Driving up to Mariposa looking for a quick lunch just outside of Merced. No real eateries that I saw in town on the main highway. So kept going trusting my luck. What a good score for casual Mexican food. Choose your meat and make it a taco, burrito or a plate. They have burgers and fries too, why bother? Tortillas are toasted which I prefer. Think taco truck with indoor and outdoor seating. With bottled beers. Mostly locals families too. Tacos 1.50$ each. Not at all fancy. Good grub. A few bugs flying around inside if that's important to you. read more

I went to this place a couple of years ago. I didn't know anything about it or what their menu looked like. It's a bit out of the way, but if you're headed up towards Mariposa or Yosemite, you should give it a shot. All their food is great, but my favorite has to be their Carne Asada Fries. Before coming here, I didn't know it was even a thing. So delicious. Go here often enough and they'll remember your order just from your face. Staff is also very friendly. read more

The best Mexican local food restaurant and they also treat you like if you are family

Good food, good service and good salsas. Definitely coming back, greatest tacos in Merced County!

This place is great! Im from the Bay Area so when I go to LeGrand to visit my grandma this is always my first stop. The Carnitas and the barbacoa are delicious. For my wedding this is where i had them made, i bought a pig and a half and it was more than enough to feed up to 200 people. This is a family owned business so everyone here is really friendly and nice. The food portions are big and the prices are reasonable. Truly the best carnitas in the Valley. read more

Carnitas Barajas - Mexican Near Me - Planada, California

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I travel all over the state and I found these are the best Carnitas in California so far. Also the chicharon are delicious if you're lucky enough to get some before they're all gone read more

I love this place! Everything from the burgers to the carnitas is absolutely delicious! The lady at the window is also extremely nice everytime I go! read more

My first time here I tried a torta de asada and it was not good. Then I thought I'd give it another try and so I had some menudo. This was a bad idea it was awful. On top of the bad food the cashier was rude. I do not recommend this place. read more

This is the best place for carnitas buche tripas cueritos y chicharrones. Also some Good carne asada fries also longaniza . Family owned and operated. read more

Yum! Super delicious! Will be back. The carnitas are full of flavor and adding all the fixins just gets better. Great service too! This will be a stop for me when I'm in the area, good thing grandma lives around here ;) read more

Carnitas Barajas - X - Mexican Near Me - Planada, California

We ate here many times on the way to Sonoma, CA. After stopping the first time we knew we had to go back. I think we ate there at least 7 times and took their food home to others. A place you do not want to miss! read more

I really like the food that they have to offer, like their salad. Not even coronavirus can take down the quality of their food!

I live here so I've had most of the menu. Huaraches are fire! The burgers are fire and of course, the carnitas live up to the hype! Great for all party's i.e. weddings, baptisms, birthdays. This place is a one stop shop for great authentic Mexican food. One thing is that the wait during the weekends is rough other than this It's all good read more

Great carnitas torta! The bread is toasted just right and has plenty of meat, really big for only $6.

Been eating marcelinos carnitas since before they were put on amazing never flavorless never dry always to your expectations

If you're headed up the mountains towards the Yosemite Valley or hills. Getting a bit hungry don't hesitate to make a quick stop in Planada, California right off highway 140 you'll find great Mexican food at Carnitas Barajas. One the the top greatest in Merced County. The food is delicious read more

Nice little place in the middle of nowhere.... Or just a small town.... On way to and from Yosemite.. Had a very delicious cárnitas burrito... It was huge so shared with my wife. Kids had cheeseburger and fries... Recommend if you find yourself this way. read more

Both times driving back from Yosemite I stopped here. I think I will every time I go to Yosemite. The prices are RIDICULOUSLY cheap, the food is RIDICULOUSLY authentic and delicious (and fresh! - it's the central valley so everything was probably grown within 50 or 100 miles) , and the portions here are about 3x what I'm used to in San Francisco. Especially the quesadillas which are almost the size of an extra large pizza. Excellent carne asada. read more

Well worth a visit. This is not the most elegant place but it is authentic Mexican food at a great price. I have been there a few times and the taco plate was wonderful. The staff are very friendly and you get the impression that this is a favorite place for the locals. That is always a good sign. read more

Rolling through this dusty town from yosemite to sf. Had the much talked about carne asade quesadilla and it was certainly large, but just ok. Also, had the sope, a small round corn/masa bed topped with chicken, beans, lettuce and cheese. Tasty. read more

On our way to San Francisco we stopped here for a quick lunch. Boy am I glad we did! I order a torta and that so good! My husband order a quesadilla de carne asada and it was the best quesadilla I've ever had!!! Also the food was huge!!! And prices were very cheap! Amazing flavors worth the stop! Also it looked very popular with the locals read more

Hands down best Mexican food I've had! Carnitas were the bomb. Will be coming as often as I can

So delicious, and cheap! Well worth the stop whenever you find yourself passing through Planada. I plan my entire eating schedule around this place, and sometimes get two burritos so I have another to eat the next day. Their carnitas is so good. Just the right amount of crispy, and just the right amount of juicy. Their chicken is also very good. Excellent breakfast burritos. I have not gotten around to trying any other meat yet because I don't want to miss out on their carnitas, but I assume they are all mouth-wateringly delicious. I love the art of a burrito, and many places do not seem to grasp the concept of proportions and distribution of the various ingredients. I want a little bit of everything in every bite. These ladies are the Rembrants of burrito making. All of the ingredients work together perfectly, and to top it all off, they grill their burritos, giving them a quesadilla-like feel. Eat there now! And get me a burrito too. read more

Have had these several times in hope that it would be better than the previous visit. Carnitas taste as if they were boiled prior to deep frying in the lard. Also, seem as if they were made in huge chunks. Don't recommend it, better food can be found down the street. read more

3 of us on a road trip tried different meals and they were great, I wish we had a place like this nearby! Loved it!

I ordered some rolled tacos there and their sour cream was rotten.. Bad service they take for ever to serve you the food

Awesome little restaurant with big portions and friendly service for a great price. Quesadilla was dynamite, carnitas was great and burritos were grilled after rolling for an extra touch. Super nice staff and decent beer selection, too read more

Perfect lunch stop on the way from (or to) Yosemite. Friendly folks, comida muy auténtica: our group sampled the tacos (carnitas and chicken; traditional 3" size, $1.00 each. Order four for a meal), also tortas al pastor, a satisfying, savory grease-bomb. Thumbs up all around. Great prices, delicious food; beer on sale too, domestic and Mexican brands. Not a fancy place; looks like the old drive-in that it used to be. Have a seat outside in the shade and enjoy the breeze. Nice! Only regret was not being able to try all the other great-looking stuff on the menu: caldos, seafood cocktails, etc. There is also a full range of burgers on offer, for those so inclined. read more

Everything was fantastic. The salsa given out with chips may have been the best I've ever had. I wish id have bought a cup to go. Had to try the carnitas at a place named for it and it did not disappoint. Burrito was enough food for three normal people - of course I ate it all if you're looking for good Mexican food in Merced this 15 minute drive is worth it. read more

We stopped here on our way back from Yosemite to SFO. Well worth the stop. The carnitas taco was absolutely delicious. Meat was perfect as well as the seasoning. Great place! Five stars for food. read more