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Plate of shredded carnitas Yesenia’s Mexican Food

Where to Eat Carnitas in San Diego

Pig out at these Mexican eateries

by Darlene Horn
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by Darlene Horn
Yesenia’s Mexican Food

Proper carnitas takes time and care to cook — typically made with well-marbled pork butt or sometime pork shoulder, the meat is slowly simmered with seasonings until meltingly tender and then fried in its own fat to concentrate its pork flavor and render crisp edges. Hungry now? Here’s where you can go to satisfy your carnitas cravings, whether in a taco, burrito, or by the pound.

Did we overlook your favorite eatery? Let us know in the comments below.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Carnitas Don Pancho

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Escondido’s Carnitas Don Pancho specializes in Michoacánan-style carnitas but the ingredients are a secret. Taste it in an entree plate starting at $10.95 or up to a full pound at $14.95. Don’t miss out on the pork beans for more porcine pleasures.

707 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
(888) 249-5282
(888) 249-5282
Uncut carnitas pork butt Carnitas Don Pancho/Facebook

Maritza's Mexican Food Restaurant

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This neighborhood favorite serves up classic Mexican dishes for those on a budget. For carnitas, head in on Wednesdays; it’s not available any other day.

3582 Mt Acadia Blvd # D, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 279-8866
(858) 279-8866

Puesto Mission Valley

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Puesto is far fancier than the neighborhood taqueria but their carnitas are worth the visit. Prepared the traditional way, order the meaty morsels in burritos, tacos or in bowl with herb lime rice as a base.

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 333-2167
(619) 333-2167

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Carnitas Uruapan Mexican Food

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This family-run eatery in La Mesa sells ready-to-eat carnitas by the pound. Dinner for one starts at a half pound and includes rice, beans, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, limes and tortillas. 

4233 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 337-2448
(619) 337-2448
Rack of pork bones for carnitas Carnitas Uruapan/Facebook

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Yesenia's Mexican Food & Ice Cream

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Yesenia’s big menu is packed with all the taco shop favorites including carnitas. Order it in tortas, tostadas, chimichangas or mini tacos.

2505 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-1602
(619) 255-1602

Carnitas Las Michoacanas

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This hole-in-the-wall joint in Rolando features carnitas in burritos, quesadillas, sopes, tacos, tortas, tostadas and chilaquiles. The spot is cash only so bring enough to feed your carnitas craving.

6513 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 229-9574
(619) 229-9574
Storefront for Carnitas Las Michoacanas Carnitas Las Michoacanas/Facebook

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Super Cocina

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The not-so-secret ingredient to Super Cocina’s carnitas is their use of Mexican cinnamon and molasses. Order the tender carnitas in a combo plate alongside rice and beans, or as a burrito.

3627 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 584-6244
(619) 584-6244
Carnitas burrito filling Super Cocina/Facebook

Also featured in:

City Tacos

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Per the name, it’s all about tacos at this local chain and their carnitas is a good option. The slow-simmered carnitas comes served with the usual suspects — cilantro, onion and guac — and is finished with bits of chicharron on top.

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 296-2303
(619) 296-2303

Also featured in:

Carnitas y Mariscos Las Morelianas

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Imperial Avenue’s beloved Carnitas y Mariscos Las Morelianas has several menu items featuring carnitas including a pound of pork fit to feed two people. Head in on Wednesdays or Fridays for the carnitas special: two pounds plus a complimentary half pound.

2822 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 239-6284
(619) 239-6284

La Fachada

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The carnitas tacos at this laid back outdoor eatery is renowned for its generous portion of pork. If the craving hits late at night, know the spot is open until 1:30 am every night.

20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 236-8566
(619) 236-8566

Also featured in:

Las Cuatro Milpas

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Rolled tacos may steal the spotlight at this Barrio Logan institution but the carnitas de tacos are equally as good. Crisp tortilla shells include generous mounds of pork under shredded lettuce and cheese.

