5 Best Carnitas In San Antonio

Looking for the tastiest carnitas in San Antonio? It’s a porky paradise out there, but not all tacos are created equal. Some spots serve up disappointingly dry meat, speedy-cooked pork lacking flavor depth, or just “meh” tortillas and toppings. Fear not; I’ve scoured the city to find the absolute best carnitas for you.

San Antonio is a taco town, and almost every joint boasts a carnitas option. Yet, the real gems are the spots solely dedicated to this mouthwatering Michoacán-style delight.

Armed with taste buds on a mission, we ventured to the heavy hitters in town, sampling and savoring to bring you the ultimate guide. From juicy photos to honest reviews, consider this your roadmap to the most scrumptious carnitas in San Antonio. Let’s dive into the porky perfection

What Kind of Meat Is Carnitas?

Carnitas, meaning “little meats,” are crafted from heavily-marbled pork. Traditionally, they come from a wallet-friendly cut of the pig, usually the pork butt or shoulder. This makes it a smart choice for cooking up a bunch of meat and serving a hungry crowd. 

Where did Carnitas originate?

Carnitas, hailing from Michoacán, Mexico, a state along the Pacific Ocean, trace their origins back to the 1500s. Spanish explorer Cortés brought pigs from his Caribbean island to Mexico, sparking the birth of this savory tradition.

While carnitas are relished globally, Michoacán stands out as THE destination for this dish. The region’s copper mines play a role, as the classic carnitas preparation involves two copper pots.

Carnitas, a festive fare, were traditionally reserved for grand gatherings and celebrations due to their time-consuming preparation. Fortunately, San Antonio’s stellar restaurants let us indulge in this celebratory meal almost any day of the week.

How Are Carnitas Made?

In today’s world, you can cook up carnitas however you like – pressure cooker, slow cooker, with lard, without lard the options are endless!

Traditionally, though, the magic happens in a large copper pot. Why copper? Because it’s a fantastic heat conductor. The pork takes a luxurious dip in a thick layer of lard (hello, flavor!) and simmers for hours on low heat until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. Then, the heat gets cranked up, giving the pork those crispy, crackly bits that make it oh-so-good. It’s a key step, adding a delightful variety and texture to the meat.

For top-notch carnitas in San Antonio, we’ve got five spots that have earned our seal of approval. But hey, don’t just take our word for it. Venture out and taste them yourself!

Tacos are a breeze to try, budget-friendly, and perfect for solo snacking or group feasting at any time of day – breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Sure, there are more carnitas joints in San Antonio, but to kickstart your taste adventure, here are what we believe are the 5 best carnitas in SA.

The 5 Best Carnitas In San Antonio

Top 5 Spots for the Tastiest Carnitas in San Antonio!

Hey there, foodies! Ready for a flavor-packed journey through San Antonio’s carnitas scene? Get those taste buds ready because we’re about to dive into the 5 absolute best spots serving up mouthwatering carnitas.

• Carnitas Don Raul – USA
• Ro-Ho Pork & Bread
• Los 3 Cochinitos
• Casa Tarasca Carnitas
• Taqueria Datapoint

Carnitas Don Raul – USA

Hey fellow foodies! If you’re in San Antonio and craving some top-notch carnitas, Carnitas Don Raul is the place to be. This spot has recently taken the crown as the go-to carnitas joint, especially with the closing of the beloved Carnitas Lonja.

Originally hailing from Michoacan, Mexico, Carnitas Don Raul has been satisfying hungry customers since 1991. Thanks to the fame gained through the hit show Taco Chronicles on Netflix, the spotlight is now on this gem. And lucky for us, they chose San Antonio as their home in the United States! 

Carnitas Don Raul keeps it simple but oh-so-delicious – they specialize in one thing: CARNITAS. Whether you’re into carnitas tacos, meat by the pound, tortas, or quesadillas, they’ve got you covered. No need to stress about choosing the right cut; you can go for lean, fatty, a mix, or just go with the flow.

The traditional move here is to go all-in and order a full pound of carnitas. Picture this: warm, steaming, bursting with flavors, and served with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, and fresh salsa for that perfect finishing touch.

If you’re flying solo like I was, go for the individual tacos. They’re generously filled, served on double tortillas (a must for the hefty carnitas portions), and you can choose between lean or fatty meat. Customize with cilantro and onion on the side; they get you covered, whether you’re a fan or not. Personally, I say go for it; biting into those raw onions cuts through the rich, meaty goodness!

Find Carnitas Don Raul in a cozy food truck park on Broadway. It’s not just about the food; it’s a whole experience. Grab some tacos, chill with your crew, and maybe swing by Mila Coffee for some of the best coffee in San Antonio.

Carnitas Don Raul is here to rule your taste buds; don’t miss out on the flavor fiesta!

