We were in Carlsbad for 2 nights and stopped in here to check it out. The food was great and service was incredibly fast. The portions were big and three of us could have shared the nachos. Definitely check this place out if you are in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phil Hoyle
I am just a basic white boy from Canada but this was the best Mexican food I have had EVER. The depth of flavor in the meat is tastebuds popping! I was hoping for real mexican food and I think I found it. It is a little tricky to order if ya don't speak Spanish. I took a picture from on line review and asked for that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor
BonsaiMania
This place has come a long way since it opened. Great atmosphere, wonderful aromas, friendly, competent service. A restaurant and a meat market altogether. Menu looks great, but we were there for carne asada: skirt steak with a tangy citrus marinade. It was great on the grill. Pick up the El Charro tostada shells; great crispy texture, although very fragile.Parking: A place so rightfully popular needs more parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor, Carnitas, Carne Asada Taco Plate, Chips and Salsa
Gil Gonzo
One word Delicious! Take it from me a Certified Chef, this place is the real deal! I'm a fan for life now. Thank you Carniceria San Juan.
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor, Chips and Salsa, Burritos
Traci Newell
It was just not for us.... I think it was a little more authentic than we are used to. We had the nachos, and drinks from a can (no ice). Left and went to another Mexican restaurant where we could get a margarita.
Rachel R.
This was definitely a foodie find. I am still dreaming of the green chile sauce on the green chile chicken enchiladas. While on vacation, I discovered this spot on YouTube and confirmed on Yelp for quality control... lol. Our family ordered a variety of foods - queso fundido, carne asada enchiladas, green chile chicken enchiladas, and birria quesadillas. When the server brought the house chips and salsa we knew the food was going to be dynamite. The highlight of the meal was the green chile chicken enchiladas. The chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned. And, my god, that sauce! Be prepared that these are not your traditional enchiladas. They are served flat with the chicken on top. A few things to be prepared for -- Spanish is spoken here. Make sure to bring your translation app or learn a few phrases. They offer carry out and dine in. For the dine in, there are numerous picnic tables to choose from inside. It is a cozy and comfortable vibe. Pricing is a steal for the amount of food you get and the quality. If you are in town, make sure to check them out!
Eric L.
Wanted local food and got it!!! Food was good. Menu is in Spanish, staff knows very little English. Tough to order exactly what you want. Google translate necessary unless you know enough. Salsa is flavorful and fresh, but be careful the heat will sneak up on you! Nachos are worth the price!!
El viajero Quisquilloso
I visited this restaurant 4 years ago and I remember that it was full, we had to wait for a table to vacate, now I return to have breakfast and it was empty, not a table, Saturday February 24. 2024, when you arrive you pour your coffee, to my bad luck, I poured myself the last cup of the coffee maker, (a 5 liter coffee maker) I asked them if they were going to prepare more coffee and they answered: "there is coffee there" What I informed them was that there was no more and, not very happy, the waitress began to prepare more coffee, my coffee was very strong, I couldn't drink it, my friend ordered a strawberry water and they had prepared it with milk, my friend He didn't take it and ordered a Dr pepper, I ordered some chilaquiles and they arrived without cream, without cheese, without onion, I couldn't believe it, my friend ordered a barbacoa and his eyesight was very bad, it was cold, like they took it out of the refrigerator and that's how they served it, apart without consome, my friend immediately changed it for other chilaquiles, we finished breakfast and the coffee was never ready, when it came time to pay the bill with the cashier, I told her that we didn't like the barbecue and the strawberry water, he replied: "you have to pay for it", to which I told him: you should ask because my friend didn't like the barbecue and the drink, the cashier told me that it was the owner's recipe and that He had to charge me for it, that if my friend had a different palate that was not his problem, I told him that I wanted to talk to the manager, after a while Clarisa came out and told me the same thing, that I had to pay it, that if I wanted to, that I used to take it to go, but how am I going to take it if I don't like it? In any restaurant in the world, when you don't like a dish, the waiter asks you why you don't like it? This is with the purpose of improving the dish and they offer you another dish, in the end I chose not to continue with the topic, and paid the bill, when the cashier was giving me the ticket, she told me: "if you like, keep the ticket and when Come back another day, you can talk to the owner and see if she will return the money for the barbecue." It seemed like an out of place comment to me, because how can I return to a place like that?Now I understand why the place was empty.This place is just not worth it
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Irene G.
