Knoxville Embraces Its Tortilla Heritage with Local Favorites and Culinary Delights

Knoxville Celebrates Its Rich Tortilla Tradition

Knoxville, Tennessee, is a city known for its rich culture and diverse culinary scene, and this includes the delightful love affair we have with tortillas! These versatile flatbreads have been a staple of the Mexican diet for over 12,000 years, tracing back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Here in East Tennessee, we continue to honor that tradition, and it’s clear that tortillas play a significant role in our local cuisine.

One standout in the Knoxville tortilla scene is Tio Conejo, a charming Mexican market and taqueria that has been delighting local taste buds for the past 11 years. Located on North Broadway, this bustling hub not only offers tantalizing Mexican dishes but also churns out hundreds of homemade tortillas every day. “Tortillas are definitely a staple,” says co-owner Cielo Velasco. “You can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They’re always on the table. You know, everybody eats them, and tortillas are everything to our community.”

The Process Behind the Homemade Tortillas

Have you ever wondered how those delicious tortillas are made? Well, we got a behind-the-scenes look at the process at Tio Conejo! It all begins with a simple dough made from Maseca—corn ground into a flour-like consistency—and water. Velasco adds, “We don’t use any kind of preservatives in there. It’s like a really soft consistency, perfect for tamales, gorditas, huaraches, really anything that uses masa.”

Once the dough is ready, it’s expertly shaped into rounds. At Tio Conejo, they have a machine that does just that; the masa is fed into a device that shapes and cuts the tortillas beautifully. Watching the process unfold is mesmerizing, as batches of fresh tortillas start rolling out to be packaged and served.

Affordable and Delicious

For those looking to satisfy their tortilla cravings, you’re in luck! A pound of tortillas, which contains about 14 pieces, is sold for just $1.75 at Tio Conejo. Not only are these fresh tortillas perfect for tacos and tortas right from the taqueria, but they’re also sold to other local restaurants, spreading the joy of homemade tortillas throughout the Knoxville area.

Community Connections

Tio Conejo is proud to be a part of a larger community of tortilla lovers. They have two sister restaurants in East Tennessee: Tortilleria Tienda Familiar in Morristown and Tortilleria Familiar “El Arriero” in Johnson City. Together, these establishments strengthen the regional appreciation for traditional Hispanic cuisine and keep the tortilla tradition alive and well!

Whether you’re someone who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen or you simply can’t resist a hot tortilla with your meal, Knoxville’s vibrant tortilla scene has something for everyone. Next time you’re out and about in the city, consider stopping by Tio Conejo to pick up a fresh batch of tortillas. You might just find them to be the highlight of your next meal!

In a world where food brings people together, tortillas remind us of our shared history, culture, and community. So, here’s to the humble tortilla—a true culinary treasure in Knoxville and beyond!