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Carnitas Uruapan Mexican Family Restaurant - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
8035 Broadway(at Kempf St)
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Neighborhood: Lemon Grove
(619) 462-0704
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
66 reviews for Carnitas Uruapan Mexican Family Restaurant
Review Highlights
"They serve it with tons of fresh cilantro, too."
(in 4 reviews)
"The portions are huge the food is great (too bad I was on a..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...a big fan of good corn tortillas, and was so impressed with..."
(in 4 reviews)
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Theodore C.
San Diego, CA
9/24/2011
Rolled up here this afternoon to get my carnitas on. Had promised to shag a few pounds of carnitas for tomorrow's Chargers game pot luck. Damn. Sign on the door said "Last day Sunday, September 18th"
A cardiac clogging legend is gone! OMG, I think they have been around since I can remember. Over 25 years.
The economy is not getting any better.
R.I.P. Carnitas Uruapan
:-( -
Review from Lou S.
La Mesa, CA
11/27/2011
Good News- Carnitas Uruapan has moved, and is open again.
After the untimely passing of his beloved mother, Hector found running the large restaurant difficult, and decided to downsize. Carnitas Uruapan is in the process of opening again at the corner of Palm Ave and Spring Street in La Mesa. Still the best Menudo in town, and I've been hooked on their Carnitas since the old location in Spring Valley in "69. Come by and say Hi, and if you can't find an open table, take a Kilo or two, and all the fixin's home with you. -
Review from Guy E.
San Diego, CA
10/3/2011
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Permanently Closed!!!! -
Review from William R.
La Mesa, CA
7/14/2011
Don't let all the stuffed and ceramic pigs scare you away, this place is amazing. Most authentic carnitas in San Diego.
They cook the pork to your preference. Whether you like carnitas a little wet or nice and crispy, they are always perfect. When cooked crispy the center is still tender and moist.
Good beans, decent rice and the toppings served with the pork (cilantro, tomatoes, onions) always fresh and delicious. -
Review from Hai B.
3/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The place apparently has been around forever.
The carnitas here is pretty good. The pork is cooked nicely, moist, and flavorful.
The beans are a bit heavy and the shrimp plates aren't anything to rave about. The shrimps tend to be overcooked most of the time.
I would just stick with a carnitas meal, get some corn and flour tortilla and roll away! -
Review from Cheron C.
San Diego, CA
10/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love this place. If you can get past all the pigs in the decor its a very friendly place. The food is good. Love the enchilades. Carnitas were ok. Thing I like is there are real spanish people who eat there. Portions are huge. Salsa is really good and so is the guacamole.
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Review from Daron C.
San Diego, CA
9/29/2011
Uhhhhh this place is closed as of 9/18/2011....nada ....no more....shutdown.....
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Review from Erik M.
La Mesa, CA
7/19/2011
This is the place for carnitas! Best place I've been in years! Family style carnitas that melt in your mouth! I know it's a little thing to most, but a great glass of iced tea for me, is a wonderful thing. Most places have a dingy "spinachy" unclean "tea machine" flavor. I had a clean fresh glass of tea that almost outshined their tender succulent carnitas. Do not die before trying this place! I have never been served a better carnita in all my life. Big, tender, moist,glistening chunks of primo deliciousness. This is my find of the year!
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Review from Jeff S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/18/2011
Good mexican food. Decent service.
Had the Chorizo con Huevos, and have tried the Carnitas, and it's all good mexican grub.
I highly recommend this place, give it a try! -
Review from Randy C.
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
The real deal.
Easy parking. Plenty of seating. Clean. Homey.
Ordered carnitas for one as well as chicken enchiladas and two drinks. Drinks were brought out right away as well as come kick ass chips and salsa. That salsa was amazing.
The amount of food is huge for the price. I think two people could easily split the carnitas for one with a side of extra tortillas. We ended up taking leftovers home.
The carnitas is amazing. Perfect. Great tortillas.
The chicken enchilada was a surprise. Not covered in cheese, but lighter with a wonderful green chili sauce. The beans and rice were excellent. The rice was very fluffy and light. The chicken seemed fresh and tender.
A lof of food for two people for $20. -
Review from Jonelle O.
San Diego, CA
3/7/2011
YES!
As my boyfriend kept saying throughout our meal "This place is legit."
The BF has spent a lot of time in Mexico and loved how authentic this place is. He was reminded of places in Mex that have one specialty item and only serve that until it runs out.
