Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL, 60608
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant Menu
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Main Menu
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Extras
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Address :
1725 W 18th St
Chicago, IL, 60608 - Phone (312) 226-2654
- Website https://www.carnitasuruapanchi.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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MoeRon M.
Wow! Really good meat. I mean REALLY good. No BYOB. Still I will be coming back. All the way from the north side. We walked in and was given a taste of the carnitas. We are hooked. We got 2 pounds for friends. A Mexican squirt. I just heard back from the owner, they ARE BYOB!!!!!! I definitely be back. That great food and a cold Sol beer! Life's good.
(5)Anthony M.
KNOW YOUR PIG I have been looking at this place on line for a few weeks. They are really social savvy and that is what caught my eye. I noticed on Facebook that they post a weekly secret word on Wednesdays. All you need to do is mention the word and you get 2 tacos for the price of 1. I then went to there website where I learned that they only serve carnitas. I thought to myself if they make one kind of taco, then it must be amazing. Time to read reviews on Yelp and with a 4.5 star rating I knew it was time to bookmark and visit this gem. As soon as I walked in, the waitress approached me speaking Spanish and I attempted to use the secret word..."La Serena". I think my high school Spanish paid off because she smiled and spoke to the owner who was walking out the door. The owner Marco was nice enough to stop and talk to me. I love meeting owners because you can see there passion for there business. I pointed out to Marco how socially savvy his business was and informed him that is how I got to his front door. It is good for them to know that the social posts work on creating awareness and getting new customers. Marco then informed me that I could also get a free order of Chicharrón, if I checked in on FourSquare or Yelp. I showed him my app already checked in and said, "I know and thank you!" I love check-in gifts. I asked Marco to help me order. What I learned is that you must know your pork when eating here. There is a chart on there menu, at the tables and I posted it as a tip. You can pick where you want your carnitas meat to come from for your taco. At first I thought that is so cool and then I panicked. I wasn't a butcher! What do I choose? Where do I start? I thought all pig was created equal? Marco was a huge help and he ordered 4 tacos for me in Spanish. He suggested for my first time I get Pork Shoulder and Pork Rib. So I decided to get two of each. While I was talking to Marco his cook, who was slicing the carnitas to make my 4 tacos, offered me a sample of the meat. I thought that was really nice. I had already ordered but he wanted me to have a sample still. I think he was proud of his pig. The process of roasting the pig is two hours until it transforms into succulent pieces of pork. Marco suggested I get the shoulder and rib because those were the safest choices for my first visit and because they are mostly meat. He said as I get more adventurous I can start adding more fatty pieces of the pork like belly. So you really need to know your pig. Don't look at this and be afraid. Look at this as a culinary challenge to make the most delicious carnitas ever. I was carrying out my food and got my 4 carnitas and a bag of fresh Chicharrón all for $5 and some change. Thanks to the secret word and checking in. Social Media Rocks! The bag was very heavy. They do not mess around here with there meat. When I got home my wife remarked at how delicious the smell was. I had to prep her on the know your pork, before we dived in. I explained which tacos were which, before our eating adventure began. I must say we enjoyed them. We loved the pork rib carnitas because they were the juiciest. You must be careful with this one because the bones and cartilage are still on there. I quickly pulled the bones out and saved them for my home made stock. Score! The carnitas came with a nice big container of green salsa that was very delicious. I wish I could make the salsa they make here. It worked so well with the carnitas. Yes I'm having salsa envy. There was so much food we couldn't finish it all. I think one taco might be enough for one person, in fact I was stuffed. I was just happy that I had a meal of carnitas waiting for me the next day. These leftovers are worth it. You definitely get your monies worth when eating here. I also enjoyed my Chicharrón. This was the first time I ever had real Chicharrón and not out of a processed bag. It was yummy and I've been nibbling on it all week. For those of you who have never had it, it is deep fried pig skin and it is so delicious. I'm sure it's not healthy because something that tastes that good can't be healthy. Thanks to Marco and his friendly staff for making me feel welcome on my first visit. I can not wait to return. The menu also expands on the weekend (Sat & Sun) with more available dishes. I'm now thinking that those items must be really special and I'm sure this place is packed on the weekends. This is also a family business. Marco's Dad started this place in 1975 and 39 years later they are still pumping out quality food. Congrats to Marco for keeping the family tradition alive and to another 40 years of carnitas love in Chicago. So know your Pork, pick your meat & get ready for the best carnitas that Chicago has to offer. Enjoy because I know I did.
(5)Merrisa S.
What can I not say bad about this place!!!!!! Finally made our way to this place due to the one and only: Aaron Sánchez featuring them on his addicting Cooking Cannel "best tacos" segment. Thank God we did, my husband and I are of Puerto Rican decent; but man oh man talk about a walk down an era and a timeless moment into our childhood. We had of course the famous; "Carnitas", traditional frijoles, tortillas, fresh molé & salsa, with a finishing touch of tacos dorados; yummy!!!!! To put the icing on the cake an amazing tasa de café.... FYI: If your a hipster; trendy foodie sorry this place may not be for you. Or if your use to pretentious and trendy environments or scenes; this may not be the place for you. Carnitas Uruapan is keeping to the simple, traditional and true DNA of what community, heritage and Latino/Hispanic cultural is with their flagship location in the heart of Pilsen. Places such as Carnitas Uruapan keeps to their promise of educating and defining what a true immigrant blue collar Mecca is, was and forever will be. Thank you Marcos and your father for giving my husband and I a glimpse of why we are proud of our Latino/Hispanic Culture and how being raised on traditional pensant food is the best way to go. My husband and I have such great admiration and appreciation that Marcos and his father have been able to keep Caritas Uruapan a timeless sub-culture of what local community truly as if we were in Puerto Rico. May Caritas Uruapan continue to keep Pilsen as priceless and timeless as long as they can. For those new to culture welcome and embrace the simplistic and joyest times of a hard-working culture for generations to come.
