I was in the area and ordered for pickup. The service is great. They were fast and they gave me a free horchata while I waited. The prices are affordable too. I ordered half a pound of carnitas but it seemed like they gave me more. The meat was tender and very authentic. It has various cuts like buche, cueritos, etc. It's a small restaurant that gives a mom and pop shop feel. Parking is easy since there's a big parking lot by it. I definitely recommend. read more

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Came by with the hubby to share some breakfast. We were sat right away. Very clean establishment with chill vibes. What we ordered: * Carnitas Taco * Chilaquiles w/ Green Sauce, Eggs & Double Beans * Side Order of Eggs Overall the food was good. BUT our chilaquiles didn't come with Carnitas on top (as shown on the menu). Also, our eggs were overcooked (both orders) I had asked for our eggs to be cooked over easy. I even added, "bien blandito." They came out over hard..... I mentioned this to the waitress when we left. She apologized & said she had told the cook to make the eggs "tiernito." I think I just may need to start speaking up once we get our orders. We look forward to giving this place another try.... read more

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Trying this place as per a suggestion. The service was very nice and friendly. Our server was on point. My wife and I tried there Chilaquilles and a Carnitas taco. Eggs came out overcooked. It also didn't have the Carnitas. The flavor of the Carnitas was so flavorful. They have a family meal of 1 lb of Carnitas and rice and beans definitely want to come back and try and hopefully it was a one off. Great Vibe. read more

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Came based on the reviews since we were in that part of town but we left underwhelmed and ultimately didn't like what we had and wished we had gone elsewhere. We ordered Barbacoa plate and Carnitas enchilada plates. Pro: Staff and inside ambience was nice, they take your order at the table vice ordering at a counter which was nice. Presentation of food looked good and decent portions. Plenty of corn tortillas offered with barbacoa dish. Con: * Beans are served ice cold. I asked if that was a mistake and waitress said no. In all my 50 years of eating at mexican restaurants in CA and Mexico, I've never been served cold refried beans before and we didn't care for it at all. * Carnitas enchiladas were filled with thick fatty pieces that had to be pulled out. If that's a common thing, it wasn't for us. * Barbacoa also was slightly fatty (not as much compared to carnitas) and was really hard to eat as you needed to cut it off the bone but was only given a fork. Didn't realize it was going to come with bone (if its in the picture with bone I didn't see it). Hindsight I should have asked for a knife, but also my fork was provided to me inserted in the dish. * Wait-staff didn't come around often enough, had to get up and get my own to go box after we sitting around for awhile (decided to bring home the beans to try heating them later). Ultimately we determined we just didn't want any of it afterwards. So for us, we wished we had gone elsewhere afterwards and could not recommend returning. read more

Tacos were fresh but It lacked seasoning unfortunately. I like the chilaquiles here though . I'll stick to that .

Great Mexican food in Old Chula Vista, best know for their slow cooked carnitas! The servers here greeted us with smiles and sat us in the dining room, promptly placing some garnished on the table prior to taking our order. All of the food is prepared within eyesight, and our waitress even brought us some complimentary chicharrones! The decor inside was vibrant, the music was just loud enough to enjoy without hampering conversation, and the food was delicious! I personally recommend getting the mixed carnitas for a perfect balance of texture and taste. read more

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Ive had their carnitas once that smelled and tasted like literal poop. They probably had them cooked with dirty intestines.

Me recomendaron estas carnitas que porque están muy ricas y la verdad si estaban ricas. Cuando llegue le pregunte al muchacho que como cuantas personas podrán comer con 2 libras y me dijo que 4, y yo pensé que era muy poquito entonces agarré 3 libras. Pues las 3 libras fueron muchas para todas las personas que tuve. Y tuve como 20 personas y cada una se comió como sus 2-3 tacos. La libra no está barata, entonces no se guíen por lo que les digan. Me costó casi los $80 las 3 libras y hasta me sobraron. Les digo para que sepan que con una libra pueden comer como 5-7 personas o más. read more

