The 15 Best Places for Carnitas in Philadelphia (2024)

8.3

2201 Christian St (at 22nd St), Philadelphia, PA

Bar · Graduate Hospital · 122 tips and reviews

Thanos:Half off pork Sundays rocks!! Try the carnitas. Squeeze on some lime and good to go!

Sara C.:How they manage to fit so much pork in those carnitas, I don't know! They're the best.

Laurie Satran:One of my two favorite neighborhood bars. Good, comforting food, cool and attentive staff, a little noisy, but the beer selection makes up for it. Try the carnitas. They will make you happy.

2.La Calaca Feliz

8.3

2321 Fairmount Ave (btwn 23rd St & 24th St), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Fairmount - Art Museum · 46 tips and reviews

6abc:Featured on FYI Philly - Check out the electric drink menu... all drinks are named after Grateful Dead songs! Also, try the classic Carnitas Taco!

Aileen Tse:absolutely have to get the carnitas tacos. they are unbelievable!

Sophia P.:Carnitas tacos were on point.

3.El Jarocho

8.7

1138 S 13th St (at Ellsworth St.), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Bella Vista - Southwark · 33 tips and reviews

Chefs Feed:Monica Glass, chef of Clio (Boston), eats here on her nights off. She loves the Carnitas & chorizo tacos. Read more.

Brendan Rastetter:The tacos are some of the best I've had in Philly. Order the carnitas and the chorizo, my favorites.

ᴡᴡᴡ.Matt.linodrvs.ru H:Amazing burritos. Gave me 4 containers of diffrent sauces too! As a condiment king this was greatly appreciated!

4.Taqueria La Veracruzana

8.2

908 Washington Ave (btw 9th & 10th), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Bella Vista - Southwark · 38 tips and reviews

Jane Pauley:Tacos carnitas & enchiladas verdes. Get them.

Brendan Rastetter:Great Mexican food! They make killer carnitas tacos.

Chefs Feed:Erin O'Shea, chef of Percy Street Barbecue, eats here on her nights off. She loves the Carnitas tacos. Read more.

5.José Pistola's

8.2

263 S 15th St (at Bach Pl), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · 97 tips and reviews

Justine Campbell:Go on Saturday, Buddy, the downstairs bartender is the man. The carnitas nachos and the fish tacos are delicious!

Joe Czeiner:Carnitas Steam Buns !

Dave Johnson:Get the carnitas pork buns and the queso dip

6.Cantina Los Caballitos

8.3

1651 E Passyunk Ave (at Morris St), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Bella Vista - Southwark · 136 tips and reviews

Doug Soehl:can't go wrong with pork carnitas burrito

Sonny Kwok:Love the pork carnitas tacos, long wait on Fridays tho

Kristen Forbriger:fajitas are the best. great vegetarian/vegan, and mararitas. Read more.

7.Sancho Pistola's

8.4

19 W Girard Ave (at Leopard St), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Northern Liberties - Fishtown · 35 tips and reviews

Travis Truman:Carnitas steam buns and the mezcal mule are outta sight.

Marco Esquandolas:Carnitas steam buns

Megan 🐶:Korean Rib is amazing. happy hour on weekends too!

8.Cafe Ynez

8.3

2025 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Graduate Hospital · 13 tips and reviews

Rich:The burritos are amazing. The carnita cemita is one of my favorites. They also do delivery, even breakfast!!

Patrick W:Great, friendly service and cool authentic feel. Great value given the reasonable prices.

Rj Bravo:The rice and eggs con chorizo were great. We also had the Chilaquiles and they reminded me of home!

9.Mission Taqueria

8.6

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA

Taco Restaurant · Center City West · 26 tips and reviews

Daniel Silva:Great mexican place. the atmosphere was awesome and the food was really authentic. Take the Carnitas they are to die for

Becki Frieiefnfn:The new beet cauliflower tacos are excellent, as were the 3 for $9 salsas and bottomless chips ! Dessert rotates weekly and the pina colossus for 2 was brilliant with notes of cinnamon & other flavors

Michael Hicks:Drinks were decent, favorite was the mission old fashioned; fun open environment, however was almost too busy with multiple large groups

10.Lolita

7.6

106 S 13th St (btw Chestnut & Sansom St), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Center City East · 71 tips and reviews

Amanda Gahagan:Fantastic service. Drinks were delivered within 2 minutes of placing the order and the dishes were timed perfectly. Attentive without being overbearing. And the food? Delicious! Try the carnitas tacos

Matthew Williams:Great Carnitas Tacos...

Katrina Arey (Croswell):Amazing everything! Drinks, tacos, guacamole, and don't forget the mexican corn!

11.Cantina Dos Segundos

8.7

931 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Northern Liberties - Fishtown · 131 tips and reviews

Kristie Grey:The carnita chimichanga was this perfect, lightly fried pocket of awesome. The salsa for the chips are excellent as well (and make a great chimichanga dipping sauce)

Jill R:Their veggie chorizo is awesome. The veggie chorizo and potato tacos are the best. If they don't have those the vegan beef are good runner up.

