The Mexican tradition of buying cooked meat at the carniceria is partly a matter of convenience and partly because it’s a big job to prepare carnitas, barbacoa and chicharrones, and it’d be impractical to do so at home.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the things you might want to try in Houston carnicerias:

Al pastor – literally, in the style of the shepherd. Tacos al pastor usually means marinated pork, classically cooked on the vertical roaster called a trompo, but more often just grilled, served with roasted pineapple

Barbacoa – literally, barbecue. Texas barbacoa is made from cow heads that are typically steamed rather than smoked

Barbacoa de Borrego – Interior Mexican-style lamb or mutton barbecue steamed over a spicy broth, sometimes while wrapped in a maguey leaves

Birria – Goat meat steamed over a spicy broth and usually served with some broth in a bowl

Cabrito – baby goat

Cabron – goat

Cachete – cheek. The cheek meat is the best part of barbacoa and is often sold separately for a higher price

Calabacitas – literally, little squash. A pork, summer squash, corn and chile stew

Carne asado – literally, cooked meat. This term as well as “carne asada” means different things to different people. It can be anything from grilled steak to a pork roast braised in an ancho sauce

Carne deshebrada – shredded meat

Carne guisada – stewed meat, usually a beef stew

Carnitas – pork cooked in lard until the meat is soft and the outside is crispy

Chicharrones – fried pork skins. You also occasionally see beef chicharonnes in Houston

Cochinita – baby pig. Cochinita pibil is marinated baby goat steamed in banana leaves

Fajitas – grilled beef strips, the most common offering in every Houston carneceria

Gorditas – literally, little fat ones. Deep-fried hollow masa rounds that are stuffed with fillings

Higado – liver

Huaraches – literally, sandals. Shoe sole-shaped ovals of masa similar to sopes

Lengua – tongue

Masa – the corn dough used to make tortillas, tamales, and other shapes

Mollejas – sweetbreads

Pollo asado – roasted chicken

Sopes – little masa rounds with raised lips that are lightly fried, then filled with beans and topped with meats, cheese and vegetables

Tamales – corn husks or banana leaves stuffed with masa and other fillings

Tortas – Mexican sandwiches usually served on talera bread or bolillos

Torta Cubana ala Mexicana – the Mexican version of a Cuban sandwich

Torta Pambazo or Pambazo – a sandwich on a chile-dipped bun

Trompo – literally, the child’s toy called a top. The name describes the shape of the marinated pork strips on a vertical roaster. Tacos al trompo are the same as tacos al pastor

-- Robb Walsh