Always loved coming here and unfortunately last nights dinner was the most disappointing meal we've had from them. The "beans" were 99% lard, very oily and no flavor at all. Second, the rice was so bland no not even a hint of salt. The carnitas were decent, but overall highly disappointing with everything. Quality has gone down and price up too high for such bleh food. Love to support small local businesses, but this.....sad. read more

While in the South Bay area. I did a Yelp search for 'carnitas' which led me to the Castle Park Retail Center in Chula Vista. Carnitas Las Michoacanas was a Mexican joint in a small suite with a simple menu. You could call it a hole-in-the-wall and not be far from the truth. When you walked in, a glass display cabinet was at the service counter with all the meats wrapped in foil to preserve the heat and moisture. The seating capacity in the dining area was sufficient for a couple of dozen customers. I bought two carnitas tacos and one adobada taco for my meal. These were more than the ordinary street sized tacos as lots of meat was piled onto each tortilla. A plate of vegetable condiments and a rack containing three different salsas were brought out by the server. Less than five minutes later, the tacos followed. The carnitas was amazingly tender and moist. This was easily at a five-star level for quantity and quality. I tried one of the two tacos with the pork skin included, however it didn't make much of a difference. For the adobada, the pork style was different than what you get when the kitchen shaves the meat off a rotisserie. The pork was ground into tinier pieces whereas I prefer it to be in thin slices with a pineapple chunk added. You pay the cashier at the service counter after you finish your meal. There was a surcharge for the use of a credit card regardless of the size of the check. It wasn't busy during my visit, but I still had a four star experience at Carnitas Las Michoacanas because of its namesake meat. read more

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Listen don't sleep on this place, I love it here been going here since I was a kid. Everything is bomb and it's real authentic Mexican food, I take my kids now we always get the carnitas mixta, comes with tortillas, all the veggies, beans and rice plus a fresh salsa all for under $30. The service is not the best, so I mostly take to go, it's the best hole in the wall in Chula Vista. read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Carnitas mixta meal - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Great food and reasonable prices. Our server was friendly and helped us out with the menu. Chimichanga was fresh and cooked to order. Fun condiments served with the meal. Would definitely recommend! read more

Siempre voy a comer tacos de carnitas Me gustaba mucho pero de un tiempo para aca a Cambiado mucho, hay un muchacho que no se su nombre solo he visit que tiene un tatuaje en la parte de atras del cuello,por lo regular esta cobrando. Primero su actitud hacia los clientes, es muy despota y no tiene el mismo trato con toda la gente note que llegaba la gente por ordenes para llevar y les ofrecia un taco como de cortesia y a otra personas no! Creo Que no es necesario dar Comida gratis,pero se Mira mal que no es asy con todos! no se si el se basa en como te ven te tratan si es asy estan cometiendo un error mi recomendacion es poner un poco mas de atencion en sus empleados al servicio al cliente read more

I grew up going to Tijuana BC with my Parents to eat Carnitas. I didn't have a taste for Carnitas until I was an adult. When I was a young adult I was told by a Coworker that lived in the South Bay of San Diego how dilicious and tender the Carnitas were at Carnitas Las Michocan. I decided to take a Ride there since it was close to my Residence in the South Bay of San Diego CA. When I arrived I noticed a Mexican Taquerio man with a Huge meat Cleaver cutting and Butchering cuts of Juicy Pork Carnitas and separating cuts like a Master Swordsman as If he had been doing it for Years. He was taking orders and separating the meat to all the Customers likings and Orders. He said ques "Buche O no Buche"! As Juicy Cuts of Meat where separated by his Razor Sharp Cleaver. It was my turn to order and my Spanish is decent so I said . Por favor Dame una orden con Buche con Todo, and he bagan to fling the Juicy Cuts of Carnitas to sperate my Order. I shared the Order with my Friend, and the Combination of the flavorful Salsa and Cilantro and lime juice in Handmade Tortilla Tacos we made ourselves were the Best tasting little morsels of Carnitas we ever experienced. The Restaurant and servers were friendly and direct with the orders with a traditional Mexican ambiance taking me back when I went to Mexico City and Baja California with my Family as a child. This Restaurant is my Favorite for Carnitas In San Diego hands down, and deserve a 5 Star rating for all of you Carnita lovers anywhere. They are the Best San Diego CA has to offer for Carnitas. read more

