Pork Report 2012: Carnitas’ Snack Shack Year In Review

December 3, 2012

Carnitas’ Snack Shack Pork Report 2012

The Year In Review
Thanks — from all of us at Carnitas’ Snack Shack, we couldn’t have done it without you! It’s been a busy, successful first year for us, and we wanted to take a moment and look over the highlights of 2012.

Do you have a pic from your favorite good times at The Shack? Post it on Instagram with the hashtag #AtCarnitas to win First Anniversary Celebration prizes! More info to follow…

DECEMBER

7th – Replacing the venerated Vo’s Café, Carnitas’ Snack Shack opened for business, after months and months of planning, construction, permitting, and delays. Finishing touches were still being made on our pig mural as we opened. The first menu featured a pork sandwich, soon to be known as “The Triple Threat.”

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JANUARY
We were named one of ten new casual-cool lunch spots by the U-T San Diego. Reviews started pouring in from San Diego Reader, San Diego CityBeat, ThrillistSD, San Diego Magazine’s “New and Notable,” San Diego Centric and Channel 8 News with Larry Himmel.

FEBRUARY
Featured on KUSI, and in U-T San Diego, Serious Eats and Uptown News.

MARCH
7th – “Best New Restaurant,” Ranch and Coast, Chris Cantore.

APRIL
17th – “One of the best sandwiches I have sunk my fangs into,” Ron James, Wine and Dine San Diego.

26th – Shack carnitas tacos were featured in Riviera Magazine.

MAY
6th – Sunset Magazine named Chef Hanis Cavin “one to watch,” and featured The Shack.

1st – Participant, Chefs Celebration fundraiser, at The Shores Restaurant.

15th – “Best Cheap Eats,” San Diego Magazine.

20th – Participant, Craft Beer Block, 16th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts.

29th – “Best New Restaurant,” 2012 CRA Gold Medallion Awards.

JUNE
12th – Participant, The Front Burner Fund fundraiser, at Alchemy Restaurant.

20th – Competitor, San Diego SausageFest, at LOUNGEsix, the rooftop terrace atop Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar.

22nd – Participant, Taste of Summer San Diego fundraiser, at NTC Promenade Liberty Station.

30th – Foiemageddon! On the last day to legally enjoy foie gras in California, Carnitas’ Snack Shack had a line of 90 folks long!

Foie-mageddon

JULY
It’s Comic-con season, and The Shack is a winner, in the 31st Annual Silver Fork Awards, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles.

Hanis Cavin Silver Fork Award Winner

AUGUST
Participant, Food4Kids Backpack Program fundraiser, benefitting San Diego Food Bank.

Pork For Pride Weekend fundraiser, benefitting The Center in Hillcrest.

SEPTEMBER

3rd – First Monday Tasting Table popup with Hanis Cavin, at El Take It Easy.
13th – Participant, 8th Annual Chef Showdown: Taking a Stand Against Domestic Violence fundraiser, at Liberty Station.

OCTOBER
7th – SarHan’s Wedding Celebration, Specialty Produce.

15th – Expanded patio seating was completed, complete with new tables, trees and gardens.

expanded patio carnitas snack shack

24th – “Critic’s Choice,” U-T San Diego.

27th – Hanis Cavin inducted into the Chef’s Hall of Fame, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles.

NOVEMBER
5th – Participant, Five Chefs Societe dinner, San Diego Beer Week, at the Handlery Hotel.

8th – Participant, “A Night at the Speakeasy” fundraiser, benefitting the March of Dimes, at El Cortez Hotel.

11th – Participant, Slow Food Urban San Diego’s “Pig Pickin”, benefitting San Diego 4-H Programs, at Alchemy.

11th – Participant, Beer Garden, at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

DECEMBER
Look for our First Anniversary Celebration Specials!

Carnitas' Snack Shack 1st Anniversary