A metal grain silo and elevator stand on the northeast end of Los Portales restaurant on South Sixth Avenue — pieces of historic machinery that owner Ricardo Cazares has no intent of tearing down.
“This machinery was once a vital part for the production of corn tortillas and masa for tamales for El Zarape Mexican Restaurant, Deli and Tortilla Factory,” said Cazares of the business that operated there from 1970 to the early 1990s.
“At times, I feel like starting the machinery up to see if it still works. This equipment is a workhorse that can last forever,” said Cazares, 53, while looking up at the towering silo that fed corn into vats at the former El Zarape.
Cazares converted the tortilla factory into banquet rooms for Los Portales, 2615 S. Sixth Ave., in the city of South Tucson.
Bob Katz, 74, and his wife, Yolanda, 69, know plenty about the silo. Yolanda’s father, the late Louis Araneta, had it built for El Zarape’s daily production of corn tortillas that were delivered to supermarkets and restaurants throughout Southern Arizona. The fresh corn tortillas also were sold at the commissaries at Fort Huachuca and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
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