1st off there is 2 locations.. When I visit I only purchase the carnitas Hence I'm not a fan of beef good service .. if you order by the LB you get all the fixings enough to feed a family of 4 with very authentic. Mexican style decor Do visit I hear if the line is long & you are waiting there will be a free taco in your future . read more

I'v tried the carnitas a hand full of times at this location. The price is what brings me back, the carnitas are good not great, depending on who's prepping your meat. We have had the menudo and it's also mediocre (I'd recommend la menuderia on broadway). Today, I admittedly arrived almost at closing time, but 40 minutes to spare. I ordered the surtido, since that is all they had left and 2 tortas de carne asada, originally wanted the milanesa for the kids, but they were sold out. Once home, I served the food to find the meat on the tortas was whole not picada which is the only way I've ever had a torta de carne asada, with mayo, a tiny bit of aguacate, lettuce, tomato and yuck mustard! this carne had no seasoning it was flavorless, tough and not grilled, it was full of fat and cartilage. The kids who have had tortas at home and at other Mexican restaurants, could only take a bite of this disappointing torta. That's $32 down the drain. Also, the surtido had huge chunks and was not chopped like they normally do, sadly I will not be returning here. read more

I met my sister for lunch at Carnitas Las Michoaca for the first time. I will be honest the restaurant isn't in the nicest strip mall and doesn't look like much from the outside, but food and service is fantastic. Pros: lots of parking, affordable, authentic carnitas, air conditioning and clean bathroom Cons: Mall is old and rundown Our server didn't speak a lot of English, but was friendly and helpful. We ordered a lb of carnitas (mixta with meat and skin) with all the sides and a bowl of birria de chivo (goat stew/soup). Food was generous and flavorful. We had enough good left to take home for another meal. read more

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Love coming to here great vibe for the whole family. The food has large portions and always hits the spot. The staff is very fast and friendly always makes it feel like home. Always a hit at the office potlucks. read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Chilaquiles rojos with carnitas, egg, beans and rice! - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

cada ves la calidad esta pesima las salsas ya sin sabor, antes era mi lugar favorito de carnitas pero la otraves que fui ah recojer para llevar ah la familia y toda la verdura como que ya era de varios dias olia ya ah rancio el cilantro echado casi todo entero con la raiz, el arroz todo desabrido y tieso, y las carnitas bien sekas ya no me quedaron ganas de volver ah comprarles jamas se tienen que poner al tiro si no van ah valer chorizo la neta! read more

Las piores carnitas que e probado en mucho tiempo Yo avía probado años atrás y estaban muy buenas no sé que paso Pedí la orden especial pedi un poco de buche y cuerito y no salió Pienso que están muy distraídos el despachador Page 23.91 con tax read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Los frijoles negros ni sé me antojo probarlos la verdad - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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I love their Carnitas and it is very close to my home. VERY CONVENIENT. The pork is very tasty and not too fatty.

I went here because of the reviews but was very disappointed in the food their carnitas was very dry and carne asada burritos had so much beans You would think I order a bean burritos. For the service one waitress was rude but the other waitress took over that was the sweetest lady ever. read more

