Holiday Tamales

[orythedog]

Sadly, I missed the recent tamale festival. So...can someone direct me to one of those LA places that only make tamales during the holidays? You know, the ones you see on the news every year with lines that stretch down the block...

[slacker]

Mom's Tamales is known by all the locals for tamales at Christmas time (not to be confused with Mama's Hot Tamales). They're fine, didn't thrill me, but most tamales don't, and I love tamales. IMO the best tamales are the little skinny ones that are from Texas, can't remember the name of the place that makes them.

Mom's Tamales
3328 Pasadena Ave
Los Angeles , CA 90031
[phone]

[Burger Boy]

Juanito's makes those as well as the bigger mexican ones.

[slacker]

Where's Juanito's? Local skinny ones, very exciting!

[Professor Salt]

Tried Juanito's once based on J Gold's say so. Perhaps because I went late in the afternoon, but they were dry and not all that flavorful, either. Didn't think it was all that, but then, I might have selected a poor sampling of their work

I like my tamales saucy on the inside. For this type, I go to Sandra & Lolita's in East LA

[David Kahn]

La Indiana or Liliana's: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/455608 .

[JAB]

They're made all year long and are very good at Cinco Puntos.

[maggielyn]

Cinco Puntos is great for tamales AND homemade tortillas. Closed WEDS though. Just keep in mind

[Hughlipton]

There is a place in Pacoima called Lenchita's which in my estimation, after having been married to a lady whose mother made the best homemade tamales is the second best I've ever had. They are on Van Nuys at the back of a market so look carefully once you get the address which I do not have handy.

[ickster]

Never knew they had tamales. The posole and steak picado at Lenchita's is good. The tortillas they make are also great.

[ickster]

Like David Kahn, I like the tamales at Indiana Tamales, especially the red chile pork. They make them year round.

[perk]

These are made year round....but they always have lines. There's a tamale stand at the Hollywood Farmers Market every Sunday.

[Cubancoffee]

Is it the same one that's at the Silverlake Farmer's Market? They get $2 (or is it $2.50?) apiece there, though they're mucho grande. Too rich for my blood.

[notmartha]

I saw those news report for SF but I would think it'll be hard to find places that makes tamales only during Xmas and not other times.

Tamales is sold everywhere, anytime of the year here. Seems like every farmer's market has them, and every Mexican bakery.

I love the ones from Corn Maiden, and I recently picked up the 'party sized' tamales (mini tamales in chicken-corn-cheese or chili verde) from Costco in the freezer section and I have to say they are one of the better ones.

[DiveFan]

From last years tamale taste off http://www.chowhound.com/topics/352321 and a few other topics - suggestion and discussion links!

[Burger Boy]

Great List ! ! !

[droyal]

I second the earlier recommendation re Sandra & Lolita. They are the real deal. And, very reasonably priced. Get there early. During XMAS, there are lines around the block.

Sandra & Lolita's tamales
5390 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022-4032

Tel: [phone]

[orythedog]

Thank you all for your feedback. I have a lot of exploring to do. I thought I saw some East LA "bakery" featured on the news last year that only makes theirs on the holidays.

[mikester]

This is great info, but are there no good tamales behind the Orange Curtain ?