The Tortelleria Nixtamal Story It all began with a heartfelt, stomach-led desire, and a simple (yet brilliant) idea. Fernando Ruiz, who grew up eating tacos in the local open markets of Puerto Vera Cruz, Mexico, and enjoying top-of-the-line authentic foods and high-quality service in New York City, wanted to change the predominate word on the street (or internet blogs) that say 'there is no good Mexican food to be found in NYC.' "What? How is that possible?" Ruiz asked of his beloved city--the city that has the best of everything and has since seen, over the past ten years, an exponential growth in Mexican cuisine. After a heavy brainstorm with his cousin in Mexico, Ruiz deduced that the lack of good Mexican food boiled down to one simple thing ... TORTILLAS.
Being a natural entrepreneur, Ruiz determined that it was time that NYC had an authentic tortilleria. And not just any tortilleria, but one that made real corn tortillas-not the tasteless and brittle harina (or processed corn flour) tortillas that are found in the markets and used by many restaurants. As he explains, it's like the difference between making instant mashed potatoes (just add water to a cup of dry flakes) and making mashed potatoes from real potatoes. The comparison in taste and quality-well, there really is no comparison. So, Ruiz proposed the idea to his girlfriend, Shauna, who excitedly agreed.
And so the journey began.
The Nixtamal family now includes, Fernando & Shauna, Francisco Manitos - aka Tio Pancho (from Vera Cruz), Cecilia (from Michuacan), Acension (from Mexico City), Rosa (from Mexico City), Lucia (from Puebla) and Irma (from Puebla).
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Tortilleria Nixtamal believes in maintaining the natural healthiness promoted by nixtamal. We ascribe to the philosophy that the purpose of the tortilla, as well as the masa used for tamales and other products, is to enhance the flavor of the food, not to merely hold the food together. As a result of these intentions, we adhere to the following:
We include only the most natural and equally nutritious products inside our tortillas, tamales, soups and other nixtamal products.
Our meat is purchased daily from our local butcher - Franco's.
Our fish is purchased from Wholefoods - who work with two suppliers that employ high quality and sustainable practices.
We buy our produce from a locally-owned Mexico distributor in Corona-Abarrotera Central-to create more of the authentic taste of Mexico (we are also looking to partner with local growers where it makes sense and as our business grows).
We make our own salsas from fresh vegetables and natural seasonings (no canned foods or packaged herbs that contain unnatural preservatives and sodium).
It is common for Mexican cooking to use lard to flavor their foods, however, Tortilleria Nixtamal uses only naturally rendered lard versus the over-processed lard (the white and less expensive stuff), because the former naturally breaks down in the body.
We use natural corn-oil with no hydrogenated fats
We do not over-stuff your tortillas; this way your mouth experiences a balanced burst of true authentic flavor in every bite
We flavor our meats and use simple toppings such as cilantro, onions and salsas allowing you to taste the meat, rather than the toppings
Most importantly, every food is prepared with love and passion for the nutrition and satisfaction it will bring to each of our customers