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Mom and Pop Tart



We all love to say we support small independent businesses. Have you ever seen anyone go on the record as disliking Mom and Pop establishments?

During the COVID lockdowns there was a concerted effort to find ways to support local restaurants whose incomes had plummeted. (That’s how the Facebook Group Howard County Eats originated.) Into one of these conversations came a HoCo resident making the case for a place called California Tortilla. 

“But that’s a chain,” came many quick replies. Their response made me think.

Essentially, the argument was that places like California Tortilla may be franchise operations and the owners may very well be Howard County locals. They are our neighbors, too, they argued. 

Yes, they are our neighbors. But I’m not sure the economic playing field is identical. Association with a national brand may have advantages as far as advertising and even the cost of food and other restaurant supplies. All of those things are likely more expensive for homegrown places like Elliott’s Craft Kitchen or Old Line Kitchen & Wine Bar.  And long-time local favorite, ChicknFriends in Owen Brown, doesn’t have any backup from a larger corporation to assist with relocation expenses as they eye a move (to Gateway?)

Still, in the spirit of neighborliness, and because I’m a sucker for Pop Tarts…



In a tradition that goes back to 1996, California Tortilla will be celebrating Pop Tart Day by giving away a free Pop Tart to each paying customer (while supplies last.)  There’s also a chance here to win free burritos for a year. 

I don’t exactly understand the connection between Pop Tarts and burritos but I did find this humorous exchange on Bluesky:

Q: Apropos of nothing... a person can totally survive on Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Pop-Tarts alone, right?

A: No, you cannot live on Pop Tarts - you can add frozen burritos!

Well, alrighty then: your two basic food groups.

I feel obliged to point out that there are places in Howard County where you can get authentic Mami y Papi (maybe?) burritos and also places in Howard County that make their own artisanal toaster pastries. And we should definitely support them. 

But for sheer weirdness, this mashup merits at least a mention.

I don’t eat Pop Tarts anymore because they’ve discontinued my flavors. If you don’t eat them either - - for whatever reason - - but still want to get in on the fun…




That’s right. You can now get Funko POP! tarts. Sweet.



Village Green/Town² Comments 


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  1. Julia A. McCreadyNovember 12, 2025 at 4:13 AM

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