South Philly Barbacoa is a roaming pop-up that appears in cities nationwide, but lives in Philadelphia full-time. Their pop-ups elsewhere sell out almost immediately, and there is almost always a line at the Philly location, but it's worth it. "The unusual hours for chef and activist Cristina Martinez's South Philly Barbacoa (open Saturdays and Sundays, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. or sellout, and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or sellout) are due to the time it takes to slow-roast the lamb," Schneider Bongiorno said.

South PhillyWhat you’re getting: Barbacoa lamb or pancita tacosIf you find yourself without a shore house this summer, at least there is one thing (outside the beer gardens) that you’re bronzed friends will miss out on -- delicious tacos from South Philly Barbacoa. The food cart, operated by husband and wife duo Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller, is only open on the weekend and choices are limited. But when barbacoa lamb or pancita tacos are on the menu, there’s not really a need for anything else.

This beloved Italian Market taqueria only has a few items on the menu—barbacoa and pancita tacos, a lamb consomme, and specials like tamales and quesadillas. They're all very good, especially the juicy, fatty, incredibly flavorful lamb barbacoa, which is the star of the single best taco in Philly. The corn tortillas are just as memorable as the fillings—they're thick and speckled with mini air pockets, and delicious whether they're cradling pancita or simply dipped in the housemade salsas.

Cristina Martinez and Benjamin Miller specialize in barbacoa, the succulent, slow-cooked lamb of Martinez’s Mexican homeland. The couple and their staff chop the meat with cleavers and pile it on fluffy corn tortillas, which you top at the salsa station with strips of cactus paddle rajas, onion-laced pickled jalapeno escabeche, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime. Pancita tacos and a flavorful consommé soup made from the lamb’s drippings are must-orders, too.

Philly loves tacos, but there is perhaps no taco more beloved than James Beard Award-winning Cristina Martinez’s lamb barbacoa version in the Italian Market — a small, historic neighborhood that runs up 9th Street, from around Federal Street to Christian Street. You might have seen South Philly Barbacoa on Chef’s Table, or read about it in any number of publications that have highlighted not just how juicy these tacos are, but the work Martinez has done to forward immigrants’ rights and food security. The lines here get long (though usually move quickly) and the cash-only restaurant is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 a.m.

There is a plethora of delicious and unique Mexican and Latin restaurants and eateries in Philadelphia, but none are as popular as South Philly Barbacoa. Everyone who goes there gives it rave reviews because its namesake specialty is just that good. The slow-simmered goat, which is available by the kilo with all the fixings and as an a la carte taco, is so spectacular, Chef and owner Christina Martinez got the "Chef's Table" treatment, with her cooking and inspiring backstory highlighted on a Volume 5 episode of the Netflix series.

On select days, chef Cristina Martínez — famous not only for her delicious food (which nabbed her a James Beard Award win for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2022), but also for her advocacy for undocumented workers’ rights — sells her juicy lamb barbacoa tacos on fresh homemade tortillas in the heart of the Italian Market. The tacos can be found on select days at a South Philly Barbacoa pop-up food cart inside Martínez’s newest restaurant, Casa México. Fair warning: You’re gonna need more than just one.

Here’s another Mexican spot except this one is more like the ones you get out on the West Coast, unassuming and easy to miss. However, South Philly Barbacoa is one of the absolute best you’ll ever visit with their slow-cooked meats delivering an uppercut of flavor whether it’s in a taco or tamale. People all over the city flock to Chef Cristina Martinez’s top-notch barbacoa for unforgettable Mexican food served on traditional pottery that feels like you’re dining south of the border.

South Philly Barbacoa is a restaurant in the city that is well-known not only for its great food and drinks but being a location that is also important to activism within the community. The tacos available at South Philly Barbacoa come in three distinct types: pancita, barbacoa, and veggies. When coupled with the house-made tortillas, and the variety of toppings, it's understandable why this is one of the favorite places within the city.

South Philly Barbacoa has become a fundraising space and hub for World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers meals in emergency situations, as well as a founding element of the People’s Kitchen, an arm of the People’s Alliance that is working to radically reorganize our food system. The barbacoa tacos they’re known and loved for are truly just the beginning. Open Saturday and Sunday from 5am until sold out, for takeout only.

From the neighborhood’s deep Mexican menu, there is the consommé steeped from the lambs at South Philly Barbacoa (1140 S. Ninth St.). The tangy, chili-flecked savor with rice and chickpeas is so deep it’s one of the most soulful bowls of anything in the city. For a heartier meal, I love the Mexican pozole stews with hominy, pork, and chilies at Tacos California (1030 S. Eighth St.) and Adelita (1108 S. Ninth St.).

