Favorite New Food Trucks: Casa Karmelitas

Plus, a guilty pleasure from Hartzler Family Dairy that only comes around once a year.

Favorite New Food Trucks: Casa Karmelitas 

By Bethia Woolf

When you first taste the carne asada from Casa Karmelitas, the flavor immediately catches your attention. It’s not your typical carne asada–there’s an unexpected twist. 

The extra boost of flavor comes from the Mediterranean spices blended by the truck’s owner, Karma Masri. She prepares the asada the way she learned from her Palestinian father. Like her flavors, her background is also atypical. Growing up between Mexico City and the Middle East, with a Polish grandmother, Masri’s culinary journey has been influenced by both her family and her travels, but most of all, by her time in Mexico City.

Karma’s passion for food was cultivated early on thanks to her Mexican grandfather and her father, a chef. Food was an important part of their family culture and Karma was exposed to street food at a young age, exploring the vibrant street food scenes in both Mexico City and Dubai. She always enjoyed food and trying new dishes.

But despite this rich family background and having worked in restaurants since the age of 15, Karma didn’t start cooking seriously until the pandemic. Eating out had been a passion, but suddenly, forced to stay at home with a new baby, she was no longer able to indulge in restaurant dining. She started experimenting in the kitchen, trying to recreate the flavors she loved, employing the basic knowledge and skills she had gained from watching her father. Her friends, who were following her culinary forays on Instagram, started to take notice and encouraged her to start a pop-up.

Carne asada tacos, left, and elotes (Photo: Casa Karmelitas)

Karma’s husband, Justin Withrow, is the owner of Lookout Supply, a street art store on Columbus’ West Side. Karma began a weekly pop-up at the store on weekends, initially for friends, but word soon spread and things took off. What caught our attention was that Karma was offering masa in a variety of flavors—something we had not seen locally before.

In March 2024, Karma took the plunge and decided to commit to her fledgling business full-time. Instead of her weekly pop-ups, she purchased a truck, which is primarily located at Lookout Supply and decorated by her husband.

The truck menu focuses on chilango street food (chilango is slang for residents of Mexico City) with items such as tacos, gringas (a form of quesadilla) and sopes. While the menu might sound somewhat ordinary, the attention to detail makes the food anything but. All of Karma’s tortillas and sopes are freshly pressed to order and much of the menu can be prepared  vegan.

Karma’s sopes are unusual because they are fried, whereas most vendors cook them on a flattop. This makes her version crisper and easier to eat by hand. Another standout dish is her chilaquiles. This dish of tortilla chips tossed with sauce can often end up soggy, but Karma builds hers the way her dad likes them—like a plate of nachos—so the texture is retained. Proteins rotate, but the most popular are her carne asada and chicken tinga. 

Sopes, left, and quesadillas (Photos: Casa Karmelitas)

Don't miss her specials, such as posole or tamales, which have quickly become crowd favorites. And whatever you do, make sure to try the salsa macha—a smoky, spicy salsa that perfectly complements almost any dish.

Karma’s bond with her community is at the heart of Casa Karmelitas. She’s not just serving food; she’s building a network of loyal fans who share her passion for Mexican flavors. Whether through her participation in El Mercadito or at cultural events hosted by the Ohio History Center, Karma embraces the opportunity to connect with others. She’s also a passionate teacher, leading workshops where she shares her expertise on everything from crafting the perfect tamale to mastering the art of Mexican salsas. It’s this sense of belonging and shared experiences that has helped Casa Karmelitas flourish.

For now, you can find the Casa Karmelitas truck at Lookout Supply on West Broad Street, but the building that houses Lookout Supply is for sale, and they know their time there is coming to an end. Justin and Karma’s dream is to find a location where they can merge their two businesses into one space for both art and food—something casual, with room for people to sit down, but not a full-service restaurant. Now, as they look ahead to the uncertain future, Karma remains grounded in the same values that have guided her from the start: family, community, and the belief that food has the power to bring people together.

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Hartzler’s eggnog is available November and December only. (Photo: Bethia Woolf)

My Hartzler Eggnog Obsession

By Erin Edwards

This year, I’m headed abroad for Christmas and will miss my sister-in-law’s new tradition of making homemade eggnog when we all get together.

Never fear, I’ve already gotten my eggnog fix thanks to Wooster’s Hartzler Family Dairy, whose creamy eggnog I look forward to every year. The dairy has been offering this limited-edition nog since 1998 and boasts a new design on the bottle every year.

There’s something about the look and weight of Hartzler’s old-timey glass bottle—you could imagine George Bailey bringing some home to the family in Bedford Falls. Inside, the thick liquid tastes like spiced liquid gold. It comes in two sizes, too: either a quart or adorable 12-ounce bottles. I love everything about this nog—save the calories and saturated fat, but that’s OK because Christmas calories don’t count.

Bethia asked me if I’ve ever used Hartzler’s eggnog to make French toast or, perhaps, bread pudding. Nope, I just drink it with a heavy dose of rum.

Hartzler’s eggnog is available in groceries such as Giant Eagle Market District and Lucky’s through November and December only. You might call ahead to make sure they have it in stock.

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