When you need a late night taco fix, El Carboncito, downtown, is the place to go. El Carboncito is one of the only taco stands that I recommend. Vallarta has many great things to eat but in general I don’t care for the tacos here. I find the tacos in other regions of the country much tastier. El Carboncito is the exception.
Like any good taco stand, El Carboncito is very basic. As a general
rule, the fancier a taco place is the worse the tacos are. I don’t know
why this is, but, the rule holds up throughout Mexico.
Tacos are Mexican fast food. At El Carboncito we never even bother sitting down to eat. Somehow, the tacos taste better standing.
El Carboncito specializes in tacos al pastor (shepard style tacos). If you have never had tacos al pastor, you are missing out on a great Mexican food experience. Chunks of spiced pork are formed into a large piece roughly in the shape of a spinning top and slow-cooked rotisserie style. In other regions of Mexico, tacos al pastor are called tacos de trompo or tacos from a spinning top.
The taquero (taco maker) is poetry in motion. As a final flourish while
preparing a taco, he flicks a piece of pineapple in the air and catches
it with the taco.
The secret to the tacos at El Carboncito is mesquite charcoal. At most taco stands that serve tacos al pastor, the rotisserie is gas-fired which provides a steady even heat and is easy to control. The rotisserie at El Carboncito is charcoal-fired which imparts a great smoky flavor to the meat. A charcoal fired rotisserie is more expensive and more difficult to operate than a gas-fired rotisserie which is why you don’t see them too often.
When you place your order the taquero will ask you “con todo? (with everything?)” Be sure to say yes. A taco al pastor with everything includes two corn tortillas, shaved spiced pork, onion, cilantro, and a chunk of roasted pineapple. You add salsa and lime juice to taste.
Tacos al Pastor
My favorite tacos. I’m getting hungry.
The other secret to great tacos is the salsa. El Carboncito offers four types of salsa, all great. They have a very mild guacamole salsa, a mild tomato based salsa, a hot green salsa, and a fiery red salsa which I believe is made from chiles de arbol.
The two spiciest salsas are nearly fatal. They taste great but you are going to pay for the privilege of eating them. The last time we went, the two of us who ate the spiciest red salsa suffered violent hiccup attacks caused by the chiles in the sauce. I totally recommend the salsa and it’s worth the suffering but you have been forewarned.
Tacos cost $9 pesos each. Four of five tacos makes a very filling meal. El Carboncito serves sodas but no beer. If you want a beer to go with your tacos you can buy one from the mini-mart a couple of doors down.
Business hours: 8:30pm until late. Closed on Mondays.
Location: Honduras street on the north end of downtown, a half block from the Pemex gas station. See the map below.
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I eat al pastor tacos all the time at Pepes in Old Town. I am not familiar with El Carboncito, Can you tell me the land marks around where it is located? Is it on the same street as Rico mac Taco?
Thanks
Jeff Musto
Puerto Vallarta http://www.internetpv.com
El Carboncito is not far from Rico Mac Taco. Look for the Salsa Mexicana restaurant on Avenida Mexico, which is the main street into PV. Go half a block towards the beach and you will find El Carboncito on the right-hand side.
Where is Pepe’s located? I’m not sure I’ve been there. I’d like to check it out.
Douglas, just ate at Pepe’s Tacos, voted Virtual Vallarta Best Taco 2008. It is at Honduras 173, mid block, huge and packed with locals in August. Carving of al pastor entices one inside immediately!