Jaltemba Sol...a webzine for those who love Mexico

Carnitas Uruapan Smokey Flavor A Labor of Love

By Adam Caddell

On a busy Thursday afternoon, the lunch crowd assembles around the block waiting in anticipation for some of Francisco’s delicious Smokey barbeque platters. “Here comes the two o clock rush,” Fransisco tells me. “It’s Showtime!”

Francisco, the owner and manager of Carnitas Uruapan, had always wanted to be a chef since he was a little boy. “I would help my mother in the kitchen, when I wasn’t tall enough to see the stove.”

Francisco grew up in Guadalajara Jalisco, a four and a half hour drive from Jaltemba Bay. When he wasn’t attending Prepa, he was helping his family out in the kitchen.

“When my father left my mother, I had to take on more responsibilities while she worked full time for the family.”

Francisco began cooking up a storm and when he finished high school, he started his very own pizzeria, set right in his kitchen.

“I was young, and saw an opportunity to make some money doing what I enjoy,” said Francisco.

Soon Francisco was making hundreds of pizzas every week and delivering them to the schools in his area.

At seventeen, Francisco met and married his wife Carmen, despite parents on both sides telling him to be cautious. “We were young and in love; they couldn’t do anything!”

Francisco and Carmen worked for ten years in the pizza business and had two kids; Magaly and Paco. At this time they began feeling the need to try something new and they moved to La Penita. While on Vacation, Francisco saw that a busy restaurant was for sale, due to the owners wanting to move back to Puerto Vallarta. “We moved in two years ago, and we haven’t looked back!” said Francisco.

The restaurant is a favorite with the locals and tourists, who can smell the mango wood smoke from Guayabitos. “That’s where the flavor is,” said Francisco, “It’s in the mango wood.”

Intrigued, I volunteered myself to help in rounding up the wood in order to make this fantastic food, but I had no Idea that it would be as labor intensive.

We headed off to San Pancho, where Francisco’s friends have massive farm and brush land with trees ready to cut down. The bush was higher than my chest, but I was told to not talk so much. “Be careful” said Francisco as he motioned with his hand a curvy slithering snake.

This was the wrong day to wear shorts!

After walking for about a mile in dense bush, we chopped down dead wood into twenty five kilo logs and carry them over our shoulder back to the trucks. “Not many people know the work that is involved to make really good ribs, or chicken or carnitas”

“There is a lot of sweat and labor that goes into making great food. It’s the same anywhere.”

Fransisco takes out his chain saw and cuts down the logs into stumps - perfect for the fuel to make his food magical.

With sweat pouring down both our faces, Francisco laughs and says “I think we both just lost about a kilo.”

Avenida in La Penita Gets a revolutionary face lift with new brick, statues and fountains...above is statue of the bronze head of Emilio Zapata

* * * * *

The Many Facets of Guadalajara

By Tara Spears - Special to Jaltemba Sol

Guadalajara sparkles with historical splendor, blending neoclassical, gothic, and modern architectural styles that reflect its roots yet embraces the future. This second largest city in Mexico offers contemporary amenities, a thriving international business and industrial center, impressive museums and world class cultural fine arts, excellent shopping, professional sports, quality medical care, and five major universities. Whatever your interests or needs, this urban jewel of Mexico can satisfy them.

To read the entire Guadalajara story by Tara Spears click here

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