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312 Eats
Pilsen · Mexican · $$

Carnitas Don Pedro

4.51,936 reviews ·Opens at 6AM tomorrow
We were the only white people in the restaurant - which was perfect for us
Tim MitchellTim Mitchell · 133 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Carnitas Don Pedro — neighborhood mexican in Pilsen. Nothing about this place is trying to impress you, and that's the point. Nothing here has been watered down. Rob Carlos: "The pork was juicy and tender, with crispy chicharrones on the side" [$$]

What 1,936 diners keep saying

Great valueFast serviceNeighborhood institutionCozyOld schoolFamily friendly
Plan your visit
1113 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Pilsen
Today6AM-4PM
Sun5AM-3PM
Mon–Thu6AM-4PM
Fri5AM-4PM
Sat5AM-3PM
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What 1,936 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Addie Hudnall
Apr 2026

Friendly staff and quick service. Tried the chorizo fundido, barbacoa and al pastor tacos. Everything was flavorful and spiced just right. Love the salsa, so fresh and good.

Addie Hudnall

Addie Hudnall

277 reviews on Google

Review photo by Shelby Lindley
Mar 2026

Some of the best carnitas I’ve had. Quick service. I would visit again!

Shelby Lindley

Shelby Lindley

48 reviews on Google

Review photo by A Clara
Jan 2026

My go to for Carnitas. Might as well enjoy some tacos, tacos dorados or menudo while you are there.

A Clara

A Clara

21 reviews on Google

Review photo by Linda Villa
Jan 2026

Awesome customer service. Amazing food

Linda Villa

Linda Villa

63 reviews on Google

Review photo by Kevin Austin
Dec 2025

Delicious carnitas. Can’t go wrong with Don Pedro.

Kevin Austin

Kevin Austin

101 reviews on Google

Review photo by 张健
Oct 2025

味道不错,值得点赞!

张健

张健

1 reviews on Google

Review photo by Karen Quiñones Salazar
Jan 2026

I have gone to Don Pedro’s my whole life, I remember when the line was so long it was out the door. No one could walk inside, the line would curve all the way to the back where they would come in and come out from the kitchen. But I know things change and it’s time for a new generation. However, I didn’t think the quality would fall so bad so fast. I tried giving them the benefit of the doubt and have not said anything, but this time I asked for 2 lbs of carnitas, costilla, no cuero and no oreja, but then I got this. It was all broken up, meat mixed with bones in between, that every bite was a small bone. Honestly just disappointed.

Karen Quiñones Salazar

Karen Quiñones Salazar

20 reviews on Google

Review photo by Edgar De La Torre
Jan 2026

Hay que saver cuando estan frescas las carnitas

Edgar De La Torre

Edgar De La Torre

364 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jose Antonio “Tony” Lazaro Miranda
Sep 2025

This is the first time I got stiff by the young man that was serving the carnitas, he asked me what was I going to order, he was very nice and polite, I told him I wanted a pound of regular chicharrón (pork crackling) He went ahead and put the chicharrón inside a brown paper bag (keep in mind that you can not see what pieces he is picking for you because the chicharrón is on the other side of the counter) then he asked me if there was something else I needed, I told him that's all. Knowing from previous times that the quality of their chicharrón is good, I didn't bother to check. When I got home and gave the bag of chicharrón to my wife and she opened the bag...... She said to my "what the hell is this???? Showing me the biggest piece of the chicharrón, I said oh no, this guy gave me a crappy chicharrón that was incorrectly fried. I'm not an expert but I think the lard was either too hot or to cold and that is the result of a bad chicharrón. If I was the owner, I wouldn't give this crappy to my customers, I would have cut my losses and probably cooked it in salsa Verde, otherwise you'll end up losing credibility from your customers and lose their trust. Now I don't know if I would go back to that place to buy chicharrón.

Jose Antonio “Tony” Lazaro Miranda

Jose Antonio “Tony” Lazaro Miranda

62 reviews on Google

Jul 2026

Carnitas Don Pedro is easily the best carnitas spot in Chicago. We're regulars here, whether dining in or ordering to-go. The meat is perfectly seasoned, and the tortillas and salsa are the perfect match. I always make sure to get a taco seso to complement carnitas. I also finally tried their weekend Menudo--it was incredible, and I'll definitely be getting it next time! They have parking spaces available but be sure to get earlier.

Giovanni De Gracia (Gio)

Giovanni De Gracia (Gio)

70 reviews on Google

Jul 2026

Beyond outstanding. #1 restaurant in Midwest for Carnitas. I wish it wasnt 4 hours away from me.

Kyle Ketelhut

Kyle Ketelhut

333 reviews on Google

May 2026

Visitamos este lugar por segunda vez y una vez mas quedamos encantados la comida muy rica y el servicio exelente , el ambiente es muy bueno les recomiendo visitar el lugar se siente como estar en mexico🇲🇽

Aleydi Cruz

Aleydi Cruz

2 reviews on Google

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