Where to find some really good tamales

[Tari]

Where can I find the best mexican tamales? I haven't eaten many tamales and at first I didn't think I liked them. Last week, my mother in law had some tamales that her friend had made...and it was really good. I was just wondering where else I could find some good tamales.
Any suggestions?

[Sam D.]

I have tried the tamales from nearly all the places previously mentioned. My favorites tamales from a commercial source, not homemade, are as follows:

1. La Indiana. The absolute best. Large & brimming with flavor.
http://www.laindianatamales.com

2. Cinco Puntos. Average size but excellent tasting. Also sold in some locations of Super-A Foods. A real bargain at $1/ea.
3300 E Cesar E Chavez Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90063

3. Mama's Hot Tamales (Previously described) A bit pricey compared to others but they offer a much larger variety of different flavors & styles of tamales and most are very tasty.
http://www.iurd.org/mamashottamales

Juanito’s. Good but not great. The high ratio of masa to filling produces large & very thick-walled tamales.
http://www.juanitostamales.com

Those are based on my personal preferences. YMMV

[ickster]

In addition to Juanitos and La Mascota, I like La Indiana Tamales, on Indiana just north of Olympic.

1142 S. Indiana Street,
Los Angeles Ca 90023.
Telephone No.: [phone]

I like their Red Chile Pork and the Chile Verde with Cheese.

[toniw]

Carillo's in San Fernando and i think there's also one in Reseda. May be a ways for you to travel but you won't find better. They are the real deal

[truefoodie]

second.

[umeakai]

Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe at 7th and Alvarado - usu. 7-8 varieties daily, incl. sweet tamales. Only $2.50 each if you order 3 or more; plentiful filling; and you support a good cause.

http://www.iurd.org/mamasHotTamales/

[goodhealthgourmet]

i haven't tried them, but i always drive past tamara's tamales on washington blvd. in culver city & wonder how they are.

anyone?

[hrhboo]

Overpriced and bland. I really want to like the place because the people are so damn nice but sadly, the tamales are disappointing. And they use margarine in the masa.

[goodhealthgourmet]

ugh...glad i asked! thanks.

[martyR]

I like Sandra & Lolita's tamales on Whitter, just east of Atlantic. Stop at Tacos Baja Ensenada across the street also.

[chowmominLA]

I will forever swear by the chicken chili verde tamales from Gallego's Mexican Deli on Venice near Centinela. You must get that exact flavor, and the regular size (not the cocktail size.) It's at the top of my "top ten deserted island foods" list.

http://www.gallegosmexicandeli.com/

[hrhboo]

Chowmom, have you tried any of the other varieties? Red Chile Pork is my favorite kind and I'm always looking for a good one on the westside. Nice to see you back!

[chowmominLA]

thanks :0) I've tried their plain chicken, beef, pork, cheese, sweet, pumpkin and even pineapple but my favorite is always the chicken chili verde because they put sour cream in it, so the inside has this creamy savory yumminess. The chili verde sauce is not spicy at all, but has just enough zing to give it a nice edge. I've never had a tamale that's come even close, except for the carnitas tamales I make myself with Gallego's prepared masa (they sell it every Wednesday for $2 per pound), which, of course, also have sour cream :0)

[budlit]

I 2nd Gallegos, I love their tamales de elote (seasonal)

[a_and_w]

Love Gallegos. Try the corn tamales, if they have it. God stuff!

[slowrider]

La Mascota on Whittier Blvd. ( across from Johnny's Shrimp Boat ).
Really good pollo & raja tamales.
In business 50 years!

[jonahlee]

The Hollywood farmer's market on Sundays has 2 great places to get them, though I like the place on the East end. I love their green corn tamales with the spicy hot sauce. Makes my mouth water. You can also buy bulk frozen, and steam them at home, which works great.

[wutzizname]

That's the Corn Maiden booth. Good stuff.

[jonahlee]

Yea, they are really delicious. I could eat them every day.

[Diana]

Second Corn maiden or also Gourmet Tamales, also found at some Farmer's MArkets (Encino and Studio City on Sunday.)

[monku]

Juanito's is my fav. You can make a meal out of just one.
http://www.juanitostamales.com/

[Skunk2Racer]

I 2nd Juanitos. I haven't had them in YEARS, Always went to La Mascota. However we had belated Xmas tamales today. the juanitos were twice as large and Juicy and tasty. For $1.55 each they are a best Buy!