This website was made for Made for El Carnaval - Latin Food Store & TaqueriaMake it yours →
El CarnavalLatin Food Store & Taqueria

El Carnaval

Latin Food Store & Taqueria

Pan dulce, fresh tacos and a taste of home on Pio Nono Avenue since 2001.

Macon's first Hispanic grocery store. Food and snacks, produce and household items from across Latin America, Mexican bread, and a taquería right next to the aisles. Open every day.

Call (478) 785-6717 Visit the store
4.2 from 821 Google reviews
El Carnaval Latin Food Store sign over the shopfront on Pio Nono Avenue
Bakery case full of conchas and pan dulce
A refrigerated case inside El Carnaval
Store aisle under the flags of Puerto Rico, Colombia and more

Open every day of the week

Mon-Sat 9 AM - 9 PMSunday 9 AM - 8 PM
(478) 785-6717

We opened because Macon needed its tortillas

Jorge Villarreal came to Georgia from Mexico, lived in Marietta, and moved to Macon in 1993. He grew to like the area more and more, and saw it could be a good place to raise a family.

There was one problem. To buy tortillas and the everyday food the Hispanic community cooked with, he had to drive far out of town. So in 2001 he started his own business and opened El Carnaval on Pio Nono Avenue, Macon's first Hispanic grocery store.

More than two decades later it is still a family business. Jorge runs the store with his wife and children, and he still spends most of his days talking with the people who come through the door, from every country you can think of.

“We left Mexico but Mexico remains inside of us.”

Jorge Villarreal, owner, speaking to WGXA
The El Carnaval storefront and parking lot on Pio Nono Avenue

2026

Diversity Award

Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival, for our longtime contributions to Macon's Hispanic community

Walk the aisles and you might find home

Food and snacks, produce and household items, with products from all over Latin America. We want every customer to feel, at least for a moment, like they're back in the country they come from.

Snack aisle at El Carnaval with piñatas hanging overhead
Groceries

From just about anywhere

You can find just about anything from anywhere on our shelves, with products from:

  • Mexico
  • Honduras
  • Puerto Rico
  • Colombia
  • Guatemala
  • Argentina
  • the Caribbean

Grab aguas frescas and Mexican Coke for the road, and don't leave without a look down every aisle.

Inside the store, a refrigerated deli case
A refrigerated case inside the store
Inside

Packed from front to back

Coolers, cases and shelves all the way to the back of the store. Come in and take a look around, you never know what you'll find from home.

Puff pastries topped with icing and sprinkles
Bakery

Mexican bread

Pan dulce on sale in our bakery case, to enjoy right away or take home.

Services

Send money home

Inside the store you can make money transfers and pick up calling cards, so it's easy to help your family back in your home country.

Ask us at (478) 785-6717

The taquería, right inside the store

Order at the counter and eat here or get your food to go. The tacos and tortas go up on our whiteboard.

Aguas

  • - Piña
  • - Horchata

Tacos y Tortas

  • - Asada
  • - Pollo
  • - Pastor
  • - Chorizo
  • - B. Res
  • - B. Borrego
  • - Cecina
  • - Carnitas
  • - Buche
  • - Oreja
  • - Lengua
  • - Cueritos
  • - Fajita
  • - Queso

Tortas

  • - Cubana
  • - Milanesa

Special de Dia

The taquería counter with the whiteboard menu

Platos

  • Posoles
  • Caldo de Mariscos
  • Menudo
  • Carne Asada
  • Carnitas
  • Mojarra
  • Bistec Mexicano
  • Pechuga de Pollo
  • Chuleta Ahumada
  • Costilla de Res
  • Fajitas Texanas
  • Higado Encebollado
  • Lengua

Short on time?

Call your order in ahead and pick it up when you get here. Then take a few minutes to look around the store.

(478) 785-6717

“Like stepping into a different country”

What our neighbors say on Google.

4.2

821 Google
reviews

“Perfect authentic food with amazing finds in the store. Even if you get your food to go, I'd recommend checking out the store and taking home things to try. Also, some of the most tender, juicy lengua around. It's truly mouthwatering.”
CrystalGoogle review, September 2022
“Like stepping into a different country!!! VERY good food! Best to know a little Spanish! Ms. Lilly was wonderful and made us feel like family! Definitely will be back!!!”
anthony howdGoogle review, September 2022
“Omg I been looking for a place like this for the last 5 years that I lived here!!! Finally found a legit taco place that hits all my food g spots! Mexican bread on sale, legit Mexican products for sale , aguas frescas, Mexican coke and fresh tacos to eat !!! Will be coming back maybe everyday for lunch and dinner !!!!”
angel araujoGoogle review, April 2021

In the news

  • WPGA, September 2025

    Macon's first Hispanic grocery store shares its story

  • WGXA, October 2023

    Journey of a dream: Immigrant's pursuit of the American dream thrives in Macon through El Carnaval Latin Food Store

Come see us on Pio Nono, at the corner of Rocky Creek

Address

4009 Pio Nono Ave
Macon, GA 31206

Get directions

Hours

Monday
9 AM - 9 PM
Tuesday
9 AM - 9 PM
Wednesday
9 AM - 9 PM
Thursday
9 AM - 9 PM
Friday
9 AM - 9 PM
Saturday
9 AM - 9 PM
Sunday
9 AM - 8 PM

Questions?

Calling is the quickest way to reach us, every day from 9 in the morning. You can also leave us a message here.

Call (478) 785-6717

Send us a message

Looking for something from home? Ask us and we'll tell you if it's on the shelf.

Call (478) 785-6717