Read Also: Most Romantic Restaurants in San Antonio

Ro-Ho Pork & Bread

Let me tell you about a place you don’t want to miss – Ro-Ho Pork and Bread! In 2015, Chef Jorge Rojo brought a bit of his hometown in Guadalajara, Jalisco, to San Antonio, near the airport. His goal? To show locals the amazing street food from where he’s from – the yummy torta ahogada.

This pork carnitas and birote bread sandwich became super popular, and ever since, people in San Antonio have been heading to Ro-Ho for their pork and bread fix.

When you go inside, it’s not a regular place. Ro-ho is cool and fun, with colorful paintings and action figures on the walls. And there’s a nice outdoor patio with a red roof for eating outside. But let me be clear – it’s not just the looks that bring you here; it’s the amazing carnitas stealing the show.

Ro-ho’s menu is short, with only six choices – a torta ahogada, a taco dorado, a taco chilango, chilaquiles, nachos, and a salad bowl. There are not many options, right? Well, it’s not about having lots of choices; it’s about the really good carnitas, and they are really good!

For each thing on the menu, you can choose your carnitas (pork butt, pork stomach, mixed, or go vegetarian) and your bread (birote, corn tortillas, or corn chips). Then, they cover it all in tomato salsa and avocado salsa until it’s a delicious mess (apparently, the only right way to eat it).

When I went to Ro-ho, I had the taco chilango – tasty carnitas, onions, cilantro, pork cracklings, and lots of sauces. It was a messy taco full of flavors and colors, and it only cost $4.50 – a good deal.

If you want to try real carnitas without spending a lot, go to Ro-Ho Pork and Bread!

Los 3 Cochinitos

Craving some delicious slow-cooked pork from Mexico’s Yucatan? Look no further than Los 3 Cochinitos food truck! They’ve got you covered with three amazing pork dishes: cochinitas, pastor, and carnitas. Each one is a taste sensation, super tender, and juicy. Just slap them on a tortilla, add your favorite toppings, and boom – you’ve got yourself some amazing pork tacos.

Now, let’s talk about those carnitas – they’re a real standout in San Antonio! Picture this: rich, flavorful meat on soft, handmade corn tortillas. And here’s a pro tip – don’t hold back on the toppings. Carnitas are so rich and succulent that they crave the zing of pickled onions and salsa to balance out all that deliciousness.

And for an extra dose of awesomeness, treat yourself to a limón con pepino aguas frescas. It’s like a refreshing burst of color in a cup! The chamoy and Tajin crusted rim adds a spicy kick that takes the fruity goodness to a whole new level.

So, make your way to Los Cochinitos and indulge in a porky paradise that’ll leave your taste buds dancing!

Casa Tarasca Carnitas

Guess what? Casa Tarasca Carnitas food truck nails every single item on their carnitas menu! The carnitas meat is not just good; it’s juicy, soft, and bursting with flavor. Imagine that perfect combo of tender, fall-off-the-bone pork goodness along with those delightful crackly bits.

Now, you have options here. You could go for some carnitas tacos or maybe a whole pound of carnitas – yup, they’re that good.

But here’s my golden recommendation: try the quesatacos… with carnitas! If you’ve ever indulged in beef birria tacos (you know, that stewed beef magic tucked inside a tortilla, dripping with cheesy goodness, and dunked in a heavenly broth), Casa Tarasca’s birria carnitas quesatacos take it up a notch. They’re like the upgraded version of something already awesome.

Just a heads up: everything on their menu is super indulgent. So, arrive with an appetite! And brace yourself; after savoring those dripping, delectable birria carnitas quesatacos, you might find yourself in need of a well-deserved nap. Happy feasting!

Taqueria Datapoint

Craving some amazing carnitas tacos in San Antonio, anytime, anywhere? Taqueria Datapoint is the go-to spot! This Mexican gem has three locations across the city, making it super convenient to satisfy your carnitas taco cravings.

Unlike the gigantic tacos you’ll find at Carnitas Don Raul, Taqueria Datapoint serves up these little bites of heaven. Picture this: small street tacos on a plate, loaded with onions and cilantro. To make a hearty meal, you might want to grab 4 or 5 of these delights. Now, here’s a little secret—I’m a huge fan of all their tacos, not just the carnitas. So, why not mix it up and go for a platter with 5 tacos in different flavors? Totally your call!

Let’s talk carnitas. Soft, tender, and cooked to perfection, it’s a flavor explosion. I personally go all-in on the salsa (because, come on, so much meat needs that extra kick of acidity and spice). Throw in some onions and cilantro, and you’re in taco paradise.

But here’s the beauty—you can savor the carnitas on its own. Taqueria Datapoint offers a carnitas plate, complete with a generous serving of carnitas, corn tortillas, and all the fixings. And if you’re feeding a crew, go big with a whole pound of carnitas. It comes with 10 tortillas, rice, and charro beans.

Bottom line: If you’re in San Antonio and taco happiness is on your mind, Taqueria Datapoint is where it’s at!