Taqueria Tres Amigos in Baltimore: Al Pastor and Carnitas in Fells Point
A small counter-service taqueria in Fells Point, Taqueria Tres Amigos specializes in al pastor and carnitas tacos made to order, with a focused menu that prioritizes execution over breadth. The operation runs three days a week and draws a steady lunch crowd of locals and tourists navigating the neighborhood's restaurant-heavy blocks.
What the place actually is
Taqueria Tres Amigos occupies a narrow storefront with seven stools along a window counter and room for three or four more standing. The space is minimal: menu board above the order line, meat rotating on a vertical spit for the al pastor, a small flat-top for carnitas. The owners work the counter themselves during service. There is no table seating and no alcohol license. It is a grab-and-go operation, though many customers eat standing at the window or take their tacos to nearby parks.
Menu and pricing
Al pastor tacos cost $3.50 each; carnitas run $3.75. Both are served on corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge. The al pastor uses pork shoulder marinated in dried chiles, cumin, and vinegar, stacked and cooked on the spit with a pineapple crown. The carnitas are braised pork shoulder shredded and crisped on the griddle. A standard order is two tacos. Agua fresca (horchata or hibiscus) is $3, and there are no other beverages.
Confirm current hours before visiting, as they operate Thursday through Saturday only, typically 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the schedule has shifted seasonally in the past.
How it compares to other Baltimore taco options
Taqueria Tres Amigos occupies a narrower lane than larger neighborhood taquerias. Chipotle and similar chains offer speed and customization; Taqueria Tres Amigos trades both for meat quality and a specific regional style. Compared to La Cura in Canton, which serves carne asada, al pastor, and fish tacos with a wider menu and table seating, Taqueria Tres Amigos is smaller and more single-focused. La Cura costs roughly the same per taco but stays open daily. Taqueria Frontera in Canton offers carnitas, barbacoa, and pollo asado with more variety and longer hours.
Choose Taqueria Tres Amigos if you want al pastor or carnitas made without shortcuts and are comfortable eating standing up or carrying out. Choose La Cura or Taqueria Frontera if you want table seating, extended hours, or a broader menu of proteins.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This spot works for people in Fells Point at lunch on a Thursday through Saturday, those who eat standing or don't mind carrying tacos elsewhere, and anyone accustomed to straightforward regional Mexican taqueria culture. It does not suit diners seeking a full meal experience, alcohol, or weekday access. The limited hours and counter-only format rule out group dinners or special occasions. Because the menu never changes, someone wanting variety across visits will find repetition annoying.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, read the menu board (it lists only al pastor, carnitas, and drinks), decide on a protein and quantity, order at the counter, pay immediately, wait three to five minutes while the owner or his coworker builds your tacos, eat them at the window or take them with you. Peak times are noon to 1 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, when a line of five to eight people is normal. Off-peak, you may order and eat alone.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Taqueria Tres Amigos is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; verify the exact schedule, as weekend hours can vary. It sits on a block of Thames Street in Fells Point with metered street parking and nearby paid lots. The storefront has no sign visible from a distance; look for the painted storefront window on Thames between Broadway and Bond. The nearest cross street is Broadway.
Taqueria Tres Amigos serves one purpose at high quality and nothing else, which is why it has held its spot in a neighborhood where restaurants churn constantly.
