XLNT Foods
FormerlyXLNT Tamale Company
IndustryMexican food
Founded1894 (1894) in Los Angeles, California, United States
FounderAlejandro Morales
Productstamales, chili con carne
Websitewww.xlntfoods.com
1915 advertisement for XLNT Foods showing a motorized delivery wagon

XLNT Foods (pronounced "excellent") is one of the oldest companies based in Southern California, and is the longest continuously operating brand of Mexican foods in the United States. They are known for their frozen prepared tamales and chili con carne.[1] XLNT tamales were originally sold by tamaleros out of horse-drawn wagons.[2]

History

XLNT Foods was founded in 1894 by Alejandro Morales as the XLNT Tamale Company. Their tamales became a popular ethnic food in Los Angeles. XLNT had a factory in Boyle Heights and also sold tamales from horse-drawn carts and grocery stores. In 1908, Charles Crawford, of Canadian and Dutch descent, took over the ownership of the company. At the height of their operation the company produced 60 food products. The company was later acquired, in the 1960s, by Alex Foods[3] that also produced tamales and flavored corn chips in Southern California.[1]

In the mid-20th century, XLNT products were popular as convenience foods alongside TV dinners.[4] In 2010, the company changed hands again and was bought by Santa Fe Importers.[1] The company's food products were originally only available in Southern California; they are now shipped nationwide.[5] The company is now based in Long Beach, California.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Arellano, Gustavo (23 December 2019). "The XLNT tamales go back 125 years, capturing nostalgia for Californians across the U.S." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  2. ↑ Arellano, Gustavo (8 September 2011). "Tamales, Los Angeles' first street fool". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "How Doritos Were Born at Disneyland". Orange County Weekly. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  4. ↑ Black, Kent (31 March 2016). "Classic TV dinners - Midcentury Cuisine in all its Bad Glory". Palms Springs Life. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. ↑ Maschke, Alena (4 November 2021). "Long Beach-based freezer staple XLNT Foods now ships tamales, chili and merch nationwide". Long Beach Business Journal. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "XLNT Foods, Our Story". XLNT Foods. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
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