musicians were setting up for live music, but the real show had already started- - locals at the bar were singing, laughing, and having the time of their lives over dinner. The energy was contagious. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. My boyfriend went for the steak special with a Pepsi, and I got the Baja burger with fries and a Diet Dr. Pepper. The steak was cooked perfectly, and my burger was packed with flavor - every bite hit the spot. After a day of hiking, this meal brought us back to life. It's clear this place is a local favorite, and I can see why. Something about it reminded me of a classic Midwest diner - - warm, welcoming, and effortlessly fun. If I'm ever back in the area, I'd come here again in a heartbeat.

Ivan S.

Google
Absolutely spectacular burgers! Great and friendly staff. Warmest recommendation!

Burrito

Google
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!

Andrew M.

Google
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.

Frank64 G.

Google
Carlee's Burger, one of the best I've ever eaten!!! Thank you so much from Italy
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Mo S.

Yelp
As we walked it it was a little loud. We got a booth in the corner and shortly after that it quieted down a lot. The service was ok. Nothing to write home about. I got the avocado burger and it was a lot of food. I snuck a couple of chips off my husband's plate. I wish I had ordered the chips. I liked them better than my fries. My burger was way too big. I only ate 1/2 of it, but I ate all the avocado. It's an ok place. The bathrooms and the way to them do need some updating
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Jade B.

Yelp
A grasshopper and a scorpion walk into a bar Somewhere just northeast of San Diego, lost amongst desert willows and dead palm trees, there is a small, semi-arid town called Borrego Springs. Monday afternoon we were drug into this fever dream of a town by a long stretch of road encased by flat, dry land as far as the eye could see. As our prius pounded against the heat-stricken pavement, I gazed out the passenger's side window to find magnificent metal sculptures and massive mountains caressing the still earth like a tank that had been drained of its water. As the sun finally broke and the moon reclaimed the sky, we shared a bottle of wine and got to know the stars far more intimately than either of us had ever before. As an international dark sky community, Borrego Springs moonlights as a celestial canopy and stellar silver star realm. It wasn't until the following day that tragedy struck. My honey and I are from Los Angeles, therefore we are acutely vegan. We knew traveling to a middle of nowhere town wouldn't be a fruitful culinary excursion for us nettlesome plant-folk, but what we didn't expect was a dive bar anti-hero to rise above and save our people from certain starvation. Nestled within the pocket-sized single strip of downtown in Borrego Springs resides a dark horse of a dive bar. An eccentric watering hole you may think is a mirage at first glance, but blink hard. The bright blue lights are a sign you've survived the unforgiving desert and have indeed arrived! Carlee's is the photo held in a heart-shaped emblem clasped around my neck. With blasting classic rock and bustling pool tables, we had reached what I can only assume to be ecstasy on earth. Carlee's is a class-act with entertaining staff and an expansive menu. Close to kicking the bucket, with our bones rattling, Carlee's offered us a vegan caprese salad with tantalizing tomatoes and mouthwatering grilled tofu. As we regained our strength, we quenched our desert-dried thirst with two truly wild cocktails and watched the local townies dance and be merry. Late into the evening, our minds melted and reimagined us as majestic metal sculptures. He a dapper grasshopper, and I a solicitous scorpion. Carlee's is a magical and mysterious gem glittering in the blazing sun - If you ever find yourself lost within the Anza-Borrego desert, allow Carlee's to be your oasis.
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Big Jeff H.

Yelp
Actually, it was the sharp demeaning response he gave me which was incredibly rude. This is after I patiently waited well over 5min before I was even acknowledged. He knows how he acted. The bartenders are known for years to be arrogant & rude. It's nothing new. I don't go out to relax & expect such rude bartenders. Nobody does. And obviously this wasn't the first time something like this had happened to me. Nor for many other people for that matter. Any bartender acting the way they do would be fired on the spot the first time they pulled any of their rude stunts. I still can't recommend the place.
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Martha W.

