Carniceria Coalcoman — Restaurant in Garden City

This Boise gem is what used to operate as Nuestro Pueblo. It's the same owners, same great food and meat market. They always had the Carniceria Caolcoman banner out front but went by the other name for a long time.

I like to order the daily special, three pork carnitas tacos with beans and rice. The carnitas are wonderful, unlike the uninspired pork cubes without any real flavor that many other places serve. Here, you can taste the difference. They also offer several kinds of homemade salsas, which are all very good.

I also like their meat market, which features thin cuts of beef and pork. I don't know about the beef, but they butcher pigs brought to the store whole. Unlike most grocery store pigs, which have had all of their fat bred out of them, making theme dry and without much flavor, the pork chops here are like the ones I grew up on, very flavorful. And I like thin-cut chops much better than thick ones.

The workers in this family-owned business are friendly and they're happy to see you. This is one of my favorite...

Listen, I've hit many Mexican joints, especially trucks over the years, from San Diego to Seattle. Bay area to Boston. This place is legit. Dead give away, Mexican groceries are part of the business. And, lots of Spanish in the room at lunchtime.

Location. Typical off street lower level strip mall. Low rent type of location. Parking can be challenging

Ambiance. Low key. Nothing special. Mom and pop. Sometimes less than clean looking.

Food. I started with their version of a quesadilla. Yes I said quesadilla.

It's not typical. In fact, when I came I asked the recommendation and they said that. I shied away until they described it. It is the bomb. It is not American style Quesadilla. In fact, it's not with cheese or just very little. Shhhuuuuu. Just order it and eat.

Bottom line, everything I've tried is excellent, start with the quesadilla. And again, don't think American style.

Bottom line would I come back? Indeed. I'm riding this review and this is my 4th or 5th time. There you...

Authentic (you can get tripe/intestine, lengua/tongue, cabeza/head, etc. as well as your more familiar meats) and delicious! I've been here a few times and even tried to bring my parents during a visit (they happen to be closed on Wednesdays...bummer!). Last time, I got the al pastor burrito. Unfortunately the meat was dry, but as I've had their food before I know it's not always like that. They are really helpful and service oriented. It has a Mexican store connected to it and they sell Mexican treats, breads, and drinks at the counter where you order your food. They also have a salsa bar. So good! The salsas are spicy--which I like--just be aware if you can't handle much heat. They're located in a little strip mall so there's parking, but it can be pretty full at meal times (a good sign the...