We ordered the carnitas for two (of course) and they were perfection. The service was amazing and it turned out our waitress was from the town next to my boyfriend's family in Mexico!
A great place we look forward to coming back to again and again. I love me some carnitas. -
Review from Ish C.
El Cajon, CA
8/31/2011
Sub par shredded pork, seriously they should rename it that...highlight of the meal, onions and tomatoes. Carnitas are suppose to be fried and crispy, damn it!
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Review from Kevin P.
San Diego, CA
5/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
The best word to describe this place - YUM! I went there with my family and the food was just out of this world! And, you will get a lot of food for the money. Well worth trying out!
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Review from russ h.
El Cajon, CA
3/3/2011
This place is the real deal. I'm a big carnitas fan and have enjoyed this lusty pork indulgence from street vendors to swanky eateries both in Mexico and locally and folks, I gotta say it doesn't get much better.
I had lunch there today for the first time. It was pretty busy yet we got our food within minutes of ordering. The meat was moist and jam packed with fried pork flavor perfection. The sides were spot on and the beans rocked. The iced tea was great stuff too, not that powdered garbage. And the price was right!! $13 and change for a meal for two. We didn't even finish it all.
Before I give it 5 stars I need to go back and make sure they're consistent. I'm already looking forward to it. -
Review from JaeBamf L.
Spring Valley, CA
6/3/2011
well, there's nothing i can say about this place that hasn't already been said in most of the other reviews. the pork here is cooked nearly to perfection. it's moist, flavorful and the little crispy outer bits are nice to chew on. very decadent.
the carnitas for 2 was more than enough for 3. my friend, her mom and i walked out with a happily bulging bellies.
i found the all-pig interior a little creepy though. and the service could have been a little more keen. our waitress was mostly silent for the duration of our dining experience. i'm not sure if it was because she couldn't speak english fluently. but all in all, a pleasant first time here otherwise. -
Review from Dennis F.
El Cajon, CA
3/17/2011
The best Carnitas in San Diego!
Unfortunately the mom passed away and owner closed the doors. big bummer :( -
Review from A. E.
Henderson, NV
2/10/2011
Bring it on
Bring me carnitas Uruapan anytime
If you want to be my friend
If you want to be my lover
If you want to be liked
Bring me this food... Super awesome.
Much love
Delish
I want it now -
Review from Ima d.
Poway, CA
2/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mmmm.... fried pig!
This place was great... Pig Pig and more PIG! The portions are huge the food is great (too bad I was on a diet while I was here). I got the chile verde and was very satisfied. Can't wait to come back while I am not dieting and eat my self retarded.
Only knock is its not the nicest neighborhood, and kind of a pain to get to from north county. -
Review from Jessica B.
El Cajon, CA
7/29/2011
Great family oriented mexican restaurant! Delicious food and friendly service : )
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Review from George C.
Chula Vista, CA
7/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Came here for dinner with the family on Friday night. We got the sampler platter that consisted of enchilada, tamale, sope, taco, chile relleno, Carnitas and the customary rice and beans. We also ordered a Carnitas dinner for two.
First off the good stuff. Their house salsa is pretty tasty and their guacamole isn't bad either.
Now the bad news: everything else ranged from ordinary to just plain bad. I didn't try the enchilada but they told me it was greasy and the sauce tasted like it came from a can. Maybe it's just me but I'm not used to enchilada sauce all over my tamale. Underneath all that sauce was a dry tough masa that I couldn't enjoy. They must have used that same masa for their sope because that was tough as well. You can get a better tasting taco at any local Roberto's in town. The chile relleno would have been OK except that the cheese that was used was not appetizing.
The Carnitas: Wow, I have never tried a more flavorless, fatty plate of Carnitas in my life. I know plenty of people say this, but I'm being honest when I say that my pops can be drop dead drunk and still cook up a better cazo of Carnitas.
So I'm giving one star for the decent condiments that allowed me to choke down my dinner, and another star for the jukebox (even though most of the music was either Selena, Tigres del Norte, or Los Bukis). -
Review from Kunney T.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/22/2008
Et tu, chowhound?
I'm used to yelp giving me hip, but sometimes completely "off", reviews... but why, chowhound? You had been my most reliable friend and now I just don't know what to do with you.
I ordered carnitas, sopas, and a side of guacamole. Guac was flavorless. The sopas were ok.... But I came for the pork and the pork was just plain disappointing. Dry all over - like they fed me leftovers reheated from the night before. I can find better at a local carniceria, where I can choose my own pieces.
