Carnitas Don Pedro
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
What 1,936 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“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.”

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

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

“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.”

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