Interesting place. Food was great. We had fajitas. It's a mix of a bakery, meat store and a taqueria. Looked like mostly locals. Food is authentic. No alcohol is served. We went back two days later. Green enchilada was good!
Yelp for the win! We were passing through town and were itching for something other than the typical fast food chains, Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos came up on Yelp. We took a gamble headed over there. Almost didn't stay because the first impression wasn't great. The carniceria is in this grungy looking building. Glad we unloaded the kids and headed in. Such a great feel inside. A spacious market area with plenty of seating, all sorts of authentic Mexican food options, and unique Latino grocery items. I don't remember everything we ordered, but it was all very good. The one thing that I still day dream about, and my wife brings up was their green chile enchiladas. OMG! The creamiest - most decadent enchiladas ever. Next time we're passing through without a doubt we'll be back to Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos!
Yolanda Ruiz
Bread so
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cameron Johnson
Amazing food friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brittney H.
Very unique Mexican food experience. It's as if a shop and butcher and restaurant married in a happy relationship. Staff were friendly. The waitress did not speak any English, but if you know basic Spanish you can get by to order. Food was good the enchilada sauce was a bit bitter for me I had to add salt. But all in all a great experience and good food in the middle of nowhere where food is hard to come by.
Ana Maria Gallegos
It was a disappointment to my be. honest I thought it was goin to be good because I saw just good reviews especially about the tacos .. so I didn’t like the tacos they were asada an the meat was hard . Burrito on the menu it said it had rice an Chesse guess what it didn’t came with that an I asked about it a she said that’s extra charge …My sons papa asada had didn’t taste good the taste alone was bad . My husbands fish plate he left it all there he said it didn’t taste good . So yeah my experience wasn’t worth $70
We were in Carlsbad for 2 nights and stopped in here to check it out. The food was great and service was incredibly fast. The portions were big and three of us could have shared the nachos. Definitely check this place out if you are in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am just a basic white boy from Canada but this was the best Mexican food I have had EVER. The depth of flavor in the meat is tastebuds popping! I was hoping for real mexican food and I think I found it. It is a little tricky to order if ya don't speak Spanish. I took a picture from on line review and asked for that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor
This place has come a long way since it opened. Great atmosphere, wonderful aromas, friendly, competent service. A restaurant and a meat market altogether. Menu looks great, but we were there for carne asada: skirt steak with a tangy citrus marinade. It was great on the grill. Pick up the El Charro tostada shells; great crispy texture, although very fragile.Parking: A place so rightfully popular needs more parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor, Carnitas, Carne Asada Taco Plate, Chips and Salsa
One word Delicious! Take it from me a Certified Chef, this place is the real deal! I'm a fan for life now. Thank you Carniceria San Juan.
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor, Chips and Salsa, Burritos
It was just not for us.... I think it was a little more authentic than we are used to. We had the nachos, and drinks from a can (no ice). Left and went to another Mexican restaurant where we could get a margarita.
This was definitely a foodie find. I am still dreaming of the green chile sauce on the green chile chicken enchiladas. While on vacation, I discovered this spot on YouTube and confirmed on Yelp for quality control... lol. Our family ordered a variety of foods - queso fundido, carne asada enchiladas, green chile chicken enchiladas, and birria quesadillas. When the server brought the house chips and salsa we knew the food was going to be dynamite. The highlight of the meal was the green chile chicken enchiladas. The chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned. And, my god, that sauce! Be prepared that these are not your traditional enchiladas. They are served flat with the chicken on top. A few things to be prepared for -- Spanish is spoken here. Make sure to bring your translation app or learn a few phrases. They offer carry out and dine in. For the dine in, there are numerous picnic tables to choose from inside. It is a cozy and comfortable vibe. Pricing is a steal for the amount of food you get and the quality. If you are in town, make sure to check them out!
