Tamales

I'm in search for the greatest Tamale ever made!!

I cannot find a decent tamale here in AZ ( Phoenix, Prescott, or Flagstaff area).

Best I've found were Manuels in New Orleans & Alamo in Houston

Any Suggestions?

I'm surprised to hear there are no good tamale places in AZ. Who'da thunk?
I had some excellent Cuban tamales in Miami last month. Guy who made them said they do a little something different with the corn in preparation which makes them different from Mexican style and he put a garlic sauce on top and man was it good!!

carl reitz

Alamo tamales are carried by several grocery store chains here and by Sam's. Have you checked at your nearest Sam's?

They're also available by mail order:

http://www.alamotamale.com/

...and, they also make tamales under different labels so you may have some Alamo tamales in your city under a different name.

I've bought a different brand at the market here that I liked better, but I can't remember the name.

Best tamales in the world are from Pedro's Tamales in Lubbock, TX. There is no contest.

www.tamale.com for mail-order, and they're available in many southwestern supermarkets.

quote:

Originally posted by carlton pierre

I'm surprised to hear there are no good tamale places in AZ. Who'da thunk?
carl reitz

He didn't say there are no good tamales in AZ. He said he couldn't find any in the Anglo part of the state--which doesn't surprise me much. I suspect he'd have better luck in Tucson or Nogales, but I can't say I've searched for them so I can't say exactly where he'd find 'em. Best I've had were probably at Casa Aguila in San Francisco, now sadly defunct, or possibly at my friend R. Hernandez's annual Christmas party (made by himself).

Hi Colt45.....try the little market in Guadalupe, which is tucked into a bit of Phoenix/Tempe....they make their own tamales and they are so very good. The market itself is very good also with great fresh produce, etc. Loved shopping there when we lived in Tempe.

Also, at Christmas time, lots of places make tamales to be sold at that time especially. They are labor intensive so really aren't readily available all the time. But the market in Guadalupe has them all the time, unless they have stopped making them in the last 4-5 years, which I doubt since it is a little Indian/Mexican town.

Donna

There's a neat little place in Knoxville, on Central Ave, called Time Warp Deli. Rather interesting decor, right out of the 50's, but with a motorcycle flair. They serve a great Full House, which is a tamale (s) in a big bowl of chile.

quote:

Originally posted by carlton pierre

There's a neat little place in Knoxville, on Central Ave, called Time Warp Deli. Rather interesting decor, right out of the 50's, but with a motorcycle flair. They serve a great Full House, which is a tamale (s) in a big bowl of chile.

Where on Central Ave is this place right out of the 50's with a motorcycle flair that serves a great full house?

Thanks
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Does anyone know how to MAKE a great tamale? I offered to make a friend anything he wanted for his birthday - his reply - tamales [|)]. I have never made one in my life and research I did ranges from the ridiculously complicated to very unclear - again - [|)].

quote:

aleswench
Cheeseburger



174 Posts
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 10:32:33
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Does anyone know how to MAKE a great tamale? I offered to make a friend anything he wanted for his birthday - his reply - tamales . I have never made one in my life and research I did ranges from the ridiculously complicated to very unclear - again -

Tamales at Christmas /New Years..........wow what a wonderful treat ... but
A gringo making tamales is like an Eskimo making pierogies or a Scandinavian making egg rolls ........... it's just one of those food preparation things that is learned and then passed down from generation to generation something your Mom or Grandma would have taught you as a little child.

You just don't wake up one morning and decide to make tamales or walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope.

With almost half of our population being of Mexican heritage, we here in San Jose, CA are blessed with so many good tamale makers. Seams like every other house hold is making tamales. At Christmas time we have folks selling them out in the street and shopping center parking lots................
alesench...... I wish you luck. Do you think you friend would settle for a tamale pie? They are a heck of a lot easier to make............ Frank C

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=495

This is what you want, AW.

I think someone in another thread mentioned the green chile/cheese tamales sold at Trader Joe's in the frozen case. They are very good as are the chicken/cheese tamales there also.

I love tamales and have always wanted to try to make them but I'm turned off by the very labor intensive method of making them.

Hope you find some tasty ones.

Donna

To respond to Colt .45's query, my answer would be Restaurant Mexico in
downtown Tempe, if it is as good at all as it was when I left the Valley of the Sun. Mexico City /central mexico style- wonderful. Green Corn Tamales and Enchiladas Suiza were their specialties back then, + a mean chile verde. Subtle sauces and salsas.

http://phoenix.citysearch.com/profile/1697179/tempe_az/restaurant_mexico.html?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=search_2_searchslot2_520__0_profile_2_1

Paul,

Time Warp Deli on Central, near the Baxter Ave as I recall. Down the street, same side of the street as Freeze-O. The guy has really fixed the place up on the inside. I'm sure you will like it.

quote:

bill voss

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=495

This is what you want, AW.

Bill. Thanks for the Tamale link. Some real great reading........... "every thing you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask"

quote:

Originally posted by carlton pierre

Paul,

Time Warp Deli on Central, near the Baxter Ave as I recall. Down the street, same side of the street as Freeze-O. The guy has really fixed the place up on the inside. I'm sure you will like it.

