Carnal Cocina Artesanal

If you're browsing the reviews to convince you to try it, just know I have been back for their dinner service on three separate occasions and can't wait to come back for brunch. The first time here, it was a very busy night. The only seat left was at the bar. However, the staff were very accommodating and even stayed open later to serve all guests. As a seafoodie, the dishes that keep me coming back are the pulpo a la diabla, tlayuda de tsajo (tuna), and sopa de mariscos. The taco de chicharron is huge and also one of my favorites, especially with the pickled nopales served to top it off. Each dish is prepared to perfection, with complex flavors shining through. My compliments to the chef!The service at Carnal makes you feel at home, warm like so with your tios and tias. Flor was incredible - sweet, attentive, and knowledgeable. On a slower night, my friends and I were served by Roberto and were delighted to learn more about Oaxacan cuisine and ingredients, not previously familiar with. All in all, a new highland park favorite.

super great food with a twist. you can bring your own beer as they dont have any alcoholic beverages. conveniently there is ice cold beer spot across the street. we didn't see it until we sat down. parking can get little hard but there is metro station around the 7 eleven. we got seated right away since we were okay on sitting between a semi large party. we explorere the menu carefully and ordered few things to share. omg the octopus was super soft and flavorful and raw tuna with grasshopper was good with all the sauces they drizzle on top especially the plantain mash. as our main dish we ordered duck plate and the duck was superb. I love that this place is open kitchen and their passionfruit drink was super passionfruity. loved the corn that was hanging. we saw this place on yelp and decided to do a girls night out. when I posted the pictures on IG it was too new it didn't even show them under locations. little bit far but worth the drive if you guys are nearby. service is great too.

Really good food. I was surprised by how good it was. We had half of the menu and no regrets even though it's so much food haha.Sunday night after the new year is very chill as expected. So no wait. They are worth coming to and coming back to.

Let's cut to the chase. The food was not bad, mediocre at best. But the service and ambiance made up for the quality of the food. Would I return, probably not. Check it out for yourself, remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

First and foremost the owners happened to be there and served us as their server called in sick. Was so impressed with how well they took care of everyone. If felt very homey and as if you were part of the family. I would not choose Oaxacan food as a go to but they made excellent dishes. Will be back!

This is the cutest secret in Highland Park. It's a small storefront with a modern vibe. Not many tables, a few 4 tops and a great community table.The service was on point, if the menu is adventurous ask and you will be pointed in an amazing direction. There should be a line out the door! Oaxacan cuisine, vegan and meat dishes. Try the fermented pineapple drink sooo good!

Incredible food. Unassuming interiors but the food is incredibly memorable. While we were there all I could hear is with the patrons around us is how amazed they were with each dish. Many audible "wow"s. The communal seating also allowed us to make great connections with those sitting next to us. Overall a great friendly vibe.

This place is new and I couldn't wait to try it after seeing the menu. Came here on a Saturday morning after my hike and it was well worth it. The inside decor is very nice and interesting. Greeted and was able to sit anywhere in the restaurant, mind you the place is small, seating is limited. Started with cafe de olla and it was nice and strong! Memelas Trio- mini sopes with three different flavors and honestly, you really don't miss meat when your eating these. 2 out of 3 didn't have meat but the flavor and freshness in the sope was so good. Breakfast and AVO sope-so good, stacked and flavorful!Mole toast-a nice size bollio on the bottom two sunnyside up egg on top and just smothered in mole sauce. UGH...sooo good. The three different salsa were really fresh tasting and good but my all time favorite is the salsa matcha! you can add that to everything. I can't wait to come back and try the dinner menu!Super happy this place is another addition to highland park!

the chef prepares oaxacan style dishes himself. if you ever had the simón truck tacos or aguachile, you know he throws down. while simón is seafood focused, this spot has something for everyone. i had vegetarian dishes myself. i sat at the bar. was served complementary marinated fresh pineapple to start. i ordered a nopales salad and the mushroom huitlacoche dish. also had the pineapple tepache to drink. all were delish. i asked for salsa and got three housemade salsas. the chef makes incredible salsas! it's a casual vibe. lots of table seating and some bar seats. i'll be back!

Some friends wanted to check this out after reading about it somewhere. Met at 7pm on Sat and only waited about 5 minutes. We shared the short rib mole, pork chop, octopus, and chicharon taco. Everything was really good. The three of us agreed. My favorite was the octopus as it was nicely charred and came in a spicy sauce. The chicharon in the taco was tender. A little pricey but worth it. Good service. Didn't care for the tepache but just a personal preference. Parked in back although there is metered street parking til 8pm.