Order From These Metro Phoenix Favorites

Filled with all kinds of meats, vegetables, beans, cheeses, and even fruits, tamales are a traditional Mexican and Latin American dish all year round, but they are most consumed during the holiday season.

Their preparation has been passed down from generation to generation. An artisanal dish, tamales are made from nixtamalized dough, known as masa, spread on a corn husk or banana leaf and filled with ingredients that vary by country and region. The tamales are then steamed for several hours before being served, unwrapped and enjoyed, usually with a cup of atole or champurrado, hot chocolate-like drinks also common during the holidays.

It’s a daunting but rewarding task.

But if you — like me — like to eat them, not cook them, here’s a list of eight places in the Phoenix metro area where you can order tamales without having to “sweat” in the kitchen.

Tamales Guadalajara

At Tamales Guadalajara you will find typical dishes from the Mexican state of Jalisco; However, their tamales are a favorite in the West Valley because of their classic Guadalajara style: pork and beef in red sauce, pineapple, chicken in green sauce and cheese with chili strips.

Prices vary: a single for $2.96, a half-dozen for $16, and a dozen for $32. Large orders must be placed one day in advance.

The restaurant will be closed from November 26 to December 4.

Details: 9356 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson. 623-907-0116. https://tamalesguadalajara.com/

Huicho Tacos

If you want spicy tamales that taste like home, you need to visit Tacos Huicho. Their specialty is red and green pork tamales.

They are in high demand this season. Large orders must be placed one week in advance. Prices vary: one piece $3.50, half a dozen $17 and a dozen $30.

Tacos Huicho will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and will open at noon on Christmas Eve.

Details: Multiple locations. http://www.tacoshuicho.com/

The Tamale store

In their quest for quality, The Tamale Store chefs have added a modern touch to a centuries-old traditional recipe, enhancing its flavors and respecting its rich heritage.

Chipotle Chicken or Mole Chicken, Green or Red Chili Pork, Tex Mex, and Red Chili Beef are some of the favorite options. Vegetarian tamales include green corn and cream cheese or cornbread with Colby Jack cheese. If you prefer vegan food, you can order cilantro black beans, chipotle corn, or sweet tamales like pumpkin pie (seasonal) and candy corn.

Prices vary: two for $9, half a dozen for $26 and a dozen for $45. The Thanksgiving order deadline is Monday, November 25. After this date it will be first come, first served. Payment is due upon ordering.

The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Details: 15842 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. 602-435-2604. https://www.thetamalestore.com/

Old El Paso Tamales

Old El Paso Tamales is a restaurant whose specialty is tamales – as its name suggests – with flavors of the Southwest. They sell traditional beef and pork tamales with red sauce, chicken with green sauce, and sweet corn tamales.

You can order online or come to the restaurant. Prices vary: a single $3.80, a half dozen $19.53 and a dozen $36.80.

They will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Details: 730 E. Brown Ste. 109 Mesa. 480-844-0477. https://oldelpasotamales.com/

La Purísima Bakery

La Purisima Bakery sells pastries, sweet breads and desserts, but during the holiday season it also specializes in pork tamales in red and green sauce, cheese with chili strips and of course, tamales with sweet grapes.

A dozen costs $28. They are cooked daily at both locations and do not need to be ordered in advance.

The bakeries will be closed from November 28 to December 2 as well as Christmas Day.

Details: 602 W. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix, 480-350-7169 and 4533 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-842-1400. https://purisimabakery.com/

Queen of the neighborhood

One of Barrio Queen’s favorite dishes is the pork tamale with green sauce, slow-cooked in a fresh green chile sauce with tomatillos. Now, if you like chicken, they have tamales with red sauce, and for vegetarians, they have the tamale made with vegetables, Oaxaca cheese and Queen’s cream sauce.

Tamales cost $45 a dozen. Orders can be placed on their website or by calling the restaurant. For large orders, it is recommended to order in advance.

Details: 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480-656-4197 and 388 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-634-5025. https://www.barrioqueen.com/

Carolina’s Mexican cuisine

At Carolina’s, you can order red meat tamales, chicken with green sauce, and sweet corn tamales.

Prices vary: a single $4.75, a half dozen $23.95 and a dozen $43.95. You can also buy them frozen: a half dozen for $16.95 and a dozen for $27.95. It is recommended to order in advance.

Details: Various locations. https://www.carolinasmexicanfood.com/

Los Dos Molinos

For those who like spicy food, you must visit Dos Molinos in Mesa, where they serve tamales – already spicy – covered in chili and cheese. Order them with marinated red meat, red sauce beef, green sauce chicken, green chili corn (meatless), red chili beef and blue corn or red chili machaca .

Prices vary: a single $6.50 and a frozen dozen $35.

Details: 260, chemin scolaire S. Alma, Ste. 137 Mesa. 480-969-7475. https://losdosmolinosmesa.com/

Do you have any tips about the valley’s Latin American culture and cuisine? Contact La Voz journalist Nadia Cantú at [email protected].