Carlito's Way food truck business paused until owner recovers

Lubbock, Texas (KCBD) – Carlos Tarrats is the owner and CEO of Carlito’s Way, a food truck serving Puerto Rican cuisine.

He has been serving the Lubbock community since 2020. He said his business really took off when he hosted an event at the YMCA in April 2021.

Joining Ulforth Farmers Market in July 2021 after debuting at the YMCA.

“At that time, my son and I both came here and we had no idea what it was like here, so it worked out really well,” Tarrat said. “

Tarrats said he started selling mofongo made from plantains that day. He said it was sold out after an hour and a half offering.

“So after that we decided to keep coming,” Tarrat said.

Tarrats said that Wolfford Farmers Market allows him to come out and serve the community whenever he wants, and that’s what he loves.

Tarrats said he works with a number of companies, including Mano Negra and Two Docs. He usually does sales for them on weekends. He goes to many cities and people come to him from many cities.

“They want us, some other cities. Big Springs, Odessa, Midland, Crane come to us.

Sundays are usually big and busy days for Carlito’s Way, but last Sunday Carlos had to close.

Carlos was enjoying a normal busy day at the market on Saturday.

“The market last Saturday was nice. I emptied the hot oil out of the fryer in my trailer and it was just sitting there, so I told him to go inside and take it inside as usual.” I’ve done it many times,” Tarratt said.

“It seems that I lost my balance because I was alone when I climbed the front stairs.”

He said he was trying to move it in some way and keep it from spilling out on him.

“So I was trying to hold it, I was fighting it, I said it was going to spill out on me. It was going to be the worst.

Unfortunately it spilled over him and Carlos suffered second degree burns to his hands and feet. must be

“My skin is healing just now. It could have been worse. Thank God it wasn’t.”

He is grateful that his injury did not worsen, but his business is suffering because he cannot operate.

Sales are already down 25% since last month, according to Tarrats.

“So the last month and a half has been tough for us. I don’t have any income, and I can’t pay my bills without doing this because it’s something I love to do,” Talat said.

He said he hoped that no matter what happened, God would make a way for him.

“God has always found a way for me, so there is always a way. I’m pouring into my business and staying in business for the community and the people here, and I’m just going to keep doing it.”

Tarrats hopes to bring back Carlito’s Way within the next two weeks. When that happens, he invites everyone to come out and try his authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.

“Try us, we are very, in Spanish como se dice, bien sabroso, no picoso, very good, not spicy. or don’t know about our culture.Learn about our food and culture and taste our taste,” said Talat.

If you’d like to donate to Carlito’s Way, check out the GoFundMe link he shared.

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