California Tortilla, commonly known as Cal Tort, has grown from a single Montgomery County, Maryland establishment into a regional fast-casual dining chain serving “California-style” Mexican cuisine. Burrito Elito is the companies loyalty program that became popular in the early 2000s with many in the area carrying the card.
California Tortilla was founded on August 4, 1995, when business partners Pam Felix and Alan Cohen opened their first restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland. Both Felix and Cohen were involved with the DC Improv comedy club prior to starting the restaurant. They identified an opportunity in Montgomery County for fresh, West Coast-inspired Mexican food and established a menu based on freshly prepared ingredients, including homemade salsas, guacamole, queso, and signature sauces, all made daily without the use of freezers.
From its inception, California Tortilla differentiated itself by preparing its food from scratch. This approach helped the restaurant develop a loyal following in Montgomery County and set a quality standard in fast-casual dining within the region. In 2003, the business began franchising, expanding beyond its Montgomery County roots to locations across the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions. A notable feature of every California Tortilla restaurant is the “Wall of Flame,” a display featuring over 75 varieties of hot sauces that offer a range of spice levels.
Alan Cohen retired in 2014, and Pam Felix later sold her stake in the original restaurant to the corporation that acquired the company in 2003. Subsequent leadership under figures such as Keith Goldman and Bob Phillips has guided the chain’s expansion while maintaining the brand’s commitment to freshly prepared ingredients and a distinct dining experience.
Today, California Tortilla continues to operate as a fast-casual dining chain known for its “California-style” Mexican cuisine, with a focus on fresh, made-from-scratch recipes and a unique presentation of hot sauces.
