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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Oceanside

Carnitas and Carne Asada

You know the difference between good carnitas and good carne asada, and you expect both to be done right.

Based on 690 Opinions
+687
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Updated May 2026
01
Gabys Tacos image 1
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Mexican restaurant

Outdoor seating features shaded patio with heaters and artificial turf, creating a clean, inviting atmosphere with authentic Mexican street dining vibes. Music and a well-stocked salsa bar add to the relaxed, fun energy. The space suits couples and families, balancing lively sounds with a comfortable setting.

Carnitas tacos come with tons of meat and classic toppings like onions and cilantro. The pork is flavorful and served with fixings such as radish and grilled onions.

Carne asada fries and carne asada tacos stand out with rich flavors. The menu also features carne asada quesadillas and carne asada nachos, offering variety in preparation.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and full of flavor."

"I loved the carne asada nachos and fries."

"The carnitas here are so juicy and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Tacos are priced at $2 each, except for seafood tacos.

2

Restroom facilities are available next door at the Smog Station.

3

Gaby's Tacos is a family-owned food truck known for their tacos and quesadillas.

02
Evaga image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious interior with club-style lighting and multiple TVs creates a lively, fun atmosphere. Music ranges from classic to modern Latin tunes, often featuring live bands and DJs. The place draws groups and families looking for energetic vibes and authentic Mexican food.

Carnitas come crispy and juicy with an option for no skin. The carnitas quesadilla is simple and perfect, and the red hot spicy salsa adds a nice kick to the carnitas plate.

Carne asada shines with excellent tacos and a delicious plate that stands out. The carne asada fries also offer a tasty twist on the classic.

People are saying

"The food here is authentic, homemade, and absolutely delicious."

"The carne asada tacos and plates are amazing."

"The carnitas were crispy, juicy, and delicious."

Good to know

1

Evaga offers $2 tacos during Taco Tuesday every week.

2

Happy hour menu features discounted drinks and appetizers.

3

Reservations are recommended for large parties or special events.

03
Valerie's Taco Stand mar y tierra burrito image 1

Mexican restaurant with simplistic decor and cramped seating offers a relaxed atmosphere typical of SoCal taco shops. A standout feature is the salsa bar with six varieties, enhancing the casual dining experience. The vibe feels like home despite the modest setting.

Carnitas tacos stand out with a strong presence of meat in each taco. They deliver a solid flavor, sometimes rated highly, but can vary in portion size.

Carne asada stands out with its rich flavor and tenderness. It appears in burritos, tacos, and rolled tacos, often paired with crispy fries or grilled mahi for variety.

People are saying

"I thought the Mexican food, especially the tacos, was delicious."

"I found the carne asada to be the best I had in North County."

"You have to try their carnitas tacos; they're a 12/10."

Good to know

1

Prices are around $10 per burrito, offering good value.

2

They make their own corn tortillas in-house.

3

Expect generous portion sizes for the price.

04
Valerie’s Taco Shop image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious interior with natural light and tiled tables creates a bright atmosphere. An open kitchen showcases fresh cooking, while a small salsa bar offers a variety of flavorful, house-made salsas. Seating includes small tables for groups, with plans to add bar seating for sports viewing.

Tender and flavorful carnitas appear in tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. Seasoning stays consistent and fresh, matching the quality of pollo and al pastor options.

Carne asada shines in several dishes like the burritos, salads, and Al Pastor tacos. The white habanero sauce adds a nice spicy kick to the carne asada plate.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be awesome."

"I loved the carne asada burritos; they were delicious and filling."

"The carnitas here are so tender and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday features $2 tacos for selected flavors.

2

Expect prices to be slightly higher due to the shopping center's lease costs.

3

The burrito costs about $14 after tax, offering good value.

05
Los Tacos image 1
Taco restaurant

Corner store Mexican shop with small indoor space and outdoor seating offers a lively, backyard bash vibe. Salsa bar and visible grilling setup add to the authentic feel. Music can be loud, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Soft and tender shredded pork defines the carnitas tacos here. They deliver a satisfying and especially good flavor that stands out among other dishes.

Carne asada stands out with its rich, savory flavor. Burritos and tacos featuring this meat come big and satisfying, consistently delivering a delicious taste.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here, especially the tacos, is great."

"I thought the carne asada burritos were the best I've had."

"The carnitas tacos were satisfying with soft and tender shredded pork."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers Carne Asada, Pollo Asado, Carnitas, and Al Pastor tacos for $2 each from 5 pm to close.

2

They have a 5-taco combo for $12 available all day Tuesday.

3

Breakfast is available anytime.

06
Sabroso taco savor a mi tierra image 1

Small taco spot inside a neighborhood market with loud music and a cash-only policy. Atmosphere feels like an old school hole in the wall with a clean but beat-up setting. Locals gather here for authentic, juicy tacos and spicy traditional dishes.

Carnitas here are mostly tender and juicy, avoiding the dryness common elsewhere. Some dishes like the Carnitas Mulita can be slightly dry and less flavorful, possibly from sitting on the hot bar.

