What Are Al Pastor Tacos?
Tacos al pastor are made from thin-sliced pork shoulder marinated in dried chiles, achiote and pineapple, stacked on a vertical spit called a trompo, roasted, and shaved to order as the outer edge chars. They are served on small corn tortillas with a little of the crisp pork, chopped onion, cilantro, a piece of pineapple and salsa
The method descends from Lebanese shawarma brought to Puebla by Middle Eastern immigrants. It is savoury, faintly sweet and only as hot as the salsa you add. Below: how al pastor is made, how it differs from carnitas and adobada, and where to eat it.
Al Pastor (Tacos al Pastor) are Mexico City / Puebla tacos made with marinated pork shoulder, thinly shaved, stacked on a vertical spit (trompo) and shaved to order, served on corn tortillas.
Descends from Lebanese shawarma brought by Middle Eastern immigrants to Puebla; the trompo is the giveaway
Where US venues name it
Counted from venue names in our directory, so it undercounts places that serve it without saying so.
Share your location and we search 50 miles around you for the closest al pastor tacos, each shown with its distance.
Where to eat al pastor in the US
San Jose, CA
- Tacos al PastorOpen, closes 9:00 pmCallDirections
- Tacos Al PastorHours not recordedCallDirections
- Tacos Al Pastor IIIHours not recordedCallDirections
New York, NY
- Taqueria al PastorOpen, closes 10:00 pmCallDirections
- Los Tacos Al PastorOpen, closes 10:00 pmCallDirections
- Taqueria Al PastorHours not recordedDirections
Lewisville, TX
- Fito's Tacos De TrompoHours not recordedDirections
Dallas, TX
- Fito's Tacos De TrompoHours not recordedCallDirections
Chula Vista, CA
- Tacos El TrompoHours not recordedDirections
Montclair, CA
- Al Pastor TaqueriaHours not recordedDirections
Long Beach, CA
- Los Trompos TaqueriaHours not recordedCallDirections
Los Angeles, CA
- Tacos Al PastorHours not recordedDirections
Aventura, FL
- El Pastor TaqueriaHours not recordedDirections
Ridgewood, NY
- Taqueria Al PastorHours not recordedCallDirections
Al Pastor: your questions
What are tacos al pastor made of?
Thin-sliced pork shoulder marinated in a red paste of dried chiles, achiote (annatto), vinegar, pineapple juice and spices, stacked on a vertical spit called a trompo, roasted, and shaved off as the outer layer chars. Served on small corn tortillas with a little of the charred pork, chopped onion, cilantro, a piece of pineapple and salsa.
What is the difference between carnitas and al pastor?
Both are pork, but the method is opposite. Carnitas is pork confited, simmered in its own fat until soft, then crisped. Al pastor is marinated pork roasted on a vertical spit and shaved. Carnitas tastes of pork and fat; al pastor tastes of chile, achiote and pineapple.
Is al pastor spicy?
Mild. The marinade is built on guajillo and ancho chiles for colour and depth (not heat), and the pineapple adds sweetness. Any real heat comes from the salsa roja served alongside.
What does al pastor taste like?
Savoury and slightly sweet, with a smoky char from the spit, an earthy warmth from achiote and dried chile, tang from vinegar and pineapple, and crisp edges on the shaved pork.
Why is there pineapple on al pastor?
A chunk of pineapple usually sits on top of the trompo, dripping juice onto the meat as it cooks. It adds sweetness and acidity, its enzymes help tenderise the pork, and a little is chopped onto the finished taco. Its origin is Lebanese shawarma, brought to Puebla by Middle Eastern immigrants; the vertical spit is the giveaway.
How do you pronounce al pastor?
ahl pahs-TOR.
Last updated August 31, 2026. Venue details refresh with each data import.