help identifying a carniceria off 101 between Gilroy and San Jose?
Two years ago, my partner and I drove south on 101 from the East Bay to San Luis Obispo. At a random exit somewhere between San Jose and Gilroy, we stopped at a little market where we had really good carnitas. We'd like to recreate the trip, but neither of us can recall the exit. (I've searched Google maps to no avail). We're hoping the local chowhounders might know where we stopped.
What we remember:
1) The market in question has a large sign over it that reads "Carniceria". (Not too helpful, I know).
2) The market sells both produce and meat. We ordered the carnitas in the back, at or near the fresh meat counter. The market is a freestanding structure with a small parking lot in the front. When we were there it was tidily landscaped.
3) When traveling 101 south from San Jose, we exited on the right side of the freeway, turned right onto a two-lane road, and then saw the carniceria somewhere on the left, possibly 1/4 to 3/4 mile from the 101 interchange.
4) The market was in a relatively sparsely developed area--not entirely in the sticks, but certainly not a dense urban corridor.
Can anyone help turn these sketchy memories into a delicious lunch for us?
Many thanks for your help!
[mods: I'm not entirely familiar with California geography; since the place I'm looking for is probably closer to Gilroy than SJ, I thought this might be the right board, but please relocate if necessary]
By vitapilcher
on Jan 2, 2009 09:18 AM
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Did it also have a taqueria?
I know you tried google maps, but this place at least fits your description (southbound 101, right exit, turn right, on the left, not too densely urban). I hope you find it!
La Choza Meat Market -
17865 Monterey St # K, Morgan Hill, CA - (408) 776-8878
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Could this be the one you're looking for?
http://local.yahoo.com/info-21556856-...
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I've been to Gaeta's in Gilroy and posted about it here. No meat counter or produce, so probably not a match. Worth trying though!
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Gaeta's Taqueria
340 E 10th St, Gilroy, CA 95020
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I think the human GPS teela brown hit the nail on the head.
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Yes, that's why we adore her so much.
Here's a link:
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Farmers Market
520 Tennant Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
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I live in Morgan Hill, and that sounds like a taqueria/produce market on Tennant. It has a generic, hard-to-remember name: "Farmer's Market", I think. There's produce out front, and a carniceria/taqueria in the back. Do you remember if there was a nursery immediately to its right? If so, then we're talking about the same place, and it's good.
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I believe the carniceria is actually named Mi Casa Mexican Deli, but it is at the same location mentioned 520 Tennant.
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Mi Casa Mexican Deli
520 Tennant Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
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Thanks, everyone! The place I was looking for is indeed Mi Casa, in the back of the Farmer's Market at 520 Tennant. We stopped there yesterday. The carnitas was indeed as good as I remembered, crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. I wasn't super excited by the sides--the rice and beans were a little plain--but the green salsa was very tasty. Overall, a great non-chain place to stop if you're on the 101 and feeling peckish.
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