Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Carnitas El Tio

    4.1 (31 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Carnitas El Tio Photos

    CARNITAS EL TIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Carnitas El Tio

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Asada tacos
    Tyson G.

    We were on our way to Palm springs and just needed a quick bite so we pulled up yelp and went to this place. They did not disappoint. It was AMAZING! The food was great and the people were super nice. They only take cash so be ready for that. This is a must hit that is awesome food for a great price.

    See all

    Photo of Robert C.
    5
    149
    485

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Been coming here for years first it was the original Tio now he's son always great food and great prices I luv their menudo give it try!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Art B.
    9
    21
    17

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Wow, these are the best carnitas in town! Willing to be proven wrong! ‍ Legitimate Mexican food, no TexMex , thanks but not thanks!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Honestly getting a plate after being hung over with fresh tortillas most definitely hits the spot !

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Fire. Pozole with a gang of meat and Carnitas on a family Sunday , not dry or hard and real flavor like abuelo made it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe S.
    3
    36
    11

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Really good carnitas I wish they had a bit more variety with the salsa but other than that the carnitas are bomb limon y sal with some salsa

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Donn M.
    12
    13
    2

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Always a favorite everything is always fresh daily!!menudo,caldo de res,carnitas is ther specialty but I like it all !!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Love the tacos cueritos and carnitas mix ,plus everyone is very friendly,good food all around.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Really good Carnitas tacos. The location is pretty much a glorified taco stand but the tacos were still good.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Moses M.
    12
    30
    35

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Oscar R.
    25
    18
    15

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Moises M.
    36
    14
    11

    10 years ago

    My family I have made coming here a Sunday tradition. The delicious pozole and tacos we carnitas. Always greater by the owner

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    I've been coming to this place since the 90s same guy cooking el famoso tio besides that its bomb

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Had a Chicken Burrito. It was good for the price. Did not have to wait to long to be served and the servers were polite.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Best carnitas tacos and the pozole is sooo delicious Btw they serve pozole everyday so Is worth driving half hour to this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dora G.
    0
    10
    11

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Carnitas El Tio Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Carnitas El Tio

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 503,570 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    antojitos los cuates

    antojitos los cuates

    4.6
    (54 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    If you're craving authentic antojitos from Ciudad Guzmán in the southern region of Jalisco,…read moreAntojitos Los Cuates in Compton is absolutely worth the drive. As someone who grew up enjoying the flavors of Jalisco, I had been yearning for the famous raspadas--large homemade tostadas--and the variety of traditional antojitos that are so popular back home. My family and I decided to give this place a try, so we made the drive all the way from Riverside County to Compton, and I can honestly say we were not disappointed. This is a small, family-owned restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food tastes homemade, just like the meals your mamá would make in Jalisco. You can tell that every dish is prepared with care, tradition, and pride. We ordered the tostadas, tortas ahogadas, and tacos duros, and every item was packed with authentic flavor. Unfortunately, we arrived around 3:30 PM and missed out on the pozole because they had already sold out for the day. That alone tells me it's a favorite among their customers, so I highly recommend arriving early if you're hoping to try it. The service was excellent, and despite the restaurant being very busy, the staff remained friendly and attentive. Keep in mind that this is a small family-run establishment, so your food may take a little longer to arrive. However, that's because everything is made fresh to order, and the quality is well worth the wait. Places like this are becoming harder to find. If you're looking for authentic flavors from Jalisco and want to support a hardworking family business, Antojitos Los Cuates is a hidden gem that deserves a visit. We'll definitely be back. A little taste of Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, right here in Southern California.

    Tostadas (raspadas) de lomo estilo cuidad Guzmán Jalisco! If you know you know. Local family owned…read morebusiness which is always a plus. Parking wasnt difficult on a Saturday mid day. You can park on the main street or there's a small parking spot behind the business. Prices are a bit pricey. $17-$19 for enchiladas and tostadas. If your in the area differently check this place out.

    Photos
    Food on counter collecting bacterial
    Food on counter collecting bacterial
    antojitos los cuates
    antojitos los cuates

    See all

    Balam Mexican Kitchen

    Balam Mexican Kitchen

    4.7
    (800 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I stopped in here today as I'd seen that they were open. The…read morerestaurant has a very interesting name enough to peak my interest so I'm glad I stopped. The tacos were incredible, extremely fresh. I had a shrimp taco that was served with a medley of grilled vegetables and it had just enough crunch. It was LOADED with plenty of shrimp. The Korean Asada had a different unique flavor and I would definitely order both tacos again The ambience was great, and everybody working had a smile on their face, and the music was great. Overall, some of the most unique interesting flavors I've had. Thanks Chendo! I'll definitely be back. Wishing this place all good things

    This place is just great! Its ambiance is very traditional and they have special flavors that…read moreyou'll end up craving. Their barbacoa is wonderful, really juicy, and I love that they garnish with pickled red onion. I also tried their Tinga Masala, yes that's chicken tinga cooked in curry! It wowed me, it tasted so good! Their tortillas are hechas a mano, handmade corn tortillas which made it even better. Definitely going back, gonna try their burritos next time! I'm just shocked I overlooked this spot, I live really close and they just opened a coffee stand in the same spot which I also recommend! All the staff are friendly and lively, they were very nice to chat to!

    Photos
    Cute Patio
    Cute Patio
    Barbacoa Taco
    Barbacoa Taco
    From the same makers of the best menudo in Lynwood and Compton- The Michelada- is very tasty and refreshing!!

