La Barbacoa Autentica De Borrego

Tacos de barbacoa were amazing. I was afraid of try tacos de pancita because but im glad i gave it a try, both tacos were simple but delicious, also they have a friendly service!

Nice lamb mixiote and lamb barbacoa served here by the kilo, or in tacos. I am partial to the mixiote, but would recommend the "Taco Suave de Barbacoa" if you wanted a bite-size sampler of what this humble but high-quality operation is capable of. Omar S.'s review has all the in-depth detail you need, and you should read it.

Holy moly! What an amazing find.I spotted this corner store with Birria sign and thought, "I MUST TRY THIS."The day of my lady's birthday came and I decided to treat her to the traditional mouthful of meat and she was not disappointed.We have enjoyed Birria and Barbacoa and Carne Asada and rolled tacos from many large and hole-in-the-wall shops all over California and northern Baja and I can say, without any reservation, this is an amazing Mexican eatery.Eat here and rejoice!Open during COVID. Wear a mask, please.

Food was amazing!Flan was BOMB!Customer service was good, very friendly Definitely coming back

This barbacoa is so good, and their tortillas are handmade! I will recommend it 100%, I will definitely come back. La barbacoa está deliciosa, definitivamente regresaría! Y las tortillas son hechas a mano, el precio es accesible y razonable!

Here's something unusual: on weekends, the City Heights bodega called Candyland Mini-Market becomes a cenaduria, providing a few small plastic tables between its register and back wall. This is La Barbacoa Autentica De Borrego.Cooking in the building's miniscule kitchen, owner Alberto Teón and his family prepare lamb barbacoa and other Hidalgo-style plates that are, as the venture's name suggests, very authentic. By my lights, they're also very tasty. An old chowhound post suggests that there's a family connection to the ladies who own El Borrego, a more conventional restaurant serving the same menu, a few blocks away.The Teóns are at a disadvantage with respect to Hidalgo's traditional cooks: the Teóns aren't permitted to make their food in a hole in the ground, so they use pots, which prevent some useful evaporation and a touch of smoke on the meat. No matter; though the food isn't entirely old-school, it doesn't suffer by comparison.In fact, Alfredo's barbacoa is the best I've tried in the County. It's fattier than El Borrego's, and so more flavorful; it's less washed out and mushy than meats served at Aqui es Texcoco; and it's a masterful improvement over that offered by La Jolla's faux-Mex Puesto.A quarter-kilo of Alfredo's barbacoa - the recommended serving for two - is accompanied by a mountain of extras: two handfuls of lime wedges, a half-cup each of diced onion and chopped cilantro; a dozen fresh corn tortillas; and homemade salsas, including a roughly-chopped, wonderfully spicy and fragrant fire-roasted molcajete salsa. The serving for two has provided me three meals, so far.The Teón's lamb consomme, which the uninitiated might dismiss as "just broth," benefits from a long, slow roasting process that draws gelatin from the bones. Every slightly viscous sip lingers on the tongue, preoccupying the appreciative guest, who, greedily rolling the deep, rich flavor around his mouth, slowly, reluctantly swallows, then quickly sips again. Eventually, he finds luscious shreds of barbacoa and tender garbanzos, a sort of bonus that's typical of the dish, but one that's hardly needed.La Autentica Barbacoa de Borrego offers several delicacies, including: birria de res; mixiote; pancita (AKA "menudo"); tacos dorados (fried tacos); quesadillas with squash blossoms, rajas, or huitlacoche; and bean-stuffed tlacoyas, which are roughly similar to pupusas.I haven't sampled the entire menu, but owner Alfredo says that it's important to arrive early, ahead of fans of his most popular menu items, because, by mid-morning, those foods are all sold out. He also suggests visiting on Saturdays, as Sundays are busy... people-lined-up-out-the-front-door busy. I recommend beating the crowd in order to find parking in that mostly red-curbed block.Those things being said, if you arrive late, you can always order "to go", or put your name on the list and hang out until it's your turn to sit down and chow down. If you like nice people, home cooking and lamb, La Barbacoa Autentica De Borrego is definitely worth the wait.******************************Cenaduria de Candyland: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cenaduria-de-candyland-san-diego?hrid=D_iQr19XloXi9B87gs99vAEl Borrego: http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-borrego-restaurant-san-diego?hrid=w-LD2Pf5egJWK_3n_Y2cNgAqui es Texcoco: http://www.yelp.com/biz/aqui-es-texcoco-chula-vistaPuesto: http://www.yelp.com/biz/puesto-la-jolla

******UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT JAN 2OO9, IM NOT SURE IF THE ARE SERVING THE SAME MENU AS I OUTLINED ON MY INTIAL REVIEW******I love Masa-based antojitos (appetizers)..... Tacos SopesHuraches GorditasMulitasSan Diego has its share of delicious and diverse masa-based antojitos from Mexico, however Tlacoyos are definitely a rare find. Tlacoyas are basically masa-based turnovers. Thick corn dough deep-fried, drizzled with crema, sprinkled cotija cheese, and stuffed with you're your choice of beans, rajas (strips of chilies), or chicharron (pork rind). They can top it with lettuce if you wish, I take mine without. Simple yet divine http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/mrstranger/food/bOTANERO053.jpg La Barbacoa turns out a great Tlacoya but they specialize in lamb. The menu here is very similar to El Borrego both specializing in Hildagan regional specialties barbacoa (braised lamb) and Mixiote (lamb shank steamed in the maguey leaves). Tiny corm smut and squash blossom quesadillas are also available. I will be checking out their pozole on my next trip. The ambiance here may not suit everyone; basically the restaurant is an open air garage on the back side of Mexican Candy store with a few benches and tables set up. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/mrstranger/food/Video730.jpgThe lamb here is on spot, but just their consommé and tlacoyoas alone are worth the trip here for me. If you want to try something beyond hybrid border-mex food come try some of what Central Mexico has to offer. Just off University and Fairmount in City HeightsCredit Cards AcceptedOpen Saturday and Sunday OnlyGood for lunch

The Lamb Barbacoa here is godly. So tender and full of flavor, I couldn't stop eating it. The salsa was magical as well, I could eat it with a spoon. I like the fact that it's in the back of a candy store in a rough part of City Heights because it keeps the hipsters away. The service was great and the prices were low. A true hidden gem in San Diego.

Love it here! Food is delicious . The people are so kind. And so incredibly helpful . Def recommend for barbacoa

This places is a hidden gem in San Diego I was scared that it will taste like al Mexican americanish but nooo no even close is real Mexican barbacoa with hand made tortillas everything they made is homemade and reminds me to Mexico is amazing feeling at the moment you try the food you want to cry is perfection soft and the perfect flavor I can't believe people doesn't know this place don't be scared to try it it looks like just a store but you get inside and order so please please try it you will not regret this barbacoa!