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Camille

Jun 30, 2010, 12:27 PM

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Carnitas in Quiroga

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I have guests coming in a couple of weeks.....what's your favorite carnitas joint in Quiroga? Any other unmissable food experiences to recommend?

Peter

Jun 30, 2010, 2:09 PM

Post #2 of 11 (5235 views)

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Re: [Camille] Carnitas in Quiroga

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Carmelo's. Been to Quiroga before? About two-thirds down the main street. Can't miss it.

esperanza

Jun 30, 2010, 3:25 PM

Post #3 of 11 (5225 views)

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Re: [Camille] Carnitas in Quiroga

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El Rey de Carnitas is a beautiful restaurant in what was an old 19th Century private home on the Quiroga plaza. The carnitas are delicious, the ambiance is lovely, service is excellent, and it's a marvelous place to take guests. The hot chocolate is out of this world, too!

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Anonimo

Jul 1, 2010, 6:24 AM

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Re: [esperanza] Carnitas in Quiroga

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I've only been to Carmelo's. There had been some inconsistency of quality experienced on our most recent visits. (Actually, even the most recent hasn't been that recent.)

Carmelo's and the ranks of other carniteros would give you that down-to-earth, hands on, greasy-lipped, "real Mexico" carnitas experience.

I haven't been into El Rey de Carnitas, but it looks sort of elegant for carnitas munching.

The outdoor experience includes the obligatory generous free taste; the Decision of which cuts to get and how much; the brown wrapping paper, the free( ?) chiles and salsas (¡Ay ay ay!); ordering the tortillas from a separate vendor; locating and ordering the refrescos or cervezas from yet a diferent stand, and sidling into the seats to which you may be directed, if lucky.

Then, you get to munch carnitas and listen to the varied live music. Sometimes more than one group playing at once.

Do this only on a weekend of Día Festiva for maximum enjoyment (and maximum freshness of the carnitas.) Try not to buy carnitas after 2 in the afternoon. Anyway, that's my take on it.

Friends went to the Don Carmelo's Restaurante, and reported that the meat was bony and the meal was poor. Stick with the outdoor stands on a weekend or holiday for best results. Get that important free taste first.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

(This post was edited by Anonimo on Jul 1, 2010, 6:32 AM)

esperanza

Jul 1, 2010, 6:41 AM

Post #5 of 11 (5185 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Carnitas in Quiroga

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I haven't been into El Rey de Carnitas, but it looks sort of elegant for carnitas munching.
It's a pretty restaurant, but man oh man--the carnitas are really excellent.

Try it sometime, when you have visitors who might not be quite ready for eating on the street.

And the very best carnitas in Michoacán--nay, the very best carnitas in all of Mexico!--are just outside Zamora.

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tashby

Jul 1, 2010, 9:22 AM

Post #6 of 11 (5174 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Carnitas in Quiroga

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And the very best carnitas in Michoacán--nay, the very best carnitas in all of Mexico!--are just outside Zamora.

Carnitas Aeropuerto?

Believe it or not.....at some toll-booth stop on some cuota (I think maybe between Guadalajara and Tepic, but not sure) I saw an outlet of Carnitas Aeropuerto attached to the non-OXXO convenience store. Same logo and everything. Didn't try it because we had already eaten.

Ooooh! Look at this! There's a Guadalajara location. (Thank you Sr. Google.) Dang, I was just a couple blocks from it two days ago but didn't know. I wonder if it's as good as the original. Next Costco run....

http://www.elmesero.com/..._michoacan-8965.html

esperanza

Jul 1, 2010, 11:48 AM

Post #7 of 11 (5161 views)

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Re: [tashby] Carnitas in Quiroga

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The location near Costco has been open for about two years. I haven't tried it, so when you do, I want a full report, please.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Peter

Jul 1, 2010, 12:50 PM

Post #8 of 11 (5151 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Carnitas in Quiroga

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And the very best carnitas in Michoacán--nay, the very best carnitas in all of Mexico!--are just outside Zamora.

Spill it! Where? I may be passing through Zamora again soon and will have to check out such a bold claim. Zamora is the place for papas and fresas. Quiroga has the reputation for carnitas, though any town in Michoacán might rightly share the glory.

Anonimo

Jul 1, 2010, 11:33 PM

Post #9 of 11 (5130 views)

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Re: [Camille] Carnitas in Quiroga

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I have guests coming in a couple of weeks.....what's your favorite carnitas joint in Quiroga? Any other unmissable food experiences to recommend?

Another worthy food destination in Quiroga is Taquería Los Compañeros, for its molcajetes. I think they don't open until 6 p.m., but that may have changed. I recall that it's toward the eastern end of centro on the main street, on a corner or close to it, on the north side of the street. Bring several friends with big appetites.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

Peter

Jul 2, 2010, 12:24 AM

Post #10 of 11 (5128 views)

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Re: [Camille] Carnitas in Quiroga

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Any other unmissable food experiences to recommend?

Not in Quiroga but I pass through Quiroga on the way, Campestre Alemán the German restaurant in Arócutin just a few kms. toward Pátzcuaro from Erongaricuaro. Trout is a house specialty - raised in their own breeding ponds. There is a whole menu page of trout selections.

If I'm with several people I like to order the Bavarian sausage appetizer plate for 4 people which includes garlic bread and other items (not the single-person white sausage selection) and individually order a soup or pasta to accompany the sausages, and perhaps a dessert. Other items on the menu are rabbitt, beef, and chicken in several styles.

The atmosphere there is part of the attraction. I sometimes take a walk around the grounds after eating. Prices are very reasonable. They are open 7 days a week, 364 days a year (their sign says), from 12:30 - 7pm. Not to be missed.

Anonimo

Jul 2, 2010, 1:22 AM

Post #11 of 11 (5125 views)

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Re: [Peter] Carnitas in Quiroga

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Carnitas Aeropuerto, which, I believe, is on the northern outskirts of Zamora.

We'd intended to go there not long ago, on a gastronomic outing, but weather and then recent violence in Zamora deterred. us. But, we will, someday!

Best carnitas we ever had, fresh out of the hot lard, were in Bernal, QTO, at Carnitas La Peña.

IMO, the further you get from the place where they are cooked, the lesser the carnitas experience. We tried some to go, from Carmelo's fancy new branch at the Tzurumutaro entronque, outside of Pátzcuaro, and they were definitely inferior.