Yelp
Love this place whenever I come to borrego springs. Now they have live music. Years ago I sang karaoke here. Food is always good and they are a good place to watch football too. They let us bring our dog in which was nice on a warm day. Technically dogs are supposed to be outside. She is enjoying the air conditioning.
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Carlita C.

Yelp
This place is a vibe. A true hidden gem, tucked right off the Main Street roundabout. After a long, hot day hiking in the state park, my boyfriend and I were exhausted, starving, and in desperate need of a cool spot to recharge. This place was exactly what we needed. As we walked in, a few musicians were setting up for live music, but the real show had already started- - locals at the bar were singing, laughing, and having the time of their lives over dinner. The energy was contagious. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. My boyfriend went for the steak special with a Pepsi, and I got the Baja burger with fries and a Diet Dr. Pepper. The steak was cooked perfectly, and my burger was packed with flavor - every bite hit the spot. After a day of hiking, this meal brought us back to life. It's clear this place is a local favorite, and I can see why. Something about it reminded me of a classic Midwest diner - - warm, welcoming, and effortlessly fun. If I'm ever back in the area, I'd come here again in a heartbeat.
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Patty C.

Yelp
Friendly staff. The salmon salad was nice. The fish was cooked right with a tasty dressing.
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Felina V.

Yelp
Carlee's is the perfect place to stop for a cold drink and an appetizer or a tasty meal any time you're in Borrego! They have a large outdoor patio where you can bring your pooch, or plenty of comfy seating inside. This time, we opted for some beers and the spinach dip. Always a great time!
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Christal M.

Yelp
Extremely disappointed in the food. The smoked Cuban sounded like it would be good with ham and pulled pork but as you can see from the photo there was only one slice of ham and the thinnest spread of pulled pork. We also got the patty melt cooked medium. The patty was super charred on the outside making it taste burnt. For the price, I'd expect for there to be a sauce. Service was fine, but would not return for the food. Super overpriced for poor quality.
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Chris W.

Yelp
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.
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Baljinder S.

Yelp
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.
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Chesney F.

Yelp
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
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Rachit S.

Yelp
We got Andy's Quesadilla, according to the menu it is one of the favorite dishes of the owner. The dish was extremely greasy and the meat was extremely chewy. The service was subpar as well. We had to wait for a good amount of time before they took our order, we were on the verge of getting up and leaving. We asked our waiter for a straw, never got it. We asked him for cutlery, never got it. The greasy dish didn't even come with napkins to wipe our hands, had to ask twice to get some. We obviously did not finish our dish, when our waiter asked us if we wanted a box as a lot was left, I informed him that we did not because we did not enjoy the dish. He did not even care to inquire why we didn't like the dish, seems like kitchen doesn't get any feedback, no wonder they're serving a greasy chewy mess.
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Mary K.

Yelp
You are in Borrego in the desert and this place has really good food and service and we are frequent fliers when here. Not much else to chose from honestly. Burgers are great. Good onion rings but the fries are way better! That's pretty much what we order and we're usually ending up at the bar because it really gets crowded around 7. Live music later in the night and parking of course is easy. This is one of our go to places because in Borrego we are not expecting fine dining but carlees has really good food and entertainment and great servers so that's the best!
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Stephanie T.

Yelp
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.
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Katherine K.

Yelp
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.
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Bev B.

Yelp
Decided to try the Friday night special, Fried Catfish. It came with their "can't stop eating" French fries and a delicious mayo based cole slaw. There were 2 hand sized? breaded filets, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Very filling!

Kym M.

Yelp
We've always been super happy with the food, drinks, and service at Carlee's. The menu is MASSIVE so there's something for everyone. Personally, I love the El Niño Salmon Sandwich, Shrimp Cakes, and Baja Chicken Penne. And the salads are more than a meal. We've danced many a night away when there's a band in the house, too! Carlee's is a welcome respite from the desert heat and we'll be back again and again.
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Ruth S.

Yelp
Fast service. Good food. Friendly people. Only complaint is their water served at the table is undrinkable. Tastes like bleach. I had the mushroom pizza that was very tasty. Also more than I could eat. Others at the table also enjoyed. Love the old jute box with even some dance music from the past. Will definitely take next company there to enjoy the locals and good food.
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Kate Ariel A.

