"What were your first impressions when you arrived? Either step up to the Capitol Hill sidewalk window or slip through a small grocery store to the indoor walk-up window. You'll wait in a constant, but quickly moving line with some of Seattle 's most devout taco fans. There are plenty of taco places in the city, but nowhere gets as much love as Carmelo's. What’s the crowd like? Tech employees getting off work and neighborhood denizens sit at picnic tables out front or the few tables inside. Others might take the food to a bar across the street. This spot has all the makings of a grab-and-go, but the tacos demands you pause and savor. What should we be drinking? No alcohol here. Grab an agua fresca or a Topo Chico. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. You can get burritos or quesadillas, but these are some of the best tacos in the city— Mexico City style , on tortillas made from freshly ground masa, with blasts of acid and heat in the salsas—and at a great price. Try as many as you're able to eat, but especially the campechano (with chorizo, steak, and potatoes) and the vegan mushroom and guajillo chile. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? They ring you up and call your name. The food always comes out quickly. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? The tacos here are so good, and inexpensive for the quality, that you can—and should—eat here anytime it's open. If you prefer a sit-down taco experience, head a mile south to the full restaurant in the Central District." - Stefan Milne