Carne asada appears in tacos and burritos with rich, savory flavor. It pairs well with other items like tortas and breakfast burritos, showing versatility in dishes.

People are saying

"I thought this was the best taco place I'd had in a long time."

"The food here is authentic Mexican, made from scratch like your Tia would make."

"These carnitas are so tender and juicy."

Good to know

1

They only accept cash; an ATM is available at the corner Donut Shop.

2

Prices are not posted, so ask before ordering to avoid surprises.

3

The restaurant is located in a neighborhood market with Mexican goods.

07
Guanatos City Mexican Restaurant image 1

Mexican restaurant with family-oriented Latino culture and clean, well-kept seating featuring counter height tables. Atmosphere stays chill and pleasant despite somewhat loud TV music. Known for authentic Jalisco-style dishes and homemade corn tortillas.

Carnitas come with authentic birote and salsa that complement the meat well. They appear in various dishes like tacos and the El Torta Especial, offering a pretty good flavor.

Super flavorful carne asada stands out in tacos and plates. The carne asada burrito tastes off compared to other dishes.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is delicious, especially the birria with handmade tortillas."

"The Carne Asada salsas were unique and well balanced."

"The carnitas here tasted authentic."

Good to know

1

$1 tacos are available on Tuesdays.

2

Expect extra charges for mix meat and service fees.

3

The restaurant often has long wait times due to staff shortages.

08
La Familia Callejas mexican food image 1

Mexican restaurant with lively banda and soccer on TVs creates an energetic atmosphere. Live music and DJ performances add to the festive vibe. The space is colorful and bright with a welcoming, warm environment.

Wet burritos with carnitas stand out for their rich flavor and generous portions. Carnitas also appear in huaraches, offering a wonderful taste that complements the dish well.

Carne asada wet burritos stand out for their size and flavor, often described as some of the best around. Tacos de carne asada also offer a solid, satisfying option.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and flavorful."

"The carnitas wet burrito is a 10/10, maybe even 11/10."

"I thought the carne asada burrito was the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Karaoke happens every Thursday night, starting at 8pm.

2

They charge an extra 4% fee for credit or debit card payments.

3

Free chips and salsa are provided with every meal.

09
Tacos Don Paco image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with modern, clean interior and spacious family seating offers a large free salsa bar featuring nine homemade salsas from mild to habanero. Atmosphere is casual with Narco corrido music playing, creating a lively vibe. Known for authentic tacos and quick lunch options, it attracts those seeking genuine flavors and variety.

Carnitas come in generous portions with big chunks of meat. The carnitas sope is larger than usual and very flavorful. Taco Tuesday offers carnitas tacos at $1.99 each, making them a solid choice.

Carne asada has a nice grilled taste and comes perfectly seasoned in burritos and tacos. Carne asada fries are cooked well, not soggy or overly saucy, with high-quality fries.

People are saying

"I loved the salsa bar's great variety, from mild to habanero."

"The carne asada here is perfectly seasoned."

"I wouldn't go anywhere else for the Carnitas; they're to die for."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers tacos for $1.99 each for pastor, chorizo, chicken, and carnitas.

2

Parking can be tight during busy times, but there are a few spaces in front.

3

The restaurant is very clean and has a well-organized salsa bar.

10
Johnny Mañana's image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers a festive patio with heated outdoor seating and a colorful salsa bar. The vibe is hip and fun, with music that supports conversation without shouting. Margaritas stand out as well-balanced and flavorful.

Juicy and flavorful carnitas fill tacos, burritos, and nachos generously. Burritos come fully loaded and large enough to share, while carnitas fries add a tasty twist.

Carne asada dishes feature tender beef with balanced meat and cheese. Options include fries topped with crema and guacamole, huge nachos, quesadillas, tacos, and burritos with flavorful, well-prepared meat.

People are saying

"These fish tacos are delicious and surprisingly big."

"The carnitas burrito was fully loaded and tender."

"I thought the carne asada was superb."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday features street tacos for $2.50 each.

2

Happy hour offers drink specials with discounted prices.

3

Wine glass Wednesdays feature $5 glasses of wine.

11
Frida’s Taqueria Oceanside image 1

Roomy Mexican restaurant with TJ style atmosphere and neon lights creates a lively vibe. Salsa bar offers fresh, self-serve condiments enhancing the experience. Open late with visible kitchen where cooks prepare tacos and burritos from fresh ingredients.

Solid carnitas tacos come with good, flavorful meat. They appear alongside other tacos like Birria and Carne Asada, showing a variety of taco options.

Carne asada features a flavorful char with no tough tendons. Burritos come with extra meat on top of guacamole, and tacos deliver rich, delicious meat consistently.

People are saying

"The tacos and burritos here are amazing Mexican food."

"I thought the carne asada here was amazing."

"I considered the carnitas here the best I ever had."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesdays offer $1.99 tacos, a great deal for taco lovers.

2

Expect long wait times on Taco Tuesdays, especially during lunch hours.

3

Frida’s Taqueria Oceanside also has Taco Thursdays with the same $1.99 tacos.

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