Yelp
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.
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Juan V.

Yelp
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.
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Courtney L.

Yelp
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.
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Almo M.

Yelp
Lousy service nasty food and disrespectful service and to expensive on the food and dinks.

Michael W.

Yelp
Carlee's is a great place. We always eat here on our vacation to Borrego Springs. The food is really great the prices are very reasonable and the service is awesome. Nice and cool inside even during summer heat. TV's with sports on and just a super friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend a visit to Carlee's if you're in Borrego Springs

Marta B.

Yelp
We have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Avocado burger was truly delicious and the roast beef grinder was Amazing! Thank you David for making our fur baby Sophie, feel so welcome. We will come back again, for sure!
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Ronald T.

Yelp
I will start by saying, you'd have to be in a really Bad mood to not love these guys. The food, I judge by my standards. I got the half rack of ribs. It comes with a side of soup or a salad. I was pleasantly surprised to get and devour my salad. The wait staff had skimmed the Bleu Cheese dressing and served the two of us the opposite salads. I noticed quickly that there was no Bleu Cheese in my dressing, as it's served in a side container. Waiter was quick to rectify it, but they lose a point outta 10 for being a little sloppy like that. They served rib's without Mac and Cheese as a side option. Hard 1 point lost for that not being on the menu. Now, I will say this, if you like ribs, this is the destination in Borrego Springs to stop at for dinner. Rib's were spot on tender and just to the point before falling off the bone. BBQ sauce was great, they achieved that "candied apple" texture that we all love so much on good meat dishes. They had no clue who I am and served up a winner. So, taste and texture, although not done on a smoker, was bomb! I wasn't tickled with the rice pilaf. They added something to it that made it into something I didn't want to finish. I can see what they were trying to achieve, but Borrego Springs is a hot climate. My dinner guest and I were heading out into the 103° f desert heat to set up the telescope. So lighter fair if anybody at Carlee's is listening. The vegetable's were a homerun hit as we watched the ball game and we're entertained by a female guitar player/vocalist. Our waiter was attentive and quickly cleaned up a rib bone that bobbled off my plate while I was monkeying around with it. He's great, been there for 24 year's. I expected nothing less. So by my own personal high standards that I have for Holy Smoak BBQ, I give them a 7 outta 10 and recommend you make this your 1st stop in Borrego Springs for any meal service they provide. So many choices on their menu, so something for everyone. I'll give them a gracious 5-Stars on here and suggest they tighten it up on the service a little, and add Mac and Cheese to accompany the BBQ options. As well, back off of trying to hard to bulk up the rice pilaf. Less is more on some side dishes.

Dan B.

Yelp
Bar / restaurant with friendly locals and service, burger was great. Nice and cool in the hot summer.
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Christy M.

Yelp
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.
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Michael P.

Yelp
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.
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Traci Wilkerson S.

Yelp
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.

Robin R.

Yelp
This is THE go-to spot in Borrego Springs! Generous pours, hearty portions, good food, a fun vibe, and friendly staff that makes everyone feel welcome. The jukebox has an extensive song selection, there's live entertainment on the weekends and it's where I go for casual business meetings and to see friends. When I'm asked by visitors and guests where to eat or grab a cocktail, I always recommend Carlee's.
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Diane S.

Yelp
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.
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Dale C.

Yelp
This place deserves 4.5 stars for the food, atmosphere, drinks and hard working servers. We came here on a Friday and this place was packed but we got seated shortly. Food was good. Cocktails were good and every body seemed to be having a good time. This was definitely the busiest place in Borrego Springs. Prices were reasonable for a restaurant in such a tiny town in the middle of the desert.
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Bill S.

Yelp
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.
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Art A.

Yelp
Always great food and top notch service.... Highly recommend! If you need a quick bite or a relaxing evening then this is the place to be!
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Kathy B.

Yelp
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.
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Harris S.

