Company NameCelebrando la comida, la bebida y la comunidad local.
Food Truck ‘Carnitas El Michoacano’ Opens a Brick-and-Mortar

Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano (Photo by Matt Sterner)

Food Truck ‘Carnitas El Michoacano’ Opens a Brick-and-Mortar

Aug 7, 20231 min read

For nearly 10 years, the Carnitas El Michoacano food truck has been a favorite on 856 E. Bilby Rd., just between Park Avenue and S. Nogales Highway.

On Saturday, August 5, the food truck officially completed its transition into its first brick-and-mortar location at 5256 S. Nogales Highway— rebranding to Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano.

a sign on the side of a building
Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano (Photo by Matt Sterner)

Tacos, quesadillas, and an array of salsas — the familiar and beloved menu is all there with the addition of an air-conditioned dining room. The restaurant, which is considered to be a hidden gem for many, has kept the menu simple: Tacos de Carnitas, Tacos de Chicharron, Tacos de Birria, Tacos de Cabeza, Quesadillas, and larger orders of birria and bichi.

The tacos come individually (it’s up to you how many you’d like to eat in one sitting) and are paired up with a side of shredded cabbage, diced onions, and sliced lime. Be sure to stop by the salsa bar, too, for maximum flavor overload.

a plate of food
(Photos courtesy of Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano)

The hours of operation are also the same as what they were when operating out of the food truck. The new brick-and-mortar location is opening 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday – Monday and closed on Tuesday – Wednesday.

Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano is located at 5256 S. Nogales Highway. For more information, follow the restaurant on Facebook.

Disclaimer: Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano is not associated with the Carnitas El Michoacano food truck located at 3030 N. Oracle Rd.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

Recibe gratis el boletín semanal de Tucson Foodie

Nuevas aperturas, eventos, platos recomendados y guías — cada miércoles. Sin spam.

Llévanos contigo.

Descubre los mejores lugares locales, explora la base de datos de platillos, crea y comparte tus listas de lugares por visitar, apoya lo local y únete al Foodie Club cuando estés listo.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.0K followers
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Have you tried any of them?

@Crossroadskitchen 
Daily buffet 8am - 2pm
2602 S 4th Ave 

@Casamolinadelnorte 
Sunday buffet 10am - 3pm 
3001 N Campbell Ave

@Delcielotamal 
Vegan buffet 9am - 11:30am 
Thursdays and Saturdays 
Traditional buffet Sundays
3073 N Campbell Ave 

@Losme.zquites 
Sat-Sun 7am - 2pm 
2527 W Drexel Rd 

@Cafesantarosa520 
Sunday buffet 8am - 1pm 
2615 S 6th AveHave you tried any of them? @Crossroadskitchen Daily buffet 8am - 2pm 2602 S 4th Ave @Casamolinadelnorte Sunday buffet 10am - 3pm 3001 N Campbell Ave @Delcielotamal Vegan buffet 9am - 11:30am Thursdays and Saturdays Traditional buffet Sundays 3073 N Campbell Ave @Losme.zquites Sat-Sun 7am - 2pm 2527 W Drexel Rd @Cafesantarosa520 Sunday buffet 8am - 1pm 2615 S 6th Ave
@Vegantucsonnightmarket returns December 5, from 6-9pm at Rillito Park❤️🐄

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

App link in bio@Vegantucsonnightmarket returns December 5, from 6-9pm at Rillito Park❤️🐄 VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN App link in bio