    See all

    From the same makers of the best menudo in Lynwood and Compton- The Michelada- is very tasty and refreshing!!
    Ancestros

    Ancestros

    4.7
    (184 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    Love any place that gives free chips and salsa! I got the sope trio and it was good - but I'm more…read moreof a taco/enchilada person so I'll need to come back to try them. The establishment was clean and spacious. Service though really stood out. Everyone was so welcoming and accommodating. I didn't even notice my cup had a chip but the server (ugh - I forgot to get his name) saw it quickly and switched it out. That is attention to detail that anyone else would have missed. I will definitely return!

    We came right before noon on a weekend. There was no wait to sit down but the parking lot was still…read morefull since it's so small and many other locations have spots blocked off. That is the downside of this place: parking. It's in a center with a lot of great places so you may want to find street parking before coming in that's mostly what gave the star rating for this in addition to the food taking a while to get to the table. They bring out chips and salsa which was great since they will take a while to get your food. Other tables that would come in later would get their food sooner. I got the green chilaquiles thinking it would come out sooner but it was the very last thing to arrive. My partner got their food before mine and I still sat there as other tables for their chilaquiles first. It took about 20 min get our food. The chips and salsa they give table side are tasty. Don't eat too much of it esp if you get the chilaquiles since it's a lot of chips. The salsa is not spicy at all! My partner got the Birria omelette. It was pretty good but the egg itself was a bit overcooked. It was a strange combination but the Birria was tasty by itself. He would come back to try the meat in a taco. Could have used some sort of lighter element. Everything was too savory on the plate. The plate was screaming for something fresh on it. The cafe the olla was so good. A little on the sweet side but that is what is is. The chilaquiles were good too. I would say maybe add more salsa or get something else because it was way too much chips. This is def something you would share for the table a not got for yourself. I would come back to try something without chips. It's really cute inside. So well decorated but I can see how they can have a wait if it fills up since it got fully crowded while we waiting for the long wait to get out food.

    Photos
    Interior, tortilla holders
    Interior, tortilla holders
    Very tasty chicken tamale with salsa verde, super moist and flavorful. They don't skimp on the meat.
    Very tasty chicken tamale with salsa verde, super moist and flavorful. They don't skimp on the meat.
    Taquitos de papa

    See all

    Taquitos de papa
    Top Shelf Tacos

    Top Shelf Tacos

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    7.4 mi
    $$

    This review is mostly based on customer service. Service to me is almost always more important than…read morethe food itself. Haven't been here in a while. They had a food truck parked out front. We asked if they had any plant-based or vegan options. They only sold burgers however the lady that helped us was very sweet, polite, and kind. She told what they had and what we could order inside instead. We walked in and the gentleman named Oscar G. cashed us out. He was also very friendly! Very professional and knowledgeable about the menu and non-dairy items. Provided us with what we needed right away, the container for the salsa and brought out fresh ones for me. Very nice guy. The food came out right away. The portions were big in my opinion. The prices were decent, the portion was great, and best of all the service was good. Their self-serve condiments was a PLUS! I've been to a lot of taco spots and these were by far the freshest and crispiest cucumbers, fresh cold salsa, onions and cilantro was also fresh. The food was good and filled us up. It was simple but fulfilling. Will definitely be back and highly recommend it. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor seats as well.

    I stopped by Top Shelf Tacos in Carson on Taco Tuesday, where tacos were only $2 each. At that…read moreprice, it was easy to try a little bit of everything. I ordered the asada, carnitas, al pastor, tripas, cabeza, and lengua. The asada was tender with a nice grilled flavor, but my favorites were definitely the tripas and cabeza. Both were a little greasy, but in a good way--they had a lot of flavor and were probably the standouts of the meal for me. One thing I liked was the condiment bar. You can load up your tacos with as much onion and cilantro as you want, plus they have radishes and lime wedges available. They also offer two salsas, a red and a green. Both tasted good and had solid flavor, although I was hoping for a little more heat. Overall, it's a solid taco spot, especially on Taco Tuesday. Good variety of meats, reasonable prices, and plenty of toppings to customize your tacos. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area and craving some tacos.

    Photos
    Top Shelf Tacos
    Top Shelf Tacos
    Modela Negra

    See all

    Modela Negra
    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

    4.3
    (129 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$
    Speaks Spanish
    Outdoor seating

    Restaurant is surprisingly spacious inside despite looking very inconspicuous from the outside. The…read moreparking lot isn't too big, but I've never had issues with parking since the other shops around aren't too busy. We normally call ahead to order our food, and it'll take roughly 10 - 15 minutes. Service is always solid - the workers are friendly and helpful. We normally get the carne asada/pollo fries and they're awesome. Fries are cooked perfectly (I swear there was a period of time where they coated the fries and that wasn't it, but thankfully they stopped), comes with the usual toppings like guacamole, onions, cilantro, etc. They top it with a hefty amount of juicy meat - both carne asada and pollo options are solid. Recently though I've been straying from fries and getting different dishes like the chicken flautas, enchiladas, and mulitas. Chefs kiss for each one. The rice and beans + salsa combo are also flavorful and pair nicely with the entree.

    The interior of this place was spacious. The big screen TV felt like they could afford to hold a…read morefight night there, lol. Service was friendly. There were a ton of food options. I ordered the Birria quesadilla and my fiancé ordered the Al Diablo Shrimp Burrito (ADSB). The ADSB was delicious and worth the price. The Birria Quesadilla should have included chips and salsa. It was only 3 taco sized portions with a side of consome and a slice of lime. In regards to the flavor of the Birria Quesadilla, it was delicious, but something I wouldn't order again. Overall, my experience was a great one. I would go back again to try something new.

    Photos
    Make sure to add us on Instagram for New items coming up! eltacoloc_8
    Make sure to add us on Instagram for New items coming up! eltacoloc_8
    Diabla FRIES or NACHOS!!! Supper spicy try at your own risk
    Diabla FRIES or NACHOS!!! Supper spicy try at your own risk
    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

    See all

    Carnitas El Tio - mexican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...