Wanted local food and got it!!! Food was good. Menu is in Spanish, staff knows very little English. Tough to order exactly what you want. Google translate necessary unless you know enough. Salsa is flavorful and fresh, but be careful the heat will sneak up on you! Nachos are worth the price!!
I visited this restaurant 4 years ago and I remember that it was full, we had to wait for a table to vacate, now I return to have breakfast and it was empty, not a table, Saturday February 24. 2024, when you arrive you pour your coffee, to my bad luck, I poured myself the last cup of the coffee maker, (a 5 liter coffee maker) I asked them if they were going to prepare more coffee and they answered: "there is coffee there" What I informed them was that there was no more and, not very happy, the waitress began to prepare more coffee, my coffee was very strong, I couldn't drink it, my friend ordered a strawberry water and they had prepared it with milk, my friend He didn't take it and ordered a Dr pepper, I ordered some chilaquiles and they arrived without cream, without cheese, without onion, I couldn't believe it, my friend ordered a barbacoa and his eyesight was very bad, it was cold, like they took it out of the refrigerator and that's how they served it, apart without consome, my friend immediately changed it for other chilaquiles, we finished breakfast and the coffee was never ready, when it came time to pay the bill with the cashier, I told her that we didn't like the barbecue and the strawberry water, he replied: "you have to pay for it", to which I told him: you should ask because my friend didn't like the barbecue and the drink, the cashier told me that it was the owner's recipe and that He had to charge me for it, that if my friend had a different palate that was not his problem, I told him that I wanted to talk to the manager, after a while Clarisa came out and told me the same thing, that I had to pay it, that if I wanted to, that I used to take it to go, but how am I going to take it if I don't like it? In any restaurant in the world, when you don't like a dish, the waiter asks you why you don't like it? This is with the purpose of improving the dish and they offer you another dish, in the end I chose not to continue with the topic, and paid the bill, when the cashier was giving me the ticket, she told me: "if you like, keep the ticket and when Come back another day, you can talk to the owner and see if she will return the money for the barbecue." It seemed like an out of place comment to me, because how can I return to a place like that?Now I understand why the place was empty.This place is just not worth it
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Interesting place. Food was great. We had fajitas. It's a mix of a bakery, meat store and a taqueria. Looked like mostly locals. Food is authentic. No alcohol is served. We went back two days later. Green enchilada was good!
Couldn't get any service here.
Restaurantji Recommends
Yelp for the win! We were passing through town and were itching for something other than the typical fast food chains, Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos came up on Yelp. We took a gamble headed over there. Almost didn't stay because the first impression wasn't great. The carniceria is in this grungy looking building. Glad we unloaded the kids and headed in. Such a great feel inside. A spacious market area with plenty of seating, all sorts of authentic Mexican food options, and unique Latino grocery items. I don't remember everything we ordered, but it was all very good. The one thing that I still day dream about, and my wife brings up was their green chile enchiladas. OMG! The creamiest - most decadent enchiladas ever. Next time we're passing through without a doubt we'll be back to Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos!
Bread so
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very unique Mexican food experience. It's as if a shop and butcher and restaurant married in a happy relationship. Staff were friendly. The waitress did not speak any English, but if you know basic Spanish you can get by to order. Food was good the enchilada sauce was a bit bitter for me I had to add salt. But all in all a great experience and good food in the middle of nowhere where food is hard to come by.
It was a disappointment to my be. honest I thought it was goin to be good because I saw just good reviews especially about the tacos .. so I didn’t like the tacos they were asada an the meat was hard . Burrito on the menu it said it had rice an Chesse guess what it didn’t came with that an I asked about it a she said that’s extra charge …My sons papa asada had didn’t taste good the taste alone was bad . My husbands fish plate he left it all there he said it didn’t taste good . So yeah my experience wasn’t worth $70
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1