El Carboncito and Street Food
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El Carboncito and Street Food
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Mexican
Meal types
Dinner, Late Night
PRICE
$
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Is this restaurant good for dinner?
Contribute
4.7
189 reviews
Excellent
147
Very good
28
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
4
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Fiona P.
30 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
This came as highly recommended by a few locals that we talked to, better than Pepe’s they say, so we decided to give it a try. Too bad they open at 7pm so the only chance you get to try them is dinner time, unless you are still up until 3am. They only have less than 10 tables so you will have to wait if they’re busy. They’re street taco sized so it’s reasonably priced at USD1 each. It’s still Pepe’s for me but still worth a try.
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuEeNyGuRl
San Diego193 contributions
May 2022 • none
After researching many places to eat authentic local food, I found El Carboncito. I was so excited to try this place out and it lived up to the hype! It's a small joint known for their Al Pastor (grilled pork 🌮) frequented by many locals. There's indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend the outdoor seating so you can watch them make your taco. The kitchen area is outside where they cook the meat. There's plastic chairs surrounding the kitchen.
Just sit down at a chair and someone will come by to take your order. They don't speak English but understand a few basic words. I highly recommend getting the roasted onion bulbs with your tacos. It is a game changer. They bring your plate of tacos to you. I like how they only use 1 tortilla per taco. Unlike the US the tacos have 2 tortillas which makes them super filling. The Al Pastor tacos come with the meat, a slice of pineapple, chopped onions & cilantro. They also have a salsa bar to dress up your taco however you like.
My first bite into the Al Pastor, I was in heaven and punched with a flavor bomb. So much was happening in my mouth! The meat was tender and juicy and the pineapple 🍍provided a sweet tangy twist to it. I can't forget about the onion bulb. I take a bite of that before my bite of taco. It provides a nice crunchy texture to the taco. Just feed me more! I ended up getting 5 tacos 🌮 and they were less than 20 pesos each.
I think my fave Al Pastor place in San Diego, Tacos El Gordo has been de-throned by El Carboncito! Just go, you won't regret it. It was so damn good, I came here twice, literally. ⭐
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross P
Los Angeles9 contributions
May 2024 • couples
I originally have only ordered three tacos and then they were so damn good that I ordered four more. My wife had two tacos and then ordered two more. Had the pastor and asada. Freshly grilled. Superfast with cilantro and onions. Excellent salsas. 20 pesos at Taco. It's outdoor indoor and slightly smoky. Excellent service and total value. We are coming back on Wednesday when they have lengua and other tasty flavors of tacos.
Written May 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crystal R
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • family
One of the waitresses there is rude! My husband , mom, and baby came here 40 minutes away from our hotel to eat. We get there and there was a Caucasian couple walking behind us. The waitress looked at them quickly sat them down and the Caucasian lady gets up and tells us to sit down that we were here first and that they can wait for another table. So then that same waitress came to our table annoyed and takes our order. My husband starts to order and says rice and beans for him (my son 1 year it was his birthday) she took a long pause and looked at him as if he was a moron and was like “no Aqui solamente hay tacos” so he was like oh okay so we proceeded with our order and at the end idk if she had some remorse in her she said maybe a quesadilla for him ? We ended up saying no anyway. Another young lady bought us our food she was nice but she had gave us 2 tacos from another table the evil waitress looked at her and yelled at her in front of everyone and came to our table and snatched the tacos and my husband was trying to tell her that we didn’t touch them and that he had ordered 3 Al pastor and she was like “si si si” with her back turned. Then when we go to pay same thing she kept cutting us off we were making sure she was charging us the correct amount. Reason for two stars is because the tacos are good they are very small but they are good. She definitely racially profiled us though.
Written June 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mogcambomama
Medford1294 contributions
May 2023 • couples
This use to be one of our favorite stops for tacos. Very disappointed this trip, prices up and quanity of meat less. The meat was shaved very thin and there was little of it on the torilla. I can usually eat three but this time I ordered five and I was still hungry. Most disappointing meal of our three week trip. Next trip we will hit Pepe's or Tacos Panchos instead.
Written May 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
welshjohnm
Mission26 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
I have been coming here for 10 years from Canada. It is one of my favourite experiences. Last time I bested my record of 14 tacos al pastor in one sitting. Delicious tacos, cheap beer and very friendly and attentive staff. You know its good when you are surrounded by locals and not tourists. Skip the overpriced places where tourists are lined up for "authentic" tacos and go here. Very simple, plastic chairs etc but feels like you are at a family barbecue. Amazingly cheap prices too, pay in pesos :) and practice your Spanish!
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelica M
Tlajomulco de Zuniga22 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
My favorite tacos are pastor and asada, as the name suggests, made over charcoal. The sauces are very delicious, I praise the natural Jamaican drink. Without a doubt this place is one of my favorites when I go to Puerto Vallarta.
Written April 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HamletTX
Fort Worth198 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
We ate there and were pleased by the food. Tacos al pastor were really good.
The only concerning thing is that they don't change the salsas bowls between customers. You use the same spoon and salsa bowls that the previous customers used. They also didn't wipe down tables between customers. Payment only in cash. Limited drink selection.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeeRindal
Billings67 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
There are SO many great taco places in Puerto Vallarta it is hard to keep them all straight or to have enough time to try them all. This place stood out as a top contender. I will come back and add more menu tries from this place for sure.
Written February 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig B
Phoenix16 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
On the way back to the hotel we noticed this busy taco stand half way between the main road in the central part of town and and the ocean....although we had only eaten a little over an hour earlier....I could not resist having a taco that turned into 4 tacos for me and 3 for my wife. All we tried were 5 star, but for both of us the pastor taco was the best I have ever tasted! Friendly efficient wait staff and the prices are extremely reasonable. Sat in the plastic chairs and enjoyed a cold beer with our tacos...made 3 trips in our 14 day trip for 'snacks'
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carli M
Canada444 contributions
Nov 2022 • friends
I make sure to visit once or twice per visit to get my fix of tacos al pastor. They are always fabulous and very affordable. Seating is very limited and generally in demand. Not many options but they make sure that what they do, they do well.
I'll be back on my next visit to PV for sure.
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower24112 contributions
May 2021 • none
Just a short distance from the Malecon in the northern part of the romantic zone is the street food stall of El Carboncito. One of our last stops for a bite to eat after a fun night in town drinking on the way back to our apartment.
Of course, at that time of night, all the tacos and al pastors taste great!
TIP: Be adventures try the chorizo.
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Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mogcambomama
Medford1294 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
The best street tacos so far. Authentic pastor tacos and more. Great prices,15 peso tacos. Husbands favorite is their stuffed potatoes. Loaded with meat, cheese and the works around 100 pesos.
Written November 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck333
Thorold1311 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
A baked pototo topped with melted cheese, meat and onion. Comes with a stack of warm tortillas and a side of sliced radish and cucumber. Don't order any tacos until you're finish this. Food is great. Prices are good. Staff is wonderful. I recommend the al pastor on the potato.
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
Walla Walla228 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Heard from several folks about how great these tacos are. But each night we tried to find the restaurant space, we never could. Finally last night someone was inside the roll up door area and said would be open 7 pm tomorrow. Arrived 730. Saw the yummy al pastor ready to carve, folks patiently seated and waiting..
But no service yet.
Once they started taking orders it went pretty quick. Got just one to go and it was really really worth the wait.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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