From Tortillería to Tortilla Chips: The Mi Niña Story
Before Mi Niña Tortilla Chips existed, Chef Jamie Mammano had already spent years building a career around great food. After meeting his wife, he was introduced to the flavors of Mexican cuisine, and fresh corn tortillas quickly became part of their family’s everyday life.
For years, his mother-in-law shipped fresh corn tortillas from her hometown of Cuernavaca, Mexico, for the family to enjoy. When Jamie later visited Cuernavaca, he saw firsthand the care that went into making them, from preparing the masa to pressing fresh tortillas by hand. The experience left a lasting impression and inspired him to bring that same appreciation for quality tortillas closer to home.
Bringing a Taste of Mexico Home
Inspired by his experience in Mexico, Chef Jamie set out to bring fresh tortillas to the United States. Rather than simply making tortillas, he wanted to honor the process, ingredients, and craftsmanship that had made such an impression on him
That vision led to the opening of Tortillería Mi Niña, a small storefront in Chelsea, MA, where fresh tortillas were made daily using traditional methods and a commitment to quality. The focus was simple: make tortillas the way they were meant to be made.
An Unexpected Favorite
When Tortillería Mi Niña first opened, the focus was on making fresh tortillas. But along the way, something unexpected happened. To make the most of every batch, the team turned leftover tortilla pieces into chips. What started as a way to reduce waste quickly became a customer favorite.
Their crispy texture, fresh corn flavor, and authentic taste set them apart, eventually becoming even more popular than the tortillas themselves. Made from the same fresh masa, they offered a flavor and texture that stood apart from many options on grocery store shelves.
What began as a neighborhood tortillería became the foundation for the Mi Niña Tortilla Chips people know and love today.
Growing Without Losing Our Roots
As more people discovered Mi Niña, we continued to grow beyond the walls of our original tortillería. New flavors were introduced, production expanded, and more families had the opportunity to enjoy the chips that started it all.
But even as Mi Niña grew, the same values that inspired Chef Jamie from the beginning remained at the center of everything we do. Each chip is still made with carefully selected ingredients and a focus on creating the flavor and quality that makes Mi Niña special.
More Than Just a Chip
Today, we’re known for premium tortilla chips, but the story behind our brand goes beyond the chip itself. It’s about the ingredients, the process, and the inspiration behind creating Just The Best Tortilla Chip®.
From Chef Jamie’s experience in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to the first chips made at Tortillería Mi Niña, we’ve continued to grow while staying connected to our roots.
We’re proud to share that story with every bag and bring the flavor and inspiration behind Mi Niña to tables across the country.
Explore our full collection of Mi Niña Tortilla Chips and find your favorite flavor.