His culinary roots runs deep: most members of his family own restaurants in Puebla, a city southeast of Mexico City. Two of his uncles have ‘torterias’ (sandwich shops) and he grew up in the kitchen, amidst the smell of chocolate and mole. Carlos confesses to be a true street food fan, eating a small food stands wherever he travels. He started Tortas Republica six months ago, to show locals that there is more on the horizon than pulled pork tortas. In the future he hopes to offer Tortas La Republica in other neighborhoods, as well as opening a Pulqueria (Mexican tavern serving a fermented maguey-cactus beverage called Pulque). The location on Avenida Aleman (used to be home to Picantón) in Centro, is small but cozy with colorful umbrellas and wooden benches for 25 people outside and five people inside.