About Yoli Tortilleria
Food Starts with Family.
Yoli Tortilleria was born from the desire to find fresh, quality tortillas co-founder Marissa Gencarelli remembered from her childhood. Marissa was born and raised in Sonora, México. The rich agricultural tradition of Sonora is similar to that of the Midwest, where Marissa moved with her husband and co-founder, Mark Gencarelli. However, the availability of the type of tortillas Marissa could easily find in tortillerias throughout México didn't translate to Kansas City.
Marissa and Mark embarked on a mission to recreate the Sonoran style flour tortillas from Marissa's childhood and corn tortillas that truly showcase the quality of the corn, ensuring that every bite is a taste of genuine Mexican cuisine.
Yoli products highlight the rich diversity in Mexican cuisine, crafted with quality, tradition, and our ‘stop-at-nothing’ attitude. Yoli adheres to ancient processes native to México while also embracing their Kansas City home by incorporating local and seasonal ingredients from the Midwest.
Yoli Tortilleria produces stone-ground heirloom corn tortillas, Sonoran style flour tortillas, totopos, salsas, tamales, and aguas frescas. It also recently introduced the Eat Yoli zine series, in which storytelling intersects with food.
You can visit Yoli’s retail experience in the historic Westside neighborhood of Kansas City and select products can be found online for nationwide shipping.
2023 Winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery
we LIVE ADVENTUROUSLY AS SEEKERS OF AUTHENTIC, QUALITY, HAND-CRAFTED FOODS.
This is not only our philosophy; it is our commitment. Dedication to exploration, authenticity, and quality has been baked into Yoli's DNA from the beginning.
Yoli, the Aztec word for "to live," gathers inspiration from centuries of Mesoamerican tradition and founder Marissa's mother. She had a deep passion for Mexico—an American who married a Mexican and adored its culture. Her bravery, love, and exploration of Mexican culture continue to inspire. Marissa's mother's spirit is captured in our Yoli icon with her round sunglasses and scarf. In addition to her solo image, you may see it combined with the landscape her family drove on her road trips through Mexico.
Our journey of exploration and love for Mexican culture and food is an ongoing one. Yoli is a testament to our family's unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of these passions.
Learn more about Yoli Tortilleria’s values.