Carnitas Michoacan - San Jose

Carnitas Done Right — Great Flavor by the Pound So here’s the move: skip the individual tacos and go straight for the carnitas by the pound. That’s exactly what we did when we stopped by Carnitas Michoacan on Monterey Road, and I’m glad we trusted the instinct. I saw the price at $5 per taco and thought, “Wait, we can stretch this way further.” So we grabbed a pound of carnitas to go, added some of their salsas, and made it a full DIY taco night at home. Totally worth it. The carnitas? Legit. Super flavorful, tender, juicy, with crispy edges—everything you want in a proper carnitas cut. Once you hit it with a squeeze of lime, it really unlocks the flavor and brings the whole thing together. Pro tip: grab both their green salsa (salsa verde) and the other mixed red salsa they have. That combo is . The verde especially has that tangy heat that balances the richness of the pork. We heated up some tortillas at home, threw together a quick spread with chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. Boom—restaurant-quality tacos without the high per-taco price. I also like to grab a bag of Tostitos or some tortilla chips on the side, and dip those in the green salsa while I’m building the tacos. That little crunch plus the salsa kicks off the meal right. Overall, this place is 100% about the meat. If you’re the type who likes building your own plate and maximizing value and flavor, grab it by the pound and make a meal out of it. Only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is just the price on the individual tacos—it’s steep, and unless you’re eating solo and need a quick bite, you’re better off buying in bulk and getting more for your money. Definitely a solid local carnitas spot. I’ll be back for more pounds soon.

My favorite are the enchiladas verde! Service always perfect and even when it’s busy the restaurant is clean.

The san jose location is where me and my lady love to eat.we get the enchiladas hers, chicken and mine, carnitas.best of the best carnitas! been going to gilroy location for 20 years and they dont ever miss when it comes to customer service and the best food.we try to eat there once a week. Carnitas michoacan will forever have our business.

Carnitas Carmelo ain't got nothing on this place! This place is fire!! The best place for Carnitas in the bay area hands down. Thier prices are cheap compared to others.

Stopped by this restaurant for late lunch. It was busy when we arrived. The restaurant is famous for carnitas and chicharon. We order carnitas plate one lbs, chicaron and chimichanga. The carnitas and chicharon is by lbs. The chicharon is very fresh from the fryer. All are yummy. The carnitas is tender. It comes with fre fried tortilla and salsa. The salsa and tortilla is yummy. We feel satisfied after the meal. Service could be improved as looks like the server forgot our carnitas order and we have to remind the person.

We visited this restaurant a few days ago and had a great experience overall! **Service**: Our waitress was kind, patient, and attentive, frequently checking on us throughout the meal. **Atmosphere**: The space was elegant, spacious, and comfortable, with plenty of room between tables, so it never felt crowded. **Food**: Everything we ordered—torta, taco, and menudo—was absolutely delicious and exceeded our expectations. We even had enough to take home! The only downside was the person handling our payment, who seemed rushed and a bit rude, which is why I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5. Aside from that, it's an excellent spot with fantastic Mexican food!