Hubby had a craving for carnitas this afternoon so we chose to stay close to home and have a dine in meal at this location. The welcome wasn't the greatest. I kinda wanted to walk out and find somewhere else to go. Both the waiter and waitress looked at us, didn't say one word or acknowledged that we were there. After standing there for a few minutes we were finally asked if we were dining in and then waited still for another 3-4 minutes to be seated. We were sat towards the back of the restaurant and there we sat waiting again for our order to be taken. They most annoying part of our experience is that there were about 4 young kids, maybe between 8 - 12 years old in the back of the restaurants seating area with their bikes messing around, flipping their bikes over and being kinda loud. I'm assuming they were the children of the workers. I don't even understand how they can allow this in a restaurant where people go to eat and enjoy their meal. Anyways, we finally ordered and got our food. We had the special which included mixed carnitas, rice and beans. The carnitas were good, the rice needed flavor and the beans were average. To be honest, not hype to be given. I was really surprised that their corn tortillas were the worst. They were like store bought and did not compliment the meal at all. And I have to mention the condiments. The onions, cilantro and lemons were okay. However the salsa they brought to use we didn't even want to touch. The containers had salsa all over them and dried up around the top where you squirt it out. No way. That kinda ruined it for us as well. Overall, this was not the greatest experience. The carnitas were okay but everything else was not acceptable. read more

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Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Chula Vista If you love carnitas, this place is a must-try! The carnitas are incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful -- just how they should be. I had the carnitas enchiladas meal with rice and beans, and it was both delicious and super affordable. Great portions, great taste, and great value. Definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the Chula Vista area! read more

Wish I had taken some better photos but this is one of my go to places when I want to host something with a few people. Their carnitas are delicious, one of the best in my opinion. The best deal on the menu is ordering the carnitas by the pound because they include all the fixings with it, including rice, beans, tortillas, cilantro, onions, limes, pickled carrots and two types of salsa. You get everything you need to host a gathering. Just like everywhere, the prices have gone up but it's still an excellent deal for an entire delicious meal. The only reason I didn't rate it at 5 stars is several of the employees working the front don't speak English, creating a language barrier and struggle to understand what I'm trying to order, although it hasn't taken away from good service. Aside from that, this will always be a go to for great quality food. read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

super recomendado. El servicio y la comida 10/10. Highly recommend; the service and food are top notch read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Chicharrón - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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After Gareth Leonard, youtuber, recommendation for best Mexican, my husband and I had to try and we live in Chula Vista! We rate their carnitas as the best we have ever tried! I had the chilaquiles w side of carnitas and my husband ordered the carnitas enchiladas! So delicious! We would go there again to try more dishes! Food is #1, customer service is great too, and ambiance was good too. It is in a small, older strip mall. It is cash only! Next time I will order a soda in a glass bottle (must with great mexican food)! For sure Hidden Gem! read more

I've tried a lot of their food and I have not been disappointed! They are very nice there too and quick. Enchiladas verdes is one of my go to's. Even their beans are flavorful! Tacos de papa are not overfried they are just right. They are known for their carnitas of course but I don't eat meat. read more

I grew up eating from here from time to time with my family. Always tasted good, owners were friendly and gave us a taco while we waited. Well, I ordered through DoorDash recently and ended up with food poisoning. Could've been a one time thing, but I am not going to risk it again. read more

We drove over an hour to try these carnitas and they were so worth it. They were delicious, generous, and affordable. Service was quick and friendly. Wish we had one of these in Hawaii! read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Came here to have a breakfast burrito what I can say is they kind of charge a lot for the food and burrito was not that big and the day I was not really that satisfied they didn't even ask you what kind of breakfast burrito they didn't welcome me and my mom end of the day They were kind of rude. I don't know if it was because of my race they seem to welcome their own kind, but when I came in they didn't ask me welcome and they didn't see me or take my order from seating. I had to get my own order and order from the bar end of the day when I got the food it was all right. I do get this place a C+ they are welcoming other customers with free samples of their Carnitas, but when they already had served me, I had a legit go up to them and ask them for a free sample. I have been to their other location in College Avenue much nicer people and respectful overall this place I don't think I'd ever come back just because I felt discriminated and not welcomed when I had asked the person what is inside the breakfast burrito they had sold me a basic breakfast burrito ham eggs, and cheese and potatoes and french fries is all was at least could I offer me one of their meats or something overall that is not my favorite and then when they serve the food, they handed me a plate of assortment of stuff they gave me hot sauces, a green, and a super deadly habanero , hot sauce that I tasted that I felt like I was going to not feel too well I legit had to go walk over to their salsa bar and get the regular red hot sauce overall I think they were expecting a tip. They didn't even tell me thank you for even eating at the restaurant we end up just leaving and taking all the money and didn't leave them a tip overall I don't know what's so great about this place if I had to recommend a place in Chula Vista it would be tacos El Gordo this is not my cup of tea they seem to be angry when I asked them of the ingredients of the burrito and they were expecting me to buy some kind of soft drink, but I just asked for a water overall the interior was nice, but I wish they would just treat everybody equally and not equal very bad customer service this nir Mexican food this a Mexicant food restaurant read more

