[4] The restaurant was founded by Refugio and Carmen Garcia in 1929, as El Modelo Tortilla Factory.

When Carmen's son, Leo Garcia, came home from World War II, in 1945, he went into business with his mother.

[7] El Modelo continues to serve tortillas and their critically acclaimed tamales.

As well as New Mexican cuisine including, chile rellenos, enchiladas, stuffed sopapillas, huevos rancheros, burritos, and tacos.

[11] In 2013, El Modelo was voted one of the "Best Mexican Restaurants in the U.S." by Travel + Leisure magazine, which described the food as "rave-worthy".