Carlos's Authentic Street Tacos

Authentic Mexican street tacos that bring flavor to the beach.

2025-01-19 — Carlos Taco Cart

Carlos didn't set out to bring Mexican street food to Brazil. He came to Santos from Oaxaca in 2018 following his wife, who is Brazilian, and quickly realized that the one thing the beach food scene was completely missing was a proper taco. So he built a cart, sourced the right chilies, and started cooking.

Six years later, Carlos's Authentic Street Tacos holds a 4.88 rating across 623 reviews on Aki and has become one of the most recognized food carts on the Santos shoreline. He's the community's #2 Highlight of the Week — and he's been in the top three for four consecutive seasons.

What Makes Them Authentic

The tortillas are made by hand every morning. Carlos uses masa harina he imports from São Paulo's Mexican grocery community, pressing each tortilla on a cast-iron press his mother shipped from Mexico. The result is soft, slightly charred, and nothing like the flour tortillas you'll find at most restaurants.

The proteins rotate daily — carnitas, al pastor, and grilled shrimp are permanent fixtures, while seasonal specials like jackfruit tinga or grilled octopus (a nod to his Brazilian surroundings) rotate in on weekends. Each taco is finished with fresh cilantro, white onion, and a choice of three house-made salsas ranging from mild tomatillo to a nuclear árbol that Carlos warns customers about before handing over.

The Fusion That Works

What's become Carlos's signature is a collaboration with the local culture he landed in. His most reviewed item — a tie between the al pastor and a shrimp taco with Brazilian tucupi butter sauce — shows what happens when two street food traditions meet without either trying to dominate the other.

"Brazil has incredible ingredients," Carlos says. "The seafood, the peppers, the fruit. I just try to use them the way my grandmother used to use what she had. You adapt or you disappear."

Finding the Cart

Carlos sets up near Gonzaga beach in Santos, usually between 11am and 7pm. His Aki profile updates his daily location and features a live menu — portions are small intentionally, so ordering two or three is encouraged. Arrive hungry.