(5)Jennifer G.
It seems the last few weeks Carnitas Uruapan has been on a yelp, food network, yahoo, media frenzy and my mouth has just salivated so much that I finally gave in and hightailed it to Carnitas Uruapan. We went with a pound of shoulder and an order of beans. The beans were the best I have ever had. The shoulder was very good, great flavor, etc. It didnt have much fat which made my husband super happy and me not so much (we differ on how we like our meat). Can wait to go back and go with a fattier portion for me. Luckily my need for fat was fueled when the waitress brought our free huge portion of chicharron. OMG! Amazing! The salsa and peppers make the taco! Dont pass on these.
(4)Cindy W.
NOTE: THE OPENING TIME IS 9AM NOT 8:30 AM AS REPORTED ON YELP. this caused a huge disappointment between me and a friend who woke up promptly to tailgate in front for an 8:30 am opening. but nope. they open at 9am but we decided it must be worth the wait. A pound of meat never looked so small because it tasted so good! We asked for a mix of everything and while my friend liked the meat on the bone, I preferred the slow roasted pork skin. Also, a free side of chicharrones when you check in on Yelp! I really liked it! It didn't taste super fried so it felt ... less unhealthy. The meat is so tender and succulent. If you order a pound of meat, that's like 6 tacos worth at least, and a taco is $2.50. A pound of meat is $8.50. You do the math.
(4)Robert S.
Great carnitas. Moist. Tasty. You can buy them from half a pound on up. .., Only $8.50 for a whole pound. If you eat there they give you warm tortillas, warm chicharrones. And two sauces plus jalapeños. The owners are warm and friendly.
(4)JP P.
You have to like a place that advertises meat in the front window...a tray of Carnitas! Better yet, if you purchase Carnitas by the pound, they will give you a sample to munch on while they prepare your order. That's customer appreciation my friends. The service is outstanding and if you have an interest in commercial kitchens, this one is impressive to look at. My last visit was a culinary adventure. I stepped into the unknown and ordered a few things new to my taste buds. A Cactus salad, pork belly and brain tacos. That's what I'm talking about!
(4)Delightful D.
Omg I been to a couple carnitas locations in pilsen but this one is best. Carnitas so juicy and full of flavor. I would suggest going early as you can because they do run out of carnitas and sometimes close a lil early. Yes it's that good. They serve u with all u need for a taco salsa and tortillas. If you need sour cream or cheese bring your own cuz they don't have it. Loved this spot will return. For a quick delish meal.
(4)Graciela M.
Not impressed. Arron Sanchez said delisioso, amazing. Nope. They were edible but I have had way better at a place on 18th that blows this place away. The tacos were cold and the meat was tough. The salsas were okay. Yup not impressed and we wont be back.
(2)John I.
If there's a word that defines doing only one thing and doing it well, it's got to be Uruapan. Oops, that word already describes the second largest city in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Let's just say that they're homophones. I was sitting in Nitecap across the street, drinking a Nocturne, an espresso with chocolate and condensed milk (lest I digress, Nitecap is another story goo.gl/TqkfYr ). I had had very little to eat that day, and I needed a change of place. Nitecap is friendly, but cool. Carnitas Uruapan is friendly like all-out, down-home family friendly. From the time I walked in on a mid-afternoon Monday until I left, I felt like I was a part of the family. You're family; so you're going to get the best meat. You're family; so you're going to get the best service. You're family; so we're going to keep coming by to make sure you're eating enough and that you're happy. And yes, the carnitas are tasty. I know that others have talked about the different parts of the oinker; I just got the especial with the 1/2 pound of meat, tortillas, chicharrón and a bottle of Jarritos Mandarina. I try not to drink soda pop these days; but sometimes exceptions need to be made for culture's sake. The same is true with the chicharrón. Pork rinds, really? Yes, really, as in really good. I that the last place I had had them (other than from a nasty plastic bag, probably from 7-11 or some truck stop) was Publican, and it felt too much like I was paying too much homage to the hipsters to remember them. Here they were crisp, non-greasy affordable-to-everyone food. The pork was beyond delicious: moist, with browned bits. I did my duty to both the United States of America and the United Mexican States and wrapped the goodness into the plentiful, hot fresh tortillas (they asked me at least twice if I had enough), spooned on some salsa and sighed with appreciation. But a half pound of meat with all the rest for $8.50? Rest was the operative word. That's what I had to go and do next.
(4)Matt C.
Carnitas Uruapan is THE TRUTH. This is the type of place that people who are too scared to explore Pilsen are missing out on. For $7.00 (!) you're treated to a heaping pound of expertly-curated chopped-up pig pieces, skillfully removed from the whole-cooked animal. This meat marvel is served with ultra-fresh tortillas, multiple phenomenal salsa choices, and a heaping helping of chopped cilantro and onion. It's greasy. It's salty. It's messy. It's so damn good. Both times I've been here, they presented some free appetizer, whether chicharron or some new recipe they're trying out. Last time it was pig brain empanadas that were out-of-this-world delicious. Also, if you're not washing all this down with a bottle of Mexican coke, you're doing yourself a disservice. This is far and away one of the finest no-frills Mexican meals in Chicago, and all for the price of a meal at Chipotle. C'mon!
(5)Carlos S.
