The story of Tortillas Blanco actually began in the 1940’s at a cotton gin in southeastern Texas. My grandfather Lynn Headrick, his father, and brothers operated a gin in Corpus Christi, Texas.

During cotton picking season migrant Mexican workers would come to work. It was during that time my grandfather learned the Spanish language. Later on, my grandfather began preaching and had an interest mission work in central American countries. He built strong relationships with the Hispanic people and enjoyed working with them.

Moving forward to the 1980’s…My grandparents Lynn and Mary Faye Headrick raised me and allowed me opportunities that I otherwise would not have experienced. My grandfather would take me on his mission trips. Those trips not only allowed me to experience great food, but also another culture, a different way of life from here in the states. The people there called me, “Marcos Blanco” and I enjoyed my Spanish name.

The combination of the experiences remained an important part of my life.
I have always been business minded. I was an entrepreneur at the ripe age of 7 operating an ice cream stand on our street in downtown Athens. My grandmother would make the best chocolate syrup. Some of the local boys and myself built a cart and we would roll it through the streets selling kool-aid.

In 1998 my grandfather passed away. I was 18 years old. I had continued to visit my friends in Mexico even after my grandfather’s death. As an 18 year old, just like many of my peers, I really didn’t know what I was going to do with the rest of my life. So, the search began. Several years went by, 7 years to be exact, of not finding what I was interested in doing.

During that time I married a beautiful girl from Russellville named April Green. Now, it was really time to buckle down and find my way. I was becoming very discouraged and frustrated going from job to job. Until one day, while driving down Florence Blvd in Florence, AL, it hit me! Not a car, but an idea, an idea to make that wonderful bread I remembered as a young boy, tortillas!!

The work began of developing the concept. Little did we know how much work would take place, but we did it. Today, Tortillas Blanco is a restaurant located on Market street in Historic downtown Athens and a chip manufacturing company located in North Town Athens. We currently have 7 employees including myself and April. We are definitely staying busy!

Thanks to the work of everybody involved with Tortillas Blanco including our customers I was given the honor of business man of the year by the Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.

We currently have 8 stores on our delivery route; Darby Drive Foodland in Florence, AL., Lake Wedowee Marina in Wedowee, AL, L&S Foodland on Jefferson St. in Athens, Rogersville, Elgin, and Killen, West End Chevron on Hwy 72 in Athens, and Warren’s BP on Hwy 72 in Rogersville, being a small business I am the delivery guy. Things are happening and growing.

We were featured in Southern Living Magazine in May 2008 and the Alabama Department of Agriculture newsletter in May also.

I can’t help but think about that young man working at the cotton gin in East Texas, learning Spanish, and making this young man a part of his life and leading me to the place I am at today.


Look for Tortillas Blanco in the May issue of Southern Living Magazine. 
"Exits to stop at on I-65". 

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Store Location:

Stop by and visit our new store front eatery location:
113 W. Market Street - Athens, Alabama 35611
Call - 256-230-2330

Visit our Blog at  www.tortillasblanco.blogspot.com &
also visit www.delmoredays.com website.
 

You can now buy our famous "Blanco's Plain & Cinnamon Chips" in stores.

Darby Drive Foodland in Florence, AL
Lake Wedowee Marina in Wedowee, AL
L&S Foodland on Jefferson St. in Athens 256-232-5530
Killen Foodland (Hwy 72)
West End Outdoors Chevron (Hwy 72 Athens)
Warren's BP (Hwy 72 Rogersville
Elgin Foodland Store is Located at 2861 Highway 101 Elgin, Al 256-247-1958
Rogersville Foodland Store 16143 Highway 72 Rogersville, AL  256-247-1805

 Our hours are:
 Monday - Friday 10:30AM to 6:00PM
 Wednesday 10:30AM from till 3:00PM
 Saturday 10:30AM till 3:00PM

Directions to the Athens location:
Hwy 72 to Jefferson - north to Market Street (North side of court house)
on right just before the railroad tracks.

 

 

We are a proud Member of The Athens/Limestone County Chamber of Commerce

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