Carlitos Tequilera will open in North Arlington. - PROVIDED BY GAIL SCHOENBERG PR
Carlitos Tequilera will open in North Arlington. - PROVIDED BY GAIL SCHOENBERG PR
Kimberly Redmond//June 22, 2026//
The team behind popular fast-casual chain Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria is planning its first full-service restaurant in North Jersey.
Carlitos Tequileria is scheduled to open at 185 River Road in North Arlington. Its menu of modern Mexican cuisine will include tacos, appetizers, shareable plates, salads and specialties from the grill and smoker.
There will be kid-friendly options, too, such as chicken tenders, quesadillas, junior burgers, petite tenderloin steak and chicken al carbon.
The Bergen County restaurant will also have a beverage program centered on tequila, mezcal, margaritas, agave-based cocktails and zero-proof drinks.
The restaurant will feature indoor seating and outdoor dining overlooking the Passaic River. Additionally, it will offer catering services and delivery via third-party platforms.
Partner Carlos Castillo told NJBIZ he expects to open this month pending final permits and construction.
This marks Carlitos Tequileria’s second location. The first opened a year-and-a-half ago at Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack, N.Y.
The Carlitos brand began in 2017 as a Jersey City food truck founded by Castillo, his wife and two business partners.
Following its launch, Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria became known for its pit-smoked barbecue tacos and hand-pressed tortillas. From there, it expanded to brick-and-mortar sites at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, Harborside in Jersey City, Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark and the World Trade Center in New York City, as well as a busy catering operation.