Looking for carnitas or al pastor tacos near you? You’ll find both at all 6 Tacos My Guey locations across the Orlando area: Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, Oviedo, Hunter’s Creek, Narcoossee (Lake Nona area) and Winter Garden. Slow-cooked carnitas and marinated al pastor on double corn tortillas, made fresh daily.
Open until midnight every day, and until 3 a.m. on weekends at select locations.
Order online for pickup or delivery · Find your nearest location
There are tacos, and then there are these tacos. If tacos had a hall of fame, al pastor and carnitas would already have their plaques on the wall. Both are pork. Both are pure magic. And both are the kind of taco that turns a quick lunch into “okay, I’m ordering three more.”
So if you’ve been craving tacos al pastor or carnitas near you in Orlando, let’s break down what makes each one special, how to tell them apart, and where to get them done the right way the Guey way.
Tacos Al Pastor: The Smoky, Sweet King
Al pastor might just be the most iconic taco of them all and it’s got a wild backstory. It was born when Lebanese immigrants brought spit-roasting (think shawarma) to central Mexico, and locals made it their own with pork, chilies, and a whole lot of flavor.
The pork is marinated in a blend of dried chilies, achiote, and spices, then stacked on a vertical spit called a trompo and roasted low and slow often with a pineapple crowning the top, dripping sweet juice down the meat. The result? That signature reddish color and a flavor that’s smoky, a little sweet, and impossible to stop eating. Served on a warm corn tortilla with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, al pastor is the taco we’d tell any first-timer to start with.
Tacos de Carnitas: Slow-Cooked, Golden, Glorious
If al pastor is the flashy showstopper, carnitas is the soul-warming classic. The name literally means “little meats,” and this Michoacán legend earns every bit of its reputation. If you’ve been searching for carnitas tacos near you in Orlando, this is the one
Here’s the deal: pork is slow-cooked in its own juices for hours until it’s fall-apart tender on the inside and just crispy enough on the edges. No rushing, no shortcuts just patience turning good pork into something unforgettable. Rich, juicy, deeply savory, and ridiculously satisfying. Pile it on a corn tortilla with onion and cilantro, hit it with salsa, and you’ve got comfort food that’s been perfected over generations.
Al Pastor vs. Carnitas: What’s the Difference?
We get this one a lot, so here’s the quick breakdown:
Both are pork but the magic is in the method. Al pastor is marinated in chilies and achiote, then spit-roasted, giving it a smoky-sweet, slightly tangy flavor (bonus points for that pineapple). Carnitas is slow-braised in its own fat until rich, tender, and crispy on the edges no marinade, just deep savory goodness.
Al pastor leans bold and bright. Carnitas leans rich and comforting. The good news? You don’t actually have to choose. Order both. We won’t tell.
Why Ours Hit Different
At Tacos My Guey, we don’t cut corners on the classics. Our al pastor gets its color and character from real chilies and spices not food coloring and a prayer. Our carnitas is slow-cooked the way it’s meant to be, until it practically melts. These recipes come from Mexican tradition, refined over years and made fresh in our Orlando kitchens every single day. That’s the difference tradition makes and you can taste it in the first bite. (Want the full rundown of every style? Check out our guide to the types of Mexican tacos.)
Al Pastor & Carnitas Near You in Orlando
Craving hits don’t wait, and neither should you. With 6 locations across the Orlando area, authentic al pastor and carnitas are never far: grab them Downtown near Lake Eola, in Winter Park, out in Oviedo near UCF, in Hunter’s Creek, or near Lake Nona on Narcoossee.
Dine in, order online for pickup (skip the line trust us), or get delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub. Craving near Kissimmee? Our Narcoossee and Hunter’s Creek spots are your closest bet.
The Bottom Line
Al pastor or carnitas? Smoky-sweet or slow-and-savory? It’s the best kind of decision because there’s no wrong answer. So do yourself a favor: find your nearest location, come hungry, and taste what real pork tacos are supposed to be. Enjoy tacos, enjoy life. ¡Órale, güey!
Al Pastor & Carnitas FAQs
What is the difference between al pastor and carnitas?
Both are pork, but they’re prepared differently. Al pastor is marinated in dried chilies and achiote, then spit-roasted for a smoky-sweet, slightly tangy flavor, often served with pineapple. Carnitas is slow-cooked in its own fat until tender and crispy at the edges, giving it a richer, more savory taste with no marinade.
What does “al pastor” mean?
“Al pastor” means “shepherd style,” a nod to the spit-roasting technique brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants. The pork is marinated, stacked on a vertical spit called a trompo, and roasted slowly often topped with pineapple.
What kind of meat is in carnitas?
Carnitas is made from pork, slow-cooked in its own juices until it’s fall-apart tender inside and lightly crispy on the edges. The name means “little meats,” and the dish originated in the Mexican state of Michoacán.
Where can I find authentic tacos al pastor and carnitas near me in Orlando?
Tacos My Guey serves authentic al pastor and carnitas at 6 locations across the Orlando area: Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, Oviedo, Hunter’s Creek, Narcoossee (Lake Nona area), and Winter Garden. You can dine in, order online for pickup, or get delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub.
Which is better, al pastor or carnitas?
It comes down to preference. Al pastor is bold, smoky, and slightly sweet, while carnitas is rich, tender, and savory. Both are authentic favorites and since you can’t go wrong, many people order both.