I would actually give 2.5 stars, the place is filthy. Didn't like that they have meat combined with viscera. The guy is constantly handing carnitas to the customer's bare hamds. The pork shoulder is way to fatty as a meat, yes it's more juicy buy not necesarily better tasting than Lomo. They sell the salsa separately, although cheap. Guacamole has no taste. Would I come back? Probably not. They only take cash.....
(2)Jeffrey C.
First of all, Anthony M.'s review of Carnitas Uruapan is so wholly amazing, you should go read it. Read it now. I was turned on to Carnitas Uruapan by Food Network's Aaron Sanchez, who you may know from Chopped. My historically favorite Food Network show is the lesser known Heatseekers, where Aaron and Roger Mooking go around stuffing the hottest possible things in between their lips. Right now, Chef Aaron is seen hawking tacos on Taco Trip. The show's debut city was Chicago, and Sanchez did indeed visit Carnitas Uruapan. I don't have much more to add to Anthony's review other than noting that everything he writes makes these carnitas sound extra delicious. In addition, Carnitas Uruapan offers a "value meal," which is a half-pound of carnitas (you can pick the cuts or ask for a sample medley), a side of chicharron, and a bottled drink (go Jarritos), all for an astoundingly low $5.99. The half-pound comes out to 4 tacos, which is more than enough for one person. You can also order by the pound or by taco. The former is a great option for group dinners and easily taken to go. The to go option also holds some appeal, as the gentleman slicing your meat up front gives you a handful of tastiness as a sample. Of note, Carnitas Uruapan is a bit of a hike on the far west end of the Pilsen, but has quickly becomes one of my favorites in the area. It's also just off the Pink Line, making it one of the easier places to get to via public transit.
(5)Sidney Z.
Landing at O'Hare at 1:30 and outta there in our rental car by 2:30, we were starving. We "B" lined it straight to the Pilsen district of Chicago to our favorite Mexican restaurant east of the Mississippi - Carnitas Uruapan. We got there late, they were basically sold out of carnitas for the day and we were going to be served the bottom of the barrel leftovers. We said fine. Here's the point to this story: If this was 8 hour old scraps then the rest of the world is in trouble! Our late lunch was fantastic. Warm tortillas, three great chili's, crazy good carnitas and a dose of chicharons to boot, we were having a feast. Eight Fantas later we were five happy campers. This place really is delicious. We paid our thirty dollar tab and hit the road. We are going to try and back here one more time before we leave, but a bit earlier this time, not that it really matters.
(4)Jamie H.
I stopped in one afternoon a few weeks ago and was greeted by three employees and I ordered three tacos and was given a sample of the meat. I was asked if I wanted "just meat" and I wasn't too sure what that meant, so I said yes. There wasn't a really good description of what everything was so I was a little confused. The sample was a nice touch and you get a huge thing of salsa, which was really fresh and tasty. The tacos were excellent and I checked in on Yelp and got a free chicharron - it was HUGE. I'm not a huge fan of chicharron normally, but it wasn't too bad. The tacos were great and there was a lot of meat on it! Definitely stop by if you're in the area!
(4)John C.
Carnitas', its the best ...nothing else to say.i can't wait to order a couple of pounds with family and pig out...you must try this place..careful it's addictive
(5)Ramon L.
Man, this place was such a great surprise. I saw the great yelp reviews at this place and decided to try it out for Sunday lunch. The only thing I knew about this place was that they did pork right, and that was enough for me to head out to Pilsen. When you walk in, the place will look CROWDED. But there seemed to be 2 lines, 1 for dine-in and one for take out. So if you're scared by the wait if you're dining in, it might not be that bad. I was with a party of 3 and I had to wait around 20-25 minutes, so yeah you'll have to wait a bit. But they were nice enough to give us free cheese and potato tacos while we waited in line. The restaurant is small and pretty cozy, but the line moved relatively fast. Once you get seated, service is lightning fast where you get your corn tortillas, salsas, and food within 5 minutes. And even though it's fast service, the wait staff were still sweethearts. The food really took this place to the next level. It's a small menu, but everything we got was SO GOOD. We got 1 pound of mixed carnitas meat, cactus salad, 3 pork brain tacos, and free chicharons with yelp checkin. The carnitas was really good with the corn tortillas (which are free and unlimited btw!) and cactus salad. Juicy and tender. The cactus salad was tasty and had a great bite. The pork brain tacos were nice and spicy. The chicharons were not too hard and flavorful. But really the most amazing thing was the price of the food. Meal for 3 for $18 with great food and service. There is a bit of a wait, but this is really as good as it gets.
(5)LJ D.
Carnitas are juicy and delicious! Quick service once you get past the line outside the door. Took 1 lb home for some of the best tacos I've ever had!
(5)George R.
Stop by here for Lunch around 2pm , waitress took care of us right away ( 2 thumbs up) . Placed an order for two value meals includes chicharon, 1/2lb of carnitas and a drink . The man at the from desk tells us there's only bits left , they where sold out! .they where able to make us one combo with what was left , and took good care of us. They brought us a side of guacamole, and a plate of chicharon guisado (DELICIOUS). Hands down I've tried numerous carnitas places around Pilsen but this one tops all of them. The guacamole is fresh the salsas are great. Will defiantly come by here as soon as I can not to mention the hospitality was on point
(5)Belle L.
Excellent value for $$ and a heavy brunch. A mom and pop place, limited seating and easily gets crowded. MY $6.50 BRUNCH: BRAIN TACOS -- 2 deep fried tacos per order. One of the few who has it. 1/2 LB OF CARNITAS -- serves 2. You get a choice of which part of the pork you want. BOTTOMLESS COFFEE -- Folgers with Cinnamon, the Mexican way. Yay! FREE SIDES -- 2 tubs of Salsas, 1 big tub of picked carrots and peppers, corn tortillas. It's great that there are still some freebies out there. CARAMEL LOLLIPOPS -- free with paid bill. *smile* TO OWNERS -- please install a sliding window at the front of storefront for take outs. Re-arrange tables and chairs for additional seating. Minimize (height instead of width) or eliminate supply table due to limited space. Consolidate coffee and ice maker with supply station.
