The best part of the holidays is the anticipation of unwrapping something special … and I’m not talking about gifts.
Grabbing a plateful of tamales and unwrapping the corn husk layer to reveal soft, fluffy masa and shredded beef marinated in spicy red chile is the best present anyone could ask for.
But tamales are more than just tasty meals; they are what bring families together.
They are used as excuses to have parties with family members after Thanksgiving, where aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents gather in the kitchen and share laughs while making piles and piles of the homemade meal for next month’s festivities.
One bite of a red chile tamal can send you back to being eight years old, scarfing down tamales and pozole on Christmas Eve while begging your parents to allow you to open just one gift before Christmas Day.
For many, tamales bring fond memories — and you can’t show up to holiday dinners with bad tamales, you’ll taint all the good memories!
Luckily, our fellow Tucsonans have come to the rescue! We asked our readers to share some of their favorite spots in town for delicious tamales. From meat markets to historic Mexican restaurants, this list is full of recommendations sure to help you make great holiday memories this year.
St. Mary’s Mexican Food was one of the top recommended spots from our readers.
St. Mary’s Mexican Food
St. Mary’s Mexican Food was among the top comments when we asked readers for their tamal suggestions. Since 1978, St. Mary’s has been a staple in Tucson, with many loving their red chile burritos. But burritos aren’t the only thing they excel in — their tamales are also unforgettable. They make both red chile and green corn and if you want more than just a tamal, you can order their various combination plates. Many include beans, rice and different tacos.
Info: st-marys-mexican-food.club
Zawadi Moambi, tamale roller, makes sure the tamales stay together on the conveyer belt at Tucson Tamale Company’s south-side production facility on Oct. 12, 2022.
Tucson Tamale
I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that Tucson Tamale made our reader-recommended list … I mean, tamale is in the name! Tucson Tamale uses organic, non-GMO corn and hormone- and antibiotic-free pork and chicken in their handmade tamales. Their restaurant is like tamal heaven: you can get green chile chicken tamales, red chile beef tamales, vegetarian and vegan versions, tamale bites, tamale salads and so much more. If you can’t stop by the restaurant, it’s no problem! For anyone looking to host lots of hungry family members for Christmas, Tucson Tamale has various packs that you can order online.
Info: tucsonfoods.com
Alicia Ramirez places green corn tamales into a pot for steaming at El Torero Restaurant, 231 E. 26th St.
El Torero
For decades and decades, Tucsonans could trust Lerua’s with all their tamal needs. But disaster struck in 2019 when the beloved Mexican restaurant was forced to close its doors. Thankfully, their sister restaurant, El Torero, is still serving their iconic tamales. At El Torero, you can buy a dozen Lerua’s tamales for $40 to $45. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is choosing between green corn, beef or chicken. You can also sit down at El Torero and order one of their combo plates, which includes tamales along with other tasty dishes. They also have tamale pie and veggie tamale pie on the menu.
One reader said they make the best green corn tamales, hands down!
Info: eltorerotucson.com
Tamal makers assemble tamales at Tania’s Flour Tortillas and Mexican Food, 2856 W Drexel Road.
Tania’s Flour Tortillas
Not to get confused with Tania’s 33 (which is also on this list), Tania’s Flour Tortillas seems to be another popular choice among our readers. Here, you can find beef tamales and green corn tamales. One of our readers said this is the ONLY place she goes for tamales.
Info: 520-883-1595
El Charro
311 N. Court Ave., 7725 N. Oracle Road, 6910 E. Sunrise Drive
It would be a crime to not include the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family on this list! You can find all kinds of tamales here: carnitas, chicken tomatillo, red chile beef, fresh corn and shrimp. A reader recommended their hemp tamales. These plant-based tamales are made with hemp seed, organic corn, flax, nopales and quinoa, topped with a green tomatillo sauce.
You can also order packs online and get them shipped anywhere! They have various 12- and 24-packs of tamales on their website, sure to impress all your holiday guests.
Info: elcharrocafe.com
Anita’s Street Market
Anita’s Street Market has been a go-to spot for delicious red chile and homemade tortillas. With years of praise under their belts, it’s no surprise that their tamales have also captured the community’s hearts. This year, Anita’s is back up and running, serving red chile and green corn tamales by the dozen. They also sell the masa and their red chile sauce if you want to give tamale-making a try!