First time going to this location for Carnitas..... Employee asks if you want fat or just the meat. We got meat with rice & beans combo.... Carnitas was soft and juicy just the way our family likes it. It wasnt hard or burned.. .. But that's how we prefer the meat. read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas - Delicious. Juicy. - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

This place was the best spot a year ago! I use to love going here, the man in the front was always very friendly and would give u a taco as you waited. We even had them cater our event. The past couple times I've went I food was off... Carnitas were very greasy and not much flavor. Even the inside was different I asked them if they had changed owners and they said no it was the same... both times! Now why do I have to find this out on TikTok! Apparently this is owned by someone else and they are using the name. Why gaslight people and tell them it hasn't changed ownership! Very misleading and not ok. After confirming with other people that this is not the same it makes so much more sense why the food is not what it use to be and why the service sucks now. Will not be buying anything from here. STOP LYING TO CUSTOMERS ABOUT IT NOT BEING UNDER NEW OWNERS! WE CAN TELL! read more

Hands down the best carnitas in town ! The service is great. They have family packages or big orders. I love ordering here when I have family gathering. A must try ! read more

What why haven't we been here before!! This spot is has the best place for Carnitas hands down. They give you so much food and are so friendly here also I was given free horchata & a soda too. You laugh and feel like a family! They know what there doing when it comes to cooking carnitas. I have had a lot of carnitas & this place brought back childhood memories at place in Tijuana. The flavor is on point. Let all support this business today because with today's pandemic we need to try and help these businesses if we can. We don't want this place to go away. I been back that a understatement maybe on the weekend. We all were satisfy tonight with this meal. read more

Delicious carnitas! Tender, flavorful, succulent. We got the 1 lb mixed meat and skin, and I highly recommend to not skip on the skin. It adds some richness that is unlike any other carnitas I've tried. The order also came with plenty of corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, and salsas. It was enough for about 8-9 medium sized tacos, and good for 3 people to split for lunch. We were doing a taco tour around town, so it was actually to much as a tasting. Very hole in the wall vibe, with clearly frequent customers who didn't even need to look at the menu. Friendly service, but our waiter must be new, because we had to repeat things a few times to make sure he got it right. read more

Great hidden gem located in Chula Vista ...don't find many carnitas only places in SD this is the best I have come across .. order the $20 one pound mixed plate...comes with all the accoutrement needed to make good size tacos ...easily can feed 3-4.. the mix of meats is both juicy and some portions have some crunch .. quick and friendly service..they are cash only ..dont hesitate to come here ! Recommend! read more

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As soon as we walked in the guy behind the counter was extremely rude. He asked what we wanted to order and I replied "I'm not sure yet" as I reached for a menu. The menu doesn't specify what the price is per pound so when I asked him he responded "well look at the menu" and turned away. Super unnecessarily rude. We walked out. There's no need to be rude when there was literally nobody behind us and it was on Mother's Day. read more

Very yummy carnitas. First time here and they have a special 1lb carnitas rice beans etc etc for $20.99. It was enough for all of us to eat a couple tacos a piece. Will be back soon. Thinking about going back today. read more