Yelp
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.
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Paulette C.

Yelp
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.
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Sanaz S.

Yelp
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!
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Brenda M.

Yelp
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.
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Peggy H.

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

Yelp
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
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Robyn S.

Yelp
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!

Andrea C.

Yelp
I wish I knew our servers name. She was so friendly and helpful by making a suggestion on ordering a different dish instead of what we initially ordered with additions. Food took a little longer than expected to come out but that's ok, it was pretty busy for a Wednesday night. Food was tasty and good portions.

Jeffrey S.

Yelp
On my recent visit to Borrego Springs, I ended up eating dinner two nights at Carlee's Place. Let me preface this review by saying that there are not very many places to eat in Borrego Springs. Carlee's Place is basically a bar that also serves food. The food is appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. I had a burger the first night and it was excellent. I ordered the homemade potato chips as my side and they were fantastic. The second night I tried the chicken caesar wrap but it was very light on the chicken and the dressing was dull and disappointing. The waiter was very attentive and was on his game both nights. It looked like there was going to be live music on Saturday night but we left before it started. I would recommend trying Carlee's Place when in Borrego Springs but perhaps it is best to stick with the burgers or the patty melt. Definitely get the homemade potato chips as your side dish with your burger or sandwich.

Zoey P.

Yelp
roaches everywhere and cold food. the service was okay but the ambiance was not. will not be back again traumatizing.

Melissa O.

Yelp
Edit - since I am unable to reply. It's not accurate to say we were "offered" gluten-free items, we weren't. After reviewing your menu, the items that you are stating are gluten free, those carry a high risk of cross-contamination. For someone with celiac, that's not acceptable and not a reasonable accommodation. The severity of the condition varies, and assuming what works for one customer will work for all is both medically inaccurate and dismissive of the risks involved. The decision to not eat food that is deemed "unsafe" is protecting the health of my daughter. It's disappointing that this is being framed as us simply declining your food, rather than a safety issue. Are you stating that you are guaranteeing your food to be gluten-free at 0 ppm--or even under 10 ppm, which is the threshold for certified gluten-free products? Labeling items gluten-free with high cross contamination is potential misbranding issues with the FDA. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, around noon, my husband, son, daughter, and six other individuals visited Carly's for lunch. My daughter has celiac disease, a serious autoimmune disorder that qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Due to the risk of cross-contamination and the restaurant's inability to safely accommodate her dietary needs, she brought her own food. Unfortunately, instead of responding with understanding or compassion, the manager and waitress confronted and harassed my daughter and husband. They were ultimately told she could not have her food and were asked to leave. As a result, our entire party of nine was forced to leave, causing a public scene that was deeply embarrassing for my family and our guests. This situation not only reflects poor customer service, but more seriously, it is a violation of the ADA, which requires reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Denying someone with a medically necessary dietary restriction the ability to safely eat--especially when no safe alternative is provided--may constitute discrimination under federal law. I strongly urge Carly's to educate its staff and management on ADA requirements and how to treat all customers with dignity and respect, especially those with medical needs.
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Dolly D.

Yelp
Carlee's Place was #1 on Yelp so my family and I decided to try it out. The outside looks like an old diner, nostalgic. The inside is the same, but dark albeit very cool looking. Everyone was friendly and the music they played was great. There was a bar in the middle and it looked like there were locals having a great time. Our waitress was attentive and topped off our drinks which is a huge plus for us!! We ordered the Thai chicken wrap, hamburger and my daughter ordered some sort of sub sandwich. We all loved our meals! The portions are big, too! And if you go, order the homemade potato chips. They are so good! I can eat them all day! I highly recommend and would definitely return.

Carlo M.

Yelp
Service was nice. Food was probably the worst I've had in a while. Ordered a scallop pesto which tasted more like buttered noodles. The pesto was so watery it laid at the bottom. The scallops were sandy? Ordered the sizzling shrimp. Had absolutely no seasoning on it. Disappointed because my bill was over $120. Wouldn't have mind if the food was actually good.
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Becca L.

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