Pilon and Pablo are two lazy fellows whose job is to go around find themselves a free meal. They befriend with Danny, a young man who is temporary in jail, and who later learns that his grandfather has left him two houses on Tortilla Flat. With two houses in his hands, Danny can be quite comfortable with his property and doesn't feel the need to work. He meets a beautiful, earthy girl named Dolores and decides to court her. He calls her "Sweets".

Danny rents one of his houses to Pilon and keeps the other for his usage. One night, when he is at Dolores' one of his house is set on fire. But Danny doesn't give much attention to the house he loses, he gives all to "Sweets". She, however, refuses to be his girl because he is lazy, has been in jail and doesn't fit into her concept of a good husband, who must be a hard-working family man. After his rudely approach to Dolores to make love to her, Danny is kicked out of her house when she threatens to cut him into pieces. 

The next day, Danny calls Dolores to help him with the baby they find. She comes and feeds the baby with the milk from her own goats. Pilon gets irritated when he sees Danny watching Dolores with the baby lovingly.

Then Pirate with his dogs comes to the town and is invited by Pilon to Danny's house. Pilon intends to steal Pirate's money thus tells him the story of money in danger of being burnt and Pirate trusts him. However, Pilon guards the money carefully after hearing the story of Pirate's dogs being sick.

In the mean time, Danny has a terrible fight with Dolores, he goes to her working place and makes a mess before getting himself severely injured. Dolores blames Pilon for causing all the troubles and Pilon goes to the church to pray for Danny, while he earns some amount of money enough for Danny to buy his dreaming fishing boat. Danny goes well and gets married to Dolores. After the wedding when the couple leaves, Pilon decides that the house is the cause for Danny's trouble. He leaves the house and accidentally sets the fire from the match to burn it.  

• Based on novel by John Steinbeck.
• Hedy Lamarr's favorite character she ever played up to that point.
• Hedy's last time working with Spencer Tracy (this was the third time they worked together), much to her relief. She had an uncomfortable time working with him.
• Hedy Lamarr sneaked into the theater during the screening of the movie and found audiences praising her performance as Dolores in surprise and in whisper.
• Frank Morgan was nominated for an oscar for best actor in a supporting role.
• An MGM production.
• Soundtracks included "Ay, ay, paisanos" and "Varsoviana".
• Filming was taken place in Montery, California.
• Hedy was engaged to George Montgomery during the time of filming.
• Tag line: "Oh, the things they do in Tortilla Flat!"