By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Mayor Al Arreola has proclaimed March 25 as “Julio Corn Tortilla Chips Official Day,”
celebrating the ever-growing success of Del Rio’s Julio’s Seasoning and Corn Chips.
who attended Tuesday’s city council meeting. The Del Rio business was recognized in a
proclamation by Mayor Al Arreola. The proclamation highlighted the business’ ongoing success,
not only in the immediate community, but in food markets across Texas and the nation.
(Courtesy photo/City of Del Rio)
During Tuesday’s regular meeting, Arreola and the city council recognized local business owner
Miguel Garcia and his family for creating a line of tortilla chips, seasonings and salsas. The
proclamation, which highlights Garcia’s family and business, was touted as the first step
towards making Julio’s Chips the “Official Chip of Del Rio.”
As mentioned on its official website, Julio’s Seasoning and Corn Chips is a local, family-owned
and operated food manufacturing company known for its seasoned tortilla chips and salsa,
which can be found on shelves at H-E-B grocery stores and Walmart Supercenters across the
state.
Garcia and his business partners were in attendance at the meeting and brought samples of
their chips for council members and the audience to sample and take home.
Arreola said it was an honor for him to present the proclamation and said he and Councilwoman
Carmen Gutierrez discussed how the proclamation was important for the history of Del Rio.
“(Julio’s Seasoning and Corn Chips) started from a small operation to something that has grown
not only statewide but worldwide. (Julio Garcia) learned a lot from this by giving to those in
need,” Arreola said.
Arreola also admired Garcia’s tireless work ethics and schedules, mentioning how he worked
hard during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to keep his small company alive.
The proclamation reads as follows:
“Whereas, the journey of Julio’s Corn Tortilla Chips began in the 1970s, in the home kitchen of
Julio T. and Lilia Garcia in Del Rio, Texas, where Julio’s signature steak seasoning and Lilia’s
salsa recipe were first crafted; and
“Whereas, Julio’s Corn Tortilla Chips is a proud Texas-born product, with every ingredient,
seasoning, bag film, and cardboard sourced and produced within the state, supporting Texas-
based companies and local businesses; and
“Whereas, Julio’s Corn Tortilla Chips are now sold in over 2,000 stores across Texas, expanding
to 3,000 stores across 42 states, sharing the unique flavors of Texas with the nation and
creating more than 50 local jobs, with many more across the country; and
“Whereas, Julio’s Corn Tortilla Chips became the official chip of the U.S. Air Force in 2018,
forming a partnership to support and provide snacks to Air Force personnel, further solidifying
Julio’s connection to the military community and its widespread popularity.
“Now, therefore, I, Alvaro Arreola, as Mayor of the City of Del Rio, Texas, do hereby proclaim
March 25th, 2025, as Julio’s Corn Tortilla Chips Official Day in the City of Del Rio.”
After the proclamation was read, Arreola posed for a picture with Garcia and his business
partner and brother, Pedro Garcia. They also brought an oversized bag of chips to be included
in the picture.
Miguel thanked Del Rio and its citizens for all the support he has received throughout his career,
saying, “Del Rio is number one.”
Gutierrez spoke after the picture was taken and commented about Garcia’s business and how
his family’s legacy has impacted the Del Rio community.
“For all these years, Julio’s Corn Chips has been an ambassador for Del Rio. At every
community event and parade I go to, I see them give chips to all the participants. There isn’t any
event that Julio’s Corn Chips will not help sponsor,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said she spoke with city officials about preparing an ordinance to declare Julio’s
Tortilla Chips as the “Official Chip of Del Rio.” Gutierrez said she would also like to see Julio’s Chips become the “Official Chip” for the state of Texas.
Gutierrez added she “will not rest” until she sees Julio’s Tortilla Chips “on the big screen.”
Miguel and Pedro spoke with The 830 Times after the meeting to share more comments about
their business.
Miguel said he is proud to represent Del Rio by keeping his father and mother’s legacy alive.
Pedro said he and his brother were born and raised in Del Rio and are proud to represent their
hometown through their business.
Dan Villafranca, a technical advisor for the company, spoke next and made a comment about
how other companies have made offers for Julio’s Chips to move to another city. He said the
Garcia brothers are “furiously loyal to Del Rio.”
“Other companies have recognized their success, and have asked them to move the business.
They say, ‘You are out of the shipping zones, you are out of the mainstream – you should be in
San Antonio or Austin,’ and (Miguel and Pedro) have said, ‘No. This is a Del Rio thing’,”
Villafranca said.
Villafranca mentioned how beautiful it is to see Del Rio citizens support their local businesses.
