Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria

- 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd Space D - 2, Paramus, NJ 07652

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria in Paramus, NJ, has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination for New Jersey residents seeking a unique and intensely flavorful culinary experience. Located within the bustling Garden State Plaza, this eatery is far from a typical mall food court spot; it is a dedicated taqueria that skillfully merges the robust, smoky essence of slow-cooked, Central Texas-style pit barbecue with the fresh, authentic preparation of Mexican street food.

This dynamic fusion of Barbecue and authentic Mexican cuisine sets Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria apart. The concept centers on high-quality, pit-smoked meats—like tender brisket and succulent pulled pork—served in freshly made, hand-pressed Nixtamal corn tortillas. This commitment to fresh, hand-pressed masa is a hallmark of authenticity and is immediately noticeable in the texture and flavor of every taco and quesataco. Starting as a popular food truck, the team behind Carlitos brought their passion and technique to a permanent location, ensuring that this innovative take on the taco is delivered with consistent quality and friendly service.

Locals flock here for a menu that boasts both traditional Mexican specialties and their signature barbecue-infused tacos. From the rich, savory Birria Tacos, often hailed as some of the best in New Jersey, to the award-winning Brisket Quesatacos, the food here is designed to be memorable. Whether you are craving comfort food, a quick bite, or a full platter, Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria provides a vibrant, casual, and satisfying dining option for shoppers and neighborhood patrons alike.

The entire operation is guided by a commitment to quality ingredients and traditional techniques. They use all-natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free USDA premium meats, which are smoked low and slow in-house. This dedication to the craft is what transforms a simple taco into a culinary standout, making this Paramus location a true local gem in the New Jersey dining scene.

Beyond the main dishes, the restaurant offers an array of Mexican street food classics and delightful desserts. Customers rave about the crispy, golden churros filled with chocolate or dulce de leche, and the Mexican Street Corn, perfectly grilled and topped with cotija cheese and chili powder. For residents of North Jersey, a visit to this taqueria offers a flavorful detour from the usual dining options, promising authentic, fresh, and satisfying food every time.

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria is more than just a place to eat; it's a celebration of two beloved food traditions, masterfully combined into one incredible menu. For New Jersey locals seeking the next great taco spot, or for those in the mood for high-quality, pit-smoked meats with an authentic Mexican twist, this Paramus location is an absolute must-try.

The friendly atmosphere, combined with the excellent quality and affordability of the food, ensures that Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria maintains its status as a consistently recommended spot in Bergen County.

Location and Accessibility

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria is conveniently situated in one of New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, the Westfield Garden State Plaza. This makes it a highly accessible spot for North Jersey residents, whether they are visiting the mall for shopping or specifically for a meal.

The specific address is:

1 Garden State Plaza Blvd Space D - 2, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA

The location on the ground level, often accessible from an outdoor parking area, means patrons can easily pop in without navigating the main food court, making it a perfect quick stop. The restaurant caters to all guests with a range of excellent accessibility features, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
• Wheelchair Accessible Seating
• Free Parking Lot and On-site Parking
• Free Street Parking

This focus on convenience and accessibility highlights the restaurant’s dedication to serving the entire New Jersey community.

Services Offered

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria provides a variety of services to accommodate all dining preferences, from a quick meal on-the-go to a casual sit-down experience:

• Dine-in: Enjoy a meal in their casual, trendy atmosphere with comfortable seating, including an outdoor seating area.
• Takeout: Perfect for a quick and delicious meal to enjoy at home or on the road.
• Delivery: Conveniently order your favorites for delivery.
• Catering: The full menu, including tacos, quesatacos, platters, and sides, is available for catering larger events. Options include Half Trays of tacos and meats by the pound.
• Meals Served: Offers Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert options.
• Payment Options: Accepts Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments for easy transactions.

Features / Highlights

The restaurant's core identity is built on a few key features that ensure a superior taco experience:

• Authentic Mexican and Barbecue Fusion: A unique blend of Central Texas-style pit-smoked meats (like Brisket and Pulled Pork) with genuine Mexican recipes.
• Fresh, Hand-Pressed Tortillas: The Nixtamal masa (100% corn, gluten-free) is made fresh and hand-pressed to order right behind the counter, a sign of true authenticity and quality that customers immediately notice.
• Signature Menu Items: Famous for their Birria Taco and Consomé, Brisket Taco, and Crispy Fish Tacos, which are consistently praised by patrons.
• High-Quality Meats: Commitment to using all-natural, USDA premium meats that are smoked low and slow in-house.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Offers satisfying options like the Portobello Taco (VEGAN) and Sweet Plantain Quesataco (Vegetarian).
• Fast and Friendly Service: Known for quick service, making it ideal for a lunch break or quick bite, all delivered with a welcoming, friendly attitude.
• Full Dessert Menu: Features highly-rated, perfectly crisp Churros with a choice of chocolate or dulce de leche filling.
• Diverse Beverage Selection: Includes authentic Mexican sodas like Jarritos and Mexican Coke, alongside house-made Aguas Frescas (Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit).
• Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The casual setting is welcoming to families and includes amenities like high chairs and gender-neutral restrooms.

Contact Information

For New Jersey residents looking to order or learn more about the Paramus location, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd Space D - 2, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA

Phone: (201) 292-3783

What is Worth Choosing

If you are a New Jersey local planning your first visit, or a seasoned patron looking to try something new, several items on the menu truly capture the spirit and quality of Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria. The blending of high-quality barbecue and Mexican street food traditions is best experienced through their top-tier tacos and platters.

The undisputed star of the menu is the Birria Taco. Customers describe it as super tender and juicy, filled with beef braised in a complex adobo. The authentic preparation involves dipping the nixtamal tortillas in the flavorful beef fat before warming them on the griddle, resulting in an exceptionally rich flavor. The accompanying Birria Consome is a rich, slightly spicy dipping broth that is a must-have, often described as a butter-like textured indulgence.

For barbecue purists, the Brisket Taco or Brisket Quesataco is a revelation. The signature chopped brisket, which utilizes premium Creekstone Farms beef, is pit-smoked to perfection, offering a tender and deeply smoky flavor that is perfectly balanced by the fresh taco toppings. The Brisket Quesataco, featuring seared menonita cheese on the hand-pressed tortilla, is an award-winning choice that truly highlights the fusion concept.

Beyond the beef, the Crispy Fish Taco is another highly recommended item, praised for its crispy, flaky fish and the perfect pairing of jicama slaw and spicy morita mayo.

If you're looking for a larger, more satisfying meal, any of the Platos are an excellent choice. The Brisket Plato, for instance, includes a quarter pound of their signature chopped brisket served with sides like cilantro lime rice and caramelized sweet plantains, offering a complete and well-rounded meal.

And no visit is complete without sampling the sides and desserts. The Mexican Street Corn (Elote) is a dynamic, simple, yet flavorful specialty, while the freshly made, sweet and crunchy Churros—filled with either chocolate or dulce de leche—provide the perfect finish to this authentic and satisfying New Jersey dining experience. Their commitment to making tortillas in-house and smoking their meats low and slow is what truly makes this taqueria a highly recommended, authentic, and affordable hidden gem in Paramus.

Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria

1 Garden State Plaza Blvd Space D - 2, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA