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Carnitas and carne asada in Minnesota

Finding a kitchen that can master both the slow-cooked tenderness of carnitas and the precise sear of carne asada.

Based on 653 Opinions
+650
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Updated April 2026
01
El Sazon Tacos & More image 1
El Sazon Tacos & More image 2
El Sazon Tacos & More image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Small kitchen inside a gas station creates an unassuming setting with basic seating arranged in a shared, family-style table. Atmosphere feels authentic and raw, reflecting a steady, casual vibe without flashiness.

Juicy, flavorful, and fall-apart tender describe the carnitas here, with richness from slow-cooking. They pair well with tortillas but are best eaten on-site to enjoy their full juiciness.

Carne asada tacos stand out as a highlight, often made fresh while you wait. The menu also features carne asada burritos and carne asada fries, both served with care and flavor.

People are saying

"You have to try the shrimp tacos; they're amazing."

"The carnitas are so juicy and flavorful."

"I thought the carne asada tacos were the best."

Good to know

1

On Tuesdays, they offer Taco Tuesday specials with $3 tacos.

2

The restaurant is located inside a gas station.

3

El Sazon Tacos & More is very busy at lunch with longer waits.

02
Tromperia El zac image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and comfortable booths creates a welcoming, relaxed vibe. Interior features historic pictures and clean, attractive decor. Upbeat music adds energy while guests enjoy authentic al pastor tacos and flavorful margaritas.

Quesabirrias with steak and carnitas stand out with rich flavors. Both the carnitas and barbacoa nachos offer a tasty experience.

Carne asada stands out with flavorful tacos and a delicious sincronizada. It pairs well with other dishes like al pastor and steak tacos, all offering rich, savory tastes.

People are saying

"I found the birria tacos here to be amazing."

"I was instantly surprised by how awesome the carnitas tasted."

"I found the Carne Asada tacos to be delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant accepts cash only for tips; no card payments for tips.

2

Parking can be challenging due to ongoing construction in the area.

3

The establishment maintains a clean environment with an open kitchen.

03
Que Taco Fridley image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers authentic atmosphere with upbeat music and a clean, spacious layout. A standout feature is the impressive salsa bar with a variety of salsas and pickled veggies. The place draws people seeking affordable, genuine Mexican flavors and generous portions.

Pork carnitas come moist and tender with crispy edges. The carnitas tacos stand out as perfectly cooked and highly praised.

Carne asada shines in the street tacos loaded with all the fixings and the fries that bring serious heat. Both dishes stand out compared to typical taco spots.

People are saying

"The pastor and carnitas tacos here are fantastic."

"The Carne Asada street tacos were delicious and surprisingly generous."

"The carnitas were moist, tender, and had crispy edges."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesdays offer special deals on tacos throughout the day.

2

Expect a 30-45 minute wait during peak hours for food.

3

Portion sizes are generous, providing good value for the price.

04
El Itacate Mexican Food LLC image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, casual Mexican restaurant with authentic decor and a visible kitchen creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Music plays softly, adding to the lively yet comfortable vibe. The space feels clean and well maintained, attracting a steady flow of diners.

Carnitas show up in tacos, gorditas, burritos, and chimichangas with rich flavor and fresh ingredients. Dishes like the Burrito Zuizo and taco combos highlight the bold, savory taste of the carnitas.

Carne asada appears in several dishes like the California Burrito, quesadilla, and torta. It pairs well with sides like elote and stands out alongside other meats like pollo asada and carnitas.

People are saying

"This Mexican food is authentic, fresh, and full of flavor."

"The carnitas tacos here are so good and flavorful."

"Their carne asada and pollo asada were superb."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday features $2 tacos, making it an affordable dining option.

2

Enchiladas are $3 off on Wednesdays, offering another great deal.

3

Burrito Mondays and Nacho Thursdays provide additional weekly specials.

05
El Compa Mexican Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant offers a clean, simple interior with a warm, friendly atmosphere and constant reggaeton music playing. Seating is limited to a few tables, creating an intimate, hole-in-the-wall vibe. The environment feels inviting but can be slightly warm inside.

Carnitas come juicy and well-seasoned, often featured in overstuffed street tacos alongside chicken and carne asada. They pair well with barbacoa and birria, both noted for their rich flavors.

Carne asada fries and quesabirria tacos stand out with strong flavors and solid seasoning. Street tacos offer a variety including carne asada, all cooked well and seasoned nicely.

People are saying

"The birria tacos here are so flavorful and packed with meat."

"The carne asada tacos and bowls were seasoned and cooked well."

"The carnitas here are so juicy and flavorful."

Good to know

1

They also do breakfast on the weekends.

2

They do not serve alcohol.

3

They charge an additional 3% fee if you use a credit card.

06
El Super Taco image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small space fills with loud Mexican music and smells of fresh tortillas and meats. Calm atmosphere suits those who enjoy authentic Mexican flavors with a self-service salsa bar offering spicy options. Crowd appreciates handmade corn tortillas and street tacos considered among the best locally.

Carnitas have great flavor and stand out among other meats. The carnitas platter comes with rice and beans, and the carnitas street tacos pair well with fresh lime juice.

Tender meat with full flavor defines the carne asada here. Street tacos and burritos come with a variety of sauces and include street corn as a side option.

People are saying

"The quesabirrias here are a total hit, served with consommรฉ."

"The carne asada meat was tender and full of flavor."

"I loved the carnitas platter with rice and beans."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesdays offer tacos at just $2 each, making it a great deal.

2

Burrito bowls are available for $7.99 on Wednesdays.

3

Expect a language barrier as the cashier may only speak Spanish.

07
Taqueria El Parian image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers authentic tacos and burritos with freshly made ingredients and generous portions. The atmosphere is cool and casual, with Spanish music playing and a noticeable language barrier due to limited English spoken. Cash-only policy and no hot drinks shape the practical experience.

Carnitas stand out with rich flavor and tender texture. They appear in burrito bowls and street tacos, offering a satisfying, authentic taste.

Carne asada tacos come perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. They stand out alongside other meats like lengua and barbacoa, all delivering strong, authentic flavors.

People are saying

"I found the Mexican food here to be delicious and authentic."

"The carne asada tacos were the bomb."

"I found the carnitas to be the best I had ever tasted."

Good to know

1

They only accept cash; no card payments are available.

2

No one at the restaurant spoke English, creating a language barrier.

3

Servers can communicate in Spanish and English.

08
El Taquito Taco Shop Inc image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with funky Aztec decor and colorful murals creates a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with a family feel. Drive-thru service adds convenience while Spanish channels and occasional DJ music enhance the lively vibe. The place offers authentic tacos that stand out for their flavor.

Big chunks of roast pork define the carnitas here, cooked with perfectly fried crisp edges. Served on corn tortillas, these tacos come with flavorful meat that stands out among other options.

Carne asada comes well-seasoned and tender with a lot of flavor. Options include tacos with cilantro and homemade salsa and a burrito that stands out.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and exploding with flavor."

"I thought the carnitas here were the best, with perfectly fried crisp edges."

"The Carne Asada here is so flavorful and tender."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is open until 3 AM, perfect for late-night cravings.

2

El Taquito has large portion sizes, often allowing for two meals from one burrito.

3

Call ahead service is available, along with a drop-in option and drive-thru.

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