Carnitas Logistics

I’ll be in Chicago for 48 hours next week and was trying to find food that is scarce in NYC. After some research, I decided that I need to check out some of the carnitas places like Sabas Vega and Uruapan (despite what people say, you can get good Mexican food in NYC but it’s mostly Pueblan). I just have a few logistics questions.

It seems like these are take out places. Is it possible to sit at any carnitas-heavy restaurants? I won’t have a car and I imagine that it will be freezing outside. Also, will everything be available at say, noon on a Friday? I would hate to trek to Pilsen and find out that they’re out of items. And one more clueless question—how do you order the carnitas? I read one review that mentioned a place, Michoacan, that sells by the pound but then another review made some reference to being asked “how many,” implying servings.

I wish I had more time to try regional Mexican food in Chicago, but I really only have two free meals (I’m also doing Moto and deep-dish pizza, even though I’m not crazy about saucy pies).

Cheers


Project Me
--------------------------
http://www.project-me.com

scaredy_kat, welcome to LTH!

I'd recommend going to Uruapan -- it's right by an el stop (Pink Line; also Blue Line during rush hours), it has tables, and it's very friendly. They recommend a half-pound per person. You will definitely not leave the place hungry. You can also order a nopalito salad on the side, if you like.

Noon on a Friday should be a fine time to go. Have fun!

Amata

Uruapan is cuter, but I prefer Carnitas Don Pedro, just up the street at 1113 W. 18th St. The meat on my visits has been more succulent and the salsa is better. Also, for some reason you don't get the onions/cilantro garnish at Uruapan. At both spots you order by th epound or by how many tacos you want. Don Pedro can be slamming busy, but the wait is worth it and usually pretty quick.

I second Amata's choice of Uruapan: it's a friendly place and the carnitas are excellent. There may even be some weekend specials (pozole, menudo) though if there are, they probably kick in on Saturday. I believe they're only open for lunch and dinner, so you may want to call first for times.

Remember to bring a camera for pix of dramatic murals featuring cannibalistic piggies.

This place has been discussed on LTH and can be searched; here's a relevant piece from Steve Dolinksy: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=restaurants&id=4145553

Seems to me all the main carnitas places are pretty equal-it has everything to do with timing-you can get a so-so batch(possibly from the day before) or a fresh batch at any of them. Given this-I also have had the best luck at Don Pedro. You also may be asked what parts you want-"surtido" being some of everything, you can usually say "just meat" to indicate no exotic parts.

Thanks for all the quick, helpful responses. I must admit that the cartoon pigs cooking each other at Uruapan swayed me a bit (in their favor, I mean). Since Don Pedro is nearby I could probably give them a try too. Maybe half a pound of pork (shared between two) at each place?

I read an older thread about tater tots at a nearby bar, which got me very excited, but unfortunately I won't likely still be around the area by (appropriate) drinking time.


http://www.project-me.com

scaredy_kat wrote:Thanks for all the quick, helpful responses. I must admit that the cartoon pigs cooking each other at Uruapan swayed me a bit (in their favor, I mean). Since Don Pedro is nearby I could probably give them a try too. Maybe half a pound of pork (shared between two) at each place?

I read an older thread about tater tots at a nearby bar, which got me very excited, but unfortunately I won't likely still be around the area by (appropriate) drinking time.


http://www.project-me.com

SK,

If you're willing to head eastward on 18th and are looking for something you might not find so readily in Nuevo Llork, you might do well to have a half a nosh in one of the carnitas places and then have some nice goat in the Birrieria Reyes de Ocotlán:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=31325#31325
You could go to Uruapan and then walk off some of the pork on you're way to BRdOcotlán or head east, hit Don Pedro and then stop in for birria on the way back to the el-stop.

I like the carnitas at both Uruapan (where I like to celebrate my onomastico) or Don Pedro. Don Pedro is more of a scene and the vendors outside sometimes have some good sh*t.

Don Antonio de la Plancha
a.k.a. Antonius

I agree that Urupan is a good place (very) and fine for eat-in, but I'm a bit more partial to Carnitas Paisa in Logan Square. See this thread*

*I mean post as thread implies replies; good pics too, if I say so myself

Vital Information wrote:I agree that Urupan is a good place (very) and fine for eat-in, but I'm a bit more partial to Carnitas Paisa in Logan Square. See this thread*

*I mean post as thread implies replies; good pics too, if I say so myself

I used to live right by Carnitas Paisa, and dearly love that neighbourhood - but if I was visiting Chicago without a car, I'd probably rather hit Pilsen. There's just a bit more to do there within easy walking distance, and it's easier to get to on the train.

West Logan Sqaure was a great place to live, but there's not exactly a ton of places to visit (esp. at noon on a Friday.) Pilsen has the el stop, the museum, a few different places to eat, some nice little shops, BomBom, etc.

Still, having said that, I do like Carnitas Paisa a lot.

Vital Information wrote:I agree that Urupan is a good place (very) and fine for eat-in, but I'm a bit more partial to Carnitas Paisa in Logan Square. See this thread*

*I mean post as thread implies replies; good pics too, if I say so myself

El Paisa also, of all the carnitas places, probably has the most regular restaurant-like ambiance -- and (as far as I know) the only muu-muu clad hostess. Like other carnitas places, though, it closes early.

The Skylark (the bar with the tots) opens at 4 p.m., in case you're still in the neighborhood.

2149 S Halsted St
312.948.5275

Might I suggest taking the Pink line to Urupan, then grabbing an eastbound 18th St. bus, stopping for goat or additional carnitas if you must (Don Pedro and Birrieria Reyes de Ocotlán are east of Urupan) and getting off at Halsted/18th St. for coffee and tres leche cake at Kristoffer's Cafe?

1733 S Halsted St
(312) 829-4150

Kristoffer's might not be as good as Bombon (a great, if spendy carry-out bakery on 18th St.), but there are tables so you can sit down to enjoy your sugar-caffeine-carnitas buzz.

Thanks for all of the birria tips. I will definitely add a birrieria to my venture. Pork and goat seems like the way to go. Not to forget those tasty sounding tots...

http://www.project-me.com