Bad chowhound! -
Review from Danna S.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 10/18/2009 3 photos
Love this place so much, it is in our regular rotation - you will find us here every Wednesday!
The carnitas platter is the way to go! Take your choice of corn or flour tortilla, coat with the BEST frijoles refritos this side of the border, add some delicious guacamole, top with chunks of succulent, toothsome, juicy carnitas, and DEVOUR AWAY ! Remember to come up for air like Michael Phelps every now and then...
AND...The owner Doña Maggie's son Hector makes fabulous jewelry that is on display next to the register. Dinner AND shopping ! Woo-hoo!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2008
The carnitas here are the best ! Unlike the ones in Mexico that include everything on the pig (… Read more »
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Review from Jason T.
Durham, NC
11/30/2009
Man, people in San Diego sure can get picky about their Mexican food. You guys just don't know how good you have it! "Bad Mexican food" in SD is like the ugliest girl in the Victoria's secret fashion show. She's still far from ugly! And Carnitas Uruapan is far, far from bad (by any standard).
Walking in the door, you instantly feel the vibe of the place: Warm, mom-and-pop-y, not glammed up or anything. You know the food's gonna be good, just like home-style cooking, mmm mmm! And the food is grrrr-eat! The carnitas are juicy and get better with each bite. I was lucky enough to be part of a group that got the sampler platter, and there were some good enchiladas, carne asada, tacos, beans, and the most fantastic Mexican rice I ever remember having. The rice was cheesy and greasy from the meat juices running into it, which made it all so easy to chow down on. Oh yeah.
I swear, if I lived anywhere near here (or anywhere in SD for that matter), you'd be having to drag me around in a wheelchair, I'd eat so much! -
Review from Thomas K.
Spring Valley, CA
11/14/2009
I make way better carnitas!
Meat and raw onions and 1 small tomato.....where is avocado, sauces, GOOD carnitas?
Beans did arrive ..... After we were done.
NOT impressed
Go to Por Favor in La Mesa for the BEST carnitas in the area -
Review from daeman c.
San Diego, CA
6/20/2007
Wow! Be forewarned, when you order a carnitas for two (you order per person) it's more like an order for four normal human beings. The carnitas come in huge chunks that I found to be pretty dry. Chewy, like jerky. But the condiments that come with it and the choice inner parts of the carnitas are excellent! A lot of smoky, meaty goodness all up in your face. Also, the shrimp cocktail we ordered must have had 30 shrimp in it served with a bowl of saltines and vinegar-y salsa picante which is the only kind to be used with seafood. The guacamole was good if not very exciting. Really, the flavors were pretty bland but the portions were enormous.
Note: I took home some of the more inedible portions of the meat and put them in the steamer the next day and they were much better. I know this review may not make you want to jump up and get some 'nitas but if you have a LARGE group of LARGE people and not a lot of $$, this is a fantastic place to go. -
Review from Selana H.
Lemon Grove, CA
3/25/2007
I went here with family after my grandma read a review on it. To be honest, I'd always wanted to try to restaurant with the piggy on the sign, but never gotten around to it.
The atmosphere is kitchy, cool, and the restaurant is FULL of piggies. It's great. It's run by a mother and son, and when we went, the son was running register, and when asked, "Mama's at the casino!" Good for Mama! I tend to make an initial judgement on ethnic restaurants by the customers. Had the place been packed with white people, I would have worried, but 9 out of 10 tables were Mexican, and two of the parties were multi-generational families that, from the way they interacted with the staff, were regulars.
A basket of tortilla chips and a good, though hot, salsa is issued to every table. Extra baskets are $0.50 each, but they serve you so much food, don't opt for the extra chips!
The carnitas were amazing! Served up in a heaping portion, with fresh sliced onions, a pile of fresh cilantro, and fresh, hot tortillas, the pork was tender and flavorful. However, it was a bit dry for my tastes, as well as for the rest of my dining party. We wound up having to order a rather high priced ($3.95) side of guacamole for the carnitas, it was so dry. The carnitas plate is also served with a side of flavorful, smoky tasting refried beans.
My Mom got the Chile Verde, which I think I'll be trying next time. Very tender pork, doused in an incredible green salsa! Eliminated the dry issue!
My Grandma is a big fan of good corn tortillas, and was so impressed with these, she wants to come back expressly to try the enchiladas with the amazing tortillas!
All in all, great food, good prices, I'll be back!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Gary B.
