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Jerry talked me into it, and Roldolfo made me do it. If that sounds sinister, well, it's really not, but before the visit to Tortilleria La Unica in the small town of Llera de Canales, I'd never seen how tortillas were commercially made, much less visited the workings of a real tortilla factory, where real people make real tortillas. Despite the fact that my buddies talked me into visitng La Unica, it was an eye-opening experience for me.
Photo: Tortilleria La Unica, as the corner of Calle Hidalgo and Mendez, is co-located with other businesses, in an attractive building. That little taco stand to the right comes alive at night; we didn't get the chance to eat there. It's early Friday morning, September 29, 2006 and we're going to take "the tour." Tortilleria La Unica, located at the corner of Calles Servando Canales and Hidalgo, seems to have a monopoly on the tortilla industry in Llera, as they're the only tortilleria in town. We approached them from their entrance on Calle Hidalgo, where their counter is located, and chatted with the girl at the counter, who's mood swings alternated between shy, outgoing, and a bit coy. Oh to be 20 years younger and single! You can purchase your freshly made corn tortillas at the counter, in addition to bags of chips, cookies and a lot of other unhealthy snack foods. As I was chatting with the friendly girl, I was able to take a peek inside a real tortilleria. Jerry and Rodolfo, being a bit more outgoing than I am, asked for a tour inside the factory, and the girl at the counter blushed and said "Come on in..." What more could you ask for?
Photo: Rodolfo walks into the restauant at the Calle Hidalgo entrance, and bellies up to the counter, where the packaged junk food is sold, and asks a few questions to the friendly gal and guy who work at the business. Thank goodness that Llera de Canales isn't located in the U.S., as O.S.H.A. would have a flat-line heart attack if they entered Tortilleria La Unica. If you like exposed moving belts and exposed moving chains, just take a look at their tortilla machine. I observed that the machine is driven by a 3-HP electric motor that probably was high-tech in 1945, but it powers the machine and it works. The 2 men and 2 women that work at the place seem happy with their jobs, and like most Mexicans that I've talked to, seem proud of what they do. I asked Gloria, the shy but coy girl that invited us into the factory about the hazards of the machinery, and she told me that everybody is aware of the dangers, and that they simply avoid moving parts.
Photo: Here's the machine, where tortillas are made, located in the middle of the business. If I really knew the process, I'd describe it, but we didn't want to ask too many questions... those were the vibes we got. However, these folks were gracious to allow us into their business, snoop around, and take photos. Nice people! Photo: This gentleman cleans the tortilla making/press machine, which would be banned, outlawed, and probably castrated in the U.S., due to the exposed chain drive, gears, and other exposed moving parts. Thanks to Jerry Flinn for the photo. I didn't want to impose on these gracious folks, or ask too many dumb questions, so I simply watched Gloria greet customers, and the other workers go about their daily jobs of turning raw ingredients into freshly made, delicious tortillas.
Photo: Love at a tortilla factory? This bicycle messenger guy came by during our visit, and the good looking tortilla girl dropped what she was doing, and took some time to chat with this guy, as he delivered a couple of packages. The look on her face says it all...
Photo: All good things have to end, and with a look over his right shoulder, our Romeo-messenger guy rides away, while our Juliette-tortilla girl looks on. Ah yes! Amóre at the work place! After we thanked our gracious hostess for her hospitality, we headed over to La Michoacana for a delicious jugo, as we'd become thirsty. As I was enjoying my jugo, I couldn't help but to notice that our hostess of La Unica, Gloria, seemed to be quite interested in a guy riding a bicycle, who had pulled up to the Canales street entrance, and had engaged Gloria in a very animated conversation. As he rode away on his bicycle, she seemed to linger outside, and her eyes seemed somewhat misty. Ah yes, to love! Ah sí, that's amoré! Tortillia La Unica Copyright(c) 2006 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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