Barbacoa Navarrete is a longstanding barbacoa kitchen in central Actopan, popular with weekend visitors making the short trip from Pachuca specifically for the town's pit-roasted lamb tradition. The menu covers barbacoa de hoyo and consomé de borrego, standard across Actopan's barbacoa houses, with salsa borracha, a spicy "drunken" salsa typically made with pulque or beer, as a distinguishing condiment that sets the kitchen's table apart. The setting is informal, with communal or family-style seating, no wine or cocktail program beyond what might accompany the salsa itself, and a straightforward focus on the barbacoa meal rather than a broader menu. Hours run Friday through Sunday, 8AM to 3PM, and the kitchen, like its neighbors, works from a daily-prepared supply that can be exhausted before closing on busy weekends. No reservation system exists. Its established reputation among Pachuca day-trippers reflects Actopan's broader role as a weekend barbacoa destination for the state capital, roughly forty minutes away by road, making a barbacoa lunch here a common weekend outing for Pachuca residents.
Signature dishes
- Barbacoa de hoyo
- Consomé de borrego
- Salsa borracha
Good to know
- Known for
- A longstanding Actopan barbacoa kitchen popular with weekend visitors from Pachuca
- Hours
- Fri-Sun 8AM-3PM
- Reservations
- Not required
Location
Centro, 42500 Actopan, Hgo., Mexico
20.2688, -98.9510 View on map
Highlights
- Salsa borracha, made with pulque or beer, is a distinguishing house condiment
- Popular specifically with weekend day-trippers from Pachuca
- Traditional barbacoa de hoyo and consomé de borrego as the core menu
- Central Actopan location within the town's established barbacoa district
Tips for visiting
- Try the salsa borracha to taste the kitchen's signature condiment
- Expect a busier crowd on weekends given its popularity with Pachuca visitors
- Arrive early for the best selection before the day's supply runs low
- Combine with a broader Actopan barbacoa tour, given the town's cluster of kitchens
Accessibility
The kitchen has street-level access in central Actopan; wheelchair accommodations should be confirmed directly given the informal comedor layout.
Frequently asked questions
What is salsa borracha?
It is a "drunken" salsa typically made with pulque or beer, served here as a distinctive accompaniment to the barbacoa.
Why is it popular with Pachuca visitors?
Actopan is a well-known weekend barbacoa destination roughly forty minutes from Pachuca, and this kitchen has built a following among those day-trippers.
What are the operating hours?
It is open Friday through Sunday from 8AM to 3PM.
Does the kitchen offer other dishes besides barbacoa?
The menu focuses primarily on barbacoa de hoyo and consomé de borrego, in keeping with the town's barbacoa specialization.