(5)Rachel P.
Small spot with great pork, which is good since that's all they serve. Skin, shoulder, belly, and rib, sold by the 1/2 lb. There are a few tables for sit-down service, and a very popular take-out counter. I've seen the line double back on itself on a weekend! You can order tacos or the meat by weight and get tortillas and salsa to go for make-your-own, which is what I did. Reasonably priced, though they are not open in the evenings past 5 which is a real bummer!
(4)Davin L.
Sometimes when you want great food, you have to distill it down to its core. And that's exactly what they do here. The menu is as simple and straightforward as it gets: carnitas of your cut choice at $7.00/lb or $2.50/taco, frijoles, chicharrones and cactus salad. That's it. No fancy ingredients, no catchy hook or gimmick, just plain simple food from Michocan. And good Lord, it is amazingly delicious. I came on a Saturday morning and was greeted by a young girl at the counter who told me to sit anywhere. It's a very cozy interior, meaning it fills up fast when people get hungry for good authentic Mexican pork and coolers with Jarritos in the back. I decided on three tacos, one from the shoulder, one from the belly, and one from the loin. They were all delicious and juicy, with the pork loin taco being particularly tasty, with the skin of the pig still on the meat. I also got a free order of chicharrones, or fried pork skin, with a check in. It's not healthy for you at all, but it's a very tasty snack. I recommend coming early for breakfast on the weekend, as they also feature crispy tacos with potato, which I am a fan of after the girl offered me one for free when I asked what they were. So tasty. Mucho gusto!
(5)Jesus G.
Was there this past weekend and omg.. I was not disappointed!! The carnitas are seriously the best I've ever had in Chicago. The chicharron was also amazing, very soft and crunchy. While I was waiting in line I got a 'taco dorado' for free and a piece of carnitas to try. The staff were very attentive and one of the guys that works there noticed that I was checking in on Yelp and offered the "free side of chicharron". I didnt experience the crazy crowd but I was there around 1pm which might have been the reason for that. I enjoyed the carnitas so much that we are getting them catered for my mom's bday next weekend! Kind of pricey ($7.99/lb) but they are worth every penny!
(5)Michelangelo V.
Honest reviews: best carnitas in chicago im mexican so ive tried them all hands down the best supper tender and flavorable not greesy or to salty make sure u get the skin thats the best parr the salsa is delicous get it the beans are delicous the chicahran are the best in all of chicago also get the brain tacos ik its weird sounds disguisting but its the best thing youll ever eat trust me ambiance n location isnt the best but best mexican food in chicago u wont be disappointed
(5)Carlos V.
Great carnitas. Stopped in and got a fresh batch fresh of the cazuela. Love the free samples
(4)Temo F.
Phenomenal!!! Great atmosphere, great service. I've been coming here for years now and i have never been disappointed.
(5)Big D.
Great place for real fresh carnitas. Very affordable for the family and extremely friendly service. Only downside is that its cash only. Try the chipotle sauce, very good.
(5)Mike M.
No frills. Get the carnitas by the pound. They come with tortillas and three kinds of hot sauces. You can get cactus salad ( if you've never had, try it), chicharron, beans, and other sides by the pound or gallon. Make your own tacos. The pork ( the carnitas, if you still didn't know what they were) come either all beef or beef with the soft, fatty part of the pig. Best darn carnitas in the city. Come by and have some and tell all your friends. They'll thank you later.
(5)Tom B.
Phenomenal. The best carnitas I have ever had, literally. Incredible. I can't believe an establishment like this exists. Best customer service I've experienced in a long time - possibly the best customer service in Chicago. Scratch that, possibly the best in America. Guys behind the counter are friendly, caring, considerate, hand out free samples, and genuinely care about what you think of their food. To that point, their food does not disappoint. The ridiculously inexpesive Carnitas are salty, succulent, and fried to perfection. The Chicharrons are Dyn-A-Mite! The perfect accompaniment to the Carnitas and even more excellent with a side of guacamole. I can't stop by raving about this place if you couldn't tell by this review.
(5)Jeannette C.
Pork fat Rules....I love carnitas they're so bad for you but oh so delicious. There's a place around the corner from this place that I used to go to. There is no comparison the carnitas here are fresh and tender. The cuerito is soft and not rubbery like at other places. I'm glad I don't live close by or I'd be in trouble. But if the owner reads this please open a place up on the north side.
(5)Keoni H.
This place was absolutely amazing! Ive been searching for a place like this since I moved from Los Angeles! The service we had was flawless. The server we had was super sweet, patient, and helpful! I can't wait to bring all my friends to this place. The deep fried tacos, menudo, carnitas, and chicharron was absolutely DELICIOUS! Of course, everything was washed down with a glass bottled Coca Cola and topped off with a caramel lollipop on the way out! We went for lunch but we might just have to go back for dinner! LOL Thanks Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant!
(5)David V.
Was just there this sunday for take out carnitas and menudo. Love this place again again will always come back
(5)Samantha G.
Finally found a place to get my carnitas fix!!! The food was incredibly cheap, with huge portions. Recommend getting just the meat portion when ordering carnitas (I'm not too crazy about the skin). We also got the spicy cactus salad, beans, menudo, and the FREE chicharon (yelp special). I guess they were pretty much done with selling the menudo, as the waitress told me she had to warm up a bowl for me (I got there late afternoon). It was a little lukewarm but ok. I can only imagine how amazing it usually is when it comes out piping hot early in the morning. They ran out of the crispy tacos when we got there, so that'll be something to look forward to. All this food, with 3 sodas, came out to less than $30!!! Came out satisfied, with a doggie bag of tomorrow's lunch!
