Carnitas - El Paisa Alegre #2, Prospect Heights, IL

I think I’m the only person who goes to a taqueria after the gym. But I’m going to go to the taqueria anyways so at least I worked out first.

There’s a place called Carnitas right by my home. I always wondered what Carnitas, with it's colorful lettering, was about. Was it the type of place that sold carnitas by the pound? Could I eat there by myself? I finally decided to check it out, for the taco project. For you.

I walked in and I felt a little intimidated because I didn’t know what to do and if I wanted to eat here. There are display cases of fried pork rinds, fried meats, a buffet line of food when you walk in. A nice man asked if he can help me. I asked if there was a menu. (I didn’t see one posted.) He suggested I step to the side for a menu. A waitress sat me.

The menu was handwritten and taped to the table. She told me I could still get breakfast. I asked what was for breakfast. She listed a few great choices (chilaquiles, enchiladas) and suggested the huevos rancheros. I said ok. I asked for a horchata and she brought me some chips. The chips were warm, greasy and tasted like the maiz of a fresh tortilla. Best chips I’ve had in a long time.

They were playing great authentic music and the tile floors, wood booths and colorful decorations with the din of the kitchen behind me made me feel like I could have been in my abuelita’s kitchen/living room in Texas.

The waitress brought my huevos. Four eggs neatly folded on four quadrants of my tostada, covered in orange salsa and sprinkled with cheese. These were the fluffiest eggs I’ve ever had. I tried to examine them but I couldn’t discern the secret. Restaurants may put a bottled red salsa on your eggs but I felt the orange salsa was homemade and a tasty touch. The rice and chunky beans were spot on.

The huevos were listed not on the menu and I knew eating 4 eggs at the current cost of eggs was going to set me back. It was $21. It was worth it. I’m full now and I am not going to eat lunch. And next time if I go in and just order tacos a la carte, that will keep the cost down.

Real Mexican Food.

Quality service. Very nice.

The 2 workers I talked to were bilingual.

5/5 Stars

Carnitas - El Paisa Alegre #2, 1 S. Wolf Rd., Prospect Height, IL



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