There are different types of steak tacos, each featuring a marinade of red or green sauce. The streets of any country where Spanish exists have their own simple ‘street tacos’ like these, served from roadside stalls and mocambos for just a few cents wherever you can stop. Carmelos is a funky, irreverent little taqueria on the Main Street of Seattle’s blossoming Wallingford district. It offers classic, made-to-order Mexican style tacos, plating up refined young ingredients in the shells of familiar old breakfast joints.
The tacos offered daily vary depending on what’s in season but, in general, you’ll find carne asada, al pastor, chicken tinga, vegetarian and a couple of other options. They’re topped with chopped onions, cilantro and your choice of salsas.
The salsas are made in-house and have the right bite, but they’re not too spicy. The habanero salsa is favourite among regulars.
The menu also offers burritos, quesadillas, tortas (Mexican sandwiches) and side dishes, like Mexican rice and beans, along with horchata, Mexican Cokes, and Jarritos sodas.
Prices are low but portions are generous. Expect to wait in line at peak times; Carmelo’s has a local following as well as a growing multistate contingent of so-called taco tourists.
Carmelo’s was such a tiny storefront serving only fresh, simple tacos with care and quality ingredients we loved it: a true, neighbourhood Italian gold mine and an excellent option for an authentic Mexican lunch or dinner in Seattle.