(4)Yami L.
I am so sorry to be the bear of bad news. In my opinion the place had a lot of issues. 1) We walk in and the waitress's stare at us like deer in the headlights. 2) Once we walked towards the tables we were told to sit wherever. 3) Once we sat all the salsas were rushed to our table and we were bombarded with questions of what we wanted to order. 4) after we order the plates were almost being thrown on the table almost being stacked if we didn't catch them. 5) At one point they shoved a plate in my face because I was looking away from the waitress In my opinion they could of had side orders to add to the meals for example guacamole, cheese, sour cream ect. It was just a disappointing experience and the food was flavorless and cold. The owner was attentive and the salsas were good in flavor, these two reasons are why this place gets 1 star.
(1)Antonio r.
This spot is a gem. I met the owner and have been meaning to come here a while ago. Finally made it and I have to say the meat is so well prepared. So good and tender. Love that they have all kinds of pig parts for me to try. The pork belly they had was a new thing for me since it was prepared differently than what I'm used to it but I was tasty especially when you add it you some other pieces of lean meat. I was very pleased with service and oh the refried beans actually tasted like something. It was seasoned well and made every bite perfect. I usually avoid it but this one was fresh and had some sazon or something in it lol. Get the chicharrones too. With some hot sauce, it's the perfect snack or crunchy compliment to your meal.
(4)Eric C.
Dear Carnitas Uruapan, Thanks for welcoming my friends and me to your wonderful establishment. Thanks for making us feel like we were part of your family with your generous and pleasant service. Thanks for giving us those deliciously light and crispy tacos de papa as a free appetizer as we waited greedily for our food. Thanks for giving me a huge swab of chicharron to take on my flight home. (I'm eating some as I type this.) And most importantly, thanks for that fucking fantastic unctuous delight you allowed me to stuff in my face repeatedly until I was more than satiated. And you never judged me. I love you. Love, - Me
(5)Tom T.
Pork Carnitas were excellent, owner and staff were extremely friendly.
(5)Karen D.
What an amazing little gem! Oh so tasty. Our waitress was an utter delight and attentive as ever. She knew exactly what we needed, before we needed it. We couldn't finish up the pound of pork we ordered so she boxed it up along with a few other surprises we found when we had leftovers the next evening. I can't wait to bring 2 lbs of succulent carnitas home next time we go!
(5)Michael C.
The two CORDOVA brothers in the kitchen are handsome ;) the food is delisssssshhh! The people are nice, the place is decorated as a carnitas place should be:)
(5)Mario A.
I went there expecting a delicious meal after reading Yelp reviews and was very disappointed , it was a Thursday mid day and asked for Nopales and other items but only carnitas were available . After ordering we looked over to see the guy grabbing and cutting the meat with his bare hands putting the dried meat on the bottom and the good meat on top of that . We refused the meat and explained why Handling the food with bare hands is bad enough but his unkempt appearance further repulsed us. We called them on it and his response was that's how he always did it. We quickly left and if I had time I'd call the health department ,
(1)Sharon S.
Ordered food & when I glanced at man preparing plate, was Shocked that he was pulling pork with bare hands & putting pork on plate. felt like gagging...unreal--no gloves & when I called him on it he said he has always done it that way. where is health department?? don't know how anyone would eat there! that's what I saw--what is done when no one Is watching??? left immediately..Think twice before eating there.
(1)Evelyn P.
The best carnitas I've ever had. This place is tiny, so you're lucky if you find a seat and there's usually a line out the door, but THEY'RE WORTH IT.
(5)Vince A.
It's Sunday and I'm passing through Pilsen. Ask the lady at Nuevo Leon Bakery where we can get carnitas and they recommend this place. It's a half block away so away we go and find a long line waiting for carnitas. We are given a complimentary taco dorado de papas and it's good but needed hot sauce. We order a container of refried beans and 2 lbs of carnitas - I check in via yelp and get free chicharron. The beans were fine, just not the best I've had. The carnitas had too much white meat in the mix and the chicharron was fine. Overall I wouldn't make a special trip but certainly would stop again if in the area.
(3)Araceli R.
carnnitas uruapan the best in chicago staff is nice just get there early they make the best carnitas cactus salad refried beans chicharron and they take only cash
(5)The Truth ..
The best carnitas in the city of Chicago. Enough said.
(5)D R.
$7 for a pound of meat, you cant go bad with that. the only thing is to get there in the morning anything after 12 is just no good anymore, so i recommed if you go really early. this place gets packed quite so finding a table might be a hassle. but it is a very good place to get carnitas
(4)Kristy M.
This is another gem in Pilsen. When we walked in we were both given a sample of the carnitas. We got the value meal and it was more than enough food for $5.99. It was great and the salsas were very spicy! I will definitely go back!
(5)Brenda C.
Whenever I have guests over I bring them here for carnitas. The waitress are always nice and also funny. The owners are laid back and friendly. And the food....the carnitas, OMGawd. It is amazeballs! I always have one of eveything! The ensalada de nopales is a must when ordering. Plan to get here early as this is the best place to be at for carnitas. I always try to make it when it's not that busy that way I get a table. We're a family a four plus guests well its pretty scarce to find a table our size. This place is small so it fills up quick. They have recently remodeled and I must say it's looking pretty good. Can't wait to see how this place evolves. Best of luck to this restaurant. They deserve it.
