Announcing Tortilla Tuesdays! In Search of OC's Best Tortillas...

elindio.JPG

It was while I was at Trader Joes, looking at their hideously overpriced pack of barely edible corn tortillas, that I remembered something: we're blessed with tortillerías in Orange County. We don't have to rely on Maseca's masa monopoly for our tortilla needs--from San Juan Capistrano to La Habra, Westminster to even Rancho Santa Margarita, mom-and-pop tortillerias fulfill the daily bread of Mexicans and gabachos alike

But which are great, and which should be avoided like Trader Joes tortillas? Hence, the unveiling of yet another new column: Tortilla Tuesdays, in which we'll review the county's mom-and-pop tortillerias, one at a time, with a letter grade. The first: El Indio Tortilleria in SanTana.

El Indio has only been around since 2001, yet it already has an iconic presence in its neighborhood--how could it not, with a logo like that one and being housed in a stucco building that looks pulled from Tijuana? It's a great place to grab a Mexican breakfast--chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and various chilango egg preparations.

Unfortunately, El Indio is middling in the main reason for its existence--tortillas. Their corn versions are far too thin, harden too fast upon cooking, and have the annoying habit of splitting even when just getting warmed. The quick cook doesn't allow the masa to properly cook, leading to a pasty flavor that means I'll never buy a pack from them again.

Grade: C-, but do visit for their food, which is quite bueno.

El Indio Tortilleria, 1502 W. 5th St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-3114; elindiotortilleria.com

Follow Stick a Fork In It on Twitter @ocweeklyfood or on Facebook!

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Dining Newsletter: The week's top local food news and events, plus interviews with chefs and restaurant owners, dining tips, and a peek at our print review.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy