Tucked away on a side street off El Camino in Redwood City, the Los Carnalitos food truck provides customers with delicious, authentic Mexican food. Their flavors are reminiscent of traditional cuisine from Mexico City, coining their name from the popular saying “Los Carnalitos,” meaning, “more than a friend, like a brother.”
Founders Luis and Alfredo Santos hail from Mexico and created Los Carnalitos in 2015. “We wanted to captivate our clientele and make our roots known through the typical food of Mexico City. We gather the recipes from our mother, and we cook them with all our love and experience,” said Santos. In 2021, Los Carnalitos was awarded a coveted spot on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list, which is a prestigious selection of outstanding but affordable dining options. In addition to the food truck, Los Carnalitos has a restaurant in Hayward.
Los Carnalitos advertises a wide selection of traditional Mexican dishes including pambazos, tostadas, gorditas, and tacos de lengua, cabeza and tripa. There are also vegetarian options, such as the Azteca burrito and veggie tacos, which include flor de calabaza (squash flowers), nopal (cactus), hongos (mushrooms), rice, and beans.
We sampled a variety of tacos, from carne asada to tinga, carnitas, and pollo asado. Priced at $3 each, the tacos were smoky and rich in flavor, complimented by warm handmade corn tortillas and a garnish of cilantro and onions. Each taco was paired with green and red salsas on the side, which elevated the flavors to the next level.
The carne asada taco was perfectly cooked with just the right tenderness–not too chewy, nor too soft. The meat was fresh and lived up to its Michelin recommendation. The fresh onion and lime provided a refreshing splash of acidity that balanced out the richer corn tortillas.
The carnitas tacos were extremely juicy and tender, and their smoky flavors along with the aromatic and vibrant spices were still noticeable without overshadowing earthy pork flavors. The pork was expertly pulled into small fibers.
The tinga tacos were saucy, spicy perfection. The tender chicken fell apart and was smothered with a chipotle-tomato sauce. The fresh tortillas were stuffed full of shredded chicken and loaded with finely chopped cilantro and onion to contrast the richness of the meat. Out of all of the things we ordered, the chicken tinga tacos were our favorite.
The roasted chicken tacos were also delicious. The finely shredded chicken was incredibly tender and expertly seasoned. With a touch of lime and the red salsa, the tacos were savory and very well balanced.
From the enthusiastic staff to the flavorful tacos, Los Carnalitos is not a place to miss.
