TOMA formally launched in June 2024, co-founded by actress Sofía Vergara (Trendy Household) and her son, Manolo González Vergara, in partnership with hospitality veteran Sam Nazarian. In idea, it’s a parent-kid labor of affection meant to deliver “the perfect of Latin delicacies to the world.” The title “TOMA” cleverly merges their nicknames, “To ty” (Sofía) and “Manolo,” and nods to the Spanish verb “tomar” (that means to take or to drink).
A Fast TOMA Historical past Lesson (So You Know What You’re Getting)
That branding checkmark is neat, however what issues is the meals. The core merchandise rolling out underneath TOMA are:
- Croquetas: Conventional ham and hen varieties, breaded and fried.
- Empanadas: Beef, hen, and much more playful fillings like Guava & Cheese or Salsa Verde.
- Pan de Bono: A Colombian-style cheese bread made with yuca flour and queso costeño.
Every merchandise can be bought frozen—primarily to eating places and, later, shops—so that you’re not coping with a made-to-order mom-and-pop setup. As an alternative, TOMA’s lineup is mass-produced (albeit at what they declare is a “small-batch” facility), shipped to companion eating places, frozen-food distributors (reminiscent of Sysco and US Meals), and choose grocery chains, together with Walmart.
Whereas the web site’s retailer locator is down, I used to be capable of get my fingers on the meat and hen empanadas at a Miami Walmart and the Croquetas at a Farm Shops in Westchester.
Why I Roll My Eyes at Superstar Meals Manufacturers
- They’re often priced greater than native dives doing the identical factor.
- They usually prioritize shiny packaging and advertising budgets over style or heritage.
- For those who’ve ever paid $6 for a “celebrity-endorsed” smoothie with no discernible distinction from the $3 native mix, you realize what I imply.
That mentioned, there’s a place for comfort, particularly if yow will discover frozen croquetas and pan de bono that style like a grandma’s kitchen. Let’s break down whether or not TOMA lives as much as these expectations.
So, Is TOMA Well worth the Hype?
I’ll get straight to it: TOMA is a cultured, celebrity-backed comfort model that delivers higher than adequate frozen croquetas, empanadas, and pan de bono, notably when you want one thing fast for a celebration or a busy weeknight. And whereas it’s not a good comparability, it received’t substitute the appeal, taste, or craft of a bakery or restaurant that makes this stuff recent every day.
NOTE: I’ve not tried the Pan de Bono but.
Execs:
- Comfort: You possibly can freeze them for months and bake or fry them on demand.
- Consistency: Each bundle appears to be like and tastes the identical, which is superb trigger consistency is all the time necessary
- Broader Attain: For those who reside exterior a significant Latin neighborhood, TOMA is perhaps your solely possibility.
Cons:
- Authenticity: There’s a niche between these frozen snacks and what you’d discover at a real Spanish tapas bar, Cuban bakery, or Colombian panadería.
- Worth: You’re paying a little bit extra of a premium for the title however they’re higher than different merchandise on the grocery store shelf: Empanadas ($6.86)
Croquetas ($6.86) and Pandebono ($5.48) at Walmart.
Briefly, TOMA succeeds at being good for time-pressed shoppers who desire a “Latin” snack with out sourcing a specialty bakery. However when you genuinely care about tasting an genuine Cuban croqueta or a real Colombian pan de bono—full with the suitable cheese tang, ethereal crumb, and crisp shell—you’ll be higher served by an area store.
Remaining Ideas:
As somebody who’s been writing about burgers, croquetas, sandwiches, and luxury meals since 2008, I can respect the attraction of mass-market frozen snacks. They fill a distinct segment for fast, crowd-pleasing appetizers. However TOMA isn’t creating a brand new class, it’s stepping right into a semi-crowded house with a celeb stamp and polished branding. For those who anticipate one thing groundbreaking, you’ll probably be let down.
For those who’ve by no means had a croqueta, empanada, or pan de bono made recent, you may wish to discover a native hole-in-the-wall first. When you get your senses calibrated, then, if you would like comfort, choose up a bundle of TOMA’s choices. Simply don’t mistake the comfort for authenticity—or pay the movie star surcharge and anticipate miracle-level taste.
One final remark about TOMA; I’m hooked on the hen in salsa verde empanadas. I throw them in an air fryer and whip up a restaurant con leche whereas I wait to spherical out my breakfast.