San Diego, CA
6/3/2011 1 photo
We went here today since we kinda had a pork craving after seeing the Yelp review pics so we went. Parking is plentiful, inside the joint, nothing fancy as far as decor. Nice little family restaurant that cooks their pork daily. We ordered the Carnitas plate for 2 which is $13.50, comes with big chunks of carnitas/pork which is easily breakable and moist n tender, outer part kinda had a nice crunch to it. It comes with tortillas or corn tortillas which ever you prefer, beans, parsley, raw onions, tomato slices, and lime wedges. They automatically offer a tray of fresh chips and salsa. Salsa was pretty good. Ordered the side of Guacamole which was an additional $4.25, was a large amount of it and fresh with some small bits of tomatoes mixed in. No complaints here will go back here sometime.
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Review from LARRY S.
Sequim, WA
2/25/2008
I guess I am going against the grain here. This was one place i wanted to try since I had been to the Tijuana Carnitas Urapan several times and loved it!
However, the Lemon Grove version is bland tasting. I had absolutely NO flavor/seasoning in the Carnitas. As those of you who have eaten Carnitas more than once know that the pork is fried in oil (I know this is not something we eat every day) and serverd with some cumin...oregano, etc. Our order arrived like the pork had been roasted and was as I said earlier naked with seasonings.
Sorry, there is no excuse for a mexican restaruant not to have a little flavor/spice/heat (yes, I tried to doctor it up by adding lots of salsa to get some sense of flavor) attached to the pork.
If you know mexican food this is not the place for Carnitas. No matter if they join the name into their title. FYI I grew up in San Diego and have over 40 years of experience eating and peparing mexican food. -
Review from jeff l.
5/27/2009
I ate here today and ordered the Carnitas dinner for one.
They give you a platter of carnitas, another dish of beans, and another dish of one third of a tomato, maybe 5 raw onion rings and some fresh cilantro on the stalk.
For 6.75 this is a pretty good deal for the amount of food that you get.
The red table salsa was good but not overly hot.
Other yelpers have written and said that they like their carnitas crisp which is fine but to me carnitas have to be moist and flavorful.
If they are not really moist and have a ton of pork flavor then they usually are overcooked and dry and that is a NO NO to me.
This place was decent but still the carnitas were slightly dry which did take away some of the flavor.
There are very few places that serve them up perfectly.
I barbecue pulled pork and make tacos out of them and they are super juicy and a lot more flavor than just about every restaurant I have ever eaten at.
The problem is that they can take anywhere from 10-18 hours to slow cook in the smoker!
I am still looking for the perfect carnitas place.
This isn't it. -
Review from Maria A.
La Mesa, CA
4/21/2009
How is it that I had never written about my old time fave, CU?
I have been coming here for years. It is quite true that their servings are plentiful...and the carnitas are definitely tasty.
I happen to like my Carnitas crispy. Yes...I'm a carnitas snob, but they will make 1/2 crispy, 1/2 soft if you ask them.
I tried their enchiladas one time and decided to just stick with the carnitas. They are delicious.
Their prices are beyond reasonable... -
Review from Carla S.
San Diego, CA
7/9/2009
Call me crazy for giving this joint 5 stars but I find the carnitas here moist yet crispy and succulent. The accompaniment are fresh and the food is served family style. Lots of bang for your buck too!
Good eats at this place. -
Review from Phee Y.
San Diego, CA
7/13/2007
The carnitas are what to order here, cannot vouch for anything else on the menu. Tortilla distribution is a little sparse so you will have to work with your server. Suggest to ask for extra tortillas right from the start as if it gets busy you may not see your server after your food arrives. Hole in the wall decor a little dusty and dingy but if you can get past that then pull up a seat. Great parking, free and plenty of it.
Also great fish and chips place next door. -
Review from Geoffrey A.
Tucson, AZ
4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
The best carnitas I've ever had. Food is authentic and classic. Family owned business for 28 years and the son who took over is quite nice. Service was quick and efficient. Not a high class joint, but a nice place to eat with the family.
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Review from Lisa T.
10/28/2010
Sunday (sometimes, saturday too) standard HANGOVER cure: small bowl of the red menudo (the large is too large) and carnitas for two (which is really for 4)...been coming here for years, its never been anything else but delicious, hot, and fast!! Only one thing has changed, and I shed a few tears....THEY DON'T HAVE CRUSHED ICE ANYMORE!!! yes, its true,SADLY they have regular cubes...
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Review from wiz z.
San Diego, CA
12/29/2009
Delish! .
.
