El Lago participated in the National Instruments Go Local Fair.  We showcased our Tortillas and Chips handing out 5lbs of chips to over 400 National Instruments employees.  Companies from all over Austin were a the fair handing out samples and selling their wares.  El Lago donated a gift basket of chips and tortillas which was won by one of the employees.  Some lucky visitors walked away with a package of tortillas.  All were given chips.

El Lago was paired right next to Winston’s Hot Pepper Sauce.  This was perfect.  Everyone that tried their sauce used our chips.  A match made in heaven.

Some of the attendees were excited to see our Probiotic and Gluten free tortillas.  Some said they were going to the HEB Grocery Managers to ask for the gluten free tortillas.  In Austin if you don’t see an El Lago product in your store, all you have to do is ask the Grocery Manager and he will get in touch with us.  We should have it there by the end of the week.

We love doing these events so that we can get the El Lago name out there where people see it.  If your company is promoting local companies at a fair let us know and we will see if we can participate.

HEB has done a reset on the bread aisle.  This has impacted the tortillas section. There are new displays for the healthier tortilla options.  These resets were from January 10^th to February 10^th and should now be complete.

18 months ago El Lago introduced the first probiotic tortilla to the Texas market.  The tortillas immediately got noticed in Edible Austin and The Austin American Statesman.  Made with canola oil instead of vegetable shorting and containing probiotics, these tortillas are a healthier choice.  These tortilla are in the new healthy for you sections.

We still have available The El Lago tortillas you grew up with on the shelf at HEBs.  Look for the red and blue labels.  If you are having trouble finding us either ask the Grocery Manager at the store or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Corn Table Tortillas You Love!

Over the last few years you have seen changes to the family pack.  From the old yellow, red, and green logo to the green and white probiotic bag, the packaging has changed but the product was good.

Now we are packaging the family pack of corn tortillas in new bag.  As you see it has our updated logo in red, white, and blue.  It also sports the Kosher KSA logo.  The product is still the same quality corn tortilla you are familiar with having on your table.

January 7^th 2012 ~ El Lago has done it!

For the last year we have been working on reducing our waste water.  Every food manufacturer has some form of waste water.  This water is treated by the local water district to ensure that whatever water makes it back to the water table won’t contaminate it.

When making tortillas, water is mixed with corn to steep.  This process makes a starch and fiber filled water that we had to drain into the sewer system adding to the rest of the water that the city of Austin had to filter and treat.  The city processed the water and the waist was most likely sent to a land fill.

Now we have a waste water system that cleans and filters our used water every day.  The result is clean water that can be reused to steep the corn and a dried cake like product that is used as feed for cattle.  The whole process keeps excessive manufacturing waste from going into landfills.

The city of Austin has certified that we are saving 3,600 gallons of water per day of manufacturing.  This equates to 75,000 gallons of water a month!  In other words we save enough water to fill 5 swimming pools.

At El Lago we strive every day to protect the environment.  This project was a year in the making and we are happy that we had the means to achieve it.

El Lago has Red & Green chips at most HEBs throughout Texas! These chips are made the same way all of our chips are made with the exception of added color for the holidays. These chips will add a festive ambiance to any occasion.

The Bag is easy to spot. It is white with snowflakes on it. If you turn the bag over you will see the colors pop out at you. Most HEBs will have a display. If you use these chips in a festive way send me your pictures at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so we can post them and give you credit.

Happy Holidays from El Lago!

El Lago has Gluten Free Tortillas at the HEB at Four Points (620 & 2222) starting Monday 11/7.

This is the first HEB in the region to carry them.  El Lago has tortillas in most HEBs in Austin but this is the only store with the Multigrain Gluten Free Tortilla.  These tortillas have a great taste and texture when heated.

The bag is re-sealable so you only use what you need and save the rest.

If you live in the area and try them let us know what you think!

UPDATE!

In addition to the Bunker Hill store in Houston, we now have gluten free tortillas in two Austin stores.  The HEB Four Points at 620 & 2222 and HEB Farwest at 7015 Village Center Drive both have these tortillas in a cooler.  If you can’t find them ask the grocery manager.  If you want the gluten free tortillas in your HEB ask the your grocery manager to talk with his El Lago driver to get them.  If the grocery manager approves them your HEB should have them within the week.

Thanks for your support in Austin!

Brian

Natural Grocers now has El Lago Gluten Free Tortillas.

