I admit to only once buying a bag of fresh, warm tortillas — for a whole buck — directly from the people making them at the Tortillería Chinantla here on Central Avenue. I’m not much of a corn tortilla fan in general. But for the year we have lived here, we enjoyed the toasty smell that wafted through the house when the wind blew the right way. On a quiet night, the sound of the squeaky conveyor belt was comforting in a way I can’t articulate.
A couple of weeks ago, they cranked out their final batch of tortillas and locked the gates for the last time. This week there is a for sale sign on the front and a dumpster full of debris outside. Don’t worry about Chinantla — they have a much larger facility over on Grand and Morgan that they’re probably consolidating. I did hear that the lot they parked in across Central was sold a few months ago, so maybe that affected their decision. For all I know, they sold it.
I wish Chinantla well and will miss their sounds and smells. And now that two formerly bustling commercial spaces there are empty — the party hall next door closed up recently — I’m curious to see what is next in store for my booming little corner of Bushwick.
petebfd May 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
bummer. can anyone recommend any good places for fresh tortillas btwn myrtle j stop and broadway junction?
The Changeling May 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Wow. I only noticed this place the last time I hung out with you, but there was something nice about it. I’m glad that they have another space in the area and are not going out of business. Now that Act I: The Closing of the Tortilleria is complete, wonder when Act II: The Building of the Condos will begin. Enjoy the intermission.
Jimmy Legs May 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
shoot i hate it when local industry packs up and leaves (even if it’s only a few blocks). what will become of the space? somebody could do a lot with it, restaurant-wise. or it could be a small bowling alley.
Jeremy May 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I wish they’d all just get their condo building done with in one go, if I’m gonna be surrounded by construction it might as well be done all at once.
JL, Luis was actually talking about what a great restaurant space it would make. Too bad nobody we know has 150K to make it into one.
splutters May 4th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I live on the first floor of the opposite corner across the street from this tortilleria, and I can honestly say, it was sad day when it closed it’s doors. I distinctly remember moving here and standing outside with the smell of the tortillas invading everything. The white noise of the conveyor belts somehow making the din radiating from Lares Bar a bit more bareable.