Meet Ruben and Cherai Gomez of De La Vega Tortillas: Crafting Authentic Flavor with Tradition and Heart
At Copper & Thyme, we love celebrating local artisans who bring passion, heritage, and dedication to their craft. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Ruben and Cherai, the dynamic duo behind De La Vega Tortillas — a Lancaster, SC-based tortilla company creating authentic, preservative-free tortillas and chips that have quickly become a regional favorite.
Ruben and Cherai
From a Personal Need to a Flourishing Business
Ruben, a former Spanish interpreter, and Cherai, an Occupational Therapy Assistant, dreamed of starting a business together that would let them spend their days side by side. The spark came unexpectedly during a kitchen moment when Ruben, allergic to chemicals in store-bought tortillas, remarked how wonderful it would be to find fresh, clean tortillas like the ones he made at home.
Cherai immediately saw the potential. After extensive research, they realized there was no product like Ruben’s soft, stretchy Sonoran-style tortillas in their area. Starting at one farmers market in Monroe, their tortillas sold out week after week. With that early success, they took a leap of faith, quitting their jobs to focus full-time on their craft. Now, just two years later, they proudly run a factory in Lancaster and supply farmers markets, specialty stores, restaurants, and caterers throughout the region.
What Sets De La Vega Tortillas Apart?
De La Vega tortillas aren’t your average grocery store option. They make Sonoran-style flour tortillas, a difficult style to produce and not easy to find, along with heirloom corn tortillas made from ancient, non-GMO corn imported from Mexico. No preservatives, no chemicals, no fillers; just authentic ingredients and traditional methods.
Their corn tortillas are crafted from a corn lineage that dates back 2,000 years, resulting in a full, rich corn flavor. Even their chips are fried in pure olive oil at low temperatures to maintain crispness and flavor without the use of soy or seed oils.
Expanding the Flavor Palette: Chips & Spice Mixes
In addition to their celebrated tortillas, Ruben and Cherai have recently expanded their offerings to include tortilla chips and spice mixes. Their chips maintain the same commitment to quality; hand-cut, fried carefully in olive oil, and perfectly crispy without the heaviness or artificial additives found in many commercial brands.
Their spice mixes are crafted to complement their tortillas perfectly, drawing inspiration from traditional Mexican flavors and regional nuances. These blends bring even more versatility and depth to your kitchen, whether you’re seasoning meats, veggies, or simply enjoying salsa with their chips.
This expansion reflects their passion not only for authentic tortillas but for enhancing every aspect of the dining experience with fresh, clean, and thoughtfully crafted products.
Commitment to Quality and Tradition
Ruben shares that the heart of their process is quality control and attention to detail. If a batch of corn doesn’t meet their high standards, they send it back, no matter the cost. This commitment stems from Ruben’s mother, a revered cook who taught him that food is only worth making if you do it right.
While some customers request variations like low-carb or almond flour tortillas, Ruben and Cherai stay true to their roots. Their mission is to keep alive the traditional, authentic recipes that have stood the test of time — the same recipes Maria made, whose name graces their packaging.
Changing Minds, One Tortilla at a Time
At farmers markets, Ruben and Cherai often encounter people who say they “don’t like tortillas.” After tasting De La Vega’s fresh tortillas — free of the chemical preservatives that make store-bought versions bland or off-putting — many are happily converted. Their products prove that real, handmade tortillas are a delicious, wholesome experience unlike anything you find on supermarket shelves.
Versatility Beyond Tradition
Of course, their tortillas shine in classic dishes like tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. But Ruben and Cherai love to get creative too — think thin-crust pizzas, sweet fried tortillas filled with pie filling and topped with sugar and whipped cream, wraps, and more. Their tortillas are a canvas for culinary imagination.
Where to Find De La Vega Tortillas
You can find De La Vega Tortillas at many local farmers markets, specialty food stores, restaurants, and even food trucks and personal chefs throughout the Charlotte and Lancaster areas. To find the nearest vendor or learn more, visit their website at www.DLVTortillas.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @dlvtortillas.
They do sell out quickly at some of the smaller farmers markets so you can submit your pre-order online to make sure you don’t miss out!
Why I Love De La Vega Tortillas
I was hooked after the first time I tried their tortillas on a cold and rainy day at the South End Farmers Market. I’ll never pass up the opportunity to taste a fresh made tortilla and I can honestly say these exceeded my expectations and have made me a lifetime customer. The recent addition of their tortilla chips feels like a natural progression, perfectly complementing their fresh tortillas. Every time I go to the farmers market and they have samples I try a new flavor. I’ve also tried several of their spice mixes and they make having authentic Mexican flavors easily accessible.
Ruben and Cherai’s story is one of love, tradition, and fearless entrepreneurship — building a business rooted in family values and exceptional quality. Their commitment to authenticity and transparency resonates deeply with food lovers who crave real flavor and integrity.
If you haven’t tasted De La Vega Tortillas yet, you’re missing out on a true taste of heritage — made fresh, made with heart.
