Carnitas Uruapan Opening Long-Awaited Flagship Restaurant In Little Village
A New Era for the Beloved Carnitas Restaurant
Pilsen’s beloved Carnitas Uruapan is opening a Little Village restaurant later this month. The new restaurant, located at 3801 W. 26th St., will be the flagship of the family-owned business, “in the center of the Mexican community,” owner Marcos Carbajal said.
A Family Legacy
The restaurant’s history dates back to 1975, when Inocencio “El Güero” Carbajal, Marcos’ father, opened the first Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen. The family has been serving traditional Mexican cuisine, including their signature carnitas, for over 45 years.
A New Chapter
Marcos Carbajal took over the business in 2013 with big plans to grow the family business. After years of searching for the perfect location, he finally found the perfect spot in Little Village, a neighborhood he describes as “the premier commercial corridor” for the Mexican and Mexican-American community.
A Revamped Experience
The new restaurant will seat up to 150 guests in the dining room and will have a patio and party room for private events, with a parking lot across the street. The menu will feature the same 12-item menu as the Pilsen location, including carnitas, chicharron, chicharron guisado, tacos dorados, beans, guacamole, menudo, and corundas.
A New Drink Menu
The restaurant will also feature a new drink menu, including three anchor Mexican spirits: Michoacan mezcal, tequila, and charanda, distilled from sugar cane. Charanda, mezcal, and tequila flights will be available, along with a rotating selection of keg cocktails made in-house, traditional Mexican beers, and craft Mexican beers.
A Piece of History
The building’s 1920s art-deco facade was preserved and now boasts a 40-foot-tall sign that reads La Villita. The white and red sign, which formerly read La Concordia, is an homage to the neighborhood and the building’s history, Carbajal said.
A Place to Gather
More than a new location, the restaurant is a place “to create a brand” and provide a revamped experience for first- and second-generation Mexican families to gather and dine, Carbajal said. “We want it to be a place in the neighborhood where people are drawn. Come shop [on 26th Street], come next door to the great panaderia, then come hang out for a few hours,” Carbajal said.
A Legacy Continues
Inocencio Carbajal, who immigrated to the U.S. in the ’60s from Mexico, worked at a family butcher shop and learned to make carnitas. He worked at a West Loop meatpacking plant before opening Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen in the ’70s. “We went to a secondhand store to buy the grills, saucepans, hutches, and scales to open and when we had to pay, I didn’t have enough. I was wearing a Virgin of Guadalupe necklace I had to sell to the store owner to cover the payment,” he said.
A New Generation
Marcos Carbajal credits his father for continuing to expand the business while keeping the work ethic, hospitality, and customer service that has been key to the restaurant’s success. “I feel so proud. When would I have dreamed of any of this?” Inocencio Carbajal said.
Conclusion
Carnitas Uruapan’s new flagship restaurant in Little Village is a testament to the family’s dedication to their craft and their commitment to serving the community. With its rich history, delicious food, and warm hospitality, the restaurant is sure to become a beloved gathering place for generations to come.
FAQs
* When will the new restaurant open? The restaurant is set to open later this month.
* What will the menu feature? The menu will feature the same 12-item menu as the Pilsen location, including carnitas, chicharron, chicharron guisado, tacos dorados, beans, guacamole, menudo, and corundas.
* Will there be a new drink menu? Yes, the restaurant will feature a new drink menu, including three anchor Mexican spirits: Michoacan mezcal, tequila, and charanda, distilled from sugar cane.
* What is the significance of the building’s sign? The sign, which formerly read La Concordia, is an homage to the neighborhood and the building’s history.
