Carnitas at El Caminito, Sunnyvale
A coworker took me to this sit down Mexican place on El Camino. I've driven by plenty of times, but wrote it off due to - get this - the look of the signage. I thought it looked too new or modern to be good (complete with Wi-Fi connection)... well I'm glad I tried it.
The first thing you notice is the full bar, prominently displayed in the center of the restaurant. We sat down and thin, house fried chips are brought to the table warm, with a nice chunky tomato salsa.
I went for the Carnitas plate, and I chose corn tortillas, which came to the table nice and pliable, in a tortilla warmer.
The plate came with rice and beans, with queso fresco mixed in with the tasty refried beans, nice touch. You also get two little cups of pico de gallo, really good salsa verde, and slices of pickled jalapeno. But the carnitas... a generous portion of the most tender and moist pulled pork I've had in a while. This was quite different than the twice fried, usually dry versions I'm used to at other taquerias. The pork was perfectly seasoned as well, just big porky flavor.
I was able to make a good three tacos out of the plate, and still had more pork leftover to munch on. At $9.95, I thought it was a good deal for the good cooking as well as the quantity.
The menu has the typical tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and a fair amount of seafood plates, but parts of the menu sound a bit Chevys-ish. Though they also offer a mole, chile relleno, and huevos dishes that sound tasty. No lengua or cabeza here, but I notice their carne asada is made with grilled rib eye steak.
I'd love to know what else might be good here.
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rworange
Apr 1, 2009 04:58 PM
No recs, just a link. One of the things I have trouble getting over is places that look like chains or too slick. I'm slowly coming around because there is some good stuff in these places. I was complaining about a little independant that looked like a chain and someone said that is a good thing as it might attract people who might not otherwise step into a restaurant that looks too different.
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El Caminito Mexican Restaurant
510 E El, Camino Real Sunnyvale, CA
