About Us
Who We Are
A Story of Family
& Tradition
Our story begins in 1946, when Manuel E. Gonzalez, Jr., and his wife, Rufina, moved to Odessa and opened The Odessa Tortilla and Tamale Factory. Mexican food was not well known in the area at the time, but the family’s authentic recipes soon attracted a loyal customer following. A few tables inside the small building eventually grew into a 500-seat restaurant in the 1950s.
Why We Have the Best Tamales In Town
Three generations of the Gonzalez family have operated Manuel’s Odessa Tortilla and Tamale Factory. Manuel Gonzalez III, the current president, was born into the tortilla business and has been running the factory since the 1970s. In 2008, Manuel’s son Bobby joined the family business, leaving his corporate career to continue the legacy. The factory moved to its current location in the 1970s, and can produce approximately 36,000 corn tortillas, 26,000 taco shells, and 7,800 tamales per hour.
In 2016, Manuel Gonzalez III was inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association for his contributions to the Tortilla Industry.
Still operating in Odessa, Manuel’s continues to serve the community that has supported us for nearly 80 years. Whether you’re picking up a dozen tamales for your family or placing a bulk order to ship across the country, you’re getting a taste of something special, handcrafted by a family that’s been doing it right for generations.
We’re proud to be part of your table and honored to share our family’s story with you.
