Tortilla Factory In Tucson AZ: A Little Heaven On Earth

One of the best things about living in Tucson, Arizona are the Tortilla Factories. Saturday mornings are the best time to go to stock up for the week.  There is nothing like the smell of fresh tortillas and pan dulce on a crisp fall morning.  

Tortilla factories can be found in any city with a large Mexican-American population. Calling them "factories" is possibly a misnomer as it brings to my mind a huge industrial building that is off limits to the general population.  Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to a tortilla factory.  Some of them are small mom and pop shops with limited offerings while others can be full fledged markets with restaurants attached.  I have a few favorite tortilla factories that I frequent here in Tucson, Arizona.  

In South Tucson a favorite tortilla factory is Alejandro's, a family owned and operated bakery, meat market and restaurant. Alejandro's has been in business for over 25 years and is a mainstay in South Tucson. Besides the most delicious flour and corn tortillas around, Alejandro's has a large line of Mexican cuisine cooking ingredients. Some of the food you can find at Alejandro's includes:

Pollo (Chicken)

Mariscos (Seafood)

Pan Dulce (Mexican Pastries)

Puerco (Pork)

Chile Pods

Carnes de Res (Beef)

Salsas

Quesos (Cheeses)

Corn Husks and Masa for Tamales

Alejandro's also offers full catering services for small to medium to large events.

Alejandro's is so successful it has two locations in Tucson. There is the original location on 12th Avenue which includes the restaurant, market and warehouse. There is also a new location at 1800 E Ft Lowell as well. In 2009 the Tucson City Weekly named it the best tortilla factory in town.

If you're ever in Tucson don't miss a visit to Alejandro's for the most authentic Tortilla Factory experience.

Just west of downtown Tucson is the small and unassuming St. Mary's Tortilla Factory and restaurant.  The last time I was there they were only open until 6:00 but they are open for breakfast (think breakfast burrito).  

St. Mary's has been in business for decades and makes the most delectable corn and flour tortillas.  Most people who buy their tortillas here have to buy extra because it is common knowledge that no one has the will power to make it home with a dozen of these tortillas intact...they must be eaten right there in the car! 

St. Mary's has been voted as "Best Tortilla Factory" in Tucson by the Tucson Weekly more than one year in a row.  While Alejandro's holds the current title 2010 could see St. Mary's re-claim this honor.  One of the things I like about going to St. Mary's is the family atmosphere, kind of like going to your "abuelita's" and getting spoiled with her fresh warm tortillas. 

When you come to Tucson be sure to make time to go to St. Mary's Tortilla Factory and restaurant.

The Anita Street Market is by far one of Tucson's Tortilla Factory treasures.  The Soto family has owned and operated this establishment in a small neighborhood off Interstate 10 called "Barrio Anita".  Grace Soto runs the Anita Street Market with the help of her children, grandchildren and several employees.  

When the market and restaurant open at 8:00 in the morning, 7 days a week, you will find a pretty informal setting and most likely a line.  You can pick up your bags of corn, wheat and flour tortillas and order a red chili burro to go.  

Grace and her cooks use traditional cast iron skillets to cook their fresh tortillas on, using recipes that she learned from her mother.  Besides the delicious fresh tortillas you can also sample Ms. Soto's gorditas, burros, red chile and chorizo.  

Even though the Anita Street Market is off the beaten path, it is well worth the effort to find it to get some of the best fresh tortillas in Tucson.  

849 N Anita Ave

882-5280