El Pato Barbacoa y Mixiotes — Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

I’m not religious but Jesus lord have mercy is this place so good. I’m at a loss for words. Not only is this barbacoa (lamb only) some of the best you’ll ever try but the hospitality that you receive at this humble establishment is worth all the riches in the world. They have two kinds of barbacoa dishes (barbacoa and mixiotes). Pilar, the owner suggested getting both in portions to share with the table alongside some consume to start. You put together your own tacos at the table. You can also just order tacos or barbacoa or the mixiote (more brotha dish) but, trust me, just do what she says and let them present their best to you. The flavors will tell you just how much quality and care is put into the food. The barbacoa is cooked for a whole night underground fire pit style. Literally, some of the best barbacoa I’ve had in the 20 times I’ve been to Mexico.

Come for an early lunch, they close at 2pm.

The establishment is off the road and next to the bus station. They have the little flags that say barbacoa - it’s a real hidden gem. Fair warning: Don’t come here and ask for vegetarian options. If anything the cute little lamb was vegetarian. Do not expect a large menu of poorly curated dishes like the $$$ restaurants in the...

Located on the edge of SMD Town, This place exemplifies what a true gem should embody. The moment we stepped in, Pillar & Pato, the lovely owners, welcomed us with such warmth that we instantly felt at home. Our hearts were set on trying their Barbacoa, and Pillar, with her gracious hospitality, elevated our experience by recommending the addition of Consome to our order. The suggestion to dunk the Barbacoa tacos into the flavorful broth was a game-changer! The combination was simply divine, creating an explosion of flavors that were beyond comparison. The Barbacoa itself was a revelation, unquestionably the best we've had in a very long time. The meat was incredibly tender, and even after indulging in a few tacos, we felt surprisingly light—a testament to the quality and authenticity of the food. I can't stress enough how much I recommend this place. From the warm welcome to the outstanding Barbacoa and the ingenious addition of Consome, every aspect of our dining experience was phenomenal. If you're in the area, don't miss the chance to savor the culinary mastery of Pillar & Pato—it's an experience you'll cherish and want to relive...

Friends and I walked out to this barbacoa joint from near the Centro. I was famished by the time we got there. I had been worried that it would be crowded on a Sunday since I had read rave reviews about it in a travel book. I am somewhat of a barbeque aficionado and will try it no matter where it is being served. When we arrived, we were surprised to find we were the only ones there. I even walked back outside of their makeshift enclosure to make sure the sign was right. We ordered several things from their menu and then were told that they were out of half of what we wanted, not a good sign since no one was there to have taken those things already (it was just before noon). So, we ordered what they had and waited about 20 minutes to get it. What we ate was pit barbequed beef served in it's own juices with tortillas on the side and a house salad served family style. There was only oil and vinegar for the salad. The meat was almost a waste as it was tasteless, stringy and way to chewy for a pit barbeque. The only thing that made it palatable was the tray of condiments, chili salsa, crema, etc. that masked the bad barbacoa....