my tamale emergency

[tralala17]

hello chowhounds:

I ordered six dozen tamales for a party tomorrow, and they can't be delivered--a long sad story, but I have to move on.

Does anyone know of a place that sells good tamales by the dozen? I would appreciate any and all suggestions.

Have also posted on Manhattan board.

Thank you so much.

[charlie_b]

hmmm.... wonder if it's the same party. a friend of mine asked me earlier this week about tamales and i emailed her the following, which i culled from various posts here. she had responded that she thought they ordered from someplace in NM or LA ....

-=-=-

1) Woodside tamal vendor

I just want to give a shout out to the tamal lady under the Woodside #7/LIRR tracks.
She's got some fine tamales. I've enjoyed the rajas y pollo and Oaxaqueno
versions. Most are $1, the Oaxaqueno es muy grande and $3. I haven't tried the
queso tamal that Eric Eto wrote about 3.5 years ago ( http://www.chowhound.com/topics/24084...
).

She's out around noon on weekdays, under the overpass next to the fruit vendor.
I like that I usually get the tamales when they're still quite soft and haven't
hardened to a dense mass. Maybe it's because I get them soon after she's
set up...or she's just got that touch.

(2) Astoria tamales

They have great tamales ($1) in Astoria at the Mexican Grocery on 29th Street, just
south of 30th Ave. Big selection too of savory and sweet. - Rover Dec 25, 2006 04:42AM

(re: post above) I picked some up this morning for Christmas- they were very good!
My Mexican girlfriend from East LA even thought they were good, which is the ultimate
proof of authenticity :) - BigV Dec 26, 2006 08:18AM

(another opinion) in astoria, these days i prefer the tamales at joseph and sylvia's
market at astoria and 23rd. but in any case there are a lot of pretty good tamales
in astoria at this time. - babar ganesh Dec 25, 2006 05:27PM

(and yet another opinion) Original Mexican Grocery on 29th Street is amazing - the
tamales at El Compita down on 34th Avenue, between 32nd and 33rd Streets, are also
quite good. - astorian Jan 02, 2007 10:12PM

(3) Sunset Park tamales

La Guera, on 5th Av. (I think between 47th and 48th, maybe 47/46). We walked in
and they had a very organized operation right at the door, selling Oaxaquenos, mole,
chicken, cheese, and sweet tamales. $1.00 each except for the Oaxaquenos, $1.50.
They turned out to be really good, perhaps the best I've ever had in Brooklyn.
Very tasty, large, well prepared masa, probably the closest I've ever come to
L.A.-style tamales. I look forward to going back, but unfortunately forgot to ask
about their tamale-making schedule. I'm hoping it's every weekend! - Bookistan
Dec 26, 2006 06:44PM

(follow-up comment to above) I believe La Guera is the place that expanded from
Rico's Tamales, the well known tamale place in Sunset Park. Actually, the Rico's
stand always had the name "La Guera" as well. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/246648
- E Eto Dec 26, 2006 07:08PM

(another reference) [to unnamed, but possibly the same, tamale place on 5th Ave
near 46th with a red awning, or red on the awning, about 2 blocks south of Sunset
Park.

]

if desired, we can get tamales and bring them. another bonus about sunset park
tamales - sunset park bahn mi. now THAT's party food.

[bklyngrl]

I posted about ordering from New Mexico, but wouldn't help in the sudden death emergency for 6 dozen tamales in less than 24 hours.
http://www.santafetamales.com/

tralala what did you end up doing?

[BigV]

I got tamales for Christmas at Original Mexican Grocery on 30-11 29th Street in Astoria. I believe they can do large orders- give them a call. 718-274-6936.

[carfreeinla]

The Brooklyn places of choice on this board- 46th ( 47th?) and 5th in Sunset park, 10th and 4th in Park Slope.

[pitu]

more specifically (but exactly what she said)
Ricos Tamales - there's a red awning - on east side of Fifth Ave in Sunset Park (45/46th Streets)
and
Flores y Tamales on 4th Ave (10/11th St) right by the F/R train 9th St/4th Ave stop
It has a built out shack/porch, west side of the street
and is your best option if you need to order 6 dozen tamales in English
but I don't know if they have a phone. They stay open very late.

I don't think either place would have that much for you without an advance order, but I could be wrong. Also don't know about delivery. Post back if you get better contact info, eh?
GOOD LUCK! : )