Tamales, NW IN or South 'Burbs?

[Warthog]

My Texas friends have introduced me to the idea of tamales for Christmas and/or New Years, and I was wondering if there's any place in the South Suburbs or NW IN that sells good freshly-made tamales in bulk for take home and steaming. Down in Austin, there are all sorts of wonderful little tamale shacks and Mexican groceries that cater to this trade for the holidays, and I was wondering if there were any suggestions for similar places in the Calumet Region.

[Stuccolow]

Same as here. Check out your local Mexican Grocery stores or Tony's Super Store.

[Warthog]

Let me clarify - I live out of state, and I don't know where the local Mexican grocery stores or other such places are in the South Suburbs or NW IN, let alone which ones have the best tamales. I'm coming home for the holidays, and trying to get advanced info so that I have some hint of where the good places to go are before I get there.

Any specific recommendations about places that have particularly good "take home and steam" or carry-out tamales would be appreciated. Any warnings about places to avoid would also be welcome, so that if I'm left to search on my own, I at least don't accidentally choose the worst of what's available.

[gordeaux]

Most of the mid sized to large sized grocers sell one brand labeled "Pancho's." Only get those as a last resort. The same stores might have other brands as well, but I think Pancho brand are pretty terrible. I wish I could help you more about a joint that far south, but it's outta my stomping grounds. I do recall someone I trust telling me of a joint that was a ways south, I'll try to get the info, but I don't think it was that far south.

[gordeaux]

Look up this place:
Whiting Pierogi & Tamale store on Indianapolis blvd.
1548 Indianapolis Blvd, Whiting, IN 46394

Also, here's the place I got a rec for. Not THAT far south, but supposedly REALLY good:
Carniceria La Altena
8827 S. Escanaba
773-734-7070

Another few places saud to be worth your while:
Taco Mex
10658 S Torrence Av
Chicago
773-734-4321

Memo's Taco Mex
2128 45th St
Highland IN
219-934-7300

During the holiday season, I would DEFINITELY call ahead and place an order. Texans are really not the only ones who do tamales for xmas, ya know. I'm lining up my ingredients for my homemade batch over the next few days. The tamale joints will be selling them like crazy. Order ahead.
GOOD LUCK!!!

[uncartie]

Both of these do a fine job.

Supermercado Ortega
7234 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond, IN
[phone]‎

La Balanza Supermarket
19100 Burnham Avenue
Lansing, IL 60438-3884
[phone]