The launch at HEB has been delayed a month while they sort out there cooler issues but that doesn't mean that you can't get the ancient grain goodness of our Gluten Free tortilla.

Made with Flax, Sesame, Amaranth, Millet, Buckwheat, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Corn, Water and a hint of Citric Acid for a preservative you have a blend that taste like multigrain bread without the gluten.  These are great for breakfast tacos, enchiladas or fajitas!

What people are saying?

"I have celiac and this is a great choice when I want to participate with my friends on taco night!" Gary, Kansas

"I like eating healthy and this tortilla has the flavor and wholesome goodness I am looking for" Tracy, Georgetown Texas

“I have been eating El Lago tortillas and chips for years and can’t wait for the Gluten Free tortilla” BJ Austin, Texas

There are 3 Natural Grocers in Austin that we service;

Austin - Guadalupe St ~ 3901 Guadalupe St Austin, TX 78751

Austin - Arbor Walk ~ 10515 N. Mopac Expressway, Bldg. L Austin, TX 78759

Austin Area- Cedar Park ~ 1335 E Whitestone Blvd Bldg. G-17 Cedar Park, TX 78630

For more on how the tortilla is made and how it is different see other posts in this section.

“Kosher is a term originally used to denote, that which is "fit" and "proper". Most often, it is used to describe foods that are permitted to be eaten by people who observe Jewish dietary law.” (Quoted from www.ksakosher.com )

El Lago Tortillas are “Fit and Proper.” We are now Kosher! The Kosher Supervision of America has given El Lago Kosher certification.  No ingredients have changed.  We still use only non_GMO corn and flour, so you still get that great tasting El Lago tortilla.  

Please enjoy El Lago Tortillas now that they are Kosher!

EL Lago now has Gluten Free Tortillas! These tortillas are not corn tortillas that are gluten free but have ancient grains as the majority of the base. The tortilla is soy free as well, which eliminates the majority of the allergens.   The Gluten Free Tortilla has the flavor of multigrain bread when prepared properly but the functionality of a tortilla.

This tortilla has been years in the making! We had to make the right partnerships to bring the right mixture of ingredients for production. Making the gluten free tortillas on our corn line, which is physically separated from our flour line, insures that the product remains gluten free. We knew the consumer would want to use these tortillas in conjunction with others tortillas at meals so we wanted packaging that could be resealed after some of the tortillas are used. Finding that correct product bag was harder than thought but we have one now that allows freezing, opening and resealing. The Gluten Free Tortilla is made of only natural ingredients. We use citric acid, a naturally occurring preservative derived from fruit as the preservative for the tortilla.

We will be introducing these tortillas to the public at the Bunker Hill HEB (Houston) in July. Other restaurants in the Austin area have been given samples. As production starts and orders come in we will list the stores and restaurants that carry the Gluten Free Tortilla in our customer section.

El Lago Gluten Free Tortillas should be warmed before use. This will improve the taste and rolling of the tortilla.

How to warm Gluten Free tortillas:

To warm in the microwave:
Sandwich two tortillas between 3 dampened paper towels. Microwave for 30 seconds and serve.

To warm in the oven:
Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and place in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

To warm on the stovetop:
Place tortilla in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Flip every 60 seconds to toast both sides. This will bring out the flavors of the ancient grains. Or for a nice toasty flavor, turn on a gas burner and hold the tortilla over the flame with a pair of tongs. Turn it to heat the other side once the side directly over the flame starts to char.

It’s Official!

El Lago is now the central Texas distributor of Charras.

What is a Charras? Is it a Tostada Shell? Is it a Chip?

Well yes is the answer. Charras are a fried or baked tortilla that can be used as a base for a Chalupa or if you put them out with salsa, they are chips!

Flavors, WOW, Jalapeno, Chapotle, and Regular Yellow Corn. The spice pops with just enough flavor to enhance your dish, not overwhelm it. Break one up over a salad and it makes for a crunchy flavorful experience. For the traditionalist we have Nopalitos or Cactus and Linseed oil shells. These are the true El Real Sabor Mexicano or Real flavor of Mexico.

For the healthy conscious we have a baked or Horneadas shells. These take the frying out of the product so that unnecessary oil is not added. They are a lighter tostada. We also have the Casera, a home like fried thicker tostada.

With all these Charras it is difficult to make a choice. I suggest take one type home a week until you find your favorite