Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita, the newest Mexican restaurant by the first family of pork in Chicago, brings 50 years of tradition and transformation to a flagship committed to the community in Little Village. Inocencio Carbajal opened the original Carnitas Uruapan in 1975 with his wife, Abigail Carbajal, in Pilsen. While El Güero, as the family patriarch is known in the neighborhood, a nickname for his fair skin and green eyes, still roams the dining rooms, his son now runs the family business built on carnitas, and hospitality just as tender. Marcos Carbajal, a former banker and second-generation owner of the enterprise, expanded with a second location in Gage Park in 2019. They celebrated the grand opening of the third and largest restaurant in January. Carbajal was named a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur this year. Tap on our bio link to read more. ----- Photo 1: The carnitas "Especial" meal at Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita restaurant, 3801 W. 26th St., Chicago, on July 24, 2025. Photo 2: Cheese corundas. Photo 3: Inocencio Carbajal, founder of Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita. Photo 4: The complimentary chicharrón and salsas. Photo 5: The Gansito paleta. ? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune ?️ Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
July 29, 2025
Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita, the newest Mexican restaurant by the first family of pork in Chicago, brings 50 years of tradition and transformation to a flagship committed to the community in Little Village.
Inocencio Carbajal opened the original Carnitas Uruapan in 1975 with his wife, Abigail Carbajal, in Pilsen. While El Güero, as the family patriarch is known in the neighborhood, a nickname for his fair skin and green eyes, still roams the dining rooms, his son now runs the family business built on carnitas, and hospitality just as tender.
Marcos Carbajal, a former banker and second-generation owner of the enterprise, expanded with a second location in Gage Park in 2019. They celebrated the grand opening of the third and largest restaurant in January. Carbajal was named a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur this year.
Tap on our bio link to read more.
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Photo 1: The carnitas "Especial" meal at Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita restaurant, 3801 W. 26th St., Chicago, on July 24, 2025.
Photo 2: Cheese corundas.
Photo 3: Inocencio Carbajal, founder of Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita.
Photo 4: The complimentary chicharrón and salsas.
Photo 5: The Gansito paleta.
? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune
?️ Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Inocencio Carbajal opened the original Carnitas Uruapan in 1975 with his wife, Abigail Carbajal, in Pilsen. While El Güero, as the family patriarch is known in the neighborhood, a nickname for his fair skin and green eyes, still roams the dining rooms, his son now runs the family business built on carnitas, and hospitality just as tender.
Marcos Carbajal, a former banker and second-generation owner of the enterprise, expanded with a second location in Gage Park in 2019. They celebrated the grand opening of the third and largest restaurant in January. Carbajal was named a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur this year.
Tap on our bio link to read more.
-----
Photo 1: The carnitas "Especial" meal at Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita restaurant, 3801 W. 26th St., Chicago, on July 24, 2025.
Photo 2: Cheese corundas.
Photo 3: Inocencio Carbajal, founder of Las Carnitas Uruapan La Villita.
Photo 4: The complimentary chicharrón and salsas.
Photo 5: The Gansito paleta.
? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune
?️ Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
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