Carnitas El Guero — Restaurant in Austin

This is the type of place that foodies dream about. A place largely unknown unless you know someone tells you about it. This is the kind of place you want to keep a secret for fear that if the word spread to too many people, it wouldn’t be as good or it would run out faster than it already does.

This review will be a bit long for the casual reader mainly because the other reviews haven’t really gotten into the details of why this place is so special. Understanding that many people who have posted reviews previously already have an inherent understanding of how carnitas is made, this place is likely par for the course for them. I won’t go into the long details of making Carnitas, but just know it’s a decent bit of time and effort. It’s not something you can just whip up in an hour. It requires practice, expertise, and experience to get it right; this place is incredibly divine and the meat is very porky flavored.

The restaurant itself is located inside a gas station. Upon entry, there was a line of five or ten in front of me, all Spanish speakers. I came on a Sunday around 12 and could see why this place sells out on the weekends by 1 or 2. There are a few different options of how you can take your carnitas, but I bought a pound with some sides and took it to go. In truth, I came here to buy salsa because it came highly recommended to me. I am so glad I bought both salsa and carnitas. I spent a few minutes chatting it up with a guy I assume is the chef or main cook. Really nice guy and really great customer service. He allowed me to buy both their salsas and gave me a few extra portions of their onions. Their onions aren’t just diced onions. They are pickled with white vinegar and habanero and salt. Maybe some Mexican oregano. They are a really nice topping for the porky, little fatty morsels of porky goodness that contrasts with the herby cilantro.

There are two salsa options, a spicy tomatillo based and a smoky red. Both are insanely good and pretty spicy overall. The green tomatillo is speckled with habenero and is a bit thinner. The red is a thicker, smoky, chipotly with about the same amount of heat. I taste a lot of roasted and smoky pepper undertones. I loved them both and so glad I bought some to take with me. They could easily sell this to hipsters at Whole Foods like Taco Deli does. Absolutely worth it.

I cannot say enough about this place. Food was amazing. Service was fantastic. People were friendly. The long line of all Latinos, many of whom I assume were Mexican, is a really good sign. Place is cash only, but there is an ATM inside. I hope this place becomes their own brick and mortar or at least...

I came here bcuz someone recommended it,it was NOT what I expected & just a regular experience. 😐😕 Nothing special about this place that I saw or experienced. 🤷‍♂️ Walked in & used the restroom first....after seeing this disgusting bathroom, I should've walked out. But,I was hungry & decided to give this place a try. 🙃 I like to be flexible & give places a try, but first impressions & results count in my book. 👀 The general layout of this restaurant is odd & look's like a jenga hopscotch put together haphazardly?? Dirty and disorganized location.🫣 Giant potholes in the parking lot & limited spaces is also an eyesore. I ordered the carna asada plate with aqua de horchata. 🍽 The meat had lotsa grizzle & skin left on whatever meat this was? The rice was cold & bean's we're good. The avocado slices was the best thing on this plate🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑 Added plus of having 5 tortillas is nice. 🫓🫓🫓 I was battling the meat to eat it and pulling off the skin while eating this. The $6 Dollar Glass of aqua de horchata is extremely overpriced. Good but NOT Great. Other than the initial order,the waitress never came back after delivery of food. Poor customer service & lack of any followup at all. 🫥🫨🫤 1st Time here & Definitely My Last...

I Personally Don't Eat Here (My Mom Does). So I Did Her The Favor Of Stopping By To Get Her Some Food. Waited About 15 Minutes For The Food. Afterwards My Mom Had Called And Asked If I Could Get Her A Side Of Avocado. Me Trying To Please My Mom To Make Sure She Enjoys Her Meal. I Went To The Register And Asked How Much It Was For A Side Of Avocado. A Women Behind The Register Grabbed The Menu Pointed Towards Where The Pricing To The Avocado Was. 2.99. I Pulled Out $4 To Have In Hand For When They Ask For Payment. A Second Lady Came Asked What I Wanted I Repeated "A Side Of Avocado". She Wrote It Down On A Receipt As If To Take The Order Down For A Side Of Avocado. After That I Was Completely Ignored. There Were At Least 3-5 Women "Working". Or So They Made It Seem. They Went On About What They Were Doing (They'd Stop, I Guess To See If I Was Still There Waiting). Then Proceeded "To Work". I Was Obviously Getting Upset. What Was So Difficult With Getting A Side Of Avocado??! I Left. Worst Service Ever. Honestly Don't Plan On...