Carnitas Snack Shack opens at 12pm everyday except Tuesday. I like to be the first person in line for lunch. There is always a line up the street. Where there is a line there is good food. Where there is a line there is usually not boring food either.
The residents of North Park tend to be on the cutting edge of all things fun. Food is definitely on that list. Slow food and local food in particular. While you are in line you will meet several residents and tourists that have 'been told by their FaceBook friends to go'. Yesterday I met a lovely couple from Eureka.
Speaking of Facebook, the owners of the restaurant are very sharp in regards to social media. Their website encourages people to share information about their dishes and events on all of your favorite icons. The owners have a pet pig named - Hmm - take a leap here - "Carnitas". The pig has a Facebook presence and is a hit on YouTube. Hats off to the owners for leveraging social media so well.
Once a week I take myself out for a sanity lunch. I am looking for a quiet respite in the middle of the day. My favorite lunch at Carnitas is their daily salad. It is fantastic. Unlike several restaurants that give you a though of mediocre salad for $12 theirs is exceptional, a livable size that you can actually finish and it is only $7.
The restaurant is actually known for all things pork. There is bacon in just about everything. There is bacon in the salads. There is bacon in the desserts including the ice cream. Bacon apparently adds enough salty goodness to go with the whole menu.
The drinks are high end fun times too. Mexican Cokes, artisan beers and real sodas. There is also good old San Diego County water.
The restaurant has grown in popularity. There used to be a small parking lot adjacent. The lot has been transformed into several tables and eating counters. It is still easy to park nearby on the street. The restaurant is also on many bus routes because it is on University Avenue - a main road.
The menu is slightly different everyday. There is always a salad - luckily for me. The tacos are usually there and well worth it. The food is local, fresh and visually appealing. Check the spice level if you are sensitive like me. Most dishes have a slight welcome tang. The desserts come from various friends of the people that work there. They vary daily too. My favorite dessert is the bacon blondie. It is simply amazing.
If you have time for some excellent food and a nice chat in the line while you wait come to North Park and check out Carnitas Snack Shack. Let me know what you think after you try it.
Colleen K. Cotter @ 619.804.6840
Broker Associate
www.mySanDiegoAgent.com
Keller Williams Realty
DRE #01325265
Comments(19)