Carter's Cantina

Carter's Cantina

59063 Gratiot Ave, New Haven, MI 48048, United States

+1 586-646-1160

Mexican restaurant
(655)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of New Haven, Michigan, Carter's Cantina is a vibrant Mexican restaurant that masterfully blends traditional flavors with contemporary twists, making it a must-visit destination for any Mexican cuisine enthusiast. From the moment you step inside, the inviting atmosphere, enhanced by recent thoughtful renovations including additional cozy booth seating, sets the perfect stage for an enjoyable dining experience whether you’re out with family, friends, or on a casual date.

The menu at Carter’s Cantina is a flavorful journey through authentic Mexican staples and innovative creations. Guests rave about the mouthwatering Baja chicken tacos and the rich, savory queso birria tacos, each bursting with fresh ingredients and meticulously crafted spices that awaken the palate. Noteworthy dishes like the Chimichangas and the crowd-pleasing Cheesecake Nachos creatively combine both texture and taste, delighting diners with crispy, cheesy, and sweet sensations all in one bite.

For those craving a variety of bold flavors, the Combo Platter offers an excellent way to sample favorites including Tacos Al Pastor, Street Corn with its smoky, creamy appeal, and the hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup that comforts on any day. The thoughtfully curated drinks menu elevates the experience with signature margaritas like the classic House Margarita and the uniquely refreshing Blue Margarita, perfectly balancing sweet and tangy notes to complement the bold dishes.

Carter’s Cantina doesn't just serve outstanding food—they create a welcoming environment where guests feel like part of the family. The service is consistently praised for being warm and attentive, with staff treating every visitor, especially children, with genuine kindness and respect. Michelle Myers beautifully captures this sentiment, emphasizing how her children are "treated like kings," which speaks volumes about the heartfelt hospitality here.

Community engagement also plays a big role at Carter’s Cantina. Their generous gesture of offering free breakfasts showcases their dedication to giving back—a quality that sets this restaurant apart from typical dining spots. Customers appreciate the seamless combination of quality food, community spirit, and professional service, making each visit memorable and fulfilling.

If you’re looking for a casual yet vibrant Mexican dining experience where every bite is bursting with authentic flavors and every visit feels personal, Carter’s Cantina is a culinary gem that truly delivers. Whether you’re indulging in fish tacos that are tender and flavorful, savoring the surprising delight of their Asada Fries, or enjoying a festive Taco Tuesday with affordable specials, Carter’s Cantina promises a consistently exceptional dining adventure that will keep you coming back for more.

Support this local treasure by visiting them at 59063 Gratiot Ave or calling +1 586-646-1160 to place your order. Whether dine-in, carryout, or delivery, it’s clear from heartfelt customer reviews and repeated visits that Carter’s Cantina has earned its reputation as one of New Haven’s best spots for Mexican cuisine.

Service options
-contact delivery Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Quick bite Small plates Spirits Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups Locals Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Michelle Myers
    2 month ago

    We have done carryout and dine in, both have been phenomenal experiences! My favorite dishes are the Baja chicken tacos, and the queso birria tacos. The service is outstanding. They have been giving back to the community by offering free breakfasts. (Best pancakes ever!) They are so kind to my children, treating them like kings! Please support this local business, they deserve all the success. My whole family loves eating at Carter's!

  • Steve S.
    2 month ago

    It’s just the best! We’ve never had a bad experience! The food is always excellent and the owner and staff are the best! If you don’t give Carters a try, you’re truly missing out!

  • A M
    3 month ago

    I hadn’t been here since their remodel. The new wall looks great, and they added additional booth seating. My visit on 4/4/23, Taco Tuesday, there’s a special on regular tacos for $2.25- and special tacos are $3.25, house margaritas are $6.50, and flavored are $7.50. 3 people eating different tacos, including 2 vegetarians, we all liked our different a la carte Tuesday tacos. The deep fried Cali Taco is awesome, one of our group ordered one with steak, and one with chicken ($3.25 each) and was very happy. Those looked the best! Our waitress was attentive and nice. A new mix was being made for the house margarita, and it was overly sweet unlike the original, and they explained they’re getting the mix right and offered me any other flavor right away- which was tasty. I appreciated the quick fix. I think that was very professional and great customer service. They said they were happy for the input on the new batch. I would go back again for Taco Tuesday.

  • c s
    4 month ago

    I have been here a handful of times for dine in and carry out... My favorite has to be the fish tacos, however, I just tried the new menu item of Asada Fries, and I was blown away! SO good!! Make sure to SUPPORT small businesses!

  • Del Tilmon
    4 month ago

    Had a taste for birria tacos & happened upon this place on Grubhub! More food than I expected, delicious & fast delivery. Some of the best birria tacos I’ve had. The chips were a bonus. I we definitely be back.

  • Steve Howcroft
    4 month ago

    This is the Mexican version of a classic diner.. cozy little spot hidden in a tiny strip mall. You're not coming here because it's a Michelin 3 star restaurant. With that being said, the food came out fast, was fresh, and tasted great. Our server was very friendly, attentive, and honestly gave me the impression that she cared how our experience was. Good food and good service, in this day & age, what is can you ask for? I read other reviews.. is it expensive? For 2025, NO. Is it cheap? No, but its priced accordingly. Bottom line.. this is clearly a family owned spot doing the best they can to produce quality food at a price that makes sense for the customer as well as the owners. People need to realize that this a business, you dont do this for fun or as a hobby. This is a 24/7 grind. Go out and support your local people and remember that some of these people are working 6 or 7 days a week to provide for their family.

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