Jeffrey Slick:get free chips and salsa.

12.Union Taco

7.1

4229 Main St, Philadelphia, PA

Taco Restaurant · Manayunk · 4 tips and reviews

Lance Lacoff:Friendly staff and tasty tacos (good portions, too) - enjoyed the pork carnitas and fried fish! Recommended and will be back - plenty more to try plus fresh guac.

Dan A:Delicious! Just don't order later at night on weekends. They're probably stretched thin at those times, and it shows. Otherwise, you can't go wrong.

Pamela Waters:Simple menu, simple, casual space. Totally awesome food!

13.Distrito

7.7

3945 Chestnut St (at 40th St), Philadelphia, PA

Tapas Restaurant · Spruce Hill · 105 tips and reviews

Philadelphia Magazine:Don’t miss the pork-tastic chilango huarache: Think carnitas, chorizo and Serrano ham. Read more.

Food Network:For authentic Mexican cuisine try Distrito, Jose Garces's restaurant serving Traditional Guacamole, Carnitas Tacos and Ceviche.

Abigail Koffler:Try kegs and eggs brunch for $10 or the two course $21 brunch! Great sweet and savory options (get the Granada and tortilla soup).

14.El Vez

8.8

121 S 13th St (at Sansom St), Philadelphia, PA

Mexican Restaurant · Center City East · 300 tips and reviews

Vickie W:Carnitas tacos, chicken enchiladas, macho nachos, The end.

Jeffrey James:Carnitas tacos are amazing! Definitely also get some chips g salsa to share. Good service & great food. Super busy, so be prepared to wait for a table!

Jeffrey James:Carnitas tacos are good. Busy place, so be prepared to wait for a table. Service is friendly & attentive.

15.El Fuego

7.6

723 Walnut St (btwn 7th St & 8th St), Philadelphia, PA

Burrito Restaurant · Center City East · 33 tips and reviews

E A:Carnitas tacos are awesome. Owner is super awesome too, took care of me after a misunderstanding

Sean Calhoun:Steak bowl is where its at! Love it here!!

Jed Singer:And get a steak burrito with all the salsas. Bring a towel.

The 15 Best Places for Carnitas in Philadelphia (2024)

FAQs

The 15 Best Places for Carnitas in Philadelphia? ›

Carnitas is made with pork that has been braised or slow-cooked until it's fork-tender. Carne asada is made with beef that has been grilled to perfection. Al pastor is made with pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit. All three of these dishes are delicious when topped with your favorite toppings.

What's the difference between carnitas and carne asada? ›

Carnitas is made with pork that has been braised or slow-cooked until it's fork-tender. Carne asada is made with beef that has been grilled to perfection. Al pastor is made with pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit. All three of these dishes are delicious when topped with your favorite toppings.

Where in Mexico are the best carnitas? ›

Michoacan is famous across Mexico for its carnitas, and people there have been preparing the dish in their traditional way for generations.

What is the best cut of meat for carnitas? ›

Pork shoulder: Traditionally, carnitas is made with pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) because of its higher fat content. The fat helps to keep the meat extremely juicy and tender while cooking.

Which is better, al pastor or carnitas? ›

In short, if your goal is to prepare something yourself, carne al pastor is your best bet. It's easier to prepare than carnitas and just as flavorful.

What is the carnitas capital of the world? ›

The city of Quiroga is known as the “carnitas capital of the world,” and the state is the largest producer of avocados not only in Mexico, but in the entire world.

Are carnitas good or bad for you? ›

Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.

What state is known for carnitas? ›

Legend has it that carnitas originated in Michoacan, which is a state in west-central Mexico. However, others believe carnitas come from Jalisco, Queretaro, Hidalgo, or Mexico State. While the roots are uncertain, the dish is enthusiastically enjoyed all over Mexico.

What kind of meat is carne asada? ›

Carne asada is typically made with skirt steak, but I wanted to test out a variety of inexpensive cuts to be sure. I bought a half dozen different cuts of beef and marinated them in a basic mixture of lime juice, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, and chiles before grilling them to medium-rare over hot coals.

What is the best Mexican meat for tacos? ›

A big batch of meltingly tender pulled pork is the perfect filling for tacos! Originating in the state of Michoacán, the meat is typically cooked until it gets those crave-worthy crispy edges. You can make the pork in a slow cooker first, but be sure to let the pork sit in a skillet to crisp up before serving.

What meat is similar to carnitas? ›

The word “carnitas” means “little meats” in Spanish. These three dishes are very similar, but have some differences. Barbacoa can be either shredded or chopped, birria is usually shredded and served with a sauce or broth, and carnitas is usually chopped.

What makes carnitas different from pulled pork? ›

Both carnitas and pulled pork are cooked slowly for several hours, and great to make in the slow cooker or instant pot. Unlike pulled pork, however, carnitas are finished by roasting the meat in the oven until browned and crisp.

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