Carnitas Snack Shack Reviews

There's nothing better than a beer, some pork, and a awesome view of the port.

Food was excellent, owners fantastic! Small hole in the wall off the trolley.

Ive been eating at carnitas snack shack for years at the North Park location. Was my go to carnitas place even before triple D showed it to the US. Sadly it seems the quality has taken a hit, at least at EMBARCADERO. Mind you I've been to this location several times with no complaints.

They closed the one I used to go to (and the rumors have begun about what happened) so we decided last night that we were gonna go get our carnitas fix downtown.

We went to order and it seemed the lady couldnt hear us without us screaming... probably could've told the rest of the crew standing around to quiet down.

I ordered my triple threat wed, 2 tacos for my girl and 2 orders of fries with that delicious bacon ketchup (only reason to get there fries).

1st I was told to go to the bar and get my beer that I paid for at the counter which is fine except they dont even talk or have an order sent there so I stood there for 5 min while the lady is counting money in the register. Someone finally walks up and asks me what I want and I said I ordered a beer at the counter so she asks what beer? Either way didnt care that much.

I walked to the opposite side where my girl is sitting and our food had arrived. Look down and I see my fries but no ketchup... like where's my bacon ketchup... only reason I got 2 fries was the ketchup... the lady comes back and says we're out do you want ranch? Ah no why didnt the lady at the counter tell us that... I asked when they ran out she says a few hrs ago. Mind you its 6pm and maybe 15 ppl there, 10 for drinks, so why didnt they make some more.

Then I look at my triple threat and the bacon is burnt, the schnitzel was like a big mac patty (tiny for all of you that dont eat McDonalds) and they tried to overcompensate with a pile of dry carnitas. I lift the sandwich up to see the bottom bread is ripped in 3 pieces. I know what this sandwich is suppose to taste like and it was a sad version. The tacos were a little better but still dry and by then I was fed up and I didnt care.
I looked online and apparantly the original owner no longer owns the brand or the restaurants. I'm gonna have to try the new restaurant that the original owner changed it to I guess but really disappointed.

Sadly this isnt the 1st time this happened they had another location in del mar and I almost decided never to eat at any location after eating there. I wasnt surprised when that location closed.

Maybe look into the quality and experience before you lose more clientele like me. I've been to EMBARCADERO a bunch and never seen it so empty at dinner time.

The fact is there are so many restaurants in San Diego and a quality reputation could make or break a business.

Way to pricey for what you get.18bucks for2 watered down drinks.food was alright nothing to write home to mom about

Went on a Wednesday they had salsa music great time

Bar area was not crowded at all. Good drinks with a view of SD Bay or sports on tv

What's not to like about pork? The carnitas burrito for breakfast was delicious!

Shack fries with bacon ketchup were outstanding! Crispy and crunchy on the outside and smooth inside. Probably the best I've had in a number of years.

The indulgence tacos are amazing. A little greasy, but better than the alternative. Their garlic fries are not to be missed. Make sure to ask for extra garlic aioli!!!

Excellent food, the great selection on Mexican food, drinks are great too, a relaxed atmosphere.

Awesome spot to stop for a quick bite to eat or a drink. Great atmosphere and live music.

Vegan style t shirt? I like thier organic sodas.

You need to try the sliders! Happy Hour is killer!

Best Carintas I have ever had, every trip to San Diego includes a trip here

Loved the pork belly sliders, just a little too much of the super sweet sauce. But definitely recommend.

Local beers good expensive yes, local or tourist trap prices or expensive rent, I dunno

Beautiful views, good food and AWESOME service. The bartenders were my favorite I have met in San Diego.

It is a great little restaurant right on the sidewalk. It isn't fancy, but it's delicious. The service isn't 5 star, but it's a walk up joint in the middle of the sidewalk so what do you really expect? It can get super crowded, not their fault, it is a major walking path for thousands of people daily.
If you are flexible in where you want to eat, are not oin a huge hurry, this is a great place.

Overpriced, poor service, and the food was not that good. But it s trendy!

I was disappointed after all the hype I expected more than mediocre food that was bland and boring.

The fish tacos let me taste good. And the Crispy Chicken Burger

Great food, great place to eat with kids, csfnitas fries were AMAZING!

Cute little Shack with tender juicy pulled pork. My first time here I shared both the triple threat sandwich and Carnitas queso fries with my better half. Both were equally mouthwatering. Service was good.

Nice beach bar with quite tasty breakfast burritos. Good spot for a quick fix!

The food here was great but the "craft" sodas were terrible. Flat and flavorless

Nice little place the pulled pork sliders to share were lovely right on the waterfront

This place is a great place to sit close to the water while eating. They stay open late.

Excellent place to enjoy a late afternoon at sunset .... Sensational ..

