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    Carnitas El Tio

    4.1 (31 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Carnitas El Tio Photos

    CARNITAS EL TIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Asada tacos
    Tyson G.

    We were on our way to Palm springs and just needed a quick bite so we pulled up yelp and went to this place. They did not disappoint. It was AMAZING! The food was great and the people were super nice. They only take cash so be ready for that. This is a must hit that is awesome food for a great price.

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    Photo of Robert C.
    5
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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Been coming here for years first it was the original Tio now he's son always great food and great prices I luv their menudo give it try!!!

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    Photo of Art B.
    9
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    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
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    2 years ago

    Wow, these are the best carnitas in town! Willing to be proven wrong! ‍ Legitimate Mexican food, no TexMex , thanks but not thanks!

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Honestly getting a plate after being hung over with fresh tortillas most definitely hits the spot !

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    4 years ago

    Fire. Pozole with a gang of meat and Carnitas on a family Sunday , not dry or hard and real flavor like abuelo made it.

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    Photo of Joe S.
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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Really good carnitas I wish they had a bit more variety with the salsa but other than that the carnitas are bomb limon y sal with some salsa

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    Photo of Donn M.
    12
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    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    4 years ago

    Always a favorite everything is always fresh daily!!menudo,caldo de res,carnitas is ther specialty but I like it all !!

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    7 years ago

    Love the tacos cueritos and carnitas mix ,plus everyone is very friendly,good food all around.

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    11 years ago

    Really good Carnitas tacos. The location is pretty much a glorified taco stand but the tacos were still good.

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    11 years ago

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    Photo of Moses M.
    12
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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    Photo of Oscar R.
    25
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    13 years ago

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    Photo of Moises M.
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    10 years ago

    My family I have made coming here a Sunday tradition. The delicious pozole and tacos we carnitas. Always greater by the owner

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    12 years ago

    I've been coming to this place since the 90s same guy cooking el famoso tio besides that its bomb

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Had a Chicken Burrito. It was good for the price. Did not have to wait to long to be served and the servers were polite.

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    11 years ago

    Best carnitas tacos and the pozole is sooo delicious Btw they serve pozole everyday so Is worth driving half hour to this place.

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    Photo of Dora G.
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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Ancestros

    Ancestros

    4.7
    (186 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    Love any place that gives free chips and salsa! I got the sope trio and it was good - but I'm more…read moreof a taco/enchilada person so I'll need to come back to try them. The establishment was clean and spacious. Service though really stood out. Everyone was so welcoming and accommodating. I didn't even notice my cup had a chip but the server (ugh - I forgot to get his name) saw it quickly and switched it out. That is attention to detail that anyone else would have missed. I will definitely return!

    We came right before noon on a weekend. There was no wait to sit down but the parking lot was still…read morefull since it's so small and many other locations have spots blocked off. That is the downside of this place: parking. It's in a center with a lot of great places so you may want to find street parking before coming in that's mostly what gave the star rating for this in addition to the food taking a while to get to the table. They bring out chips and salsa which was great since they will take a while to get your food. Other tables that would come in later would get their food sooner. I got the green chilaquiles thinking it would come out sooner but it was the very last thing to arrive. My partner got their food before mine and I still sat there as other tables for their chilaquiles first. It took about 20 min get our food. The chips and salsa they give table side are tasty. Don't eat too much of it esp if you get the chilaquiles since it's a lot of chips. The salsa is not spicy at all! My partner got the Birria omelette. It was pretty good but the egg itself was a bit overcooked. It was a strange combination but the Birria was tasty by itself. He would come back to try the meat in a taco. Could have used some sort of lighter element. Everything was too savory on the plate. The plate was screaming for something fresh on it. The cafe the olla was so good. A little on the sweet side but that is what is is. The chilaquiles were good too. I would say maybe add more salsa or get something else because it was way too much chips. This is def something you would share for the table a not got for yourself. I would come back to try something without chips. It's really cute inside. So well decorated but I can see how they can have a wait if it fills up since it got fully crowded while we waiting for the long wait to get out food.

