The best places to get tamales in Dallas.
Adobe Stock
Tamales are a holiday staple in Dallas, but like everything else that’s fun and worthwhile about Christmas, getting them to your table isn’t without its stressors. Unless your family is making them at home (in which case, please consider inviting us to dinner), the hunt is on to find high-quality ones before they disappear for the season.
Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to get your yuletide tamale fix in North Texas. You can go the traditional route and order them in advance from a local restaurant or grocery store, or you can get a little more creative. Either way, we’ve got you covered.
Tia Doras Bakery
2478 W. Illinois Ave.
This Oak Cliff staple makes tamales daily. Get a dozen pork and chicken tamales for $18, or tamales de res for $22. One local, T. James, wrote that these arrive by horse and chariot, adding, “If I had $3 in my account, I’d overdraft for a dozen and just figure it out later.” The overdraft endorsement is real.
Tamaleria Nuevo Leon
Multiple Locations
This family-owned local chain, which has locations in Richardson, Garland, Carrollton and Murphy, serves a wide variety of tamales year-round. These include traditional flavors like chicken and pork, specialty flavors like cream cheese and jalapeno and dessert varieties (which are only sold individually) like dulce de leche and blueberry. You can order a dozen for $17.90 or six for $8.95. More information can be found online.
This year, make your gift count –
Invest in local news that matters.
Our work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $30,000 goal!
Becerra’s
Pop-Up at Saint Michael’s Farmers Market
Becerra’s is a pop-up crafting small batches of tamales using high-quality meats and ingredients. You can order in advance for Saturday pick-up at the Saint Michael’s Farmers market by using their website. Options include chicken verde, smoked brisket and traditional flavors. These come frozen: heat and eat. Here’s everything you need to know about market dates and the pick-up schedule.
Along Came Tamale
113 East Fate Main Place, Rockwall
Along Came Tamale is a family-owned shop that produces scratch-made, gluten-free tamales using clean ingredients. The tamales come in both fresh and frozen packs and the flavors include pork, black bean and corn, cheese and jalapeño, chicken and lentil and curry. Packages of six range from $12 to $14. Shipping and pickup orders can be placed online.
Luna’s Tortillas
7406 Harry Hines Blvd.
Luna’s is legendary in Dallas. In addition to tortillas, they make holiday tortillas. A dozen is $21. They have pork available daily, and other options (chicken, beef, cheese and bean) are available by calling a day ahead at 214-747-2661.
Tamale Making Class at Bowie House
3700 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
Nothing screams “holiday coziness” like a homemade dinner and Bowie House in Fort Worth is here to help add that personal touch. On Dec. 20, attendees will learn how to make and wrap tamales, take their creations home with them and “celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Texas and Mexico.” Tickets are $85.
Tamale Eating Contest at El Chingon
2800 Bledsoe St., No. 100, Fort Worth
Splitting a big platter of tamales may be a staple of holiday gatherings, but some people just aren’t the sharing type. El Chingon in Fort Worth gets that, which is why they’re hosting a free tamale-eating contest on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. The first three teams of two to finish 10 tamales will be awarded special prizes, but everyone who enters is a winner in their own way. After all, ten free tamales are nothing to sneeze at. More information can be found on Eventbrite.
El Mero Mero Tamalero
920 S. Harwood St., No. 110 (Dallas Farmers Market)
Located inside the Dallas Farmers Market, El Mero Mero has been serving the community since 1984. Their holiday offerings, which are gluten-free and made fresh daily, include pork, pork jalapeño, beef, chicken, veggie, and bean jalapeño. Tamales are sold by the dozen ($17.55) or half-dozen ($10.16). More information can be found online.
Pecan Lodge
2702 Main St.
The Deep Ellum barbecue staple has rolled out its holiday pre-order menu for the season and tamales are included in this impressive spread. Pecan Lodge is serving 12-count orders of both pork ($22) and brisket ($26) tamales. Pints of salsa are also available as an add-on for $12. All food is served cooked with instructions for reheating. Christmas orders should be placed online by Friday, Dec. 19.
The Tamale Company
Multiple Locations
The Tamale Co. has been selling tamales through retail stores and farmers’ markets around the area, including Eatzi’s, Jimmy’s Foods and their brick-and-mortar location, The Bodega, since 2008 and their products are available to order online. This includes chicken, cheese, beef and pork tamales that come in packs of a dozen for $24.95 (or a sampler pack for $62) as well as salsa, masa chips and Mexican hot chocolate. You can place an order or find a store near you online.