Carlton: Thanks for the location and I will visit due to your thoughts. It is very difficult to find a decent chili and tamale in Knoxville

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

You won't go wrong with Time Warp. I've always wanted to go to Mary's on Magnolia, but it's been closed or I could not find a place to park. She is supposed to be best tamale maker around these parts.

quote:

Originally posted by fpczyz

quote:

aleswench
Cheeseburger



174 Posts
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 10:32:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does anyone know how to MAKE a great tamale? I offered to make a friend anything he wanted for his birthday - his reply - tamales . I have never made one in my life and research I did ranges from the ridiculously complicated to very unclear - again -

Tamales at Christmas /New Years..........wow what a wonderful treat ... but
A gringo making tamales is like an Eskimo making pierogies or a Scandinavian making egg rolls ........... it's just one of those food preparation things that is learned and then passed down from generation to generation something your Mom or Grandma would have taught you as a little child.

You just don't wake up one morning and decide to make tamales or walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope.

With almost half of our population being of Mexican heritage, we here in San Jose, CA are blessed with so many good tamale makers. Seams like every other house hold is making tamales. At Christmas time we have folks selling them out in the street and shopping center parking lots................
alesench...... I wish you luck. Do you think you friend would settle for a tamale pie? They are a heck of a lot easier to make............ Frank C

Had a feeling I was way outta my league! You're right - it must be an art. I'm looking at the other links posted too though - I might give it a shot. The guy I'd make them for isn't exactly James Beard -maybe I can "fool" him into thinking they are actually good You're so lucky to live where you live and all that great food!

Looks like somebody needs to start another thread about Tamales soon.

UHHHHHH just read EliseT's recipe on the other tamale thread - Holy Moses - won't be making them from scratch anytime soon - sounds awesome, but I think it would take me an entire day to do them! Mail order.....that's the way to go!

I agree, they are SO much work and effort I can't see myself doing it. I stick with things that are easy and let others do the hard work, like tamales.

quote:

Originally posted by carlton pierre

You won't go wrong with Time Warp. I've always wanted to go to Mary's on Magnolia, but it's been closed or I could not find a place to park. She is supposed to be best tamale maker around these parts.

OK, where is Mary's on Magnolia at?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Our tamale lady comes around to our office every Friday. She pushes her baby in a buggy with the tamales piled on top. She doesn't speak any English, and our Spanish is less than fluent, so sometimes our communications are a little garbled.

She only makes chicken - 6.00 a dozen, every Friday like clockwork. We bought a little teddy bear to give to her tomorrow. Para el bebe de Papa Noel.

Originally posted by Lone Star

Our tamale lady comes around to our office every Friday. She pushes her baby in a buggy with the tamales piled on top. She doesn't speak any English, and our Spanish is less than fluent, so sometimes our communications are a little garbled.

She only makes chicken - 6.00 a dozen, every Friday like clockwork. We bought a little teddy bear to give to her tomorrow. Para el bebe do Papa Noel.

I sincerely wish we had a tamale lady in Knoxville. It will not happen. We have no such luxury around this part of the hills.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul, there are a lot of latina ladies here that peddle their tamales. The lucky ones get a regular route, kind of like a milk man, and some are a relative of someone you work with who will make them when they need extra money and will take orders.

I even bought a dozen one year at Christmas time from a lady selling them outside of Neiman-Marcus at the Galleria.

You would think people would hesitate about buying food from perfect strangers, but everybody does it, especially on Fridays. I have never had a bad tamale or been made ill.

It is a good source of some income for these ladies and their families. Kind of like "egg money" in the old days.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Originally posted by Lone Star

Our tamale lady comes around to our office every Friday. She pushes her baby in a buggy with the tamales piled on top. She doesn't speak any English, and our Spanish is less than fluent, so sometimes our communications are a little garbled.

She only makes chicken - 6.00 a dozen, every Friday like clockwork. We bought a little teddy bear to give to her tomorrow. Para el bebe do Papa Noel.

I sincerely wish we had a tamale lady in Knoxville. It will not happen. We have no such luxury around this part of the hills.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I see an idea for Red for a start up business!

quote:

Originally posted by Lone Star

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Originally posted by Lone Star

Our tamale lady comes around to our office every Friday. She pushes her baby in a buggy with the tamales piled on top. She doesn't speak any English, and our Spanish is less than fluent, so sometimes our communications are a little garbled.

She only makes chicken - 6.00 a dozen, every Friday like clockwork. We bought a little teddy bear to give to her tomorrow. Para el bebe do Papa Noel.

I sincerely wish we had a tamale lady in Knoxville. It will not happen. We have no such luxury around this part of the hills.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I see an idea for Red for a start up business!

But, (big qestion) where is Red gonna get the baby for the baby carriage?????

Oops! Did not think of that... isn't she kind of a strumpet anyway??

The tamale lady just came, and she made "puerco", pork tamales this time too! I bought two dozen of each. She is such a nice lady, and between our concerted efforts, we always manage to have a little conversation.

quote:

Originally posted by Lone Star

The tamale lady just came, and she made "puerco", pork tamales this time too! I bought two dozen of each. She is such a nice lady, and between our concerted efforts, we always manage to have a little conversation.

Im jealous---oh i can get tamales---but SIX DOLLARS A DOZEN!!!!! Im paying Ten---but i must admit---they are worth every dime of it and nice big ones too!!!