Info: facebook.com/AnitasStMarket
Tania’s 33
Tania’s 33 has all your holiday needs: pozole, menudo and tamales! You can buy red chile and green corn tamales at this iconic spot in Barrio Hollywood. When it comes to their go-to tamale spot, one of our readers said it’s no debate: Tanias 33 is the place to go!
Info: taniasongrande.com
Herminia Serino, owner of Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant, 3073 N Campbell Ave. demonstrates how she makes tamales.
Del Cielo Tamal
Del Cielo Tamal is a wonderland of tamales. They have every flavor you can imagine: red chile beef, chicken in green salsa, green corn and red chile spinach. The best part: they have tons of vegan options, including red chile spinach and a seasonal special. If you are hungry for more than just a tamale, you can upgrade to one of their plates that come with a side of rice and beans.
Info: delcielotamales.com
Mesa Tortillas
7342 E. Broadway, 3923 E. Pima St.
Not only do they make great tortillas, but Mesa Tortillas also has all kinds of delicious tamales on the menu. Red chile beef, red chile pork, red chile chicken and red chile jackfruit all are featured. They also have green corn tamales and the masa in case you want to make your own tamales this year. Can’t make it to one of their locations? No problem! You can order tamales from their website and get them shipped to you for the holidays.
Info: lamesatortillas.com
Los Jarritos
At Los Jarritos, the Erunez family makes meals that taste like we’re enjoying our grandma’s home cooking. And just like our grandma, they also make homemade tamales. You can buy beef and corn tamales or a combo plate that comes with rice and beans for lunch. They also sell just the masa.
Info: losjarritosmexicanfood.com
Salsa Verde
210 N. Pantano Road, 3894 N. Oracle Road
Mexican comfort food is Salsa Verde’s specialty! Here, you can order carne con chile pork tamales, salsa verde pork tamales and elote with chile verde tamales. Not only do you get two tamales per order, but the plate also comes with refried beans and rice. If you’re feeling crazy, you can get your tamales enchilada style with cheese.
Info: salsaverdemx.com
Perfecto León prepares his traditional tamales for the Tamal Festival in 2017.
Perfecto’s Mexican Restaurant
Perfecto’s has won Best Overall Tamal at Casino Del Sol’s annual Tamal Festival various times, so you know they are the real deal. At this south-side restaurant, you can order a dozen tamales for your holiday parties. If you’re just craving tamales for lunch, they also have various combo plates that include their signature tamales.
Info: perfectosrestaurante.com
Aguajito Meat Market
Local meat markets are hidden gems when it comes to delicious tamales. On a Reddit thread about where to find the best red chile tamales in town, three different users recommended Aguajito Meat Market, emphasizing how good they are. According to their Facebook page, the make both red chile and green corn tamales.
Info: facebook.com/CarniceriaElAguajito
Carniceria Wild West makes birria tamales that come stuffed with shredded beef and a side of birria broth.
Carniceria Wild West
Carniceria Wild West is another meat market that Tucsonans rave about. This year, they have put their own twist on the classic dish by making birria tamales. Instead of your normal corn or red chile filling, these are stuffed with juicy birria. They even come with a side of consommé, so you can dunk your tamal into the flavorful birria broth. It is as amazing as it sounds.
Info: wildwestmeat.com
El Sur
El Sur has been serving Tucson since 2002, including plates of enchiladas, chile rellenos and carne asada chimichangas. Two readers recommended El Sur’s freshly made sweet green corn tamales, which come with a ground beef taco.
Info: elsurmexicanrestaurant.com
Find red chile and green corn tamales at Carniceria del Valle.
Supercarniceria del Valle
Readers and our former food writer Ellice Lueders enjoy the tamales from this carniceria, which sells red chile and green corn!
Info: facebook.com/p/Super-Carniceria-Del-Valle
Casa Molina
Casa Molina has been serving Tucson for decades and decades and has been a favorite among many. Readers recommended the beef tamales, which you can order alongside beef tacos, a cheese enchilada or beans.
Info: casamolinacampbell.com
A Tucson home cook spreads masa on a corn husk while making traditional red tamales.
Tamale ladies
As one local Reddit user wisely said: “You don’t find the tamale lady, she finds you.” This year, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill legalizing the street sales of home-cooked tamales. Many people, including my family, swear by the illustrious tamale ladies that pop up in parking lots and in front of stores. Many of our Facebook readers spoke about getting tamales from people outside Food City, Home Depot or from a girlfriend’s co-worker’s cousin. If you’re lucky enough to find a tamale lady, treasure it, because more than likely you’re about to have some of the best tamales you’ve ever tasted.