(5)Lizz R.
Order everything so full of flavors so amazing !!
(5)Liz J.
Went here 15 minutes before they closed and they were closing the doors...whomp whomp. But the owner applogized and gave me his card. I was surprised by his professionalism. Even though we didn't get to eat it still was a good experience! Also tip GO EARLY if you wanna eat.
(5)Erika R.
Love Love Love this place!!!!! The food was amazing the service was even better. Don't let the long lines discourage you from going on the weekends. They really have a fast and friendly system that gets you in out and fed!
(5)Julieta C.
A heavenly blast from my past!! Just as I remember it from my teenage years in the 80's!! Thanks Carnitas Uruapan for helping me impress my date! He absolutely fell in love as soon as we opened the door and it smelled crazy Good! We quickly picked a table and the waitress was ready to take our order - 1 lb carnitas, Tortillas, beans, chicharron and jarittos! We loved the quick and friendly service too! Gracias!!
(5)Kwan C.
Delicious, awesome carnitas and salsas and peppers and chicharonnes, and best of all great service. First time there and we will definitely be back. loved the hospitality and the waitress was awesome and treated our daughters like their own. Thanks for the yummy food!
(5)Joie M.
I have a strict rule regarding any restaurant that only serves one thing. In short, it is this - I must try that one thing as soon as I can get my grubby paws on it, as it is almost always fabulous. The carnitas here is no exception to this rule - skip the single tacos and just get a pound of the delicious, tender, juicy pig meat that is worth every bit of the low, low price you will pay for it. Wrap up your carnitas in the hot tortillas and choose one of the accompanying salsas to add some heat, maybe smear on some refried beans if you are feeling crazy. So damn tasty, plus everyone who works here is friendly and helpful, whether you are dining in the small restaurant space or carrying out your porky treat. This place is worthy of as many stars as I can heap upon it.
(5)Tommy C.
I now live in Utah. There is nothing here to compare with the great tasting carnitas from this establishment. These are the best tasting carnitas, IMO. I remember eating here when this place first opened in the 1970's. I make sure to eat there when I am return home for a visit.
(5)Veronica S.
Another great place in Pilsen for carnitas. Affordable, friendly staff, delicious food. They'll give you a sample if you want to try something before buying it. During the busy times we get their food to go and it never disappoints. Like at Don Pedros farther down 18th Street, we've eaten the food served here more times than I can count and we will continue to for many years to come. Cash only, so come prepared.
(5)Kevin L.
legit
(5)Darryl H.
Everything I read on about Carnitas Uruapan was true. Arrived at 930am and there was already a line. Was handed a potato taco while we waited, then a napkin full of carnitas before we ordered. 1.5lb of carnitas, 1lb of nopales salad, 2 dozen tortillas and we were set. Great food, will be back soon
(5)Kerry D.
I have a student who works here and kept badgering me to show up one weekend, so I did. The first time we went, they were flush out of food. The second time we went, they nearly were. So, a note: show up early on the weekends. However, once I got my hands on the food, I was in for a treat... especially never having had carnitas before. Little did I know that less than a mile from my house was pork heaven. Aside from not having had to pay for our food because my student insisted on comping it (thanks!), we got a hefty pound of carnitas (after having been given nice-sized samples), some pico de gallo and fresh tortillas to take home for a post-gym meal. The meat was incredible- savory, tender and perfectly cooked. We will definitely return to fork over whatever they want for what we had last time- which I have no doubt is not a huge sum.
(4)Steve F.
I decided to take my teenage son out for lunch today down in the city, so we decided on Uruapan and it did not disappoint. The sad thing is I have worked near the Pilsen neighbourhood for a year or so and never hit this place, we'll that will now change after today!! Great food at unbelievable prices, it is a must stop if your in the area.
(5)B C.
There are some really friendly people at Carnitas Uruapan, probably because they've mastered cooking pork. I stopped in for a lunch break during my Sunday jog, and the guy working at the chopping block immediately handed me a free sampler bundle of pork to try out. Then I got two carnitas tacos for $2.50 each. I've had this place on my to-do list for nearly a year and it lived up to my expectations. The decorations are a little unusual with cartoon murals of pigs cooking other pigs and some unsettling festival masks. It's supposedly the city's best carnitas place, and while they don't have much variety (it's all pork, as far as I could tell), they're the best at that one thing.
(4)Picky C.
I went here with my mother and grandmother whom dont really like carnitas because don rafa and don pedro have been disappointing us lately. However for just 10 dollars all three of us were full. We got 1lb 3 drinks and the staff gave us all free tacos dorados. My family came out full and no longer disappointed
(5)Ariana E.
Damn this place is cheap, good and has great service. I went in today for the first time to try the carnitas tacos and was amazed. I got two huge tacos for $2.50 each and this includes the tax. Man, were the tacos good. I really like that before I placed my order they gave me a sample of the meat without even asking. Will come here again. Enjoy!
(5)JL S.
Fanatics carnitas..no frills place with limited seating..cash only and it gets especially busy on weekends..family run place with superb service. Fried potato tacos on the weekends and also brain tacos.. Sound weird but they're actually very good and in high demand on weekends..
(4)Judy W.
About as authentic as it gets. The owner is also super laid back and awesome. Read a full review and interview with the owner at: thehungrylearner.com/aut…
(5)Ryan B.
Great Carnitas. Great service! I'm from Los Angeles where there is Mexican food everywhere. I would come back here if I lived closer!! I highly recommend 2 lbs of Carnitas, because you are going to love it!
(4)Charlene A.
