M. & J. Sanitary Tortilla Factory

[2] Having been established in the 1930s by the original owners, Mary and Jesse DeSoto, the factory and restaurant changed ownership in the 1970s to the Montoya family, who operated it for over 30 years.

[4][1] The legacy of the M. & J. Sanitary Tortilla Factory in the 400 block of Second Street SW dates back to its heyday as a culinary cornerstone of New Mexican cuisine in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The building is located a few blocks from the intersection of the historic Route 66 (Central Avenue) and the Santa Fe Railroad that parallels Second Street.

Some sources state that the original owners were Eloisa Baca and Salomon DeSoto, who opened both the Sanitary Tortilla Factory and the El Comedor restaurant in 1930.

[6] Other reports state that the first owner was Jesus Hernandez, who named it after his daughter-in-law Mary and his son, Jesse DeSoto.

[3] The restaurant was popular with local people from the neighborhood, including office workers and artists, who had studios nearby.

[11][10] The interior white stucco walls were hung with chile ristras and garlic bulbs as protection from "evil spirits"; an open Bible was presented on a table surrounded by candles.

[14] The venue serves as an exhibition space for work with a focus on criminal justice reform, community engagement and social equity.

[1] A selection of shows hosted by the gallery include: Eric-Paul Riege, dah ‘iistł’ǫ́ [loomz], a Diné weaver and performance artist,[15] Black Hole/Atomic City (State of Decay), on New Mexico's nuclear weapons history,[16] The Alchemical Trace: Transformation and Resilience in Recent Works by LGBTQIA Artists,[17] Interior Landscapes, held in conjunction with an exhibition at 516 Gallery titled The U.S.-Mexico Border: Place, Imagination, and Possibility.