Mi Rancho is more than a Mexican food product line. It’s a story of generational knowledge that is authentically rooted in family history and culture.
A Latinx-owned company based out of California, Mi Rancho products can be found on the company website and in grocery retailers across the country. However, the family business that has sustained through four generations came from humble beginnings.
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“When Mi Rancho first opened on 7th Street in Oakland, CA, it was the only Mexican grocery store in the area, drawing people from all around to purchase fresh hand-made tortillas, hot food and goods from the Mexican bakery for their families,” said the company. That was 1939 and, at the time, the business was just a grocery store.
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In the 1950s, new owners converted the grocery into a restaurant that drew in lunch crowds willing to stand in line around the block for Momma Ofi’s cooking.
Now, Mi Rancho makes and packages the same homemade recipes of tortillas, salsas and chips from its new location in Elk Grove, CA. For decades, the corn and flour tortillas have been lovingly made using traditional methods. For example, the corn tortillas are made from organic, non-GMO, whole kernel, California corn that has been cooked with lime and ground into masa through the use of hand-carved lava stones.
The flour tortillas are made from organic wheat flour using the same technique that put Mi Rancho on the food map in California all those years ago. The tortilla selection has expanded to include corn and flour options in street taco size, options for soft tacos and burritos, as well as specialty recipes like low-carb, gluten-free and ancient grain.
The salsas stand out with unique and authentic flavors that stem from organic tomatoes, tomatillos, a rich blend of spices and, of course, Mama Ofi’s secret touch. They carry certified labels such as USDA Organic, Non-GMO, vegan, preservative-free and gluten-free.
Mi Rancho product review
The company offered to send a sample pack for review. As a family that cooks and eats Mexican food at least weekly, my tribe of five was more than willing to give the brand a try.
A short time later, a gorgeously-packed box of tortillas, chips and salsas arrived, just in time for a fiesta we were having that very night. We dug into the variety of tortillas, each person grabbing their preferred selection since the company provided organic corn tortillas, thin corn tortillas, taco sliders and organic flour tortillas. It also included a lovely hand-written note from the Mi Rancho team.
We found the flour tortillas to be delicious, with a slightly chewy texture that offered more than simple flour fluff common in some mainstream options. They had a pliable, yet strong composition that held as much as we could stuff inside.
The corn tortillas had an even more authentic taste and texture. The three different offerings each featured the stone-ground taste that speaks to being handmade rather than manufactured. We did have a few that tended to fall apart, but the rich flavor and hearty fullness melded with the flavors of the foods even when we resorted to using a fork. After reviewing the warming suggestions online, I believe our problem was not warming them long enough.
I would love to try them warmed over an open flame, in a skillet or in the oven. We briefly threw them on top of food while it was cooking, but I think with further warming, they would have held together a bit better. Regardless, the flavor was outstanding.
We also received a bag of the 7th Street original corn tortilla chips and another bag of the thin version. Both of these offerings taste like the tortillas were cut and cooked into chips. They have a hearty texture, delightful crunch and strength perfect for scooping salsa.
While all the products were delicious, we had a lot of fun sampling the salsa pack. The three-pack comes with 16-ounces jars of Organic Salsa Roja, Organic Salsa Verde and Organic Salsa Chipotle. The majority of the group found the salsa verde to be a standout winner, perhaps because it was a welcome diversion from the ubiquitous roja salsas we normally eat.
The flavors were distinct, yet well balanced and just amplified all the flavors when wrapped in a tortilla or piled onto a chip. The roja salsa was also good, offering a mild and traditional combination of not-too-chunky vegetables and balanced spices. Adding a smoky flavor to the mix, the chipotle also pleasantly surprised us. The smokiness was noticeable yet worked in harmony with the tomato and chili notes.
Overall, the brand stands out as authentic, reminiscent of some of the best food I’ve tasted south of the border. While it likely doesn’t compare to the experience of eating it fresh from Momma Ofi’s hands, for store bought goods, they soar past mainstream products and easily earn my recommendation to give them a try.
Images via Mi Rancho
Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by Mi Rancho. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own.