When we went I had to wait in line but it was oh so worth it! They rolled out a cart full of fresh carnitas ready to be broken down into pieces & packaged up for us. While you patiently wait in line they give you pieces of steaming carnitas & it reminds you that it is worth the wait!! I also got 1lb of fresh chicharron. Yum!!!!
(4)Nisa D.
LOVE LOVE this place, if you want great crispy and flavorful carnitas this is the place. Hey they even give you a sample before you buy but trust me this carnitas are money! If your in the neighborhood definetly check them out.
(5)Patrick J.
Good. Fast. Cheap. Take that Jim Jarmusch. You order pork by the pound. They provide hot tortillas and delicious salsa. Help yourself to the Jarritos in the case. That's all you need to know. The limited hours are the only drawback.
(5)Tim H.
Carnitas Uruapan was good, but not the type of thing I am used to. They don't give you a menu b/c I think Carnitas is their only dish! They just ask you how many pounds you want. The newness of the dish to me probably prevents me from fully appreciating what they do. The meats is served with two types of salsa, corn tortillas, and the meat. Service is friendly. The pork is juicy and similar to what you would find if having a Chinese or Hawaiian roasted pig. The other reviews give some details on how to order and I am glad I read those reviews before arriving. Not sure if I ended up getting one pound or two pounds of pork....whatever I ordered was enough to feed the three of us. The pork plus 3 Jarritos costed us $15. Definitely a good value for the qty of food. They do one dish here, and they do that dish well. I just wish I could get some other reference points to compare their version to.
(4)EJ P.
I will go back to Tampa dreaming of these carnitas. This is exactly what a taco should be. Tender, perfectly roasted pork that is neither salty nor over-seasoned. Corn tortillas (they don't make them fresh here, this place is all about the pork), carnitas, cilantro, onion, a touch of their house salsa. There could be a mugger right next to me putting a gun to my head and it wouldn't matter, because I would be eating pure heaven.
(5)Agnes F.
yum o! Step 1, grab a seat (if you can) Step 2, order pounds of meat (i find one pound perfectly enough for 2 ppl), i like it with everything (stomach, ear, skin and tongue) Step 3, proceed to make delicious tacos with tasty salsa and pickled jalapenos Step 4, go home happy and content
(5)Art P.
A tip o' the cap to Carolynne R. for already explaining the process of making carnitas in her review. I've just now uploaded a photo of Carnitas Uruapan's kitchen, so that you see her description in slow-simmering action. Being from Mexico City, my dad is hesitant to jump on any "we're heading our for excellent carnitas" bandwagons. But, after a trip to Carnitas Uruapan, he'll be happy to jump on anything that gets him there again. And that... is as good a review as it can get. Some notes: - One orders carnitas by the pound whether dining-in or taking-out, for about $7 per pound. - They'll ask you if you want your carnitas "mixta," which means "with meat, skin and ear"... so just say no if you want all meat. - If you're dining in, know that Carnitas Uruapan doesn't serve alcohol and has no sodas which begin with the word "Diet." - Oh, and those empanadas-looking items they also offer? They're stuffed with cesos. Cesos are beef brains, so know what you're ordering.
(5)Jose G.
Carnitas Uruapan serve some of the best carnitas in town. They come out fresh several times a day so you're never stuck with old meat or left-overs. The tacos dorados are also delish, my favorite being the potato tacos. I highly recommend Carnitas Uruapan for anybody looking for some tasty pork at a good price with great service to boot.
(5)Ernesto R.
If you are looking for carnitas and great Mexican food then this is the place. Not only is the food amazing but it is reasonably priced. They specialize in carnitas which is a Mexican weekend staple and is pork cooked in its own fat (awesome). You can also get their Menudo, another mexican weekend special. Well, I'll stop typing now since I feel like going there now.
(5)David C.
Just as I remembered, the very best. Carnitas are $6.50 a pound. I ordered a pound of mixtas and when I saw the massive plate of meat, I thought, "There is no way I can finish that." Ten minutes later, carnitas gone. A pound of carnitas and a Jarritos, $8. Best deal ever. Excellent chipotle salsa. They are closed one random day of the week, Thursday. A couple years ago, when I was living in San Francisco, a friend of mine tried to come here, drove by, and saw that it was shuttered. He told me the place had closed down, which made me very sad. He drove by on Thursday.
(5)Crystal T.
Although this place doesn't compare to the tacos they have back in LA, I still really like this place. This might be due to my month-long deprivation of proper Mexican food but after being slightly hungover from Thanksgiving and waking up at 5 to go Black Friday shopping with a friend, she suggested going to Pilsen to this place after hearing that I had been craving tacos and spicy food. I was not disappointed. Especially with the price. Between the two of us, we devoured the 1 pound of carnitas that came with tortillas and three types of very spicy salsa and jalapeno peppers. Being the biggest spicy food enthusiast, I doused my carnitas in all that spicy goodness and I have to say that this place has captured my heart in terms of carnitas. I've never been a big fan of pork until this place. Although the meat is a little dryer than what I am used to, it does the job when you're craving carnitas or just tacos in general. The guys serving us were very nice and made sure we had enough salsa and tortillas. The owner is also very nice and would offer samples to his customers when they wait for a to-go order of carnitas. The menu is limited but it's a nice low-key place that gets the job done! If you're looking for an upscale restaurant, this is not the place for you. The appearance might be off-putting for some people but for others looking for a simple and wholesome grub, this is it.
(3)Frank Q.
Carnitas, Carnitas, Carnitas. Carnitas by the pound, fresh tortillas, salsa, chicharone by the pound, pretty much your standard. Sit down and stay awhile or just line up and make your way up to the front of the line for takeout where you have a guy cutting whatever part of the pig you need in the front window. Try some skin and tounge, I think they have brain. He'll give you some meat to snack on while you wait and ask him any questions you have. Shout out to Pilsen for this great spot. Wish it was closer to home or someone would just open a spot with this much flavor closer to home. But at least you can take the highway to 18th and drive West just past Ashland Ave and you're there. Sundays get a little crazy here so make sure you have some extra time.
