Mr Carnitas

I am not feeling this place at all. Walking in, I didn’t get a good first impression. The dining area felt more like a run-​down restaurant rather than a taqueria or carniciera. I walked up to the counter to review the menu on the wall and immediately bumped into the person next to me who was filling up salsa cups at the salsa bar. Why place the salsa bar so close to the cash register when half of the restaurant is not being used? Needless to say, this inconvenience slightly irritated me to say the least. Nevertheless, I waited in some sort of a line, filled up a few salsa cups, and took a seat to wait for my order.
For lunch, I opted for the carnitas torta. I went with the carnitas as my protein since the name of the restaurant is Mr Carnitas. With carnitas in the name –it has to be good right? Ummm, no. After waiting 20 minutes, my torta came out a little too burnt for my liking with more beans and lettuce than anything else. I felt like that old lady from the Wendy’s commercials –Where’s the beef? I opened up the torta, looked around for the pork carnitas and was extremely disappointed. When I was finally able to track down a piece of meat underneath all of the lettuce, the carnitas itself lacked any real flavor, and felt like it had been microwaved. Honestly, I have had better carnitas at Chevy’s and Del Taco.
I don’t plan on coming back. The food wasn’t good (see burnt torta below), the dining area was a mess, and the wait time was ridiculous considering the amount of customers that were in the restaurant.

Been driving by this place for months since my office moved to Natomas. I recall it used to be Mountains Mikes. They even still have the tacky red and green booths. The menu looks different than most taqueria style restaurant I have been to. Strange combinations like cheese enchiladas with chicken on the side & vegetables. I passed on that and went with the #15 which was a kinda small «wet» caritas burrito with beans/​rice, and shredded lettuce/​tomato on the side. $ 6.99. Off the hook! Meat and cheese only… massive amounts for a little burrito. The sauce was almost like mole as it had a sweet kinda cinnamony/​chocolate flavor… very thick. Service was good but it took over 10 mins for my food to arrive. This was odd being that at 12pm on a Thursday there were only a few people eating and nobody else awaiting for food in front of me. Free chips were warm, limes were huge and fresh, salsas and some strange thick avo cream sauce in a squirt bottle really good. I will go back and bring co-​workers!

I don’t understand why this place has 3 stars. The flavor of their food is exquisite. I admit i wasn’t expecting much but I have enjoyed their consistency in delivering tasty delicious food. I have tried their chicken enchiladas, their asada chicken and carnitas tacos, and their rice and beans. All were delightful. They also have really delicious salsa to compliment the homemade chips. Overall just super tasty tasty sabroso! Also the horchata was to die for!!!

They should update the hours. Any time we try to call in before 11:00, they don’t answer. That being said, call in your order in advance when you can. They are pretty slow. Get a couple of pounds of carnitas to go w tortillas and salsa and you will be set! Get the chopped carnitas rather than whole pieces and you will get less fat. Love the carnitas and salsa. Can’t recommend anything else as I haven’t tried it. 3.5 stars really for everything but the carnitas and salsa! The best!

I’m giving Mr. Carnitas four stars because the staff is great and they have good salsa. I’ve been twice and the staff is super nice! I’m always greeted with a smile and the employees are easy to deal with. They have four of five different salsa which are all tasty. The avocado salsa is the best.
I ate burritos both times I was there. They are incredibly filling. After chips and salsa I could only manage half. I ate the other half for dinner. They were packed with rice, meat, cheese and goodness. The food is overall pretty good.
I restaurant seems a little unfinished when you look around. There are booths without tables, and a section that appears closed. I don’t know what’s up but I’m not that concerned about it. There was plenty of seating space both of the times I visited.