    Photos
    Interior, tortilla holders
    Interior, tortilla holders
    Very tasty chicken tamale with salsa verde, super moist and flavorful. They don't skimp on the meat.
    Very tasty chicken tamale with salsa verde, super moist and flavorful. They don't skimp on the meat.
    Taquitos de papa

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    Taquitos de papa
    Top Shelf Tacos

    Top Shelf Tacos

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    7.4 mi
    $$

    This review is mostly based on customer service. Service to me is almost always more important than…read morethe food itself. Haven't been here in a while. They had a food truck parked out front. We asked if they had any plant-based or vegan options. They only sold burgers however the lady that helped us was very sweet, polite, and kind. She told what they had and what we could order inside instead. We walked in and the gentleman named Oscar G. cashed us out. He was also very friendly! Very professional and knowledgeable about the menu and non-dairy items. Provided us with what we needed right away, the container for the salsa and brought out fresh ones for me. Very nice guy. The food came out right away. The portions were big in my opinion. The prices were decent, the portion was great, and best of all the service was good. Their self-serve condiments was a PLUS! I've been to a lot of taco spots and these were by far the freshest and crispiest cucumbers, fresh cold salsa, onions and cilantro was also fresh. The food was good and filled us up. It was simple but fulfilling. Will definitely be back and highly recommend it. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor seats as well.

    I stopped by Top Shelf Tacos in Carson on Taco Tuesday, where tacos were only $2 each. At that…read moreprice, it was easy to try a little bit of everything. I ordered the asada, carnitas, al pastor, tripas, cabeza, and lengua. The asada was tender with a nice grilled flavor, but my favorites were definitely the tripas and cabeza. Both were a little greasy, but in a good way--they had a lot of flavor and were probably the standouts of the meal for me. One thing I liked was the condiment bar. You can load up your tacos with as much onion and cilantro as you want, plus they have radishes and lime wedges available. They also offer two salsas, a red and a green. Both tasted good and had solid flavor, although I was hoping for a little more heat. Overall, it's a solid taco spot, especially on Taco Tuesday. Good variety of meats, reasonable prices, and plenty of toppings to customize your tacos. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area and craving some tacos.

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    Top Shelf Tacos
    Top Shelf Tacos
    Modela Negra

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    Modela Negra
    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

    4.4
    (131 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$
    Speaks Spanish
    Outdoor seating

    Restaurant is surprisingly spacious inside despite looking very inconspicuous from the outside. The…read moreparking lot isn't too big, but I've never had issues with parking since the other shops around aren't too busy. We normally call ahead to order our food, and it'll take roughly 10 - 15 minutes. Service is always solid - the workers are friendly and helpful. We normally get the carne asada/pollo fries and they're awesome. Fries are cooked perfectly (I swear there was a period of time where they coated the fries and that wasn't it, but thankfully they stopped), comes with the usual toppings like guacamole, onions, cilantro, etc. They top it with a hefty amount of juicy meat - both carne asada and pollo options are solid. Recently though I've been straying from fries and getting different dishes like the chicken flautas, enchiladas, and mulitas. Chefs kiss for each one. The rice and beans + salsa combo are also flavorful and pair nicely with the entree.

    Taqueria El Taco Loco really hit me with a wave of nostalgia. I stopped by for breakfast because I…read morewas craving chilaquiles, and I walked out feeling like I had just eaten at my grandmother's table. My plate was loaded, the kind of generous, no‑nonsense serving that tells you they cook with heart, not shortcuts. Every bite had that strictly authentic, home‑style flavor that reminded me of family, childhood mornings, and my grandma throwing down in the kitchen. The spot itself is super casual, eat in or take out, nothing fancy, nothing trying too hard. But honestly, the food and the service are the only "decor" this place needs. If you're craving something real, comforting, and made with love, this taqueria delivers. Miguel C.

    Photos
    Make sure to add us on Instagram for New items coming up! eltacoloc_8
    Make sure to add us on Instagram for New items coming up! eltacoloc_8
    Diabla FRIES or NACHOS!!! Supper spicy try at your own risk
    Diabla FRIES or NACHOS!!! Supper spicy try at your own risk
    Taqueria El Taco Loco 8

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    Carnitas El Tio - mexican - Updated August 2026

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