Cons: Can be busy, limited indoor seating
El Campeon (31921 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675) is right around the corner from our house here in San Juan Capistrano, but I've avoided heading in there for lunch until recently just based on the sheer number of people inside. I know that usually means it equals great food, but each time it also seemed like it would cause a big wait and I was hungry.
Scott, thinking ahead and still wanting to try it, decided to take me for an early lunch there this week. We got in right before the lunch rush happened and our food came out in a very timely manner, but honestly, watching the line that came after, it seemed like they know how to move people through quickly.
Carniceria El Campeon is in an older strip mall on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Del Obispo, and it has a sort of run down charm I tend to associate with good food for whatever reason. The menu is pretty much entirely in Spanish, so for those of us a little rusty since college, it's also helpful that the food is all out in a lunch counter type display; the staff is friendly and helpful as well. Scott and I couldn't get over the bright red color of the pork carnitas, so we both ordered the combination plate for $6.95.
The portions were enough for me to have plenty left over for two whole meals, though Scott did manage to kill his while we were there. It came with a big ol' heaping stack of pork, spanish rice, refried beans, corn tortillas, shredded lettuce, sour cream and some tomato. Pretty standard Mexican fare, but really tasty also.
I'd really like to go back and try some of the other items on the menu. We've been looking for a decent, authentic, local Mexican place to frequent and I think we may have found it.