Philly’s Italian Market is a stretch of 9th Street that got its name from the thriving Italian community that was there in the 19th century. Today, the area reflects the latest wave of immigrants to Philly and has some of the best Mexican food outside of Mexico. People line up down the block from the wee hours of the morning for James Beard award-winning Chef Cristina Martinez’s barbacoa.

Another Philadelphia food destination that has been featured on television is South Philly Barbacoa. It was featured on the Netflix show, Chef’s Table, but it was already super popular before the airing. This is because of national acclaim for the slow-cooked barbacoa-style tacos served here and that the owner and her husband were also featured on a second Netflix show, Ugly Delicious.

At Cristina Martinez's warm and low-key spot in the Italian Market, crowds are often lined up for slow-roasted lamb tucked into homemade corn tortillas. (The corn is grown at a farm nearby, using seeds from Chiapas, Mexico.) Martinez won a James Beard Award in 2022 for best chef, and been featured on Netflix's Chef's Table. You can grab tacos to go, or grab a table after you order.

South Philly Barbacoa is a wonderful place to satisfy your hunger. Located in a venue that you'd never know was causing such a stir, the restaurant is home to Chef Martinez, an award-winning chef who is also an advocate in the city. She operates her business with a love for what she does, and proves it with the flavorful and filling options available here.

Chef Cristina Martinez of South Philly Barbacoa won the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA). Local chef, poet, and historian Omar Tate and his pop-up, Honeysuckle, received Esquire’s Chef of the Year and Pop-Up of the Year honors in 2020. Chef Tate was also recognized on Time Magazine’s Time100 Next List for 2021.

South Philly Barbacoa – Opened in 2014, South Philly Barbacoa hasn’t changed its menu. Their focus is still on barbacoa, a traditional Mexican dish of slow-cooked, spiced lamb or beef. Hungry diners can also choose from tacos (pancita, barbacoa or veggie), tamales, quesadillas, consommé and pastries, all served on traditional earthenware pottery.

Through food we can educate and change the heart”, says Cristina Martinez, the force behind South Philly Barbacoa. Martinez came to this country with the dream of opening her own restaurant. She started off selling lamb tacos out of her home, then opened up a food truck, and finally got a brick and mortar store in South Philly.

This is one of the Latin-owned restaurants in Philadelphia everyone talks about, and it has had an inspiring rise to fame. South Philly Barbacoa was Chef Cristina Martinez’s first labor of love. While Casa México serves a variety of Mexican delicacies, this shop focuses on barbacoa and handmade tortillas.

South Philly Barbacoa is a traveling pop-up which is found throughout the United States however, it is based in Philadelphia for the duration of their operation. The pop-ups in other cities are sold out quickly and there’s nearly always a queue in the Philly location however it’s worth the wait.

The ethos for Joe Beddia is about doing one thing and doing it exceptionally well, similar to the roast pork at JRP or the barbacoa at South Philly Barbacoa. Beddia’s pizza obsession was total, and we all benefited from that. And Bon Appetit recognized that when it named them ‘Best in America.’

Chef Cristina Martinez turned a popular Philadelphia food truck into a brick-and-mortar hot spot in the Italian Market neighborhood. Her take on authentic Mexican cuisine at South Philly Barbacoa has earned her a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic.

An Unassuming Mexican eatery specializing in slow-cooked barbacoa tacos is a great place to start in The Italian Market. The menu consists of traditional, slow-cooked barbacoa taco recipes. You'll have a hard time deciding which of the four flavors to try first.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (44 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (5.0/5)- Price: $- Address: 1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147-4675- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Philadelphia since the 70s

South Philly Barbacoa, a small taqueria in the heart of the Italian Market, might be my favorite cheap eats in Philadelphia. The taqueria, open only on weekends, is famous for its lamb barbacoa. It’s so popular that there is often a line out the door.

If there’s one place to grab food in Philadelphia, it’s South Philly Barbacoa. The story of South Philly Barbacoa is as incredible as its food. Chef Cristina Martinez came to America as an undocumented immigrant 10 years ago looking for a better life.

Experience authentic Mexican barbacoa slow-cooked to perfection at this local gem. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Cristina Martínez, this eatery serves bites like taco de pancita and hosts tortilla-making classes.

South Philly Barbacoa – Award-winning Mexican eatery from celebrity chef Cristina Martinez’s, devoted to the time-honored slow-cooked barbacoa tacos and unique toppings. 1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

South Philly Barbacoa is quite famous for its tacos and consommé. This place is ideal for family size portions. The fresh juices are also on point!

South Philly Barbacoa in East Passyunk started as a food cart. Now, the brick and mortar is serving house-made tortas with a rotating menu.