I had high hopes for this place cause I saw high reviews & needed a place in Natomas for my Carna Asada burrito obsession. It was better than average but not great. The ambiance was not to good. Best to buy to go but it will do for now until I find the bomb mexican spot this part of town. It came with a soup but didn’t feel like I should be paying $ 10 for my lunch without drink. Also bathroom door busted and out of soap) o:

I don’t know how long this has been here, but I used to live in the area and never knew it was here. There is some obstruction with big trees on both sides of the driveway, So, I suggest a street sign. The interior is plain and there wasn’t only a party of 2 present. As well, the board didn’t seem inviting so I was wondering if I should go somewhere else. I’m glad I didn’t — The plate was prompt (of course, it wasn’t crowded) It was plentiful, affordable, and attractive. The server was very nice and we talked a little bit. I complimented him on my lunch and told him about the sign and décor as a soft suggestion. I hope he passes it along to management.

I don’t get all the good reviews. My burrito was gross. I ended up picking the minuscule pieces of meat out of it and throwing the rest down the garbage disposal. It was a disappointing meal and I won’t be back.

Just moved to the Natomas area and had to find tacos. This place is great. Delicious tacos and salsa. I can late on a Saturday so it was quiet but boy was the food good! I definitely recommend!

Just came back from «War of the Carnitas (Guerra de Carnitas)» in downtown and this place was serving tacos and competing with other 15 places and they were the only ones that got all the checkmarks for me: traditional, tasty, not greasy, simple (only onions, cilantro, lime and salsa), and they had extras like Buche and Cueritos. Other places were trying to cover their bland & greasy carnitas with their salsas or toppings but not Mr. Carnitas. They really represent their name. I will try the restaurant for sure. The server was super nice and friendly to us too. Also, when we left, this was the restaurant with the most votes.

The chicken soup is the best. Very tasty. I have also had many plates here. Most of the time it tastes good. The place is clean. The staff is nice. However, for some reason, the chips taste like soap to me? May just be my taste buds.

Great local place. I’ve only had the burritos, both the California and the shrimp. Both had great flavor and were huge. The California burrito had French fries in it, which was amusing. The shrimp were small but nicely cooked. I’m looking forward to my next visit.

Stopped in for a little snack off of the freeway waiting for traffic. Good food! Very inexpensive and the service was so nice and friendly. We had a carnitas burrito which came with rice beans and lechuga. Chips also came with five different salsas. Then they brought us a delicious chicken and rice soup on the house. What a nice little friendly place.

Girl at the counter was very nice and patient. I didn’t know what to order and she made some really good suggestions. We ordered cheese enchiladas and these plates were big. Even the horchata was good. Overall, great food and service.

Nice friendly staff… Amazing California burrito. Lady brought us free soup as we waited… Don’t know why this place isn’t busier.

Me and my girlfriend go here all the time. Great staff. Family owned. Their California burito is really good. They give out free nachos with your meal. Pretty well kept place and honestly one of my favorite Mexican food around the area

The food is good! Service is decent better other days just depends who’s working. But some of the food is overly priced. Bought a burrito was 8 bucks! Could buy the same kind for 5 somewhere Els.

I’ve only had their tacos, so I can’t speak for the rest of their menu. The tacos were very tasty, but they are very small (the smallest I’ve had in Sacramento). They should sell these for $ 1.00 and they would still profit.
But the biggest turn-​off was that my cashier and server was a dude in dirty mechanics overalls. Very tacky. I don’t expect a pretty girl to serve me at every restaurant, but having the guy who perhaps was just outside working on a car makes me question their standards.

Big space, clean luxury tables, and friendly service excellent food. Reasonable portion for 8.59
Thanks guys

Decided to try this place because it is within walking distance from my house. It was so-​so. The service was great, but the food could use some improvement. I ordered a California burrito, which usually has fries, carne asada, pico de gallo, and cheese. My burrito had more fries than anything else. I had to hunt for the meat. Oh and the meat wasn’t carne asada, it was more like grilled steak.
I do have to say, the chicken rice soup they gave for free was very tasty. I’m not sure if I would give this place a second chance. Maybe I’ll stick to Carolina’s.