(5)Angie B.
We were in the mood for carnitas and wanted to try somewhere other than Don Pedro. After reading all the awesome reviews we headed out to find this place. We were lucky and found parking right in front of the shop. We were warmly greeted when we came in. The line was not long and there were a lot of people sitting down to eat. We got samples while we waited and my daughter got a paleta from the owner. I ordered some chicharron and he asked me to try it before i buy it. The chicharron was great! The carnitas were good (not too greasy) and they were very accomodating to my order. They are definitely on my good list.
(4)Aaron A.
Here's the deal. No matter where you are in Chicago- this is well worth the trip to go here. It's very tasty and authentic. You are greeted with a smile and a good dose of Spanish the second you walk in. The man cutting the carnitas behind the counter will serve you a nice sample of the meat. Take a seat and the servers bring you the carnival along with pipen hot tortillas. They also provide two kinds of salsa and pickled whole jalapenos. It runs about $12 for two people. It is such a great and pleasing experience. You've just been yelped in.
(5)Maria M.
I am a big fan of Carnitas. I love that fatty and juicy pork meat. I foud out about this place here. (thanks to YELP!) It is low key and cheap. ORDER BY THE POUND, and then the server will put all the condiments you want. Don't forget to try their "menudo" if you're a fan. It is pretty yummy too!
(5)Dan W.
Authentic. Within minutes my table had two pounds of delicious "carnitas," onions, cilantro, two salsas, pickled jalapenos and tortillas. The meat is only $7 a pound and it is the best, most tender, delicious meat you can imagine. Amazing tacos if you are in the mood for something authentic. I can't wait to go back to try some of the more interesting meat options. A must-try.
(4)Carolynne M.
For those who aren't familiar, carnitas, which literally translates to "little meats," is a very well known and beloved pork dish in Mexico. Basically it is marinated pork simmered in pots until tender and crisp, then served in chunks with tortillas, onion and cilantro salsa, a spicy red sauce, and marinated jalapeno peppers. I love this place. It is so cheap, the people working are so nice and the pork is succulent and incredibly delicious. We paid $12 for a pound of carnitas & 3 bottles of Jarritos which is enough for two people to eat until you almost burst. There is supposedly a cactus salad that is offered, but I have never had it, nor have I ever had the chicharron. But based on the reviews posted it seems like these other offerings are going to rock as well.
(5)Joan M.
Roast pork! Being a filipino, I know good pork when i find it. This place does not mess around. slow roast pork dripping with juicy fatty porky goodness. They don't waste any part of the pig, its all here. I only gave it 4 stars because its impossible to come here during the week if you work a 9-5 since the pork is gone by 4:30 usually. Such a tease...
(4)atrack b.
I was hungry and broke. This place fed me for two days on only seven bucks. Really tasty pork and warm tortillas. Do go here if you're in the area.
(4)Jared J.
Sad to see only 2 Reviews for this place. I think it was written up in Time Out awhile back, prompting us to go. I've been about 8 times now. Being from Southern Califormia, I've had my share of carnitas, and know what it should be like. This place does it the best in the city, albeit I haven't conquered all of Pilsen yet. It's family owned, and all they do is pork- carnitas and chicharones. Operates like a taqueria, so service isn't even an issue. I dined in on a weekend once, and there was literally a steady stream of 6-10 locals grabbing it to go for the entire 30 minutes I was there. I hop the blue line from work downtown (its right off the 18th st stop), order 1-2 pounds with some buddies, and they bring out tortillas, salsa, and the meat. Its like $7 a pound. We usually get one pound mixed (Mitze?) which includes very fatty parts and other parts that some people might not wish to try. 1 pound feeds two dudes. I'll often order a pound on the way out to take home (keep in mind, good carnitas is pretty greasy). It's not the best carnitas I've ever had, but its very well done. Excellent even. Definitely worth the trip down there, and easy to get to driving or El.
(5)Yo U.
I don't think that the carnitas here are exceptional. If offered a choice, I'd pick Don Pedro Carnitas over Carnitas Uruapan. Bear in mind, of course, that what I don't know about carnitas could fill an encyclopedia. Carnitas Uruapan is cash only and it's affordable.
(3)Slu S.
We had the chicharones here. Despite some massive miscommunications, the fried pork skin was ultratasty. Unfortunately, we were roped into buying an entire pound. We prompty lost a bet intentionally where the stakes was the giant chicharon (minus two bite sized chunks). Of course, I didn't know that Skeletor was He-man's nemesis.;)
(3)Liz R.
The best carnitas in the world! They are perfectly cooked, seasoned, and always fresh out of the cazo. I've been going to this place practically since I was born. My family lived in Pilsen in the 80's and we've been going there since I can remember. Never have I been disappointed by Uruapan's food. Not only are the carnitas delcious, but also their chicharron, beans, fried tacos, and nopales salad are yummy! Like other reviewers mentioned, you order the carnitas by the pound and you can choose if you want them mixed, just maciza (leaner meat), boronas (bits and small chunks that are very well done), cuerito (fatty pork skin-must try!), etc. I always order boronas because they're packed with flavor. Their salsa is good, not very spicy. Drinks consist of bottled or canned pop, coffee, or water. I definitely think that this place is a must for anyone in Chicago!
(5)alex k.
This place is killer. Delicious, cheap lunch. Beware - only 3 things on the menu on weedays! It's ok, all you need is 1.
(5)