Caramelo (841 Pennsylvania St., Lawrence, KS)
Caramelo’s tortillas aren’t just some of the best in Kansas City—they’re some of the best in the country. Ruben Leal’s Sonoran-style flour tortillas have earned nods from Bon Appétit, Saveur, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Chef David Chang even used Leal’s corn tortillas on his Netflix show Dinner Time Live to make chilaquiles for Aziz Ansari and Cord Jefferson.
Leal, originally from Hermosillo, Mexico, also makes corn tortillas at his Lawrence-based factory, but it’s the flour tortillas that are truly extraordinary: thin, slightly greasy, free of seed oil and strong enough not to break when folded. For a closer option, check Broadway Butcher or Red Kitchen in Overland Park, and splurge on the duck fat.
Yoli Tortilleria (1668 Jefferson St., #100, KCMO)
Yoli Tortilleria became a Kansas City treasure when it won the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Bakery. This female-owned artisan tortilla company offers possibly the largest selection in KC, from Sonoran-style flour tortillas made with pork fat and avocado oil to corn tortillas crafted from stone-ground heirloom white, yellow, red and blue corn. Find Yoli at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market or stop by their West Side retail location for a quick lunch. You won’t be disappointed.
Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio (830 Kansas Ave., KCK)
Step inside Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio and you’ll see tortillas being made fresh behind the counter. This taco shop and market sells corn and flour tortillas daily, though you might need to request the corn variety. While you’re there, don’t skip some of the best street tacos in KC.
Ninfa’s Tortillas & Taqueria (964 Kansas Ave., KCK)
If you’ve been grabbing store-bought tortillas, consider this your sign to head to Ninfa’s in KCK. Their flour tortillas are made daily and sit near the register for purchase. Thin, light and perfectly tender, they also come in a warmer with your meal if you dine in—bonus points if you give them a squeeze of the table-provided margarine alongside their fresh salsas.
Las Marias Tortilleria (4010 E. Truman Road, KCMO)
Off Independence Avenue, Las Marias crafts 100-percent-natural corn tortillas using the ancient Mesoamerican technique of nixtamalization. Enjoy them at local spots like Jade Jaguar or Taco Naco, or visit the shop where owner Enrique Chaurand will explain his methods and why his tortillas are top-notch.