1857 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 234-4460
(619) 234-4460

Also featured in:

¡SALUD! Barrio Logan

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Visit this Barrio Logan hotspot for carnitas along with a bevy of other tacos. Diners’ best bet is the family pack that feeds four. Go with the carnitas option with pico, bean, guacamole and tortillas.

2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 255-3856
(619) 255-3856

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Carnitas Don Pancho

707 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025

Escondido’s Carnitas Don Pancho specializes in Michoacánan-style carnitas but the ingredients are a secret. Taste it in an entree plate starting at $10.95 or up to a full pound at $14.95. Don’t miss out on the pork beans for more porcine pleasures.

707 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
(888) 249-5282
(888) 249-5282
Uncut carnitas pork butt Carnitas Don Pancho/Facebook

Maritza's Mexican Food Restaurant

3582 Mt Acadia Blvd # D, San Diego, CA 92111

This neighborhood favorite serves up classic Mexican dishes for those on a budget. For carnitas, head in on Wednesdays; it’s not available any other day.

3582 Mt Acadia Blvd # D, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 279-8866
(858) 279-8866

Puesto Mission Valley

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Puesto is far fancier than the neighborhood taqueria but their carnitas are worth the visit. Prepared the traditional way, order the meaty morsels in burritos, tacos or in bowl with herb lime rice as a base.

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 333-2167
(619) 333-2167

Carnitas Uruapan Mexican Food

4233 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941

This family-run eatery in La Mesa sells ready-to-eat carnitas by the pound. Dinner for one starts at a half pound and includes rice, beans, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, limes and tortillas. 

4233 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 337-2448
(619) 337-2448
Rack of pork bones for carnitas Carnitas Uruapan/Facebook

Yesenia's Mexican Food & Ice Cream

2505 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

Yesenia’s big menu is packed with all the taco shop favorites including carnitas. Order it in tortas, tostadas, chimichangas or mini tacos.

2505 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-1602
(619) 255-1602

Carnitas Las Michoacanas

6513 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115

This hole-in-the-wall joint in Rolando features carnitas in burritos, quesadillas, sopes, tacos, tortas, tostadas and chilaquiles. The spot is cash only so bring enough to feed your carnitas craving.

6513 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 229-9574
(619) 229-9574
Storefront for Carnitas Las Michoacanas Carnitas Las Michoacanas/Facebook

Super Cocina

3627 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

The not-so-secret ingredient to Super Cocina’s carnitas is their use of Mexican cinnamon and molasses. Order the tender carnitas in a combo plate alongside rice and beans, or as a burrito.

3627 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 584-6244
(619) 584-6244
Carnitas burrito filling Super Cocina/Facebook

City Tacos

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

Per the name, it’s all about tacos at this local chain and their carnitas is a good option. The slow-simmered carnitas comes served with the usual suspects — cilantro, onion and guac — and is finished with bits of chicharron on top.

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 296-2303
(619) 296-2303

Carnitas y Mariscos Las Morelianas

2822 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92102

Imperial Avenue’s beloved Carnitas y Mariscos Las Morelianas has several menu items featuring carnitas including a pound of pork fit to feed two people. Head in on Wednesdays or Fridays for the carnitas special: two pounds plus a complimentary half pound.

2822 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 239-6284
(619) 239-6284

La Fachada

20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

The carnitas tacos at this laid back outdoor eatery is renowned for its generous portion of pork. If the craving hits late at night, know the spot is open until 1:30 am every night.

20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 236-8566
(619) 236-8566

Las Cuatro Milpas

1857 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

Rolled tacos may steal the spotlight at this Barrio Logan institution but the carnitas de tacos are equally as good. Crisp tortilla shells include generous mounds of pork under shredded lettuce and cheese.

1857 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 234-4460
(619) 234-4460

¡SALUD! Barrio Logan

2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

Visit this Barrio Logan hotspot for carnitas along with a bevy of other tacos. Diners’ best bet is the family pack that feeds four. Go with the carnitas option with pico, bean, guacamole and tortillas.

2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 255-3856
(619) 255-3856

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