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All Mexico Oaxaca Tacos del Carmen
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Tacos del Carmen

Don't be surprised if you run into some of Oaxaca's top chefs in line at this family-run taco stop.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Added By
Anya von Bremzen
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Flores de calabaza and melty quesillo make for a divine quesadilla.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Flores de calabaza and melty quesillo make for a divine quesadilla.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Margarita Martinez serves up family recipes each morning.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Tacos del Carmen has been in business since 1974.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
All of the tortillas here are made fresh daily.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Introducing the real breakfast of champions.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Smoldering oak coals fuel this comal.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Do yourself a favor and order a taco de chile relleno.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
A taco de chile relleno comes folded around pork-filled chiles de agua along with quesillo cheese.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Margarita Martinez uses many of her mother’s recipes.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
Tacos del Carmen has been excellent for more than half a century.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
The chorizo here is impeccably spized.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
The primeval flavor of clay adds another dimension to these tortillas.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
These tacos are worth the wait.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
These earthenware comals are things of beauty.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
The empanada de amarillo is fragrant with hoja santa.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
The smell of nixtamalized corn toasting on the comal perfumes the air.   Orlando Madrid for Gastro Obscura
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The pair of earthenware comal griddles fueled by smoldering oak coals at Tacos del Carmen are beautiful things, weathered by use and white from curing with lime powder. They impart a unique earthy smokiness to this street stand’s quesadillas, empanadas, and tacos. That primeval flavor of clay might be one reason why even in this city of endless street stands this one is always surrounded by crowds—including some of Oaxaca’s top chefs waiting their turn. 

Open from 7 a.m. until early afternoon, this legendary taco stop is run like a tight ship by Margarita Martinez, whose mother started the business in 1974 and whose recipes Margarita still uses. Assisting her is a small brigade of white-aproned women, most of them family members. For starters, have an empanada de amarillo which entails a giant tortilla folded calzone-style over chicken, minty hoja santa (pepperleaf) and dabs of yellow mole powered with costeño and chilhuacle chiles. 

The tacos here are also particular. The same giant tortillas, made that morning from freshly ground nixtamalized masa, are rolled around some half dozen different fillings and allowed to sit on comal for that slightly charred finish. 

The most satisfying filling? A crumbly chorizo that’s warmed over coals under the comal. Another must? A taco de chile relleno folded around pork-filled chiles de agua along with melty quesillo cheese. 

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Food Restaurants Street Food Taco

Know Before You Go

Tacos del Carmen is right near the former home of Benito Juarez, Mexico’s first Indigenous president. Go pay your respects then come back for a blue corn quesadilla of cheese and meaty zucchini flowers.

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Yucatan: Astronomy, Pyramids & Mayan Legends

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Added By

Anya von Bremzen

Published

March 26, 2025

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Tacos del Carmen
Jesús Carranza 110, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro
Oaxaca, 68000
Mexico
17.066943, -96.727249
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Nearby Places

Tierra del Sol

Oaxaca, Mexico

miles away

Levadura de Olla

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Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oaxaca

Oaxaca

Mexico

Places 18
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Tierra del Sol

Oaxaca, Mexico

miles away

Levadura de Olla

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oaxaca

Oaxaca

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Places 18
Stories 5

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