After more than eight decades serving East Los Angeles, the original La Azteca Tortilleria will permanently close its doors on July 13.
The family-run business, known for its handmade flour tortillas and iconic chile relleno burrito, will fully transition operations to its second location a few miles away.
Cynthia Hernandez still remembers the day her parents, Juan and Candy Villa, took ownership of La Azteca in 2009. Back then, business was slow and the bright red storefront on Cesar Chavez Avenue saw few customers. But the Villas kept at it, and slowly turned things around.
“I remember running the front of the business while they did the kitchen, really building friendships with customers,” said Hernandez.
Things took a turn when Jonathan Gold, Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic for the L.A. Times, reviewed the restaurant. His praise of La Azteca’s chile relleno burrito brought an influx of customers, Hernandez said. “Things really started to get busy.”
In 2021, La Azteca was added to Michelin’s California Bib Gourmand Guide. Business got so busy that the family decided to open a second location nearby, managed by Hernandez and offering the same beloved menu.
That second location, La Azteca Tortilleria No. 2 at 287 S. Atlantic Blvd, is now the future of the business.
“Our new property owner [at the original location] is raising the rent, and they’ve added a lot of tedious restrictions that would make operations a lot harder,” said Hernandez. “We decided it’d be best to just close and fully invest into our second location, which has more room for customers.”
For longtime customers, the closure is bittersweet.
Melanie Ortiz, a front-of-house worker at the second location, recalls going to the original spot growing up, grabbing a burrito after school or picking up tortillas with her mom.
“I have a lot of good memories there growing up in East L.A. and being able to be a part of that institution today,” said Ortiz. “It feels nice being able to serve good food to people.”
Though the building will close, La Azteca’s legacy will live on. Every worker at the original location will move to the new one, allowing for service from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Visitors today can even see a mural in progress featuring the same iconic Aztec artwork lining the wall of the original spot.
“You’re gonna get the same great experience, community and food,” said Ortiz. “We’ve also got more seating, and a lot more parking, so I hope you come over and keep supporting us.”
