Mission Tortillas: A San Antonio Legacy

In 1949, San Antonio was already a city with deep Mexican roots. The aroma of handmade tortillas wafted through the streets of the West Side, where generations of families had been making tortillas the traditional way—by hand, on a comal, one at a time.

Roberto Gonzalez Barrera saw an opportunity. An ambitious businessman from Mexico, he recognized that as Texas's population grew, the demand for tortillas would outpace what traditional methods could supply. The challenge was scaling production without sacrificing the quality that Texans expected.

The solution came in the form of industrial tortilla-making equipment. Gonzalez invested in machinery that could produce tortillas faster while maintaining consistency. He named his company Mission Foods—a nod to the Spanish missions that had defined San Antonio's history and character.

San Antonio wasn't just a convenient location—it was the perfect birthplace for a tortilla company. The city sits at the crossroads of Mexican and American culture, with a population that knew exactly what a good tortilla should taste like.

The early years were spent perfecting recipes that could satisfy San Antonio's discerning palates. If a tortilla could succeed here—in a city where homemade tortillas were the standard—it could succeed anywhere.

By the 1970s, Mission had outgrown San Antonio. The company expanded to other Texas cities, then across the United States, and eventually internationally. Today, Mission Foods (part of Gruma Corporation) operates over 20 plants on four continents.

But despite this global reach, the company has maintained its Texas identity. The headquarters remain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the commitment to quality that satisfied San Antonio's original customers still drives production today.

Mission by the Numbers

• Founded: 1949 in San Antonio, Texas
• Production: 25+ million tortillas per day
• Countries: Products sold in 100+ countries
• Employees: 20,000+ worldwide
• Market Position: World's largest tortilla manufacturer

In a market flooded with tortilla options, Mission has maintained its reputation through consistent quality and innovation.

Soft Taco Flour Tortillas

Mission's flagship product—the Soft Taco Flour Tortilla—is what most Americans picture when they think of a flour tortilla. It's soft, pliable, and has that slightly sweet, wheaty flavor that pairs perfectly with everything from breakfast eggs to dinner fajitas.

The secret is in the texture: soft enough to fold without cracking, but sturdy enough to hold generous fillings. This balance took years to perfect and remains the standard other brands try to replicate.

White Corn Tortillas

Mission's corn tortillas stay true to tradition. Made with stone-ground corn and the ancient nixtamalization process, they deliver authentic flavor with the convenience of store-bought accessibility.

For those who want to make authentic street tacos at home without the hours of preparation, Mission corn tortillas deliver. They char beautifully on a comal and have that distinctive corn flavor that flour tortillas simply can't replicate.

Texas is blessed with several excellent tortilla brands. Here's how Mission fits into the landscape:

Mission vs. H-E-B

H-E-B Bakery tortillas are made fresh daily and have that just-made texture. Mission tortillas are shelf-stable and consistent batch-to-batch. Choose H-E-B for special occasions and fresh flavor; choose Mission for reliable everyday use.

The Verdict

There's no "better"—just different use cases. Mission tortillas excel at:

• Consistency: Same quality every time
• Shelf life: Stock up without worrying about freshness
• Availability: Found nationwide (or shipped from us!)
• Value: Great quality at competitive prices

Mission tortillas are available at most grocery stores nationwide. But if you want Texas-quality tortillas shipped directly to your door—whether you're an ex-pat Texan missing home or a foodie discovering Texas flavors—we've got you covered.

At Lonestar Tortillas, we ship both Mission and H-E-B tortillas nationwide with FREE shipping on all orders. Stock up on your favorites and taste what Texas tortillas are all about.

Mission Foods proves that Texas values—hard work, quality, and authenticity—can scale globally without losing their soul. From a single machine in San Antonio to factories around the world, the mission remains the same: bring quality tortillas to everyone.

The next time you tear into a Mission tortilla, you're connecting to a story that started over 75 years ago in the heart of Texas. That's what makes Texas tortillas special—they carry history in every bite.