Food was okay. Posted hours say they close at 11pm. We got there at 10:20pm and the attendant told us the kitchen was closed. Their website, Google and their posted hours at the window said 11pm. The attendant gave us attitude and after arguing the issue for 5 minutes they finally agreed to serve us.

GREAT shrimp tacos and a good choice of craft beers!

I've been here several times... when the first open to now. The space is pretty cool because it's right next to the pier. Nice city view. We usually come for happy hour... not too bad. For lunch it seems quality is slowly declining. The steak sandwich has no flavor now, and super greasy. Carnitas tacos are good but can be oily as well. And the chicharrones were extremely salty when we got it.

Food was good, my wife had the pork belly and I had the torta. Decent amount of food, the salad and dressing were unexpectedly good.

Food and beer was great. Staff are very friendly. And the location, amazing

Great food, very generous portions. Nice to sit outside by the bay and have some good food.

We are from Watsoville and we are coming back for more. Awesome food and the location.

Cool spot, busy but quick, friendly service and.good.drinks. Right on the Harbor!

Can be a great stop-off for tourists or locals playing tourists, to get a great quick bite and a beer. People watching from you barstool outside, on a nice San Diego day... Can't be beat.

Tasty food and craft cocktails and beer. Great scenery. It was a terrific spot to catch a meal and drink with friends after walking the waterfront. Only drawback was the service got a slow when they got busy. We had a hard time getting the bartender's attention to pick up our drinks, and this was after we paid for them!

Great food at a nice location, at a decent price. The wait can sometimes take a little long, and their drink refill service is at a different window, and it takes forever to get the attention of someone to refill your drink because it's shut. I like their fusion menu. Everything's good and the portions fill you up. For an open air place at the heart of the San Diego harbor, the price, taste, and quantity is excellent. The service and timeliness is the only thing that could use a little improvement - especially the refills.

I had fish tacos...Too much going on and still no flavor

Perfect spot to grab a pint while you wait for the ferry, had 5 craft taps and a good happy hour that runs from 3-6 including $5 drafts. Grabbed an Alpine Duet and enjoyed the ocean breeze!

AMAZING FRIES. Get the queso fries you won't be disappointed.

Really tasty carnitas tacos and beautiful scenery at sunset.

Don't come here when the wind is gusting up to 35 mph. It'll try to take the food right off the table. Triple threat was awesome. The fries were also good, but you should get something else. You can get deacent fries anywhere.

This outdoor place is great to visit in the summer. Food is decent and the views are great.

Need a casual place by the bay to enjoy a great beverage that s outdoors and family friendly - this is your place! The best margaritas in town!!! Good selection of beers. Fantastic, friendly service.

Very good, I had triple pork sandwich and really I loved it!!

The carnitas tacos are excellent! The swirl soft serve is really good too.

Delicious Mahi Tacos and brought our forgotten backpack

Best carnitas, queso fries I've ever had! Super friendly staff and quick service Mahi Mahi tacos were to die for with fresh avocado, pico, radish, and purple cabbage. Washed it all down with a margarita flight---fav was the watermelon! Highly recommend for a beautiful location right on the bay. They've got heaters out at the bar to combat the ocean breeze. Best meal I've had on my San Diego visit.

Good place, a little overpriced but it was a good location. Waitress was polite and we were served our food fairly quickly.

This location is great for outdoor food and drinks. The people watching by the harbor is awesome and they do live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The food menu is more fixed than the North Park location, but I have never been thoroughly impressed. Carnitas torta with a side of chicharron is solid... Add crispy chicharron into sandwich like potato chips.

Food is good but a little overrated in my opinion. However atmosphere is awesome! Great place just to have a beer.

The tacos were amazing, and the shakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great place to grab a beer after visiting museums; ask for local ones

Best spot to grab some good food and beers on the harbor. Walking distance from tourist spots and offices. One of the few places I can go to eat outside on my lunch.

It's only time to eat when you get on a cruise. Meat is meat

Establishment deserves Zero stars for service - I cant speak for the food or drink as I didn t experience anything on the menu!
Just walked away from the outdoor bar on a Sunday night 9/8/19 4:30pm.
Tall blonde Bartender ignored us and all the dirty dishes that brought in flies and smell.

Not hospitable. I see other good reviews... maybe it s an attitude issue?

Liked the outdoor seating. The chopped salad was mostly lettuce and not a balance of all veggies.

I had a "boring but healthy salad" ( it's the name of the dish) and was very well served.. both in the food as in the people serving. Prices really good also..

I used to go to the North Park location since they opened when I saw him on the embarcadero I was excited to go because North Park location is no longer a thing. I got the sausage party and that was probably the best sausage I've had in my life...I was so excited about that the next day I went and got the fried chicken sandwich it was so dry and barren. It was just basically a fried chicken cutlet with a bun the chicken was overcooked and the bun was dry and crumbling apart. The sausage party was a little too wet with the coleslaw maybe they could have thrown some coleslaw on that chicken sandwich.