Opening weekend for Carnitas Ramírez

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Friday marked the opening day for Carnitas Ramírez at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B. 

And, despite the heat, there was a line when the doors opened at noon. This is no surprise, as this sibling to Taqueria Ramírez, the celebrated Greenpoint establishment, has an ardent fan base.

The overall consensus from everyone I spoke to was "authentic," "delicious," "they do it right," "fucking epic," and "worth the heatstroke." 

For now, Carnitas Ramírez will just be open on Fridays (noon to 10 p.m.), Saturdays (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A taco test run at Carnitas Ramirez, opening June 21 in the East Village

A taco test run at Carnitas Ramirez, opening June 21 in the East Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

This past Saturday, Carnitas Ramirez held another test run ahead of its grand opening on June 21 at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B. 

Co-owner Giovanni Cervantes (left) and chef Yvon de Tassigny were working in tandem behind the counter, quickly and carefully plating up the tacos.

Cervantes, who hails from Mexico City, has said that his recipes come from Michoacán, aka the "carnitas capital of the world." 

While the slow-cooked pulled pork will be a big draw here, Carnitas Ramirez will offer a vegetarian option: tacos con papas y rajas (a poblano pepper and potato dish).

Co-owner Tania Apolinar was behind the counter. (Apolinar and Cervantes, who are also life partners, opened Taqueria Ramírez to great fanfare in Greenpoint in September 2021.)

There are a few stools in front of the taco-making station, several seating options in the back room, and a counter facing the street.

There will likely be another test run or two before noon on June 21, when Carnitas Ramirez officially opens — something the staff seems fired up about.

Carnitas Ramirez will just be open on weekends in the beginning. 

Here are the times starting June 21: 

• Friday: noon-10 p.m. 

• Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Carnitas Ramirez sets its opening date for new East Village taqueria

Photo of Giovanni Cervantes and Yvon de Tassigny from last month by Stacie Joy 

Carnitas Ramirez will open in the East Village on June 21 at noon, ownership announced yesterday. 

As we previously reported, the taqueria at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B, will initially open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays... until they sell out. Which, based on the line for the kitchen test this past Saturday, will happen often. 

Owners and life partners Tania Apolinar and Giovanni Cervantes opened Taqueria Ramírez in Greenpoint in September 2021 and quickly earned a large fanbase.

Yvon de Tassigny, a former chef at St. Anselm in Greenpoint, will be helping run the kitchen here.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A look at Carnitas Ramirez, opening soon on 3rd Street in the East Village

A look at Carnitas Ramirez, opening soon on 3rd Street in the East Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Work continues at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B, where the owners of Taqueria Ramírez, the celebrated Greenpoint establishment, are debuting Carnitas Ramirez at the end of the month. 

Owners and life partners Tania Apolinar and Giovanni Cervantes opened the Mexico City-style taqueria in Greenpoint in September 2021. It later landed at No. 49 in Pete Wells' top-100 NYC restaurants for the Times. 

The other day, I met up with Cervantes (left) and Yvon de Tassigny, a former chef at St. Anselm in Greenpoint who will be heading up the kitchen.

True to its name, carnitas — slow-cooked pulled pork, supplemented here with just lard and salt — will be the specialty of the house. They will also offer a vegetarian option. There's a beer and wine license, too.

Carnitas Ramirez expects to open its doors on May 31. Initially, the restaurant will operate only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. until "we sell out" or "about 7 p.m." 

You can keep tabs on opening dates via Instagram.