Just east of the L.A. River in Glassell Park, Tortilleria La California is the one-stop-shop for tamale season. The tortilleria, which opened in 1996, offers a wide range of different masas, corn husks, spices, chiles and lard. For masa, they sell masa nixtamal, tortilla masa, tamale masa and unprepared masa for the chefs looking to add in their own blend of spices. It also offers the option of yellow, white or quebrada masa.
Housed in a bright orange building with a La Virgen de Guadalupe mural, Tortilleria La California was founded by Sergio Mora Sanchez, whose first job was at La Gloria, the East L.A. tortilleria. Taking what he learned from the generational business, he started his own factory that specializes in wholesale and retail sales. Today, Tortilleria La California provides tortilla products to Southern California taco spots like King Taco, Taqueria Hoy and Rigo’s Tacos.