toronja
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Posts: 134
Registered: 2-1-2015
Location: Eugene, OR
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Winning combo: Great pork, fantastic people
Carnitas Barajas La Paz -- (https://goo.gl/maps/vkBsU)
So, chavycha and I stumbled on a great carnitas place a few years back. Their delicious smoked pork bits are one of the (many) things that get us
clamoring to come back down to Baja every year. It appears family run, and the folk have always been super welcoming, but as our visits are limited to
a few each year, we aren't exactly regulars.
A few weeks ago we dragged ourselves into Barajas after a 12-hour day on the road, and after the eternity of desvaciones north of La Paz. They
provided the usual cheerful conversation and delicious meal. We decided to push on afterwards, and found ourselves half an hour down the road before I
realized I had left my bag sitting on the chair there.
In that bag were both of our passports, a camera, and all of our cash. Scott didn't kill me; he gets major points for that.
We arrived back at the restaurant an hour after we left, and I raced in, full panic, to big smiles of relief. They had the bag wrapped up and waiting
under the counter for me. Mexico is pretty great sometimes -- a lot of the time.
So, if you find yourself coming into/out of La Paz to the north, stop in at this little gem for some great food and good company. The map is included
above, it's on the south side of the 1 about a mile west of the turn off for the airport.
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Maron
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Great story. We concur Mexico is pretty great, most of the time.
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bajajudy
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Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Eaten there many times?
BTW if it is carnitas, it is deep fried.
Michoacan in La Paz is also excellent.
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AKgringo
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Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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I have been there a few times myself, it is right down the road from Campestre Maranatha RV park and campground where I usually spend some time.
Good food, good prices, and good people!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Tod
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 3-20-2009
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I believe the same family owns both of these?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150777-d207203...
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Carnitas does not have to be deep fried, though it is probably like that in Mexico, most of the time.
The best carnitas is slow-baked, whole, removed from the oven, shredded, coated with a combo of cola and/or OJ, and then broiled to get the
caramelized coating.
Good chefs will also embed whole cloves of garlic into the pork before the baking. Of course, a decent amount of salt and cumin are also necessary.
Carnitas is not very common, here in Sonora. Birria and carne asada seems to rule.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
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Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Well, Hook, since it's Mexican, I stand by my fried statement
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monoloco
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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Barajas fries their carnitas in fresh lard.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Great story!
Les makes some to die for carnitas ..... in the oven and really baked slowly. The aroma alone is wonderful!
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Pescador
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Location: Baja California Sur
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  | Great story!
Les makes some to die for carnitas ..... in the oven and really baked slowly. The aroma alone is wonderful! |
Well, then, he makes baked pork. When I made them that way some of my Mexican friends told me they were sure good, but did not qualify as "Carnitas".
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bajacalifornication
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Carnitas are made deep fried. If they are not fried we Mexicans do not call them carnitas. And the people from Estado de Michoacan are the best
carnitas makers in all of Mexico.
Todo por servir se acaba. Y acaba por no servir.
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CaboSur
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| Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca | Great story!
Les makes some to die for carnitas ..... in the oven and really baked slowly. The aroma alone is wonderful! |
Just did this last weekend using lard. The Carnitas were delicious. I am now an official Chicharronero !! Mesquite, Lard, Large Pot, Boat
Oar, 50 lbs of Pork and cold cerveza... YUM, YUM. Three hours cooking with occasional rock salt added and Coca Cola added for the final touch.
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