Tortilleria Nixtamal Makes Swoonworthy Corn Tortillas in Corona
This month, we're proud to present the Bread & Grains issue—dedicated to all manner of doughs, dosas and baked desserts made in Queens. To coincide with the print issue (you'll be able to pick up a print copy very soon!), every weekday throughout the month of February, we're featuring a different bakery in the borough. Some are old standbys, and some are new and on the rise, but each one reflects the diverse and independent spirit of Queens.
They may have recently shuttered their 47th Avenue taqueria, but there’s still ample opportunity to get one’s hands on a stack of impeccable tortillas. The production facility on Corona’s National Street is still going strong, producing unleavened flatbreads made from organic, non-GMO, non-transgenic white corn that’s planted and harvested by an environmentally conscious, family-run farm in Illinois and brought to New York City on a weekly basis. Credit co-founder Fernando Ruiz for the quality control, as his overriding mission was to challenge the assertion that good Mexican food can’t be found in New York City. And that goal has been well realized.
Even if you don’t go directly to the source, carrying Tortilleria Nixtamal tortillas has become a badge of honor for all manner of self-respecting businesses citywide. Which is why you’ll find them at retailers such as The Brooklyn Kitchen, Dimes Deli and Good Neighbors Queens, and at restaurants as well, including Dos Toros, Anejo, Salvation Taco (now closed), Gran Electrica and Queens eateries like Casa Enrique, The Thirsty Koala and Pachanga Patterson (now closed). After all, your average, mass-produced tortillas probably don’t undergo the Mesoamerican practice of nixtamalization—soaking partially cooked corn with calcium hydroxide. The process significantly ups the nutritional benefits, aids in digestion and, most importantly, results in an incomparably delicious product.
Tortilleria Nixtamal | @tortillerianixtamal
The Brooklyn Kitchen | @thebklynkitchen
Dimes Deli
Good Neighbors Queens
Dos Toros | @dostoros
Anejo | @anejonyc
Gran Electrica | @graneletricabk
Casa Enrique | @casaenrique
The Thirsty Koala | @thirstykoala
