La Carreta Mexican Style Food Products, the home of the oldest tortilla factory in the Inland Empire, has been a place for families throughout the region to gather each year during the holidays. Whether it’s buying the ingredients to make tamales or enjoying them already made, it’s become a tradition for generations where long-time friends, old neighbors and families reminisce and reconnect around tamale-making.
Founded in 1939, La Carreta has supplied ready-made tamales as well as the fixings to make your own for 4 generations. A community institution in Colton, it has been family-operated by the Cervantes family who purchased the factory in 1965. Carmen Cervantes took over the reins in 1983 and has been managing operations alongside her mother and sister since then.
La Carreta’s high-quality freshly prepared masa (dough), a key ingredient in tamales, has been used by local families in their annual holiday tamale-making gatherings, known as ‘tamaladas’. Though it looks different in 2020, families still want to maintain their tradition.
For those not quite ready to dive into tamale-making, or prefer to buy their tamales ready-to eat, La Carreta also makes tamales by hand without the use of chemicals, gmo’s, or preservatives. There is a variety of tamales to choose from, traditional, sweet, cheese, jalapeno, and vegetarian. Orders are welcomed around the holidays and throughout the year.
La Carreta is a one-stop shop where you can get most of the needed ingredients for your tamale making. While the traditional masa is most common and available, a vegetarian masa can be special ordered so all can enjoy in making their own delicious tamales. Rounding out the ingredients are the chili pods, chili powder, and ready-made concentrated mole to add to your choice of meat – and then the preparations can begin.
In addition to their tamales, La Carreta has a longstanding commitment to the community which extends to donating to charities not just during the holidays but year-round with their donations of tortillas, tamales and other items. As such, La Carreta was honored to be recognized as the District Small Business of the Year by the State of California in 2016 for its community contributions, longevity, and success.
Now that the holidays have arrived, it’s the perfect time to start or continue a family tradition. Stop by for a visit and become part of the extended La Carreta family in Colton. For information or to place an order, please call 909-825-0737. The address is 302 S. La Cadena Dr., Colton, CA 92324. They would love to help you start your own family tradition!
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