Onion rings were crunchy with panko batter and lots of onion flavor.
Smoked in white oak the baby back ribs and tender and juicy with some smoky flavor. The dry rub added some sweetness and a little spice.
Brisket had a delicious black pepper based bark and smoky flavor. Tender with a bit of moisture but not juicy like the ribs. Fries were fat and crunchy on the outside with lots of fluffy inside. Loved the seasoning.
Nice to see Hanis Cavin is back in town. I met him back when he opened Carnitas Snack Shack on University Ave. Loved his carnitas tacos and pork belly.
2nd visit sadly no Hanis this visit. It appears he is part of the Buona Forchetta empire and is off starting a new restaurant.
Fries were crispy and full of potato flavor. Fried in fresh high quality oil these fries are about as good as they get. Loved the light seasoning too.
Pork belly was tender and full of smoky flavor. Bark was excellent and bursting with delicious flavor with the layer of fat providing lots of moisture. Very good tasting pork belly. Not quite at the level of the early days of Carnitas Snack Shack when Hanis was manning the kitchen. That pork belly was bursting with flavor and dripping in juices resulting in the best pork belly I’ve ever had.
Pineapple upside down cake had sweet cake paired with great quality pineapple and a cherry. Very tasty.
As with Carnitas Snack Shack the food when Hanis prepares it is not quite the same when a cook is following his recipe. I’d say it varies from great to almost great.
Carbon Bbq
2318 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 450-5554
That’s great you got to see Hanis again. Perhaps he needs to clone himself whilst attending to his other restaurants.
There can only be one Hanis.
Sounds delicious when the chef is in the house. He does have a very eclectic resume and has had a hand in tons of concepts over the years. I had no idea he was part of the Buona Forchetta family now!
Hanis cooks like David Gilmour plays guitar. The flavors and textures are a transcendent experience. I’ve visited Carnitas Snack shack post-Hanis and their carnitas is like any other taco shop now.
Looks like Hanis is out and Carbon is rebranding.
https://www.sandiegoville.com/2023/08/buona-forchetta-restaurant-groups.html
Sad news. Hope Hanis turns up somewhere cool.
According to SanDiegoVille, Carbon BBQ is closing and and reinventing their concept.
https://www.sandiegoville.com/2023/08/buona-forchetta-restaurant-groups.html?fbclid=IwAR1NRCS1kljRbe_3zGH-LuNCGws6jevAZcUiSNhD8sqE25LPUr2vscT1Qjw
Thanks for the update! Hope to see Hanis cooking somewhere else.