Carnitas platter with Guacamole. Moist, flavorful. They serve it with tons of fresh cilantro, too!
.You CAN eat it there, but if you order ahead and bring it home, put it in your own dishes and serve it at your party EVERYONE will KNOW what a great cook you are!
The owners are from Uruapan (Apparently its a location down south somehwere) and have brought their authentic ways of cooking and recipes to Lemon Grove for Your Dining Pleasure!
.
If they served this food at any of the finest of restaurants, you'd be bragging about it for months, and will have paid triple!
. -
Review from jeoffry R.
Chula Vista, CA
Updated - 4/12/2011 1 photo
Damn good shit! The hype was right. There was only one other person there eating when we arrived. Service was a bit lacking, but the food was great. Some of the best carnitas I have ever had
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/13/2010
YIKES! ! ! !
So after reading all the great reviews of this place, and having it highly recommended… Read more »
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Review from P.A. P.
San Diego, CA
9/21/2009
Due to my cultural background, I grew up with Thai/Chinese and Mexican food. Even as a small kid, my mom told me that I ALWAYS leaned toward the Asian side of my palette. To this day, even when I am the one cooking, it's the same way. It's not that I don't like Mexican food, that's just my tendency.
Well, other than the obvious availability and greatness of San Diego's many taco shops for a quick bite, hands down, I will ALWAYS recommend Carnitas Uruapan for a family-styled, sit-down Mexican restaurant.
I have gone to this restaurant on various occasions over the past 10 years and have tried a number of different items. From items as small as their Beans, Rice and Hot Carrots; to mid-sized items like their Enchiladas and Chile Rellenos; up to the house specialty of Carnitas; there is no doubt, their food is both authentic and EXCELLENT. Their prices are nice and the portions will end up in take-out boxes.
While I will admit the interior is in need of a serious makeover, the food more than makes up for it. Imagine the restaurant for the opening and closing scenes in Pulp Fiction... that's kind of what it looks like... only Mexican. One cool feature about the decor actually displays how many people love this place. There is a glass case FULL of different types of pigs (glass, ceramic, plush, etc) that guests give to the owner... possibly as tokens of appreciation. I have actually asked about the case while paying for my meal and was told they get pigs ALL THE TIME.
Again, whenever I crave "real" Mexican food... you know... the type your Madre, Tia, or Abuela would make for you... it's time to visit Carnitas Uruapan. -
Review from José C.
San Diego, CA
I LUV this place!
I get ONLY carnitas here. So my review is based solely on this.
As the restaurant name implies, this place is known for their carnitas. They are the best carnitas in SD. I order mine crispy with no fat, Jalapeños on the side and corn tortillas. Cilantro and lime, that is it.
They are almost as good as home made! The place is not fancy by any means, but very Big Mexican Family oriented. This place is frequented by people of size cuz they luv their carnitas. I luv it too, but I control myself by eating there once in a blue moon, then hit gym! -
Review from Scott G.
San Diego, CA
4/3/2008
Fried pork. There's nothing like good fried pork. I don't mean little cubes of dried tough generic white meat, but large chucks of fall-apart tender, cripsy-on-the-outside moist-on-the-inside pork greatness.
While we prefer the atmosphere and prices of the restaurant in Tijuana, this one is fine when the cravings hit. Everybody is super friendly, the place is clean, and for under $14 bucks, you get enough for two. In fact, we take a second order of corn tortillas home to finish off the leftovers. -
Review from Travis G.
San Diego, CA
11/13/2009 2 Check-ins Here
Carnitas Uruapan is decorated with hundreds of little piggies, which is exactly what I feel like after I eat here. I mean that in the best possible way. I usually eat fairly healthy foods; but once every couple of months I indulge in some delicious, fattening, coma-inducing cuisine, and Carnitas Uruapan provides just that. I usually do not order carnitas, but I have tasted them here and they are yummy! My personal favorites are the enchiladas suizas and the enchiladas rojas, stuffed full of juicy white meat chicken. Delicious! The rice and beans are always fresh and provide a nice compliment to the main dish.
One thing that I don't like about Uruapan is their salsa. Unfortunately, they only have one choice and it is foamy and full of garlic - not what good salsa should taste like!
Service here is exceptional. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, especially Hector, who usually works at the register. I do wish they would spruce up the decor a bit though; at least paint over that excruciating hospital green color that covers the walls now. Nonetheless, I love Carnitas Uruapan, and I will continue to eat here every once in a while whenever I feel like "pigging out."