Carnitas Las Michoacanas is an animated mix of distractions: the constant movement of indefatigable meseros; the bouncy serenade of banda and norteña music covering the place's waves of chatter - some English, mostly Spanish; and always, the taquero, chop-chopping carnitas at his station by the door, an area often jammed by people picking up their family's evening meal. And yet, despite the frenzy, Las Michoacanas is a good place to relax. In its dining room, office workers chat over fragrant plates, while lingering couples and older solo diners savor slow bites at a time, happy for the warmth and good smells of the place. One afternoon, I watched parents arrange a sort of buffet so their three young children could help themselves; while Mom and Dad picked at their meals, the kids snacked, and turned the underside of their table into a fort. I like Las Michoacanas. When I go, I feel less a customer than a friend visiting friends. ********** In a marketing ploy that any drug dealer would recognize - useful because it works - Las Michoacanas gives a taco's-worth of delicious carnitas free to each waiting customer. These patrons, once hooked, return repeatedly to buy the meat by the taco, plate or pound. The restaurant also offers superb barbacoa and chilaquiles; and they serve menudo and pozole, each of which is delectable, and rustic to the point of scariness. But the thing I enjoy eating most at Las Michoacanas, at least for now, is their abuelita-grade birria de chivo. Birria isn't sophisticated fare, and though the dish can be refined, it can't be perfected, by which I mean to say that there's no "right" way to make it. It's simply braised beef or goat and the sauce produced by that braising, a savory infusion flavored by herbs, spice and meat, and it's in the combination of those things that each cook establishes that their version is... well... theirs. In the case of Las Michoacanas' birria, that means goat bathed in a succulent, earthy sauce that's underpinned by smoky guajillo chiles, garlic, a bit of clove and God-only-knows what else. I'd guess that each serving is 10% bones and 5% fat, but never mind; those are costs you pay to lose yourself in homey satisfaction. And besides, their birria's bones and chunks of meat push the broth to near the large bowl's rim; they are, to the delight of the hungry diner's eye, the culinary equivalent of a Wonderbra. ********** As has been noted by my friend Jay K. - San Diego's resident "Tortilla Crusader" - the tortillas at Las Michoacanas are not awful, but they're not first-rate. They seem machine-made from middling masa preparada, no doubt in their thousands, and they're brittle, bland and tough. But when such breads accompany soups and stews, I'm not sure that any of that matters. I love the toasted corn taste of tender home-made tortillas served straight from the comal, but the best qualities of freshly-nixtamalized, hand-pressed and cooked-to-order tortillas are likely to be lost amid birria's wetness and pronounced flavors. At Las Michoacanas, these suggestions will help: 1. Ask your server that your tortillas be dipped in the birria grease and then placed on the grill for a few moments. 2. To avoid steaming your tortillas in the warmer they're served in, ask that its lid be left off, and, when they arrive, lay a napkin over them to keep them warm. 3. If you get what you ask for, tip generously. ********** Finally, a word about the most underrated side dish served at Las Michoacanas and perhaps in all of San Diego County: chile de árbol dorados. These moderately hot little rat-tail peppers are deep-fried, then drained and salted. You can request them with your meal or grab a bunch at the counter, and so you should. Tortilla chips be damned; these are the crunchy bites you're looking for. ¡Qué sabroso! I first had something similar, years ago, at a lonchería in Ciudad Oaxaca's Mercado Benito Juárez. As I sat waiting for my tamal de mole con pollo, two Indian women approached me from behind, carrying round woven trays piled with a mix of fried chiles and chapulines - grasshoppers - that they'd portion into small paper bags and sell for a few pesos each. One of the ladies tugged at my shirt sleeve and held out a sample. Being curious, and wanting to return her generosity (and honor her salesmanship), I took what she offered, popped it into my mouth, and was struck by two things: the predominate taste was light, funky smoke; and the crisp, spicy chew of the things was fun! I bought a bagful, ate them with my lunch, and fell in love with Mexico, again. Carnitas Las Michoacanas doesn't sell chapulines - at least, they're not on the menu - and that's a shame. A place so warm and welcoming, where such good food is served in so cozy an environment, ought to round out the experience with those entertaining bites. But they do provide the chiles, and that's a start. read more

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