Carnitas don Tacho

Carnitas Don Tacho – St. Paul, MN

St. Paul (Carnitas, Pork belly, and Asada)

Today’s taco stop took me to Carnitas Don Tacho in St. Paul — a humble little spot that feels like it was pulled straight from the streets of Mexico and dropped onto the East Side. If you're searching for tacos that don’t need to be dressed up with gimmicks or gourmet buzzwords, this is your place.

I ordered two carnitas tacos, one pork belly, and one asada. Each came nestled in warm, double-layered corn tortillas with just enough toast to hold their own — no tearing, no soggy fold, just sturdy, chewy goodness. The meat? Juicy, flavorful, and portioned in a way that made me smile. One of my favorite ways to judge a taco is by the pickup test: when you grab it, does a little meat spill out? If so, that taco is speaking to you — whispering, “There’s more where that came from.” These tacos had plenty to say.

On top came a few crisp radish slices for texture and refreshment, plus a generous handful of lime wedges — not just one sad sliver like some places hand out. Two salsas came with the tacos: a fiery red that bites back, and a smooth, mild green that cools things down. I alternated bites like a spicy tango, chasing heat with a little lime and verde relief.

I also treated myself to a fancy Mexican Coke in the glass bottle — because when you're eating tacos this legit, it just feels right. But for those keeping score, I didn’t include that in the cost breakdown. Without drinks, we paid about $20 for six tacos — a total steal for the quality and portion size.

Carnitas Don Tacho isn’t trying to reinvent anything — they’re sticking to the roots, and that’s exactly what makes them great. If you’re in St. Paul and craving the kind of taco that tastes like it came from a roadside taquería in Jalisco, this spot should be on your list.